83R22058 JWI-D
By: Giddings H.R. No. 1685
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The University of North Texas at Dallas has greatly
benefited from the leadership of Dr. John Ellis Price, who is
retiring from his position as president of the institution in 2013;
and
WHEREAS, Formerly an extension of the University of North
Texas, UNT-Dallas was established as a result of a locally
initiated, public-private partnership launched in 1997; when the
campus was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2001, Dr. Price
was named its chief executive officer; and
WHEREAS, While guiding the university in its early days,
Dr. Price led the development of an award-winning master plan for
the 264-acre campus, including the construction of its first
environmentally green, Gold LEED-certified buildings; in addition,
he headed the 21st Century Commission, a group of business, civic,
and philanthropic leaders working to define the university's role
in Dallas and the North Texas region and to develop innovations and
best practices to ensure that the school provides an affordable,
high-quality education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Price became vice provost of the university in
2003, and under his direction, additional faculty and staff were
hired to support the growing student body; by 2009, the
university's enrollment had reached 1,000 full-time students, the
benchmark that allowed it to become officially recognized as an
independent general academic institution; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Dr. Price was named the founding president
of UNT-Dallas, the first public, four-year university in the city,
and he led its inaugural commencement ceremonies on December 19,
2010, when 173 undergraduate and 25 graduate degrees were
conferred; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed administrator received his bachelor's
and master's degrees at The University of Southern Mississippi, and
he earned his doctorate in accounting from the University of North
Texas in 1981; a certified public accountant, he previously served
on the UNT faculty and as chair of its Department of Accounting, and
he is the coauthor of College Accounting, one of the most widely
used textbooks in the subject; and
WHEREAS, Highly active in professional and civic groups,
Dr. Price has chaired the Minority Initiatives Committee of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and he is a
member of the Dallas Friday Group and Uplift Education, as well as a
trustee of the Dallas Historical Society; a recipient of numerous
accolades, Dr. Price has twice received the UNT Outstanding
Teaching Award, as well as the university's President's Council
Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John Ellis Price has rendered outstanding
service to UNT-Dallas, and his tireless efforts to build on the
university's record of excellence have greatly benefited its
students and the entire community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Dr. John Ellis Price on the occasion of
his retirement from the University of North Texas at Dallas and
extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Price as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.