H.R. No. 65
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The students, faculty, and alumni of Brazosport
College bade farewell to an esteemed educator and administrator in
December 2012, when Dr. John Ray retired from that institution
after more than 40 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ray earned bachelor's and master's degrees in
biology from Stephen F. Austin State University, and in the fall of
1972, he began his notable tenure at Brazosport College as a biology
professor; he went on to serve as division chair of mathematics and
science from 1981 until 1987, when he received his doctoral degree
in educational administration from the University of Houston; after
briefly chairing the Long Range Planning Committee, he was tapped
to serve as vice president of the college in 1988; he further shared
his expertise with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
for which he was chair of the Developmental Education Task Force and
the Texas Academic Success Program Committee; and
WHEREAS, In his role as dean of industry and community
resources, a post he held from 1996 until his retirement, Dr. Ray
coordinated noncredit programs, research, and grant development,
and he had responsibility for the college's planning and
institutional effectiveness activities as well as its Small
Business Development Center and information technology;
additionally, he led the data team for the Achieving the Dream
initiative, a campus-wide effort to eliminate achievement
disparities by reaching out to first-year students; and
WHEREAS, Active in the Lake Jackson community, he has served
on the board of the Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce for several
years; he is the current president of the Stilwell Retirement
Residence and previously served as a member of the Salvation Army
board and as president of Lake Jackson Emergency Medical Service;
he is also a faithful congregant at First United Methodist Church of
Lake Jackson, where he taught Sunday school for over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Blessed with a fine family, Dr. Ray enjoys traveling
the world with his wife, Jane, his son, Jake, and his sister-in-law,
Jill Burkindine, and he counts bird-watching among his favorite
pursuits; and
WHEREAS, Dr. John Ray's visionary leadership and dedication
have contributed to a host of positive developments at Brazosport
College, and he leaves behind a record of distinguished service
that continues to resonate around the campus and throughout the
community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. John Ray
on his retirement as dean of industry and community resources at
Brazosport College 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. Ray as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Bonnen of Brazoria
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 65 was adopted by the House on July
25, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House