84R1699 BPG-D
By: Sanford H.R. No. 246
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Cary Israel is retiring as president of Collin
College in January 2015, concluding a notable tenure that has
spanned nearly 16 years; and
WHEREAS, Appointed in 1999, Dr. Israel has skillfully guided
the institution through a period of tremendous growth; enrollment
at the campuses in Plano, McKinney, and Frisco has risen from 30,000
to more than 52,000 credit and continuing education students,
facilities have been expanded by more than 1 million square feet,
and the college today offers more than 100 degrees and
certificates; it has gained wide recognition as a national Center
of Excellence in Nursing Education, and it is the recipient of more
than $30 million in grants and the only college or university in the
state to count six Carnegie Professors of the Year among its faculty
members; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Israel has implemented a number of innovative
programs at Collin College, including the Weekend College, the
Collin Higher Education Center, and the Center for Scholarly and
Civic Engagement; through the PISD Health Sciences Academy
partnership with the Plano Independent School District, the
institution offers students the opportunity to get a head start on
careers in health care; and
WHEREAS, Also an outstanding steward of financial resources,
Dr. Israel oversaw decisions that resulted in Collin College
offering one of the lowest tuitions in the state even as it
continued to maintain or lower its tax rate every year; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed leader has also made a positive impact
through his service on the executive and legislative committees of
the Texas Association of Community Colleges and as president of
Texas Campus Compact, a coalition of college and university
presidents who promote civic purposes of higher education;
moreover, he has been a member of the national executive advisory
council for SunGard Higher Education, of the advisory council for
the Center for Community College Education of Texas A&M
University-Commerce, and of the advisory board for the University
of North Texas Bill J. Priest Center for Community College
Education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Israel graduated from Michigan State University
and holds a juris doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy
School of Law; he brought to his role at Collin College a wealth of
knowledge and experience gained as president of Raritan Valley
Community College in New Jersey, as president of the Illinois
Community College System, and as president of Front Range Community
College in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the local community, Dr. Israel
is a Rotarian and a member of the Plano Chamber of Commerce advisory
board and of the boards of The Medical Center of Plano and the Plano
Symphony Orchestra; he was named one of 21 Leaders of the 21st
Century by Inside Collin County Business, and his numerous
accolades include two regional CEO of the Year Awards from the
Association of Community College Trustees, the Phi Theta Kappa
Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, the Plano Community Forum
Award, and the Collin County League of United Latin American
Citizens' Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Cary Israel has secured Collin College's place among
the state's most vibrant educational centers, and his exceptional
accomplishments will continue to enrich the lives of Texans for
years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Dr. Cary Israel on the occasion of his
retirement as president of Collin College and extend to him sincere
best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Israel as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.