H.R. No. 152
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Howard College celebrated its 75th anniversary with
a gala event at its main campus in Big Spring on September 30, 2021;
and
WHEREAS, The Howard County Junior College District was
established in November 1945, and the following year, 148 students
enrolled, meeting for their first classes on September 30 in the
hospital unit of the former Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier
School; the institution was admitted to the Association of Texas
Colleges in 1947 and later earned full accreditation from the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; in 1951, trustees
passed a resolution to admit students regardless of race, creed, or
color, and that same year, the college moved to its current campus;
and
WHEREAS, Renamed Howard College in 1974, the school continued
to grow and thrive, and over the years, a number of new buildings
and programs were added, including the SouthWest College for the
Deaf, the country's first such institution of its kind; today,
under the leadership of President Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks, Howard also
offers courses at its San Angelo and Lamesa campuses, as well as at
the Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution and the Eden
Detention Center; proudly serving a diverse student body, the
college is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and it has
been ranked among the top Military Friendly Schools in the nation;
and
WHEREAS, In commemoration of the college's 75th anniversary,
the Howard community has held various events since November 2020,
including several ribbon cuttings and ground breakings on the Big
Spring Campus; in January 2021, the Big Spring Chamber of Commerce
hosted a grand opening for the school's newly renovated Cactus
Room, which now features state-of-the-art technology for lectures
and special events; and
WHEREAS, For three quarters of a century, Howard College has
provided students with important opportunities in higher
education, and in so doing, it has enriched the lives of countless
Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 75th
anniversary of Howard College and extend to all those affiliated
with the institution sincere best wishes for continued success;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the college as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Darby
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 152 was adopted by the House on
October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House