H.R. No. 94
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Howard College president Dr. Cheryl Sparks
celebrated her 70th birthday on November 9, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Big Spring, Cheryl Sparks
attended The University of Texas at El Paso and Howard College
before going on to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree from
Texas Tech University, where she also completed her doctorate in
higher education; early in her career, she served Howard College in
such positions as dean of students, vice president for
institutional advancement, and assistant to the president; she was
appointed president by the board of trustees in 1992, becoming only
the second female community college president in the state; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sparks now ranks as the longest-serving
community college president in Texas; she guides campuses in Big
Spring, Lamesa, and San Angelo, as well as the SouthWest College for
the Deaf; over the years, she has served higher education in myriad
leadership roles, including chair of the Rural Community College
Alliance and of the Texas Association of Community Colleges
telecommunications committee; she has been a member of the
executive committee of the Texas Association of Community Colleges
and of the boards of numerous organizations, among them the Texas
Association of Community College Trustees and Administrators, the
Texas Association of Community College Foundations, and the Texas
Junior College Association; and
WHEREAS, Highly engaged in civic life, Dr. Sparks has
benefited her fellow residents through her efforts as president of
the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, board chair of Scenic
Mountain Medical Center, and member of the boards of such
organizations as the Big Spring Rotary Club, United Way of Big
Spring and Howard County, the Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center,
and the YMCA; she earned the Service Above Self Award from Rotary
International, and she was named 1992 Big Spring Area Chamber of
Commerce Woman of the Year and 2005 Distinguished Woman of Howard
County; and
WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Dr. Sparks enjoys the support
of a loving family that includes her husband, John Richard Sparks,
her son, J. Rich Sparks, and his wife, Sarah, and two grandchildren,
Jenson and Lindley; and
WHEREAS, Cheryl Sparks has played a vital role in advancing
the proud legacy of Howard College, and her professional
accomplishments and civic contributions have earned the lasting
admiration of her fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Cheryl
Sparks on her 70th birthday and commend her for her service as
president of Howard College; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Sparks as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Darby
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 94 was adopted by the House on
December 5, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House