SR624 - Recognizing Tyler Junior College on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 624          WHEREAS, The students, faculty, and staff of Tyler Junior   College are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the college's   founding in 2026; and            WHEREAS, TJC traces its origins to September 17, 1926,   when it began its inaugural school year with a class of 93   students; the college initially operated out of Tyler High   School and offered courses in traditional liberal arts, public   school music, and home economics; during its early years, the   college established football and basketball teams, an outdoor   recreation club, a campus newsletter, and the Las Mascaras   drama club, which today has the distinction of being TJC's   longest-running student organization; in addition, the Alpha   Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was chartered at the college   in 1930, and it is now one of the oldest national honor society   chapters in the nation; in 1945, voters in Tyler approved a   measure to create a junior college district and establish a new   campus for TJC; and            WHEREAS, Since its inception, the college has expanded to   include two campuses in Tyler as well as locations in Lindale,   Jacksonville, and Rusk; today, TJC serves more than 19,000   students each year, and it offers over 120 degree and   certificate programs in fields such as health care, creative   arts, communication, manufacturing, transportation, business,   public service, and science and technology; during its spring   2025 commencement, the college awarded degrees and   certificates to a record 1,689 graduates; and            WHEREAS, Students at TJC have the opportunity to   participate in more than 40 clubs and organizations, including   the Presidential Honors Program, Student Senate, Phi Theta   Kappa, Hispanic Student Organization, Black Student   Organization, Student Nurses Organization, TJC band program,   and TJC Wind Ensemble; the college also boasts a highly   accomplished athletics program, with nearly 70 national   championships; and            WHEREAS, Throughout its history, TJC has embraced a   number of symbols to represent its fierce and enduring spirit;   these include the Apache and the Harris's Hawk as well as the   college's official mascot, Harry the Hawk, who was introduced   in October 2022; moreover, generations of students have proudly   participated in traditions such as the drumbeat, which is a   collective effort to continuously keep a drum beating during   homecoming week, and the Rim March, a performance by the Apache   Band and Belles that takes place before football games; the   college also commemorates special events and victories by   lighting its iconic Ramey Tower in gold; and            WHEREAS, True to its mission, TJC seeks to provide a   caring, comprehensive experience through educational   excellence, stellar service, innovative programming, and   authentic partnerships; among its many honors, the college was   named one of the nation's top 150 community colleges by the   Aspen Institute College Excellence Program in 2017, and it   earned Military Friendly Silver status for the 2025-2026 school   year; and            WHEREAS, Over the past century, Tyler Junior College has   provided students with a strong foundation on which to build   successful careers and fulfilling lives, and it is a privilege   to join in recognizing the institution on this special   milestone in its history; now, therefore, be it            RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tyler   Junior College and extend to all those affiliated with the   college sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further            RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be   prepared for Tyler Junior College as an expression of high   regard from the Texas Senate.     Hughes                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on May 31, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate