November 2024

Much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

Dear Friends,

In this season of Thanksgiving, I have gratifying news to share on so many fronts — we hosted installation events for our inaugural Houston campus president, contracted with the U.S. Air Force for pilot training, received another award for our campus landscape, and are celebrating playoff-bound athletics teams.

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Williams installed as inaugural Houston campus president

The Texas Woman’s University System Board of Regents, faculty, staff, alumni and students were joined by federal, state, and local elected officials and other dignitaries from across Texas to take part in an installation ceremony for inaugural Houston campus President Monica G. Williams, PhD, on Nov. 7. I was pleased to see so much support and was truly moved to hear so many people speak highly of President Williams' impact on their lives and the communities where she has been a leader. I am more confident than ever that she understands the Texas Woman’s mission at her core. Her deep Houston roots and her connections to so many people in and around that metropolitan community will certainly give our Houston campus the leadership it needs for strategic growth.

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University inks agreement with Air Force to train pilots

Texas Woman’s finalized a contract with the United States Air Force to help train pilots through the university’s Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences. Training began in late October with an initial cohort of about 30 Air Force officers. Although the training will use instructors from the Doswell School’s partner, US Aviation, the contract will be beneficial for TWU aviation students, who eventually will need to log pilot-instructor hours to gain advanced certifications and will have a ready-made source of student-pilots to teach through the Air Force contract.

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Grounds crew earns another landscaping award

I am thrilled to share that for the eighth time since 2007 Texas Woman’s grounds crew has been recognized by the Professional Grounds Management Society®. This international organization, which rates the grounds of educational institutions from coast to coast, recognized Texas Woman’s with an Honor Award during the society’s annual celebration. In all, 15 educational institutions were recognized with a Grand Award (the highest honor), an Honor Award or the Sustainability Award.

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Athletic teams starting, finishing strong

After finishing last season as runner-up to the national champions in basketball, this year’s team is off to a fast start, winning its first five games on the road, and, for the first time in program history, being ranked #1 in the country in Division II basketball. It appears the team is poised for another electrifying season. But it is not only the basketball team that is excelling. Soccer finished its regular season earlier this month and won its first playoff contest in dramatic fashion; and volleyball locked up a playoff spot as it finished its regular season. If you have not had a chance to catch a game, I invite you to watch these talented student-athletes give their all to the sport. It is so exciting!

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Lastly, I leave you with this photo of environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who shot to fame following the release of the movie of the same name in 2000. Brockovich was the keynote speaker at the second annual Leading the Lone Star State: Texas Women in Public Service Summit, organized by the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. The summit brings together women from across Texas to discuss an array of leadership issues and, this year, focused on ethical governance. It was a sellout event and a huge success.

As always, email me with your comments or questions. I am delighted that you have spent a few minutes with me today.

Warm Regards,

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.

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Page last updated 4:16 PM, December 20, 2024