UT Board of Regents Appoints George F. Hamm President Emeritus

May 8, 2003

UT Board of Regents Appoints George F. Hamm President Emeritus

The University of Texas Board of Regents appointed former UT Tyler President, George F. Hamm, President Emeritus during a meeting in Austin today.

Dr. Hamm served 1981 – 1997 as president of UT Tyler.

Current UT Tyler president, Rodney H. Mabry, UT System Regent A.W. “Dub” Riter Jr. and Dr. Teresa Sullivan, UT System vice chancellor for academic affairs, made the recommendation to the Board for the honorary title.

During Hamm’s tenure as president, UT Tyler experienced growth in facilities, gift support, degree programs, international education and community service programs.

Hamm raised private gifts to supplement university funds for the $22 million R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center. In 1993, University Pines opened, the university’s first on-campus student housing.

In 1996 the George F. Hamm Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities was established in his honor at UT Tyler. The $500,000 chair, funded entirely by gifts from Tyler citizens, was established to advance awareness of ethical principles, social responsibilities, appreciation of the arts and a respect for the dignity and uniqueness of others.

Degree programs added during his presidency included master’s degrees in nursing, history, mathematics, biology and political science, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in engineering, the first at a state university in East Texas.

International educational programs, established as a university priority during his presidency, gave UT Tyler students opportunities to study in more than 30 countries and brought international students and faculty to the campus.

Also under his leadership, the university established campuses in Longview and Palestine.

Other initiatives during his presidency included establishment of the Distinguished Lecture Series and Eisenhower International Golf Classic.

The lecture series has featured such notable speakers as Henry Kissinger, Coretta Scott King, Jeane Kirkpatrick and Tip O’Neill.

The Eisenhower Classic brought to East Texas such pro golf stars as Greg Norman, Tom Kite, Payne Stewart, Fred Couples, Jan Stephenson, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Don January.

Contact:
Beverley Golden
566-7303