89S10921 TBO-F     By: Perry S.R. No. 76       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., distinguished himself   through his more than 15 years of dedicated servant leadership to   the Texas Tech University System, first as president of Texas Tech   University Health Sciences Center and then as chancellor of the TTU   System; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell provided tremendous guidance and   support to the leadership teams of the five institutions of the TTU   System, including Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University   Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University, Texas Tech   University Health Sciences Center El Paso, and Midwestern State   University; he helped to enhance the TTU System's profile, and he   supported the shared missions of advancing higher education, health   care, research, and community engagement; he also led the system's   engagement with elected officials in Austin and with federal   leaders in Washington, D.C., to further increase funding and   support for strategic initiatives at each university; and          WHEREAS, Under Dr. Mitchell's leadership, the TTU System   consistently achieved systemwide records in enrollment,   fundraising, and research expenditures, and it made a $19.2 billion   statewide economic impact; moreover, the system experienced   exponential growth, including the addition of two institutions,   five schools, and numerous academic programs; the system has made a   meaningful impact in the lives of people across Texas, including   those in underserved rural areas, through workforce development and   collaborations with partners in public education, local   government, and private industry; and          WHEREAS, During the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019,   Dr. Mitchell led the TTU System's successful efforts to secure   approval for the establishment of the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental   Medicine at TTUHSC El Paso, the state's first dental school in over   half a century, as well as the TTU School of Veterinary Medicine in   Amarillo, the state's first veterinary school in more than 100   years; those institutions have helped to address shortages of   dentists and veterinarians across the state; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell was instrumental in the TTU System's   historic success in each subsequent legislative session since then,   leading to the addition of Midwestern State University as the fifth   component of the system in 2021; he also oversaw the creation of the   Texas University Fund in 2023, with the goal of supporting emerging   Texas research institutions in perpetuity; in 2025, he secured   critical legislative funding for each of the TTU System's   institutions to support strategic initiatives aligned with their   individual and collective strengths; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell's leadership and extensive medical   knowledge has led to the creation of the Big Cure Surgical Oncology   Fellowship Program, a partnership with the John Wayne Cancer   Foundation that aims to improve access to cancer care and health   outcomes for cancer patients in West Texas; in addition, he   contributed to the acquisition of the world's largest database on   research related to health and fitness to create the Kenneth   H. Cooper Institute at Texas Tech University Health Sciences   Center, a resource that will further advance preventive medicine   and positively impact the communities the system serves; and          WHEREAS, All of Dr. Tedd Mitchell's efforts serve as a   testament to his enduring and unwavering commitment to the people   and communities of West Texas, the State of Texas, and the United   States; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature, 1st   Called Session, hereby commend Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., for his   exceptional service to the Texas Tech University System, its   institutions, and all those they serve, and extend to him sincere   appreciation for his extraordinary dedication; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Dr. Mitchell as an expression of high regard by the   Texas Senate.