Released On:
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Tammy Taylor,
Director of Public Relations
(903)927-3385
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Wiley recognized its 2012 Men of Strength during a luncheon Tuesday in the Alumni Gymnasium. From left are honorees Dr. Rodney Mabry, President of the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President and CEO of Wiley College, and Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, the President of Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama.
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WILEY NAMES ITS 2012 MEN OF STRENGTH
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Wiley College has named Dr. Rodney Mabry, President of the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, President of Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, and Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President and CEO of Wiley College, the 2012 Men of Strength honorees. Dr. Mabry, Dr. Hawkins, and Dr. Strickland were recognized at a luncheon Tuesday in the Alumni Gymnasium at Wiley.
In selecting these visionary Presidents as honorees, Dr. Joseph L. Morale, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services at Wiley, told the male students, faculty, and staff gathered at the crowded luncheon that the planning committee wanted to honor mentors young men could emulate.
“These College Presidents have made a tremendous difference in our state and nation while epitomizing what it means to be good men,” said Dr. Morale. “They are models of courage and inspiration for men in general and for men who desire careers in education,” he said.
Dr. Strickland, the 16th President of Wiley College, was not told that he was being honored at the luncheon. He said he was pleased at the idea and thought that Wiley found him worthy of such an honor. He reserved his comments for his colleagues. “I am pleased to take part in this special day to recognize the good works of these two men,” he said. “These two men of strength represent well our concept of what it means to be a leader, a mentor, and a moral and ethical figure in higher education and in our nation.”
Dr. Strickland has served as President of Wiley College since 2000. Under his administration, the College had its accreditation re-affirmed to the year 2013. Dr. Strickland increased enrollment at Wiley by 131 percent. He has spearheaded more than 300 facilities improvement projects, with the major one being the construction of the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel. And the College broke ground in May to build a $14 million 500-bed residence center.
“Dr. Strickland is a man who does not understand the words ‘it can’t be done’ said Dr. Morale at the luncheon. “He believes in making a difference in the lives of all his students. He believes we all can be special.”
In accepting his award, Dr. Rodney Mabry told the students that they can accomplish any goal if they “pay attention to details and persevere.” He went on to tell the students to “strive to be the very best person you can be.” He spoke of the commonalities of Wiley and U .T. Tyler, noting that both institutions have fine debate programs. Dr. Mabry himself attended college on a debate scholarship.
Dr. Mabry is the third President of the University of Texas at Tyler where he has served since 1998. During Dr. Mabry’s tenure, the university has experienced tremendous growth in enrollment, academic programs, and facilities. Under his stellar leadership, the institution has ranked as high as 19th in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of Master’s Level I public universities in the West out of 335 universities in that category.
Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, who served as the 20th president of Texas College from 2000 to 2007, told students they could find many men of strength right on the campus of Wiley. He called Dr. Strickland a man of strength and thanked him for his great work during his tenure as President at Texas College from 1994 to 2000. He attributed his success at Texas College to the foundation laid by Dr. Strickland. Dr. Hawkins encouraged the students of Wiley to “mentor others as you move forward and accomplish great things as graduates. “
During his tenure at Texas College, Dr. Hawkins implemented five new academic programs, constructed three new facilities, remodeled all academic and student service facilities, eliminated all long term debt, and started seven new athletic programs. He has served as President of Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, since January of 2008. His accomplishments at Talladega include increasing enrollment by 70 percent.
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