[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF V. LANE RAWLINS' SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE 
                       UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 13, 2014

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of V. 
Lane Rawlins as the 15th President of the University of North Texas 
(UNT). Dr. Rawlins joined UNT in 2010 at a critical time in the 
school's history as it sought to become a tier-one research 
institution. Under his leadership, great strides have been made in this 
effort. He remains a strong advocate for students, recognizing that 
ultimately their success is the measure by which all University 
accomplishments are made.
  Since the entry of the fall 2010 freshman class, UNT has emphasized 
efforts to increase the number of high-quality students by focusing on 
recruitment, retention, and enrollment. Under his direction, UNT's fall 
2013 enrollment reached a record 36,221 students, an 18 percent growth 
with an average SAT score of 1108, 7 points higher than three years 
prior.
  Dr. Rawlins sought to strengthen the culture of research at UNT by 
attracting distinguished faculty and emphasizing the significance of 
research activity. Through this focus, UNT has increased research 
funding across the board, now counting two National Academy of 
Engineering members and a National Academy of Sciences member among the 
institution's outstanding faculty.
  During his tenure, UNT also unveiled its five-year strategic plan: 
Four Bold Goals for the Future of One Great University, to establish 
common goals for providing the best educational experience for students 
and achieving status as a tier-one research institution. Additionally, 
an updated brand campaign ``A green light to greatness'' was introduced 
to expand brand awareness, pride, and engagement among the University's 
various constituencies. Pride for the University has continued to grow 
as the Mean Green football team earned the right to play in the Heart 
of Dallas Bowl in 2014. UNT won 36-14, taking the first bowl trophy in 
over a decade to Denton's Apogee Stadium in the University's inaugural 
season under the Conference USA banner.
  At a time when traditional sources of higher education funding are in 
decline, Dr. Rawlins helped launch the public fundraising campaign, The 
light is green. The time is now. The Campaign for UNT. As a leading 
proponent to increase sources of financial support, Dr. Rawlins 
established an era of strengthened fundraising and greater alumni and 
stakeholder engagement which helped secure two of UNT's largest pledged 
gifts in 2011.
  With Dr. Rawlins' support, UNT opened three of its four LEED-
certified environmentally friendly facilities, earning recognition by 
Princeton Review as a ``Green College''. UNT also achieved the highest 
rank in the State by the Association for the Advancement of 
Sustainability in Higher Education, underscoring UNT' s sense of 
responsibility through commitment to conservation research and 
application, and modeling the leadership necessary to support US 
economic growth in an increasingly competitive worldwide energy market.
  I am grateful to Dr. Rawlins for bringing his wisdom, boldness, 
vision, and discipline to the University of North Texas. I am also 
indebted to his wife Mary Jo as she became an important member of the 
Denton Community, supporting him through the challenges faced in 
guiding UNT. I am pleased to hear they will remain in Denton, becoming 
Texans by choice, as he accepts the title of President Emeritus. It is 
my continued privilege to represent them, UNT, and the great State of 
Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

                          ____________________