TAMIU Annual Report 2022

UNIVERSITY NEWS UNIVERSITY REMEMBERS FALLEN LEADERS DRS. COWART, BALL Dr. Billy F. Cowart , the inaugural president of the former Texas A&I University at Laredo, now Texas A&M International University, passed away at age 89 in Temple, TX on December 25, 2021 following a brief illness. Cowart’s pivotal role in guiding the University’s growth and success was recognized by The Texas A&M University System Regents in 2002 with the naming of Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall on campus. After leaving Laredo, Cowart accepted a position as Provost of Western Oregon State College and served as Interim President for one year prior to retiring in 1995. TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said Dr. Cowart’s hand in the University’s story was beyond historical, and his campus model duplicated across the state and nation. “Dr. Cowart truly planted the seed for the 300- acre campus and expansive mission we enjoy today. He began to build this University from within a small study carrel at then-Laredo Junior College. He developed an innovative hybrid, the upper-level senior institution, embraced by others seeking to bring higher education to their communities. His strategic use of community engagement, which we follow today, helped the University to create and implement programs that advanced our community and region. We will be forever indebted to his leadership and vision that helped create the remarkable campus reality we see today,” Dr. Arenaz said. Dr. Cowart was preceded in death by his beloved wife Janet. They enjoyed 65 wonderful years together. He is also preceded by sisters Merle and Beth, brothers Ray and T. W., and parents Tom and Gladys Cowart. Surviving him are son Rick Cowart and wife, Nickie of The Dalles, OR, three sisters, Wanda Junek (Al) of Hendersonville, NC, Nena Mayo of Spring, TX, and Donna Beth Thompson (Jim) of Kaufman, TX as well as four grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. Earlier that same month, Dr. Rex H. Ball , a former key TAMIU faculty member, and administrator, passed away at age 78 in New Mexico on December 8, 2021. Dr. Ball was a professor of History at TAMIU and had the distinction of being one of the founding faculty members at its predecessor, the Texas A&I University Center at Laredo, as well as Laredo State University and TAMIU. His service to the University was broad, and he rose from the rank of assistant professor of History in 1970 to professor of History in 1979. He also served as coordinator of the Division of Program Development and Continuing Education from 1972- 1977, administrative assistant to the President and chief development officer from 1980-1985, and vice president for Administration and University Relations from 1985-1987. His service set in place standards that still inform key University functions, including advancement, public relations, marketing, and community engagement. Fittingly, he ended his educational career by delivering a memorable Commencement Address at TAMIU’s Fall 2012 Commencement Exercises. Thereafter, he and his beloved wife Betty retired to the mountains of New Mexico. He is survived by Betty and daughter Kristen. 7