BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Blue lights will once again shine bright on Texas A&M University System campuses across the state tonight, Oct. 5, in recognition of World Teachers’ Day.
The 11 universities in the A&M System, Texas A&M University at Galveston, the Texas A&M Health Dental Clinic and Education Building in Dallas, and the Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) will illuminate a total of 33 iconic buildings and landmarks.
“We hope everyone takes notice and thinks about how critical teachers were not only to their own lives, but also to our collective future,” said Dr. James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for The Texas A&M University System. “The Texas A&M University System is proud to graduate more fully-certified teachers than any public university system in Texas and, most importantly, recognizes educator preparation as one of the most significant contributions we can make to our great state.”
World Teachers’ Day was conceived by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in 1994. The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements and draw attention to the voices of teachers who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.
Graduates from education colleges at Texas A&M University System campuses are highly sought-after because they are so well prepared, said Chancellor John Sharp.
“Our graduates are sought after by school districts all across Texas because they know our students are getting the tools they need to be ready on Day One in the classroom,” Chancellor Sharp said. “We prepare teachers to be able to make the world a better place, one child at a time.”
The leadership of teachers in transforming education is the theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day – The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers. All 11 universities in the Texas A&M System will, via social media and other online efforts, be encouraging their communities to consider the contributions teachers have made to support vulnerable populations and ensure learning gaps are mitigated.
The buildings and landmarks to be illuminated in blue:
- The Smokestack at Tarleton State University in Stephenville
- The Harrington Education Center at Texas A&M University
- The Performing Arts Center, Garvin Lake, Talbot Hall and Memorial Stadium at Texas A&M University-Commerce
- The Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium at Texas A&M International University
- College Hall at Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- The Building for Academic and Student Services at Texas A&M University-Texarkana
- The Momentum Wave at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
- General Robert M. Shoemaker Founders Hall at Texas A&M University-Central Texas
- The Original Texans sculpture and the Haywood Spirit Tower on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughn Pedestrian Mall, and The Eternal Flame monument in Victory Circle at West Texas A&M University
- The Wilhelmina R.F. Delco Building and John B. Coleman Library at Prairie View A&M University
- The Torre de Esperanza, the fountain at the intersection of University and Jaguar Way, and the Central Academic Building at Texas A&M University-San Antonio
- The top floor of the Texas A&M Health Dental Clinic and Education Building in Dallas
- The Texas A&M Health Sciences Center Round Rock Building
- The Health Professionals Education Building and Medical Research & Education Building at Texas A&M Health in Bryan
- The Texas A&M Health Sciences Center EnMed Building in Houston
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $7.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus, the Texas A&M System educates more than 152,000 students and makes more than 24 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state’s economy.
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A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.