{"id":2109,"date":"2025-11-13T16:52:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T22:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/?p=2109"},"modified":"2025-11-13T16:52:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T22:52:25","slug":"regents-approve-interim-provost-3-new-academic-programs-plans-for-second-parking-garage-and-recognize-national-champion-rodeo-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/2025\/11\/13\/regents-approve-interim-provost-3-new-academic-programs-plans-for-second-parking-garage-and-recognize-national-champion-rodeo-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Regents Approve Interim Provost, 3 New Academic Programs, Plans for Second Parking Garage and Recognize National Champion Rodeo Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4.png\" alt=\"Purple banner with Tarleton State University logo and text about the Office of the President.\" class=\"wp-image-441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4.png 2500w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4-300x68.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4-1024x231.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4-768x173.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4-1536x346.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/05\/image-4-2048x461.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What an incredible time to be part of the Tarleton State family! Our momentum is undeniable, fueled by the unwavering support of The Texas A&amp;M System Board of Regents and Chancellor Glenn Hegar. Our continued progress is a reflection of our dedicated faculty, staff, students and generous supporters. From new degree programs to improvements in campus infrastructure and safety, these efforts highlight our commitment to innovation, collaboration and student success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With student achievement at the forefront of our strategic vision, the Board of Regents adopted a resolution honoring the 2025 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association team and individual national champions. The Tarleton State men\u2019s rodeo team: Waitley Sharon, Coleman Shallbetter, Montgomery Parsons, Bailey Small, Landris White and Brayden Roe, led by Head Coach Mark Eakin and Associate Head Coach Brittany Stewart, earned the program\u2019s sixth men\u2019s national team title. Tori Brower of the women\u2019s team was recognized for her national championship in goat tying, marking Tarleton State\u2019s 31st individual national championship and exemplifying the excellence of our student-athletes and coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In academics, Dr. Barry Lambert has been named interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Lambert\u2019s extensive academic leadership and administrative experience uniquely position him to guide the Division of Academic Affairs with excellence and integrity during this important time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, Tarleton State has been authorized to seek approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for three new academic degrees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bachelor of Science in Coaching and Sport Pedagogy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Physiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Master of Science in Public Health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In faculty news, Dr. Jim Gentry has been named a Regents Professor in recognition of his exemplary performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am also pleased to announce tenure for the following scholars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Dr. Sam Pack College of Business<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dr. Jamie Collins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dr. Gary Stading<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The design phase of a new five-level parking garage is set to begin this fiscal year. Replacing an existing flat surface lot, the planned facility will add more than 1,200 spaces to campus.&nbsp;The Board of Regents also approved our request to finalize a strategic property purchase that will provide access for a pedestrian walkway connecting the residence halls to the future parking garage site, enhancing student safety and providing dedicated access to parking options on the north side of our growing Stephenville campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent namings within the EECU Center \u2014 Summy Court and The Perry and Meldeene Elliott Head Coach\u2019s Office, made possible by Ron and Lorilei Butler \u2014 reflect the generosity of supporters whose lasting commitment continues to shape Tarleton State\u2019s future and elevate the excellence of our student-athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we look toward the close of the semester and the start of the holiday season, there\u2019s so much to celebrate. With our momentum stronger than ever and the steadfast support of The Texas A&amp;M System Board of Regents and Chancellor Hegar, Tarleton State is positioned for an exciting future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Warmest wishes from our Tarleton State family to yours this holiday season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always, may you forever Bleed Purple!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Dr. James Hurley<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>President<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Colleagues, What an incredible time to be part of the Tarleton State family! Our momentum is undeniable, fueled by the unwavering support of The Texas A&amp;M System Board of &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":595,"featured_media":580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","wds_primary_category":19,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,14,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-news","category-thank-you","category-updates"],"acf":[],"author_meta":{"display_name":"jpartin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/author\/jpartin\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2021\/09\/Fall-Campus-Water-Tower_8465-300x200.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/category\/in-the-news\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">In the News<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/category\/thank-you\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Thank You!<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/category\/updates\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Updates<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">In the News<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Thank You!<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Updates<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 5 months ago","modified":"Updated 5 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on November 13, 2025","modified":"Updated on November 13, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on November 13, 2025 4:52 pm","modified":"Updated on November 13, 2025 4:52 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"Water tower with Tarleton State University logo, surrounded by autumn trees.","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/595"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2109"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2115,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2109\/revisions\/2115"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}