State Representative Dan Ellis
Is Commencement Speaker

State Rep. Dan Ellis

Bobby K. Marks, who retires as Sam Houston State president Aug. 31, will introduce Ellis and confer degrees. Marks has been complimentary of Ellis' efforts on behalf of Sam Houston State during sessions of the Texas Legislature.

David E. Payne, vice president for academic affairs, will recognize retiring faculty members Art Hughes, associate professor of education; Richard Payne, professor of political science and associate vice president for research and graduate studies; and Wes Sanders, associate professor of mathematics.

Ellis, who was born and educated in Livingston, was elected to his first term as state representative in November, 1998. He serves on the House Corrections Committee as a member of the Select Committee on the Windham School District, is a senior member of the State Recreational Resources Committee, a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, and a member of the Legislative Action Committee for Criminal Justice.

Ellis has been active in community service as a board member and officer of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce and Lake Livingston Area Tourism Council for many years. He also serves as chairman of the Polk County Crime Stoppers and is a member of the board of the Livingston Memorial hospital Foundation, the Polk County Advocacy executive board under the Polk County Court of Law, and the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Tech Prep Partnership.

His awards include the Texas Black Bass Presidents Award for Conservation, the Polk County Chamber Award for Tourism Development and the Home Town Spirit Award. He and his wife, Vivian Bea Helmontoller Ellis, have two sons, Sean and Kristopher. His parents, Billie and Clarence Ellis, also live in Livingston.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Aug. 6, 2001
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