O'Day, Olson Are 2007 December Commencement Speakers
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Jim Olson |
A new Texas Legislature representative who is also an SHSU graduate,
and SHSU's most honored faculty member will be speakers for December
commencement exercises Dec. 14 and 15 in Johnson Coliseum.
Rep. Mike O'Day who serves as a member of the Texas House of Representatives
from Pearland (Dist. 29), will speak at Dec. 15 ceremonies for the Colleges of
Arts and Sciences and Business Administration at 10 a.m. and Criminal Justice
and Education at 2 p.m.
James Olson, the only SHSU faculty member to have won all three of the university's
faculty excellence awards, will speak at the College of Humanities and Social
Sciences ceremony at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14.
Approximately 1,375 degrees will be awarded.
O'Day was elected in a special election in 2007 to represent Matagorda and parts
of Brazoria County. Glenda Dawson, also a Sam Houston State alum, held that office
until her death last September.
O'Day now serves on the Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Natural Resources
and Redistricting Committees. He has also been appointed by the speaker of the
house to serve as a member of the Energy Council, an organization designed to
identify the evolving energy needs of the state.
During the 80th session of the Texas Legislature O'Day worked to improve border
security, lower the margin tax, keep religion in schools, insure pay increases
for teachers and retired teachers, and for economic development in Brazoria and
Matagorda counties.
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Mike O'Day |
In addition to his service in the Legislature, O'Day is owner of O'Day Drilling
Company. Beyond his professional service, he is an Eagle Scout, a member of First
United Methodist Church of Pearland, a founding member of the Pearland P.O.S.S.E.
(Pearland Promoting Outstanding Students Successful Efforts), and member of the
Alvin/Manvel, Bay City, Palacios and Pearland Chambers of Commerce.
He was named Volunteer of the Year by the Vic Coppinger YMCA and Outstanding
Alumni for Sigma Chi Fraternity. In addition, he is a graduate of the Brazoria
County Citizen's Sheriff's Academy and a former president of the Mid Coast Chapter
and state director for the Texas Groundwater Association, and former board member
of the Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District.
In 2006 O'Day was awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction by the National
Republican Congressional Committee for his support of the Republican Party, outstanding
leadership in business, and contributions to the local economy. Most recently
he was among 16 members of the House of Representatives honored by the Texas
Eagle Forum for being one of the most conservative legislators of 2007.
O'Day holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Sam Houston
University and is a Life Long Loyal of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He and his wife,
Connie, live in Pearland and have three children and three grandchildren.
Jim Olson, distinguished professor of history, was honored recently as a Regents'
Professor by SHSU's governing body, adding to his long list of accomplishments
and achievements. In a resolution adopted by the regents, SHSU President Jim
Gaertner called Olson the university's "most popular and highly regarded
faculty member."
That resolution further stated that Olson was named a Piper Professor for 2006
as well as the Carnegie Foundation Texas Professor of the Year (2005), he has
authored or edited 47 books on such diverse topics as the Vietnam War, John Wayne,
native American civil rights struggles, Catholic immigrants, and the history
of cancer, and, he has established scholarships at SHSU as well as serving on
numerous faculty and administrative committees.
Olson won the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1977, Excellence in Research Award
in 1988, and Excellence in Service Award in 2005.
He and his wife, Judy, have four children and 16 grandchildren.
—END—
SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Dec. 5, 2007
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