Pollard Named Texas State University System Regent
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| Sam Houston State University graduate Trisha
Pollard, center, was sworn in recently as a member of the
Texas State University System Board of Regents. The oath
was given by Judge Devon Anderson, 177th Judicial District,
with Pollard's husband, Randy, also a SHSU graduate, assisting. |
Trisha Pollard, a 1974 graduate of Sam Houston State University,
has been appointed to a six-year term on The Texas State University
System Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry.
Ms. Pollard is vice president of Pollard Development, L.P. and
lives in Bellaire. She is a 1971 graduate of Premont High School,
and her husband, Randy, is a Sam Houston State graduate and Huntsville
native.
"I am delighted to be serving as a regent to the Texas
State University System," said Pollard. " It's unique
in Texas because it's a 'horizontal' system, with no 'flagship'
as is the case with the vertically-structured UT and A&M
systems. Each of the schools in our System is unique,
and all are tremendous assets to the State of Texas. The
schools in our system provide quality higher education at affordable
rates."
Pollard said she is looking forward to working on all aspects
of the Texas State University schools, but especially teacher-training.
"Our schools are the leaders in Texas for producing teachers,
and many of the best teachers in the state have degrees from
the schools in our system," she said. "However, literacy
rates in K-12 are disappointing, and I want to work with the
academic officers and education deans in our system to ensure
we are teaching our future teachers the best possible way of
teaching, especially reading skills, since reading is the foundation
of all learning."
The regents position is not the first public service activity
that Pollard has undertaken. She was appointed by Gov. Perry
to a three-year term as a public member of the Texas One-Call
Board in 2003. She has also served as a director of the
SHSU Alumni Association, as foreman of the Harris County Grand
Jury for three terms and as chairman, Building and Standards
Commission, for the City of Bellaire.
During Ms. Pollard's career in the natural gas industry she
was assistant general counsel at Kinder Morgan, Inc.; vice president,
Legal and Human Resources at PennUnion Energy Services; and attorney
at Transco Gas Marketing Company, after working as manager, Gas
Purchases and in other business positions at Transcontinental
Gas Pipe Line Corporation.
She is a Presbyterian elder and is a member of First Presbyterian
Church, Houston. She also serves on Houston Bar Association
committees, was chair of the Oil and Gas Section of that association,
and is a member of the State Bar of Texas.
Ms. Pollard received her law degree from South Texas College
of Law in Houston.
A number of Sam Houston State University administrators and
alumni officials have expressed their satisfaction with Pollard's
appointment, including former Alumni Association president and
Alumni Service Award recipient Bill Hall, who is also a Houston
lawyer.
"I have
known Trish almost 35 years and was honored to be best man in
her wedding just after her husband and I graduated from Sam," said
Hall. "She is a hard worker as evidenced by the fact that
she worked 40 hours a week while getting a law degree at South
Texas College of Law and raising her family.
"I know
that she will bring that same energy to the Board of Regents
and work extremely hard for the interests of Sam Houston and
the other schools in the system."
Pollard said she would be glad to hear from anyone with ideas
or concerns relating to her new duties. She suggested that they
contact her at trishapollard@shsu.edu.
—END—
SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
June 18, 2007
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.
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