Dear Colleagues,
Today’s go-ahead from Chancellor John Sharp and the A&M System Board of Regents to begin construction of our second building in Fort Worth is a sure vote of confidence in our commitment to tackle the region’s two most pressing needs — increased access to quality healthcare and to education.
They’re behind us all the way!
We break ground on the $66 million Interprofessional Education Building next month, with completion set for spring 2024. These are exciting times indeed.
With more than 100,000 square feet of classroom and specialized laboratory space, the IPE Building will help grow our nationally recognized health sciences, kinesiology and education programs. We’ll meet important workforce needs, spur the regional economy, advance educational opportunity and just make North Central Texas a better place.
Offering more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs — with all the benefits of being in the A&M System — Tarleton-Fort Worth is quickly becoming a premier option for an affordable, high-quality education and multiplied opportunities for success.
More room means expanded offerings in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, medical laboratory sciences and teacher education. If enrollment growth continues as expected, the campus could serve 9,000 students by 2030.
In other business, the board approved naming our new rodeo facility on FM 3025 in honor of Bob and Darla Doty. Longtime Tarleton friends and educators, the Dotys have committed $1 million to support our nationally acclaimed program.
My sincerest appreciation to Bob and Darla for their generosity and their love for Tarleton. Thanks to their leadership and kindness over the years, our talented cowboys and cowgirls are recognized worldwide.
When they joined Tarleton in 1994 — Bob as rodeo coach and Darla as a coordinator in Career Services — they wanted to inspire students, encourage volunteers and promote philanthropy while turning a good rodeo program into a great one. They did. Now retired, they continue to make a BIG difference.
We’ll celebrate their gift and today’s board approval with a naming ceremony later this spring.
Today’s huge wins would not be possible without you. You go out of your way every day to make our institution a destination university. I’m honored to work alongside you in providing the broad-based educational empowerment that only a place like Tarleton can deliver.
Bleed purple and roll, Texans!
Dr. James Hurley
President
Tarleton State University
Box T-0001
Stephenville, Texas 76402