MINI传媒

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June 8, 2021 | Contact: Scott Lacefield

Today (June 8), signed HB 1522, officially designating (MSU Texas) as a member institution of the MINI传媒 (MINI传媒 System), effective Sept. 1, 2021. The bill was authored by state Rep. and sponsored by state Sen. .

鈥淭oday marks another historic milestone for Midwestern State University as we prepare to officially become the fifth member institution of the MINI传媒,鈥� said Chairman . 鈥淲e are grateful for the work of all those who have served this great university through the years to lead MSU Texas to its current level of recognition and excellence.

鈥淪ince the university鈥檚 inception as a junior college, courageous leaders with bold vision have led the way to our distinguished place among public institutions of higher education in Texas. In September, this board will transfer leadership to the MINI传媒 System board with the full confidence that Midwestern State University will continue to thrive as it fulfills its mission to educate future leaders for our region and state,鈥� he added.

MSU Texas will join the MINI传媒 System as its fifth component university in its 25-year history. Current component institutions of the MINI传媒 System include (charter member), (charter member), (joined in 2007) and (established in 2013).

鈥淭his is a great day for the MINI传媒, and I am ecstatic to welcome the entire MSU Texas family to the MINI传媒 System,鈥� said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., chancellor of the MINI传媒 System. 鈥淲e have thoroughly enjoyed developing a relationship with MSU Texas, and I want to thank President and Chairman Caven Crosnoe for their leadership, guidance and vision to help make this partnership a reality. MSU Texas is a perfect cultural fit among our component institutions. Thank you to Gov. Abbott, Rep. Frank, Sen. Springer and the Texas Legislature for your commitment to making this partnership a reality.鈥�

MSU Texas first announced its intentions to begin the exploration of joining the MINI传媒 System on Feb. 14, 2020. Over the course of early 2020, university leadership gathered input and heard public comments from students, faculty, staff and stakeholders. Based on overwhelming positive feedback, officials moved forward in August 2020 with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between MSU Texas and the MINI传媒 System.

鈥淲hat an incredible journey these past 15 months have been since our announcement to explore the possibility of joining the MINI传媒,鈥� Shipley said. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 action positions MSU Texas to build upon our established reputation and better serve the needs of a growing, vibrant campus well prepared for an ambitious future.鈥�

Upon the finalization of the MOU, local legislators introduced bills to the 87th Texas Legislature seeking approval of MSU Texas鈥� desired membership within the MINI传媒 System.

鈥淭here are many individuals to thank for their support to make this day a reality. Among those are Rep. James Frank and Sen. Drew Springer, along with the incredible support of MINI传媒 System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell and his leadership team. We are especially grateful for the bold vision of the MSU Texas Board of Regents, our supportive faculty, staff and students, and the very proud Midwestern State alumni,鈥� said Shipley. 鈥淎s MSU Texas prepares to celebrate its centennial year in 2022, we look forward to our second century of serving this region.鈥�

The MINI传媒 System Administration will work closely in the coming months with MSU Texas to formalize the partnership, as MSU Texas will officially become a member institution of the MINI传媒 System at the start of the fiscal year 2022.

鈥淭he MINI传媒 Board of Regents is excited to bring Midwestern State University aboard as our fifth member institution,鈥� said J. Michael Lewis, chairman of the MINI传媒 System Board of Regents. 鈥淢SU Texas has a sterling reputation in our state and will bring great value to our system and universities. As a native of Olney and having grown up in North Texas, I especially understand and value this new relationship. I have enjoyed working closely with MSU Texas Chairman Caven Crosnoe, who has exemplified remarkable leadership throughout this partnership-building process.鈥�

Statements from Elected Officials

Rep. James Frank (District 69)
鈥淚鈥檓 confident that aligning with the MINI传媒 will allow Midwestern State University to attract more students, invest in important programs and make an even bigger impact on future generations of Texans. We have an outstanding school that has served its students and our community well since its founding in 1922, and I am optimistic that this change will help both MSU Texas and the Wichita Falls area grow.鈥�

Sen. Drew Springer (District 30)
鈥淢idwestern State University will be a great addition to the Texas Tech University System. Together they can continue to carry out MSU Texas' academic mission of cultivating dynamic graduates that are ready to meet the needs of Texas today and tomorrow. I look forward to the future of MSU Texas as a component university of the MINI传媒 System. I am appreciative of Governor Abbott signing House Bill 1522 into law and his commitment to higher education."

Statements from Community Leaders

Stephen Santellana, Wichita Falls Mayor
鈥淎s a proud graduate of Midwestern State University (MSU Texas), I have been able to see the transformation and growth of the university. The community is blessed to see the results of strong leadership and providing a quality education to so many students. With that being said, I am now excited to see the additional growth and prosperity for our local university by being part of the MINI传媒.鈥�

Henry Florsheim, President & CEO for the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
鈥淭his partnership will pay huge dividends for both the university and for Wichita Falls. The name recognition that comes with being part of the Texas Tech family will put us on the map, and the resources the system can bring will help us become a stronger university.鈥�

About Midwestern State University
MSU Texas, located in Wichita Falls, Texas, is known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences as well as accredited professional programs in mechanical engineering, social work, nursing, radiologic science, respiratory care, athletic training and business, among others. MSU Texas is one of 38 public institutions of higher education in Texas to offer undergraduate and graduate programs and the only Texas university to become a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). Students at MSU Texas choose from more than 60 majors and several pre-professional programs, are active in more than 100 student organizations and bring a spirit of competition to 13 NCAA Division II athletic programs.

In 2018, a student learning center opened in Flower Mound, Texas, offering online, upper-level courses in teacher education, respiratory care, radiology and nursing, along with adult completion programs with concentrations in areas such as criminal justice, human services and business, among others. Graduate-level offerings include an MBA with an energy management concentration and teacher education. The learning center is attractive to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a four-year degree.

MSU Texas Historical Timeline:

• 1922 鈥� Founded as Wichita Falls Junior College, only the second municipal junior college in Texas at the time.
• 1937 鈥� Renamed Hardin Junior College in honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Hardin. Acquired a new, 40-acre campus on the south side of town. Rising above the pastures and wheat fields was the recently finished Hardin Building, an impressive Spanish colonial structure that was presided over by a lofty bell tower, which remains today as the university鈥檚 administration facility.
• 1946 鈥� The senior college division was added, and accordingly, the name was altered to Hardin College.
• 1948 鈥� The university became a member of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
• 1950 鈥� The name changed to Midwestern University, with the junior division remaining Hardin Junior College.
• 1959 鈥� The university added a graduate school.
• 1961 鈥� Action of the 56th Texas Legislature placed the university as a part of the Texas Colleges and Universities System and the junior college division was dissolved.
• 1975 鈥� The Texas Legislature changed the university鈥檚 name to Midwestern State University.

About the MINI传媒
Established in 1996 and headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the MINI传媒 System is a $2 billion higher education enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and community outreach. Consisting of four universities 鈥� Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso 鈥� the MINI传媒 System collectively has approximately 57,000 students, 21 academic locations in 18 cities (16 in Texas, 2 internationally), more than 300,000 alumni and an endowment valued at over $1.3 billion.