Welcoming Midwestern State University to the MINI传媒
Sept. 1, 2021
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By Chancellor, MINI传媒
Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D.This year, the MINI传媒 marks its 25th anniversary. And there鈥檚 perhaps no more fitting way to commemorate two and half decades of growth, partnership and success than by announcing the latest addition to our system. On Sept. 1, Midwestern State University joins the MINI传媒 as our fifth member institution and our third general-academic university alongside Texas Tech University and Angelo State University.
MSU Texas is an ideal addition to our roster and aligns deeply with our component universities鈥� goals and values. They have a strong and respected history in higher education in Texas dating back to 1922, and since those early days, they have been committed to offering an affordable, accessible and exceptional educational experience to their students.
But you don鈥檛 have to take my word for it. MSU Texas is the only university in Texas to become a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, and they were recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report on its list of 鈥�10 Public Schools with the Most Affordable Out-of-State Tuition.鈥� With students hailing from 44 states and 54 countries, MSU Texas has extended its sterling reputation well outside of our state鈥檚 borders.
These successes are due, in part, to exemplary leadership. President Suzanne Shipley may be retiring, but I cannot thank her enough for her service as MSU Texas鈥� 11th president. She has positioned this university for future success and helped pave the way for their addition to the MINI传媒 System. We know her interim successor, James Johnston, who serves as the university鈥檚 provost and vice president for academic affairs, will continue to lead the university in the right direction during this transitional period.
This partnership development with MSU Texas was a thorough process. We were intentional on wanting a university with a well-established, close-knit community that can partner well with us. We also looked for a university with ambition鈥攁nd in this, MSU Texas has nearly a century of proof. What began as a municipal junior college housed in a high school building is today a 255-acre campus with undergraduate and graduate offerings, along with a student learning center located in Flower Mound. With its Dalquest Desert Research Station and the Wichita Falls Museum of Art, the university is the pride of Wichita Falls鈥攁 place that represents the very best in learning, research and service.
And, of course, who could forget athletics and the pride of the Mustangs? MSU Texas has a proud tradition in intercollegiate athletics with nearly 150 postseason appearances, 57 conference titles and 15 regional championships. In this, they鈥檒l fit right in with our constituent universities who demonstrate excellence on the field and court as well as in the classroom.
A lot of folks helped bring this partnership to fruition, and my appreciation goes to Gov. Greg Abbott, state Sen. Drew Springer, state Rep. James Frank and members of the Texas Legislature for making this union a reality. The vision and dedication to higher education and to our great state by the MSU Texas Board of Regents, led by Chairman Caven Crosnoe, and the MINI传媒 System Board of Regents guided this transformational partnership. What was achieved throughout the nearly two years of conversations and discussion, was also greatly endorsed by the stakeholders and alumni of MSU Texas 鈥� thank you all for your support.
Part of our mission at the MINI传媒 System is to provide leadership and support services to our component universities in the fulfillment of our institutions鈥� missions. MSU Texas will celebrate its centennial anniversary next year, marking 100 years of educational achievements and contributions to its community, the state of Texas and the world. I am proud the MINI传媒 System family will share this occasion with the Mustang family, and that our shared resources, added synergies and shared values will help to extend MSU Texas鈥� success into their next century.
Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., is the fifth chancellor of the MINI传媒 and previously served as the longest-tenured president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2010-2019). He also previously served as the president and CEO of the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, an internationally-recognized center of excellence in preventive and sports medicine.
About the MINI传媒
Established in 1996 and headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, the is a $2.5 billion, higher-education enterprise focused on advancing higher education,
health care, research and community outreach. Consisting of five universities 鈥� , , , and 鈥� the MINI传媒 System collectively has more than 63,000 students, operates at 23 academic
locations in 20 cities (18 in Texas, 2 international), has more than 315,000 alumni
and an endowment valued at over $1.3 billion.
During the 87th Texas Legislature under the leadership of Chancellor , M.D., the MINI传媒 System welcomed MSU Texas as its fifth member institution during the 25-year anniversary of the system. MSU Texas is the only Texas university to become a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. 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 athletics programs.
In addition, the MINI传媒 is one of only nine in the nation to offer programs for undergraduate, medical, law, nursing, pharmacy, dental and veterinary education, among other academic areas.