FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2009

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CENTRAL TEXAS LAND TRANSFER AGREEMENT WITH FORT HOOD SIGNED IN U.S. CAPITOL

As Tarleton State University System Center-Central Texas moves to independent status

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – In a special ceremony today at the U.S. Capitol, Army Secretary Pete Geren and Texas A&M System Chancellor Michael D. McKinney signed an agreement to transfer 662 acres from Fort Hood to The Texas A&M University System.

The land transfer is the culmination of five years of work by Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco) and Congressman John Carter (R-Round Rock).

“This is an important day for Central Texas. We have taken another step to invest in our economy, improve educational opportunities and make a significant difference in the lives of troops and their families,” said Edwards, chairman of the House subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs appropriations.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas’ enrollment of 1,204 full-time equivalent students for the spring semester exceeded the benchmark required for independent university status. Texas A&M-Central Texas is the 10th independent university in the Texas A&M System.

“We are very pleased that the Army has completed the transfer of its land to the A&M System. This is a plan that the community has been working on for many years and is another step in helping us function as an independent campus,” Tarleton-Central Texas executive director Garry Ross said.

In payment for this permanent campus site, Texas A&M-Central Texas will provide classroom space to Fort Hood and the Army for the next 16 years.

“The expansion of the A&M System is already having a profound impact on the economy, academic excellence and access to higher education for all Texans,” said McKinney. “Since its doors first opened a decade ago, the Killeen campus has been poised to make Central Texas a vital part of our overall vision. This land makes that vision a reality and ensures that Texas A&M University-Central Texas commands a strategic position for upcoming advances in research and commercialization in collaboration with the A&M System, Fort Hood and our many partners.”

The signing in Washington today continues a rapid period of growth for the A&M System:

· With the addition of Texas A&M-Central Texas and the new Texas A&M University-San Antonio, the A&M System now consists of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a health science center. The system educates more than 109,000 students.

· In January, the system was awarded a grant from the state’s Emerging Technology Fund to revolutionize production of drugs and vaccines to fight diseases from cancer to influenza and counteract bioterror threats such as anthrax or Ebola.

· The system’s capital improvements plan has grown to $2.5 billion in construction.

· In March, the A&M System advanced its Mission Military Friendly program as all system universities achieved full “military friendly” status from the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, which sets national standards for the designation.

· On April 28, the A&M System and the Port of Corpus Christi Authority entered a historic arrangement for the A&M System to develop a 1,009 acre-site at and adjacent to Naval Station Ingleside. The NSI site, which includes a deepwater port, will become a major national center for academic research and the development of wind power and other renewable energy resources.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2009

TARLETON-CENTRAL TEXAS TO HOLD SUMMER GRADUATION RECEPTION

All Tarleton State University-Central Texas Summer Graduates:

Due to the low number of student applications for summer graduation, a traditional commencement ceremony will not be held in August 2009. Alternatively, a reception will be held in honor of the graduating students with details to follow at a later date. Students who applied and indicated their desire to participate in the summer commencement will have three choices:

1. Participate in Fall Commencement in Killeen (and reception)
2. Participate in Summer Commencement in Stephenville (and reception)
3. Participate in the reception only

Certainly, all graduating students are encouraged to attend both the reception and a graduation ceremony. A letter will be sent informing students when diplomas will be available for pick-up.

For the prospective summer graduates who have completed all coursework qualitative and quantitative, the degrees will be conferred by Tarleton State University Central Texas in August and transcripts will reflect this date.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Graduation is an enormous accomplishment and one to be very proud of. We look forward to celebrating this time as we gather with your friends and family to honor you. Details are forthcoming.

For more information, please contact:

Office of Undergraduate Studies – 254.519.5461

Office of Graduate Studies – 254.519.5419

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Randy McCauley,
Tarleton State University-Central Texas
Office of University News & Information
254-519-5491

JOINT INFORMATION RELEASE
MAY 12, 2009

CTC TO REMAIN UNCHANGED WITH TARLETON-CENTRAL TEXAS TRANSITION

With the pending transition of Tarleton State University-Central Texas to the Texas A&M University system, Central Texas College (CTC) will continue to serve students and the community in much the same way it does today once that transition is complete. CTC is not currently a part of Tarleton-Central Texas and will not become a part of Texas A&M-Central Texas (TAMU-CT).

CTC will continue to offer freshman and sophomore level courses to complement Texas A&M-Central Texas’ upper level (junior and senior) courses. The two institutions will work as partners, along with Temple College, in expanding degree opportunities to the citizens of the area. CTC will also continue to hold its two-year graduation ceremony each May recognizing students achieving an associates degree or certificate of completion.

The new Texas A&M-Central Texas will continue to operate in a leased building on the CTC campus until a TAMU-CT campus is constructed. TAMU-CT will move classes and some offices into the new CTC Nursing Building when it is completed in 2011.

The independent status of TAMU-CT will benefit CTC students in providing more flexibility in tailoring degree programs to local area needs. CTC will work closely with TAMU-CT to ensure community and workforce needs are met with a combination of four-year and two-year degrees and certificate programs.

The state of Texas is divided into 50 community college “districts,” each served by a state-supported community college. CTC serves a district that comprises western Bell and eastern Coryell counties, along with a service area including western section of Bell County, Burnett, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Mills and San Saba counties, portions of McCollough County and portions of Williamson County, as well as Fort Hood and the state correctional facilities located in Gatesville.

CTC is a two-year open admission community college. And like all Texas community colleges, it offers courses to meet the freshman and sophomore requirements for a baccalaureate degree, to train for new careers or upgrade skills for better jobs and to master basic reading, writing and mathematics needed to function as independent adults. CTC also provides a continuing education (non-credit) program for occupational and recreational/cultural enhancement.

Due to its large distance education program, primarily serving military personnel and family members, CTC has distinguished itself from other community colleges. More than 60 percent of CTC’s enrollments are from students located outside CTC’s service area in central Texas. CTC offers classroom courses on military installations across the U.S., in Europe, in the Pacific Far East, in deployed locations like Iraq and Afghanistan and on Navy ships at sea.

Tarleton State University-Central Texas, tomorrow’s Texas A&M University-Central Texas, is a unique university, offering upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses toward bachelor’’s and master’’s degrees. Established September 1, 1999, the university currently serves more 2,000 students and provides a wide range of flexible course schedules, including online, night and weekend classes. Students include community college graduates and transfer students, working adults, active military service members and returning students who are pursuing degrees, fulfilling career educational requirements or attending classes for personal enrichment.

As a result of its diverse and growing student population, classes are offered at several convenient sites, including area community colleges, high schools and on Fort Hood in order to accommodate both full- and part-time students and serve the entire central Texas area. Full-time faculty, advisers and support staff are available to assist students with admission, financial aid, degree plans and career planning, both during the day and extended evening hours.

To encourage a seamless transfer from community colleges to upper-level work at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, the university has developed agreements with central Texas community colleges like CTC that enable smooth transfers, without a loss of credits, for students who begin their community college studies with Texas A&M-Central Texas in mind.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009

TARLETON-CENTRAL TEXAS TO DISCONTINUE NURSING PROGRAM

KILLEEN—Tarleton State University is discontinuing the nursing program currently offered at Tarleton-Central Texas. Students that were enrolled in the program as of spring 2009 will finish in May 2010. Tarleton-Central Texas is no longer accepting new students into the nursing program.

The future Texas A&M University-Central Texas will be exploring the possibility of a new undergraduate nursing program. If you have any questions, please contact the office of undergraduate admissions at 254-519-5438.

Tarleton-Central Texas, tomorrow’s Texas A&M University-Central Texas, offers evening, weekend and online classes toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is located just off of Highway 190 at 1901 S. Clear Creek Road in Killeen. For more information, call 254-519-5421 or log on to www.Tarleton.edu/CentralTexas.

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