Dr. James F. Gaertner University President to retire August 31 Dr. James F. Gaertner will retire as president of Sam Houston State University on August 31, 2010. Since taking office in 2001 as the University’s 12th president, Gaertner has vigorously pursued three important objectives: focus on academics first, improve the university image and exposure and cultivate the campus community and culture. An alumnus of the university, Gaertner earned both his Bachelor of Business Administation degree (1965) and his Master of Business Administration degree (1970) from SHSU. In 1977, he completed his doctorate at Texas A&M University. He is a certified public accountant and graduate of the Harvard University Management Development Program. Gaertner and his wife, Nancy, a retired award-winning elementary school teacher, have a son who is a medical doctor , two daughters and two grandsons. “I want to emphasize what an honor and how enjoyable it has been to be the president of Sam Houston State University,” Gaertner said. “Nancy and I have had so much joy during these years. It has just been wonderful.” Accomplishments of Dr. James F. Gaertner as Sam Houston State University President • Enrollment growth from 12,996 to 16,795,up 30% • Budget growth from $124M to $228M, up 84% • Budget per full time equivalent student from $10,397 to $16,355, up 57%
• Establishment of 9 semester credit hour teaching load for faculty • Increase in diversity of student body from 24% minority to 33% • Establishment of Staff Council (giving university staff formal voice)
• Carnegie Doctoral Research classification, placing SHSU in the top 7% of all institutions in the U.S. • Increased number of faculty (headcount) from 542 to 763, up 41%
• Establishment and expansion of national award-winning SAM (Student Advising and Mentoring) Center
• Construction of more than $275 million: • Performing Arts Center • Humanities and Social Sciences Building • Baseball/Softball Complex • Three Student Resident Halls • John Ragsdale Visitor and Alumni Center • Chemistry and Forensic Science Building • Smith-Hutson Business Building addition • Teacher Education Center addition • Bearkat Plaza • Parking Garage • South Paw Dining Facility • Campus Signage • Blatchley Bell Tower • Ron Randleman Strength and Fitness Center • Ron Mafrige Field House • University Camp (FM 980 property) • Health and Kinesiology Center expansion • Initiation of a $50 million capital campaign
• New Academic Programs - 14 Master’s and 3 Doctoral degrees including: • PHD—Counselor Education • EdD—Reading • EdD—Special Education (pending Coordinating Board Approval) • Executive MBA—Banking and Financial Institutions • MS—Digital Forensics • MS—Forensic Science • MS—Geographic Information Systems • MS—Information Assurance and Security • BBA—PGA Golf Management • Establishment of Official Ring Program, in which graduating seniors go through an official ceremony to receive their SHSU ring. The ring has the word “honor” engraved on the inside, as did General Sam Houston’s ring. • Establishment of President’s Speaker Series. • Establishment of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative—a nationally recognized student health initiative
• Increase in entrance scores of incoming freshmen to a point above the state and national averages
• University Reorganization: • New Vice President for Enrollment Management • New College of Humanities and Social Sciences • Received approval from Board of Regents for new Campus Master Plan • Research Growth: • Research expenditures up from $2.4 million to $9.8 million • First ever commercialization of a research project—Bioreactor Water Treatment Module • Currently 8 active NSF (National Science Foundation) grants on campus • Initiated major Distance Education Division,with the appointment of an Associate Vice President for Distance Education • Initiated Banner project to replace the outdated legacy computing system, and to bring SHSU up-to-date in the administrative computer services arena • Freshman to Sophomore Retention Rates increased from 63% to 75% • Six-year Graduation Rates increased from 34% to 45% • Number of graduates increased from 2,622 in 2000 to 3,978 in 2009, up 52% • Establishment of more than 40 articulation agreements with community colleges in Texas.
2009-10 President’s Cabinet Front: Dr. David Payne, Dr. James Gaertner Back: Frank Holmes, Dr. Dana Gibson, Kathy Gilcrease, Dr. Heather Thielemann, Frank Parker
• Established President’s Circle—group of prominent friends of SHSU who meet annually and provide input and financial support • Establishment of a Regional Crime Lab that provides forensic testing for Walker and surrounding counties
www.gobearkats.com - 6