H.R. No. 94

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Howard College president Dr. Cheryl Sparks
	celebrated her 70th birthday on November 9, 2023; and
	WHEREAS, Born and raised in Big Spring, Cheryl Sparks
	attended The University of Texas at El Paso and Howard College
	before going on to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree from
	Texas Tech University, where she also completed her doctorate in
	higher education; early in her career, she served Howard College in
	such positions as dean of students, vice president for
	institutional advancement, and assistant to the president; she was
	appointed president by the board of trustees in 1992, becoming only
	the second female community college president in the state; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Sparks now ranks as the longest-serving
	community college president in Texas; she guides campuses in Big
	Spring, Lamesa, and San Angelo, as well as the SouthWest College for
	the Deaf; over the years, she has served higher education in myriad
	leadership roles, including chair of the Rural Community College
	Alliance and of the Texas Association of Community Colleges
	telecommunications committee; she has been a member of the
	executive committee of the Texas Association of Community Colleges
	and of the boards of numerous organizations, among them the Texas
	Association of Community College Trustees and Administrators, the
	Texas Association of Community College Foundations, and the Texas
	Junior College Association; and
	WHEREAS, Highly engaged in civic life, Dr. Sparks has
	benefited her fellow residents through her efforts as president of
	the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, board chair of Scenic
	Mountain Medical Center, and member of the boards of such
	organizations as the Big Spring Rotary Club, United Way of Big
	Spring and Howard County, the Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center,
	and the YMCA; she earned the Service Above Self Award from Rotary
	International, and she was named 1992 Big Spring Area Chamber of
	Commerce Woman of the Year and 2005 Distinguished Woman of Howard
	County; and
	WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Dr. Sparks enjoys the support
	of a loving family that includes her husband, John Richard Sparks,
	her son, J. Rich Sparks, and his wife, Sarah, and two grandchildren,
	Jenson and Lindley; and
	WHEREAS, Cheryl Sparks has played a vital role in advancing
	the proud legacy of Howard College, and her professional
	accomplishments and civic contributions have earned the lasting
	admiration of her fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Cheryl
	Sparks on her 70th birthday and commend her for her service as
	president of Howard College; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Dr. Sparks as an expression of high regard by the Texas
	House of Representatives.
	Darby
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 94 was adopted by the House on
	December 5, 2023, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House