UHCL recognizes Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Karen Barbier
Contributing Writer
UHCL Office of Communications
Recognizing the accomplishments for the past year, University of Houston-Clear Lake President William A. Staples presented his annual Report to the Community in late March at Lakewood Yacht Club. During the breakfast event, Staples also honored the recipient of the 2013 Community Partnership Award – the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

“As we look back over the past year at UH-Clear Lake, we have had a number of significant accomplishments,” said Staples, who then listed a few including the university being named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the third consecutive year and the expansion and renovation of the UHCL Art Gallery.

Staples discussed the establishment of the Office of Veteran Services, the establishment of the Cyber Security Institute in the School of Science and Computer Engineering and the reaffirmation of UHCL’s accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for the next 10 years. He also updated guests about the UHCL’s transition to a four-year university.

“We are planning to admit freshmen and sophomores for the fall 2014 semester with the application process beginning in fall 2013,” said Staples, speaking about the planning and budgeting for the future. “Our transition to a four-year university in fall 2014 will be the second most significant development in UH-Clear Lake’s history – second only to the opening of UH-Clear Lake in fall 1974.

“What made many of our successes possible are the partnerships that UH-Clear Lake has developed with corporations, individuals, alumni, cities, foundations and our own employees to advance key initiatives at UH-Clear Lake.”

Staples then presented the award by recognizing previous recipients and outlining the partnerships the university has shared with the chamber.

‘The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has been supportive of the University of Houston-Clear Lake from the university’s opening in 1974 to the present,” Staples said. “In 1974, the chamber had 592 members and today they have 1,000. In 974, UH-Clear Lake started with 1,069 students and today we have over 8,000.

“The chamber and UH-Clear Lake have grown and prospered together.”

In addition to the support provided to UHCL to get legislation passed in 2011 for the university’s four-year initiative, Staples also mentioned the internships provided to UHCL students through the years as well as named the university alumni who work as chamber staff members. He also mentioned current UHCL administrator’s and staff member’s involvement with the chamber including Associate Vice President for University Advancement Dion McInnis’ work with the “50 Years, 50 Faces, 50 Stories” project and Director of Alumni and Community Relations Charity Ellis’ work as the chamber’s general membership luncheon programs chair.

“We are so fortunate to have a university the caliber of University of Houston-Clear Lake in our area, which makes us the envy of many communities across the state and nation,” said Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Harreld. “Our chamber’s vision is to have a dynamic business organization providing leadership and service to a prosperous and vibrant community.

“A major component to a prosperous and vibrant community is the ability to offer quality education.”

Staples closed the program by thanking all present for their involvement with the university and their “life-changing investments in our students, faculty, academic programs and our community.”

For more information about partnering with the university, visit http://www.uhcl.edu or call the Office of University Advancement, 281-283-2021.