COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Texas A&M University

Four Educators Honored At Leadership Institute

11/19/07

By Jenna Kujawski

Four outstanding educational leaders were honored at the 25th Annual Administrative Leadership Institute's (ALI) awards luncheon on Nov. 15.

Leonard Merrell, retired superintendent of Katy ISD, was presented the Golden Deeds Award for his service to public education from last year's winner Joe Pirtle.

"When we associate with people in education, they become a part of our lives and us theirs," Pirtle said to Merrell. "You have made a difference in the lives of people, set the pattern for all educators and made them better than what they think they can be. You have never stopped leading."

Merrell has been in education for over 40 years, and both his parents were educators. He spent 12 years at Katy ISD, where he brought the district to recognized status despite more rigorous testing standards, exponential growth and diverse demographics.

"I am nothing more than the product of so many others who have made me who I am," Merrell said. "It's just a little part of me that touches so many others. And, it's about the kids-raising this generation of children to be better than the generation before them."

Fred Brent, superintendent of Anderson-Shiro ISD, was the first recipient of the Hoyle Award in Educational Leadership, presented by its namesake, John Hoyle, professor of K-12 administration and chair of ALI.

"Seeing his family, students and colleagues here is a great testament to his leadership," Hoyle said. "To have Fred as the first recipient means a lot to me."

Brent, who is a recent graduate of the doctoral program in public school administration at Texas A&M University, previously served as an administrator in Navasota, Orange and Little Cypress/Mauriceville before becoming superintendent at Anderson-Shiro.
 
"This is a very rich life we live as educators," Brent said. "And, no matter what, I'll always be the first."
 
David Young, recently named as Executive Director of Secondary Education for Bryan ISD, was awarded the Paul R. Hensarling Distinguished Graduate Student Award.

The award is given in memory of Dr. Paul Hensarling, who was instrumental in creating the College of Education and Human Development and its doctoral programs and attracting many outstanding faculty to the college.

"There are many people in many different areas who have impacted my journey," Young said. "I am proud to honor the memory of Dr. Hensarling and what he stood for."

Becky Petitt, assistant vice president for diversity, was presented the T.M. Stinnett Academic Fellowship Award. Petitt has been instrumental in providing vision and leadership for Texas A&M in the area of diversity.

"As educators, it is important to stand for something bigger and to give something back," she said. "I hope my research causes us to reflect on our own work and to give back to this world."

Bryan Cole, professor of higher education administration, presented both Young and Petitt with their awards.

"Drs. Hensarling and Stinnett were the shoulders on which this department stands today. On behalf of all educators in the state, we are proud to have David and Becky honor them as recipients of this year's awards," he said.

The awards luncheon wrapped up the two-day ALI conference, "The Extraordinary High School-Leaping Over the Achievement Gap," which gave educators the opportunity to learn to address the complex problems of the modern high school by listening to educational leaders that were creatively and successfully meeting that challenge.

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