The Ticker

UH System Board of Regents Chairman Featured Speaker at Monthly ACG Houston Meeting

UH System Board of Regents Chairman Welcome W. Wilson, Sr. (’49), was the featured speaker at the Nov. 10 luncheon meeting of the Houston Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), an organization for business executives interested in corporate development, corporate growth and mergers and acquisitions. ACG’s membership is comprised of top executives from local companies.

Wilson’s presentation focused on the economic impact of a Tier One University of the City of Houston. On Nov. 3, Texas voters passed Proposition 4, the state constitutional amendment to create a university fund for national research — a plan that would boost UH into the criteria to become a recognized Tier One institution, including recruiting top researchers.

With the passage of the amendment, the University is pursuing Tier One status more aggressively than ever, said Wilson.

“We are grateful for the tools that legislature has given us to help us reach our goal.” said Wilson. “Through our persistence and hard work, I have no doubt that we’ll complete the challenge. As Winston Churchill once said, ‘Give us the tools and we’ll finish the job.’”

Wilson discussed the monumental impact that the increased research funds from the State will have on the city’s economy. Every $10 million in annual research spending, he says, creates an estimated 334 jobs, adds $8.6 millions in wages, adds $500,000 in tax revenue and generates $13.5 million in local sales.

The November meeting of the Houston Chapter of ACG marked its annual University of Houston and C. T. Bauer College of Business focused gathering. “The Houston Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth has many UH alumni among its members,” said John O’Dell (’70), Bauer’s director of alumni development. “We are pleased that once each year their monthly luncheon focuses on the University of Houston and C.T. Bauer College of Business. With the recent passage of Proposition 4, the November 10 luncheon topic was very timely.”

By Jessica Robertson and Lori Reichardt

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

About the Bauer College of Business

The C.T. Bauer College of Business has been in operation for more than 60 years at the University of Houston main campus. Through its five academic departments, the college offers a full-range of undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business. The Bauer College is fully accredited by the AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In August 2000, Houston business leader and philanthropist Charles T. (Ted) Bauer endowed the College of Business with a $40 million gift. In recognition of his generosity, the college was renamed the C.T. Bauer College of Business.