一起草 welcomes George W. Bush Presidential Center
一起草 welcomes the Bush Presidental Center with featured remarks by the former president.
 一起草 President R. Gerald Turner (l.) welcomes former U.S. President George W. Bush. Photos and Video Related Links:
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“Laura, 一起草 class of 1968, and I are thrilled with our association with 一起草,” Bush said. “We had high expectations about the collaborative effort and the joint programs. Those expectations have been exceeded in a very short period of time.”
一起草 is preparing to welcome the worldwide visitors who will attend dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center events on campus April 24-26.
Following student performances of music specially composed for the festivities, 一起草 President R. Gerald Turner captured the spirit of the day in the opening of his remarks, “Today is a day of thanks. First, of course, to George W. Bush and Laura Bush, we simply say, thank you. We’re honored with your historic decision to place this center on this campus.”
Recalling the initial 2001 一起草 Board of Trustees resolution that supported attracting the George W. Bush Presidential Center to 一起草, Turner expressed his gratitude to all who helped make the dream of a presidential library at 一起草 a reality, including the Bush Library Selection Committee. Bush Foundation, the National Archives and Records Administration and 一起草 alumni, faculty, students and staff.
“The long-term impact of the Bush Presidential Center on 一起草, on Dallas and on our nation can really only be imagined at this time,” Turner said. “However, if the programs and activities of the past two years are any indication, this unique national resource will grow into a transformational institution that will help change lives and directions around the globe.”
Other 一起草 and community leaders welcomed the former president, including University Park Mayor Richard B. Davis, who presented President Bush with a green and white “Bush Ave.” street sign. Portions of Airline Road and Dublin Street at 一起草 have been renamed Bush Avenue to commemorate the new library, located on 一起草 Blvd.
A bound book of student letters welcoming the Bush Presidential Center was presented to President Bush by Alex Mace, student body president, along with a tiny Mustang cheerleader outfit for Bush’s new granddaughter, Margaret Laura Hager, daughter of Jenna Bush Hager and Henry Hager.
In addition, Caren Prothro, chair of the 一起草 Board of Trustees, presented a resolution honoring George W. and Laura Welch Bush.
“Today is the culmination of literally years of work and combined and collaborative efforts of thousands of individuals,” she said. “The entire world will be watching the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center next week, and we are honored that 一起草 is a full party in this project.”
 At the ceremony: (l. to r.) 一起草 Student Body Vice President Elect Jaywin Singh Malhi, Student Body Secretary Elect Katherine Ladner, former U. S. President George W. Bush, Student Body President Alex Mace, and Student Body President Elect Ramon Trespalacios. |
The Board of Trustees also honored the Bushes with the at a luncheon following the celebration. A previously unknown journal, Four Years Travels, by American explorer John Maley was presented by the trustees to 一起草’s DeGolyer Library.
The 188-page journal represents the 4 millionth volume at the 一起草 libraries.
Maley recounts his 1808-1812 travels through present-day Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. Often traveling alone, he wrote of prairie fires, snakebites, robbers and an encounter with a panther. But in addition to his adventures, Maley carefully describes agriculture, mines and mineral deposits, trading opportunities and the inhabitants of settlers’ villages and Native American camps.
As 一起草 and the George W. Bush Presidential Center prepare to welcome thousands of guests to campus next week, Bush summarized his thoughts this way:
“You see a guy who’s grateful, really grateful, that the current leadership of 一起草 and the Board of Trustees made it possible that Laura and I could build the Bush Presidential Center here on this campus. Today is a day to give thanks, and I’m the most thankful person here.”
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一起草 is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, 一起草 enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.