Sam Houston State University President Dana G. Hoyt announced Tuesday her intention to retire in August.
During Hoyt’s time in office, she has led efforts that included establishing the university’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, renovation projects for major buildings on campus, raising enrollment numbers and more.
In an email she sent to students, faculty and staff, she reflected fondly on her time as a part of the SHSU community.
“These past 10 years have exceeded every expectation I had when I first took office,” Hoyt said. “It has been an honor to serve the students, faculty, staff and alumni of this great institution.”
Student Body President Amanda Lee stated that Hoyt has made a major impact on her life on multiple levels.
“Dr. Hoyt has been a major influence in my student life and leading up to my role as Student Body President,” Lee said. “She has paved the way for many students at Sam Houston and has always exemplified a positive light within the roles she has been able to serve as at Sam Houston.”
Lee said that she was thankful to Hoyt for creating an atmosphere of engaged and active learning, and she wanted to thank her for being a woman in a president role.
“She has given me the courage to continue to strive for higher positions and to stand up for what I believe in,” Lee said. “She has served this university with grace and it makes me sad to see her go, but hopeful for the future of Sam Houston.”
Lee stated that she hopes Hoyt will look back 10 years from now and see how the university continued to grow through initiatives she started.
The Provost and Faculty Senate Chair did not respond to requests for comment about Hoyt’s retirement.
UPDATE: Faculty Senate Chair Michael Hanson responded on Feb. 10 at 10:16 a.m. wishing Hoyt luck in the future.
“At this point, the only comment that Faculty Senate has is that we acknowledge the work she’s done for the university and we wish her the best in her future endeavors,” Hanson said.
UPDATE: Provost Richard Eglsaer responded on Feb. 10 at 4:18 p.m. commending Hoyt on the work that she has done.
“We are very appreciative of the work that she has done,” Eglsaer said. “She has worked so hard over the years to make this a better place. I can tell you personally what she did to work for the faculty in terms of getting them consistent raises or working to create the medical school was… She works so diligently. She works from 5 o’clock in the morning until late at night… When she took the job she said she’d do it for eight years, we got 10 years out of her, so we got two extra years.”
