Last night the Texas State Historical Association celebrated the first anniversary of being headquartered on the campus of the University of North Texas in Denton by hosting a reception that included a book launch for the new 2010-11 Texas Almanac. This event drew an enthusiastic crowd of UNT administrators, faculty, and friends of the university in addition to TSHA board members, supporters, and others interested in furthering study of the state’s history. Guests included UNT Provost Wendy K. Wilkins and Texas State Representative Myra Crownover. Gayle W. Strange attended in her capacity as a TSHA board member and as a former member of the board of regents of the University of North Texas. Karla K. Morton, the 2010 Poet Laureate of Texas, was also in attendance. The staff of the Portals to Texas History project was also on hand.
Former TSHA President Fran Vick (above left) welcomed attendees during a short program for which she served as master of ceremonies. Provost Wendy K. Wilkins (above center) spoke on behalf of the University of North Texas, reaffirming the school’s strong and significant support for the TSHA as a member of its campus community. TSHA executive director Kent Calder (above right) responded, reviewing the accomplishments of the association since its move to Denton in the fall of 2008. These have included the completion of impressive new office space, the creation of a endowed chair in Texas history to be shared with the university’s history department, the publishing of the new edition of the almanac, the continuation of all the association's programs in education and outreach, successful maintaining of all TSHA academic programs, and setting the organization on a much stronger financial base. All in attendance agreed that the THSA looks forward to a bright and very promising future at the University of North Texas.
