Commending Dr. James Olson on 50 years of service to The University of Texas Permian Basin.
WHEREAS, Dr. James Olson, a psychology professor at The
University of Texas Permian Basin, is celebrating 50 years of
service at the university; and
WHEREAS, A native of Southern California, James Olson earned
his bachelor’s degree from the University of California Santa
Barbara in 1969, and during his undergraduate years, he contributed
to a groundbreaking project that sought to teach language to
chimpanzees; he went on to receive a master’s degree and doctorate
in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles; in
1973, he became one of the founding faculty members of The
University of Texas Permian Basin; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his career at UTPB, Dr. Olson has
excelled in his teaching duties and has served as chair of the
psychology, sociology, and criminology departments; in 1994, he
became the first dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and served
in that role for a decade; currently, he holds the R. V. Cardozier
endowed professorship and teaches both undergraduate and master’s
level psychology courses; he has coauthored multiple books,
including two titles based on interviews he conducted with
residential burglars, and his work on the subject has received
national media attention; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Olson has earned a number of prestigious
teaching honors, including the Piper Professor Award in 2011 and
the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of
Texas System in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Olson’s dedication, expertise, and
commitment to excellence have benefited countless students and
brought him significant renown in the field of psychology, and The
University of Texas Permian Basin is indeed fortunate to count him
among its most esteemed faculty members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commend Dr. James Olson on 50 years of service to The
University of Texas Permian Basin and extend to him sincere best
wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Olson as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.
Craddick
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 22 was adopted by the House on March
10, 2025, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 22 was adopted by the Senate on
March 19, 2025, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor
