Blinn board takes next step toward a second building at the RELLIS Campus, honors trustees Horton and Jennings
Board authorizes request for qualifications for designs of a Phase II building at RELLIS
November 20, 2019
The Blinn College District Board of Trustees authorized the College to request qualifications for designs of a Phase II building on the RELLIS Campus and recognized trustees Ann Horton and Jason Jennings Tuesday during the board’s November meeting at the Walter C. Schwartz Building on the RELLIS Campus.
With the board’s approval, Blinn will publish a request for qualifications for professional architectural services related to the programming, planning, design, and construction of the proposed RELLIS Phase II building.
At the RELLIS Campus, Blinn is part of the RELLIS Academic Alliance, a unique partnership between Blinn and The Texas A&M University System’s regional universities that allows students to complete their foundational coursework with Blinn and seamlessly transition to one of the Texas A&M System regional universities located at the RELLIS Academic Complex across the street from the Schwartz Building. Through the RELLIS Academic Alliance, students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in accounting, biology, business, criminal justice, computer science, communication, finance, health science, management, marketing, nursing, psychology, public administration, and public safety management.
Blinn opened the Schwartz Building in Fall 2018 with 1,515 students. That enrollment climbed to 2,582 students this semester.
The board also approved and read resolutions in honor of trustees Horton and Jennings, whose terms will conclude on Dec. 1.
“Trustees Horton and Jennings have been generous with their time, wisdom, and expertise,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Even as their terms end, they will always be valued members of the Blinn College family and we look forward to seeing them at many Blinn events in the years to come.”
Horton was appointed to the Blinn Board of Trustees in 2015. As a member of the board, she was part of the historic decision in 2016 to partner with The Texas A&M System and join the RELLIS Academic Alliance.
During her tenure on the board, Blinn opened the Doyle Coatney Center, the Kruse Center, Mill Creek Hall, and the Schwartz Building, and modernized the Bryan Campus Student Center and courtyards, the A.W. Hodde, Jr. Technical Education Center, the Moody Library, and Brenham Campus Student Center Dining Hall. During Horton’s tenure, the board also authorized construction of a new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building and a new agricultural sciences building on the Brenham Campus, and construction of the RELLIS Agricultural and Workforce Education Complex in partnership with The Texas A&M System and Texas A&M University.
During Horton’s tenure, Blinn also introduced a variety of new educational programs, with particular emphasis on high-demand skilled trades programs such as carpentry, electrical, HVAC, land surveying, plumbing, and facilities maintenance, and state-of-the-art scientific programs such as biotechnology laboratory sciences and surgical technology.
Jennings was appointed to the Blinn Board of Trustees in 2018. In his role as President of Baylor Scott & White – College Station Region, Jennings played an instrumental role in the development and launch of Blinn’s Surgical Technology and Online/Blended Vocational Nursing programs, and has provided superior management of the Blinn College Health Clinics on the Brenham and Bryan campuses.
During Jennings’ tenure on the board, Blinn opened Mill Creek Hall and the Schwartz Building, and upgraded the Bryan Campus Student Center and courtyards, the Moody Library, and the Brenham Campus Student Center Dining Hall. Blinn also began construction of a new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building and an agricultural sciences building on the Brenham Campus and of the RELLIS Agricultural and Workforce Education Complex.
