Dr. James Curry Recognized by Texas Legislature for Exceptional Leadership of Bullock Scholars Program, Contributions to the University
Longtime political science professor to retire after 47-year career that includes leading successful internship programs for students at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-709-5959
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WACO, Texas (April 21, 2021) – James A. Curry, Ph.D., professor of political science and The Bob Bullock Professor of Public Policy and Administration at Baylor University, was recognized today in Austin with Texas House and Senate resolutions honoring his longtime service to the University and dedication to students as director of the Bob Bullock Scholars Program and the Baylor Washington Internship Program. Dr. Curry is retiring at the end of the spring semester after 47 distinguished years at Baylor.
The resolutions were presented to Curry on the floors of the Texas House and Senate by Rep. Jeff Leach, B.A. '05 (District 67), and Sen. Brian Birdwell (District 22), respectively. The Senate resolution was signed by senators who are Baylor alumni and also noted Baylor students who are serving as Bullock Scholars during the 87th Legislative Session: Nicholas Baker (Rep. Leach), Caleb Barkman (Rep. Kyle Kacal), Lilac Ding (Sen. Brandon Creighton), Tarshyana Hall (Sen. Royce West), Lizzy Headley (Sen. Jane Nelson), Raychel Polk (Rep. Chris Turner), Lilly Price (Sen. Judith Zaffirini), Garrett Taylor (Sen. Birdwell), Amon Thapa (Sen. Kel Seliger) and Meghan Yoyotte (Sen. Sarah Eckhardt).
A member of the Baylor faculty since 1974, Curry has been the Bullock Professor for more than two decades and director of the Bullock Scholars Program since its inception. The Bob Bullock Scholars Program was established in 2000 as a joint effort of Baylor, the family of the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock and members of the Texas Senate to elevate the study of politics among Baylor students and serve as a model for those individuals who seek to serve others through a career in public life. Funding allows Baylor students to work full time during sessions of the Texas Legislature with a member of the Senate or House of Representatives.
"James Curry has helped countless students gain a strong foundation in the intricacies of our political system, and his contributions to his discipline and to Baylor University have earned him the deep respect and admiration of all who are fortunate enough to know him," the House resolution stated. "Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate James Allan Curry on his retirement from Baylor University and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future."
"[Dr. Curry] is highly regarded by his colleagues, and he can reflect with pride on his outstanding tenure as director of the Bob Bullock Scholars Program," the Senate resolution stated. "Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th Legislature, hereby commend Dr. James Allan Curry on his many contributions to Baylor University and on his exceptional leadership of the Bob Bullock Scholars Program."
The Bob Bullock Scholars Program was named to honor the memory and numerous contributions to society by the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, a graduate of Texas Tech University and Baylor Law School, who devoted his life to Texans and Americans for nearly 40 years. Through his career as a state representative, assistant attorney general, general counsel to Gov. Preston Smith, secretary of state, comptroller of public accounts and eventually lieutenant governor and president of the Texas Senate, Bullock became a model for public administration and fiscal responsibility. He died June 18, 1999, at his home in Austin.
In 1993, Bullock began depositing his Texas state papers, campaign materials and personal papers in the Baylor Collections of Political Materials at the W. R. Poage Legislative Library. The Bob Bullock Archive officially opened in July 2004 and includes approximately 1,100 linear feet of materials that document Bullock's career in Texas state government.
At Baylor, Curry has taught American constitutional development, criminal justice, public administration and law and public policy. His textbook, "Constitutional Government: The American Experience," co-authored with Richard Battistoni, Rebecca Flavin and Stephen Block, is in its 10th edition. He also founded and directed the criminal justice minor and served as chair of the department of political science for 14 years. He has been recognized at Baylor with the Outstanding Tenured Faculty Award and for his excellence in teaching on several occasions by Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board.
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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.