October 21, 2019
Granbury ISD joined with Tarleton State University for the Distinguished High School Partnership Program. The Board of Trustees approved the memorandum of understanding on October 21, 2019.
Dr. James Hurley, the new Tarleton president, was on hand for the signing of the agreement with GISD school board president Mark Jackson and superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn.
“Tarleton has a rich tradition of success and we are grateful for the chance to provide our students with this unique opportunity,” commented Dr. Glenn. “This partnership will benefit all GISD students, but this especially targets first-generation college students by breaking down admissions barriers and providing quality counseling opportunities for students and their families.”
The memorandum stipulates that the top 25% of each graduating class from Granbury High School will receive automatic admittance to Tarleton. The university also will waive requirements for ACT or SAT scores as well as the admissions application fee.
“Our reputation for student focus and big-effect undergraduate research is growing,” said Dr. Hurley. “With that comes our ability to attract high school seniors who want more than classroom knowledge. They want know-how. This collaboration is the next step in strengthening our long-standing partnership with the Granbury ISD and in providing a high-quality university experience to students in our own back yard.”
Tarleton will also annually provide fifteen scholarships of at least $1,000 each to GHS graduates who attend Tarleton. One additional scholarship of at least $5,000 will be designated for a GHS graduate in the top ten percent of the class. Students must meet applicable university scholarship requirements.
In conjunction with GHS counselors, Tarleton will provide ongoing support at GHS to include financial aid, admissions, and degree counseling, work study mentorships, peer mentoring, and more.
It is also expected that the Tarleton partnership will enable GHS students currently taking dual credit classes through Weatherford College to accelerate towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree if they attend Tarleton. The partnership will further provide assistance for GISD paraprofessionals seeking degrees and teacher certifications and for other employees pursuing master’s or doctorate degrees.
“With Tarleton becoming a Division I university and continuing to grow in both Stephenville and Fort Worth, we look forward to strengthening an already outstanding relationship,” Dr. Glenn said.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
Photo by Jeff Meador/Granbury ISD
