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Regent post is 'a dream come true' for Golden

By Portia-Elaine Gant
Senior Staff Writer

On Jan. 2, Gov. Rick Perry appointed Dennis Golden of Carthage and Lynden Rose of Houston to the UH System Board of Regents, filling two of three vacant board positions. The Daily Cougar is profiling both new regents; Rose's profile will appear later in the week.

University alumnus Dr. Dennis D. Golden, an optometrist and owner of Golden Eye Associates in Carthage, has accepted an appointment to the UH System Board of Regents from Gov. Rick Perry.

"It was my dream to attend the University of Houston," Golden said. "To come back 35 years later and have the honor to serve as a regent and give something back to the university that I love is a dream come true."

This post isn't Golden's first such appointment. He served three terms as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Panola College in Carthage.

Golden said his education and career -- including starting his own business -- should help him execute the University's mission.

"I've had to learn and grow throughout my 25-year career," Golden said. "And part of our mission at the University of Houston is not only providing a sound education, but making sure that people have an opportunity to engage in lifelong learning and growth and development." 

One of Golden's priorities as regent will be the pursuit of funding for the University that would help it compete with top research universities in Texas and throughout the country.

"I want to try to increase the opportunity for education for the citizens of Texas. I want to continually see the University of Houston distinguish itself as one of the greatest education and research institutions in the world," he said.

Golden isn't looking to modify UH's status as a commuter school, but he said some changes could be in order.

"When I was there, UH was a commuter school, and it's not all bad. I think it needs to continually attract those students who need to go to work and go to school," Golden said. "I don't think we need to take away from what we have, but add to it to make the campus a more traditional campus in a lot of respects."

He said that might involve an increase in on-campus housing and a change in admissions standards to reflect those found in similar institutions. 

Nevertheless, the former president of the Texas Optometric Association said he is pleased with the progress the University has made and is looking forward to expanding on an already solid foundation.

"We are attracting, and need to continue to actively attract, the best and brightest minds worldwide to our campus, as well as the brightest and best faculty," Golden said. "I think we've already done a tremendous job on these things; we just need to build on it."
 

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