Tim Hudson, president of the University of Houston-Victoria, is one of four outstanding local residents who will be recognized during the African American Chamber of Commerce/Victoria Chairman’s Awards Gala for their overall community involvement.

Tim Hudson, president of the University of Houston-Victoria, speaks during a press conference on Monday at UHV after it was announced that he is the recipient of the annual Education Award from the African American Chamber of Commerce/Victoria. He will be formally recognized during the Chamber’s awards gala on Nov. 6.

“His leadership speaks for itself,” AACCV Chairman Jim Wyatt said. “We are pleased to be able to recognize Dr. Hudson and these other outstanding Victorians in a manner they deserve.”

The names of the four honorees were announced during a press conference Monday morning at UHV, but the recipients will be formally recognized during the Nov. 6 gala at the Victoria Community Center. Hudson will receive the Education Award at the event. The other honorees are Omar Rachid, Humanitarian Award; Laura Sanders, Public Service Award; and Adeline Barefield, Business Award.

Hudson said he felt honored to receive the award and to be included in such a distinguished list of recipients.

“It was instilled in me at an early age that an important part of our civic responsibility is to support access to education for all individuals,” he said. “African American leaders have promoted this fundamental idea for a long time and often in the face of long odds. To be recognized by this Chamber and the community it represents is one of the most humbling and satisfying experiences of my life.”

Since Hudson’s arrival at UHV in 2004, the university has grown at every level, an accomplishment that has required teamwork, he said. In the academic area, the School of Nursing was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the School of Business Administration received its inaugural accreditation from AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The university also received its first endowed chair, and new academic programs helped student enrollment increase from 2,400 to more than 3,100 this fall.

UHV also has become recognized for its humanities education within the last two years. The American Book Review literary journal, the Fiction Collective Two alternative press and the Society for Critical Exchange scholarly organization moved to the university during this time.

Hudson also worked to start an athletic program at UHV. The university fielded its first baseball and softball teams in the spring, and fundraising has reached an all-time high.

Most recently, Hudson was part of a commission that recommended that UHV become a four-year university. After approval from the University of Houston Board of Regents and the Texas Legislature, UHV will move from an upper-level university serving juniors, seniors and graduate students to a four-year residential institution.

Hudson has a doctorate in geography from Clark University in Worcester, Mass. His interest in geography has grown into a lifelong commitment to the promotion of global understanding. He has started more than 40 study-abroad programs worldwide, including UHV programs in Spain and Mexico. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by London Guildhall University for his contributions to global understanding and economic development.

In April, Hudson was one of 50 leaders selected to participate in the U.S. Secretary of Defense 75th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. He observed and participated in the daily activities of the U.S. military in Cuba, Brazil, Colombia and Honduras.

Locally, Hudson is a member of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Victoria Rotary Club and serves on the boards of directors for the Victoria Symphony, DeTar Healthcare System and the Victoria Economic Development Corp. He and his wife, Deidra Ransburgh Hudson, have five children and three grandchildren.

The Chamber gala will begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. In addition to recognition of the honorees, The Victoria College Jazz Band with Austin-based guest vocalist Regina Odom will provide entertainment.

For reservations or ticket information, contact 361-645-7103 or www.aaccv.org.