Sam Houston State University Names College of Osteopathic Medicine in Honor of Russell and Glenda Gordy

Sam Houston State University Names College of Osteopathic Medicine in Honor of Russell and Glenda Gordy 

Sam Houston State University has announced the naming of its College of Osteopathic Medicine in honor of distinguished alumni, philanthropists and longtime university supporters Russell and Glenda Gordy, recognizing their extraordinary generosity, leadership and enduring commitment to advancing education and healthcare in Texas. 

During its quarterly meeting on Aug. 6, the Texas State University System Board of Regents approved the official name of the Russell and Glenda Gordy College of Osteopathic Medicine.  

The naming honors the Gordys' transformational impact on SHSU and their pivotal role in bringing the medical school from vision to reality. Their early investment helped establish the college and positioned it to become a nationally recognized institution dedicated to educating future physicians, advancing medical research and expanding access to quality healthcare across Texas. 

"Russell and Glenda Gordy have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Sam Houston State and its students for decades," said SHSU President Alisa White. "Their generosity has opened doors for countless students while helping shape the future of healthcare education in Texas. Naming the college in their honor is a fitting tribute to their remarkable legacy." 

Among SHSU's most dedicated alumni and benefactors, the Gordys have supported scholarships, academic programs and student initiatives that have created opportunities for generations of Bearkats. Their philanthropy has strengthened the university's mission and advanced student success across a wide range of disciplines. 

Russell, a 1972 graduate of SHSU, and Glenda, who earned degrees from the university in 1973 and 1977, were both first-generation college students. Their own educational journeys shaped a deep appreciation for the life-changing opportunities higher education provides. 

“Glenda and I are deeply honored to have the College of Osteopathic Medicine named in our honor,” Russell Gordy said. “From our earliest conversations with Dr. Dana Hoyt, we believed Sam Houston could create a medical school that would serve Texas. Chancellor Brian McCall championed that vision with state leaders, many others refused to take ‘no’ for an answer, and President Alisa White carried the work forward with exceptional leadership. We are proud to have played a part in that shared effort—and even prouder of the physicians this college is preparing to serve communities across our state for generations to come.” 

The couple’s support was especially instrumental in establishing the College of Osteopathic Medicine. By investing in the vision for a medical school before it existed, the Gordys helped lay the foundation for one of the university's most significant achievements. 

"There would be no Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine without Russell and Glenda's willingness to take a leap of faith in something that did not exist and that no one could see," White said. 

Since its opening in 2020, the college has quickly earned a national reputation for excellence in osteopathic medical education and for preparing physicians to meet the healthcare needs of Texas. That success is reflected in exceptional student outcomes, including a 100% first-time pass rate on the COMLEX Level 3 licensing examination among 2024 and 2025 graduates. Additionally, 58% of student doctors matched into primary care residency programs—including family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics. Other students matched into specialties such as orthopedics, neurosurgery, anesthesiology and pathology along with other surgical fields. 

Naming the college in honor of Russell and Glenda Gordy recognizes not only the philanthropic leadership that made the medical school possible, but also their lasting impact on higher education, healthcare and the lives of future generations of Texans.