House Resolution 123

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED AND DEDICATED SERVICES OF DR. WILLIAM K. SCARBOROUGH TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AS PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Dr. William Kauffman Scarborough, after serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1956, earning his A.B. at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1954, M.A. at Cornell in 1957 and Ph.D. in History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1962, and forging a renowned academic career at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) from 1964-2009, where he inspired several generations of students in Southern history, is retiring; and

WHEREAS, born January 17, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland, son of the late James Blame Scarborough, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the United States Naval Academy, Dr. Scarborough, the author and editor of five award-winning books (with a sixth nearly completed), and numerous scholarly articles and reviews, has had his contributions to USM's history recognized with numerous professional awards, including, but not limited to: the Jules and Frances Landry Award, presented by LSU Press in 1989 and 2003; the Willie D. Halsell Prize for best article in the Journal of Mississippi History in 1993; the Richard Wright Literary Excellence Award from Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration in 2004; the B.L.C. Wailes Award from the Mississippi Historical Society for a Mississippi scholar who has achieved national distinction in the field of history in 2005; and

WHEREAS, his excellence in professional service as a teacher and scholar is evidenced by the many responsibilities and offices to which his peers elected him over the course of his career, including department chair, member of the Faculty Senate; Advisory Board, Southern Studies; Mississippi Historical Society; St. George Tucker Society; USM Chapter of the American Association of University Professors; all of which have allowed him to be recognized by the university with the following awards: the Excellence-in-Teaching Award (1981 and 1984); Faculty Research Award (1989); Grand Marshal Award (2002-2003); and the College of Arts and Letters Excellence in Service Award (2006); and

WHEREAS, just as committed to dedicated services provided to USM, Dr. Scarborough's zeal for public service began in 1954 as a Commissioned Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve, where he served on active duty as a Gunnery Department Division Officer aboard the USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62), and traveled extensively overseas in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Mediterranean areas before being released from active duty in 1956, with rank of Lieutenant JG and ultimately ceasing his membership in the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant in 1967; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his rightful place in the echelon of educational excellence provided by USM in 1964, Dr. Scarborough imparted the fruits of his matriculation into molding and shaping the minds, morale and futures of students at Millsaps College (1961-1963) and Northeast Louisiana University (1963-1964); and

WHEREAS, with a list of honorable accolades too numerous to list, this highly sought after lecturer, historical consultant and referee, has been consistently favored with an unmatched support base, wherein he receives his greatest sense of pride and accomplishments, his family: wife, the former Patricia Estelle Carruthers of Akron, Ohio; children, Catherine Lee and William Bradley; and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the diligent efforts and remarkable service rendered by such an upstanding individual as Dr. Scarborough, whose contributions to the United States and to the world's educational and historical societies establish him as an invaluable asset to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished and dedicated services of Dr. William K. Scarborough to the University of Southern Mississippi as Professor of History, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement and extend warmest wishes for much happiness and success in all of his future endeavors as he enjoys the lighter days of his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Scarborough, the University of Southern Mississippi Department of History and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.