MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Harkins, Witherspoon, Dearing, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM LEADERSHIP OF COMMISSIONER OF HIGHER EDUCATION DR. GLENN BOYCE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Glenn Boyce has announced his intention to retire at the end of the current fiscal year. Named Commissioner on April 17, 2015, he has enjoyed an expansive career in secondary and postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, as Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Boyce has provided leadership for the state's university system, which includes four research and four regional universities, one Academic Health Science Center and the Executive Office. Offering 891 degree programs, the universities include two land-grant universities, three historically black institutions, a Law Center, a School of Veterinary Medicine, and 320 Institutes and Centers; and
WHEREAS, the university system serves more than 95,000 students, with almost 28,000 faculty and staff members, 1,666 buildings with 36.7 million square feet, and a $4.5 Billion operating budget. The system received $420.7 Million in external research funding, supporting 2,407 projects in the last fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the university system has set record enrollments, has seen record numbers of degrees awarded, launched a statewide program to increase the number of degree holders in the state exponentially, worked to be more responsive to the needs of business and industry, and has streamlined operations to increase efficiencies; and
WHEREAS, in Academic Year 2017, there were 95,857 total students enrolled in the university system. The universities awarded 17,760 degrees in 2017, representing an 8.9% increase in the past five years. The number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates has increased by 37.9% in that timeframe. In 2017, there were 3,727 STEM graduates and 2,849 health care graduates, including nurses; and
WHEREAS, a collaborative effort between the university and community college systems, Complete 2 Compete (C2C) is a statewide program focused on encouraging Mississippi adults who have completed some college, but no degree, to return to college and complete the requirements necessary to earn their degrees. Since launching the C2C website, there have been almost 24,000 visits to the website and almost 7,000 applications submitted. There have been 261 associates and bachelor's degrees awarded through the program; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Business Engagement Network (MBEN), a partnership effort between the university system, the Mississippi Research Consortium, the Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Development Authority, and the Mississippi Economic Development Council was designed to connect business leaders and economic developers with the resources, experts and research capabilities housed within Mississippi's four research institutions. As part of the effort, a website was launched as a portal to access these resources quickly and easily; and
WHEREAS, prior to being named Commissioner, Dr. Boyce served as Associate Commissioner of Academic Affairs for the Institutions of Higher Learning. He joined IHL after serving as President of Holmes Community College for more than nine years. Dr. Boyce served for several years as Co-Chair of the Education Achievement Council, working collaboratively with all levels of education, state leaders and the business community to increase educational attainment in the state. Dr. Boyce served as a Trustee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation. Dr. Boyce holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Mississippi, a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Mississippi College, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, "Dr. Boyce has provided tremendous leadership for the university system," said Trustee C.D. Smith, President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. "He understands the needs of our students and our state, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the university system addresses both in our rapidly changing world." "I have had the pleasure of serving with an amazing group of IHL Trustees," said Dr. Boyce. "I will always cherish the relationships we shared. They serve the state with such a selfless attitude and give of their time endlessly to help students succeed. They are all in on their commitment to moving the state forward, and I appreciate their steadfast support for me and their unwavering dedication to the system"; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this record of higher education achievement and legacy of leadership by an individual held in the highest esteem by his colleagues in the university system:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the university system leadership of Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Glenn Boyce upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend our best wishes to Dr. Boyce and his family for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Boyce and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.