Senate Concurrent Resolution 624

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OF RETIRING UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI PROFESSOR DR. GWEN PATE AND COMMENDING HER LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP.

WHEREAS, we join the administration and faculty colleagues of retiring Director of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Accountancy Professor Dr. Gwen Pate in commending a legacy of leadership and community outreach; and

WHEREAS, Gwen R. Pate received her Doctoral Degree in 1990 from the University of Tennessee, her Master of Professional Accountancy in 1981 from The University of Southern Mississippi, and her Bachelor of Music in 1977 from The University of Southern Mississippi. She passed the CPA exam in 1982; and

WHEREAS, since 1973, Dr. Gwen Pate has been involved with The University of Southern Mississippi, not only as a student of music and accountancy, but also as a faculty member promoted through the ranks with tenure as follows:

· Assistant Professor, School of Professional Accountancy (1990-1997);

· Associate Professor, School of Professional Accountancy and tenured (1997);

· Professor, School of Professional Accountancy (2013);

· Director of Undergraduate Programs, College of Business (2004-2014);

· Associate Dean, College of Business (2011-2013);

· Director of the School of Accountancy (2014-2015 and 2017-2018); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pate's professional achievements include the following:

· As a faculty member, Dr. Pate received the "Faculty of the Year" Award from the Gamma Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi (1992) and the "Most Outstanding Faculty Adviser" Award from Kappa Alpha Theta (2003). She engaged in scholarship and published in peer-reviewed journals in the accounting profession;

· In her capacity as Director of Undergraduate Programs, Dr. Pate guided thousands of students through career progress in the College of Business and shepherded curriculum revisions to the accounting degree and to those in the College of Business;

· In her capacity as Director of the School of Accountancy, Dr. Pate successfully guided the program through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business's (AACSB) accounting accreditation process with commendations for the infusion of technology into the curriculum;

· In her capacity as Associate Dean, Dr. Pate initiated efforts to create a facility for computerized testing and a Business Academic Success and Excellence (BASE) Center for tutoring in writing and communication;

· She encouraged the formation of a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and supported Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honorary for AACSB-accredited programs;

· She typically taught students in Cost Accounting or Managerial Accounting but has also team-taught Regression Analysis or Accounting Theory whenever it was needed to assist the program or college;

· She expanded the Advisory Board for the School of Accountancy and involved them in strategic planning and initiatives for the school;

· Dr. Pate will be honored as the Accounting Professor of the Year by the Mississippi Society of CPAs during their annual meeting in June 2018;

· She also plays the flute in the Community Band and has supported the efforts of her son, Andy, as he has developed his expertise on the drums in jazz bands at USM and in the community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pate's career, promotions in academic rank, service in administration, and outreach to the community all provide exemplars for an academic career. She has provided remarkable service to the State of Mississippi, to the field of accounting, and to thousands of graduates at the undergraduate and masters levels in this state. We join The University of Southern Mississippi in paying tribute to her work:

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 academic achievements and community service of retiring University of Southern Mississippi Professor Dr. Gwen Pate and commend her legacy of leadership, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to Dr. Pate and her family for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Pate and the President of The University of Southern Mississippi, Rodney D. Bennett, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.