MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Blount, Hopson, Dearing, Jackson (11th), Kirby, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP OF DR. LEE GARDNER ROYCE AS THE 19TH PRESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, President Lee Royce will retire in May 2018 after 16 extraordinary years serving as Mississippi College's leader. Lee Gardner Royce became Mississippi College's 19th President in July 2002, and under his leadership, the Christian University has experienced record enrollment growth, financial success and a construction renaissance; and
WHEREAS, the former President of Anderson University in South Carolina, Dr. Royce pursues the institution's vision "to be recognized as a university known for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce provided extraordinary service as President to strengthen Mississippi College finances, enhance academic programs, oversee dramatic improvement to campus facilities and build the institution's national reputation; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi College budget doubled to $75.5 Million, and enrollment grew from 3,200 to 5,200 students during his tenure; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce served as the Chief Proponent of Mississippi College's Growing the Vision Campaign that raised $87.4 Million for scholarships, facilities, academic programs and the university endowment; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce utilized his position as President to strongly support Clinton, the Mississippi College's hometown, and develop solid partnerships with local leaders along with communities across Metro Jackson; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce's notable list of honors included Clinton Citizen of the Year, as well as the Executive of the Year in the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education's Southern Region III; and
WHEREAS, the Vanderbilt University graduate proved to be an exemplary leader and advocate for Mississippi College within the Mississippi Baptist Convention and in Christian higher education circles across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce and his wife, Rhoda, served as tremendous Goodwill Ambassadors and exceptional role models for Mississippi College across the United States and in other countries; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce became a stellar member of the university's leadership team making the successful transition for Mississippi College athletics to move to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi College leader has proven to be a tireless leader with United Way of the Capital Area for 16 years. He helped elevate the university's United Way drives to rank the No. 1 institution among Jackson area colleges; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Dr. Royce married Russell Rhoda Royce, a former Editor with Open Windows Magazine and other publications with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Belmont University with a Master's Degree from the University of South Carolina, Rhoda Royce has served as Adjunct Instructor of Business Communications at Mississippi College. The Royces have one son, Mark, a Ph.D. in Political Science and Graduate Teaching Assistant at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, President Lee Royce and his wife, Rhoda, are beloved by Mississippi College faculty, staff, students, alumni, the Clinton community and other friends of the university. The Royces will be sorely missed during their retirement years in Northern Virginia, and it is with great pride that we commend this Christian academic leader whose record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to the citizens of Mississippi brings honor to his college, his community and to our state:
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 accomplishments and civic leadership of Dr. Lee Gardner Royce, the 19th President of Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, on the occasion of his retirement and extend to Dr. Royce and his family our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Royce, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.