House Resolution 90

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE MULTITUDE OF CAREER SUCCESSES AND RENOWNED AWARDS BESTOWED UPON DR. BELLE S. WHEELAN.

WHEREAS, Dr. Belle S. Wheelan is a remarkably talented and distinguished individual who currently holds the title and recognition of being the first woman and the first African American to serve as President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; and

WHEREAS, her rise to prominence was founded with a strong educational background, as she received her bachelor's degree in both psychology and sociology from Trinity University in Texas in 1972, her master's in developmental educational psychology from Louisiana State University in 1974, and her doctorate in educational administration with a special concentration in community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Wheelan's credits her esteemed career not only to her hard work, endurance, tenacity and being in the right place at the right time, but also to the countless prayers and words of support she received from her friends and family, especially her son Reginald, which can make any person's dreams possible; and

WHEREAS, throughout her 40-year career, Dr. Wheelan has provided efficiency, competency and professionalism to a number of roles including faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president and Secretary of Education, and in several of those positions, she was the first African American and/or woman to serve in those capacities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Wheelan has received numerous awards and recognition including six honorary degrees; the Distinguished Graduate Award from Trinity University and the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin; Washingtonian Magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C.; the AAUW Woman of Distinction Award; the Suanne Davis Roueche National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development's Distinguished Lecturer Award; the John E. Roueche National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development's International Leadership Award; the AACC Leadership Award; the John Hope Franklin Award from Diverse Issues in Higher Education for outstanding leadership in higher education; the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Terry O'Banion Prize in Education from the League for Innovation in Community Colleges; and in 2017, Central Virginia Community College named her President Emerita; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her many awards and accolades, Dr. Wheelan holds membership in the following local, state and national organizations: Rotary International; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the American College Testing, Inc. Board of Directors; American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors; the Lumina Foundation for Education Board of Directors; the President's Round Table of the National Council on Black American Affairs; the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Board of Directors; Excelencia in Education Board of Directors; National Society of Collegiate Scholars Community College Honorary Board; Next Generation Learning Challenges Advisory Panel; Project GOALS (Gaining Online Accessible Learning Through Self-Study); and the National Student Clearinghouse Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and salute those people whose unparalleled dedication and incomparable service to their careers truly brings about the betterment of the United States of America:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the multitude of career successes and renowned awards bestowed upon Dr. Belle S. Wheelan and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Belle S. Wheelan and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.