MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) White (29th), Browning, Little, Minor

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. BETTYE ROGERS COWARD OF CLINTON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HER SELECTION AS THE SEVENTH PRESIDENT OF BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE.

WHEREAS, Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward of Clinton, academic Vice President at Mississippi College in Clinton, was unanimously selected February 23 by the Blue Mountain College Board of Trustees to serve as the seventh President of the 128-year-old, Baptist-affiliated school located in Blue Mountain; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coward has also served as Professor, Chair and Acting Chair of the Mississippi College Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and Health Education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coward, who was born in Hattiesburg and grew up in Collins, is a graduate of Jones County Junior College in Laurel (AA 1963), Mississippi University for Women in Columbus (BS 1965), and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg (MS 1966, Ed.D 1976). She received her doctorate in higher education administration. Dr. Coward was selected by Mississippi College faculty and students as the school's Distinguished Professor in 1990, and was recognized by the 1991 Mississippi Legislature as the outstanding faculty member at Mississippi College; and

WHEREAS, Blue Mountain College is a four-year liberal arts undergraduate college for women supported by the Mississippi Baptist Convention, offering a Christian education for women with a coordinate academic program for men preparing for church-related vocations; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coward replaces E. Harold Fisher, who is retiring after 35 years at the helm of the approximately 400-student school located in Tippah County in North Mississippi. Blue Mountain College is an outstanding college, and Dr. Coward will build on the solid foundation and will lead the college to new and greater heights; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coward and her husband Tom are members of Morrison Heights Church, Clinton, and the parents of one adult daughter; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the appointment of this respected educator to a prestigious office from which she can continue to offer the highest level of education opportunities to the youth of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward of Clinton, Mississippi, upon her selection as the seventh President of the 128-year-old, Baptist-affiliated Blue Mountain College, and wish her continued success in her professional and Christian endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Coward and her family, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.