MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Zuber, Janus, Read, Hamilton (109th), Jones, Guice, Broomfield, Parker
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE EXEMPLARY AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF DR. RICK CHRISTMAS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE JACKSON COUNTY CAMPUS OF MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
WHEREAS, Dr. Rick Christmas, who committed himself to enhancing the education of the students of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, announced his plans to retire after 12 years of serving the Perkinston Campus and the Jackson County Campus; and
WHEREAS, raised in South Mississippi, Dr. Christmas spent his childhood in Natchez, Wiggins and Ocean Springs, where he graduated from high school and then obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, earning his master's degree, specialist and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Northern Colorado; and
WHEREAS, committed not only to serving his students in an educational capacity, Dr. Christmas served his country as an army officer in Vietnam, and subsequently worked in the educational sectors of Germany and Colorado, traveling extensively in over 30 countries and in the United States; and
WHEREAS, with an extensive background in counseling, tourism development and recreational activities, Dr. Christmas came from Colorado Mountain College to join the administrative staff of the Perkinston Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on August 1, 1996, as Vice President of Instructional Affairs, and transferred as Vice President of the Jackson County Campus on May 1, 2002; and
WHEREAS, as supervisor of Colorado Mountain's academic and vocational programs, Dr. Christmas oversaw the hiring, budgeting, program planning and development and scheduling, and brought those skills and attributes to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he implemented an array of improvements to the college's infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christmas, in his six years at the Jackson County Campus, initiated a master plan for progress, which includes having installed a Gautier-Vancleave entrance road; rebuilt parking lots and constructed two new ones; completed Loop Road; completed and opened the W.P. Administration Building; the Mall/Quadrangle, including a bell/clock tower to be completed in March 2008; landscaping throughout the campus, with more than 75% of the project complete; new tennis courts; Estuarine Education Center; Leadership Ropes Challenge Course; trails system and lake; Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Facility; Outdoor Recreation Leadership Facility; pavilion, boardwalk, piers and boat ramps to be completed in the summer 2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christmas orchestrated the renovations to the University Building, business administration spaces in the BA and BOT Building, Science Building, Drafting and Design Roof, Math and Computer Science Building, Developmental Studies Building, electronics lab, electricity lab, petro chemical lab and database administration lab; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christmas implemented new instructional programs in database administration, logistics, petrochemical process control technology, outdoor recreation leadership and apprenticeships in DDT and electronics; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christmas is a member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Gautier Economic Development Committee, Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the National Council of Instructional Administrators; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christmas prides himself most in the accomplishment of reestablishing a sense of trust and teamwork among the Jackson County Campus employees, which has fostered more positive attitudes and a significant increase in morale; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the outstanding contributions of a citizen such as Dr. Christmas who has provided a quality educational environment and curriculum to the students of this state, who are its future:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the exemplary and dedicated services of Dr. Rick Christmas, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Jackson County Campus, as Vice President, and express warmest wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Christmas and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.