House Concurrent Resolution 69

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE DISTINGUISHED SUCCESS AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE OF MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY AND CONGRATULATING THE ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI UPON THE OCCASION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S 60TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, the legacy of Mississippi Valley State University, one of 105 national Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States and one of eight HBCU establishments in Mississippi, was birthed some 64 years ago by legislation enacted by the Mississippi Legislature in 1946 authorizing the establishment of the institution under the name Mississippi Vocational College, for the purpose of training teachers for rural and elementary schools and to provide vocational training; and

WHEREAS, sixty years after the groundbreakinq ceremony, held on February 19, 1950, with the late Honorable Governor Fielding Wright, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the university's first president, Dr. James Herbert White, and opening its doors in the summer of 1950 with enrollment of 205 in-service teachers, Mississippi Valley State University boasts a rich legacy of distinguished service and academic success that has produced some of the nation's most prominent leaders, philanthropists, educators, politicians and athletes; and

WHEREAS, since its first academic year in 1950-1951, opening with 14 regular students, seven faculty members, offering the bachelor of science degree in 14 areas and providing Extension Services, the institution, Mississippi's youngest state-assisted institution of higher learning, whose name was changed to Mississippi Valley State College in 1964, was authorized to offer the liberal arts degree as well as the science and education degrees; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Governor William A. Waller signed into law the bill granting university status to the institution on March 15, 1974, giving the institution its present title as Mississippi Valley State University, representing its rapid evolvement into a leading 21st century model institution of higher learning and educational mecca, with more than 14,500 alumni, 2,733 currently enrolled students and offering 12 undergraduate degree programs and six graduate degree programs; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, Mississippi Valley State University has been one of the State of Mississippi's leading torchbearers for advancing the cause for providing high quality and affordable higher education opportunities for scholars throughout our state, nation and world, a mission that has been of foremost importance to each of the institution's six presidents, including: Dr. James Herbert White, Dr. Earnest A. Boykins, Dr. Joe L. Boyer, Dr. William W. Sutton, Dr. Lester C. Newman, and current president, Dr. Donna H. Oliver, the university's first female president, who began serving January 1, 2009; and

WHEREAS, located in Leflore County, Mississippi Valley State University is a Carnegie Master's I institution, which provides accessible, relevant and quality academic and public service programs, and has received accreditation from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the National Association of Sports and Physical Education, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the Council on Social Work Education, the National Accreditation Council for Environmental Health Curricula, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Mississippi State Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, as the university continues its endeavors to provide additional programs that are vital and unique to the needs of the population it serves, the university emphasizes the incorporation of an international focus on governmental, economic and cultural affairs through memberships in more than 30 various academic and professional associations, including: the American Assembly of College Schools of Business, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers, American Council on Education, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Council on Colleges and Universities, Mississippi Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, National Association of Collegiate Deans and Registrars, National Council of Teachers of English, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Southwestern Athletic Conference, and Teacher Education Council for Schools, Colleges and Universities, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, upholding the banner of its motto: "The Valley of Scholars," Mississippi Valley State University has been hailed by U. S. News & World Report as one of America's best in the southern region; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the continued academic greatness of the proficiency afforded by institutions of higher learning which serve as the vanguard for enhancing the educational aptitude and pursuits of our state's youth, as evidenced by the history and growing legacy of Mississippi Valley State University:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the distinguished success and academic excellence of Mississippi Valley State University, congratulate the administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni upon the occasion of the university's 60th year anniversary, and extend sincere wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to President Donna Oliver, the President of the National Alumni Association, the President of the Student Government Association and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.