Senate Concurrent Resolution 603

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE CAREER AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. ANDRÉ L. CURRY, VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE FOR MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, on January 29, 2010, a retirement celebration and scholarship benefit banquet was held at the Leflore County Civic Center in Greenwood, Mississippi, in honor of Mr. André L. Curry, longtime educator and civic leader with Mississippi Valley State University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. André L. Curry, a Greenville native, was employed at Mississippi Valley State University in 1989 as the Vice President of Fiscal and Administrative Affairs. Although his title changed in 2009 to Vice President of Business and Finance, his responsibilities remained the same. As Vice President for Business and Finance and the University Investment Officer, his responsibilities included the management of all business and financial functions of the University. These functions supported the educational activities and provided services to enrolled students, faculty, staff and administration, as well as the protection of the physical assets of the University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. André L. Curry's educational degrees and certifications are as follows: Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi; Master of Professional Accountancy from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi; Certified Public Accountant in the State of Mississippi; and a Certificate of Business Management, Lexington, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Curry worked in the accounting profession for more than 35 years. He began his career in accounting at the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in several capacities: Accounting Clerk, Accountant, Chief Accountant and Director of Accounting. Mr. Curry has been Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs and Vice President for Business and Finance at Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, Mississippi, for more than 20 years; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure at MVSU, he has supervised the formulation of policies and procedures for physical plant operations and maintenance, security and safety of campus property and employees, human resources, safety and health programs, information technology and auxiliary enterprise activities. He has directed activities of other administrative units which include Printing, Post Office and Mass Transit; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Curry is involved in numerous professional affiliations, which include the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) Comprehensive Committee. He has served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Reaffirmation Visiting Committees. Other affiliations include the University Press Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of MVSU (Advisory Capacity); and

WHEREAS, having served with distinction, excellence and integrity, Mr. Curry acknowledges God as the source of all his accomplishments. He received favorable opinions from the Mississippi State Office of Audit during his tenure at "The Valley." During his tenure, he was extraordinarily instrumental in keeping Mississippi Valley State University in a financially secure position; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Curry is married to Vickie Nelson Curry, his wife of 31 years. They have four children: daughter, Andrea, and three sons, André II, Adaiah (Reshunda) and Aaron; and a grandson, Adaiah II; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the career of this professional educator who has been a role model to his students and a civic leader to his fellow citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the career and contributions of Mr. André L. Curry, Vice President of Business and Finance for Mississippi Valley State University, on the occasion of his retirement, and extend our best wishes to him and his family on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Curry, forwarded to the President of Mississippi Valley State University and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.