MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison, Butler, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, King, Montgomery, Stone, Watson, Yancey

Senate Concurrent Resolution 703

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DR. DANIEL W. JONES ON THE OCCASION OF HIS INVESTITURE AS THE 16TH CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.

     WHEREAS, on April 9, 2010, Dr. Daniel W. Jones was formally installed as the 16th Chancellor of The University of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, as Chief Executive Officer of Ole Miss, Dr. Jones is responsible for the operation and management of a multicampus, comprehensive university; and

     WHEREAS, prior to his appointment on July 1, 2009, Dr. Jones was Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs, Dean of the School of Medicine and Herbert G. Langford Professor of Medicine at The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, Mississippi.  He served as the institution's Chief Executive Officer for six years, overseeing the five schools and the health system; and

     WHEREAS, active in the American Heart Association, Dr. Jones was the 2007-2008 national President and served on the National Board of Directors for several years.  Previously he chaired the Strategic Planning Task Force and the association's International Committee.  A fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Jones is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is designated as a specialist in clinical hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension Specialists.  He was named one of the "Best Doctors in America" from 1996-2008.  He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society; and

     WHEREAS, a native Mississippian, Dr. Jones graduated from Mississippi College in 1971.  He earned his M.D. in 1975 at The University of Mississippi Medical Center and completed his residency in Internal Medicine there in 1978.  He had a private practice in Laurel, Mississippi, before going to Korea as a Medical Missionary in 1985; and

     WHEREAS, The University of Mississippi is the state's oldest public institution of higher learning.  Since its founding in 1848 with four faculty members and 80 liberal arts students, the University has grown to a doctoral degree-granting university with 15 academic divisions and 18,000 students; and

     WHEREAS, known to thousands of passionate alumni, students and friends as "Ole Miss," The University of Mississippi is building on more than 160 years of leadership and innovation in education, research and service to strengthen the economic, social and cultural foundations of the state and region; and

     WHEREAS, Chancellor Dan Jones announced at his April 9 Inauguration the $100 Million Campaign for Faculty to ensure that Ole Miss can attract and retain the best minds in academia.  The University's research enterprise, including programs in acoustics, atmospheric physics, health care, remote sensing, Southern studies and pharmaceutical sciences, are internationally renowned; and

     WHEREAS, the University now has 10 academic divisions on its main campus:  the College of Liberal Arts; the Schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Pharmacy and Law; and the Graduate School.  A range of exceptional programs, such as the Croft Institute for International Studies, the Lott Leadership Institute, the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, strengthen and expand the academic experience.  The Health Sciences Complex in Jackson trains professionals in its Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health-related Professions, Dentistry and Graduate Studies, and includes a hospital, children's hospital, clinics and research facilities.  Ole Miss continues to expand academic courses and degree offerings on its regional campuses in Southaven, Tupelo, Grenada and Booneville; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Jones stated at his Investiture, "At The University of Mississippi, we have the opportunity and responsibility to move beyond the transformation of individual lives.  We must purposefully participate in transforming our community, state, nation and world," and we join this respected academician in his vision for his University:

     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 Dr. Daniel W. Jones on the occasion of his Investiture as the 16th Chancellor of The University of Mississippi, and extend to him and his family our best wishes on this auspicious event.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Jones and his family, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.