House Concurrent Resolution 117

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF DR. JOSEPH S. PAUL UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi and an exceptional public servant, Dr. Joseph S. Paul, will retire on June 30, 2015, after remarkably serving the Hattiesburg institution for 21 years as Vice President; and

WHEREAS, a true Southern Miss legacy known for constantly encouraging the students to "leave the university better than they found it," Dr. Paul, a Bay St. Louis native, graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science in 1975 and a master's degree in communication and management in 1978 from the University of Southern Mississippi, and in 1986, he earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, before becoming the Vice President for Student Affairs in 1993, Dr. Paul gained invaluable experience through a variety of positions on campus, including Assistant Director of Student Activities, Assistant Vice President, and Dean of Student Development, and currently teaches educational leadership for the graduate program in the College of Education and Psychology; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, to recognize the inspiration and guidance he bestowed upon countless students during his 39 years at the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Paul was inducted into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Paul oversaw the expansion of key student services, founded new and enriching student programs, and built relationships that now span the globe as Southern Miss alumni explore and enhance the world around them; and

WHEREAS, for more than 104 years, the University of Southern Mississippi has been shaped by individuals who have devoted their time, energy, and expertise to improving the quality of the students' experiences, both in and out of the classroom, and Dr. Paul has been an integral part of advancing the institution, as his legacy encompasses, among other significant achievements, the creation of the Luckyday Citizenship Scholars program and the construction of several student facilities, including: The Payne Student Recreation Center; McCarty Residence Hall; The Sorority Village; Student Activities HUB; Century Park North and South, a seven residence hall complex; and Moffitt Student Health Center; and

WHEREAS, despite the alleged finality of his retirement, Dr. Paul and his wife, Meg, will continue to reside in Hattiesburg, enjoying Southern Miss events for years to come, and his plans to serve his alma mater in any way possible are nonnegotiable; and

WHEREAS, while Dr. Paul has fostered many relationships during his time at Southern Miss, one of his closest and most cherished is with the Dean of Students, Dr. Eddie Holloway, who checked a freshman Joe Paul into Scott Hall in the fall quarter of 1971 and began working with him professionally in 1979; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Holloway proudly considers Dr. Paul to be the ideal student affairs professional, as the high standards of competence, a strenuous work ethic, and an ardent commitment to high quality methods and operations became an example that others strive to emulate and greatly improved the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, which has spanned generations of students, Dr. Paul has unconditionally supported all of them from the first day of orientation until they walk across the stage at graduation, serving as an invaluable mentor first to parents and then their children, who grew up listening to stories of the magnificent influence Dr. Paul had on their parents' lives; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the praise he has received from his colleagues and the alumni upon his retirement, Dr. Paul has received equal acknowledgment from the current students for all of his contributions and his unparalleled commitment to the university, as each faction realizes that the quality of the university and the various student organizations flourished exponentially under his leadership; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joe Paul has been described by State Representative Toby Barker, an alumnus of the University of Southern Mississippi, as "the soul of Southern Miss [who has been] a constant through many seasons of change, instilling in generations of students a belief and ability to leave something better than when they found it"; and

WHEREAS, his encouraging words to "leave Southern Miss better than you found it" will resonate with all who attended the noble institution for many years to come, and with the respect of his peers and the admiration of the Southern Miss community, Dr. Paul will exit the Vice President's role, as he intended, better than he found it; and

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that this Legislature commend the steadfast devotion to the betterment of the University of Southern Mississippi and honor the zealous vow of impeccable leadership that Dr. Joseph S. Paul bestowed upon the students, faculty, administration and alumni as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING

THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service of Dr. Joseph S. Paul upon the occasion of his retirement as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi and extend to him our most sincere wishes for continued success and joy in the lighter days ahead.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be

furnished to Dr. Joseph S. Paul and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.