MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Touchstone, Formby, Baria, Barker, Corley, Johnson (87th), Ladner, Morgan, Pigott, Willis
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF DR. WILLIAM A. LEWIS AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, after almost 50 years of public service in various Mississippi educational institutions, Dr. William A. Lewis will retire June 30, 2017, from his current position as the President of Pearl River Community College (PRCC); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis has served as president of PRCC since 2000, and during his tenure as head of Mississippi's first community college, the school has experienced a significant growth in enrollment, developed a national reputation for excellence in teaching and learning, produced a national championship in football and is widely recognized for the high quality of its arts programs; and
WHEREAS, a native of Clinton, Mississippi, Dr. Lewis earned a bachelor's degree from Mississippi College and later received his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Dr. Lewis was appointed Superintendent of the Petal School District, and during his time there, the Petal schools consistently ranked among the top districts in the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, with Dr. Lewis at the helm, the Petal School District offered for the first time a model program in polymer technology, and the creation of Mississippi's only secondary program in polymer technology has been credited as being a major factor in several polymer-related industries locating recently in the Hattiesburg area; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his contributions to the polymer technology program, the Petal School District Board of Trustees named the Polymer Technology Building at Petal High School in honor of Dr. Lewis; and
WHEREAS, impressed with his laudable success as Petal's chief administrative officer, the Public Education Forum of Mississippi named Dr. Lewis as executive director in January 1998, and his role included being responsible for directing the activities of a business-support organization established to promote improvement in the state's public education system; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, Dr. Lewis was presented Mississippi College's Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Teacher Education and in 2014, he was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at the University of Southern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis is married to the former Janet Ladner of Gulfport, and the couple has two children, Kelli and Jay, and four grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, while the legacy of Dr. Lewis' career of service to the State of Mississippi will serve as an inspiration for future educators, there is no doubt that this state will miss his invaluable contributions to the education of our children; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the careers of Mississippi's outstanding educators, such as Dr. Lewis, whose contributions to the education of our state's children for almost five decades, brings great pride to his friends, family and the entire state as his impeccable record of public service serves as the paramount example of progressive innovation and selfless leadership:
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 career of Dr. William A. Lewis upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend best wishes for continued success in the lighter years of his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. William A. Lewis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.