Senate Resolution 30

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO MILLSAPS COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. ROBERT W. PEARIGEN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert W. Pearigen, the 13th President of Millsaps College, has announced his resignation to accept a similar position at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, he has been the leader at the Jackson Liberal Arts College since 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Pearigen is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of the South, where he earned a bachelor of arts in political science. He received his master's and doctoral degrees in political science from Duke University. His post-graduate study included constitutional law, judicial process and political theory, particularly the work of Plato and Aristotle. His academic fields of interest include public law, political theory, and American government; and

WHEREAS, at Millsaps, Dr. Pearigen launched a comprehensive college-wide strategic plan entitled "Across the Street and Around the Globe: Partnerships and Influence at Millsaps College." The plan was to make the most of Millsaps' distinctive strengths, including its location in the capital city, its international programs and partnerships, including a 4,500-acre biocultural reserve in the Yucatán, and the combination of a liberal arts college with a business school accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Pearigen has continued to teach throughout his administrative career. As a faculty member at Millsaps, Dr. Pearigen has taught courses in constitutional law, civil rights and liberties, jurisprudence, and political theory; and

WHEREAS, Jay Lindsey, Chairman of the Millsaps Board of Trustees, praised Dr. Pearigen's tenure at Millsaps: "Rob has been an outstanding leader, and I am immensely grateful for his dedication and goodwill in service to Millsaps. His embrace of the college's community, history and standards of excellence, his energetic fundraising and realization of many campus improvements, and his responses to unforeseen crises are among many achievements to be saluted"; and

WHEREAS, "It has been my privilege and my joy to serve Millsaps as its president, and I shall be forever grateful for the opportunity to lead, learn from and help advance an institution that is loved deeply," Dr. Pearigen stated. "I am also thankful for the opportunity to teach at Millsaps and to engage with some of the finest students of this generation"; and

WHEREAS, according to Dr. Pearigen, the value of a Millsaps education begins in the classroom, but continues far beyond. Millsaps students are engaged in learning on campus, across the street in our city and region, and around the globe through its programs and partnerships abroad; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the contributions of this academic leader of one of Mississippi's flagship institutions, who has built a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that will serve students well throughout their careers:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate to Millsaps College President, Dr. Robert W. Pearigen, for his contributions to higher education and civic leadership in Mississippi, and our best wishes for future academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Pearigen and his family, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Millsaps College and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.