09 LC 94 0207

House Resolution 181

By: Representatives Lane of the 158th, Burns of the 157th, Parrish of the 156th, Hembree of the 67th, and Smith of the 113th

A RESOLUTION

Commending Dr. Bruce Grube on his retirement and inviting him to appear before the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Dr. Bruce Grube has provided a decade of leadership to Georgia Southern University during his tenure as president; and

WHEREAS, during Dr. Grube's time as Georgia Southern's president, the school has experienced great strides in enrollment, academic quality, and campus expansion; and

WHEREAS, since Dr. Grube began at Georgia Southern in 1999, student enrollment has increased over 22 percent to a record 17,764 students, while retention rates have also increased an amazing 15.7 percent, bringing overall retention to 81 percent; and

WHEREAS, the dedication and contributions of Dr. Grube have resulted in national recognition for Georgia Southern over the last ten years, including being named an America's Best College by Forbes, a Top 100 Value in Public Colleges and Universities by Kiplinger, and both a U.S. News and World Report National University and Best Graduate School; and

WHEREAS, over the last decade, Dr. Grube has founded two colleges on behalf of Georgia Southern, the College of Information Technology in 2001 and the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health in 2004; and

WHEREAS, some of the major campus improvement and expansion projects Dr. Grube undertook while at Georgia Southern include building the Performing Arts Center, the addition of several new student housing buildings, and an expansion of the Henderson Library, with more than $150 million in total improvements; and
WHEREAS, a copious number of educational programs and degrees have been added to Georgia Southern's stellar curriculum under Dr. Grube's influence, such as an online Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science degree program in Information Technology, a master's degree program in Public Health, and a doctoral program in Psychology, to name just a few; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Grube has also seen great feats within the athletic department while at Georgia Southern, including NCAA Tournament appearances for the golf, softball, and volleyball teams, two FCS national championships for the football team, a National Cheerleading Association Championship title for cheerleading, three NCAA Regional appearances for baseball, and building a soccer and track stadium, Bishop Field House, and a golf center; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is honored to have such a motivated and hard-working individual as one of its citizens, and Dr. Grube's numerous contributions to Georgia Southern University have helped this state excel in the area of higher education.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Dr. Bruce Grube for his years of service to Georgia Southern University and extend best wishes for an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Dr. Bruce Grube is hereby invited to appear before the House of Representatives at a date and time to be fixed by the Speaker of the House for purposes of being recognized by the House and receiving an appropriate copy of this resolution.