Bill Text: MS HC81 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi House Concurrent Resolution 81 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers; commend for dedicated service as President of Jackson State University.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-03-22 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC81 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2012-HC81-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Banks, Buck (72nd), Calhoun, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Evans (70th), Holloway, Straughter, Wooten, Clark, Myers

House Concurrent Resolution 81

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF DR. CAROLYN W. MEYERS AS PRESIDENT OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, Carolyn W. Meyers, Ph.D., the tenth president of Jackson State University, gives new meaning to characteristics of a qualified and dedicated leader by her ability to both lead and serve as she also serves her students as a professor of civil and environmental engineering in addition to her administrative duties as president; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Dr. Meyers, Jackson State earned a ten-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, national accreditations in business, teacher education and engineering and full certification from the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Dr. Meyers, Jackson State has seen vast growth in key areas, including a student enrollment growth to an all-time high of 8,903 students, a tenfold increase in fundraising through alumni, private and corporate contributions to $4.2 million, and she has positioned the university to become a national premiere model for educating the underserved; and

WHEREAS, focusing her efforts on garnering a more distinguished reputation for education at Jackson State, Dr. Meyers launched the Honors College, the School of Extended Learning and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, achieving global recognition for the university for excellence in education, research and service; and

WHEREAS, bringing to Jackson State more than 30 years of academic experience and leadership in higher education, Dr. Meyers most recently served as President of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, and prior to serving at Norfolk State, she was the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, as well as a tenured professor of mechanical engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Meyers also served as a tenured faculty member at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she also served as the associate dean for research and as the Director of the Center for Professional Success and SUCCEED Coalition; and

WHEREAS, a native of Newport News, Virginia, Dr. Meyers earned her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University, and went on to obtain her master's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech, her doctorate from Georgia Tech's School of Chemical Engineering and she has completed post-doctoral work at Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Meyers has published numerous articles and reports, and has been invited several times to conferences, presenting a variety of topics from technical papers to areas dealing with education and diversity; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Meyers is an asset to her profession and to Jackson State, as evidenced by her prestigious awards and honors such as the National Society of Black Engineers' Golden Torch Award, the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award and a commending resolution from the Virginia Legislature for her leadership and service to higher education; and

WHEREAS, although she is a woman of remarkable intelligence, education and experiences, her greatest success rests in her familial legacy, her three beautiful children and four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the excellence of great educators and academic leaders, such as Dr. Meyers, who have touched the lives of countless individuals in academia and in her community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers for her dedicated service as President of Jackson State University and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Meyers, the Board of Trustees of Jackson State University and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.