Bill Text: MS SC580 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend the legacy of Dr. Donald Wayne Zacharias, President Emeritus of Mississippi State University.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC580 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC580-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (15th), Turner, Burton, Blount, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Kirby, Lee, Montgomery, Parker, Simmons (13th), Stone, Ward, Watson, Jackson (32nd)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 580
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LEGACY OF DR. DONALD WAYNE ZACHARIAS, PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald Wayne Zacharias, 77, President Emeritus of Mississippi State University (MSU), died March 3, 2013, in Starkville, Mississippi. He was the beloved husband of Tommie Kline Zacharias, his wife of 53 years; and
WHEREAS, a public memorial service celebrating the life and service of Dr. Zacharias was held March 7, 2013, in the Mississippi State University Colvard Student Union's Foster Ballroom. Speakers for the service included MSU President Mark Keenum, former Interim MSU President Roy Ruby, MSU Foundation Board Member Lewis Mallory and MSU Alumni Association Executive Director Jimmy Abraham; and
WHEREAS, born on September 28, 1935, Don was the son of William and Estelle Newlon Zacharias of Salem, Indiana. He was a devoted servant to higher education during his long career, which included 12-1/2 years as President of Mississippi State University (1985-1997). His was the second longest tenure in the institution's presidential history, which dates back to 1878; and
WHEREAS, Don came to Mississippi State University from the presidency of Western Kentucky University, where he served from 1979 to 1985 and where a residence hall was named in his honor. At MSU, a co-residential living-learning community that includes 4 residence halls, was designated in 2008 as Zacharias Village, paying tribute to Don's lifelong commitment to student achievement; and
WHEREAS, Don's career began at Indiana University, where he earned both a Master of Arts Degree and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky, where he was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law for his distinguished contributions. His exceptional experience in higher education led him to positions as Executive Assistant to the Chancellor of the 14-campus University of Texas System and as Assistant to 2 Presidents of the University of Texas at Austin. Don also held tenured Professorships in Communication at the University of Texas, Indiana University and MSU, receiving teaching excellence awards from all 3 institutions; and
WHEREAS, Governor Phil Bryant ordered flags on the Mississippi State University campuses lowered to half-staff through sunset on March 7, 2013; and
WHEREAS, MSU's enrollment, private contributions, research and athletic achievement all grew significantly under Dr. Zacharias, and the university became home to one of a handful of Engineering Research Centers funded by the National Science Foundation. MSU became nationally known for use of technology in the classroom and created the state's first site on the Internet; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Tommie; 2 sons, Alan Scott Zacharias (Nancy Ann) and Eric Neil Zacharias (Sarah); a daughter, Leslie Kline Zacharias; and 3 grandchildren: Luke Harrison Zacharias, Katherine (Kate) Kline Zacharias and Ike Zacharias Shanholtzer. He also leaves a sister, Mary Catherine Zacharias Collier of Yucaipa, California; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the students, faculty and alumni of Mississippi State University in mourning the loss and commending the legacy of Dr. Donald Wayne Zacharias, President Emeritus, and extend the sympathy of the Legislature to his surviving family and thank them for sharing Don with the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Zacharias, transmitted to Dr. Keenum and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
