Bill Text: MS SC654 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Recognize Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward on retirement as President of Blue Mountain College.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 7-2)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-24 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC654 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2012-SC654-Enrolled.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Stone, Jackson (15th), Browning, Burton, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Fillingane, Gandy, Wilemon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 654

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE SERVICE OF DR. BETTYE ROGERS COWARD UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE.

     WHEREAS, Blue Mountain College President Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward has announced her retirement effective June 30, 2012, after nine years of effective academic and administrative leadership; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Coward has served as the seventh and first female President of Blue Mountain College.  Before becoming President at Blue Mountain College in 2001, Dr. Coward was the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.  As Senior Administrator, Bettye Coward has had experience in management and leadership in Christian colleges; and

     WHEREAS, during her nine-plus years at Blue Mountain College, she has led the institution in:

     ·  The shaping of a VISION for Blue Mountain College;

     ·  Reaffirmation of the College's accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities;

     ·  Becoming a fully integrated coeducational institution after 133 years as a woman's college;

     ·  Increasing overall college enrollment over 50% over the past ten years with a 140% increase in residential students;

     · Approval of the first graduate program at the College, the Master of Education Degree Program in Elementary Education, launched summer of 2007;

     ·  Establishing the first-ever intercollegiate athletics program for men, fall of 2007;

     ·  Renovating a number of buildings on campus and working with the town and county to construct a new entrance to the Campus from Highway 15;

     ·  Establishing a number of partnerships with other educational institutions to increase access to higher education in the region;

     ·  Campus life:  2005 decision to become fully co-ed brought expansion in many areas, including Intercollegiate Athletics.  The addition of men's basketball, women's softball, baseball, cross-country and golf brought the number of intercollegiate athletic teams at Blue Mountain College to eight;

     ·  The number of full-time faculty has increased by 48% since 2001;

     ·  Faculty has been trained in the use of teaching technologies, including smart boards, document cameras and software such as Blackboard and Cams;

     ·  Service learning established — 62% of 2011 graduating class participated in an internship;

     ·  Acquired property which is being renovated to house an academic department with classrooms and faculty offices;

     ·  Blue Mountain College was named to the 2010 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll;

     ·  National Make-A-Difference Day and Martin Luther King Service Day became annual events on campus;

     ·  62% of all student organizations (clubs) reported annual service projects;

     ·  Operating Budget:  2001 — approximately $5 Million; 2011 — $9.5 Million, an increase of $4.5 Million, or 89%;

     ·  Tuition and fees have remained affordable and provided 42.9% of total revenue generated in 2010-2011;

     ·  Alumni giving increased from 4.85% to 9.08%; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Coward is a graduate of Jones County Junior College, Mississippi University for Women and the University of Southern Mississippi.  She is a native of Collins, Mississippi, and is married to Tom Coward, retired state employee and attorney.  The Cowards have one daughter, Dr. Marte Coward Wasserman, who is married to Dr. Paul Wasserman, both Radiologists at the Shands Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida.  Dr. Coward has two grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Coward currently serves on the CREATE Foundation Board of Directors and a member of the Grants Committee and on the Board of Directors for Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.  She has also served as a member of the Tippah County Development Foundation Board.  Dr. Coward is a member of Lowrey Memorial Baptist Church in Blue Mountain, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note the accomplishments of this higher education leader who is to be honored for her record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the service of Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward upon the occasion of her retirement as President of Blue Mountain College and extend to the students, faculty and administration our best wishes on this auspicious event.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Coward and her family, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Blue Mountain College, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.