TO HONOR AND COMMEND ROSLYN CLARK ARTIS, J.D., ED.D., FOR EARNING THE DISTINCTION OF SERVING AS THE FOURTEENTH AND FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF BENEDICT COLLEGE AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis has earned, for the second time, the distinct honor of serving as the first female president of a collegiate institution in the United States; and
Whereas, on June 30, 2017, Dr. Artis was unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees as the fourteenth president of Benedict College. She is the first female president in the over one hundred forty-seven-year history of the college, which was founded by Mrs. Bathsheba Benedict in 1870. On April 13, 2018, a celebration of the installation of Dr. Artis will take place, officially welcoming her to the institution; and
Whereas, thoroughly committed to the expansion and success of colleges and universities that serve underrepresented men and women of color, Dr. Artis brings a depth of knowledge in higher education and enthusiasm for the students' success that is unmatched in today's higher education arena; and
Whereas, Dr. Artis comes to Benedict College from Florida Memorial University in Miami, where she served for four years as the thirteenth president and the first female president in that university's history; and
Whereas, during her tenure at Florida Memorial University, Dr. Artis provided immeasurable leadership and direction. Among her many achievements were the significant technology enhancements on campus, new facility construction, innovative partnerships, and increased national exposure and resource development for the institution in the areas of STEM, cybersecurity, and social justice; and
Whereas, Dr. Artis is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where she earned a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy. She holds a juris doctorate from West Virginia University College of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science was earned at West Virginia State University. The consummate professional, Dr. Artis also holds a Certificate of Fundraising Management from Indiana University and a Certificate of Mastery in Prior Learning Assessment from DePaul University; and
Whereas, prior to embarking on a career in academia, Dr. Artis enjoyed a robust civil litigation practice. A strong community activist, Dr. Artis is past chair of the West Virginia Board of Law Examiners and a past president of the Mountain State Bar Association, the oldest minority bar association in the country. Currently, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Honey Shine, Inc., and the Beacon Council; and
Whereas, nationally, Dr. Artis is a member of the Presidents' Advisory Board for Title III Administrators and the Educational Testing Service Presidents' Advisory Council. She is a member of the national board of directors for the United Negro College Fund, and in 2017, she was appointed to the board of directors of the Council of Independent Colleges; and
Whereas, Dr. Artis continues in her service as an educational advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. She has served as Chair of the Education Committee for the Department of Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council; and
Whereas, a prolific speaker, critical thinker, and fierce advocate for educational access, Dr. Artis has been recognized for her work locally and nationally and is frequently engaged as a mentor, lecturer, and catalyst for strategic transformation. Her passion for education, youth development, and service to the community manifests through her work with numerous organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Links, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and commend Roslyn Clark Artis, J.D., Ed.D., for earning the distinction of serving as the fourteenth and first female president of Benedict College and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Roslyn Clark Artis, J.D., Ed.D.