WHEREAS, Phillip C. Stone, the admired and respected president of Sweet Briar College, will retire in May 2017; and
WHEREAS, a native of Bassett, Phillip Stone received a bachelor's degree from Bridgewater College, attended the University of Chicago Graduate School of Economics, and received a law degree from the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Stone practiced law for 24 years with the Harrisonburg law firm of Wharton, Aldhizer, and Weaver, and served as president of the Virginia Bar Association in 1997; and
WHEREAS, prior to serving as president of Sweet Briar College, Phillip Stone served as the seventh president of Bridgewater College for 16 years, nearly doubling enrollment and overseeing an expansion of programs during his presidency; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Stone was enjoying semi-retirement and working with his children in the family practice, the Stone Law Group in Harrisonburg, when he agreed to lead Sweet Briar College when it nearly closed in July 2015; and
WHEREAS, after being named president of Sweet Briar College, Phillip Stone worked tirelessly to hire faculty and staff, reinstate key programs, and fill critical administrative roles to ensure the college could successfully open and recruit additional students; and
WHEREAS, under Phillip Stone's leadership, Sweet Briar College was able to open during the 2015 - 2016 academic year on time with all of its programs intact and a 39 percent increase in enrollment in 2016; and
WHEREAS, an admired leader, Phillip Stone served as chair of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, and the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Phillip Stone brought great enthusiasm and passion to the presidency of Sweet Briar College and worked with great distinction; he looks forward to spending time with family, traveling, and maintaining his affiliation with local historical groups; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Phillip C. Stone on his 18 years of outstanding leadership as the president of Bridgewater College and Sweet Briar College; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Phillip C. Stone as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his many achievements and best wishes in all of his future endeavors.