WHEREAS, John A. Downey, president of Blue Ridge Community College, was selected by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as a recipient of the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction in 2019; and

WHEREAS, John Downey was one of 18 community college presidents from around the country and the only such administrator from Virginia to receive the prestigious award, which recognizes individuals who have fostered academic achievement, leadership, and service among the students on their campuses; and

WHEREAS, the Alpha Xi Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Blue Ridge Community College has a long history of achieving success under John Downey's leadership; he recruits high-performing students to join the organization and encourages them to demonstrate initiative and pursue scholarships through the honor society; and

WHEREAS, members of the Alpha Xi Xi Chapter have supported the community by participating in the Relay for Life and the Annual Virginia Hunger Symposium, with John Downey playing an active role in the chapter's events; and

WHEREAS, John Downey promotes the Phi Theta Kappa values of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service through all his endeavors; and

WHEREAS, John Downey will receive the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction at the Phi Theta Kappa Annual Convention on April 4 - 6, 2019, in Orlando, Florida; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John A. Downey on receiving the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John A. Downey as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his servant leadership and contributions to the students of Blue Ridge Community College.