Bill Text: VA HR123 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending John T. Dever.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-02 - Bill text as passed House (HR123ER) [HR123 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HR123-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, after more than eight years of dedicated leadership and service to students, John T. Dever retired as president of Thomas Nelson Community College in December 2019; and
WHEREAS, John Dever began his 40-year career in education at Thomas Nelson Community College in 1975, serving as an English professor and chair of the Communications and Humanities Division; and
WHEREAS, John Dever subsequently worked as dean of instruction and student services at Blue Ridge Community College, vice president for academic and student affairs at Tidewater Community College, and executive vice president for academic and student services at Northern Virginia Community College; and
WHEREAS, John Dever brought his wealth of experience in higher education administration to Thomas Nelson Community College in October 2011, when he began his tenure as the eighth president of the institution; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his career, John Dever developed a keen understanding of complex issues affecting community colleges, including transfer programs, diversity and inclusion, distance learning, developmental education, general education, and workforce development; and
WHEREAS, in his final months as president of Thomas Nelson Community College, John Dever oversaw programs to achieve the goals related to student success, enhanced community partnerships, and overall excellence from the institution's Focus 2020 strategic plan; and
WHEREAS, John Dever has offered his leadership to the boards of the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, the Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education, GENEDGE, Riverside Lifelong Health, and Greater Peninsula Now, and he will seek new ways to serve the community after his well-earned retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That John T. Dever hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as president of Thomas Nelson Community College; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John T. Dever as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his legacy of contributions to higher education in the Commonwealth.
