Bill Text: VA SJR118 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Mary Baldwin College.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-05 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ118ER) [SJR118 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-SJR118-Introduced.html
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16101582D WHEREAS, Mary Baldwin College will change its name to Mary Baldwin University on August 31, 2016, beginning a year-long celebration of its 175th anniversary of academic excellence and service to young women in the Commonwealth and the United States; and WHEREAS, founded in 1842 by Rufus W. Bailey with the support of Staunton First Presbyterian Church, Mary Baldwin College was originally known as Augusta Female Seminary; one of the first students, Mary Julia Baldwin, went on to become principal in 1863 and led the seminary until her death in 1897; and WHEREAS, in 1895, the seminary was renamed Mary Baldwin Seminary, honoring Mary Julia Baldwin's numerous accomplishments as principal; she founded the first music conservatory in the southern United States, introduced university-level courses, and earned the respect of the Staunton community; and WHEREAS, Mary Baldwin Seminary became a four-year college in 1923 and was renamed Mary Baldwin College; the college thrived, establishing the first adult degree program in the Commonwealth and a radical acceleration college program for girls who skip some or all of high school and begin college at a young age; and WHEREAS, it offers a wide array of extracurricular and athletics programs; in 1995, Mary Baldwin College launched the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership, which remains the only all-female Corps of Cadets in the United States; and WHEREAS, Mary Baldwin College also hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest honor society, and it was the first women's college to host a chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society; and WHEREAS, offering its first master's degree in 1992, Mary Baldwin College has been classified as a master's level university since 2000, offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at two main campuses, 11 regional centers, and through online programs; and WHEREAS, today, Mary Baldwin College is a distinctive small university that sustains both its historic college for women, as well as innovative coeducational adult and graduate programs; and WHEREAS, with one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, Mary Baldwin College has inspired countless women and men of many different races, faiths, communities, ages, and backgrounds; and WHEREAS, Mary Baldwin College will conclude its anniversary celebration with its 175th commencement on May 22, 2017, and will continue to honor the leadership, courage, and commitment to lifelong learning exemplified by Mary Julia Baldwin; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Mary Baldwin College, which changes its name to Mary Baldwin University in 2016, on the occasion of its 175th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Pamela Fox, president of Mary Baldwin College, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the institution's legacy of excellence and dedication to helping young women achieve their fullest potential. |
