Bill Text: VA SJR368 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Roanoke College.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-20 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ368ER) [SJR368 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-SJR368-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, in 2017, Roanoke College in Salem, the second-oldest Lutheran college in the United States, marks 175 years of providing an innovative liberal arts education to students from throughout the Commonwealth and the world; and
WHEREAS, founded by Lutheran pastors, David F. Bittle and Christopher C. Baughman, in 1842 in Mt. Tabor, Roanoke College began as a small preparatory school for boys that was affiliated with Gettysburg College; the school was officially incorporated as Virginia Collegiate Institute in 1845; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Collegiate Institute soon relocated to Salem, and, in 1853, it was granted its collegiate charter as Roanoke College with David F. Bittle as its first president; throughout its history, the college has remained true to its Lutheran roots and partners with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and other faith communities to nurture dialogue between faith and reason; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke College maintains a unique approach to education, giving students opportunities—to explore the world from intellectual, physical, social, and moral perspectives, to apply knowledge to current events, and to develop practical skills; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke College offers its students a wide array of cocurricular activities and athletics programs with the Roanoke College Maroons competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference; and
WHEREAS, several buildings on the Roanoke College campus are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Registry, five of which date back to the 1800s; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke College has earned many awards and accolades for its challenging curriculum and service to its students, including national recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke College celebrates its 175th anniversary in the same year as the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, which sparked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, and the college will hold special events commemorating both throughout the year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Roanoke College 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 Michael C. Maxey, president of Roanoke College, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the college's longstanding commitment to academic excellence.
