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2004 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 382
Commending Dr. David M. Gring.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2004
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2004

WHEREAS, Dr. David M. Gring, who has provided Roanoke College with energetic, dedicated, and effective leadership for the past 15 years, has announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2003–2004 academic year; and

WHEREAS, the president of Roanoke College since 1989, Dr. Gring is only the ninth president in Roanoke College's 162-year history; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, Dr. Gring earned his master's degree and his doctorate at Indiana University and served as a member of the faculty at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania and as dean and vice president for academic affairs at Concordia College in Minnesota before coming to Roanoke; and

WHEREAS, during Dr. Gring's tenure at Roanoke College, the college experienced unprecedented success in numerous areas, including enrollment, fundraising, academic honors, and national reputation; and

WHEREAS, Roanoke College's enrollment has grown to a record 1,900 students, and the college has recently undertaken the creation of a new strategic plan for its future development; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gring was deeply involved in Roanoke College's recently completed six-year fundraising campaign, which raised $83 million, exceeding its goal by $18 million and funding endowed scholarships, a new campus center and fitness center, and additional faculty positions; and

WHEREAS, during Dr. Gring's presidency, Roanoke College was honored by the establishment of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society; and

WHEREAS, Roanoke College is ranked among the nation's finest liberal arts colleges by numerous publications, including the widely cited U.S. News and World Report; and

WHEREAS, among his many honors, Dr. Gring was a Bush Summer Leadership Fellow, received the J.L.K. Preus Leadership Award from the American Lutheran Church, and attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the Roanoke Valley community, Dr. Gring has lent his time and talents to such organizations as the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership board, the Blue Ridge Public Television board, and the Hotel Roanoke Foundation, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Roanoke College has prospered under the diligent and visionary leadership of Dr. David M. Gring, and his energy and commitment to the success of the institution will be missed by the entire Roanoke College community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dr. David M. Gring on the occasion of his retirement as president of Roanoke College; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. David M. Gring as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and gratitude for his outstanding service to Roanoke College.