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2009 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 894
Commending James R. Perkins.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2009
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2009

 

WHEREAS, Dr. James R. Perkins, the dedicated and beloved president of Blue Ridge Community College, will retire on August 15, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Perkins received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the State University of New York at Albany and a doctorate in postsecondary leadership from Florida State University; and

WHEREAS, a gifted and dedicated educator, Dr. Perkins began his career in community college education in 1968 as professor of mathematics and division chair at Genesee Community College in Batavia, New York; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Perkins came to Virginia in 1979 as division chair and dean of instruction at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville; and

WHEREAS, in 1989 Dr. Perkins became president of Blue Ridge Community College, one of 23 community colleges in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS); and

WHEREAS, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Perkins, Blue Ridge Community College has moved to the forefront of the VCCS in workforce development programming, student retention and graduation rates, and student success in various measures of educational outcomes, including critical thinking and oral communication; and

WHEREAS, a skilled administrator, Dr. Perkins has overseen the growth of Blue Ridge Community College facilities, including off-campus centers in Harrisonburg and Fishersville, the Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center, Bowman Large Animal Facility, Fine Arts Center, and College Bookstore; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Perkins’ strong academic focus led to the expansion of the academic offerings of Blue Ridge Community College to include a Nursing Program and an Aviation Maintenance Technology Program; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Perkins has worked closely with the Shenandoah Valley community during his tenure to ensure that Blue Ridge Community College responds to and anticipates the educational and training needs of the local community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Perkins has generously given of his time and talents over the years to several local boards of directors, including WVPT, the United Way, and the Woodrow Wilson Library; and

WHEREAS, for the past 20 years, Dr. Perkins has steadfastly guided Blue Ridge Community College, and his dedication to the students, faculty, and staff of the school has allowed Blue Ridge Community College to grow and meet the needs of the students and local community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend James R. Perkins for his exemplary leadership of Blue Ridge Community College; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to James R. Perkins as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his commitment to high-quality education and service to the Commonwealth.