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2016 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 314
Celebrating the life of Frank A. Parsons.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2016
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2016

 

WHEREAS, Frank A. Parsons, an admired university administrator who worked to create new opportunities for the students of Washington and Lee University for 45 years, died on January 28, 2016; and

WHEREAS, a native of Staunton, Frank Parsons honorably served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1945 to 1948 and 1950 to 1951, writing for the Pacific edition of the newspaper Stars and Stripes; and

WHEREAS, between his tours of military service, Frank Parsons worked as managing editor of the Daily Review in Clifton Forge, and he continued to work summers there while he was earning a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University; and

WHEREAS, Frank Parsons joined the staff of Washington and Lee University after graduating in 1954; over the course of his long and fulfilling career, he served as director of publicity, director of institutional research, director of planning and development, university editor, coordinator of capital planning, director of special communications projects, coordinator of facilities planning, director of public relations and information, director of sports information, and director of the news office; and

WHEREAS, Frank Parsons also served as an assistant to three university presidents, and he helped lead the university through periods of significant growth and transition, including both the integration and coeducation of the student body; and

WHEREAS, serving on the Coeducation Steering Committee, Frank Parsons helped prepare the university for the arrival of its first women students in the 1980s; he oversaw a revival of the university’s Greek life and played an essential role in the addition of sorority houses; and

WHEREAS, Frank Parsons secured funding for Leyburn Library under the Higher Education Act and provided oversight for the design of Lenfest Center for the Arts and the publication of Come Cheer for Washington and Lee: The University at 250 Years, a book celebrating the university’s storied history; and

WHEREAS, Frank Parsons worked to further enhance the community as a member of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, and the board of Lime Kiln Arts; he enjoyed fellowship and worship as a deacon of Manly Memorial Baptist Church and directed the restoration of Lexington Presbyterian Church after a fire in 2000; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Henny, and a son, Gregory, Frank Parsons will be fondly remembered by his daughter, Laura, and her family, and numerous other family members, friends, and the entire Washington and Lee community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Frank A. Parsons, a respected, longtime administrator of Washington and Lee University; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Frank A. Parsons as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.