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2017 SESSION
WHEREAS, Joseph Tate Hart, a former president of Ferrum College who led the institution at a pivotal time in its history, died on December 9, 2016; and
WHEREAS, a native of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, Joseph “Joe” Tate Hart was the son of the late Reverend Herbert and Ilva Hart; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart graduated from Emory & Henry College in 1951, earned a master’s degree from Duke University in 1953, and received a Ph.D. from American University in 1967; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart served in the intelligence corps of the United States Army and with the National Security Agency, worked for Research Analysis Corporation in McLean, and he later founded his own company, International Planning Associates, Inc., of which he was president; and
WHEREAS, from 1971 to 1986, Joe Hart served as the eighth president of Ferrum College, where he led its transition from a junior college to a highly respected four-year liberal arts institution; and
WHEREAS, as president of the college, Joe Hart spearheaded the establishment of the Ferrum College Blue Ridge Institute & Museum, hired outstanding faculty, created innovative new programs of study, such as the college’s environmental science program, and secured significant resources to ensure the college’s prosperity; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his success in building an institution that would survive and thrive in the 21st century, Joe Hart’s most admired legacy at Ferrum College was his personal interest in and caring for individual students; and
WHEREAS, beloved as the “students’ president,” Joe Hart was actively involved in all aspects of student life on campus; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart was a community-minded college president, and he supported programs in social work, recreation, and environmental science that encouraged students to get out into the community and interact with the people of Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart continued his career in higher education after leaving Ferrum College, serving as president of the Virginia College Fund for 11 years; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Ferrum, a past board member of First Virginia Bank, and active in real estate in Canaan Valley, West Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart cherished time spent with family and friends at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, and at Pawleys Island, South Carolina; and enjoyed working outside at “Deerwood,” his home near campus, where he peacefully spent his last days; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart was especially proud of his children, his 16 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter, and he instilled in them his love of family and the value that all people are created equal and therefore everyone ought to be treated with respect; and
WHEREAS, Joe Hart will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Carolyn; their children, Dave, Cathe, Sally, Nancy, Brian, and Evan, and their families; and many relatives and friends; 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 Joseph Tate Hart, the eighth president of Ferrum College; 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 Joseph Tate Hart as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.