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1998 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 385
Commending Richard J. Ernst.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 15, 1998
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 1998

WHEREAS, the retirement of Richard J. Ernst ends his distinguished 30-year career as president of Northern Virginia Community College; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of Florida, Richard Ernst earned his doctorate in education from Florida State University and held positions in the Pinellas County Public School System and St. Petersburg Junior College before assuming the presidency of Northern Virginia Community College in 1968; and

WHEREAS, under Dr. Ernst's leadership, Northern Virginia Community College has become one of the nation's largest and finest community colleges, with five campuses and more than 60,000 students; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ernst has been recognized as CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees, as a "Blue Chip" Community College Leader by the University of Texas National Survey, as Man of the Year by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and as Person of the Year by the National Council on Community Services and Continuing Education; and

WHEREAS, among his numerous professional activities, Dr. Ernst has served with the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Council on Education, the Association of Virginia Colleges, George Mason University, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the Northern Virginia community, Dr. Ernst is a member of the board of directors of the Fairfax Unit of the American Cancer Society, the Fairfax Committee of 100, the board of directors of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Community Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ernst serves as a member of the advisory council of the Northern Virginia Minority Business and Professional Association, as chairman of the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Regional Partnership, and as a member of the Washington Dulles Task Force Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ernst's 30-year tenure as president of Northern Virginia Community College was marked by dynamic leadership, dedicated service, and great success, qualities that characterized his contributions to higher education and the Northern Virginia community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Richard J. Ernst on the completion of a sterling career of service to Northern Virginia Community College, the Northern Virginia community, and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Richard J. Ernst as an expression of the General Assembly's heartfelt admiration and gratitude for his peerless career as president of Northern Virginia Community College.