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2020 SESSION

20108522D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 197
Offered February 27, 2020
Celebrating the life of E. Bruce Heilman.
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Patrons-- McClellan, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Hashmi, Howell, Kiggans, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McDougle, McPike, Morrissey, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Petersen, Pillion, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Suetterlein, Surovell and Vogel; Delegates: Carr, Hurst, McQuinn, Tyler and Ware
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WHEREAS, E. Bruce Heilman, who lived a remarkable life of leadership and service, and for nearly 50 years was an esteemed member of the University of Richmond family, where he propelled the university’s advancement and excellence, died on October 19, 2019, at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman was born July 16, 1926, served as a distinguished member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and was deployed to Okinawa during the World War II Pacific campaign, earning numerous medals and military distinctions; he remained throughout his life a champion of the United States military and its veterans; and

WHEREAS, as a beneficiary of the G.I. Bill, Bruce Heilman received in 1949 a certificate from then Campbellsville Junior College, followed by bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from George Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University, and undertook a distinguished career of leadership and service to higher education; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman served numerous institutions as a faculty member and senior administrator, including as treasurer of Georgetown College, vice president and dean of Kentucky Southern College, administrative vice president of George Peabody College, and president of Meredith College, and also provided, throughout his career, invaluable service on the boards of institutions including Campbellsville University and William Jewell College; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman profoundly shaped the University of Richmond and its excellence through his leadership and vision as president of the university from 1971 to 1986 and 1987 to 1988, and he continued to work tirelessly on behalf of the university as chancellor for more than three decades further; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman was recruited to the University of Richmond at a crucial time for the institution, providing leadership to implement the landmark $50 million gift from E. Claiborne Robins, as well as launching an ambitious $50 million campaign to match the gift, substantially increasing the university’s endowment and ensuring the strong financial foundation on which the university continues to build today; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman’s leadership and vision elevated the University of Richmond’s aspirations and achievements and resulted in figuratively and literally building for the university’s future through construction of the Robins School of Business, the Gottwald Center for the Sciences, Tyler Haynes Commons, Lora Robins Court, Gray Court, and the Robins Center basketball arena; and

WHEREAS, among many other initiatives, Bruce Heilman was instrumental in the creation of the University’s chaplaincy, one of the few endowed chaplaincies in higher education; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman, as chancellor of the University of Richmond, remained an energetic and active daily presence on campus, a beloved guest and frequent speaker at university events, an invaluable mentor to staff and administrators, and a personal friend to countless alumni across generations; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of Bruce Heilman’s exceptional leadership, the University of Richmond named the Heilman Dining Center, built during his tenure, in his honor in 1986, also conferring on him an honorary doctor of laws degree; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman undertook remarkable cross-country motorcycle rides in his 80s and 90s to represent and call attention to the Greatest Generations Foundation, for which he served as spokesman; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Heilman served as a founding member of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, chair of the boards of Marine Military Academy in Texas and the Marine Corps University at Quantico, secretary of the Board of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and a member of the boards of the National Defense University Foundation, Inc., and the Virginia War Memorial Educational Foundation; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Betty, Bruce Heilman will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Bobbie, Nancy, Terry, Sandy, and Tim, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of E. Bruce Heilman, who touched countless lives as an honorable veteran, esteemed education administrator, and friend; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of E. Bruce Heilman as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.