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2022 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 158
Commending Dr. William R. Harvey.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2022

 

WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Harvey over the past 44 years has made numerous contributions to Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth, and the field of higher education as the longest-serving president of Hampton University; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey grew up in Alabama and holds degrees from Talladega College, Virginia State University, and Harvard University and is currently the owner of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Houghton, Michigan, and has used his astute business sense to help Hampton University achieve new heights; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey joined Hampton University, then known as Hampton Institute, in 1978, turning down numerous offers from other institutions in the hope that he could make the greatest difference in Hampton; and

WHEREAS, under William Harvey’s leadership, Hampton University expanded its campus with 29 new buildings and created 92 new academic degrees, including 12 doctoral programs; he has overseen a significant increase in the university’s endowment from $29 million to more than $400 million and consistent high levels of enrollment; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey helped Hampton University grow to become one of the top-ranked universities in the nation and become certified by the Carnegie Commission as a High Research Activity institution, where faculty and students conduct cutting-edge research in various fields; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey focused Hampton University’s mission on scientific programs, including a state-of-the-art weather antenna that can detect severe storms up to 2,000 miles away and a successful aerospace program that has launched four satellites, a unique achievement among historically Black college or universities; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey oversaw a $225 million development of the largest freestanding proton beam cancer treatment center in the world at Hampton University, which has enhanced the lives of countless patients; and

WHEREAS, during his 44-year tenure as president of Hampton University, William Harvey has received 11 honorary doctorates and countless accolades, including the Citizen of the Year Award from the Daily Press, the American Council on Education John Hope Franklin Award, the City of Hampton Distinguished Citizen’s Medal, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Year Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, highly admired for his visionary leadership and vast expertise, William Harvey has authored books, articles, and other publications, and he is a sought-after speaker at major universities and businesses across the country; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey has supported a number of community and nonprofit organizations, including National Geographic Society, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, USO World Board of Governors, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Education, Fort Monroe Authority, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, Southeastern Universities Research Association, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Historical Society, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey has provided his leadership to many corporate boards, including Fannie Mae, Signet Bank, First Union National Bank, Newport News Savings and Loan, Newport News Shipbuilding Corporation, Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Virginia Bank; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey has helped thousands of young people achieve success in academics, with more than 38,000 graduates, and develop a strong character based on the values of honesty, integrity, respect, trustworthiness, good personal behavior, a strong work ethic, and commitment to service that serve them well in all future endeavors; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, William Harvey has enjoyed the support of his beloved family, including his wife of 55 years, Norma B. Harvey, and his children and grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Dr. William R. Harvey hereby be commended for more than four decades of service as president of Hampton University; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. William R. Harvey as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his personal and professional achievements.