SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 29

(By Senators Boley, Nohe, K. Facemyer, Unger, Foster, Wells, Klempa, Stollings, McCabe, Minard, Williams, Yost and Kessler (Acting President))

Recognizing West Virginia University at Parkersburg on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.

    Whereas, West Virginia University at Parkersburg was founded in 1961, as the Parkersburg branch of West Virginia University and had an enrollment of 104 students; and

    Whereas, In 1969, construction was completed on the campus complex in West Virginia 47 east of Parkersburg; and

    Whereas, West Virginia University at Parkersburg became one of the state’s first comprehensive community colleges in July 1971, as Parkersburg Community College; and

    Whereas, In 1989, the West Virginia Legislature established the college as West Virginia University at Parkersburg, a regional campus of West Virginia University; and

    Whereas, In 1991, West Virginia University at Parkersburg was accredited to offer baccalaureate degrees in business administration and elementary education, becoming the only community college in West Virginia to offer bachelor’s degrees; and

    Whereas, Through the years, West Virginia University at Parkersburg has continued to grow, adding the Caperton Center for Applied Technology, offering a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree, and experiencing a record enrollment in 2010, while becoming the fourth largest institution of higher education in West Virginia; and

    Whereas, West Virginia University at Parkersburg provides accessible, life-changing educational opportunities in a safe and supportive environment; and

    Whereas, The faculty, staff and administration of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, individually and collectively, hold the responsibility of providing educational and cultural opportunities in the college’s service community, based upon the following principles: education holds a central position in the creation, development, and nurturing of a society; education should be constantly cognizant of the fact that all persons are individuals of worth and are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect; education functions under the realization that equal opportunity to access and to benefit from teaching and learning must be afforded to all persons; education provides the opportunity for all citizens in a democratic society to explore, to discover, and to develop their special aptitudes and interests; and education holds as a sacred trust its responsibility to assist persons in their quest for a fulfilling life and for responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby recognizes West Virginia University at Parkersburg on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Dr. Marie Foster Gnage.