HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 12

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead. And Delegates Morgan, Romine, Miller, Sobonya, Campbell, Perry, L. Phillips, Rohrbach, Reynolds, R. Phillips, Hicks, H. White, Hornbuckle, Perdue, Ashley, Anderson, B. White, and Arvon )

Recognizing and honoring Stephen J. Kopp, Ph.D., President of Marshall University.

            Whereas, Stephen J. Kopp, Ph.D., became Marshall University’s 36^th president on July 1, 2005; and

            Whereas, Dr. Kopp, during his 9 ½ years as president, led Marshall to unprecedented growth and expansion; and

            Whereas, Under Dr. Kopp’s guidance, more than $300 million was wisely spent on construction of new buildings and renovations on Marshall University campuses; and

            Whereas, The undergraduate engineering degree, under Dr. Kopp’s leadership, returned to Marshall after more than 30-year absence when the Board of Governors approved the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program; and

            Whereas, President Kopp’s accomplishments are well documented, but, to name a few, in addition to reviving the engineering program, Marshall University built the much-needed and long-promised Marshall Recreation Center, new freshman dorms, a new parking garage, the Rural Health and Clinical Education Center in Chapmanville, the Indoor Athletic Facility and the Chris Cline Athletic Complex, the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center, the Erma Ora Byrd Clinical Center, the Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex, the Visual Arts Center and the Marshall University Foundation Hall; and

            Whereas, Dr. Kopp kept his word by fulfilling the promise of a better future for Marshall’s students, while challenging each of us to “dream boldly, plan well and dedicate ourselves individually and collectively to fulfilling this promise;” and

            Whereas, Dr. Kopp and his wife, Jane Kopp, both of whom fell in love with not only Marshall University, but also the Marshall and Huntington communities, were named Citizens of the Year in 2011 by The Herald-Dispatch, an honor richly deserved; and

            Whereas, Dr. Kopp died suddenly on December 17, 2014, leaving a huge void at not only Marshall University but the state as a whole as well, and it is fitting that we celebrate his life and legacy, and his university that he worked so hard to make so great on a special day at the Capitol; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Delegates:

            That the House of Delegates hereby designates February 18, 2015, as “Marshall University Day at the Capitol”; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes late Marshall University President Dr. Stephen J. Kopp for his incredible contributions to Marshall University, where he served from July 1, 2005, to December 17, 2014; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to Dr. Kopp's widow, Jane Kopp, and Gary White, Interim President of Marshall University.