13 May 2006

LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY AWARDS THE HONORARY DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS TO THE HONORABLE MARK R. WARNER

Whereas, the Honorable Mark R. Warner faithfully served as the 69th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia from January 2002 – January 2006 and was named by Time Magazine in November 2005 as one of the “five best governors” in the United States; served as chairman of the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors’ Association, and the Education Commission of the States; served as Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission; served on the National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care; was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Council of Chief State School Officers; and, left office with the highest approval rating of any outgoing governor in two decades; and,

Whereas, Mark R. Warner was a staunch supporter of higher education even before being elected Governor, evidenced by his service on the boards of Virginia Union University, George Washington University, Appalachian School of Law, and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges; his development of the Virginia High-Tech Partnership, which connects students at Virginia’s five Historically Black Colleges and Universities with internships and jobs at leading high-tech companies; and,

Whereas, Mark R. Warner, as the 69th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, signed legislation taking Longwood to university status and attended a ceremonial signing celebration on campus; and,

Whereas, Mark R. Warner, as the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, was faced with a $6 billion budget shortfall in 2002, but through excellent fiscal management and his bi-partisanship leadership was able to stabilize Virginia’s budget and retain its triple A bond rating; and

Whereas, Mark R. Warner, as the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, after the Great Fire of 2001 that destroyed the Rotunda, Ruffners and Grainger Hall ensured that previously appropriated renovation funding remained in place for the re-construction of those facilities; and, during his tenure, appropriated over $96 million to Longwood for enrollment growth, degrees awarded, and capital projects; and

Whereas, Mark R. Warner exemplifies the citizen leadership characteristics that Longwood University endeavors to instill in its students through his service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia as a public servant; and

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Longwood University Board of Visitors, in recognition of his leadership and service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, proudly confers upon MARK R. WARNER the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, with all the honors, rights, and privileges appertaining thereto on this thirteenth day of May in the year Two Thousand and Six, in the one hundred and sixty-seventh year of the University.