HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5168 Offered September 27, 2006 Commending Dr. Charles R. King. ---------- Patrons-- Bowling and Phillips; Senator: Puckett ----------

WHEREAS, Dr. Charles R. King, the founding president of Southwest Virginia Community College, retires on January 1, 2007, after four decades of exemplary service to the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King has served as the only president of Southwest Virginia Community College and is the longest serving at the same institution of any Virginia Community College System (VCCS) president; and

WHEREAS, a former coach and athlete, Dr. King came to Tazewell County in 1967 after serving for two years as the academic dean of a community college in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Southwest Virginia Community College opened the doors of the college’s first building, Buchanan Hall, to 710 students in the fall of 1968; and

WHEREAS, Southwest Virginia Community College, which serves Tazewell, Russell, Buchanan, and part of Dickenson Counties, was one of the first two colleges in the VCCS built from the ground up; and

WHEREAS, committed to excellence in higher education in the Commonwealth, Dr. King has provided strong, visionary leadership at Southwest Virginia Community College's evolving multi-building campus, leading a dynamic community college that provides over 80 programs leading to the associate degree, diploma, certificate, or career studies certificate; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King and Southwest Virginia Community College have partnered with Old Dominion University and other local and state institutions and organizations to increase educational opportunities for high school graduates and adults across the region; and

WHEREAS, due in great part to Dr. King's hard work and support of computer-based, distance learning and other innovative learning programs, Southwest Virginia Community College maintains the number one ranking of all VCCS colleges in population participation rate; and

WHEREAS, Dr. King's leadership and support have been instrumental in continued regional growth and economic development of southwestern Virginia and the success of Southwest Virginia Community College and its students; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Dr. King has spearheaded expansion of the college into a facility of over 100 acres with a technology center, a football field and recreation complex, and a community center with gymnasium and auditorium, which was named the Charles R. King Community Center in his honor and funded entirely by the Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation; and

WHEREAS, a pioneer in the state’s community college system, Dr. King has served the students, faculty, and staff of Southwest Virginia Community College and the VCCS with great dedication and skill; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dr. Charles R. King on his many valuable achievements and congratulate him on the conclusion of an extraordinary professional career; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Charles R. King as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and gratitude for his outstanding service to the citizens of the Commonwealth and best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.