HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 942 Offered February 16, 2007 Commending C. Kinney Rorrer. ---------- Patrons-- Hull and Marshall, D.W.; Senator: Hawkins ----------

WHEREAS, C. Kinney Rorrer, an exceptional teacher and musician, retired in 2006 after teaching history for 32 years at Danville Community College; and

WHEREAS, Kinney Rorrer attended Appalachian State University, earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1968, followed by a master's degree in history in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Kinney Rorrer taught for two years at Mitchell College in Statesville, North Carolina, and three years at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia, before joining the faculty at Danville Community College in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Kinney Rorrer quickly established himself as one of the most devoted, energetic, and engaging teachers on campus, inspiring the most reluctant students to take a stronger interest in history and challenging them to expand their knowledge and world view; and

WHEREAS, in his courses, which range from western civilization to U.S. history and the military history of the Civil War to American country music, Kinney Rorrer has always demonstrated an extraordinary passion for the subject, an unwavering commitment to quality, and a gift for creativity in developing powerful teaching strategies; and

WHEREAS, determined to expand his students' horizons through international travel and study, in 1990, Kinney Rorrer led a group of students on a study-tour in Europe, and from those modest beginnings, Danville Community College's study abroad program was established and is now supported by the Barksdale-Rorrer Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his tremendous abilities as a teacher, Kinney Rorrer is an accomplished banjo player and a devotee of bluegrass music; he performs locally and in folk festivals nationwide, and in 2002, he was named a master artist by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities; and

WHEREAS, Kinney Rorrer has written a book and several articles about country and bluegrass music and he co-hosts "Back to the Blue Ridge," a radio show featuring music from and commentary on Southwest Virginia's rich folk music heritage; and

WHEREAS, Kinney Rorrer has been honored with the Danville Community College Outstanding Faculty Award, the Danville Historical Society Education Award, and the Outstanding Educator Award from the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Delius-Rorrer History Medallion was established by a group of citizens to recognize the most outstanding history student each year at Danville Community College; and

WHEREAS, Kinney Rorrer has taught thousands of students throughout his career, and his overarching goal has been to inspire their curiosity and help them develop a historical consciousness and global perspective; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend C. Kinney Rorrer on his 32 years of extraordinary service to Danville Community College and the surrounding area; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to C. Kinney Rorrer as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his inspired teaching career and best wishes for a rewarding retirement.