SJ176: Commending Patricia Picard Cormier.

WHEREAS, Dr. Patricia Picard Cormier has served honorably as the 24th president of Longwood University from 1996 to 2010; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s exemplary leadership transformed the institution from college to university status; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s strengthening of the academic program led to many developments, including the creation of the Cormier Honors College for Citizen Scholars, mandatory internships for all graduates, the laptop initiative, the faculty connections program, and a new undergraduate nursing program; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s embrace of the noble concept of civitas has been embodied in Longwood?s concept of the citizen scholar/leader; and

WHEREAS, under Dr. Cormier?s tenure, Longwood University has achieved consistently noteworthy academic rankings as designated by U.S. News & World Report; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s leadership effected the development of a comprehensive long-range strategic plan, VISION 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s ability to endear alumni and patrons to Longwood University resulted in the largest gift ever from a living donor, the first capital campaign ever conducted by Longwood University, and the tripling of the endowment fund; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s appreciation of aesthetic values resulted in the enhanced beautification of the campus and the incorporation of the arts into the everyday lives of the students; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s crisis management skills at the time of the Ruffner fire unified the Longwood family and afterwards her efforts succeeded in the historically accurate reconstruction of the signature buildings dear to the campus community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s understanding of the value of the physical campus to the academic program led to the construction of the Chichester Science Center, the Center for Communication Studies and Theatre, the Bedford Hall addition, and the Student Health and Wellness Center; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s vision for Longwood University resulted in NCAA Division I classification for the athletic program; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s endorsement of sustainability has been embraced across the campus in building design and daily life practices, leading to recognition of Longwood University?s achievement in this arena by outside agencies; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s knowledge of the practicality of public/private partnerships and the evolution of student lifestyles has led to the creation of three off-campus residential villages, all networked into the central campus life; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s national professional role has taken Longwood University?s name across the country through her leadership in numerous organizations and activities such as the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education Fellows, and LEAD Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Cormier?s dedication and devotion to higher education exemplify to the very fullest the embodiment of the citizen leader; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Patricia Picard Cormier for her 14 years of outstanding leadership as the president of Longwood University and her lifelong career as an educator and higher education administrator whose career spans more than 40 years at seven institutions of higher learning; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Patricia Picard Cormier as an expression of the General Assembly?s gratitude for her many achievements and best wishes for all of her future endeavors.