HR9: Commending Donnie E. Wheatley.


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
Commending Donnie E. Wheatley.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 15, 2016

 

WHEREAS, Donnie E. Wheatley, the longtime executive director of the Boys Home of Virginia in Covington, has helped countless boys and young men successfully complete their education and become responsible citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a native of Dickenson County, Donnie Wheatley was the oldest of five children raised by a single mother; after an experience in foster care, he became a student at the Boys Home of Virginia in 1959; and

WHEREAS, with the support of the exceptional staff at the Boys Home of Virginia, Donnie Wheatley thrived in the program, participating in athletics and student government and holding jobs on campus; and

WHEREAS, inspired and encouraged by the director of the Boys Home at the time, Donnie Wheatley focused on his studies and became a first-generation college student, attending Virginia Military Institute on a State Cadetship; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Wheatley later attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps, and earned master’s degrees from Valdosta State College and Georgia State University; and

WHEREAS, after a career in data processing in the private sector, Donnie Wheatley was asked to apply to become the executive director of the Boys Home of Virginia in 1985; with his passion for the program and commitment to creating new opportunities for boys and young men in need of guidance, he was the clear choice; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his 30-year career as executive director, Donnie Wheatley set high standards of achievement and diversified the program’s academic offerings; he ensured that students understood the value of the program and served as a trusted mentor to numerous youths; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Wheatley also works to strengthen and enhance the community and the Commonwealth as a member and former president of the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club and the Virginia Association of Children’s Homes (VACH); and

WHEREAS, Donnie Wheatley has received numerous awards and accolades for his devoted service, including the VACH Distinguished Administrator Award, the Catherine Hershey Residential Education Award from the Coalition for Residential Education, the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Medallion of Merit, and numerous community awards; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Donnie E. Wheatley hereby be commended for his outstanding work to guide and inspire boys and young men in need as executive director of the Boys Home of Virginia for 30 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Donnie E. Wheatley as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his dedication to serving and supporting the youth of the Commonwealth.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9

Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled December 4, 2015
Commending Donnie E. Wheatley.
Patron-- Austin

WHEREAS, Donnie E. Wheatley, the longtime executive director of Boys Home of Virginia in Covington, has helped countless boys and young men successfully complete their education and become responsible citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a native of Dickenson County, Donnie Wheatley was the oldest of five children raised by a single mother; after an experience in foster care, he became a student at Boys Home of Virginia in 1959; and

WHEREAS, with the support of the exceptional staff at Boys Home of Virginia, Donnie Wheatley thrived in the program, participating in athletics and student government and holding jobs on campus; and

WHEREAS, inspired and encouraged by the director of Boys Home at the time, Donnie Wheatley focused on his studies and became a first-generation college student, attending Virginia Military Institute on a State Cadetship; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Wheatley later attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps, and earned master’s degrees from Valdosta State College and Georgia State University; and

WHEREAS, after a career in data processing in the private sector, Donnie Wheatley was asked to apply to become the executive director of Boys Home of Virginia in 1985; with his passion for the program and commitment to creating new opportunities for boys and young men in need of guidance, he was the clear choice; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his 30-year career as executive director, Donnie Wheatley set high standards of achievement and diversified the program’s academic offerings; he ensured that students understood the value of the program and served as a trusted mentor to numerous youths; and

WHEREAS, Donnie Wheatley also works to strengthen and enhance the community and the Commonwealth as a member and former president of the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club and the Virginia Association of Children’s Homes (VACH); and

WHEREAS, Donnie Wheatley has received numerous awards and accolades for his devoted service, including the VACH Distinguished Administrator Award, the Catherine Hershey Residential Education Award from the Coalition for Residential Education, the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Medallion of Merit, and numerous community awards; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Donnie E. Wheatley hereby be commended for his outstanding work to guide and inspire boys and young men in need as executive director of Boys Home of Virginia for 30 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Donnie E. Wheatley as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for his dedication to serving and supporting the youth of the Commonwealth.