TO HONOR DR. MARY ANNE FITZPATRICK, DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, FOR HER TEN YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE AND TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER APPOINTMENT AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SYSTEM.

Whereas, since 2005, the University of South Carolina (USC) has enjoyed the benefit of the dedication, experience, and leadership of Dr. Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, dean of the USC College of Arts and Sciences, who on June 30, 2015, will step down from her post after a decade of exemplary service; and

Whereas, under Dr. Fitzpatrick's leadership, USC has created a strong and vibrant College of Arts and Sciences capable of competitively recruiting and retaining faculty members and students of the highest caliber. The college's faculty members actively pursue an aggressive research agenda, garnering impressive levels of support from peer-reviewed sources. Its students grow more talented and impressive every day, earning hundreds of external awards and honors that testify not only to the quality of their work but also to the excellent mentoring of the college's faculty; and

Whereas, supported by a growing base of dedicated alumni and friends, the college is justifiably proud of its stellar degree programs and strong and enduring commitment to the principles of liberal education. It proudly serves all students at the University of South Carolina through the Carolina Core general education curriculum; and

Whereas, during the past five years alone, the USC College of Arts and Sciences has increased its credit-hour production by ten percent, its student body by six percent, its faculty size by eight percent, and the number of graduate students it has supported by nineteen percent. In thirty graduation ceremonies, more than ten thousand students have celebrated the completion of one of the college's nearly one hundred thirty degree programs. The college's accessibility and affordability have remained strong because of its commitment to managing resources well and to insuring that the college can help students complete their degrees in a timely manner; and

Whereas, in spite of the difficult economic climate of the past five years, the college's faculty members have been awarded $208 million in external research grants and contracts. Friends and alumni have shown their commitment to the college and what it has accomplished by contributing more than $100 million in private philanthropic support during the capital campaign, and the college's faculty and students continue to receive national and international recognition for their academic work; and

Whereas, these high accomplishments are due in large part to the astute leadership of Dean Mary Anne Fitzpatrick; and

Whereas, on July 1, 2015, Dr. Fitzpatrick will become vice president of the USC System, where she will be charged with developing the statewide strategic plan for the university. The House, appreciative of the distinction with which she has served the University of South Carolina for the past ten years, takes great pleasure in saluting Dr. Fitzpatrick and in wishing her much success as she takes up her new duties with the USC System. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Dr. Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, dean of the University of South Carolina College of Arts and Sciences, for her ten years of outstanding and dedicated service and congratulate her on her appointment as vice president of the University of South Carolina System.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Mary Anne Fitzpatrick.