1 HJR146
2 212202-2
3 By Representative Pringle
4 RFD: Rules
5 First Read: 30-MAR-21
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1
2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 COMMENDATION OF DR. TONY G. WALDROP.
4
5 WHEREAS, the Alabama House and Senate seek to
6 recognize exceptional leaders who have improved the lives of
7 Alabamians and who have distinguished themselves through their
8 professional contributions; and
9 WHEREAS, it is with highest commendation that Dr.
10 Tony G. Waldrop faithfully and honorably served the state and
11 The University of South Alabama during a seven-year
12 presidency; and
13 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop was named as the third
14 President of The University of South Alabama on February 2,
15 2014; and
16 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop organized the University's
17 future around five priorities for success, namely student
18 access and success, enhancement of research and graduate
19 education, excellence in health care, global engagement, and
20 University-community engagement; the University has measured
21 progress in each of these categories; and
22 WHEREAS, under Dr. Waldrop's leadership, the
23 University has enrolled the highest-achieving freshman classes
24 in its history and has improved academic advising, academic
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1 facilities, and housing of student life, which has led to
2 higher retention and graduation rates; and
3 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop launched the Pathway USA
4 partnership with regional community colleges, opened USA's
5 Honors College, and closed out a capital campaign that raised
6 more than $160 million for scholarships, fellowships,
7 equipment, and facilities; and
8 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop streamlined international
9 initiatives under Global USA and increased the number of
10 students participating in study abroad programs, expanding
11 educational opportunities, and preparing students for a global
12 workforce; and
13 WHEREAS, the University, under Dr. Waldrop's
14 leadership, responded to business and industry needs by adding
15 graduate programs and, in 2020, grew its research awards to
16 more than $100 million; and
17 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop oversaw a significant expansion
18 of USA Health, which during his presidency, added dozens of
19 new physicians and practices to its roster of providers,
20 expanding and improving options for patients across Coastal
21 Alabama; and
22 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop and his wife, Dr. Julee
23 Waldrop, have played active civic roles in South Alabama and
24 have encouraged the University community to do the same,
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1 including through the creation of the Office of Community
2 Involvement; and
3 WHEREAS, in recent years, the University has added
4 to and enhanced its facilities, improving both infrastructure
5 and aesthetics, including construction of the MacQueen Alumni
6 Center, Simulation Lab Building, Fanny Meisler Trauma Center,
7 and Hancock Whitney Stadium; and
8 WHEREAS, Dr. Waldrop has announced his retirement,
9 effective this summer, as he and Dr. Julee Waldrop plan to
10 move back to North Carolina, where she has accepted a position
11 at Duke University as Assistant Dean for the School of
12 Nursing; now therefore,
13 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
14 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we acknowledge Dr. Tony G.
15 Waldrop for his dedicated service to The University of South
16 Alabama and to the State of Alabama and offer grateful thanks
17 for his leadership at The University of South Alabama and
18 continued success in future endeavors.
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1
2
3
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
7 House of Representatives
8 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
9 and was adopted by the House 06-APR-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15
16 Senate 08-APR-21 Adopted
17
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