Bill Text: SC S0598 | 2013-2014 | 120th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Dr. Anthony Joseph DiGiorgio
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-10 - Introduced and adopted [S0598 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2013-S0598-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. ANTHONY JOSEPH "TONY" DIGIORGIO, PRESIDENT OF WINTHROP UNIVERSITY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina should pause in their deliberations to express their gratitude to Dr. Anthony Joseph "Tony" DiGiorgio for his significant and lasting contributions to Winthrop University; and
Whereas, born in 1940 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Tony DiGiorgio is the son of an immigrant brick layer, and though neither of his parents completed elementary school, they instilled in him a love of education; and
Whereas, he learned early that hard work and persistence spelled success in the country of his family's new home, and after graduating from Gannon College, he entered his career in education, teaching secondary English in New Jersey in 1963, and three years later became an instructor at Purdue University; and
Whereas, after he completed his master's degree and doctorate at Purdue University, he pursued extensive postdoctoral studies in psychology and educational development; and
Whereas, beginning in 1970, Dr. DiGiorgio served in a variety of posts spanning nineteen years at The College of New Jersey, formerly a state college for teachers, like Winthrop, that evolved into a nationally recognized, comprehensive college; and
Whereas, at The College of New Jersey, he met and married his beloved wife, Gale, and together they reared two fine daughters; and
Whereas, he attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University in 1987, and in January 1989, he became the ninth president of Winthrop College, leading the school's transition from a regional college with an esteemed tradition to a university of national caliber with full accreditation in all programs for which national accreditation in offered; and
Whereas, under his leadership as one of the longest-serving presidents of a public institution of higher learning in the United States, Winthrop has consistently been ranked among the top public institutions of its kind in the South and boasts tributes for academic excellence, character development, student programming, sound fiscal management, and environmental achievements; and
Whereas, the university has received repeated plaudits for the expansion of minority enrollment from fourteen percent in 1990 to twenty-nine percent today and for success in guiding more of these students to graduation than most American colleges; and
Whereas, during Dr. Giorgio's tenure, Winthrop began housing the South Carolina headquarters of Campus Compact, a national organization of more than twelve hundred institutions that work to develop the citizenship capacities of students through public and community service; and
Whereas, what is now the state offices of the South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment, Retention and Advancement also took up residence at Winthrop and, along with the university, has encouraged national standards and built a reservoir of talented teachers in the State; and
Whereas, for more than two decades, he served in numerous capacities on national organizations, such as the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Leadership Council; and
Whereas, he served on various state and regional organizations, including chair of the Big South Conference and chair of the board of the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Math; and
Whereas, he served his community as a member of the board of the Charlotte division of the Federal Reserve Bank, the Charlotte Regional Partnership for Economic Development, Charlotte USA, the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation; and
Whereas, with enduring dedication to the community, he led Winthrop in partnership with the City of Rock Hill in numerous re-development goals, including re-development of the Textile Corridor and the downtown; and
Whereas, Dr. Giorgio, the longest-serving president of any public university in South Carolina, will begin serving as president emeritus and distinguished service professor at Winthrop after a year's sabbatical, and along with his wife, he will continue to reside in Rock Hill, offering his broad experience and expertise to the community; and
Whereas, he plans to spend many happy hours of retirement with his three grandchildren and enjoying travel with his wife; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the years of dedication that Tony DiGiorgio has devoted to Winthrop University and to education in the Palmetto State and wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Anthony Joseph "Tony" DiGiorgio, President of Winthrop University, upon the occasion of his retirement after twenty-four years of outstanding service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Anthony Joseph "Tony" DiGiorgio.
