Bill Text: VA HJR331 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Charles R. King.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ331ER) [HJR331 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR331-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Charles R. King, the distinguished founding president of Southwest Virginia Community College, was selected as president emeritus in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Charles King became the founding president of Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in 1967 and served in that capacity for 40 years until his well-earned retirement in 2007; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as president, Charles King oversaw record growth in enrollment while also maintaining the highest academic standards and carefully managing fiscal resources, leading SWCC to achieve national and state recognition; and
WHEREAS, Charles King hired faculty and staff members, who, like him, were committed to the ideal that everyone who could benefit from a college education should have access to it; his establishment of SWCC Educational Foundation in 1981 helped SWCC become one of the premier community colleges in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Charles King was committed to strengthening relationships between SWCC and local public school divisions to coordinate educational needs, regularly communicating with school superintendents and administrators; under his leadership, SWCC became the number one college the residents of the region chose to attend; and
WHEREAS, Charles King participated in numerous campus activities and initiated the Virginia Mountain Music Festival, which brought dozens of popular musicians to the region; he also spearheaded the SWCC Festival of the Arts, which encouraged cultural enrichment for the entire community through the celebration of different cultures through music, dance, food, and written word; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Charles King earned the admiration of students, faculty, staff, administrators, business leaders, and local partners for his unwavering commitment to servant-leadership and genuine care for the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Charles R. King on the occasion of his selection as president emeritus of Southwest Virginia Community College; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles R. King as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to advancing the field of higher education and devoted service to the students and residents of Southwest Virginia.
