WHEREAS, Dr. Frances R. Williams, Associate Professor of Engineering at Norfolk State University, has received the prestigious national distinction from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as one of the 12 "Top Scholars under 40" for 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Williams was the recipient of Norfolk State University's (NSU) highest faculty honor in 2010, the University Award of Excellence, in recognition of her exemplary teaching, scholarship, and service; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Williams has maintained an impressive scholarship record in acoustic microsensors and microelectromechanical systems, serves as the team coordinator for NSU's $6.5 million state-of-the-art cleanroom facility, and spearheaded the development of the microfabrication laboratory that will be used as an instructional cleanroom, enabling the unparalleled integration of research and education in engineering at NSU; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frances Williams, along with her colleague Dr. Gary May (Georgia Institute of Technology), was granted a patent (#7,784,346) for a micromachined acoustic sensor for monitoring electrochemical deposition, a device important in the semiconductor industry; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Williams has given exemplary service to numerous programs and committees, including the University Curriculum Committee; the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology e-mentoring program, which she chairs; the Faculty Senate; NSU's Quality Enhancement Plan Living and Learning Community of Inquiry; and numerous STEM related outreach programs; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frances Williams exhibits all of the characteristics of an excellent leader, teacher, and scholar—she is creative and enthusiastic and her teaching, curriculum reform, and scholarship efforts have been visionary for Norfolk State University and its students; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Dr. Frances R. Williams hereby be commended on her selection by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as one of the 12 "Top Scholars under 40" for 2012; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Frances R. Williams as an expression of the House of Delegates' congratulations and admiration for her outstanding contributions in teaching, scholarship, and service to Norfolk State University and the Commonwealth of Virginia.