Bill Text: VA SJR149 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of William Thomas Greer, Jr.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-04 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ149ER) [SJR149 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR149-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, William Thomas Greer, Jr., an inspirational faith leader and distinguished higher education administrator who served as president of what is now Virginia Wesleyan University for more than two decades, died on August 30, 2023; and
WHEREAS, William "Billy" Greer grew up in Georgia and graduated from Valdosta State University; he heard the call to the ministry and studied at Emory University's Chandler School of Theology before earning a master of divinity degree from Drew University; and
WHEREAS, Billy Greer served as a research assistant at the University of Glasgow, then returned to Emory University to receive a doctor of sacred theology degree; he also earned a doctorate in higher education administration from Georgia State University and conducted additional studies at the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; and
WHEREAS, while completing his education, Billy Greer was ordained as an elder in the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and offered his wise leadership to several congregations over the course of 12 years; and
WHEREAS, after a successful stint as the chaplain and a member of the Board of Trustees at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia, Billy Greer was selected as the institution's new president in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Billy Greer enjoyed five years at the helm of Andrew College, then became president of Brevard College in North Carolina for seven years, before joining Virginia Wesleyan University, then known as Virginia Wesleyan College, in 1992; and
WHEREAS, under Billy Greer's leadership, Virginia Wesleyan University increased enrollment, expanded its endowment, created new and innovative degree programs, and launched several construction and renovation initiatives to enhance facilities; and
WHEREAS, among Bill Greer's proudest achievements at Virginia Wesleyan University, was the establishment of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom to promote interfaith cooperation and understanding; he also guided the creation of the Birdsong Community Service Program, now Wesleyan Engaged, which increased opportunities for student volunteerism and has become a cornerstone of the university's mission; and
WHEREAS, Billy Greer was a lifelong basketball fan who excelled at the sport in his school years and earned top honors in athletics during his time at the University of Glasgow; he could often be seen personally leading cheers during games at his schools, and he was a champion for Virginia Wesleyan University's athletic teams; and
WHEREAS, during Billy Greer's 23-year tenure as president, Virginia Wesleyan University won a men's basketball national championship in 2006 and a prestigious Old Dominion Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup in 2014-2015, along with 46 team national championship appearances, seven individual national championship appearances, 29 conference championships, and 51 All-American honorees; and
WHEREAS, Billy Greer was named president emeritus after his retirement in 2015, and the Greer Environmental Sciences Center—a unique learning center modeled thematically around the earth's four spheres: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, to promote hands-on learning and interdisciplinary research—was dedicated in his honor in 2017; and
WHEREAS, Billy Greer built strong relationships based on trust and mutual understanding with students, faculty, and staff, and he enjoyed holding barbecues at his home to create a sense of community; and
WHEREAS, highly admired in the field of higher education, Billy Greer served as president of Leadership Georgia and held other leadership positions in the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the former National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, outside of his career, Billy Greer was passionate about protecting the Commonwealth's natural resources and served on the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries; he and his wife, Fann, were also once named Environmentalists of the Year on the Eastern Shore; and
WHEREAS, Billy Greer will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Fann; his sons, William III, Robert, and David, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Thomas Greer, Jr., the former longtime president of Virginia Wesleyan University; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Thomas Greer, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
