WHEREAS, Wayne F. Geisert of Rockingham County, an educator who inspired countless students and provided exceptional leadership to Bridgewater College as president emeritus, died on January 4, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Kansas, Wayne Geisert grew up on a farm and learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age; he graduated from McPherson College and Northwestern University, then served his country as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve from 1944 to 1946; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable military service, Wayne Geisert worked as an educator at Hamilton High School in Kansas, Kendall College in Illinois, and Manchester College in Indiana, where he became the head of the Department of Economics and Business; and

WHEREAS, in 1957, Wayne Geisert became the dean of his alma mater, McPherson College, and served in that capacity until 1964, when he was selected as president of Bridgewater College; he ably led Bridgewater College for 30 years and was named president emeritus after his retirement in 1994; and

WHEREAS, as president of Bridgewater College, Wayne Geisert increased efficiency and built close relationships with faculty, staff, and students; he was a trusted mentor to administrators of other institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Geisert offered his leadership and expertise to the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, and the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, as a longtime member of the Church of the Brethren, Wayne Geisert held several leadership positions, including moderator, and served on the Committee on Higher Education of the Church of the Brethren for 30 years; in 1985, he traveled to China and established an exchange program between Brethren Colleges Abroad and the Dalian University of Foreign Languages; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Geisert earned many awards and accolades for his good work and received honorary doctorates from Manchester College, James Madison University, Bridgewater College, and McPherson College; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Ellen, Wayne Geisert will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his sons, Gregory, Bradley, and Todd, and their families, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Wayne F. Geisert, a highly respected educator and college administrator in Rockingham County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Wayne F. Geisert as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.