H*4863 Resolution, By Rutherford
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE BENEDICT COLLEGE FOR THE QUALITY EDUCATION IT
 PROVIDES TO ITS STUDENTS AND THE SERVICE IT OFFERS THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY,
 CONGRATULATE THE COLLEGE UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FORTIETH
 ANNIVERSARY, AND WISH ITS STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION, AND ALUMNI MUCH
 CONTINUED SUCCESS IN COMING YEARS.

   04/20/10  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-9

TO RECOGNIZE BENEDICT COLLEGE FOR THE QUALITY EDUCATION IT PROVIDES TO ITS STUDENTS AND THE SERVICE IT OFFERS THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, CONGRATULATE THE COLLEGE UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDRED FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY, AND WISH ITS STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION, AND ALUMNI MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN COMING YEARS.

Whereas, founded in 1870 by Rhode Island native Mrs. Bathsheba Benedict, Benedict College was an eighty-acre plantation when purchased as the Benedict Institute. The investors, Mrs. Benedict and the Baptist Home Mission, held as their long-term goals the education of emancipated African Americans and the production of citizens who were "powers for good in society"; and

Whereas, one hundred forty years later, Benedict College has become one of the fastest growing of thirty-nine United Negro College Fund schools. Of the twenty independent colleges in South Carolina, Benedict has the largest undergraduate student body and is the second largest overall. The college has students enrolled from every county in South Carolina. Nearly three thousand students currently study at the school, which is distinguished by its continued commitment to facilitating the empowerment, enhancement, and full participation of African Americans in a global society; and

Whereas, with growth embracing more than an expanding student enrollment, Benedict College is also involved in an ambitious building program. The beautiful parklike campus has undergone substantial renovations to its Antisdel Chapel, the Benjamin E. Mays Human Resource Center, Morgan Hall, Pratt Hall, and all of its dormitories; and

Whereas, in addition, off campus the college has erected a new sixty-acre sports complex, including tennis courts, baseball fields, fitness trails, and running track. The heart of the complex is the eleven thousand-seat Charlie W. Johnson football stadium; and

Whereas, students attending Benedict College have the opportunity to earn four-year liberal-arts degrees in thirty different disciplines, but service to the community also forms an important part of students' education; and

Whereas, Benedict College has a long history of producing high achievers. Among its notable alumni are I.S. Leevy Johnson, Esq., the first African American president of the South Carolina Bar Association; Modjeska Simkins, often referred to as the mother of the South Carolina civil-rights movement; and Maria Pyles, 1990 South Carolina Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year finalist; and

Whereas, for all its progress, Benedict College looks to the future with eager anticipation, ready for the great challenges and opportunities that lie ahead; and

Whereas, in celebration of the institution's historic chartering by the South Carolina Legislature one hundred forty years ago, Benedict College will host a commemorative dinner on April 21, 2010, during which the college will acknowledge the many corporations, alumni, and other donors whose generosity enables Benedict to achieve its mission; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives, grateful for Benedict College's invaluable contributions to the State of South Carolina and its people, extends greetings and high commendation on this important occasion, and the members look forward with pleasure to hearing of the college's continued accomplishments in the future. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize Benedict College for the quality education it provides to its students and the service it offers the surrounding community, congratulate the college upon the occasion of its one hundred fortieth anniversary, and wish its students, faculty, administration, and alumni much continued success in coming years.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Benedict College.