S*0420 Resolution, By Courson, Jackson and Lourie
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ON ITS
 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS, TO HONOR THE INSTITUTION'S COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
 EDUCATION, TO WISH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL OF THE SCHOOL'S FUTURE ENDEAVORS,
 AND TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 4, 2015, AS CAROLINA DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

   02/04/15  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 35)

TO CONGRATULATE THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ON ITS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS, TO HONOR THE INSTITUTION'S COMMITMENT TO QUALITY EDUCATION, TO WISH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ALL OF THE SCHOOL'S FUTURE ENDEAVORS, AND TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 4, 2015, AS CAROLINA DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

Whereas, the University of South Carolina (Carolina) serves more than two hundred ninety-three thousand alumni and more than forty-three thousand students on eight campuses, with thousands of faculty members dedicated to providing the highest quality education in more than three hundred fifty programs; and

Whereas, Carolina is one of only a handful of public universities in the nation to receive the Carnegie Foundation's highest research designation and to be named among the nation's leaders in providing programs that benefit and engage communities; and

Whereas, various academic programs at Carolina rank number one in the nation, including the USC Honors College and the International Business program at the Darla Moore School of Business (undergraduate international business major and international MBA). In addition, Carolina ranks nationally at number one for the best international experience, number five for its school library media and online-education graduate programs, and number four for its social psychology graduate program. It is in the top ten for its sports and entertainment management graduate program and in the top twenty-five for nine of its graduate programs; and

Whereas, rated by Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Princeton Review as a "Best Value" in public colleges, Carolina is a top producer of U.S. Fulbright students, and its students have earned twenty million dollars in national awards for advanced study; and

Whereas, Carolina boasts a nationally ranked football team, a two-time national-championship baseball team owning fifteen consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, an equestrian team currently ranked at number three nationally, and a number-one nationally ranked women's basketball team, among other stellar sports groups. In addition, the school claims two national coaches of the year, and its student athletes shine academically with an average GPA of 3.22. In November 2014, the American Football Coaches Association recognized Carolina as being among thirteen universities whose football student-athletes achieved a graduation rate of ninety percent or better; and

Whereas, the Carolina Alumni Association, first formed in 1846, serves Carolina's alumni with numerous programs, such as homecoming reunions, alumni clubs, and scholarships, and has a membership of more than twenty-six thousand, who remain connected to the university through the association's many activities; and

Whereas, the University of South Carolina continues to be a source of pride for its alumni and for the Palmetto State, enriching the lives of its students and building a better community throughout South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the University of South Carolina on its outstanding achievements, honor the institution's commitment to quality education, wish continued success in all of the school's future endeavors, and recognize February 4, 2015, as Carolina Day at the State House.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. Harris Pastides, president of the University of South Carolina.