S*0985 Resolution, By Matthews
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE DR. LEROY DAVIS, SR., FORMER PRESIDENT OF
 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, ON THE RECENT TRIBUTE BESTOWED ON HIM BY THE
 UNIVERSITY IN THE NAMING OF ITS NEW BIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES BUILDING IN
 HIS HONOR, AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE
 PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

   06/23/11  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 9)

TO CONGRATULATE DR. LEROY DAVIS, SR., FORMER PRESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, ON THE RECENT TRIBUTE BESTOWED ON HIM BY THE UNIVERSITY IN THE NAMING OF ITS NEW BIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES BUILDING IN HIS HONOR, AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, on April 28, 2011, South Carolina State University (SCSU) dedicated its new home for the Department of Biology and Physical Sciences. Featuring an office tower, research space, two auditoriums, five conference rooms, and state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, the building is named in honor of former SCSU president Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr., in recognition of his many years of distinguished service to the university; and

Whereas, in preparation for his long and fruitful career, Dr. Davis trained as a molecular biologist. His undergraduate and graduate days were spent at South Carolina State, after which he earned a doctorate in microbiology from Purdue University and returned to Orangeburg to serve as a professor of biology at SCSU; and

Whereas, appointed as the eighth president of South Carolina State University on April 10, 1996, Dr. Davis had served prior to that time as interim president, vice president for student services, vice provost for academic administration, and director of the Office of Institutional Self-Studies at the school; and

Whereas, during his six-year tenure, Dr. Davis obtained reaffirmation of accreditation for the university by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, he initiated a bachelor of science degree program in nuclear engineering, the first such program of its kind in the State of South Carolina. He also established a University Center of Excellence in Transportation and increased annual giving from $419,000 in 1996 to $2.1 million in 2001; and

Whereas, among other outstanding accomplishments, he was instrumental in the construction of the fine arts center in 1999 and in campus renovations of Truth Hall, Dukes Gymnasium, Belcher Hall, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium, Mitchell Hall, and Felton Laboratory School; and

Whereas, as a scholarly writer, this Orangeburg native has published more than a dozen articles in general and technical journals; and

Whereas, Dr. Davis continues to make an impact on education in the Palmetto State in his present capacity as executive director of Voorhees College's Center of Excellence in Rural and Minority Health; and

Whereas, believing strongly in active participation in his community, Dr. Leroy Davis serves on a number of boards, including those of the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, South Carolina Research Authority, and as chairman of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Board of Trustees; and

Whereas, a family man, Dr. Davis is married to the former Christine McGill, and they have reared two children, Tonya and Leroy, Jr.; and

Whereas, grateful for his commitment to excellence in education and to the welfare of the State of South Carolina, the Senate takes great pleasure in congratulating Dr. Davis on this latest recognition of his service, the naming of the SCSU Leroy Davis, Sr. Science and Research Complex in his honor. The members also extend best wishes to him in all his future endeavors. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr., former president of South Carolina State University, on the recent tribute bestowed on him by the university in the naming of its new biology and physical sciences building in his honor, and thank him for his many years of outstanding service to the people of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr.