SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 42

(By Senators Plymale, Jenkins, Foster, Unger, Prezioso, Stollings, McCabe, Browning, Laird, Klempa, Yost and Kessler (Acting President))

Designating March 2, 2011, as “Marshall University Day”, on the occasion of the university’s 50^th Anniversary of earning university status.

    Whereas, Marshall University is one of the state’s premier institutions of high learning; and

    Whereas, Marshall University educates over 14,000 students at campus locations in Huntington, Point Pleasant, South Charleston, Beckley, Logan and Gilbert and offers degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels; and

    Whereas, Marshall University is building a national reputation for research in biotechnology, forensic science and medicine through its College of Science and the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine; and

    Whereas, Marshall University is creating new, high-value job opportunities through its research efforts and as part of West Virginia’s Research Trust Fund “Bucks for Brains” initiative; and

     Whereas, With every dollar the state invests in Marshall University, the University generates over $20 in economic benefit to West Virginia, resulting in the generation of $1.5 billion per year in economic impact, which has tripled since 2005; and

    Whereas, A university-record 2,052 new full-time equivalent freshman enrolled at Marshall University in fall 2010; and

    Whereas, The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing is providing services to all 55 state counties providing expertise to more than 5,250 small and medium-sized manufacturers that employ more than 81,000 individual across West Virginia; and

    Whereas, The Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute of Marshall University is setting national standards in transportation; and

    Whereas, Marshall University’s graduate program in Forensic Science is ranked as the top program of its type in the country; and

    Whereas, Marshall University’s medical and health sciences schools and departments train hundreds of West Virginians to serve as doctors, nurses, therapists and health technicians each year; and

    Whereas, Since 1983, the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University has provided training, information and support to more than 2,000 West Virginia families from all 55 counties; and

    Whereas, Marshall University is establishing the School of Pharmacy, which will produce well-prepared pharmacists for the field’s evolving role in health care, will create good-paying jobs and will generate an estimated $150 million economic impact; and

    Whereas, Marshall University alumni number more than 90,000 across the globe; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby designates March 2, 2011, as “Marshall University Day”, on the occasion of the university’s 50^th Anniversary of earning university status; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby recognizes Marshall University for its tremendous contributions to the State of West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Stephen J. Kopp, President of Marshall University.