HR0187 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0187 LRB095 11525 KXB 32870 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), located in the second largest metropolitan area in the State of Illinois, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on September 24, 2007; and

WHEREAS, SIUE currently serves nearly 13,500 students from 101 Illinois counties, 43 other U.S. states, and 46 nations; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the institution has directly influenced the rate of individuals earning four-year degrees in the St. Louis Metropolitan area of Southern Illinois, up from 3 percent in Madison and St. Clair counties in 1957 to 20 percent today; and

WHEREAS, SIUE has conferred more than 90,000 degrees in its history, with more than 75,000 alumni; and

WHEREAS, More than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate degrees are conferred annually through programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Business, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Pharmacy; and

WHEREAS, SIUE contributes roughly $356 million to its regional economy, according to an Economic Impact Study released in May 2006, and more than 37,000 alumni live in the region and contribute to the economy; and

WHEREAS, SIUE's values of citizenship, excellence, integrity, openness, and wisdom are instilled in its students, preparing them to be exceptional citizens and leaders following graduation; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 50 years the institution has played a major role in elevating the quality of people's lives, as well as their earning potential in Illinois, as well as nationally, and internationally; and

WHEREAS, SIUE has improved the quality of the lives of the people of East St. Louis and the surrounding communities, helping more than 8,000 people in 2006 through services, training opportunities, and programs at the SIUE East St. Louis Center; and

WHEREAS, The School of Dental Medicine, rated among the top dental schools in the nation, is the only dental school in Illinois outside Cook County and the only dental school within 250 miles of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area; the dental school provides more than $50,000 in free oral health care to children annually through Give Kids a Smile Day and more than $30,000 annually in care to low-income and uninsured patients who otherwise might go untreated; and

WHEREAS, SIUE has been ranked two consecutive years among U.S. News & World Report's America's 15 Best Colleges, along with Harvard University, MIT, and other prestigious institutions, for its Senior Assignment Program, an integrative learning experience required for all seniors prior to graduation; and

WHEREAS, The University's Senior Assignment Program also was ranked as a model for learning assessment in the country by the American Association of Colleges & Universities in January 2007; and

WHEREAS, The University, after finishing fourth nationally in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup among NCAA Division II schools in 2006, and making appearances in Division II tournaments in men's basketball, volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, softball, baseball, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, is moving its quality intercollegiate athletics program forward to NCAA Division I status; and

WHEREAS, As stated by SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift: "At SIUE, we owe our very existence to a social compact with the State of Illinois that we entered into 50 years ago. We add value to people's lives by providing access to higher education not just access to enrolling in a university, but access to a college degree and the improved quality of life that comes with it. I'm very proud of the fact that SIUE has conferred more than 90,000 degrees in its history to-date. Our alumni have helped to transform our region to one of the fastest growing areas in the State of Illinois"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim September 24, 2007, as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Vaughn Vandegrift, Chancellor of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.