PRINTER'S NO. 986
No. 118 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY PICCOLA, GORDNER, WONDERLING, ARMSTRONG AND VANCE,
MAY 7, 2007
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 7, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Applauding Harrisburg University of Science and Technology on
2 the historic occasion of its inaugural commencement exercise
3 and extending all best wishes for continued success at
4 providing the Commonwealth and its citizens with continued
5 returns on their investment.
6 WHEREAS, Upon its incorporation in 2001, Harrisburg
7 University of Science and Technology became the first nonprofit,
8 private, comprehensive science and technology-focused university
9 established in Pennsylvania in more than 100 years; and
10 WHEREAS, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology was
11 founded to address the Capital Region's need for increased
12 educational opportunities in the science, technology,
13 engineering and math (STEM) careers; and
14 WHEREAS, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
15 represents a major step in attracting, educating and retaining
16 Pennsylvania's diverse 21st century knowledge-based work force;
17 and
18 WHEREAS, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
19 aligns traditional undergraduate degrees with science and
1 technology-based economic development and innovation, thus
2 creating a continuum of learning from high school to college to
3 career; and
4 WHEREAS, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is
5 the only institution of higher education in the United States to
6 pair students with mentors, use corporate faculty in classrooms
7 and partner with a national executive search firm to match each
8 undergraduate student to three internships; and
9 WHEREAS, With a student enrollment that is 59% ethnic
10 minority and 54% women, Harrisburg University of Science and
11 Technology provides educational opportunities to historically
12 underrepresented groups in STEM disciplines; and
13 WHEREAS, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's
14 demand-driven educational model stimulates the growth of a
15 knowledge-based economy in this Commonwealth, specifically
16 positioning the Capital Region's work force to participate
17 successfully in the 21st century's knowledge-based economy and
18 serving as a catalyst for continued economic prosperity; and
19 WHEREAS, The academic strength of the new university has
20 already been recognized by leading national and State
21 organizations: Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
22 has hosted the National Science Foundation-funded National
23 Center for Science and Civic Engagement and the Pennsylvania
24 Department of Community and Economic Development-funded Capital
25 Region Biotechnology Partnership; and
26 WHEREAS, The new 16-story, $73 million Academic Center
27 currently under construction will further advance Harrisburg
28 University of Science and Technology's distinctive approach to
29 higher education, creating an exciting combination of the
30 latest, most engaging academic opportunities and real-world
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1 experiences to produce graduates who are leaders in the global
2 economy; and
3 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has invested significant capital
4 resources to assist with the creation of Harrisburg University
5 of Science and Technology and is continuing its investment in
6 the university's development; and
7 WHEREAS, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's
8 inaugural commencement exercises on May 11, 2007, represent the
9 initial return on the Commonwealth's investment, as the initial
10 nine graduates become the newest members of the STEM-educated
11 work force; and
12 WHEREAS, At its inaugural commencement exercise, Harrisburg
13 University of Science and Technology is conferring bachelor of
14 science degrees to Christopher W. DeLong, Diane V. Do, Joshua L.
15 Easter, Farah Jabeen, Meredith Leslie Jago McNutt, Courtney J.
16 Smith, Brian L. Thomas and Michael R. Wright and is conferring a
17 master of science degree to Nicholas P. May; and
18 WHEREAS, The inaugural candidates for degrees from the
19 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology represent the
20 Commonwealth's fine boroughs of Carlisle, Herndon and New
21 Cumberland, the cities of Harrisburg and Lancaster and the
22 counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster and Northumberland;
23 and
24 WHEREAS, Future generations of Harrisburg University of
25 Science and Technology alumni will enter the knowledge-based
26 economy equipped with the skills to immediately succeed; and
27 WHEREAS, As the numbers of alumni grow, so too will the
28 opportunities and the Commonwealth's ability to attract new
29 companies and begin new cycles of vitality and creativity that
30 breed innovation; therefore be it
20070S0118R0986 - 3 -
1 RESOLVED, That the Senate applaud Harrisburg University of
2 Science and Technology on the historic occasion of its inaugural
3 commencement exercise and extend all best wishes for continued
4 success at providing the Commonwealth and its citizens with
5 continued returns on their investment; and be it further
6 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to Marcus S.
7 Lingenfelter, Vice President for University Advancement,
8 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, 215 Market
9 Street, Harrisburg PA 17101-2116.
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