Florida Senate - 2018                            (NP)    SR 1744
       
       
        
       By Senator Hukill
       
       
       
       
       
       14-01884-18                                           20181744__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution honoring Bethune-Cookman University and
    3         designating January 11, 2018, as “Wildcat Day” in the
    4         State of Florida.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, on October 3, 1904, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, with
    7  “five girls, $1.50, and faith in God,” founded the Daytona
    8  Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in
    9  Daytona Beach, which would become Bethune-Cookman College in
   10  1931, and
   11         WHEREAS, through the power of God and the tenacity of Mary
   12  McLeod Bethune, the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training
   13  School for Negro Girls grew from an all-girls elementary school
   14  to Bethune-Cookman College, launching its first master’s degree
   15  program in 2006 and achieving university status in early 2007,
   16  and
   17         WHEREAS, with a current total enrollment of 4,140 students,
   18  Bethune-Cookman University offers 43 degrees through 12 academic
   19  schools and colleges, including 7 graduate programs, and offers
   20  11 online degrees; maintains intercollegiate athletic programs
   21  and instrumental and choral groups that have achieved national
   22  recognition; and is one of 3 private historically black colleges
   23  and universities in this state, and
   24         WHEREAS, on July 13, 2017, after serving as the general
   25  counsel for 2 years, Judge Hubert L. Grimes (Retired) accepted
   26  an appointment as the interim president of Bethune-Cookman
   27  University, bringing with him 25 years of judicial and
   28  administrative experience, and
   29         WHEREAS, during Interim President Grimes’ first 90 days,
   30  the Bethune-Cookman University community adopted the acronym
   31  TIP, pledging “transparency, integrity, and positive action,”
   32  and to that end, the university has maintained accreditations
   33  with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the
   34  Florida State Board of Education, and the United Methodist
   35  Church Board of Higher Education, and
   36         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University has experienced
   37  tremendous growth, with the highest enrollment in the school’s
   38  history and the largest freshman class with more than 1,300
   39  students; has become the first college or university in Florida
   40  and second historically black college or university in the
   41  nation to obtain United States Distance Learning Association
   42  certification; and the university’s online college is now
   43  certified in 25 states and the Bahamas, and
   44         WHEREAS, Bethune-Cookman University develops global leaders
   45  who are committed to service, lifelong learning, and diversity
   46  by providing a faith-based environment of academic excellence
   47  and transformative experiences and since 1943 has graduated more
   48  than 19,000 students, and
   49         WHEREAS, the university’s motto, “Enter to learn. Depart to
   50  serve,” represents a call to action for 21st century learners to
   51  empower themselves and others, connect with their communities,
   52  and influence the world around them, NOW, THEREFORE,
   53  
   54  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   55  
   56         That January 11, 2018, is designated as “Wildcat Day” in
   57  the State of Florida in recognition of Bethune-Cookman
   58  University’s contribution as an outstanding institution of
   59  higher education.
   60         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   61  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the interim
   62  president of Bethune-Cookman University, Judge Hubert L. Grimes,
   63  as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.