HR0384 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0384 LRB096 12739 GRL 26475 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Frank G. Pogue on the occasion of his finished tenure as Interim President of Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Pogue was educated as a sociologist, having earned his bachelor's degree from Alabama State University, his master's degree from Atlanta University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Pogue has had a long and distinguished career in education; he served as a vice chancellor for student affairs and special programs at the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration in Albany for ten years; during his tenure as vice chancellor, he served for a year as interim president at the SUNY College at Cobleskill; and

WHEREAS, On July 1, 1996, Dr. Frank Pogue was appointed to serve as president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, becoming the first African-American to lead a traditionally white college or university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; his years of service at Edinboro were marked by unprecedented growth and advancement in academic programs, graduate enrollment, campus facilities, and fundraising, as well as the expansion of the school's academic programs; he was also instrumental in the growth of the college's online programs, which contributed to significant growth in graduate enrollment; under his leadership, new accreditation was achieved in the areas of education, business, and social work, with additional accreditation efforts underway in art, theatre, and journalism; the university was also re-accredited with commendation for 10 years by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 2003; and

WHEREAS, After 11 years at Edinboro, Dr. Frank Pogue retired and briefly enjoyed family life in Delaware; on July 15, 2008, he became the Interim President of Chicago State University; during his service as Interim President, he devoted his efforts to create a student-centered CSU family built on the ideals of civility; in order to help guide the University through a transition year and to prepare the University for the next administration, he directed the creation of the 2009-2010 21st Century Strategic Planning Document, an in-depth, comprehensive planning tool to serve as a roadmap for the future of the university; he established Founders Day to remember and recognize the University's beginnings; he helped boost the school's morale through the CSU Family Pin and a CSU Employee Recognition Day; he also created a Community Outreach Committee to forge a connection between CSU and the region's many churches and civic and social organizations; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Pogue is a participant in several national, regional, and State-wide leadership groups, including the American Council on Education's (ACE) Commission on Women in Higher Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative, the advisory council of affiliated institutions for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), the Board of Directors on Pennsylvania Campus Compact, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Commission for the Universities, the Executive Board of a Community of Agile Partners in Education (CAPE), and numerous higher education advisory panels for Pennsylvania governors Tom Ridge and Edward G. Rendell; and

WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania, Dr. Frank Pogue served on the Boards of Directors for the Meadville Area Industrial Commission, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra; he also served on the corporate boards for the Hamot Health Foundation, the Saint Vincent Health Center, and the Meadville Medical Center; his leadership benefited many regional fundraising initiatives, including the Erie County State Employees Combined Appeal campaign, the Erie Day School's Adopt-A-Scholar scholarship drive, the Annual Campaign of the Greater Erie County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the 2007 United Arts Fund Drive; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Pogue has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades; in 2007, he was honored by Governor and Mrs. Ed Rendell for his dedication and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; he was honored by PASSHE with a resolution citing his contributions, as well as the Cornerstone of Excellence Award; he was the recipient of the Patrick Locco Memorial Leadership Award from Leadership Erie; he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in Public Service and President Emeritus status from Edinboro University's Council of Trustees during the 2007 Spring Commencement; the Council of Trustees also named the Frank G. Pogue Student Center in his honor; in addition, the SUNY at Albany Council of Trustees presented him the Distinguished Service Award for Leadership and Vision in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Pogue resides in New Castle, Delaware with his wife, Dorothy; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank Pogue serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Frank G. Pogue on the occasion of his finished tenure as Interim President of Chicago State University and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Frank Pogue as a symbol of our esteem and respect.