H*5225 Concurrent Resolution, By McMahand, M.O. Alexander, Anderson, B.O. Baker, 
Cato, Haskins, M.F. Jaskwhich, J.G. Mattos, Vaughn and Wilkins
 A Concurrent Resolution to recognize Dr. Thomas Elliott Kerns of Greenville,
 Superintendent of the School District of Greenville County, upon his
 retirement after thirty-nine years of service in the district.

   05/19/94  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-22
   05/24/94  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-23

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE DR. THOMAS ELLIOTT KERNS OF GREENVILLE, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF GREENVILLE COUNTY, UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-NINE YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE DISTRICT.

Whereas, Dr. Thomas Elliott Kerns of Greenville, Superintendent of the School District of Greenville County, has retired after thirty-nine years of service in the district; and

Whereas, Dr. Kerns graduated from Sterling High School, 1949, received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, 1953, studied at New York University and Atlanta University, and received a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University in New York, 1969, and a Doctor of Education Degree from the University of South Carolina, 1983; and

Whereas, Dr. Kerns has held various positions with the School District of Greenville County since 1955. These positions include teacher of Social Studies and French, Guidance Counselor, Assistant Principal, Assistant Director, Area Superintendent, Associate Superintendent for Personnel Services, Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent; and

Whereas, he is an active member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, South Carolina Association of School Superintendents, American Association of School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Phi Delta Kappa, North Greenville Rotary Club, St. Philips Episcopal Church and Delta Beta Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Dr. Kern is presently on the Board of Trustees for Greenville Hospital System, Voorhees College, and John de la Howe School, on the Board of Directors for the State Chamber of Commerce, Palmetto Society of the United Way of Greenville, Greenville Urban League, Greenville Symphony Association, Greenville Technical College Board of Commissioners, and Success by Six, and serves on the Advisory Council for Furman University; and

Whereas, as an unselfish servant of the people who has willingly given of himself and his time, Dr. Kerns has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Some of these include the Order of the Palmetto, Governor Carroll Campbell, presented by Representative David Wilkins, March 1994; Top 100 School Executives, The Executive Educator, 1993; Outstanding Superintendent, South Carolina School Boards Association, October, 1991; The Presidential Award, National Association of Partners in Education, 1990; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Alliance for Arts Education, School Administrators Award, 1991; South Carolina Alliance for Arts Education, 1991 School Administrator Award; Vocational Man of the Year, Greenville Breakfast Rotary Club, 1991; Honorary Life Membership, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, 1991; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Citizenship Award for Outstanding Community Leadership and Dedication to Education, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Gamma Gamma Lambda Chapter, Greenville, 1992; Outstanding Leadership Award, Principals of The School District of Greenville County, 1993; and The Piedmont Health Care Foundation 1988 Grants in Recognition of the Contributions Made to the Enrichment of the Quality to the Life of the Greenville Community; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are proud to note the many accomplishments of Dr. Kerns, thank him for all he has done to make his community and South Carolina a better place in which to live, and wish him well as he begins his much deserved retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly recognize Dr. Thomas Elliott Kerns of Greenville, Superintendent of the School District of Greenville County, upon his retirement after thirty-nine years of service in the district.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Kerns.