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TO CONGRATULATE DR. ELIZABETH A. FLEMING, PRESIDENT OF CONVERSE COLLEGE, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has learned that Dr. Elizabeth A. Fleming, ninth president of Converse College, will retire in June 2016 from a distinguished career in both art and education, the past eleven years of which have been spent in her present position at Converse; and
Whereas, in preparation for her life's work, Betsy Fleming graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in fine arts, followed by a master's degree in history of design from the Royal College of Art in London and a doctorate in the history of art from Yale University; and
Whereas, in the course of her career, she has served in administrative and curatorial positions at the Frick Collection and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, J. Paul Getty Trust in Los Angeles, Yale University Art Gallery, and Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Dr. Fleming also has taught at Yale and Parsons School of Design, and she lectures widely on creativity, art and design history, women, and leadership. Immediately prior to her arrival in 2005 at Converse, Dr. Fleming was executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston; and
Whereas, Dr. Fleming always has given of her time and expertise beyond the gates of the college. An Aspen Institute Liberty Fellow, she currently serves on the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing Boards, the Council of Independent Colleges Steering Committee in the Future of Higher Education, and she is on the board of directors for both the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (Charlotte branch) and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. She previously has served on the boards of the Women's College Coalition and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; and
Whereas, Converse's accomplishments, evolution, and growth under Dr. Fleming's leadership have transformed the institution, building upon the school's distinctive strengths in order to serve well the students of today. A few of the school's advancements include launching a new brand for the college that enhances its stature as a master's university, celebrates the creativity and outcomes of its high-quality educational product, and highlights its differentiating aspects of voice, value and vision; establishing such new academic programs as musical theatre, genetic counseling, healthcare administration, and contemporary music/media applications; building a highly competitive intercollegiate athletic program as the only women's college competing at the NCAA Division II level, including admission into Conference Carolinas and growing from five to eleven sports programs; raising more than $76 million to support all aspects of the college; and
Whereas, Ben Wall, chairman of the Converse College Board of Trustees, praises Dr. Fleming for the boldness, creativity, vision, and energy with which she has led the school for more than a decade; and
Whereas, the General Assembly, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Dr. Fleming has bestowed on this great State, takes great pleasure in wishing her well as she enters retirement and trusts she will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. Elizabeth A. Fleming, president of Converse College, upon the occasion of her retirement, commend her for her many years of dedicated service as an educator, and wish her much happiness and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. Elizabeth A. Fleming.
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