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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. JANE T. UPSHAW, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEAUFORT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that Dr. Jane T. Upshaw will begin a well-deserved retirement after many years of outstanding service to the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB); and
Whereas, in preparation for her career in education, Jane Upshaw earned a bachelor's degree in 1969 and a master's degree in 1971, both from Auburn University in mathematics. She worked as a graduate teaching assistant and instructor at Auburn; and
Whereas, early in her career, Dr. Upshaw served as a mathematics teacher at Scott Preparatory School in Opelika, Alabama, then as a consultant in load and market research and as a project manager for Southern Engineering Company of Georgia in Atlanta from 1977 to 1979. She became the senior applications engineer for Sangomo Weston in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 1979, and began working for Georgia Power Company in Atlanta in 1980 as an economic analyst. From 1981 to 1986, Dr. Upshaw taught mathematics and served as the department chair at May River Academy in Bluffton. During that time, she began her long and distinguished career with USCB, serving first as an adjunct professor of mathematics from 1983 to 1986; and
Whereas, she continued in the mathematics department, first as an instructor and then as a professor, serving as the university's department chair from 1988 to 1996, during which time she earned a doctorate from the University of South Carolina in mathematics education. In 1996, Dr. Upshaw became the director of development for USCB, and later served as the dean of the university; and
Whereas, under her leadership, the USCB main campus in Bluffton was conceived and built, including Hargray, Science and Technology, and library buildings, the Campus Center, Recreation Center, and seven student housing buildings. In addition, under her tenure, the Beaufort College Building was restored, the Beaufort campus was expanded, the funding and design of the Hospitality Management and Osher Lifelong Learning Building on Hilton Head Island were developed, the academic programs expanded from five to over twenty-five areas of study, and the USCB Sand Shark Intercollegiate athletics program was founded and began competing in the NAIA; and
Whereas, since 2002, she has provided outstanding leadership to the university as its first female chancellor. Under her guidance the university received the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Initial Baccalaureate Level II Accreditation in 2004, national accreditation of the USCB nursing degree from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2009, and national accreditation of the education degree from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in 2010. USCB also received the Beaufort Regional Chamber Civitas Regional Economic Impact Award in 2012; and
Whereas, Dr. Upshaw has held numerous roles in professional organizations, including serving as the chair of the Women Presidents and Chancellors from 2006 to 2007 and on the Professional Development Committee from 2007 to 2010 for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; and
Whereas, she has contributed numerous scholarly articles for publication and has been a presenter and invited lecturer in a myriad of venues on behalf of USCB and other professional topics; and
Whereas, devoted to her community, Dr. Upshaw served on the board of directors for Coastal Carolina Hospital from 2011 to 2013, the National Bank of South Carolina from 2007 to 2012, and the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce since 2000, serving as its chair from January 2006 to July 2007; and
Whereas, she has served as an elder of First Presbyterian Church since 1987 and on the Lowcountry Economic Network/Alliance since 2000; and
Whereas, Dr. Upshaw's honors include Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 1996, the 2006 Woman of the Year Lowcountry Girl Scout Council, the 2007 Zonta Outstanding Woman of the Year Award, the 2008 Auburn University College of Science and Mathematics Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2009 Jasper County Chamber Business Education Partner Award, the 2009 Martha Kime Piper Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award, the 2013 Beaufort Rotary Bowl, and the Hilton Head Chamber Organization of the Year Award; and
Whereas, the members of the Senate are grateful for the years of unparalleled dedication that Dr. Upshaw has devoted to USCB and wish her many years of enjoyment in her well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Jane T. Upshaw, Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Beaufort, upon the occasion of her retirement after thirty years of outstanding service, and wish her continued success and happiness in the years to come.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Jane T. Upshaw.
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