A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

TO COMMEND THE BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS IN NATURAL SCIENCES AT THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS, from 1995 through 1998, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education awarded Commendations of Excellence to all six baccalaureate programs in natural sciences at the College of Charleston: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Biochemistry, and Marine Biology; and

WHEREAS, each of the science programs exceeds the productivity standards of the Commission on Higher Education; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Biology runs a strong, high-quality undergraduate program with graduates accepted into professional graduate schools throughout the region and nation; and

WHEREAS, the Marine Biology program is a truly exceptional program, with outstanding teaching and research competency; and

WHEREAS, the Chemistry program is an outstanding program from every perspective; and

WHEREAS the Biochemistry program has a commendable record of achievement in preparing students for medical programs, graduate school, and professional activities; and

WHEREAS, during the last twenty years, eighty-five percent of the graduates from the Geology department have either continued for advanced degrees at other institutions or are employed in jobs in geology or science-related fields, with many remaining in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the Physics program is a model for four-year colleges and other South Carolina institutions should follow its model of attention to the needs of undergraduates with diverse career aspirations; and

WHEREAS, each of the baccalaureate programs at the College of Charleston remains popular with students, making the College of Charleston a leader in producing baccalaureate degrees in the natural sciences; and

WHEREAS, the faculty in the natural sciences are remarkably active in research and other scholarly activities, as well as outreach and services; and

WHEREAS, the faculty publish their work in quality refereed journals, regularly present papers at professional meetings, and participate in numerous other professional activities at the regional, national and international levels; and

WHEREAS, based on interviews with students and faculty, a spirit of collegiality and cooperativeness seems to prevail and there is very good student-faculty rapport; and

WHEREAS, the faculty were perceived by students to be highly accessible at all times; and

WHEREAS, the College of Charleston is the largest provider of students for the Medical University of South Carolina.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives:

THAT the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, commends and honors the baccalaureate programs in natural sciences at the College of Charleston for their achievement and progress in pursuing academic excellence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the baccalaureate programs in natural sciences at the College of Charleston.

We hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed in the House of Representatives and concurred in by the Senate.

David H. Wilkins, Speaker Sandra K. McKinney, Clerk of the House Frank Caggiano, Clerk of the Senate

February 10, 2000