WHEREAS, Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre, the president of Central Washington University, will retire from the Office of the President on December 31, 2008; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre is the first woman to serve as the university's president, a post she assumed in July 2000; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Arts in Journalism at Stanford University and received her Doctor of Philosophy in History and Communications from the University of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre served on the faculty at California State University at Chico, at the University of Iowa, and at the University of Utah, where she also served as vice president for academic affairs and as interim president; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre, CWU's 13th president, has led the university through a period of unprecedented growth in enrollment, which has increased 27 percent since 2001; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre has made diversity a priority, increasing the percentage of students of color from 12.9 percent in 2000 to 20 percent in fall 2007; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre established the Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series, which has brought nationally renowned speakers and artists to central Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. McIntyre's commitment to stewardship of public facilities has won national recognition, beautified CWU's residential and University Center campuses, and energized student life and enriched programs; and
     WHEREAS, President McIntyre launched the university's first comprehensive fund-raising campaign, a 21 million dollar initiative that is nearly completed; and
     WHEREAS, Funding associated with grants and research has tripled during President McIntyre's tenure;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate extend to Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre their sincere thanks for her service to the people of Washington and her work to expand educational opportunity for the citizens of our state; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Dr. Jerilyn S. McIntyre and the Board of Trustees of Central Washington University.