GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	1 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 311*

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Sponsors: Senators Martin of Pitt and Taft.

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Referred to:  Rules.

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February 28, 1989

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF DR. LEO WARREN JENKINS, FORMER CHANCELLOR OF EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY.
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins was born on May 28, 1913, in Succasunna, New Jersey and was raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins received a B.S. degree in Education from Rutgers University, a masters degree from Columbia University, and a doctorate degree from New York University; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and for his heroism was awarded the Bronze Star and two Presidential Unit Citations; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins began a career in education by teaching in the public schools of New Jersey and at Montclair Teachers College, and as Assistant to the Commissioner for Higher Education of the New Jersey State Department of Education; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins came to North Carolina in 1947, where he became Dean of East Carolina Teachers College and maintained that position until 1960; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins was President of East Carolina College from 1960 until 1967, President of East Carolina University from 1967 until 1972, and Chancellor of East Carolina University from 1972 until his retirement in 1978 because of mandatory retirement at age 65; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins worked tirelessly in transforming East Carolina Teachers College into East Carolina University, as shown by his role in establishing several professional schools, gaining a medical school, attaining University status and becoming part of the University of North Carolina system; and
Whereas, during Leo Warren Jenkins' 31 years at ECU, the growth of the University can be shown by the increase in its student enrollment and faculty, by the increase in the number of its academic programs and by the establishment of the Regional Development Institute; and
Whereas, while Leo Warren Jenkins can best be remembered for his accomplishments at ECU, he can also be remembered for the pride he instilled in the people of Eastern North Carolina and can best be summed up by Jim Shumaker, former Durham Morning Herald managing editor and UNC Journalism Instructor who said, "He is one of the greatest things that ever happened to Eastern North Carolina. He gave Eastern North Carolina a whole new attitude about themselves and their region. He must have spoken to every civic club east of Raleigh at least twice, telling these people how great they were and how great their region was. What he did was as much a lifting of their spirit as of their economy."; and
Whereas, after Leo Warren Jenkins' retirement, he was appointed by former Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., as a special assistant for Economic Development from 1978 until 1984; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins was committed to several organizations and served in many capacities, including Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wachovia Bank and Trust in Greenville, Chairman of the North Carolina Council of State Universities, Member of the Legislative Study Commission on Student Financial Aid, Member of the National Commission on Higher Education Accrediting; Director of the Triangle Chapter of the National Football Hall of Fame, Member of the Board of the North Carolina Symphony Society, Member of the Council on Postsecondary Education, and Delegate to the White House Conference on Education; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins was honored as Citizen of the Year and awarded the Golden Deeds Award by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, and received the North Carolina Public Service Award in 1977; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins received two honorary degrees, Doctor of Humanities from ECU and Doctor of Human Letters from Campbell University; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins died on January 14, 1989; and
Whereas, Leo Warren Jenkins leaves to mourn, his wife, Nancy Murray Jenkins; his children, Dr. James J. Jenkins of St. Louis, Missouri; Jack W. Jenkins of Morehead City, North Carolina; Jeffrey D. Jenkins of Washington, North Carolina; Patricia Hogan, of Greenville, North Carolina; Dr. Sallie Person of Werzburg, West Germany; and Suzanne Lodge of Buffalo, New York; his eleven grandchildren and a host of other family and friends;
Whereas, it is only fitting for the General Assembly to honor Leo Warren Jenkins;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly of North Carolina wishes to honor the life and memory of Leo Warren Jenkins for his contributions to East Carolina University and in the field of education, for the pride he instilled in the citizens of Eastern North Carolina and for his distinguished leadership.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly of North Carolina wishes to express its sympathy to the family of Leo Warren Jenkins for his loss.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Leo Warren Jenkins.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.