A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the founders of mars hill college during the college's one hundred FIFTIETH anniversary.

Whereas, Mars Hill College was founded in 1856 by pioneer families that settled in Madison County; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1859; and
Whereas, Dr. R.L. Moore, a native of Caldwell County, became the 17th president of Mars Hill College in 1898 and served in that position for 41 years; and
Whereas, during Dr. Moore's tenure as president, he helped guide the college during its move to a full and accredited junior college, allowing Mars Hill to become one of the premier junior colleges in the country at that time; and
Whereas, a photo history book about Mars Hill College, Through the Long Years, stated "Over the next 41 years, Dr. Moore led in the erection of nine new buildings and the improvement of other facilities, increased the faculty and the enrollment, transformed the academic programs to the junior college curriculum, significantly raised the college's reputation in the academic world so that graduates could easily transfer to senior colleges, greatly upgraded communication with constituents through publications, and achieved and maintained financial stability. By the time he retired in June 1938 the college was in good shape and ready for a new and promising era."; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College transitioned to a four‑year college in the early 1960s, awarding its first baccalaureate degrees in 1964; and
Whereas, today, Mars Hill College offers 30 majors and 33 minors and serves the needs of adults in the region by offering evening classes in six counties; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College is the home of the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College continues its longstanding mission to educate first‑generation college students, awarding $2 million in Title III grants and having a large number of participants in the Bonner Scholars Program; and
Whereas, 60% of the students enrolled at Mars Hill College are North Carolinians; and
Whereas, more western North Carolina K‑12 teachers come from Mars Hill College than any other private institution; and
Whereas, in a recent statewide review of all teacher preparation programs, Mars Hill College was ranked fourth among the 31 private North Carolina institutions; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College was among the first institutions of higher education in the State to be fully integrated and has consistently led the Western North Carolina colleges in percentage of minority enrollment; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College is the oldest institution of higher education in Western North Carolina still located on its original site and is the home of the Mars Hill College Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College was one of the first institutions of higher education to give emphasis to service learning for undergraduates, which has contributed to the institution's alumni as being known as some of the most dedicated and service-oriented students; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College has approximately 19,000 living alumni, of which more than 10,000 are North Carolina residents; and
Whereas, many of Mars Hill College's alumni have found success as college and university presidents and chancellors; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College alumni include Lamar Stringfield, founder of the North Carolina Symphony, and Douglas Ferguson, founder of the Pigeon Forge Pottery; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College competes in 19 intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College contributes to the economy of Madison County, serving as the second largest employer in the County; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College is the birthplace of Bascom Lamar Lunsford, known as the "Minstrel of the Appalachians"; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College is home of the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre and the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, 13‑time national champions; and
Whereas, Mars Hill College has been having a yearlong celebration in honor of its 150th anniversary; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly recognizes and honors the founders of Mars Hill College for their vision, commends the institution for its contributions to North Carolina and its people, and extends congratulations on the institution's sesquicentennial anniversary.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of Mars Hill College.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 31st day of July, 2007.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives