SR464: SR464 Whirl, Dr. Jermaine; recognize

25 LC 129 0309 Senate Resolution 464 By: Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Anderson of the 24th, Burns of the 23rd, Jones II of the 22nd, Wicks of the 34th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Dr. Jermaine Whirl, the incoming President of Savannah State1 University; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Dr. Jermaine Whirl has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the3 vital role that he has played in leadership and his deep personal commitment to the welfare4 of the citizens of Georgia; and5 WHEREAS, Dr. Whirl, an Aspen Fellow, is a nationally sought-aft er, award-winning6 authority in workforce and higher education; and 7 WHEREAS, Dr. Whirl has demonstrated his exceptional leadership talents as the President8 of Augusta Technical College, as well as in various positions a t Greenville Technical9 College, Gwinnett Technical College, Savannah Technical College , East Georgia State10 College, and Georgia Southern University; and11 WHEREAS, beginning April 1, 2025, Dr. Whirl will serve as the President of Savannah State12 University; and13 S. R. 464 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0309 WHEREAS, during his remarkable tenure at Augusta Technical Coll ege, Dr. Whirl14 completed a full rebrand of the institution, implemented a new five-year strategic plan,15 established five new academic schools, and was instrumental in the creation of innovative16 and progressive programs; and17 WHEREAS, Dr. Whirl established Accelerate Augusta, a $2.3 milli on incubator-18 microenterprise center in partnership with the Downtown Develop ment Authority of19 Augusta; and 20 WHEREAS, he is also the only college president in the United St ates selected to serve a21 three-year term on the United States Inaugural 21st Century Ene rgy Workforce Advisory22 Board that provides guidance to the Secretary of Energy; and23 WHEREAS, Dr. Whirls commitment to excellence has been recognize d by the numerous24 awards he has received, including the Paragon Award for new pre sidents from Phi Theta25 Kappa, the Leadership Award from the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce, as26 a 2024 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree, and as a 2025 Georgia Trend Notable Georgian27 honoree; and28 WHEREAS, he is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for29 integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and30 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this31 remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.32 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body33 recognize and commend Dr. Jermaine Whirl, congratulate him upon becoming the President34 S. R. 464 - 2 - 25 LC 129 0309 of Savannah State University, and extend their most since best wishes for his continued35 success. 36 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed37 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Dr. Jermaine38 Whirl.39 S. R. 464 - 3 -