Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HR 1129: Elkins, Penny L., Ph.D; commend

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action January 28, 2026 · Passed

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House Resolution 1129

By: Representatives Herring of the 145th, Jones of the 143rd, Paris of the 142nd, Washburn of the 144th, Reeves of the 99th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D.; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D., was elected as Mercer University's 19th president, taking office on January 1, 2026; and

WHEREAS, President Elkins, a life-long educator, has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues, associates, and students during her more than 30-year career in education; and

WHEREAS, President Elkins is not only the first female president in the university's nearly 200-year history, but also the first Mercer graduate to serve as president since 1979 and the first Double Bear to serve since 1959; and

WHEREAS, prior to her election, President Elkins served as Mercer University’s senior vice president for enrollment management, leading the university in achieving record-breaking enrollment growth, including an 80 percent increase in freshman enrollment and 47 percent increase in the total residential undergraduate student population; and

WHEREAS, during her remarkable tenure at Mercer, Dr. Elkins has led several cross-functional and interdisciplinary initiatives and was instrumental in the creation of the Department of Educational Leadership and the first doctoral program in the College of Education; and

WHEREAS, President Elkins’ significant organizational and leadership talents, remarkable patience and diplomacy, keen sense of vision, and sensitivity to the needs of her students and staff have earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and associates; and

WHEREAS, she is a person of exceptional strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D. for her lifetime of dedicated service, congratulate her upon being elected President of Mercer University, and extend best wishes for her continued health, happiness, and success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D.