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.