[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 51 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING R. PAUL NELSON

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
remarkable educator from my home State of Michigan, R. Paul Nelson. Mr. 
Nelson, the president of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, is 
retiring after 28 years of service to the Aquinas College community.
  Paul Nelson joined Aquinas College in 1969, where he was responsible 
for advising and retaining students. In 1975, Mr. Nelson became dean 
for continuing education, where he implemented innovative programming 
in adult education. He helped to create Aquinas' Graduate Management 
Program, which is now the largest masters degree program in western 
Michigan.
  In 1984, Mr. Nelson became vice-president for student development, 
and he established a model career development program which used both 
field experience and internships to help students explore and begin to 
attain their career goals.
  In 1990, Paul Nelson was named president of Aquinas College by the 
board of trustees. In his 7 years at the helm of this vibrant 
institution, Mr. Nelson brought to life his vision of an Aquinas 
College which serves as a ``faith and values-centered learning 
community committed to educating the whole person for a life and career 
of service.''
  Mr. Nelson has been an accessible leader whose remarkable ability to 
remember the name of any student he met on campus is well known. His 
dedication to educating people of all ages and promoting lifelong 
learning should be a model for all who seek a career in higher 
education. I have no doubt that his career will be an inspiration for 
future educators, students and administrators at Aquinas College.
  Mr. President, I am honored by the opportunity to recognize the 
achievements of R. Paul Nelson, and hope my colleagues will join me in 
extending congratulations and best wishes to him on the occasion of his 
retirement as president of Aquinas College.

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