[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 162 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2157-E2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING DIANE CAREY WOODRUFF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2001

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Diane Carey Woodruff, who is retiring after 13 years of service with 
Napa Valley College.
  She joined the campus in 1988 and served as Vice President of 
Instruction and Student Services for five years. In 1992 she was 
selected President of the College, the first and only woman to achieve 
this honor in the school's 60-year history, and has served her 
community with distinction.
  Under her leadership, a second campus was built, as were four other 
buildings at the main campus, the Child Care Center, the Community 
Education Center, the Trefethen Family Viticultural Center, and the 
Napa Valley Vintners Teaching Winery. The latter two facilities were 
100 percent funded through community contributions.
  President Woodruff also successfully persuaded employers in the 
community to fund five faculty positions.
  During her tenure, the Napa Valley College Foundation became one of 
the top ten community colleges foundations in California in terms of 
providing mini grants, equipment, scholarships, and an endowed chair to 
the college.
  President Woodruff also developed a ``Naming Opportunities Program'' 
to develop new programs and to increase financial support for the 
college. The Belle Rhodes Teaching Kitchen, the Elizabeth Brereton 
Conference room, the Jess and Mary Doud Distance Learning Center, the 
Virginia Murdoff Counseling Center, and the Ann Marie Koropkin Student 
Center have all benefited under her leadership.

[[Page E2158]]

  President Woodruff has received recognition from the community for 
her work to increase diversity on campus, including the Award of Merit 
from Napa County Landmarks for her leadership in establishing the 
Native American Dedication Garden at the Upper Valley Campus.
  Among her innovations, she developed programs in paralegal services, 
viticulture, computer networking, culinary arts and a Fish and Game 
Academy. She also developed and implemented a comprehensive technology 
plan to better serve the students, faculty, and staff, including on-
line non-credit classes and live interactive classes between the two 
Napa Valley campuses.
  President Woodruff has also been an active participant in the 
community with such organizations as Napa Rotary, Leadership Napa 
Valley, the Culinary Institute of America, the Napa Valley Opera House, 
Queen of the Valley Hospital, the Napa Chamber of Commerce and the Napa 
Valley Symphony.
  Mr. Speaker, President Diane Carey Woodruff has served her college 
and her community tremendously well. Therefore, it is appropriate that 
we honor her today for her many contributions and wish her well in her 
retirement.

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