[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1716-E1717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DR. JAMES T. HARRIS ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS PRESIDENT OF 
                           WIDENER UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to welcome and 
congratulate the new president of Widener University, Dr. James T. 
Harris III. Founded in 1821, Widener University is composed of eight 
schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional 
and preprofessional curricula. A comprehensive, teaching institution 
chartered in both Pennsylvania and Delaware, Widener is a three-campus 
university offering 150 programs of study leading to an associate's, 
bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Dr. Harris becomes only the 
ninth president in Widener's rich 181-year history to lead this 
institution in continued excellence.

[[Page E1717]]

  Prior to assuming the top post at Widener, Dr. Harris recently served 
as president of Defiance College in Ohio. With Dr. Harris at the helm, 
Defiance's enrollment grew to its highest level in three decades, had 
the best 4-year graduation rate in the school's history, and rose out 
of severe financial difficulties. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Harris 
improved the lives of his student by teaching them the value of 
community service and responsible citizenship. The service-learning 
program he instituted continues to positively impact the surrounding 
community and the college's academic program. The success of this 
program ranked Dr. Harris in the Sir John Templeton Foundation's 
prestigious Honor Roll as one of the top 50 Character Building 
Presidents in America.
  I look forward to watching Widener and the three communities it 
serves—Chester, PA, Harrisburg, PA, and Wilmington, DE, achieve 
new heights and benefit from Dr. Harris' experience and leadership. 
Widener and Dr. Harris stand as shining examples that the greatest 
service one can provide is to educate another. Mr. Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues in the House to join me in thanking Dr. Harris for his 
contributions to our education system and wish him well in his new 
endeavor.

                          ____________________