[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO E.W. DENNISON

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to E.W. 
Dennison, the Murray State University Athletic Director. Mr. Dennison 
is an outstanding leader under whose guidance Murray State University 
has achieved an important balance between athletics and scholarship.
  In the 6 years since Mr. Dennison assumed his position as athletic 
director, Murray State University has seen a marked improvement in its 
graduation rate for student athletes. According to the Chronicle of 
Higher Education's 2003-2004 Almanac issue, Murray State University 
ranks first for having the highest graduation rate among NCAA Division 
I institutions in Kentucky. This is the second straight year Murray 
State University has led Kentucky's State-funded institutions in 
graduation rates of athletes. Prior to Mr. Dennison's tenure as 
athletic director, it had been several years since Murray State 
University graduated a senior basketball player. This year Mr. Dennison 
boasts the readiness of several senior basketball players to graduate.
  Additionally, Mr. Dennison has set high standards for academic 
achievement. The grade point average (GPA) for student athletes at 
Murray State University is as high as the GPA of the larger student 
body. Mr. Dennison stresses the importance of good study habits and 
higher learning and his athletes will graduate with a preparedness for 
more than just athletics.
  Murray State University's athletics programs are poised for a record-
setting year on the playing field this year. The balance of academics 
and athletics that Mr. Dennison has achieved has not come at the 
expense of either discipline. Rather, Murray State University student 
athletes are excelling in the classroom and on the playing fields.
  Mr. Dennison is a paragon of leadership in Kentucky's institutions of 
higher education, and his leadership is one that should be emulated 
across this country. He is a tribute to Kentucky. I thank the Senate 
for allowing me to honor this remarkable man.

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