[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 45 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. KARL S. WRIGHT

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                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise with great gladness 
over the inauguration of Dr. Karl S. Wright as the 11th President of 
Florida Memorial University. On March 15, 2007 he will take over the 
reins of this university amidst ceremonies that evoke the historical 
significance of this occasion. Having earned his Ph.D. in Economics at 
Mississippi State University and his bachelor's and master's degrees 
from the University of Maryland at College Park, Dr. Wright will 
preside over South Florida's only historically Black institution of 
higher learning which has played a major role in responding to the 
needs of a burgeoning urban center like Miami-Dade County.
  He is not new to the challenge since he has served as executive vice-
president and provost when he oversaw the dramatic increase in the size 
of its student enrollment. He has actively participated in navigating 
the rough waters of this university's change from a college status to 
that of a university. Dr. Wright is no stranger to this institution's 
upgrading since he has managed not only the quality of the faculty and 
staff, but also the number of courses and degree programs that now 
validate its status as a major university.
  Being an institution of higher learning alongside the Baptist 
tradition, Dr. Wright's role is enhanced by his commitment to religious 
education amidst the challenge of academic achievement and higher 
learning, emphasizing financial management and entrepreneurship, 
aerospace engineering and personal development. He has also devised a 
very innovative program on physical fitness and dropout prevention 
strategies during a time when this urban university reaches out to 
inner city students in need of mentoring and tutorial assistance. These 
unique programs are making Florida Memorial University into one of 
those pioneering institutions whereby its outreach efforts to the youth 
of Miami-Dade County and beyond are generating dividends toward 
enhancing its prestige and reputation.
  In the midst of these innovative educational strategies, Dr. Wright 
will continue to strengthen this university's graduate degree 
accreditation process, while expanding qualitatively its presence in 
the South Florida community and throughout nearby countries within the 
Caribbean basin. Having served for 7 years as Dean of the School of 
Business at South Carolina State University, he is well equipped with 
his educational background and hands-on experience to bring the 
necessary upgrade toward ensuring that Florida Memorial University 
become indeed a world-class university.
  Defined by his ability to reach out beyond the confines of a 
university setting, Dr. Wright will no doubt bank on his role on the 
Miami-Dade County Investment Advisory Committee, as well as on the 
prestigious 100 Black Men of Ft. Lauderdale to give him the necessary 
tools to consolidate community and business support for the university. 
Most importantly, Dr. Wright has been recognized by the Kellogg 
Foundation as a leadership Fellow, and has earned kudos from the 
American Association of State Colleges and University, which recently 
selected him to participate in the Millennium Presidential Leadership 
Fellows Initiative.
  As he is sworn into office, I am confident that Dr. Karl S. Wright 
will demonstrate to all those called upon by public service that 
excellence is never beyond the reach of those willing to make the 
sacrifice and dare the impossible on behalf of our leaders of tomorrow. 
I rest assured that he is truly imbued with the personal integrity and 
intellectual acumen to bring Florida Memorial University into one of 
the leading universities in our State.

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