[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S5181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. DAVID M. GIPP

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to an 
extraordinary scholar, leader, and friend, Dr. David M. Gipp.
  On May 2, Dr. Gipp will celebrate 30 years at the helm of United 
Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. United Tribes Technical 
College, UTTC, is the only intertribally owned postsecondary vocational 
institution in the Nation. Since its founding in 1969, the college has 
served more than 10,000 students representing 75 federally recognized 
tribes.
  During his tenure as president, Dr. Gipp has spearheaded an 
incredible transformation of the college and in higher education for 
American Indians. Dr. Gipp was the first executive director of the 
American Indian Higher Education Consortium and later he served as its 
president. He was instrumental in the formulation of the Tribal 
Colleges or Universities Assistance Act, which started to address the 
Federal Government's obligation in providing higher education for 
American Indians.
  Under Dr. Gipp's leadership, UTTC has grown from just over 100 
students and 12 programs of study to more than 1,018 students for the 
2006-2007 school year with 24 different 2-year and certificate programs 
and bachelor's programs. In this time, Dr. Gipp has led the college's 
transition from traditional vocational trades to programs geared toward 
the labor needs of Indian Country. He also propelled UTTC into becoming 
the first tribal college in the Nation to be authorized to offer full 
online degree programs. In recent years, Dr. Gripp has led the fight to 
restore funding for the college that was cut from the Department of 
Interior's budget.
  Dr. Gipp has been an agent of positive change in the lives of 
thousands of students who have attended United Tribes Technical 
College. He is a true champion for higher education and a powerful 
national advocate for the tribal colleges. His passion is infectious, 
and he has empowered individuals to reach to their goals no matter how 
small or large.
  John Quincy Adams once said ``[I]f your actions inspire others to 
dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.'' 
Dr. Gipp is a leader in every sense of the word. I want to extend my 
congratulations to Dr. Gipp on 30 years as president of United Tribes 
Technical College.

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