[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TURNING THE BATTLE AROUND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 25, 2007

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to proudly honor, but sadly 
send away, one of Baltimore's finest citizens and leaders: Dr. Stanley 
F. Battle, who recently left his post as the President of Coppin State 
University, located in my district.
  Dr. Battle is a man of vision--and true to his name, he turned the 
battle around to achieve victory for thousands of college students, 
faculty and the entire Baltimore community.
  When Dr. Battle took the helm of this great historically black 
liberal arts institution in March 2003, Coppin was at a different place 
than it is today.
  Then classified as a college, Coppin was severely underfunded--a 
situation further escalated by budget cuts to higher education 
institutions, and a slow economy.
  Yet, where critics saw dark clouds--Dr. Battle saw sunlight.
  One of his most notable accomplishments was to establish the campus 
as the first completely wireless campus in the University System of 
Maryland.
  Through Dr. Battle's leadership, Coppin pioneered the Tegrity Campus, 
which combines digital audio and video recording of the class lectures 
with electronic note-taking and computer usage. These technological 
innovations were noticed by the prestigious U.S. News & World Report 
magazine, which ranked Coppin as one of the top 50 U.S. colleges and 
universities with absolute wireless capacity.
  Then, within 1 year and 1 month of Dr. Battle's tenure as president, 
Coppin received university status for the first time in its history.
  The following academic year, enrollment increased by 11 percent.
  Dr. Battle's innovation reached beyond the campus--as he created 
several initiatives to uplift children in Baltimore City Schools, and 
empower them to attend college. One such initiative was the Academic 
Enrichment Academy that offers a free SAT Camp.
  Another project he spearheaded was the Talented Ten African American 
Male Mentoring Program. He also collaborated with Baltimore Public 
Schools to create several programs to uplift children.
  He continued building strong relationships with Baltimore's faith-
based community.
  Joining with the Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, 
Dr. Battle also helped bring together members of the university and the 
neighbors of the campus to redevelop and revitalize the area 
surrounding Coppin. He further facilitated the campus's growth from 38 
to 52 acres.
  In terms of research expansion, Dr. Battle facilitated increased 
external research grants and established the Raymond V. Haysbert 
Research Center.
  As the Congressman representing Coppin, I was proud to work with Dr. 
Battle as I helped secure a grant for a major research project, and 
other funding for educational and transportation programs.
  On July 1, 2007, Dr. Battle will begin his role as the Chancellor at 
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University in Greensboro, NC.
  It is a great loss for the Baltimore community and for Coppin State 
University.
  However, he leaves behind a legacy that has forever changed us--and 
made an impact on the future leaders of America.
  Nevertheless, as a strong believer in expanding high quality 
education to all Americans, I am joyful that the community of North 
Carolina A&T University is receiving a great gift as Dr. Battle as its 
chancellor.
  Dr. Battle's legacy of turning around battles will continue to 
reverberate throughout Maryland for years to come.

                          ____________________