[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4479-S4480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LOUIS FERNANDEZ

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to ask my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing Dr. Louis Fernandez as he retires from a long 
career in public service as provost and vice president for academic 
affairs with California State University, San Bernardino. His service 
and commitment to the students, faculty, and staff of California State 
University, San Bernardino, and to his community have provided an 
example for us all.
  After earning his doctorate in geology from Syracuse University, Dr. 
Fernandez served at several institutions of higher learning throughout 
the Nation. At each of these universities, Dr. Fernandez was as an 
exemplary educator and community leader. Through his career at the 
University of New Orleans as a professor, dean and department chair, 
Dr. Fernandez worked to secure the university's first National Science 
Foundation grant to recruit and mentor underrepresented students in the 
geosciences. The State of Louisiana named him Educational Administrator 
of the Year in 1991, and he has since received numerous laudatory 
titles and honors for his work in education.
  Dr. Fernandez later joined the California State University, San

[[Page S4480]]

Bernardino campus. By 1994 he served as acting vice president for 
academic affairs, and was named provost a year later. Since then, Dr. 
Fernandez has served the university and the surrounding communities by 
working to secure a sound academic plan for academic growth, a 
responsible university budget, and a university-wide commitment to 
student diversity.
  For several years, Dr. Fernandez chaired the National Association of 
Geology Teachers Minority Affairs Committee. He served on the National 
Science Foundation's Advisory Committee to the Earth Sciences. He 
chaired the American Geological Institute's Minority Participation 
Program Advisory Committee, and as a member of the Geological Society 
of America's Ad Hoc Committee on Minorities, and the National 
Association of Geology Teacher's Minority Scholarship Program. For his 
broad service and leadership, the Hispanic Caucus of the American 
Association of Higher Education awarded him the Outstanding Support of 
Hispanic Issues in Higher Education Award.
  Throughout his long career in education and public service, Dr. Louis 
Fernandez has consistently worked to foster stronger communities and 
attain higher education ideals. I am pleased to ask my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating him on his retirement.

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