[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF DR. LARRY EUGENE RIVERS, PRESIDENT OF FORT VALLEY STATE 
                               UNIVERSITY

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great 
leader in higher education in Georgia--someone who has been committed 
to improving the lives of young men and women throughout his career. 
Dr. Larry Rivers recently marked his fifth anniversary as the President 
of Fort Valley State University (FVSU), and what a remarkable 5 years 
it has been.
  Dr. Rivers was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from 
what was then Fort Valley State College. After earning a master's 
degree in history from Villanova University, and a Doctor of Arts 
degree in history from Carnegie-Mellon University, he went on to teach 
at Florida A&M University for more than 20 years and earned the rank of 
``distinguished university professor,'' one of only two on the campus.
  He returned to his alma mater in 2006, and in 5 short years, FVSU has 
experienced a remarkable turnaround under Dr. Rivers' leadership. 
Student enrollment is at the highest point in the 115-year history of 
the university. Since 2006, the university invested $160 million in new 
construction projects that are transforming the campus with additional 
buildings to accommodate more students and new research facilities. And 
FVSU now offers new undergraduate courses and master's degrees in 
fields such as biotechnology, teaching, and early childhood development 
that will provide the education and training our future leaders need to 
compete in a 21st century economy.
  Because of FVSU's progress, the Southern Association of Colleges and 
Schools recently reaffirmed the university's accreditation, and the 
school was ranked 25th on U.S. News and World Report's list of 
``America's Best Black Colleges.''
  To meet the demands of FVSU's growth, the City of Fort Valley has 
modernized its infrastructure through several rural development grants 
and wastewater reclamation projects. These fundamental improvements 
will attract new businesses to Southwest Georgia that are looking to 
take advantage of the talented individuals FVSU is producing each and 
every year.
  Dr. Rivers has earned well-deserved praise for his efforts at FVSU. 
Georgia Trend magazine recognized him as one of the ``100 Most 
Influential Georgians'' and one of Georgia's ``Top 25 Leaders'' in its 
25th Anniversary issue. While the transformation at FVSU is remarkable, 
I know Dr. Rivers will not rest until FVSU is ranked 1st.
  As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``Universities are based on the 
illimitable freedom of the human mind.'' I am confident that under the 
leadership of Dr. Larry Rivers, we will continue to expand the minds of 
our young men and women and educate the leaders of tomorrow.

                          ____________________