[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1587-E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING HENRY GIVENS, JR., PH.D., PRESIDENT, HARRIS-STOWE STATE 
                   UNIVERSITY, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a native St. Louisan, 
Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., who has served as president of Harris-Stowe 
State University since it became a state institution in 1979. He was 
educated in the St. Louis public schools and earned his baccalaureate 
degree at Lincoln University in Missouri. He earned his master's degree 
at the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. at Saint Louis University. 
His postdoctoral studies in higher education administration were at 
Harvard University.
  Dr. Givens' professional experience in education is both broad and 
varied. He began his career as a teacher in the Webster Groves School 
District and became principal of the first prototype of a magnet school 
in the nation. Before leaving the Webster Groves public schools, he 
held the post of Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools. Soon 
after, he became the first African-American to serve Missouri as 
Assistant Commissioner of Education, which he did for 5 years.
  At the request of the Governor of Missouri, Dr. Givens served as 
interim president at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, during a 
financial crisis in 1987, while continuing his duties at Harris-Stowe. 
Such an appointment was without precedent in Missouri public higher 
education.
  Under the leadership of Dr. Givens, Harris-Stowe has greatly expanded 
its degree programs; has significantly increased its facilities--from 
one building to seven, and including, for the first time in its long 
history of over 150 years, the new state-of-the-art William L. Clay, 
Sr. Early Childhood Development/Parenting Education Center and the Rev. 
Dr. William G. Gillespie Residence Hall and Student Center. An eighth 
new building, a second residence hall, is currently under construction. 
In addition, Harris-Stowe has opened its first business school 
satellite campus in South St. Louis; has expanded the University's 
academic program to include 14 degree offerings in selected applied 
professional disciplines; has tripled its student enrollment since 
entering the State System; and has changed its status from College to 
University, to name a few of its accomplishments.
  Dr. Givens has served as Chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Statewide Celebration Commission for Missouri since its inception in 
1986 to 2011. Under his dynamic leadership, the State of Missouri now 
hosts the second-largest celebration in the nation, extending to every 
corner of Missouri. Dr. Givens was appointed by President Barack Obama 
to the HBCU Capital Finance Program Advisory Board, and has served in 
the past and present on local, national, and international groups as a 
consultant, including the U.S. State Department at its American School 
in Lima, Peru. In addition, he currently serves on several local, state 
and national Boards and Commissions. He serves on the St. Louis 
Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority board, and on local 
and national Corporate Boards of Directors, including, U.S. Bank 
(Regional).
  He is a past board member of Laclede Gas/Laclede Group, Peabody 
Energy, Inc., and Automobile Club of Missouri (AAA). President Givens 
is affiliated with numerous national and local professional and social 
organizations, and has received over 125 national, state and local 
awards and recognitions, including honorary doctorate degrees from 
Saint Louis University, Lincoln University and Washington University-
St. Louis.
  Dr. Givens is married to Belma Evans Givens. They have a daughter, a 
son, and three grandchildren.

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