[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 ASPEN 
                 PRIZE FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXCELLENCE

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                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2011

  Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Valencia 
Community College on earning the inaugural Aspen Prize for Community 
College Excellence. The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 
recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in community colleges, 
applauding those that serve as models for elevating community college 
education.
  Valencia Community College was selected by the Aspen Institute after 
a competitive, year-long process during which 120 of the nation's top 
community colleges were judged based on student performance and 
graduation rates. Of Valencia Community College's full time students, 
more than half graduate or transfer within three years. This is well 
above the national average of 40%.
  Founded in 1967 as Valencia Junior College, Valencia Community 
College's goal was to make its students successful, both in the 
classroom and in their personal and professional lives. Today, Valencia 
Community College is the third largest community college in Florida, 
educating more than 50,000 students each year.
  This is not the first time Valencia has been recognized for 
excellence in education. Indeed, Valencia has a long history of 
national distinction. Valencia was recognized in 2009, with the 
inaugural Leah Meyer Austin Institutional Student Success Leadership 
Award; in 2007, by the New York Times as a leading community college; 
in 2001, by TIME Magazine as one of the nation's best schools at 
helping first-year students to excel; and in 1998, the National 
Alliance of Business named Valencia the Community College of the Year.
  On behalf of the citizens of the State of Florida, I am pleased to 
congratulate Valencia Community College's President, Dr. Sanford 
Shugart, and Valencia Community College's Administration, Board of 
Trustees, and faculty for pursuing excellence in community college 
education, both nationally and as a critical part of Florida's 
education system. May their hard work and dedication inspire others to 
follow in their footsteps.

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