[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBIN A. DOUTHITT

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I would like to take time to 
recognize Robin A. Douthitt, who is stepping down as dean of the School 
of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I would also 
like to wish her a happy birthday. As a proud alumnus of UW-Madison, it 
is an honor to congratulate Dean Douthitt on her outstanding and 
exemplary service at UW over the years.
  For the past 12 years, Dean Douthitt has given her unwavering 
commitment to students, faculty, staff, campus, the community, and the 
State. She began as a professor in the Consumer Science Department, was 
appointed interim dean of the School of Human Ecology in 1999, and was 
named dean in 2001. She will be leaving a legacy of courage and 
visionary leadership. Dean Douthitt has been called the ``People's 
Dean'' because she is always approachable and has touched the lives of 
many of her colleagues and friends.
  Dean Douthitt made countless contributions to the University of 
Wisconsin during her service. She founded the UW Women's Faculty 
Mentoring Program that has led to the university's retention of female 
faculty and has become a model for other universities. She helped 
establish the Nancy Denney House, a cooperative undergraduate residence 
for single parents and their children. In recognition of her teaching 
and publishing extensive research on women's unpaid work and its social 
value, Dean Douthitt has been named a Vaughan Bascom Professor of Women 
and Philanthropy and a Vilas Associate in the Social Sciences.
  Her contributions at UW do not stop there. Dean Douthitt served on 
the UW Athletic Board, chairing its Academic Affairs Committee, and 
representing UW faculty to the Big Ten. She has been honored on the 
School of Human Ecology's Roster of 100 Women--Wall of Honor, in 
recognition of her contributions to family, community, and her 
embodiment of the school's mission to improve the quality of human 
life. In addition, Dean Douthitt provided vision in leading a 
successful $52 million effort to renovate the School of Human Ecology's 
historic 1914 building and build a new addition to ensure the school's 
continued presence at the forefront of education, research, creative 
scholarship, and outreach in the 21st century.
  On behalf of my constituents from the great State of Wisconsin, we 
say a heartfelt thank you and happy birthday to Dean Robin A. Douthitt. 
We wish her all the very best in her future endeavors.

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