[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DOUG WHITLOCK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to a good 
friend of mine and a friend to the Commonwealth of Kentucky who has 
served his State and his community for decades. I was saddened to hear 
that Doug Whitlock, the president of Eastern Kentucky University since 
2007, will retire from that position this summer. In his 6 years at the 
helm, he has led Eastern Kentucky University to new growth and success, 
including the establishment of the EKU Center for the Arts, the New 
Science Building, the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity, the Center 
for Renewable and Alternative Fuel Technologies, and much more.
  Doug is EKU's 11th president. Like his predecessors, his mission has 
been to uphold the rich tradition of EKU while guiding the school to 
even greater excellence. Of course, this came naturally to Doug, as EKU 
is his own alma mater. Doug earned two degrees from EKU as a first-
generation graduate--his bachelor's degree in history and social 
science in 1965, followed by a master's degree in history in 1966. Doug 
also earned a doctoral degree in higher education from the University 
of Kentucky in 1981.
  Doug's been with EKU since 1968, when he became the school's director 
of publications. From 1971 to 1976, he served as director of public 
information; then as executive assistant to the president from 1976 to 
1998, and vice president for administrative affairs from 1998 to 2003. 
From 2003 to 2006, he returned to the classroom, teaching computer 
science.
  Perhaps Doug's greatest strength is that he understands the power of 
collaboration. He knows how to lead others to see great goals 
accomplished. Aside from the progress he has brought to EKU, he has 
served with the Madison County Schools Board of Education, the Richmond 
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Commerce Lexington's Central 
Kentucky Public Policy Council, the Bluegrass Tomorrow Board of 
Directors, the International Town and Gown Association, the Southern 
Growth Policies Board, and the American Association of State Colleges 
and Universities.
  Under Doug's tenure, EKU produced its first Truman, Goldwater, and 
Fulbright Scholars and added several new Ph.D. programs. The 16,000-
student school also gained several national distinctions, including 
recognition by both Forbes and U.S. News & World Report as ranking 
among America's best colleges; recognition by the Carnegie Foundation 
for the Advancement of Teaching as a community-engaged university; and 
recognition by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of America's 
``Great Colleges to Work For.''
  Thanks to Doug's leadership, EKU also was honored as a veterans-
friendly campus by G.I. Jobs magazine and earned the No. 1 ranking in 
the Nation for 2 of the last 3 years from Military Times EDGE magazine 
for being the university that is ``Best for Vets.''
  As much as Doug will be missed by EKU's students, staff, and faculty, 
I am sure his family will appreciate seeing more of him in his 
retirement--including his wife, Joanne, and his granddaughters. I also 
understand Doug intends to spend a little more time on his hobbies, 
photography and electronics.
  Whatever endeavors are next for EKU President Doug Whitlock, I know 
my colleagues in the U.S. Senate join me in wishing him all the best 
and congratulating him for his decades of service to Eastern Kentucky 
University and to the Commonwealth. He has advanced the cause of higher 
education in his tenure, and he will be missed by the many who have had 
the pleasure of working with him, including this Senator.

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