[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E607-E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO DR. GRACE JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Grace Jones on 
her retirement as President of Three Rivers Community College in 
Norwich, Connecticut. Dr. Jones' exemplary work and dedication to 
eastern Connecticut's students and her community has contributed 
greatly to the educational development of our region.
  Dr. Jones began her career as a high school physical education and 
science instructor in Chicago, Illinois. She advanced to higher

[[Page E608]]

education in the 1970s, continuing her career as a teacher at Berkshire 
Community College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. During her decade of 
service at Berkshire, she served as a member of the faculty, 
coordinator of the recreational leadership program, coordinator of 
student activities, and director of personnel services. Her gifts for 
university leadership took her to new heights in 1990 when she was 
named tenured professor and Vice President for Multicultural Affairs at 
SUNY Oneonta. Soon afterward, Dr. Jones became president of College of 
Eastern Utah in Price, Utah, before being named President of Three 
Rivers Community College in 2001.
  As President, Dr. Jones balanced her extensive administrative duties 
with a commitment to remaining visible to her students across campus. A 
key initiative for Dr. Jones was designing open spaces on campus for 
students to congregate. She was instrumental in securing funding and 
overseeing the construction and renovation for the college's new 
campus. Dr. Jones has also sought to contribute to the region's 
workforce by continuing to administer professional programs, including 
those for nursing, manufacturing technology, and hospital management. 
This ground breaking work--tying Three Rivers curricula to the region's 
workforce needs--is a model that has been embraced in Washington, D.C. 
and all across the country as a solution to filling the ``skills gap'' 
that has hindered economic growth. Under Dr. Jones's presidency, 
enrollment at the college has grown to 5,150 full and part-time 
students and an additional 2,000 non-credit enrollees.
  A distinguished member of the educational community, Dr. Jones has 
been recognized by numerous outlets for her extensive achievements. In 
2009, she received the Palmer Davies award from the United Community 
and Family Services of Connecticut, honoring her commitment to 
fostering an environment of community spirit and understanding. During 
that year, Dr. Jones was also recognized by the Connecticut State 
Conference of the NAACP. In 2012, Dr. Jones was named 62nd Citizen of 
the Year by the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
  Dr. Grace Jones's contributions as an educator, administrator, and 
community leader have encouraged generations of students to attain high 
levels of achievement and contribute to their communities and the 
economy in a positive way. Across the United States and here in eastern 
Connecticut, countless students have benefited from Grace's hard work 
and dedication to her craft. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the career of Dr. Grace Jones.

                          ____________________