[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE INAUGURATION OF DR. REBECCA CHOPP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Rebecca Chopp on the 
occasion of her inauguration as the chancellor of the University of 
Denver. An advocate for education, inclusivity and community, Dr. Chopp 
brings decades of leadership experience and success to DU. As a first-
generation college student, she understands the importance of access to 
college for all and the need to continue to mentor and nurture students 
for their success and that of their community.
   After earning a BA from Kansas Wesleyan University and a Master of 
Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology, Dr. Chopp went on to receive 
her PhD from the University of Chicago. She has received six honorary 
doctorates from additional institutions and distinguished awards from 
each of her alma maters. Dr. Chopp has served as dean at Yale Divinity 
School, as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at 
Emory University, and as president of Swarthmore College and Colgate 
University. She is also a widely published author.
   While at Swarthmore, Dr. Chopp was committed to admitting the most 
highly qualified students without regard to financial circumstances, 
and she supported innovative ways to build new, inclusive communities 
motivated to contributing to the common good. Though she took the reins 
during the middle of the Great Recession, she steered Swarthmore 
through this time without cutting faculty or financial aid. Dr. Chopp 
was the first woman to serve in several of her previous roles and is 
the first woman chancellor for DU. She is a true role model and 
trailblazer.
   Dr. Chopp joined the University of Denver in September of last year 
as its 18th chancellor. Within her first 100 days she announced 
Imagine-DU, a community-wide effort that focused on transforming the 
student experience, expanding the design of knowledge, and engaging in 
new ways with the surrounding areas. Chancellor Chopp envisions the 
University of Denver as an institution capitalizing on the changes and 
opportunities that come of an institution invested in the 21st Century. 
In addition, she already has several new innovative projects including 
serving a more diverse student body and building the next generation of 
leaders with the establishment of the Latino Leadership Institute, 
addressing the needs of an aging population in the Knoebel Center for 
the Study of Aging, and a new interdisciplinary approach to science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with the Daniel Felix 
Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science.
   Dr. Chopp has been quoted as saying, ``As in any university, the 
most important resource is its people.'' In her case, that could not be 
more true. She will be an invaluable resource to DU. Please join me in 
commending Dr. Rebecca Chopp for her continued commitment and passion 
for education and community. Her persistence and dedication are an 
inspiration to build a better future for all who live in Colorado.

                          ____________________