[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BRIT KIRWAN RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2015

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to 
congratulate William ``Brit'' Kirwan on the occasion of his retirement 
after 12 years as chancellor of the University System of Maryland.
  As a Terp myself, I have always taken a deep interest in the 
leadership of the university system and have come to admire Brit's 
integrity, professionalism and expertise.
  Not only is Brit respected academically, he has a great personality 
and he understands the importance of relationships with elected 
leaders. His political savvy has helped the university system become a 
critical economic and workforce development engine in the State of 
Maryland.
  Brit has become a sought-after mentor to other university leaders in 
areas including college affordability--especially for minority and low-
income students--as well as cost containment, innovation in the 
classroom and diversity.
  I truly believe that Brit's vision has helped the University System 
of Maryland become one of the best in the nation.
  Under his leadership, the university system has: become more 
affordable. The average tuition for undergraduate in-state students at 
university institutions, once the nation's seventh highest, has now 
dropped to twenty-sixth.
  His leadership has strengthened need-based financial aid.
  It has reduced the student achievement gap and even eliminated it on 
some campuses.
  It has strengthened Maryland's competitiveness through the research 
and entrepreneurial efforts of faculty, staff and students.
  It has developed the landmark ``Effectiveness and Efficiency 
initiative,'' which has improved quality while saving more than $460 
million to date and has even been cited by President Obama as a 
national model.
  It has made the university system a national leader in environmental 
sustainability.
  It has improved college completion rates, especially among low-income 
and minority students.
  Brit has also become known for his use of technology to rejuvenate 
traditional learning methods like the lecture hall. His efforts have 
increased the number of students showing up for class, eager to learn, 
while saving money and raising grades.
  Let's not forget that Brit spent a quarter century as an educator and 
administrator prior to becoming Chancellor. Throughout each stage of 
his career--math professor, administrator, university president, and 
chancellor--Brit has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and access 
for all.
  Brit's expertise benefits colleges around the country as a member of 
the Board of Directors of the Council for Higher Education 
Accreditation. He chairs the College Board's Commission on Access, 
Admissions, and Success in Higher Education; and is a member of the 
Business-Higher Education Forum.
  He was also appointed by President George W. Bush to the Board of 
Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 2010, he 
was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional 
Quality and Integrity, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Education on 
accreditation issues and certification processes for colleges and 
universities.
  Locally, Brit is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater 
Baltimore Committee, the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, and 
the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education.
  He is the well-deserved recipient of too many awards and accolades to 
list in their entirety, but they include the Theodore M. Hesburgh Award 
for Leadership Excellence, which is considered one of the nation's top 
higher education honors.
  In 2009, he received the Carnegie Corporation Leadership Award, which 
included a $500,000 grant to fund University System of Maryland 
academic priorities.
  I consider him a personal friend. He is a true gentlemen and each of 
his day-to-day interactions are marked with civility and graciousness. 
This is a rare quality in today's world.
  He leaves big shoes to fill.
  I congratulate him on a spectacular career that has spanned more than 
a half-century and wish him many more years of happiness with his wife 
and family in his retirement.

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