[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING UNC PRESIDENT TOM ROSS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 7, 2016

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
good friend and a devoted public servant, Tom Ross, who retired this 
month as President of the University of North Carolina system.
  My wife Lisa and have known Tom and his wife Susan for many years. 
His son Tommy served in my office, making a major contribution to the 
development of the House Democracy Partnership. I have long admired 
Tom's dedication to the university, and I am very grateful for his 
service to our state.
  A graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill law school, Tom answered the call 
to serve as the UNC system's President in 2011, in the midst of some of 
the greatest financial challenges that the university has faced in its 
history. UNC not only overcame these challenges; it has thrived thanks 
to Tom's perseverance and strategic vision.
  During his time at UNC, Tom made it easier to transfer from North 
Carolina community colleges to the four-year UNC institutions, 
expanding nontraditional students' access to higher education. He has 
focused effectively on the access of active-duty military and veterans 
to the system and on enhancing their chances to succeed. He has 
carefully overseen the selection of 11 new university chancellors, 
guaranteeing another generation of exceptional leadership for the 
system's 16 constituent universities.
  Perhaps most importantly, Tom has led the university through economic 
adversity, protecting its mission and securing its financial footing. 
Compared to the beginning of Tom's tenure, UNC system graduation rates 
have risen 18 percent while spending per degree has dropped 15 
percent--remarkable achievements that reflect Tom's leadership.
  Tom's life has been dedicated to public service. He came to UNC from 
Davidson College, his alma mater and one of the nation's leading 
liberal arts colleges, where he served as President from 2007 to 2011. 
At Davidson, he implemented the Davidson Trust, a new initiative 
designed to fully eliminate student debt through grants and student 
employment. This innovative program has helped ensure that Davidson 
graduates do not face a financial burden as they begin their careers. 
He also oversaw a period of exceptional growth at Davidson, in part 
inspired by the on-campus career of Stephen Curry, who has gone on to 
become the NBA MVP and a global superstar. I suppose it's true that 
success begets success.
  Before his tenure at Davidson, Tom was President of the Z. Smith 
Reynolds Foundation, which provides tens of millions of dollars 
annually in grants to organizations devoted to economic empowerment. 
Tom also spent 17 years as a judge on North Carolina's Superior Court, 
directed the state Administrative Office of the Courts, and led the 
North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Committee, where he 
oversaw the development and implementation of new sentencing guidelines 
for non-violent offenders.
  I cannot fail to note that Tom is leaving the presidency of UNC 
prematurely. The Board of Governors last year made an unexpected, 
unexplained decision to request his resignation, while acknowledging 
that his stewardship had been exemplary. This leaves little doubt that 
the decision was based on the fact that Tom does not share the Board's 
partisan loyalties. This was not only shabby treatment of an 
outstanding public servant; it also set a dangerous precedent for a 
university system that for most of its history has been free of this 
sort of political manipulation.
  Tom has handled this difficult situation with characteristic dignity 
and grace. His final contribution as president may be one of his most 
important: to help us move beyond this episode in a way that avoids 
recrimination, protects the university's integrity, and builds on the 
many achievements of the past five years.
  Lisa and I wish Tom well as he transitions to teaching and prepares 
for future endeavors. With Susan's unfailing support, he has made 
lasting contributions to our state's judicial system, nonprofit sector, 
and private and public higher education. He leaves our University 
stronger in important ways, despite the difficult economic and 
political environment in which he was called to lead. And he still has 
much to give. I am pleased to join thousands of North Carolinians in 
thanking him for his tireless service and in anticipating his 
contributions yet to come.

                          ____________________