[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 59 (Monday, April 18, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING BETSY FLEMING FOR HER SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF CONVERSE 
                                COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TREY GOWDY

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 2016

  Mr. GOWDY. Mr. Speaker, today I commend President Betsy Fleming of 
Converse College for her service to higher education and her remarkable 
impact on South Carolina.
   After growing up in Spartanburg, President Fleming left in 1984 to 
embark on her journey to become a renowned art-historian. Throughout 
her career, she held curatorial positions at several prominent museums 
across the United States as well as overseas in London. Prior to being 
named President of Converse College in 2005, Fleming served as the 
executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South 
Carolina.
   Under President Fleming's eleven years of leadership, Converse 
College experienced incredible transformation. During her tenure, 
Converse reduced its tuition by 43 percent and celebrated its largest 
undergraduate enrollment in over 25 years, becoming a national leader 
in affordability and value. Furthermore, Converse gained full NCAA 
Division II membership in eleven sports programs and raised more than 
$76 million in support.
   In addition to her impact on the Converse College community, 
President Fleming's service extends above and beyond her commitment in 
Spartanburg. An Aspen Institute Liberty Fellow, President Fleming 
serves on the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing 
Boards (AGB), the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Steering 
Committee in the Future of Higher Education, and on the Board of 
Directors for both the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte 
Branch and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.
   President Fleming's impact on students, staff, and faculty will 
always be remembered, and her legacy will transform the future of 
Converse College. I thank President Fleming for her extraordinary 
service and congratulate her on her retirement. We look forward to the 
next chapter of her remarkable life as she continues to serve our 
community, state and country.

                          ____________________