[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 51 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING DR. LOREN P. GRESHAM ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM SOUTHERN 
                          NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2017

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Loren 
Gresham on his retirement from Southern Nazarene University (SNU). For 
the past 50 years, Dr. Gresham has devoted his time and efforts to 
providing students a top tier education in a Christ-centered 
environment.
  Dr. Gresham has demonstrated a lifetime passion for education, 
including his own. Before becoming the President of SNU, Loren received 
a number of degrees. Loren earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at 
Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University) in 1962 and went 
on to receive his Master of Arts degree in international relations from 
the University of Southern California. In 1964, Loren married former 
Pasadena College classmate, Linda Brown, and together they have one 
child, Suzanne.
  In 1967, Loren moved to Bethany, Oklahoma where he became a professor 
of political science at Bethany Nazarene College. He became a Fulbright 
Scholar and was granted leave for the 1970-71 academic year to conduct 
research in New Zealand. During his time as a professor, Loren 
continued to pursue his higher education studies at the University of 
Oklahoma and earned a Ph.D. in political science in 1973.
  At Bethany Nazarene College, Dr. Gresham pursued his lifelong 
interest in the sport of basketball. He became assistant coach and 
later the head coach of the men's team. Under his leadership, the team 
achieved remarkable success including a national championship in 1981 
in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 
defeating the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As President of SNU, 
Dr. Gresham has continued this tradition of competition as an active 
advocate of the 18 SNU women and men's athletic teams.
  By 1985, Dr. Gresham became provost of Bethany Nazarene College and 
four short years later, in 1989, the board of trustees named Dr. 
Gresham the president of the institution, now called Southern Nazarene 
University. Currently, Dr. Gresham is the longest serving president 
among the eight Nazarene institutions of higher education in North 
America. Additionally, he is the longest tenured president serving at 
any college or university in the state of Oklahoma.
  During Dr. Gresham's presidency at SNU, the institution has had 28 
consecutive years of balanced budgets, and last fall's total enrollment 
was the all-time high in SNU's school history. During Dr. Gresham's 
tenure, SNU has been ranked the number one ``Best College'' in Oklahoma 
and one of ``The 50 Most Affordable Private Colleges'' in the nation by 
Money (2016). Dr. Gresham is also credited with raising the needed 
funds for operating, endowment, and capital projects. The funds raised 
have gone to many programs that will educate the next generation of SNU 
leaders and enhance student life such as campus beautification 
projects, construction of new living centers, major upgrades to 
athletic facilities, and the establishment of a online campus and a 
satellite campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, among others.
  Dr. Gresham has served in many professional organizations to help 
improve education for students and educators across the nation. He has 
chaired the NAIA Council of Presidents as well as serving on the Board 
of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and 
Universities. He has chaired the Council of Christian Colleges and 
Universities Board of Directors, an organization that represents more 
than 111 Christian colleges and universities across the nation.
  Dr. Gresham's wife, Linda, has also served extensively on campus 
ministries. Linda and Dr. Gresham have a clear passion for education 
and love for SNU. Together, they founded The Gresham Leadership Grant 
to recruit outstanding young leaders to SNU. This highly selective 
first-year grant is awarded to students who have clearly demonstrated 
leadership in their community, church, and school and possess exemplary 
character in all aspects of their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th District of Texas, I would like to 
thank Dr. Gresham for his 50 years of commitment and leadership to 
Southern Nazarene University. Dr. Gresham's work ethic, values, and 
integrity have set an example for those in higher education. I ask all 
my distinguished colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Gresham continued 
success as he enjoys his retirement.

                          ____________________