[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. MATTHEW D. SHANK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2018

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Matthew D. 
Shank, who has served as Marymount University's sixth president since 
July 2011. With a strong commitment to Catholic higher education and an 
understanding of Marymount's diverse and inclusive learning 
environment, he began his first year by initiating a visioning process 
to clarify the University's identity and way forward. Input from the 
Marymount community contributed to the resulting vision, which states 
in part that ``Marymount University will distinguish itself through a 
culture of engagement that fosters intellectual curiosity, service to 
others, and a global perspective.''
  In recognition of his focus on preparing students for the globalized 
environment of the 21st century, Dr. Shank received the 2012 Global 
Education Leadership Award from the World Affairs Council-Washington, 
D.C. Accepting the award on behalf of the University, he said, ``The 
Council and Marymount share a common goal: Both organizations educate 
young people about global issues so that they will be prepared for 
success as citizens of a complex, diverse, and increasingly 
interdependent global community.'' Under his leadership, Marymount 
University has created and implemented a strategic plan known as 
``Building the Institution of Choice'' and a comprehensive marketing 
plan called ``Common Ground''.
  Dr. Shank also instituted an employee incentive program, Ideas at 
Work, to solicit cost-saving, revenue generating, and process-
improvement ideas from members of the University community. President 
Shank is active in community and business organizations, serving on the 
boards of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Northern Virginia 
Technology Council, the Arlington Community Foundation, the Catholic 
Business Network of Northern Virginia, the World Affairs Council, 
Bishop O'Connell High School, and the Leadership Center for Excellence. 
He is an ex-officio member of the Northern Virginia Chamber of 
Commerce, and a community advisor to the Arlington Free Clinic, 
Arlington Public Schools and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Advisory 
Council.
  In the academic community, he serves on the boards of the Consortium 
of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Virginia 
Foundation for Independent Colleges, and the Washington Research 
Library Consortium. Most recently, Dr. Shank was named to the NCAA 
Presidential Advisory Group & President's Council. As Marymount's 
president, Dr. Shank is also a member of many academic organizations, 
including the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the 
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the National 
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the State 
Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
  At the end of his seven-year tenure, Dr. Shank's visionary leadership 
will have resulted in numerous milestone accomplishments for the 
institution. Chief among them is the crafting and implementation of the 
strategic plan, Building the Institution of Choice, which is in its 
final year of execution. The University's $40 million capital campaign 
goal will be met and exceeded at the end of this fiscal year, two years 
ahead of schedule. The Master Plan, which meticulously lays out the 
vision for campus growth and renewal, has been developed. The much-
celebrated opening of the new Ballston Center was a highlight of the 
fall 2017 semester. A significant expansion in sports programs and 
alignment with a new athletics conference was approved by the NCAA in 
February 2018 with competition to commence in the Fall of 2018.
  Marymount University is a leading institution of higher education in 
my district and all who knew and worked with him and the University 
will miss his leadership, but we wish him great success in his future 
undertakings.

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