[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2807-S2808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO E. THOMAS SULLIVAN

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, today, I am honored to recognize the 
president of the University of Vermont, UVM, Thomas Sullivan, who is 
stepping down this June after 7 years as a remarkable leader for the 
university.
  Tom's tenure as the 26th president of the University of Vermont came 
during a tumultuous time in higher education. Despite demographic 
declines and reduced public investments in higher education, Tom made 
quality, affordable education and investment in scholarship his top 
priorities.
  Tom expanded UVM's course offerings, oversaw 20 building projects, 
and

[[Page S2808]]

helped increase the value of UVM's endowment by 80 percent. When 
appointed in 2012, Tom was given the responsibility of heading UVM's 
Move Mountains fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $500 
million by 2020. Because of Tom's personality, passion, and, at times, 
persuasion, the University hit its fundraising goal a year ahead of 
schedule, a very impressive accomplishment considering the economic 
hardship that has defined the last decade. The success of this campaign 
increased scholarships for students, invested in top-tier faculty, and 
made capital investments to improve the student experience.
  While the university has continued to evolve, under Tom's leadership, 
UVM has managed to stay true to its founding as a Land Grant 
university. Tom has worked tirelessly during his tenure to expand UVM's 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--STEM--offerings 
including the 4-year construction of a $104 million STEM Complex. Tom 
shares the belief that income should not be a barrier to a good 
education. Because of his dedication to the education of all students, 
Tom was instrumental in developing UVM's Catamount Commitment, which 
promises Pell Grant-eligible Vermonters that the reminder of their 
tuition will be covered, either through grants or waived by the 
university entirely.
  Tom's tenure at UVM tops off a long and distinguished professional 
experience in the field of academia. Tom taught at the law schools of 
the University of Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and 
was appointed to be a dean and professor of law at the University of 
Arizona College of Law. Following his time at the University of 
Arizona, he began his 17-year tenure at the University of Minnesota, 
where he eventually was appointed to become its senior vice president 
and provost.
  Calling Tom a prolific academic and legal scholar would be an 
understatement. He has written 11 books and over 50 articles primarily 
in the field of antitrust litigation. In addition to his writings, in 
2009, the Senate Judiciary Committee had the honor and privilege of 
obtaining Tom's advice and consultation on the confirmation of then-
Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. The lasting impact of 
Tom's work in the field of legal studies is no small feat and will be 
felt for generations to come.
  It is rare to find Tom's unparalleled selfless dedication to academia 
and the needs of students across the country as well as throughout the 
world. Over the course of his 7-year tenure, Marcelle and I have had 
the pleasure on multiple occasions to enjoy the company of Tom and his 
wife Leslie. They are wonderful people who care about nothing more than 
giving the next generation the opportunity to succeed through 
academics. Tom's charming and caring presence will surely be missed on 
campus, but we look forward to having Tom and Leslie as Vermont 
residents for some time. Marcelle and I thank Tom for his service, and 
we wish him and Leslie all the best in the next chapter of his 
distinguished career.

                          ____________________