[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 172 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1109-E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. CYNTHIA WARRICK AS 7TH PRESIDENT OF 
                            STILLMAN COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2022

  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership 
of Dr. Cynthia Warrick, the 7th and first female President of Stillman 
College, who is retiring on June 30, 2023, after over five wonderful 
years of service to the college and the surrounding community.
  Dr. Warrick obtained her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Howard 
University. She went on to earn a master's degree in Public Policy from 
the Georgia Institute of Technology and a doctorate in Environmental 
Science and Public Policy from George Mason University.
  A pharmacist and health services researcher by trade, Dr. Warrick 
brought over 20 years of experience to her position as Stillman College 
President. She began her career in higher education at Howard 
University. From there, she accepted appointments at the University of 
Texas Houston Health Science Center, Texas Southern University, Florida 
Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Elizabeth City State 
University. Prior to her tenure at Stillman College, Dr. Warrick's most 
recent positions include Interim President of Grambling State 
University and South Carolina State University and senior research and 
evaluation fellow at Thurgood Marshall College Fund in Washington. Dr. 
Warrick has been recognized nationally for her leadership and 
invaluable contributions to healthcare research.
  Under the exceptional guidance of Dr. Warrick, Stillman College has 
made many advancements, expanding its educational programs to ensure 
that its students are competitive in the 21st-century workforce. Known 
as a collaborative leader, her focus on academic excellence, 
administrative accountability, and student success outcomes is evident 
in her success as president through the increased opportunities for 
prospective students, stabilization of institution finances, and 
enhanced donor partnerships. Along with financial and academic growth, 
Dr. Warrick prioritized historic preservation, working to strengthen 
Stillman's connection with the Presbyterian Church USA and the West End 
Tuscaloosa community.
  Since her installation in 2017, Stillman College has seen its largest 
incoming class of freshmen since 2014, an increase in student 
enrollment, SACSCOC accreditation for another 10 years without any 
recommendations or further action, and the addition of multiple 
programs to diversify coursework in business, music, and film. 
Understanding the power of partnership, Dr. Warrick spearheaded the 
college's fight to address its debt. By rallying the presidents of over 
40 institutions with HBCU capital finance loans, policymakers, and 
members of Congress, she pushed for the deferment of the loans and, 
through hard work and dedication, got the entire 40-million-dollar debt 
eliminated, making Stillman College debt-free.
  Over the past five years, Stillman's grant funding and sponsored 
programs have increased tremendously to over 12.8 million dollars by 
leveraging the resources Stillman already had. As an avid supporter of 
HBCUs, Dr. Warrick saw the potential in Stillman despite the many 
challenges she faced during her tenure to meet the current and future 
needs of Stillman's student body. Dr. Warrick expanded the graduate 
school pathways through an existing partnership with the University of 
Alabama and established summer research opportunities within biomedical 
sciences with Drexel University, the Salk Institute, and LaJolla 
Research Institute in Immunology. Continuing to blaze trails and create 
new opportunities for her students, she secured a historic annual 
appropriation from the State of Alabama Education Trust Fund.
  Under the strong helm of Dr. Warrick, Stillman College has 
strengthened its nurturing environment for students to thrive, 
providing them with the resources they need to stay successful and 
competitive in the 21st century. Taking her experience as a researcher 
into her position as president, Dr. Warrick's dynamic vision has set 
the foundation for a bright future for Stillman College, leaving a 
lasting impact on the administration, student body, and Tuscaloosa 
community for years to

[[Page E1110]]

come. Although I know she will continue to serve the community of 
Stillman College, I sincerely hope that her retirement is filled with 
the joy of spending time with family and friends.
  On a personal note, it has been an honor getting to know Dr. Warrick 
and to be her partner on the federal level in securing more funding and 
better opportunities in furtherance of the mission of Stillman College. 
Dr. Warrick has been a tireless advocate, fierce negotiator, and 
passionate champion for the students, faculty, and alumni of Stillman 
College. She has utilized her professional experience and extensive 
knowledge, leveraging her impressive network to steer this historic 
institution through perilous times and set it on a more solid financial 
footing extending its future viability. We wish her well in her 
retirement and thank her for her phenomenal leadership of Stillman 
College.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary leadership and 
service of Dr. Cynthia Warrick and her contributions as President of 
Stillman College.

                          ____________________