[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16289-16290]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF DR. EVERETTE J. FREEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding leader, Dr. Everette J. Freeman, the Eighth President of 
Albany State University, who will be leaving the school after eight 
successful and productive years as President. He was honored at a 
farewell reception on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at Orene Hall on the 
ASU campus.
  Dr. Freeman is a Washington, D.C. native and alumnus of Antioch 
College with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and economics. He 
also earned a master's in labor and industrial relations from the 
University of Illinois, and a doctorate in education from Rutgers 
University. He holds a certificate from the Institute for Educational 
Leadership at Harvard University, as well as a Certificate in Economics 
from Fircroft College in Birmingham, England.
  Prior to his tenure at Albany State, Dr. Freeman made his mark on 
several institutes of higher learning, serving as senior vice president 
and provost of the University of Indianapolis, dean of continuing 
education at Jackson State University, and executive assistant to the 
president at Tennessee State University. He also acted as interim vice 
president for university relations and development at Tennessee State.
  The Second Congressional District of Georgia gained a valuable and 
respected leader when Dr. Freeman came to Albany. He has transformed 
Albany State University, both fiscally and academically. Despite State 
budget cuts, he initiated new online programs and

[[Page 16290]]

joint enrollment policies, led the fiscal affairs division from the 
worst audit ratings to the best, and facilitated the transition of 
students from technical colleges into the University. Moreover, Dr. 
Freeman has demonstrated a continued dedication to improving the 
academic community at ASU. Under his strategic leadership, the 
University saw simultaneous annual enrollment increases and higher SAT 
scores of entering classes.
  In addition, Dr. Freeman oversaw $20 million in capital improvements 
to the Albany State campus, including a state-of-the-art student 
center, a learning center, and six residence halls. The positive impact 
of the construction reverberated throughout the student community, as 
well as in the surrounding city. The relationship between ASU and the 
Greater Albany area has been significantly strengthened, as the 
University's economic impact on the city reached $156 million during 
Dr. Freeman's time as president. Dr. Freeman also worked to establish 
partnerships with several local businesses, further improving the town 
and gown relationship between Albany and ASU.
  On a personal note, I am proud to call Dr. Freeman a friend and I am 
so grateful for all he has done for Albany State University and the 
Albany community. His heartfelt dedication to this school will be felt 
and remembered for years to come.
  Nelson Henderson once said, ``The true meaning of life is to plant 
trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.'' Dr. Freeman has not 
only planted trees of knowledge whose fruit ASU students and alumni can 
yield, but he has also planted the seeds of success for future 
generations of Albany State University Golden Rams.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. 
Everette J. Freeman for his eight outstanding years as President of 
Albany State University. His energizing leadership and his commitment 
to academic excellence has helped to make lasting improvements to 
Albany State University so to better provide current and future 
students with the tools they need to lead successful and productive 
lives.

                          ____________________