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September 29, 2010
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia: Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Claude G. Perkins as Virginia Union University's 12th president. I am proud to represent Virginia Union University (VUU), which is located in Richmond, Virginia, and is one of the nation's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Established in 1865 on the site of Lumpkin's Jail in order to educate the newly freed slaves, VUU was formed by the merger of Richmond Theological Institute and Wayland Seminary. Hartshorn Memorial College and Storer College were later merged into the University forming a true ``union.'' Today, VUU continues to be nourished by its African American heritage and energized by its commitment to excellence and diversity.
VUU's student body currently numbers 1,500 students--including 1,200 undergraduate and 300 graduate students--consisting primarily of first generation college students. VUU is proud to offer 24 majors at the baccalaureate level, as well as Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Education, and Doctor of Ministry degrees at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology. VUU's Criminal Justice and Mathematics programs are renowned, and many teachers in the City of Richmond are graduates of VUU's Education program. In addition to excelling in academics, VUU boasts strong extracurricular activities and programs. In particular, VUU has won four NCAA Division II National Basketball Championships--three for the men's team in 1980, 1992, and 2005 and one for the women's team in 1983.
This month, VUU formally installed Dr. Perkins as its 12th president. Dr. Perkins is a veteran educator with ties to Richmond, and I am pleased that he has returned to Richmond to lead this excellent academic institution.
Dr. Perkins has spent over 35 years in education leadership roles at various levels of K-12 and higher education. In Richmond, Virginia, he held the positions of Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent in the Richmond Public School System for several years in the 1980s and early 1990s. Dr. Perkins also served as Superintendent of Schools in Kansas City, Missouri, and Clark County, Nevada. In 2005, the Clark County, Nevada, School Board approved the naming of the new Claude Grandford Perkins Elementary School in recognition of Dr. Perkins' service to the Clark County, Nevada, education community.
In 2009, Dr. Perkins retired from Albany State University, where he spent 10 years in several posts, including Professor of Educational Leadership, Graduate Dean and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. School officials credited him with expanding the graduate program and increasing the University's international partnerships. He also taught graduate education courses.
Dr. Perkins is the recipient of many awards, including: The Ohio University Medal of Merit Award (1982); City of Richmond (Virginia) Resolution in Recognition of Educational Leadership (1997); The James Herbert White Preeminence Award for Education and Academics (2002); and the Nevada Senate Resolution of Educational Achievement (2005).
VUU has already seen significant change in the few short months of Dr. Perkins' leadership. Dr. Perkins led VUU through a successful reaccreditation process, increased enrollment, and began a significant campaign to upgrade classrooms and campus housing.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased that Dr. Perkins is the newest president of VUU. I congratulate him on this outstanding achievement and wish him much success as he continues the efforts to take VUU into the next century as a leader in higher education.
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