ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 211
BY REPRESENTATIVES JACKSON, BADON, BARROW, WESLEY BISHOP, BOUIE,
BURRELL, COX, FRANKLIN, GAINES, HALL, HONORE, HUNTER, JAMES,
JEFFERSON, TERRY LANDRY, NORTON, PIERRE, PRICE, SMITH, THIERRY,
ALFRED WILLIAMS, PATRICK WILLIAMS, AND WOODRUFF AND
SENATORS ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME,
BROWN, BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAITOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY, HEITMEIER,
JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY, MILLS, MORRELL,
MORRISH, MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON, RISER,
GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD,
AND WHITE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the condolences of the legislature upon the passing of Southern University
System president emeritus Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes.
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana is deeply saddened to learn of the passing
on June 1, 2015, of former Southern University System president Dolores Margaret Richard
Spikes at the age of seventy-eight; and
WHEREAS, Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes earned a bachelor's degree in
mathematics in 1957 from Southern University and a master's degree in mathematics from
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and she made history in 1971 by becoming
the first African American to earn a doctor of philosophy degree in mathematics from
Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Spikes became the first female chancellor of a public university in
Louisiana when she was named chancellor of both Southern University Baton Rouge and
Southern University New Orleans in the late 1980s; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Spikes was appointed to the board of Harvard University's Institute
of Educational Management in 1987, and in 1988, she became the first woman in the United
States to head a university system when she was appointed president of Southern University
and A&M College System; and
WHEREAS, the depth of contributions made by Dr. Spikes to Southern University
Baton Rouge led to the naming of The Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College in
her honor; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Spikes served as president of the University of Maryland-Eastern
Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland, from 1997-2001; current university president, Juliette
B. Bell, credits Dr. Spikes with laying the groundwork for the school's evolution into the
twenty-first century historically black institution it has become; and
WHEREAS, during Dr. Spikes' tenure as president of the University of Maryland-
Eastern Shore, the Hytche Athletics Center and the Student Services Center were built; and
WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton named Dr. Spikes to his board of advisors on
historically black colleges and universities in 1994; two years later, she was named vice
chair of the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land-Grant Universities; and
WHEREAS, Southern University System acting chancellor Flandus McClinton, Jr.,
said upon learning of the death of Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes that she "was a
shining star among the leaders of Southern University. She brought national acclaim to the
university as she guided the Baton Rouge campus and the system through some of its most
challenging times. She was beloved and respected by faculty, staff, students, and alumni
during her tenure. She will be missed, but her legacy will live on. Southern University has
truly lost a giant".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
extend sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and former colleagues
upon the passing of Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes; does hereby express deepest
sympathies at the eternal departure of this trailblazer in higher education; and does hereby
offer prayers and hopes for comfort to those who mourn her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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