HLS 20RS-1732 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 53
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends University of Louisiana Monroe president, Nick J.
Bruno, on the occasion of his retirement
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend University of Louisiana Monroe president, Nick J. Bruno, on the occasion of
3 his retirement.
4 WHEREAS, Dr. Bruno began his tenure as the eighth president of the University of
5Louisiana Monroe (ULM) on November 8, 2010; prior to his appointment as president, he
6served ULM as the associate vice president for business affairs and vice president for
7business affairs and served as vice president for business and finance for the University of
8Louisiana System for five years; and
9 WHEREAS, as president, Dr. Bruno envisioned expansion of the university beyond
10the geographic confines of northeast Louisiana, and he set out to build a dynamic research
11institution, providing degree programs in the high-paying, high-demand fields of science,
12technology, engineering, and mathematics; and
13 WHEREAS, Dr. Bruno consolidated the university into four colleges in 2016,
14thereby centralizing the university's various programs under deans who are dedicated to the
15enhancement of these fields; and
16 WHEREAS, in 2016, under Dr. Bruno's leadership, ULM was classified as a
17Carnegie R3 Doctoral University and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best
18National University; these were both first-time achievements for the university; and
19 WHEREAS, perhaps President Bruno's most significant achievement was securing
20a partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to build a medical
21school on the ULM campus, which will welcome its first class of students in 2020; and
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HR NO. 53
1 WHEREAS, facilities projects during his presidency included a $5 million
2renovation to Brown Stadium and Groseclose Track, the installation of a $3 million Doppler
3radar weather system, and the renovation of Sandel Hall into the first one-stop student center
4and academic building in Louisiana; and
5 WHEREAS, beyond his extensive contributions to the university, Dr. Bruno also
6found time to contribute to the larger community by serving on the boards of various civic,
7governmental, and private organizations, a few of which were the West Monroe-West
8Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Francis
9Medical Center; in February 2020, Dr. Bruno received the highest honor awarded by the
10Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Rambin-Silverstein Memorial Civic Award, which
11recognizes a resident of northeast Louisiana who has demonstrated achievement, leadership,
12and service for the benefit of the greater community; and
13 WHEREAS, at the end of his illustrious career in higher education, President Bruno
14gracefully led ULM during the COVID-19 crisis, which serves as a reminder of his
15commitment and dedication to both the university and the northeast Louisiana community;
16such commitment and dedication is most deserving of recognition.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
18Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend University of Louisiana Monroe president,
19Nick J. Bruno, on the occasion of his retirement; does hereby express genuine appreciation
20to Dr. Bruno for his commitment to the advancement of the University of Louisiana Monroe
21and of northeast Louisiana; and does hereby extend sincere hopes and wishes for Dr. Bruno's
22success and happiness as he embarks on a new journey in his retirement.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
24President Nick J. Bruno.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 53 Original 2020 Regular Session Thompson
Commends University of Louisiana Monroe president, Nick J. Bruno, on the occasion of his
retirement.
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