ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 53
BY REPRESENTATIVES THOMPSON, ADAMS, BRYANT, BUTLER, CARPENTER,
CARRIER, GARY CARTER, ROBBY CARTER, WILFORD CARTER,
CORMIER, COX, DESHOTEL, ECHOLS, EDMONDS, GADBERRY,
GAROFALO, HUGHES, JEFFERSON, TRAVIS JOHNSON, JONES, KERNER,
MACK, MARCELLE, MCFARLAND, MCMAHEN, MIGUEZ, MINCEY,
MOORE, PHELPS, PIERRE, PRESSLY, RISER, SCHEXNAYDER, ST. BLANC,
WHITE, AND WILLARD
A RESOLUTION
To commend University of Louisiana Monroe president, Nick J. Bruno, on the occasion of
his retirement.
WHEREAS, Dr. Bruno began his tenure as the eighth president of the University of
Louisiana Monroe (ULM) on November 8, 2010; prior to his appointment as president, he
served ULM as the associate vice president for business affairs and vice president for
business affairs and served as vice president for business and finance for the University of
Louisiana System for five years; and
WHEREAS, as president, Dr. Bruno envisioned expansion of the university beyond
the geographic confines of northeast Louisiana, and he set out to build a dynamic research
institution, providing degree programs in the high-paying, high-demand fields of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bruno consolidated the university into four colleges in 2016,
thereby centralizing the university's various programs under deans who are dedicated to the
enhancement of these fields; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, under Dr. Bruno's leadership, ULM was classified as a
Carnegie R3 Doctoral University and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best
National University; these were both first-time achievements for the university; and
WHEREAS, perhaps President Bruno's most significant achievement was securing
a partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to build a medical
school on the ULM campus, which will welcome its first class of students in 2020; and
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WHEREAS, facilities projects during his presidency included a $5 million
renovation to Brown Stadium and Groseclose Track, the installation of a $3 million Doppler
radar weather system, and the renovation of Sandel Hall into the first one-stop student center
and academic building in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, beyond his extensive contributions to the university, Dr. Bruno also
found time to contribute to the larger community by serving on the boards of various civic,
governmental, and private organizations, a few of which were the West Monroe-West
Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Francis
Medical Center; in February 2020, Dr. Bruno received the highest honor awarded by the
Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Rambin-Silverstein Memorial Civic Award, which
recognizes a resident of northeast Louisiana who has demonstrated achievement, leadership,
and service for the benefit of the greater community; and
WHEREAS, at the end of his illustrious career in higher education, President Bruno
gracefully led ULM during the COVID-19 crisis, which serves as a reminder of his
commitment and dedication to both the university and the northeast Louisiana community;
such commitment and dedication is most deserving of recognition.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend University of Louisiana Monroe president,
Nick J. Bruno, on the occasion of his retirement; does hereby express genuine appreciation
to Dr. Bruno for his commitment to the advancement of the University of Louisiana Monroe
and of northeast Louisiana; and does hereby extend sincere hopes and wishes for Dr. Bruno's
success and happiness as he embarks on a new journey in his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
President Nick J. Bruno.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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