WHEREAS, Robert G. Templin has committed his life to improving the lives of Virginians through his efforts on workforce training, education, immigration policy, and economic development; and

WHEREAS, Robert Templin has served as president of the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) since 2002, where he has worked with local governments, businesses, community organizations, school districts, and universities to strengthen the Commonwealth's economy through innovative programs and services; and

WHEREAS, under Robert Templin's leadership, NOVA has served over 500,000 credit and noncredit students; and

WHEREAS, NOVA increased the number of graduates by over 120 percent to more than 6,000 graduates annually and now transfers more students to George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Virginia than any other institution; and

WHEREAS, NOVA developed "Pathway to the Baccalaureate," an award-winning college access and baccalaureate completion program serving more than 10,000 students annually from 55 high schools and centers located in low-income, minority, and immigrant communities; and

WHEREAS, NOVA established the "SySTEMic Solutions" program to develop a sustainable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline in Northern Virginia by engaging students in elementary school and inspiring them to continue to pursue STEM education in high school and college and in the workforce through a collaboration with schools, businesses, and community organizations; and

WHEREAS, NOVA has become the Commonwealth's leading minority-serving undergraduate institution, serving more African American students than the state's two public historically black universities combined, as well as 35 percent of all Latino students; nearly one-third of all Asian undergraduates in Virginia public higher education are currently enrolled at NOVA; and

WHEREAS, Robert Templin is the founding chair of Achieving the Dream, Inc., a national nonprofit organization serving more than 200 colleges in 34 states in order to help community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, gain access to college, stay in school, and earn a postsecondary credential; and

WHEREAS, Robert Templin is the founding chair of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, which built the nation's fourth commercial space launch facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore, currently the primary launch facility for the resupply of the International Space Station; and

WHEREAS, prior to his service at NOVA, Robert Templin was the president of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, and under his leadership, the center was credited with helping to create or retain 12,000 high-tech jobs, attracting or creating 225 technology-based companies, and increasing sales and new capital investment by more than $500 million; and

WHEREAS, Robert Templin has been named Newsmaker of the Year by Virginia Business Magazine; one of Washington's 150 Most Powerful People, Washingtonian of the Year, and one of 100 Tech Titans by Washingtonian magazine; one of the most important business leaders by the Washington Business Journal; and a Champion of Change by the White House; and

WHEREAS, Robert Templin has been honored with the Earle C. Williams Leadership in Technology Award from the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Marta V. Wyatt Award from the Hispanic Committee of Virginia, the We Are America Now award from Northern Virginia Family Service, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Virginia Government by Virginia Commonwealth University, the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region's Civic Spirit Award for outstanding leadership in the Washington metropolitan region, and the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's James M. Rees Award for contributions to the economy and quality of life in Northern Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Robert G. Templin for his 13 years of distinguished service as an educator and community leader; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Robert G. Templin as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and gratitude for his exemplary leadership and selfless dedication to providing and expanding educational opportunities to all Virginians.