Title: FSU Day

Summary: Designates April 9, 2019, as FSU Day.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, Florida State University is proud to be recognized as a preeminent university by the State of Florida and as a leader in education, research, student retention, and graduation, and WHEREAS, Flo rida State University is a nationally recognized institution with many of its colleges and programs ranked in the top ten in the nation, and WHEREAS, in 2019, Florida State University rose to number among national public universities in the U.S. News a nd World Report rankings after moving up places since 2016, and WHEREAS, U.S. News and World Report also recognized Florida State University as one of the most efficient universities in the nation, and WHEREAS, Florida State University has a four-year graduation rate of 71.5 percent, making it the highest in the state and placing the university in the top among the nation's public research institutions, and WHEREAS, Florida State University offers graduate, undergraduate, doctoral and professional degrees in programs within independent colleges and schools, taught by a faculty of 2,305 members, which has included National Academy of Sciences members and Nobel Laureates, and WHEREAS, Florida State University is more popular than ever among prospective first-time college students with a total of 57,000 applications received for admission to the 2019 summer and fall semesters, a record high and an 11.9 percent increase over 2018, and WHEREAS, one of the most academically accomplished freshman classes in Florida State University's history is at the forefront of the institution's exemplary accomplishments for the 2018-19 academic year with a median GPA of 4.3, SAT score of 1345, and ACT composite score of 30, and WHEREAS, Florida State Universi ty celebrates its 50th year of CARE, the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, which continues to strive to give aid to underrepresented students who have faced both educational and economic difficulties in their lives, helping them to graduate an dsucceed, and WHEREAS, in 2018, Florida State University experienced two remarkable victories in athletics with the FSU Women's Softball Team celebrating its first-ever NCAA National Championship and WHEREAS, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine recognized Florida State University as a "Diversity Champion" for the third year in a row, awarded to schools who demonstrate a promise to uphold inclusion and diversity, and WHEREAS, th ecollege experience continues to enrich the lives of Florida State University students due to the long standing tradition of promoting racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity on its campus along with the aggressive recruitment of diverse groups of students,NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida: That April 9, 2019, is designated as "FSU Day" in Florida in recognition of Florida State University's contribution as an outstanding institution of higher edu cation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to President John Thrasher of Florida State University as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.