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File #: 090229    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 3/19/2009 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 3/19/2009
Title: Honoring Autumn Adkins on her appointment as President of Girard College, and recognizing her as the first African-American woman to serve in this post.
Sponsors: Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Rizzo, Council President Verna, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Sanchez, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember O'Neill
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 09022900.pdf
Title
Honoring Autumn Adkins on her appointment as President of Girard College, and recognizing her as the first African-American woman to serve in this post.
Body
WHEREAS, Autumn Adkins was educated at the University of Virginia and Columbia University with a degree in communications and a minor in history; and
 
WHEREAS, Ms. Adkins has served for the past 5 years as assistant principal at Friends Seminary, one of Manhattan's most sought after and prestigious private schools; and
 
WHEREAS, Girard College reviewed nearly 100 applications for the position being vacated by current President Dominic M. Cermele,  and Autumn Adkins was the unanimous choice of both the Girard College board of managers and the Board of Directors of City Trusts; and
 
WHEREAS, Girard College opened on January 1, 1848 for the education of poor white orphan boys per the will of Stephen Girard; and
 
WHEREAS, The first African-American student was admitted to Girard College in 1968 after the United States Supreme Court ordered the school to desegregate, and the first female was accepted in 1984; and
 
WHEREAS, The appointment of Autumn Adkins will mark the first African-American, and the first Woman to serve as President of Girard College in its 160 year history; and
 
WHEREAS, This is an historic, barrier breaking achievement that celebrates the diversity and spirit of the City of Philadelphia and Girard College; now, therefore, be it
 
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate Autumn Adkins on her appointment as President of Girard College commencing in July 2009 and we wish her much success in her new role.  
 
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Autumn Adkins as evidence of the sincere appreciation of this legislative body.  
 
 
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