E1514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 22, 2015 too long to enumerate here, but some high- ranging practicums and internships with ble attitude and sincere dedication to service lights include: local companies, the faculty sets up its stu- to others and to improving educational oppor- Total enrollment up from 1,350 to 3,800; 78% dents to gain valuable experience outside the tunities for all students. Not only that, he in- of that increase experienced over the past classroom and to build relationships with po- five years, with an additional 15% projected tential employers. ‘‘The key to success spired each of us to be better people and to for Fall 2015 today—particularly on the education side, give back to our communities through kind- Transition from undergraduate to graduate but also the job-placement side—is that link- ness, charity and service. and doctorate degree status age to business and industry,’’ says Brooks. I recently had the honor to present Mr. Upgrade of athletic programs from NAIA In fact, all new programming at Trine is seen Davis posthumously with the Order of the to NCAA through the lens of its potential for career Long Leaf Pine, the highest award the Gov- Successful completion of the largest cap- outcomes. ernor of North Carolina can bestow. The Order ital campaign in Trine’s history ($90 million) If Dr. Brooks had a word of advice for his was created in 1963, and has been presented and raised 55% of current $75 million Invest peers, he might add two elements to the list in Excellence campaign of reasons why he has succeeded as a leader. to honor persons who have a proven record of Update and revitalization of the physical ‘‘Don’t be afraid to take a risk. Be bold,’’ he service to the State of North Carolina. While campus through a $100 million investment in says. ‘‘Be bold in your vision, stick to your Mr. Davis made his mark in other states, like new projects, including eight new apart- beliefs, listen to the market but don’t be Georgia and Alabama, it seems like he always ment-style student housing units afraid to take a calculated risk.’’ Second, had North Carolina on his mind. Renovation of the Health Sciences Edu- drop the long-range planning. ‘‘I’m not sure Mr. Speaker, please join me today in com- cation Center that long-range planning fits higher edu- memorating the life of Frank Davis for his Expansion of welcome/admissions center cation,’’ he says. ‘‘Ten-year plans don’t fit, New university center and library commitment to his community and the numer- so we’ve adopted a philosophy we call a roll- ous lives he impacted throughout his life. New athletic and recreation center, com- ing three-year plan.’’ plete with a new stadium Here again, a look at why Dr. Brooks has f Renovation of the administration building succeeded must be cut short, primarily be- and the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts cause the president would rather talk about HONORING RICHARD K. DONAHUE Renovation of Ford Hall, home of the who has made him successful. ‘‘People make Ketner School of Business the institution. You try to hire great people Construction of the Jim and Joan Bock HON. NIKI TSONGAS with talents greater than yours and not be OF MASSACHUSETTS Center for Innovation & Biomedical Engi- threatened by that,’’ he says with warmth IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES neering and a wry smile. Indeed, the plaque on his New College of Engineering and Business desk reads, ‘‘There is no limit to what a man Thursday, October 22, 2015 Full-time faculty bolstered by 60%, from 53 can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind to 89 Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, the City of who gets the credit.’’ A career-placement average of 99.7% for Whether luck or talent, Brooks has the Lowell, Massachusetts is well-known for its Trine graduates, compared to the national knack for attracting good people to an orga- historic contributions to this nation, from its average of 75.6% as reported by the National nization at all levels—faculty, staff, board of roots in the founding of modern industry, to Association of Colleges and Employers in trustees, donors and, of course, students. world-renown authors and artists, to public of- 2013–2014 ‘‘You need good people to lead an amazing To celebrate what has been accomplished ficials who helped shape the national con- transformation,’’ he says. under Dr. Brooks’ leadership, however, must versation. Lowell recently lost one of those ti- And while Brooks is no longer in the class- lead naturally to a discussion of why he has tanic figures with the passing of Richard K. room, he still finds multiple ways to engage been so successful. ‘‘I started in the class- the students. He maintains an open-door pol- Donahue. room teaching, which I still love,’’ says icy with them, an ideal that one might ques- Richard Donahue will be remembered Brooks. ‘‘You never grow tired of that expo- tion until Brooks hands you his business across Massachusetts and the country for his sure to young people.’’ After teaching biol- card, which includes his home phone number. expertise and leadership in the legal world, as ogy and physiology, Brooks worked his way ‘‘That connection with students is some- well as his acumen and achievements in poli- up from classroom professor to department thing that just never goes away,’’ he says. chair, then to school dean. At universities in tics, policy and business. This year, Trine University is celebrating Tennessee and Delaware, he served as both A valued citizen of Lowell, his professional the 15-year tenure of its president, Dr. Earl vice president for academic affairs and exec- career existed on the national stage, through D. Brooks II, and for good reason. He has utive vice president/chief operating officer, done much and he has gone far, and for that, his storied involvement in the successful cam- eventually becoming immersed in the var- he deserves a fair share of the credit. paign of President John F. Kennedy, his ten- ious operations of a college campus. ure as a confidant and advisor at the Kennedy f But three years into his role as chief aca- White House, as a highly-regarded and nation- demic officer at Lincoln Memorial Univer- HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK sity in Harrogate, Tennessee, Brooks awak- ally respected lawyer, and as President of ened to the crucial function of fundraising DAVIS NIKE, a major worldwide company. He was an and development. Consequently, his aca- exemplary role model for young Lowellians demic history and his fundraising experience HON. RICHARD HUDSON coming of age in the 60s and 70s, setting a together produced a love for administration OF NORTH CAROLINA standard of excellence and accomplishment that prompted his desire to pursue the presi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that he made seem quite easy. dency. ‘‘I’d learned through that process the As much as Dick was a national figure, he two most critical areas for the success of an Thursday, October 22, 2015 never lost touch with his home city. He re- institution,’’ says Brooks: ‘‘The enrollment Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mained deeply committed to Lowell throughout aspect and the fundraising aspect.’’ He at- tributes part of Trine’s success as a team to honor Frank Davis of Concord, North Carolina, his entire life. Dick represented the fighting understanding and focusing on those two pri- who passed away on August 24, 2015. We spirit and dedication to community that is orities. ‘‘Financially, enrollment and fund- send our prayers and sincerest condolences Lowell’s trademark. He always had the com- raising drive the institution.’’ to his wife, Joan, and the entire Davis family. munity’s best interests at heart. The fact that higher education has seen Born on November 7, 1944, Mr. Davis dedi- His wife, Nancy, the founder of Merrimack drastic changes during Dr. Brooks’ tenure cated his life to serving our nation’s students. Repertory Theater has been its guiding light emphasizes its focus. ‘‘Higher education has After receiving his degree from Berry College, from its inception. Dick and Nancy’s tremen- become more and more of a business,’’ he Mr. Davis taught high school English in a na- dous philanthropic support to the theater and says. ‘‘We’ve learned to operate like a busi- ness.’’ Schools are becoming consumer-driv- tionwide linguistic research and development across the region reflected their unflagging en now, which makes the student a cus- project in Rome, GA. After completing this generosity and willingness to share the fruits tomer. ‘‘Kids arriving today need an edu- project, Mr. Davis transitioned to the field of of a very successful life and devote it to the cation with a career in mind.’’ higher education, where he served three dec- best interests of the City of Lowell. Trine’s astonishing 99.7 percent career- ades as an admissions and chief development Dick also understood that the City and its placement average for graduates is officer at several universities, including his University rise and fall together, and devoted hardwired directly to the school’s career alma mater. In 1998, Mr. Davis joined The himself to being a leader at the University of focus. ‘‘We’re fortunate to be a school that is more professional-oriented in our degree of- Cannon Foundation, later becoming the Foun- Massachusetts Lowell, helping to position that ferings, which gives us a clear advantage,’’ dation’s Executive Director in 2000. institution for future success.