Bill Text: VA HR301 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Sandra J. DeLoatch.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-8)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-20 - Bill text as passed House (HR301ER) [HR301 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2019-HR301-Enrolled.html

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 301
Celebrating the life of Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2019

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch, a highly admired educator who inspired countless young people through her trailblazing leadership, died on April 17, 2018; and

WHEREAS, born in Nansemond County, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch was a lifelong resident of Suffolk, where she attended John F. Kennedy High School; she earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated magna cum laude; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch continued her education at the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and The College of William & Mary, earning master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics and computer science; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch joined Norfolk State University (NSU) as a professor of mathematics and subsequently became founding chair of the Department of Computer Science; she went on to serve as dean of the institution's College of Science, Engineering, and Technology and acting university president before retiring as provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2017; and

WHEREAS, throughout her career in higher education, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch was known as an innovator, a distinguished leader, and a champion for women, girls, and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields; she was one of NSU's most generous donors and was recognized for giving more than $100,000 to the institution; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch laid the groundwork for NSU's success in the cybersecurity field and served as principal investigator for one of the first two research contracts ever awarded to a historically black college or university by the National Security Agency; she ultimately managed more than $50 million in external funding for computer science and mathematics research projects; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch offered her leadership to the Suffolk Board of Zoning Appeals, the Old Dominion University Research Foundation, and the Broad Creek Digital Inclusion Advisory Board; she was a member of the Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and a life member of the Girl Scouts of the USA; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch received many awards and accolades for her personal and professional achievements, including the Trailblazer Award from the Norfolk Branch of the NAACP, the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, and the Administrator of the Year award from the Virginia Association of Educational Office Professionals; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch donated hundreds of hours of volunteer service to the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, developing a technology plan that modernized the organization and introducing STEM programs to help girls explore new career paths; in 2011, the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast created a special STEM patch in her honor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her great-nephew, Tyler; her brothers, Charles and Earl; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch, who made many contributions to her fellow residents of Suffolk and the students of Norfolk State University; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dr. Sandra J. DeLoatch as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.

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