President Patricia McGuire Presented With a Ceremonial Resolution by the D.C. Council

President Patricia McGuire was presented with a ceremonial resolution by the D.C. Council today for her exemplary leadership of Trinity for more than 20 years. The resolution was proposed by Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas and unanimously approved by the D.C. Council. Thomas, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray, and several members of the Council presented President McGuire with the resolution; members of the Trinity community were present for the ceremony. The resolution proclaims that under President McGuire’s leadership, Trinity “has grown into one of the most successful urban education centers in the nation.” President McGuire was recognized for opening “a door of higher education for many women to enter, prosper and enjoy fulfilling careers.” (Full resolution is below).

President McGuire with Chairman Vincent Gray.

President McGuire with Councilmember Harry Thomas.

President McGuire with Council members and members of the Trinity community.

A Ceremonial Resolution in the
Council of the District of Columbia
April 20, 2009

To honor and support Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University.

WHEREAS, Patricia  McGuire is in her 21st year as President of Trinity Washington University;

WHEREAS, Trinity College opened in 1897 as a sister school to Catholic University, the then-all-male institution across the street, both located in the Brookland neighborhood of Ward 5;

WHEREAS, Trinity College experienced a name change to Trinity Washington University in 2004 and fondly known as “Trinity”;

WHEREAS, Patricia McGuire is a Trinity College graduate and among the longest-serving college presidents in the area;

WHEREAS, though Patricia McGuire grew up in Philadelphia she has made Trinity her life;

WHEREAS, Patricia McGuire noted the reason for the college’s existence in 1897 as an institution specifically for women but now notes a century later that women are still being denied access to higher learning due to lack of wealth and academic preparation;

WHEREAS, to address that lack Patricia McGuire proposed to make professional education Trinity’s financial pillar;

WHEREAS, Trinity has grown into one of the most successful urban education centers in the nation serving a needier population than any of the historical black institutions around DC;

WHEREAS, today school enrollment is 67 percent African American, 21 percent Hispanic, 6 percent White and 6 percent international; and

WHEREAS, Patricia McGuire received the coveted Leader of the Year Award from the Greater Washington Board of Trade in 2007.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this resolution may be cited as the “Patricia McGuire Recognition Resolution of 2010″.

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia heartily congratulates Trinity’s President Patricia McGuire who graduated from Trinity and returned to make Trinity her life’s work. Ms. McGuire has reached one of her goals to open a door of higher education for many women to enter, prosper and enjoy fulfilling careers.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.