A HOUSE RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of David O. Belcher, chancellor of western carolina university.
Whereas, David O. Belcher assumed the role of chancellor of Western Carolina University (WCU) on July 1, 2011; and
Whereas, he was elected chancellor on April 8, 2011, by The University of North Carolina System's Board of Governors (UNC) after being nominated by then‑UNC President Tom Ross to succeed John W. Bardo in the post; and
Whereas, as chancellor, he has overseen a UNC institution enrolling more than 11,000 students and employing more than 1,500 full‑time faculty and staff; and
Whereas, WCU has seen steady increases in enrollment, with the size of the student body increasing by nearly 18% since fall 2011; and
Whereas, the university's freshman‑to‑sophomore retention rate during Chancellor Belcher's tenure hit 80% in fall 2016, doing so five years ahead of the university's target date; and
Whereas, as part of the university's goal to increase student access and student success, WCU has added more than 200 new endowed scholarships since March 2012, including, in October 2017, as Chancellor Belcher and his wife, Susan Brummell Belcher, announced their personal pledge of $1.23 million as part of the Lead the Way campaign; and
Whereas, the university under Chancellor Belcher has consolidated graduate and undergraduate academic programs previously offered at locations across Buncombe County to a new off‑campus instructional site in Biltmore Park Town Square in Asheville and has continued to expand academic offerings there; and
Whereas, Chancellor Belcher provided leadership and advocacy for three significant statewide initiatives with tremendous impact on WCU and the region it serves, including the following:
(1)	In March 2016, North Carolina voters approved a statewide bond package that includes $110 million for replacement of WCU's 1970s‑era Natural Sciences Building;
(2)	In May 2016, WCU was selected for inclusion in the NC Promise Tuition Plan, a State higher education investment commitment that will dramatically lower tuition payments for students who choose to attend WCU and two other UNC institutions beginning in fall 2018;
(3)	In June 2018, the North Carolina legislature showed its commitment to replace WCU's steam plant by funding the first $16.5 million installment for the $33 million replacement project; and
Whereas, Chancellor Belcher died on June 17, 2018, after a courageous battle against cancer; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives wishes to honor the life and memory of David O. Belcher for his contributions to Western Carolina University, for the transformation he provided to the campus and community, and for his distinguished leadership.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives wishes to express its sympathy to the family of David O. Belcher and Western Carolina University for their loss.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of David O. Belcher and to Western Carolina University.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.