08 LC 95
0541
Senate
Resolution 1040
By:
Senators Chance of the 16th, Rogers of the 21st, Staton of the 18th, Harp of the
29th, Wiles of the 37th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and honoring the life of Noah N. Langdale; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Noah N. Langdale was tenacious in taking Georgia State University from a
two-building college to a major university as its president from 1957 through
June, 1988; and
WHEREAS,
during his tenure he set a pattern for Georgia State University that continues
today; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Langdale was single-minded in making Georgia State University more than a
college of 5,200 students, a budget of $1.9 million, two buildings, and one
degree in business; and
WHEREAS,
when he retired, the university had more than 22,000 students, 20 buildings, and
a budget of $118.6 million and it offered 50 degrees in more than 200 fields;
and
WHEREAS,
a one-time University of Alabama football star and Phi Beta Kappa graduate, the
Valdosta native earned his law degree and master's in business administration
from Harvard University; and
WHEREAS,
he left his law practice in Valdosta, Georgia, where he also taught at Valdosta
State University, to become Georgia State's president; and
WHEREAS,
he was an erudite man who could quote great thinkers from Spinoza to Walter
Lippmann or discuss such concepts as the equity of the universality as glibly as
he could quote dialogue from Marx Brothers movies; and
WHEREAS,
he was pleased with Georgia State University's long-standing tradition of open
debate and academic freedom, an integrated student body, a collaborative
administration, and a quality faculty and staff;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Langdale brought the student body to 22 percent minority and 57 percent women, a mix no other college in the state could match; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Langdale brought the student body to 22 percent minority and 57 percent women, a mix no other college in the state could match; and
WHEREAS,
under his tenure, Georgia State University held bragging rights to a thriving
law school, a nationally ranked business school, and to being a leader in public
urban affairs; and
WHEREAS,
for Mr. Langdale it always came down to people, "The most important thing is
that, over the years, we've been able to educate a great number of people who
otherwise would never have been able to go to college."; and
WHEREAS,
he is survived by a son, Mike Langdale, of Atlanta; and
WHEREAS,
it is abundantly fitting and proper that the often unheralded yet dramatic
influence which professors and administrators such as Noah Langdale have on the
quality of education received by the undergraduate and graduate students of this
state be acknowledged appropriately.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body heartily
recognize Noah Langdale for his many years of unparalleled and unexcelled
commitment and singular contribution to the advancement of education and offer
their most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Noah
Langdale.