Honoring Autumn Adkins on her appointment as President of Girard College, and recognizing her as the first African-American woman to serve in this post.

WHEREAS, Autumn Adkins was educated at the University of Virginia and Columbia University with a degree in communications and a minor in history; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Adkins has served for the past 5 years as assistant principal at Friends Seminary, one of Manhattan's most sought after and prestigious private schools; and

WHEREAS, Girard College reviewed nearly 100 applications for the position being vacated by current President Dominic M. Cermele, and Autumn Adkins was the unanimous choice of both the Girard College board of managers and the Board of Directors of City Trusts; and

WHEREAS, Girard College opened on January 1, 1848 for the education of poor white orphan boys per the will of Stephen Girard; and

WHEREAS, The first African-American student was admitted to Girard College in 1968 after the United States Supreme Court ordered the school to desegregate, and the first female was accepted in 1984; and

WHEREAS, The appointment of Autumn Adkins will mark the first African-American, and the first Woman to serve as President of Girard College in its 160 year history; and

WHEREAS, This is an historic, barrier breaking achievement that celebrates the diversity and spirit of the City of Philadelphia and Girard College; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate Autumn Adkins on her appointment as President of Girard College commencing in July 2009 and we wish her much success in her new role.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Autumn Adkins as evidence of the sincere appreciation of this legislative body.

End