WHEREAS, Winthrop University with sincere appreciation, does hereby acknowledge, commend
and honor the distinguished service of Dr. John Bird as Faculty Representative to
the Winthrop University Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, during his four-year tenure he has demonstrated leadership on behalf of his
faculty colleagues; and
WHEREAS, he consistently shared thoughtful advice and counsel with the President and
the Board and devoted himself to the fulfillment of Winthrop University's mission;
and
WHEREAS, he served dutifully and admirably as a faculty member in the department of
English for twenty-four years; and
WHEREAS, he is much admired for his devotion to his scholarship of American Literature
and international prominence within his field as an expert on the writings of Mark
Twain, President of the Mark Twain Circle of America, his widely hailed book, Mark
Twain and Metaphor, and his discovery of an invaluable and heretofore unknown Twain
manuscript; and
WHEREAS, he steadfastly committed many hours of his time as the Director of the Teaching
and Learning Center and led the always enriching Winthrop Conference on Teaching and
Learning; and WHEREAS, his faithful commitment to, and foundation of, The Weekly Reader
regularly warmed the hearts of its many readers and was a frequent source of self-reflection
and mindful awareness;
THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Winthrop University Board of Trustees and President
Mahony do hereby gratefully acknowledge the dedication to excellence that has been
demonstrated by Dr. John Bird on behalf of his faculty colleagues and the University;
and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that presents today from the Board on behalf of the entire
Winthrop University community this citation as a testament to his achievements and
devotion to education.
June 23, 2017
