Whereas Dr. Kenneth Harwell has served as Vice President and Senior Vice President for Research and Associate Provost at The University of Alabama in Huntsville for nearly ten years; and

Whereas during Dr. Harwell's tenure as Vice President for Research the funded research at UAH has grown from $14 M to as much as $40 M, bringing UAH national recognition for research; and

Whereas Dr. Harwell has provided outstanding executive leadership for fifteen research centers, institutes, and consortia, playing an instrumental role in establishing new research centers in propulsion, aerophysics, earth systems science, information, and humanities; and

Whereas Dr. Harwell exercised wisdom, compassion, understanding, and an exceptional appreciation of the role of research in an academic institution in his interactions with and support of the five academic colleges of the university and the faculty and staff in them; and

Whereas through extraordinary vision and leadership Dr. Harwell has led the development of three new university-government-industry partnerships setting the pattern for other national partnerships; and

Whereas through exceptional insight Dr. Harwell has led the creation of two new statewide alliances of research universities in the State of Alabama to capitalize on the widespread expertise within the state, creating "world-class" research organizations; and

Whereas Dr. Harwell has brought honor to UAH through his numerous awards and citations, including the Toftoy Award and election to Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); and

Whereas Dr. Harwell is a man of remarkable perceptiveness, persuasive resourceful leadership, outstanding technical expertise, and exceptional integrity, and a dedicated husband and father;