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SR 244

A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Dr. James Votruba.

2025 Regular Session

Kentucky Senate adopts SR 244, adjourning in memory of Dr. James Votruba, NKU president (1997-2012) for his leadership in higher education and regional progress.

adopted by voice vote
#memorials
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Bill Summary · SR 244

Summary — SR 244: A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Dr. James Votruba

Bill at a glance

  • Bill number: SR 244 (Senate Resolution)
  • Classification: Memorial / Adjournment resolution
  • Title: A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Dr. James Votruba
  • Introduced / Received by Secretary: March 10, 2025
  • Status: Adopted (voice vote); filed with Secretary April 25, 2025; resolution adopted May 1, 2025 (per legislative actions list)
  • Sponsors (listed): Senator Donzella James (primary) and Senator Michael "Doc" Rhett (primary)

Purpose and intent

The resolution expresses the Kentucky Senate’s formal sympathy on the death of Dr. James Votruba, recognizes his leadership and contributions—particularly as president of Northern Kentucky University (NKU)—and directs the Senate to adjourn in his honor. It memorializes his life, service, and impact on higher education and the northern Kentucky region.

Key provisions and contents

  • Official finding/recital of Dr. Votruba’s achievements, including:
    • Fourth and longest-serving president of Northern Kentucky University (1997–2012).
    • Leadership through enrollment growth, creation of new colleges and post‑baccalaureate programs, major campus construction, and preparation for NKU’s reclassification to NCAA Division I athletics.
    • Commitment to NKU as a student-centered institution advancing regional economic, social, and civic progress.
    • Service on numerous community and regional boards and initiatives (e.g., EducateNKY; St. Elizabeth Healthcare Board of Trustees; Ohio National Mutual Holding Company, Inc.; Northern Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Task Force; Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; LINK nky).
  • Formal expression of the Senate’s “most profound sympathy” on his passing (died March 19, 2025, surrounded by family).
  • Specific adjournment instruction: when the Senate adjourns on the day of the resolution, it does so in honor and loving memory of Dr. Votruba.
  • Administrative directive: the Clerk of the Senate is to transmit a copy of the resolution to Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer for delivery to Dr. Votruba’s family.
  • The resolution lists surviving family members and those who preceded him in death (parents Francis and Elizabeth Votruba; sister Mary Lou Votruba; son James Christopher Votruba; granddaughter Eva Votruba‑Porter).

Who is affected / impact

  • Primary: the family of Dr. James Votruba and the Northern Kentucky University community — the resolution serves as a formal state-level expression of condolence and recognition.
  • Secondary: the Kentucky Senate’s proceedings (it stipulates adjournment in his honor for that legislative day).
  • Fiscal impact: none indicated. This is a non-binding memorial resolution with no budgetary provisions.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The resolution is procedural and ceremonial in nature (a simple Senate memorial resolution).
  • Legislative action entries provided include receipt on March 10, 2025; various readings, referrals, and adoptions by voice vote in late March; filing with the Secretary on April 25, 2025; and a recorded adoption May 1, 2025.
  • Upon adoption, the Clerk was directed to send the resolution to a named senator for delivery to the family.

Conclusion

SR 244 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the life and service of Dr. James Votruba, recognizing his contributions to higher education and northern Kentucky, directing the Senate to adjourn in his memory, and providing for delivery of the resolution to his family. It is ceremonial, non‑legislative in effect, and was adopted by the Senate in spring 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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