The Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada unanimously passed the following resolution commending DRI President James Taranik at its June 1998 meeting:
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik improved the awareness of state and local governments regarding the capabilities of DRI's scientists to address varied environmental challenges;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik guided the development of The Nevada Medal Awards Program into a nationally recognized science honor;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik developed and encouraged business and academic partnerships to promote high technology industry in Nevada;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik initiated a formal, on-going strategic planning process to identify opportunities and challenges for DRI's future;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik elevated DRI's academic mission and expanded opportunities for UCCSN graduate students to work at DRI;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik fostered science teacher training programs with DRI scientists and promoted distance education to improve the tools available to K-12 teachers across Nevada;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik maintained a vigorous and productive research program of his own on a national and international scale;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik established the Space Grant Program within the UCCSN and guided its development into a premier NASA education program;
WHEREAS, Dr. James V. Taranik guided the evolution of DRI's Research Foundation into an effective fund raising and friend raising organization for the institute; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Regents extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. James V. Taranik for his many years of exemplary service to the University and Community College System of Nevada as President of the Desert Research Institute.