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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING DR. WILLIS L. LONZER, III AS THE NEW GENERAL PRESIDENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III was born on March 7, 1963 in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Lonzer, III attended Delaware State University where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Akron; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III was awarded a National Institutes of Health sponsored Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiology and Biophysics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. While at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Lonzer, III’s research involved understanding the structure and function of proteins and enzymes while providing insight into the pathophysiology of diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, and more; and
WHEREAS, after a brief tenure in academia, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III has over 20 years of global corporate experience in research and development with companies such as AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, AbbVie, and Takeda/Shire Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Lonzer, III currently serves as the Regional Medical Director at Horizon Therapeutics, a global biopharmaceutical company; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated where he was initiated at Delaware State University through the Gamma Sigma Chapter on November 15, 1986. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African-American Men founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The fraternity has played a fundamental role in the positive development of the character and education of more than 200,000 men; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III’s fraternal service has included serving as a Chapter President at the college and alumni levels-Area Director, District Director of Ohio, and as the Midwestern Regional Vice President. Dr. Lonzer, III has also served on multiple committees on the regional and national levels of the fraternity. He is currently a member of the Xi Lambda Chapter in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, on July 24, 2020, Dr. Everett B. Ward, the 35th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, announced the selection of Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III as the 36th General President of this illustrious fraternity. In this role, Dr. Lonzer, III will provide strategic direction and leadership to the oldest Greek-letter organization for African-American Men; and
WHEREAS, one of the greatest joys for Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III is his family. Dr. Lonzer, III is married to Pamela Lonzer and is the proud father of two adult sons and a teenage daughter. Dr. Lonzer, III and his family currently lives in Chicago, Illinois; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County does hereby honor and congratulate Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III’s selection as the 36th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and his many contributions bettering the lives of all residents in Cook County and across the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III and his family for this special recognition.
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