Southwest Minnesota State University President Jayasuriya announces retirement; university enrollment rose 20% during his tenure, reaching 14-year high in 2024

May 7, 2025 (Targeted News Service) –

WASHINGTON , May 7 -- Rep. Michelle Fischbach , R- Minnesota , issued the following floor remarks on May 6, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. Speaker refers to the presiding officer of the House at the time of the speech):

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Mr. Speaker , I rise today to congratulate Kumara Jayasuriya on his remarkable tenure as the president of Southwest Minnesota State University .

Under President Jayasuriya's leadership, SMSU thrived. In a period where most Minnesota schools saw an enrollment drop, SMSU's rose by nearly 20 percent.

Just last year, the university recorded its highest enrollment in 14 years, and I am incredibly grateful for what he has done to improve higher education in western Minnesota and to protect the legacy of a respected institution.

Mr. Speaker , I congratulate President Jayasuriya on his retirement and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him to advance SMSU.

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Original text and links presented by source here: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-171/issue-75/house-section/article/H1870-1