Bill Text: NY J02912 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her retirement after eight years of distinguished service as President of Buffalo State College

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-12-22 - ADOPTED [J02912 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02912-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2912

BY: Senator KENNEDY

         CONGRATULATING  Dr.  Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner
        upon the occasion  of  her  retirement  after  eight
        years  of  distinguished  service  as  President  of
        Buffalo State College

  WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and  publicly  acknowledge  individuals  of  remarkable  integrity   and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern  and  in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
congratulate  Dr.  Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her
retirement after eight years of distinguished service  as  President  of
Buffalo State College; and

  WHEREAS,  Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Ph.D., began her tenure as the
ninth president  of  Buffalo  State  College  on  August  3,  2014;  her
professional leadership can be seen in the many and varied aspects which
are part of a major academic anchor institution; and

  WHEREAS,  As  president  of  SUNY's  largest  and only comprehensive
college located in an urban  setting,  Dr.  Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner
oversees  and manages more than 1,500 faculty, staff, and administrators
who provide more than 75 undergraduate and 60 graduate  academic  degree
programs  to  6,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students each year;
and

  WHEREAS,  Under  the   able   leadership   of   Dr.   Katherine   S.
Conway-Turner, Buffalo State's commitment to service has been recognized
nationally;   in  2016,  Buffalo  State  was  among  five  colleges  and
universities from across the country chosen to share in  the  Washington
Center's Annual Higher Education Civic Engagement Awards; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, the college has earned the Carnegie Foundation
for  the  Advancement  of Teaching's Community Engagement Classification
under Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner, as  well  as  accolades  from  the
President's   Higher   Education   Community   Service  Honor  Roll  and
recognition of excellence from AASCU; and

  WHEREAS, One of President  Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner's  signature
events,  "Bengals  Dare  to  Care  Day,"  was  initiated  as part of her
inauguration week of activities in 2014, and she officially launched the
annual service day the following year, during which time  Buffalo  State
students,  faculty,  alumni,  staff,  and friends of the college provide
community service within the City of Buffalo  one  Saturday  during  the
fall  semester;  each  year,  hundreds  of  the  Buffalo State community
members provide service to 40 community agencies  throughout  the  city;
and

  WHEREAS,  Dr.  Katherine  S. Conway-Turner also lends her talent and
time to several boards, committees, and programs nationally,  statewide,
and  locally;  she  serves on the Distinguished Alumnus Award Search and

Selection Committee for the American Association of State  Colleges  and
Universities,  and  she  is  a  member  of  the  Association of American
Colleges and Universities' Presidents' Trust; and

  WHEREAS,  In  addition,  she is a member of the review and selection
panel for the American Council on Education Fellows Program, and she  is
a member of the Division III President's Council, a member of NCAA Board
of  Governors  Committee  to  Promote  Cultural Diversity and Equity and
Pathway Program mentor for the National Collegiate Athletic Association;
and

  WHEREAS, President Katherine S. Conway-Turner is the vice chair  and
commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which
is  the  accrediting body for higher education institutions in Delaware,
the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York,  Pennsylvania,
Puerto  Rico, and the Virgin Islands; she is the vice chair of the board
of Campus Compact and member of the executive board of the Coalition  of
Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU); and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  her
community, Dr.  Katherine S. Conway-Turner serves  on  the  Western  New
York  Youth  Apprenticeship steering committee and the advisory board of
the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County; she is an emeriti  member  of
the  Western  New  York  Women's Foundation, Say Yes Buffalo's Operating
Committee, the Richardson Center Corporation Board,  and  co-chairs  the
Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; and

  WHEREAS,  President  Katherine S. Conway-Turner earned her Ph.D. and
Master of Arts degrees in social psychology, and her  Bachelor  of  Arts
degree  in  microbiology,  all from the University of Kansas; she is the
author of numerous articles, chapters, books, and book reviews; and

  WHEREAS, President Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner's  personal  journey
mirrors   that  of  many  of  her  students,  past  and  present;  as  a
first-generation  college  student,  she  appreciates  the  process   of
education  and  embraces  its transformative aspects; she listens to the
ever-changing needs of  her  students  and  attempts  to  implement  and
monitor  new  programs  and  processes  to  help  these  students become
successful, contributing members of society; and

  WHEREAS, With her throughout has been  her  husband,  Dr.  Alvin  L.
Turner,  who  feels  privileged to be a part of her life and rejoices in
her many achievements; and

  WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New  York  State,
Dr.     Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner  has  continually  demonstrated  an
impressive dedication,  an  unparalleled  devotion  and  an  unremitting
enthusiasm for the quality of the educational programs and opportunities
offered  for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the
entire community; and

  WHEREAS, In completing her service as President,  Dr.  Katherine  S.
Conway-Turner leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves
behind  a  legacy  to  the  students of Buffalo State College and to the
residents of Buffalo, New York; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Dr.  Katherine  S.  Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her

retirement, and to wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner.