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.