Honor Columbia-Greene College Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1344 BY: Senator MARCHIONE COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Columbia-Greene Community College WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of excellence in higher education for the youth of this noble Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Columbia-Greene Community College; and WHEREAS, On December 8, 1966, the Board of Regents and the Trustees of the State University of New York ordered the establishment of a college to serve Columbia and Greene counties and granted a charter and funds; and WHEREAS, Temporary offices were opened in Catskill in February of

1,428 credit students in 1982, and more than 6,000 noncredit students by the mid-1980s; following a standard review by the Middle States Association in 1980-81, the College was granted reaccreditation for a ten-year period; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Dr. Robert K. Luther, who took over the presidency in July of 1984, the campus saw sweeping expansion in the arts and technologies, with the addition of three new campus buildings: a day care center, in 1988; and arts and technology centers, in 1990; and WHEREAS, With the inclusion of new programs in fine arts, automotive technology and nursing, as well as the creation of a traditional college quadrangle, Columbia-Greene was on its way to becoming a comprehensive community college; and WHEREAS, Dr. Terry A. Cline became the College's fourth president in April of 1989, with more than 40 degree and certificate programs on the roster; groundbreaking for a reconstruction plan entitled Project Renew was undertaken in the spring of 1996; and WHEREAS, In addition to the bricks, with mortar and electronics of this vital project came new academic programs; an automotive-technology certificate program for service and parts professionals began in the fall of 1997, a certificate program in computer graphics and design was launched in the fall of 1998, and both an associate-degree program in massage therapy and a certificate program in Webmaster were introduced with the fall 1999 semester; and WHEREAS, James R. Campion, a 26-year veteran of Columbia-Greene Community College, became the institutions fifth President on December

20, 2000; throughout his illustrious tenure he has revitalized the long-range planning process, revised the master plan and the marketing and recruitment plan, developed new academic programs and furthered the mission of higher education through the diverse communities of Columbia and Greene counties; and WHEREAS, Columbia-Greene Community College, a comprehensive two-year college, is situated on a picturesque campus near the banks of the Hudson River, bordered on the west by the Catskill Mountains and to the east by the Taconic and Berkshire Hills; today, its students enjoy the benefits of a rural campus while taking advantage of cultural opportunities in nearby Albany, the Berkshires, and New York City; and WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, Columbia-Greene Community College may look back with pride upon its humble beginnings, find just satisfaction in its purposeful growth and hold true of purpose in its commitment to serving the educational needs of its students; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Columbia-Greene Community College; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to James R. Campion, President, Columbia-Greene Community College.