Honor SUNY Cortland Retiree

Senate Resolution No. 2184 BY: Senator SEWARD COMMENDING Douglas DeRancy upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the State University of New York at Cortland on March 31, 2017 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 commend Douglas DeRancy upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the State University of New York at Cortland; and WHEREAS, Douglas DeRancy served the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland faithfully for more than 30 years in alumni affairs and fundraising executive positions before leaving the post of interim associate vice president for Institutional Advancement on Friday, March

31, 2017; and WHEREAS, Douglas DeRancy began his distinguished career with SUNY Cortland as a director of Alumni Affairs in 1986, after serving as a volunteer member of the alumni association's board of directors; three years later, his role expanded to include fundraising; and WHEREAS, While managing day-to-day operations of alumni affairs, Douglas DeRancy supervised an annual fund office as it grew into a fully staffed annual giving program; during this period, he established the college's first major gift and planned giving programs, and a successful structure for supporting the college's first-ever capital campaign; and WHEREAS, During his tenure with SUNY Cortland, Douglas DeRancy worked tirelessly to establish beneficial relationships with the college's 71,000 living alumni; his consistent, concerned, friendly and honest approach with alumni defined "friend-raising" at its best; and WHEREAS, Douglas DeRancy was instrumental in the 2003 acquisition of a stately mansion on Tompkins Street in Cortland, and its transformation into an elegant bed and breakfast which also serves as a site for campus events and alumni gatherings; he also spearheaded a major fund drive among alumni, faculty and friends which established a substantial endowment to support the mansion's upkeep; and WHEREAS, From 1999-2009, Douglas DeRancy also held the title of executive director of Alumni Affairs; in this capacity, he provided leadership and direction for the College's Alumni Affairs Office (now Alumni Engagement), and the Cortland College Alumni Association, Inc. as the principal liaison for the college in matters affecting alumni; and WHEREAS, In 2009, Douglas DeRancy was named assistant to the vice president for Institutional Advancement, a position which was created as the college undertook "Educating Champions: The Campaign for Cortland" to raise funds among alumni, friends, faculty, staff and corporate partners; and WHEREAS, After retiring in 2012, Douglas DeRancy became the director emeritus of Alumni Affairs and assistant emeritus to the vice president for Institutional Advancement; however, he never really stopped working for the college, serving as a part-time consultant until January of

2016, when he agreed to return as interim associate vice president for Institutional Advancement, a position he held until he once again officially retired; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Douglas DeRancy upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the State University of New York at Cortland, and to wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Douglas DeRancy.