Honor Jack Quinn’s Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 2719 BY: Senator RANZENHOFER COMMENDING Jack F. Quinn, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after nine years of distinguished service to SUNY Erie Community College WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Jack F. Quinn, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after nine years of distinguished service to SUNY Erie Community College; and WHEREAS, President Jack F. Quinn, Jr. will officially retire from this position following the College's 2017 commencement ceremony; and WHEREAS, Educators like Jack F. Quinn, Jr. have provided a tremendous service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of young people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in their future years; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Bishop Timon High School in 1969, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College in 1973; five years later, he obtained his master's degree in education from the University at Buffalo, and a superintendent credential from SUNY Fredonia; and WHEREAS, For the next 10 years, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. taught English and coached at Orchard Park Middle School; from 1984-1992, he held the title of Supervisor of the Town of Hamburg; and WHEREAS, From 1993-2005, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. served as a United States Congressman representing Buffalo, New York; he then held the position of President of Cassidy & Associates, a government relations firm in Washington, D.C.; and WHEREAS, Since 2008, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has held the title of President of SUNY Erie Community College (ECC), a two-year college consisting of 14,000 students; the second-largest college in Western New York, it offers more than 100 associate degree, certificate, joint and online programs on three campuses in Buffalo, Orchard Park and Williamsville, New York; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has done an outstanding job advocating for ECC, leading ECC, and adapting ECC to the burgeoning economic growth of Buffalo and Western New York; he has always visualized the big picture, setting ECC up for the future and driving the college forward each day; and WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has accomplished numerous goals including the completion of the new STEM building, and the nanotechnology wing; he was also instrumental in achieving contract settlements with ECC's two largest unions until 2020; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has held numerous leadership positions for various organizations including Director of the Program on Science in the Public Interest at Georgetown University; Director of Fundraising of the American Ireland Fund, Director of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, Trustee of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, and Commissioner of both the New York State Tax Relief Commission and the Hurricane Sandy Task Force; and WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has been a vital member of several boards of directors for many worthy organizations such as So Others May Eat, the Catholic Health System of Western New York, the Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, and Read to Succeed Buffalo, as well as the ECC Foundation; and WHEREAS, This remarkable man has also been a member of the Western New York College Connection Executive Committee; and WHEREAS, In 2010, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. served as co-Chair of the New York Empire State Summer Games, and participated in the White House Summit on community colleges; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to education, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. was the recipient of several awards and accolades including the 2011 WNY Vision Award, the 2011 Graduate School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award by SUNY at Buffalo, and was selected as one of 2015's Most Influential Business Leaders by Buffalo Business First; and WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr.'s dedication to his students, faculty and staff at SUNY Erie Community College has been his hallmark for almost a decade; under his direction, the college has increased programs and services, significantly expanding access to higher education opportunities for Erie County residents; and WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr.'s quest for excellence is well-known; he attributes much of his success to the dedicated ethical team of educators, supportive friends, caring and involved parents, and wonderful, enthusiastic students; and WHEREAS, Jack F. Quinn, Jr. has clearly had an enduring impact on the students of SUNY Erie Community College, as well as on the community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for his impressive dedication to others; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of institutions of higher education by providing their skills and talents to our colleges; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Jack F. Quinn, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after nine years of distinguished service to SUNY Erie Community College; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jack F. Quinn, Jr.