Honor FLCC 50th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3590 BY: Senator HELMING COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York 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 Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), in Canandaigua, New York, to be celebrated with a myriad of events throughout the year; and WHEREAS, Some of these fun-filled events include the release of a

124-page, limited-edition book entitled This Bold Decision, an art exhibit, time capsule announcement, book sales and memories of early employees and alumni, a downtown Canandaigua Wine Walk featuring locations which once served as FLCC classrooms and offices, a Vintners and Valentines winemakers dinner, and a Welcome Home dinner and ceremony to recognize employee and alumni contributions to FLCC; and WHEREAS, Established in 1968, FLCC has served as a dynamic learning resource, empowering its students to succeed and fueling the cultural and economic vitality of the region; for five decades, this vital educational institution has prepared students for transfer to four-year schools and trained the local workforce; and WHEREAS, FLCC has strived to build innovative programs to meet evolving educational needs, drawing on partnerships in the community and beyond; FLCC is committed to offering an educational environment which is intentionally designed to engage its students as learners and propel them to completion; and WHEREAS, In September of 1965, the Ontario County Board of Supervisors voted to start a community college on the advice of a committee led by South Bristol Supervisor Arthur Hawkins; and WHEREAS, Community College of the Finger Lakes' (CCFL) first classes took place in whatever spaces were available in the city of Canandaigua, mostly in downtown storefronts; the College's first freshman class consisted of seven full-time faculty members, along with 85 full-time and 125 part-time students; these students, along with faculty members and a few administrators, would later become known as the College's storefront pioneers, and this early phase in the College's history is now referred to as "The Storefront Days"; and WHEREAS, In 1975, CCFL finally moved its classes to a main campus location; leaving the storefront classrooms behind, the College established a 250-acre main campus location on Lincoln Hill in Canandaigua; in 1992, CCFL officially changed its name to Finger Lakes Community College; and WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees appointed Roy Satre as the first President of the college in April of 1967; in September of that year, the college launched noncredit, evening classes, and began offering credit courses in 1968; and WHEREAS, Currently, FLCC offers its 6,356 full and part-time students more than 50 areas of study where they can earn A.A., A.S., and A.A.S. degrees, as well as several certificate programs; and WHEREAS, FLCC was recently named the top best value junior college in the SUNY system, and is ranked in the top 30 in the country; and WHEREAS, The success of FLCC is in direct correlation to the efforts of its 117 full-time faculty and 196 part-time faculty members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, Today, under the visionary guidance of President Dr. Robert K. Nye, FLCC stands proud and prominent, always looking to the future and the needs of those it serves; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Finger Lakes Community College, noting the propriety of its goals, the constancy of its commitment and the significance of its accomplishments in preparing the youth of today and leaders of tomorrow; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Robert K. Nye, President, Finger Lakes Community College.