Honor Ottaway with SUNY Degree

Senate Resolution No. 4335 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMENDING James H. Ottaway, Jr. upon the occasion of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York at New Paltz on May 20, 2018 WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and careers to the service of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend James H. Ottaway, Jr. upon the occasion of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York at New Paltz during its commencement exercises on Sunday, May 20, 2018; and WHEREAS, This prestigious degree recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, service to his or her community, and achievements in their chosen profession; James H. Ottaway, Jr. is truly deserving of this award; and WHEREAS, James H. Ottaway, Jr. is a journalist, newspaper executive, philanthropist and longtime benefactor of the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, James H. Ottaway, Jr. earned his degree from Yale University; and WHEREAS, In 1960, James H. Ottaway, Jr. began his long and distinguished career as a reporter and Associate Editor at the News-Times in Danbury, Connecticut; he then assumed the titles of Chairman and Executive Officer of Ottaway Newspapers, which became the community newspaper subsidiary of Dow Jones & Company in 1970; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, James H. Ottaway, Jr. was in charge of 20 daily newspapers across the country; from 1987 to April of 2006, he served as both the Director and Senior Vice President of Dow Jones & Co., Inc.; he also held the position of President of the International and Magazine divisions; and WHEREAS, In 2000, James H. Ottaway, Jr. and his wife Mary established SUNY New Paltz's first and only endowed professorship in journalism, named in honor of James' father; the James H. Ottaway, Sr. Visiting Professorship has hosted professors every spring, providing hundreds of students with the opportunity to study and work alongside Pulitzer, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalists; and WHEREAS, James H. Ottaway, Jr. and his wife have also donated their time and energy to the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz; through their efforts, the Museum has featured many interesting exhibitions and has turned into a premier tourist attraction for Hudson Valley art and artists; and WHEREAS, In addition, this generous couple supports the Mohonk Preserve, the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, Phillies Bridge Farm, Bard College, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the World Press Freedom Committee, Doctors Without Borders, and Human Rights Watch, as well as Words Without Borders.org; and WHEREAS, James H. Ottaway, Jr., throughout his purposeful life, has served his community with integrity and devotion, continuously striving to meet the needs of his community through entertainment and enlightenment; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence 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 James H. Ottaway, Jr. upon the occasion of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from SUNY New Paltz on May 20, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to James H. Ottaway, Jr.