Honor Chapel’s 50th Anniversary

Assembly Resolution No. 1187 BY: M. of A. Fahy COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Chapel + Cultural Center WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across the great State of New York is reflective of certain exemplary cultural centers whose purpose is dedicated to serving students, community and the needs of its citizenry; 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 the Chapel + Cultural Center; and WHEREAS, The Chapel + Cultural Center (C+CC) is a multipurpose performing arts and worship space which serves the educational, cultural, social, and spiritual needs of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), as well as the surrounding Troy and greater Capital Region communities; and WHEREAS, The facility is owned and operated by the Rensselaer Newman Foundation (RNF), a nonprofit corporation chartered in 1963 by the New York State Board of Regents to provide artistic, educational and religious programming in the City of Troy, New York; and WHEREAS, In addition to its secular role as a performing arts and social center, the Chapel + Cultural Center is home to the University Parish of Christ Sun of Justice, a Roman Catholic parish affiliated with the Diocese of Albany, and led by Father Ed Kacerguis; and WHEREAS, Affectionately known as Fred by many RPI students, Father Ed Kacerguis has been serving the Diocese of Albany in the priesthood since 1982; he is also the Treasurer of the Rensselaer Newman Foundation and Religious Programs Coordinator for RPI; and WHEREAS, The Chapel + Cultural Center has an acclaimed art gallery, with exhibitions changing every eight weeks; the facility also hosts many student-oriented parties and events throughout the year, including a Welcome Picnic, Family Weekend Receptions, a Halloween party, Christmas celebrations, a Mardi Gras party, various Holy Week observances, and more; and WHEREAS, The building is an important example of modernist architecture that represents the best of 1960-era design and construction practices; its design reflects modernist ideals of utility, economy, and honesty of purpose and adornment; and WHEREAS, The Chapel + Cultural Center truly transcends church architecture, drawing its adornment from the people and activities it houses in its assembly spaces and on its terraces and lawns; and WHEREAS, On February 22, 2011, the United States Department of the Interior recognized the Chapel + Cultural Center's architectural and social significance by adding it to the National Registry of Historic Places, making it the youngest structure on the registry; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend the faculty and staff, past and present, of the Chapel + Cultural Center who have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for the students and community it serves, noting the significance of its unremitting efforts to build a commonality of interest and pride of cooperative achievement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Chapel + Cultural Center; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Chapel + Cultural Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.