Honor James Neiland’s Alumni Service

Senate Resolution No. 1319 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING James Neiland upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Excellence in Alumni Service Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the compassion of individuals such as James Neiland who uphold the values of community life and who, through their great actions, epitomize the best of humanity; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor James Neiland upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Excellence in Alumni Service Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association to be celebrated with a Gala on May 4, 2019, at Wolfert's Roost, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious award recognizes individuals who sustain leadership and service to the Alumni Association and the University at Albany (UAlbany); James Neiland is one such individual; and WHEREAS, The University at Albany Foundation's largest endowed undergraduate scholarship honors Scott McGovern, a 1987 School of Business graduate who lost his life during the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on 9/11; the scholarship is funded through the efforts of Scott's many friends and UAlbany classmates including Class of 1987 alumnus James Neiland; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of James Neiland, the Scott M. McGovern Memorial Golf Tournament on Long Island has been a great success for 17 years and counting, providing funds for a number of charitable causes in McGovern's name, one of which is the UAlbany Scott M. McGovern '87 Memorial Scholarship; and WHEREAS, This vital scholarship offers renewable support to incoming freshmen who demonstrate financial need and academic achievement; it is the first UAlbany Foundation undergraduate scholarship to reach an endowment exceeding one million dollars, a milestone reached in 2018; and WHEREAS, Powered by James Neiland's profound leadership, the scholarship has had a tremendous impact since its establishment in 2003, granting 81 scholarships totaling nearly $210,000 to students in McGovern's name; and WHEREAS, Today, the Scott M. McGovern '87 Memorial Scholarship is the UAlbany Foundation's eighth largest endowment among more than 560 endowed funds; and WHEREAS, The University at Albany is truly indebted to James Neiland for the establishment of the Scott M. McGovern '87 Memorial Scholarship, as well as for giving tirelessly of his time and energies to help cultivate, sustain and augment the scholarship on an annual basis; and WHEREAS, A resident of Huntington, New York, James Neiland currently serves as eastern division sales manager for Goldman Sachs; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which James Neiland has displayed throughout his life; and WHEREAS, It has always been the objective of this Legislative Body to honor and support those individuals who have displayed their commitment to the betterment of their communities, and it is the intent of this Legislative Body to inscribe upon its records, this tribute to James Neiland, that future generations may know and appreciate his admirable character, his many benevolent deeds, and the respect and esteem in which he is held by his peers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor James Neiland upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Excellence in Alumni Service Award by the University at Albany Alumni Association; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to James Neiland.