 
Assembly Resolution No. 297
 
BY: M. of A. Lupardo
 
        CELEBRATING  the  life  and accomplishments of Dr.
        Michael Thonney
 
  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to  better
the  quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its residents; Dr. Michael Thonney was  one  such
individual; and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative Body records the passing of Dr. Michael Thonney, noting  the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Dr.  Michael  Larry  Thonney  of Ithaca, New York, died on
Friday, April 23, 2021 at the age of 71; and
 
  WHEREAS, Raised on a farm in eastern Washington where he had a small
flock of Hampshire sheep,  Michael  Thonney  received  his  Bachelor  of
Science  degree  in  Animal Sciences from Washington State University in
1971; and
 
  WHEREAS, After obtaining his MS (1973) and  PhD  (1975)  degrees  in
nutrition  at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Michael Thonney began his
illustrious career as  an  Assistant  Professor  of  Animal  Science  at
Cornell University, attaining the rank of Professor in 1988; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Dr. Michael Thonney has directed the Cornell Sheep Program
since 1998, including  major  decisions  associated  with  the  300-  to
500-ewe flock managed under the STAR accelerated lambing system; and
 
  WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Michael Thonney served as his department's
alternate  senator  for both the university and college faculty senates;
he  also  served  as  the  Director  of   Graduate   Studies   for   the
cross-departmental  Field  of Animal Science at Cornell University since
January of 2013; and
 
  WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the viability of small livestock farms,
Dr.  Michael Thonney's initial sheep research  centered  around  out  of
season  breeding,  winter grazing and the development of economical feed
rations using byproduct feeds high in fermentable fiber; and
 
  WHEREAS, Furthermore, when  the  Cornell  Sheep  Flock  was  sharply
reduced  in 2016, Dr. Michael Thonney instigated it's move directly onto
campus and piloted practical  methods  to  use  meat  sheep  breeds  for
commercial sheep dairying; and
 
  WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the sheep and
agriculture  industry,  Dr.  Michael  Thonney  established an on-campus,
student-operated sheep dairy  facility,  providing  his  own  funds  for
initial   equipment,  building  a  milking  platform  from  scratch  and
convincing a team of volunteers to remodel the  defunct  Stevenson  Road
Sheep Facility; and
 
  WHEREAS,   Today,  through  this  extraordinary  program,  countless
students, many with no previous farm experience, have  learned  to  milk
sheep, monitor lambing and artificially raise lambs; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Over  the years, Dr. Michael Thonney published extensively
on biology and management of beef cattle  and  sheep  in  animal-related
journals  and  gave  numerous  invited  presentations  in  Scotland, New
Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States; and
 
  WHEREAS, Through the tireless efforts of  Dr.  Michael  Thonney  the
Cornell  sheep  flock  and Cornell solar farms have been instrumental in
increasing livestock farmer knowledge, as  well  as  ways  to  diversify
income  through the use of livestock, combining meat with dairy, and the
co-location with New York State renewable energy projects; and
 
  WHEREAS, Dr. Michael Thonney's infinite selflessness and benevolence
will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight
and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and  hope  to
the countless lives he touched; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Dr. Michael Thonney leaves behind a legacy which  will  long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will
be  deeply  missed  and  truly  merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
celebrate  the  life  of  Dr.  Michael  Thonney, and express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Dr. Michael Thonney.
Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Dr. Michael Thonney

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