Senate Resolution No. 1130

BY: Senator RYAN

HONORING Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner upon the
occasion of her retirement after over eight years of
distinguished service to Buffalo State University

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents 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 honor
Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her retirement after
over eight years of distinguished service to Buffalo State University;
and

WHEREAS, For the past over eight years, Dr. Katherine S.
Conway-Turner rendered faithful, conscientious, and valuable service to
Buffalo State University, earning the admiration, esteem, and affection
of her colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner earned her Ph.D. and Master
of Arts degrees in social psychology, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in
microbiology from the University of Kansas; her scholarship focuses on
adult development and aging; the psychological impact of aging on family
relations, health, and development; and women and intergenerational
relationships; she is the author of numerous articles, chapters, books,
and book reviews; and

WHEREAS, Before coming to Buffalo State University in 2014, Dr.
Katherine S. Conway-Turner served in numerous roles in various colleges
across the Nation, including Graduate Program Coordinator, Associate
Dean, Dean, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs; and

WHEREAS, At Buffalo State University, President Dr. Katherine S.
Conway-Turner oversaw and managed more than 1,500 faculty, staff, and
administrators who provide more than 75 undergraduate and 60 graduate
academic degree programs to 6,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate
students each year; and

WHEREAS, Under Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner's valuable leadership,
Buffalo State University reached new heights of excellence; in 2016,
Buffalo State was among five colleges and universities from across the
country chosen to share in the Washington Center's annual Higher
Education Civic Engagement Awards; and

WHEREAS, The college also earned the Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching's Community Engagement Classification under Dr.
Katherine S. Conway-Turner, accolades from the President's Higher
Education Community Service Honor Roll and recognition of excellence
from AASCU; and

WHEREAS, In her true dedication to making lasting impacts, the
University President established a signature event entitled "Bengals
Dare to Care Day," an annual opportunity for hundreds of Buffalo State

community members to provide service to 40 community agencies throughout
the city; and

WHEREAS, A member of countless boards and committees, Dr. Katherine
S. Conway-Turner serves on the Distinguished Alumnus Award Search and
Selection Committee for the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities, is a member of the Association of American Colleges and
Universities' Presidents' Trust, as well as the review and selection
panel for the American Council on Education Fellows Program, the
Division III President's Council, the NCAA Board of Governors Committee
to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity, and is a Pathway Program
mentor for the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner is the vice
chair and commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education, which is the accrediting body for higher education
institutions in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; she
is the vice chair of the board of Campus Compact and member of the
executive board of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities;
and

WHEREAS, Her statewide commitments include service on the Western
New York Youth Apprenticeship steering committee, serving on the
advisory board of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, service as
an Emeriti member of the Western New York Women's Foundation, member of
Say Yes Buffalo's Operating Committee, service to The Richardson Center
Corporation Board, and she Co-chairs the Western New York Regional
Economic Development Council; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure as President, Dr. Katherine S.
Conway-Turner is proud of her ability to invest $270 million in campus
additions and renovations including opening its alumni center and its
science and math complex, increasing the school's endowment by 100%,
deepening the institution's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work,
including recently opening a center for social justice and is working on
a social justice walk commemorating the school's past actions related to
DEI; additionally, under her purview, the institution became a
university to recruit international and out-of-state students and to
create opportunities for more collaborative research; and

WHEREAS, In her capacity as President, Dr. Katherine S.
Conway-Turner served with loyalty, honor and distinction, and was
governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of
human problems in her official acts; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, Dr. Alvin L.
Turner, who feels privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her
achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her retirement

after over eight years of distinguished service to Buffalo State
University; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner.