Senate Resolution No. 595

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMENDING Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph. D. upon the
occasion of his inauguration as the sixth President
of the State University of New York at Old Westbury
on April 14, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those leaders in education whose professional lives and civic endeavors
serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph. D. upon the occasion of his
inauguration as the sixth President of the State University of New York
at Old Westbury to be celebrated on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the John
& Lillian Maguire Theater in the Campus Center; and

WHEREAS, Raised by his paternal grandparents, Timothy E. Sams grew
up on the south side of Syracuse, New York, where he was a
high-achieving student, played basketball and was an active member of
the local Boy Scouts; and

WHEREAS, Timothy E. Sams earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in
History and Sociology from Union College in Schenectady, New York, his
Master of Arts degree in Africana studies from the State University of
New York at Albany, New York, and then furthered his education by
obtaining his Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 20 year career in higher education, Dr.
Timothy E. Sams was driven by the principles of access, excellence,
success, and impact to achieve student transformation and social
progress; and

WHEREAS, With an unwavering commitment to higher education, Dr.
Timothy E. Sams has worked with institutions around the country and the
world; he moved from learning the fundamentals of building student
success programs to innovating new ones as a senior leader committed to
educational justice by inclusive excellence, praxis, and purpose-driven
education; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2021, Dr. Timothy E. Sams earned tenure at
SUNY Old Westbury, and through his experience at respected institutions
such as Morehouse College and Rensselaer Polytechnic, he never lost
sight of his humble beginnings as an Upward Bound and Educational
Opportunity Program student and always strives to steer each and every
one of his students towards success; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the educational profile of their communities and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in
their profession, 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 Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph.D. upon the occasion of his inauguration
as the sixth President of the State University of New York at Old
Westbury on April 14, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph. D.