LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, United
States Navy, Retired, upon the occasion of being honored in conjunction
with Women's History Month 2014 in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those women of achievement within the Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who inspire others
through their model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, United States Navy, Retired, upon the
occasion of being honored in conjunction with Women's History Month 2014
in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made
invaluable contributions to the growth and strength of New York State in
countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the State of New York officially sets aside time
to recognize the achievements and lives of these exemplary women, repre-
sentatives of the wide-ranging and vital roles women have played in the
historic development of this great Empire State and its communities; the
theme of this year's commemoration is "Celebrating Women of Character,
Courage, and Commitment"; and
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USN, Retired, is the 10th pres-
ident of SUNY Maritime College, and the first woman to serve as presi-
dent of the college; throughout her illustrious and varied career, she
has consistently epitomized the values of character, courage, and
commitment in her unwavering service to her peers, colleagues, and
fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter served in the United States Navy
with honor and distinction for 34 years; among the pioneers of women in
Naval Aviation, she was the 31st woman to be designated a Naval Aviator,
and was the United States Navy's first woman aviator to attain the rank
of rear admiral; and
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Science in
psychology from the University of Georgia in 1976, holds a Master of
Arts in International Business Relations from Salve Regina University,
and is a distinguished graduate of the United States Naval War College;
she entered the United States Navy in1977 through Aviation Officer
Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, and was commissioned in 1978;
and
WHEREAS, During her distinguished naval career, Rear Admiral Wendi
Carpenter deployed throughout the Pacific, the western United States,
and Alaska, flying the EC-130 Hercules, and operating VIP aircraft,
accumulating more than 3500 military flight hours; and
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter held several key executive offi-
cer and deputy positions, and, in addition, commanded a total of five
times at the Commander, Captain and Flag level in the areas of logis-
tics, training and aviation in fleet, joint and coalition operations;
she was promoted to Flag rank in March 2005, and her final Navy assign-
ment was as Commander, Navy Warfare Development Command where she and
her team worked to deliver operational capability for Navy, joint and
coalition forces; and
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter has served as President of SUNY
Maritime College since August 31, 2011, and during her tenure, the
college has received significant national and international recognition;
it has a nationally ranked engineering program, a top five ranking in
Payscale.com's College Return on Investment Report, continuing all-time

high student enrollment, increased graduation rates, and dramatically
increased first year student retention rates; in addition, the college
has garnered considerable resources in the form of grants, major donors,
and community and government partnerships; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her service to her community,
the State of New York, and the nation, Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter has
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter and to
wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
commend Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USN, Retired, upon the occasion of
being honored in conjunction with Women's History Month in the State of
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USN, Retired.