LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Meredith H. Celentano upon the occasion
of her designation as a 2014 Long island Center for Business and Profes-
sional Women Achiever

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding individuals who distinguish themselves through their excep-
tional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Meredith H. Celentano upon the occasion of her designation as a 2014
Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women Achiever; this
auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the Center's 35th Annual
Achievers' Awards Gala, to be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014; and
WHEREAS, For more than thirty-five years, the Long Island Center for
Business and Professional Women has been dedicated to advancing women in
business, industry and the professions; and
WHEREAS, The Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women
celebrate and honor women who have made significant contributions in
their fields, are leaders, mentors, and who have opened doors for other
women to help foster their rise in business, the professions and in
their community; and
WHEREAS, Meredith H. Celentano joined Hofstra University, Hempstead,
New York, in January of 2006, and currently is the Assistant Vice Presi-
dent for Development and Alumni Affairs; and
WHEREAS, A seasoned and accomplished fundraising and management
professional, Meredith H. Celentano oversees a wide variety of functions
including: management of alumni affairs activities, foundation
relations, special events, and annual giving; and
WHEREAS, Since she began her illustrious career at Hofstra University,
Meredith H. Celentano has doubled the university's annual fund, and the
donor participation rate has increased to 10 percent; in addition, in
2009, she created Women in Leadership at Hofstra University, an initi-
ative aimed at cultivating new alumni leadership; and
WHEREAS, Meredith H. Celentano began her career as an Assistant
Special Events Coordinator for Long Island University's three campuses,
and went on to be a development associate for the Consolidated Corporate
Fund at Lincoln Center before joining New York University's School of
Law as a development officer in 1997; there, she rose through the ranks
to Director of Development, and in 2004, became Director of Development
at Molloy College in Rockville Centre; and
WHEREAS, Beyond her professional achievements, Meredith H. Celentano
has been called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless
civic and charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstint-
ingly; she has served as a member of the Board of Directors of National
Association for Mother's Centers, a member of the corporate development
committee for the 2010 Walk-A-Thon for Girl Scouts of Nassau County, and
writes a food blog called Meredith's Food for Life; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Meredith H. Celentano is a member of the board
of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Long Island, and was
recognized with the first-ever Generation Award for advancing ethical
and effective fundraising practices across generations; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Meredith H. Celen-
tano; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their profession and community,
and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly
have earned the recognition and applause of all citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Meredith H. Celentano upon the occasion of her designation as a
2014 Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women Achiever;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Meredith H. Celentano.