Senate Resolution No. 1344

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of
Columbia-Greene Community College

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in higher education for the youth 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
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Columbia-Greene Community College;
and

WHEREAS, On December 8, 1966, the Board of Regents and the Trustees
of the State University of New York ordered the establishment of a
college to serve Columbia and Greene counties and granted a charter and
funds; and

WHEREAS, Temporary offices were opened in Catskill in February of
1968, and later in Athens in January of 1969, under the leadership of
the institution's first president, Edward Owen; the first graduation,
held at Catskill High School, saw 35 students awarded associate degrees
in a dozen areas of study; and

WHEREAS, The permanent campus, a 131,355-square-foot single-building
design, was opened in 1974; accreditation was awarded by the Commission
on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools in December of 1975; and

WHEREAS, Roger A. Van Winkle took the College's helm in September
1978; under his administration, the campus rounded out its basic
curriculum in science and liberal arts with new vocational programs,
noncredit classes, training for business and industry, and training for
disadvantaged students through the Federal CETA program; and

WHEREAS, During this time, enrollment swelled to a record peak of
1,428 credit students in 1982, and more than 6,000 noncredit students by
the mid-1980s; following a standard review by the Middle States
Association in 1980-81, the College was granted reaccreditation for a
ten-year period; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Dr. Robert K. Luther, who took over
the presidency in July of 1984, the campus saw sweeping expansion in the
arts and technologies, with the addition of three new campus buildings:
a day care center, in 1988; and arts and technology centers, in 1990;
and

WHEREAS, With the inclusion of new programs in fine arts, automotive
technology and nursing, as well as the creation of a traditional college
quadrangle, Columbia-Greene was on its way to becoming a comprehensive
community college; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Terry A. Cline became the College's fourth president in
April of 1989, with more than 40 degree and certificate programs on the
roster; groundbreaking for a reconstruction plan entitled Project Renew
was undertaken in the spring of 1996; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the bricks, with mortar and electronics of
this vital project came new academic programs; an automotive-technology
certificate program for service and parts professionals began in the
fall of 1997, a certificate program in computer graphics and design was
launched in the fall of 1998, and both an associate-degree program in
massage therapy and a certificate program in Webmaster were introduced
with the fall 1999 semester; and

WHEREAS, James R. Campion, a 26-year veteran of Columbia-Greene
Community College, became the institutions fifth President on December
20, 2000; throughout his illustrious tenure he has revitalized the
long-range planning process, revised the master plan and the marketing
and recruitment plan, developed new academic programs and furthered the
mission of higher education through the diverse communities of Columbia
and Greene counties; and

WHEREAS, Columbia-Greene Community College, a comprehensive two-year
college, is situated on a picturesque campus near the banks of the
Hudson River, bordered on the west by the Catskill Mountains and to the
east by the Taconic and Berkshire Hills; today, its students enjoy the
benefits of a rural campus while taking advantage of cultural
opportunities in nearby Albany, the Berkshires, and New York City; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history,
Columbia-Greene Community College may look back with pride upon its
humble beginnings, find just satisfaction in its purposeful growth and
hold true of purpose in its commitment to serving the educational needs
of its students; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Columbia-Greene Community College;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to James R. Campion, President, Columbia-Greene Community
College.