Senate Resolution No. 3590

BY: Senator HELMING

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Finger Lakes
Community College in Canandaigua, New York

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 Finger Lakes Community College
(FLCC), in Canandaigua, New York, to be celebrated with a myriad of
events throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, Some of these fun-filled events include the release of a
124-page, limited-edition book entitled This Bold Decision, an art
exhibit, time capsule announcement, book sales and memories of early
employees and alumni, a downtown Canandaigua Wine Walk featuring
locations which once served as FLCC classrooms and offices, a Vintners
and Valentines winemakers dinner, and a Welcome Home dinner and ceremony
to recognize employee and alumni contributions to FLCC; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1968, FLCC has served as a dynamic learning
resource, empowering its students to succeed and fueling the cultural
and economic vitality of the region; for five decades, this vital
educational institution has prepared students for transfer to four-year
schools and trained the local workforce; and

WHEREAS, FLCC has strived to build innovative programs to meet
evolving educational needs, drawing on partnerships in the community and
beyond; FLCC is committed to offering an educational environment which
is intentionally designed to engage its students as learners and propel
them to completion; and

WHEREAS, In September of 1965, the Ontario County Board of
Supervisors voted to start a community college on the advice of a
committee led by South Bristol Supervisor Arthur Hawkins; and

WHEREAS, Community College of the Finger Lakes' (CCFL) first classes
took place in whatever spaces were available in the city of Canandaigua,
mostly in downtown storefronts; the College's first freshman class
consisted of seven full-time faculty members, along with 85 full-time
and 125 part-time students; these students, along with faculty members
and a few administrators, would later become known as the College's
storefront pioneers, and this early phase in the College's history is
now referred to as "The Storefront Days"; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, CCFL finally moved its classes to a main campus
location; leaving the storefront classrooms behind, the College
established a 250-acre main campus location on Lincoln Hill in
Canandaigua; in 1992, CCFL officially changed its name to Finger Lakes
Community College; and


WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees appointed Roy Satre as the first
President of the college in April of 1967; in September of that year,
the college launched noncredit, evening classes, and began offering
credit courses in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Currently, FLCC offers its 6,356 full and part-time
students more than 50 areas of study where they can earn A.A., A.S., and
A.A.S. degrees, as well as several certificate programs; and

WHEREAS, FLCC was recently named the top best value junior college
in the SUNY system, and is ranked in the top 30 in the country; and

WHEREAS, The success of FLCC is in direct correlation to the efforts
of its 117 full-time faculty and 196 part-time faculty members, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the visionary guidance of President Dr. Robert
K. Nye, FLCC stands proud and prominent, always looking to the future
and the needs of those it serves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Finger Lakes Community College,
noting the propriety of its goals, the constancy of its commitment and
the significance of its accomplishments in preparing the youth of today
and leaders of tomorrow; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Robert K. Nye, President, Finger Lakes Community
College.