Senate Resolution No. 4637

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Robert T. Scott upon the occasion of
his retirement after 48 years of dedicated service
to St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Robert T. Scott upon the occasion of his retirement after 48
years of dedicated service to St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute; he will
officially retire in June of 2018; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Scott earned his bachelor's degree from Marist
College in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1968; he furthered his education
by obtaining his master's degree in Religious Studies from Canisius
College in 1975; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, Robert T. Scott began his long and distinguished
career in education as a religion teacher at St. Joseph's Collegiate
Institute, an all-boys high school; for the next 46 years, he devoted
himself to teaching young men about the LaSallian Way; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his dedication to St. Joseph's Collegiate
Institute, Robert T. Scott and the Elmwood Franklin School in Buffalo,
he is a past member of the Board of Trustees of Mt. St. Mary Academy,
Holy Angels Academy, Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, the Elmwood
Franklin School, and the Nativity Miguel School; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Scott's recognizable skill, boundless enthusiasm,
and great efforts displayed through his teaching resulted in his
appointment to the position of Vice President for Student Affairs in
1981; he accepted the role of the first lay President in the school's
history in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Four years later, the school's Board of Directors
unanimously approved a resolution to name the school's athletic complex
in honor of this remarkable man, henceforth the Robert T. Scott AFSC
Athletic Complex was dedicated in recognition of his steadfast and
unremitting commitment to St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute; and

WHEREAS, This modern and beautiful athletic complex represents
Robert T. Scott's determination and leadership of the capital campaign
in establishing St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute as one of the premiere
high schools in the Buffalo area; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Scott genuinely cares about each person at St.
Joseph's Collegiate Institute; he strives to personally influence every
single young man who passes through the halls to not only achieve their
academic goals, but to be gentlemen of faith, character and integrity;
and

WHEREAS, Under Robert T. Scott's luminous leadership, St. Joseph's
Institute implemented various environmental efforts which include a
108-solar panel system on the school's roof conserving electrical use;
it is supported by a real-time display of electricity production and an
educational kiosk in the school's student commons; this green initiative
is expected to save the school $113,500 over the 25-year guaranteed
lifetime of the system; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Scott also presided over the construction of a
state-of-the-art science facility, and a new residence for the Christian
Brothers; after 155 years, he raised the necessary funds to place a
statue of the school's patron saint, Saint John Baptiste de La Salle, in
front of the chapel; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Robert T. Scott focused much of his
time and effort on student financial aid, ensuring a St. Joe's education
remains affordable and accessible to everyone; he will forever be
remembered as one of the most influential leaders the high school has
ever had the pleasure of knowing; and

WHEREAS, For almost five decades, Robert T. Scott has "bled white,
burgundy, and silver"; his loyalty to the district and to his staff is
truly admirable; all who have had the privilege to work with him through
the years have known him to be an honest and hard-working Teacher, Vice
Principal, Principal, and President who always made the needs and
concerns of his students his top priority; and

WHEREAS, Since the beginning of his tenure at St. Joseph's
Institute, Robert T. Scott has embodied the values espoused by the
Lasallian Mission, following in the footsteps of St. John Baptist de La
Salle and other members of the Brothers of Christian Schools; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Scott has completed the Buttiimer Institute of
Lasallian Studies, the Lasallian Leadership Institute, and has held
numerous leadership positions throughout the Christian Brothers network
in the United States; and

WHEREAS, As a testament to his life of service, Robert T. Scott was
appointed an Affiliated Member of the Brothers in June of 2001, the
order's highest honor; and

WHEREAS, Robert T. Scott plans on spending his much-deserved
retirement with his beloved wife, Michelle, his two children, and four
grandchildren; he is also looking forward to reconnecting with his four
brothers; and

WHEREAS, The driving force behind Robert T. Scott's commitment to
education is his belief that all children have the potential to do great
things if given the opportunity; he prides himself on creating an
educational environment where students come first and expectations are
high; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Robert T. Scott upon the occasion of his retirement after 48
years of dedicated service to St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, and to
wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert T. Scott.