LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Nassau Community College upon the occa-
sion of its 50th Anniversary on May 28, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those outstanding institutions of higher education which are
dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the education of 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 honor
Nassau Community College upon the occasion of its 50th Anniversary to be
celebrated at a Gala on Thursday, May 28, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1959, Nassau Community College is committed to
providing high quality, affordable education and career preparation to
meet the needs and interests of the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, Part of the prestigious State University of New York, Nassau
Community College first opened its doors in rented space in the Nassau
County Court House in Mineola, New York, with just over 600 students
enrolled and 30 faculty members; and
WHEREAS, The College grew rapidly, and in 1962, it was given 135 acres
and several buildings on the site of the former Mitchel Air Force Base
in Garden City; more than 3,000 students made the move to the new
campus; and
WHEREAS, By the summer of 1965, the student population had risen to
more than 7,000 and the professional staff numbered 245; growth contin-
ued throughout the booming 1960s; it was during this period that the
college became the largest of 28 community colleges in the SUNY system;
academic offerings were expanded and NCC athletic teams thrived; exist-
ing facilities were refurbished and many of the old barracks torn down
to make way for additional parking areas; and
WHEREAS, As the 1970s dawned, enrollment stood at more than 16,500; to
accommodate such rapid growth, the clusters - or what some who have been
at Nassau for decades still call the 'new' campus - was completed,
creating a significant amount of new classroom, lab and office space;
however, student enrollment stabilized during this decade; and
WHEREAS, The 1980s and 1990s brought still more expansion to Nassau
Community College; the student body became much more diverse, mirroring
the population of the Island; this led to the development of several
more ethnic and religious student clubs; degree programs also grew in
number and size; and
WHEREAS, Today, Nassau Community College is the largest single-campus
community college in the State of New York; more than 22,000 students
are enrolled in 30 academic departments; among them are individuals from
nearly 60 countries who speak 35 different languages; another 14,000
people take non-credit continuing and professional studies courses; over
110 academic, athletic, cultural, religious, political and social clubs
are available to students and nearly 70 percent of NCC graduates go on
to a four-year school; and
WHEREAS, However, to remain true to its mission, Nassau Community
College's class sizes remain small and its students are taught by one of
the most distinguished and dedicated faculties in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, there are 47 buildings on a 225-acre campus, with
more on the way; construction is scheduled to begin this year on a Life
Sciences Building, which will house the Nursing and Chemistry depart-
ments; and
WHEREAS, An integral part of the history of its community, Nassau
Community College represents a dynamic, responsive and positive force
within the educational system of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Proudly aware of its distinguished past, Nassau Community
College is eager to fulfill its present commitment to parents, students
and the community, and planning with vision and purpose for the ebb of
growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nassau Community College upon the occasion of its 50th Anniver-
sary, fully confident that in its future, it will enjoy the same success
which has so characterized its past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nassau Community College.