LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Steven G. Poskanzer, J.D., upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition by the American Red
Cross of Ulster County on June 5, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge those exemplary individuals whose purposeful lives
and distinguished careers have been committed to bettering the quality
of life in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Steven G. Poskanzer, J.D., upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the American Red Cross of Ulster County at its
10th Annual Founders Dinner to be held on Friday, June 5, 2009, at
Wiltwyck Golf Club, Kingston, New York; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Steven G. Poskanzer has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence
and diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
profession and consequently has been designated for this most presti-
gious honor; and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer, a scholar of higher education law, with
a broad range of administrative experience at both public and private
universities and colleges, was named the seventh President of SUNY New
Paltz in May 2003; and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer earned an A.B. degree, cum laude, from
Princeton University in 1980, and a J.D. degree from Harvard University
in 1983; and
WHEREAS, After two years of private practice with a Washington, D.C.
law firm, Steven G. Poskanzer joined the legal office at the University
of Pennsylvania, where he served first as assistant and then as associ-
ate General Counsel; in 1991-92, he was an American Council on Education
Fellow at Princeton University, where he worked as a special assistant
to Princeton's provost; and
WHEREAS, In 1993, Steven G. Poskanzer became Executive Assistant to
the President at the University of Chicago, where he was responsible,
among other matters, for the development of strategy on academic and
administrative issues, policy planning for University's Board of Trus-
tees, and the management of the daily operations of the President's
Office; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Steven G. Poskanzer returned to upstate New York and
began to work for the State University of New York, following in the
footsteps of his father, who was a Distinguished Service Professor of
Health Education for SUNY Cortland; and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer rose quickly through a variety of posi-
tions in the SUNY Provost's Office, serving in succession as Associate
Provost, Senior Associate Provost, and the Vice Provost; as SUNY's Vice
Provost for Academic Affairs, he was responsible for planning and carry-
ing out initiatives to enhance academic quality across the 64-campus
system; and
WHEREAS, In October 2001, Steven G. Poskanzer was named interim presi-
dent at New Paltz, a position he held until his selection as the presi-
dent in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Well known and highly respected, President Poskanzer's schol-
arly focus has been on college and university law; he has taught in the
University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and at the
University of Chicago Law School; his book, HIGHER EDUCATION LAW: THE
FACULTY, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Steven G. Poskanzer has
been called upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic
and charitable endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly;
and
WHEREAS, Steven G. Poskanzer serves on numerous regional boards and
committees, including: the Board of Directors for Mid-Hudson Pattern for
Progress; the Founders Committee for the Mid-Hudson Technology Council;
the Commission on Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness for the
American Council on Education (ACE); the Board of Directors for Mohonk
Preserve, and the Board of Directors of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Steven G. Poskanzer has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Dr. Jane Nofer
Poskanzer and their children, Jill and Craig, all of whom feel privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Steven G. Poskanzer, J.D., upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition by the American Red Cross of Ulster County on
June 5, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Steven G. Poskanzer, J.D.