LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sister Marcella Marie Garus upon the
occasion of her designation as a 2009 New York State Senate Woman of
Distinction

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that women of every
economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant
contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and that
it is appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their
endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, each year the New York State Senate honors
outstanding women who make our world and our lives better; this Legisla-
tive Body is, therefore, justly proud to recognize and commend Sister
Marcella Marie Garus upon the occasion of her designation as a 2009 New
York State Senate Woman of Distinction; and
WHEREAS, Sister Marcella Marie has contributed significantly to both
her chosen profession and to her community and truly merits this high
honor, to be conferred at the New York State Senate's annual Contempo-
rary Women of Distinction celebration, this year to be held on Tuesday,
June 2, 2009 in the Well of the Legislative Office Building in Albany,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Sister Marcella Marie has dedicated her professional life to
the field of education serving as President of Villa Maria College in
Buffalo since 1978; under her leadership, enrollment has increased and
the college has transitioned from a two-year commuter school to a bacca-
laureate degree-granting institution; and
WHEREAS, Several of her other accomplishments include a major revital-
ization of the interior of the college's 47-year-old structure, agree-
ments with two leading institutions in Poland to create an international
studies program for exchange students, and helping to establish Collegi-
ate Village, an intercollegiate housing project for students attending
Buffalo area colleges; and
WHEREAS, Sister Marcella Marie became a member of the Congregation of
the Sisters of St. Felix in 1961; she holds a Master of Business Admin-
istration degree and has taught Business and Finance at area high
schools and colleges; and
WHEREAS, In addition to steering the course of Villa Maria College,
Sister Marcella Marie is a tireless volunteer in the Buffalo community;
she has served as a Trustee of St. Francis Hospital, member of the Erie
County Ethics and Polish American Festival Committees, and is a founding
member of the Cheektowaga Historical Museum; and
WHEREAS, She is also a member of the Walden Avenue/Pine Hill Neighbor-
hood Preservation Steering Committee, the North American Provinces Think
Tank and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province Villa Maria Complex Study
Committee and is, in addition, a member of many professional organiza-
tions including the Professional Business Women's Association, Western
New York Consortium for Higher Education, Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities, and the American Association of Higher Educa-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Sister Marcella Marie has been honored with
the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education, the Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities' Higher Education Leadership
Award, the AM-POL EAGLE's Citizen of the Year Award, and the Cheektowaga
Chamber of Commerce's Appreciation Award; and
WHEREAS, A natural leader, Sister Marcella Marie is an exceptional
woman whose life is a testimony to her devotion to others; she has long

been an inspiration to the people and families she touches and to the
community in which she lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its high-
est commendation to Sister Marcella Marie Garus in recognition and
appreciation of her exemplary personal and professional achievements and
for her contributions to her community and to the community of the State
of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sister Marcella Marie Garus upon the occasion of her designation
as a 2009 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction; and be if further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sister Marcella Marie Garus.