LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Suffolk
County Community College

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exem-
plary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate the pursuit of
excellence in education and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of Suffolk County Community College; this
auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a Gala event, to be held on
Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Long Island in Hauppauge,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Founded on December 18, 1959, Suffolk County Community
College (SCCC) of the State University of New York is a two-year public
college and has three main campuses in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead;
it also has two "satellite" centers in Sayville and downtown Riverhead;
and
WHEREAS, Albert Ammerman was the founding President of SCCC in Decem-
ber 1959, and served as President until 1983; in its first year SCCC had
13 faculty, and 171 full time students and 335 part time students; and
WHEREAS, Today, SCCC is the largest multi-campus community college in
the State University of New York system, enrolling 23,678 students; it
offers 69 degree and certificate programs in business; communications
and the arts; computing; health, community and human services; liberal
arts/university parallel; and technical, scientific and engineering
studies; and
WHEREAS, Each year, SCCC prepares its graduates to enter the work
force in such marketable areas as medical records, physical therapist
assistant, paralegal studies, culinary arts, graphic design, computer
science, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration;
other SCCC students transfer to four-year colleges and universities to
complete their baccalaureate degrees; and
WHEREAS, The faculty of SCCC has grown to more than 479 positions; by
2007, SCCC had graduated approximately 92,000 students; in addition,
SCCC is one of the leading community colleges in the nation producing
Phi Beta Kappa Academic All-Americans; and
WHEREAS, SCCC promotes intellectual discovery, physical development,
social and ethical awareness, and economic opportunities for all through
an education that transforms lives, builds communities, and improves
society; and
WHEREAS, By committing to the maintenance of high educational stand-
ards, by fostering and inspiring student success, and by creating
diverse opportunities for life-long learning, and also by attracting
strong leadership and distinguished faculty to a college of excellence,
SCCC has created an enriched learning environment that empowers students
to transform their lives; and
WHEREAS, In addition, as a comprehensive community college, SCCC sees
its role as crucial to supporting and enhancing the quality of life on
Long Island, recognizing that education is critical for building strong
families, vibrant communities and skilled workers; and
WHEREAS, SCCC's commitment to excellence translates into a broad range
of goals for the College -- from enhancing the probability of success
for students who need extra support, to maintaining an academically
challenging environment for the 400 students currently enrolled in its
Honors Program, to working closely with area businesses to meet their

current and projected work force demands, the operating goal of SCCC is
to ensure it is meeting the full spectrum of student needs; and
WHEREAS, Under the excellent leadership of its Interim President,
George Gatta, Jr., Suffolk County Community College continues to fulfill
its laudatory educational purposes and is proudly aware of its distin-
guished past; it is eager to fulfill its commitment to its students,
faculty, alumni and community, and is planning with vision and purpose
for the growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an educa-
tional institution of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to
our attention, it should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Suffolk County Community College;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to George Gatta, Jr., Interim President, Suffolk County Communi-
ty College.