LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Muriel A. Howard upon her announce-
ment that she is leaving the Presidency of Buffalo State College

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Muriel A. Howard upon her announcement that she is leaving the Presiden-
cy of Buffalo State College; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Muriel A. Howard has served as President of Buffalo State
College since 1996; her professional and scholarly interests include
support of education, educational leadership, and a long-standing
personal commitment to public service; and
WHEREAS, Under her leadership, the college has increased and enhanced
academic programs and services; a new general education program, Intel-
lectual Foundations, was instituted in 2006, that requires all freshmen
to enroll in courses that develop the skills and habits of the mind
required for a life of intellectual curiosity and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, In addition to teacher preparation, the college has become
known for its leadership in arts and culture, inaugurating the new
Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College in November of
2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Howard has been involved in the leadership development of
students through course instruction and seminars; in addition, she
mentors new college presidents and trains those aspiring to become
college presidents through her affiliation with the American Association
of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), New Presidents' Academy and
Millennium Leadership Initiative; and
WHEREAS, A supporter of public higher education, service to the commu-
nity and a commitment to diversity, President Howard is the past chair
of the AASCU board of directors, which is one of many national board
positions she holds; she also serves on the Air University Board of
Visitors, a post appointed by the secretary of defense; President Howard
devotes time and professional service to numerous local and regional
boards and organizations, as well as to the State University of New York
(SUNY) through participation in committees and advisory councils; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of the City University of New York's Richmond
College, President Howard holds a Master's degree in Education and a
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Organization, Administration, and
Policy from the University at Buffalo; she earned a Certificate from the
Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University; and
WHEREAS, Prior to coming to Buffalo State College, Dr. Howard was the
Vice President for Public Service and Urban Affairs at the University at
Buffalo, where she served in various leadership capacities over a
23-year period; and
WHEREAS, An outstanding professional within the field of education,
Dr. Muriel A. Howard was the seventh President of Buffalo State College,
and its first female President; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Howard was recently appointed President of the American
Association of State Colleges and Universities; she will be the first
African-American to lead one of the six presidentially-based higher
education associations in Washington, D.C.; 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
honor Dr. Muriel A. Howard upon her announcement that she is leaving the
presidency of Buffalo State College; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Muriel A. Howard.