LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Debbie L. Sydow upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2011 InterFaith Leadership Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements are
instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Debbie L. Sydow upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
2011 InterFaith Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Debbie L. Sydow has served as the President of Onondaga
Community College for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, As a native of Virginia, Dr. Debbie L. Sydow received a bach-
elor's degree from the University of Virginia, a master's degree from
Marquette University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylva-
nia; and
WHEREAS, Prior to her appointment to Onondaga Community College, Dr.
Debbie L. Sydow served as the Dean of Humanities at Southwest Virginia
Community College and at Mountain Empire Community College as Vice Pres-
ident of Academic and Student Services and served as Acting President;
and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Debbie L. Sydow's leadership, Onondaga Community
College has evolved into a gateway to success for thousands of students
of every race, religion, and economic background; and
WHEREAS, During Dr. Debbie L. Sydow's tenure, Onondaga Community
College has been actively involved in the education of refugees and
expansion of diversity training for students and employees; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Debbie L. Sydow has also been an active supporter of a
campus-wide interfaith initiative to provide students with opportunities
to cultivate their own spirituality while learning about many faith
traditions; and
WHEREAS, The overall atmosphere of Onondaga Community College has been
enriched by Dr. Debbie L. Sydow with Arts Across Campus to promote a
creative and expressive learning environment; the Alumni Faces to show-
case those individuals and their professional achievements; the OCC
Diversity Council to promote communication for cultural understanding;
the President's Incentive Grant program; and the Facility's Master Plan
process; and
WHEREAS, Onondaga Community College has been ranked in the top 10
percent of America's best community colleges by Aspen Institute College
Excellence Program; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
higher education by providing their skills and talents to our schools;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Debbie L. Sydow upon the occasion of her designation as recip-
ient of the 2011 InterFaith Works Leadership Award by InterFaith Works
at the OnCenter, Syracuse, New York, on May 10, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Debbie L. Sydow, President of Onondaga Community College.