LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Thomas Meier upon the occasion of
his retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as President of
Elmira College

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instru-
mental in developing character and academic excellence in those attend-
ing higher education in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Thomas Meier upon the occasion of his retirement after 25 years of
distinguished service as President of Elmira College to be observed at
its 154th Commencement Exercises on Sunday, June 3, 2012; and
WHEREAS, On this most auspicious occasion, Dr. Thomas Meier will
deliver the Commencement Address, and will also be awarded the Elmira
College Honorary Doctorate; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas Meier served as Elmira College's twelfth president
and Simeon Benjamin Professor of English Literature; following his
retirement, he will assume the role of Chancellor of the College, an
advisory and ceremonial role starting July 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas at
Austin, where he was a student-athlete, Dr. Thomas Meier earned an A.M.
and the Ph.D in English Literature from Columbia University, and an MBA
from Harvard Business School; and
WHEREAS, Before becoming President of Elmira College, Dr. Thomas Meier
served as President of Castleton State College in Vermont for eight
years; previously, he was an executive with Exxon for ten years and an
officer in the United States Army for two years; and
WHEREAS, During Dr. Thomas Meier's tenure as President of Elmira
College, he was instrumental in leading the effort to increase enroll-
ment by sixty-six percent, from 735 to 1221, and introducing an innova-
tive honor scholarship program; and
WHEREAS, In addition, several major construction projects have taken
place at Elmira College under Dr. Thomas Meier's leadership including,
Speidel Gymnasium in 1996, Meier Hall in 2012, and the reconstruction of
Cowles Hall, which is currently underway; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas Meier's book on Daniel Defoe, the author of Robin-
son Crusoe, was published on the day he was inaugurated as Elmira
College's President, and he has remained active as a scholar, publishing
more than three dozen of his one hundred articles and reviews since
joining Elmira College; and
WHEREAS, The Elmira College Alumni Association awarded Dr. Thomas
Meier the Medal of Merit; additionally, the Student Association has
twice named him Administrator of the Year, and the Board of Trustees
named the College's handsome new dormitory in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Outside the Elmira campus, the United States Department of
the Army awarded Dr. Thomas Meier its highest civilian honor, the
Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, for his support of Army ROTC; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas Meier, and his wife, Dr. Mila Meier, have been
recognized often for their contributions to the wider community to which
the College belongs; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas Meier has served as the President of the Empire
Eight Athletic Conference, Chairman of the Chemung County United Way

Board of Directors, and President of the Elmira City Club, in addition
to service as a board member of a variety of business, civic, and chari-
table organizations, including Southern Tier Economic Growth, Chemung
Canal Trust Company, Council of Independent Colleges and Universities,
Arnot Art Museum, and Five Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America;
and
WHEREAS, Recently, Dr. Thomas Meier received the national Distin-
guished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America, its highest
honor; and
WHEREAS, Educational Administrators provide a tremendous service to
the future of our State and Nation, particularly Dr. Thomas Meier, who
has inspired the lives of many students at Elmira College in their
educational journeys and ensuring their success for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas Meier has clearly had an enduring impact on the
students, both past and present, of Elmira College, as well as on the
community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for
25 years of impressive dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Thomas Meier upon the occasion of his retirement as President
of Elmira College, and to wish him continued success in all of his
future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Thomas Meier.