LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Clinton
Community College in Plattsburgh, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in higher education for the youth of this noble
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th
Anniversary of Clinton Community College, in Plattsburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, For five decades, the educators and staff of Clinton Communi-
ty College have strived to provide educational opportunities which
enrich minds, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life in
their region; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, the Clinton County Board of Supervisors appointed a
committee of educators, farmers, theologians and professionals to evalu-
ate the concept of establishing a Clinton County Community College; and
WHEREAS, After initial disapproval by the State University of New York
Trustees, the efforts to form a local community college resumed in the
mid-1960s; in June of 1966, a charter to establish Clinton Community
College was obtained from the New York Board of Regents; and
WHEREAS, In August of 1966, the Clinton County Board of Supervisors
named five people to the Board of Trustees for the proposed college:
Irving Rabin, Richard J. Smith, William Forrence, William Hogan and
William Burgess; and
WHEREAS, On October 14, 1966, then Governor Nelson Rockefeller added
four additional members to the Board of Trustees: Walter Church, Freder-
ick Culley, Patrick Roche and Mark Rabin; on that same day, the Governor
officially approved the establishment of Clinton Community College; and
WHEREAS, After Bellarmine College announced its intention to sell the
Bluff Point Property which included the former Hotel Champlain, the
Clinton County Legislature decided to lease the land for the Clinton
Community College; the hotel property was eventually bought for
$1,045,000 and the College was dedicated on October 15, 1972; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 1966, 189 enrollees began their higher
education at Clinton Community College; in June of 1971, 38 students
were awarded their associate degrees; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, a two-year nursing program was established at Clin-
ton Community College; of the 32 original enrollees, 23 nursing students
received their degrees in 1979; and
WHEREAS, For 50 years, Clinton Community College, which is located on
Bluff Point overlooking beautiful Lake Champlain and the breathtaking
Green Mountains of Vermont, continues to provide an excellent education
to its students who are enrolled in a wide array of certificate and
associate degree programs; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the visionary guidance of Interim President
Frederick G. Smith, Clinton Community College stands proud and promi-
nent, always looking to the future and the needs of those it serves;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Clinton Community College, noting
the propriety of its goals, the constancy of its commitment and the
significance of its accomplishments in preparing the youth of today and
leaders of tomorrow; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Frederick G. Smith, Interim President, Clinton Community
College.