Senate Resolution No. 1034

BY: Senator LAVALLE

HONORING Dr. Yacov Shamash upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by Stony
Brook University on April 11, 2019

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; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Dr. Yacov Shamash upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Stony Brook University to be celebrated with a reception
on Thursday, April 11, 2019, Stony Brook, New York; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man is being recognized for his many
years of exemplary service as Vice President for Economic Development
and his extraordinary contributions to Stony Brook University and Long
Island; and

WHEREAS, After receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees from
Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, Yacov Shamash went
on to hold faculty positions at Florida Atlantic University, the
University of Pennsylvania and Tel Aviv University, as well as
Washington State University, where he was Director of the School of
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Yacov Shamash has served as Dean of the College of
Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University since 1992,
and as Vice President for Economic Development since 2000; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his years at Stony Brook University, Dr. Yacov
Shamash has made extensive contributions to Long Island's ongoing
transition from one of the Nation's most defense aerospace-dependent
economic regions to a diverse and vibrant high technology regional
economy; and

WHEREAS, As Dean, Dr. Yacov Shamash was instrumental in the creation
of 11 new academic programs (bachelors, masters and doctoral), including
SUNY's first doctoral program in technology policy and innovation and
the first American university degree programs in South Korea; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he more than tripled enrollment to over 5,000
with a 200 point increase in SATs, and inspired the faculty to increase
sponsored research six-fold; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as Vice President for Economic Development,
Dr. Yacov Shamash has generated more than $250M in capital funding for
facilities to foster industry-University collaborations in the industry
sectors of the 21st Century, including biotech, energy, IT, and advanced
materials; and

WHEREAS, He seized competitive program opportunities in those
innovation sectors, in advanced manufacturing and in new enterprise
creation and development for a total in new funding and program renewals
of more than $100M; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Yacov Shamash's programs have helped almost 1,000
industry partners through more than 4,000 projects, which involved 3,400
student interns, to create or retain almost 20,000 private sector jobs
and generate significant revenues; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering unremitting commitment to
Long Island, Dr. Yacov Shamash is a founding member of both LISTnet and
the Long Island Angel Network; he has also served the Boards of such
organizations as HIA, Long Island HighTechnology Incubator Inc., and
Brookhaven Science Associates; and

WHEREAS, A fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE), Yacov Shamash has authored more than 130 publications;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and
community service, a period of constructive involvement, Dr. Yacov
Shamash has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and has
earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, family and friends;
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Linda, and two
children, Hela (Brian) and Aharon (Hillary), as well as four
grandchildren, Leo, Layla, Zachary and Maya, who have all shown him love
and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Yacov Shamash upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Stony Brook University on April 11, 2019; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Yacov Shamash.