Senate Resolution No. 2953

BY: Senator MAY

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of Syracuse
University

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
significant milestones and celebrate events of historical significance
which have a lasting impact within and beyond the communities of the
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Syracuse University to be
celebrated with various events to take place throughout the year,
recognizing its commitment to helping generations of students in their
pursuit of academic excellence and empowering them through their
education to make a difference in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1870, Syracuse University opened its doors to
all students, regardless of race or gender; over the years, the
University grew into a global, student-centered research university,
with 13 schools and colleges, including several that are ranked among
the best in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse University, located in the City of Syracuse at the
geographical crossroads of New York State, enrolls more than 22,000
students representing all 50 states and more than 120 countries; and

WHEREAS, This renowned University has maintained a strong and
steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion, with minorities,
students of color, and international students making up more than 40
percent of student enrollment; and

WHEREAS, With a long legacy of advancing opportunity for this
nation's veterans, Syracuse University nearly tripled its enrollment
overnight when it welcomed unprecedented numbers of veterans to its
campus under the newly implemented GI Bill after World War II; and

WHEREAS, Today, Syracuse University is home to the nationally
recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the
soon-to-be-completed National Veterans Resource Center; and

WHEREAS, The University serves as an anchor institution and major
economic force for Syracuse and Central New York; an epicenter for
scholarship with international impact; and a national leader in
promoting international scholarship, with study-abroad centers on three
continents; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse University has produced scores of notable alumni,
including Sarah Loguen, one of the nation's first African-American women
to become a physician; novelist Joyce Carol Oates; Pro Football Hall of
Famers Floyd Little and Jim Brown; pioneering astronaut Eileen Collins;
screenwriter Aaron Sorkin; and the first African-American Heisman Trophy
winner, Ernie Davis; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse University will continue to grow and evolve and
carry on its mission to educate and transform lives for another 150
years and beyond, and continue to equip students to become individuals
of influence and agents of change in their communities; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Syracuse University; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kent Syverud, Chancellor and President of Syracuse
University.