Assembly Resolution No. 140

BY: M. of A. Friend

COMMENDING Dr. Katherine P. Douglas upon the
occasion of her retirement after eight years of
dedicated service to Corning Community College in
Corning, New York

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of
and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr.
Katherine P. Douglas upon the occasion of her retirement after eight
years of dedicated service to Corning Community College in Corning, New
York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at an event on
Friday, May 31, 2019, at the Corning Community College Campus; and

WHEREAS, After earning both her bachelor's and master's degree,
Katherine P. Douglas obtained her doctorate degree from the University
of Massachusetts in Amherst; she furthered her education by completing
the Harvard Seminar for New Presidents; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Katherine P. Douglas began her long and distinguished
community college career at Greenfield Community College (GCC) in
Massachusetts where she earned tenure and taught Outdoor Leadership for
20 years; she then served as Associate Dean of GCC's Division of
Behavioral Sciences, and later, as Dean of the Division of Social
Sciences at Holyoke Community College, and Vice President of Academic
Affairs at Sussex County Community College in New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Dr. Katherine P. Douglas became the sixth and
first woman President of Corning Community College (CCC), the position
from which she will officially retire on June 30, 2019; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Katherine P. Douglas led the
development of a strategic plan employing a strengths-based approach,
oversaw construction of CCC's first residence hall, conducted a
successful capital campaign resulting in a fully-renovated library,
Student Commons, and athletic facilities, and underwent a successful
10-year reaccreditation review by the Middle States Commission for
Higher Education (MSCHE); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Katherine P. Douglas' commitment to the power of
partnerships has resulted in a new joint admissions program with
Binghamton University called The Binghamton Express, the region's first
early college high school, the Southern Tier STEM Academy housed at
CCC's Goff Road facility, and a substantial grant from the Southern Tier
Regional Economic Development Council to construct a new Health
Education Center in downtown Corning; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to her profession and community, Dr. Katherine P.
Douglas is actively involved in numerous organizations including Steuben

County Industrial Development Agency & Steuben County Economic
Development Corporation, The Guthrie Clinic, I-86 Innovation Corridor
Integrated Workforce Strategy Implementation Sub-Committee,
IncubatorWorks, Arnot Art Museum, and Clements Center Performing Arts
Center, as well as the Jefferson Awards; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable woman also serves in a leadership role with
the New York Community College Association of Presidents, the State
University of New York, SUNY Task Force on Remediation, the Southern
Tier Regional Community College Council, American Association of
Community Colleges, and the Community Colleges of Appalachia; and

WHEREAS, A caring, competent and committed leader, Dr. Katherine P.
Douglas' character and integrity are the hallmarks of her life and work
as an educational leader, a community volunteer and as a person; and

WHEREAS, The residents of Steuben, Chemung, and Schuyler counties
are indeed fortunate and blessed to have had such a dedicated and
respected educational leader; her wisdom and contributions to Corning
Community College have truly made a difference in the lives of those
fortunate enough to have worked with her; and

WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State,
Dr. Katherine P. Douglas has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for
the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered for
the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the entire
community; and

WHEREAS, In completing her service as President, Dr. Katherine P.
Douglas leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves
behind a legacy to the students of Corning Community College and to the
residents of Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler counties; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Katherine P. Douglas upon the occasion of her retirement
after eight years of dedicated service to Corning Community College, and
to wish her continued success in all of her future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Katherine P. Douglas.