Senate Resolution No. 2912

BY: Senator KENNEDY

CONGRATULATING Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner
upon the occasion of her retirement after eight
years of distinguished service as President of
Buffalo State College

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, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her
retirement after eight years of distinguished service as President of
Buffalo State College; and

WHEREAS, Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Ph.D., began her tenure as the
ninth president of Buffalo State College on August 3, 2014; her
professional leadership can be seen in the many and varied aspects which
are part of a major academic anchor institution; and

WHEREAS, As president of SUNY's largest and only comprehensive
college located in an urban setting, Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner
oversees and manages more than 1,500 faculty, staff, and administrators
who provide more than 75 undergraduate and 60 graduate academic degree
programs to 6,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students each year;
and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Dr. Katherine S.
Conway-Turner, Buffalo State's commitment to service has been recognized
nationally; in 2016, Buffalo State was among five colleges and
universities from across the country chosen to share in the Washington
Center's Annual Higher Education Civic Engagement Awards; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the college has earned the Carnegie Foundation
for the Advancement of Teaching's Community Engagement Classification
under Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner, as well as accolades from the
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and
recognition of excellence from AASCU; and

WHEREAS, One of President Katherine S. Conway-Turner's signature
events, "Bengals Dare to Care Day," was initiated as part of her
inauguration week of activities in 2014, and she officially launched the
annual service day the following year, during which time Buffalo State
students, faculty, alumni, staff, and friends of the college provide
community service within the City of Buffalo one Saturday during the
fall semester; each year, hundreds of the Buffalo State community
members provide service to 40 community agencies throughout the city;
and

WHEREAS, Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner also lends her talent and
time to several boards, committees, and programs nationally, statewide,
and locally; she serves on the Distinguished Alumnus Award Search and

Selection Committee for the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities, and she is a member of the Association of American
Colleges and Universities' Presidents' Trust; and

WHEREAS, In addition, she is a member of the review and selection
panel for the American Council on Education Fellows Program, and she is
a member of the Division III President's Council, a member of NCAA Board
of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity and
Pathway Program mentor for the National Collegiate Athletic Association;
and

WHEREAS, President Katherine S. Conway-Turner is the vice chair and
commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which
is the accrediting body for higher education institutions in Delaware,
the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; she is the vice chair of the board
of Campus Compact and member of the executive board of the Coalition of
Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU); and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner serves on the Western New
York Youth Apprenticeship steering committee and the advisory board of
the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County; she is an emeriti member of
the Western New York Women's Foundation, Say Yes Buffalo's Operating
Committee, the Richardson Center Corporation Board, and co-chairs the
Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; and

WHEREAS, President Katherine S. Conway-Turner earned her Ph.D. and
Master of Arts degrees in social psychology, and her Bachelor of Arts
degree in microbiology, all from the University of Kansas; she is the
author of numerous articles, chapters, books, and book reviews; and

WHEREAS, President Katherine S. Conway-Turner's personal journey
mirrors that of many of her students, past and present; as a
first-generation college student, she appreciates the process of
education and embraces its transformative aspects; she listens to the
ever-changing needs of her students and attempts to implement and
monitor new programs and processes to help these students become
successful, contributing members of society; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her husband, Dr. Alvin L.
Turner, who feels privileged to be a part of her life and rejoices in
her many achievements; and

WHEREAS, A significant contributor to education in New York State,
Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner 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 S.
Conway-Turner leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves
behind a legacy to the students of Buffalo State College and to the
residents of Buffalo, New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner upon the occasion of her

retirement, and to wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner.