Senate Resolution No. 984

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Marcia J. White upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2021 Third Age
Achievement Award by Lifepath

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Marcia J.
White upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2021
Third Age Achievement Award by Lifepath, to be celebrated at its 25th
Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 7, 2021, at Wolferts Roost Country
Club, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Lifepath is dedicated to keeping older neighbors and
friends healthy and safe by providing effective programs and support to
help them stay connected to their communities; and

WHEREAS, Each year, this auspicious event recognizes the
contributions area residents and professionals have made in their
communities during the Third Age of their lives (after turning 60 years
old); Marcia J. White is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Marcia J. White was unanimously chosen by The College of
Saint Rose Board of Trustees as the College's interim president in March
of 2020; and

WHEREAS, In the year since she has been President, Marcia J. White
has led the College on a path to sustainability and has named the
development of a truly inclusive living and learning environment as one
of her top priorities; and

WHEREAS, Working with the Board and the Saint Rose community, Marcia
J. White has become known for her transparent and direct style, and her
deep commitment to the Saint Rose values of caring for the dear neighbor
and meeting the needs of the times; and

WHEREAS, A woman of deep faith, Marcia J. White often states to
students and employees, that she feels called to lead Saint Rose at this
time of a global pandemic, deep national reflection on race and social
justice, and economic challenge particularly in higher education; and

WHEREAS, Marcia J. White leads with compassion and decisiveness
based on her experience as a nurse, a mother, and as an executive in
government and the arts; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman is a Saint Rose alum, who has
served for 20 years on the Saint Rose Board of Trustees and has chaired
its trustees affairs and governance committees; she was honored in 2016
as the recipient of The College of Saint Rose's A Community of

Excellence Award for her service and contributions to the College and
the Capital Region; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to the community, Marcia J. White is President
of Marcia White Consulting, LLC; she also held the position of press
secretary to the majority in the New York State Senate and served as
President and Executive Director of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center
(SPAC), where she is widely credited for having led a financial and
artistic transformation that ensured SPAC's continuation as a preeminent
cultural institution and major economic driver in the Capital Region;
and

WHEREAS, Marcia J. White has been a Director of the governing board
of the New York State Commission on Independent Colleges and
Universities, and is a member of the commission's Alumni Hall of
Distinction; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Marcia J. White has served on the boards of several Capital
Region nonprofit organizations, including the Mohawk-Hudson United Way,
Siena College Creative Arts Committee, the Community Advisory Board, St.
Peter's Hospice of Rensselaer County, Saratoga Convention and Tourism
Bureau, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the Capital Region
Chamber of Commerce, the Saratoga Springs Commission on the Arts, and
Hearst Corporation's Women@Work; and

WHEREAS, Marcia J. White has been the proud recipient of numerous
awards and accolades, including the Woman in the News Award from the
Women's Press Club of New York State, the New York State Senate's Woman
of Distinction Award, the Capital Region Chamber's Woman of Excellence
Award, the Capital District Business Review's Women Who Mean Business
Award, and the Saratoga Arts Community Arts Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Marcia J. White has displayed
throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Marcia J. White upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the 2021 Third Age Achievement Award by Lifepath; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marcia J. White.