Senate Resolution No. 1974

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING Mercy University upon the occasion of
hosting its 45th Annual Trustees' Scholarship Gala
on April 30, 2026

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those institutions of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose enduring commitment to access, excellence, and the
transformation of students' lives has enriched the educational and civic
life of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Mercy University upon the occasion of hosting its 45th Annual
Trustees' Scholarship Gala on Thursday, April 30, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Mercy University, founded in 1950 and headquartered in
Dobbs Ferry, New York, with additional campuses in Manhattan and the
Bronx, stands as one of the most mission-driven institutions of higher
education in the State of New York, committed to providing motivated
students with an affordable, high-quality education regardless of their
background or circumstance; and

WHEREAS, As the largest private Hispanic-Serving Institution in New
York State and a federally designated Minority-Serving Institution,
Mercy University has long understood that the transformation of
communities begins with the transformation of individuals, and that
access to a rigorous, supportive education is among the most powerful
instruments of social and economic justice available to our society; and

WHEREAS, Mercy University serves more than 8,500 undergraduate and
graduate students representing 40 states and 51 countries, offering more
than 100 degree and certificate programs designed to meet students
wherever they are and carry them to where they aspire to be; and

WHEREAS, The Annual Trustees' Scholarship Gala represents a
cornerstone of Mercy University's commitment to ensuring that financial
barriers do not stand between talented, driven students and the
education they deserve, raising critical funds that directly support
scholarships for students who might otherwise not be able to access or
complete their education; and

WHEREAS, Now in its 45th year, the Trustees' Scholarship Gala stands
as a testament to the enduring generosity of the university's supporters
and the far-reaching impact of scholarship investment, a legacy that has
shaped the professional and personal trajectories of generations of New
Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor Mercy
University, its trustees, faculty, staff, and students, who together
embody the conviction that a great education is not a privilege reserved
for the few but a foundation to which every New Yorker deserves access;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Mercy University upon the occasion of hosting its 45th Annual
Trustees' Scholarship Gala and to extend congratulations on 45 years of
investing in the educational futures of New York's students; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the leadership, trustees, and members of the Mercy
University community, in recognition of their steadfast commitment to
educational access, excellence, and opportunity for all.