LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending President Lois B. DeFleur upon the
occasion of her retirement after many years of distinguished service to
Binghamton University

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to higher education is unparal-
leled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of
its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instru-
mental in developing character and academic excellence in the young
people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur upon the occasion of her
retirement after many years of distinguished service in education; she
will officially retire in July of 2010; and
WHEREAS, Over her 20 years as President of Binghamton University, Lois
B. DeFleur has had an impressive influence on the campus, the Southern
Tier, the SUNY system and higher education in general; and
WHEREAS, Spanning two decades, President Lois B. DeFleur's continuity
of stewardship and her clarity of vision have helped accelerate Bingham-
ton University's transition from the small liberal arts college that it
was in a former life into a University Center in the SUNY system, prized
for its graduate studies, research programs and range of professional
degrees offered by its six schools and colleges; and
WHEREAS, Binghamton University was ranked the 2009-2010 fifth best
value among public colleges by Kiplinger; ranked among the nation's top
50 public universities for 13 consecutive years by US News and World
Report; ranked No. 2 in the nation for its graduate accounting program
by Business Week; and
WHEREAS, With about 15,000 students, successful advancement from Divi-
sion III to Division I athletic programs, and the addition of several
new buildings and programs, including the Binghamton University Events
Center, the Engineering and Science Building, and the University Down-
town Center, Binghamton University has become a major influence on the
Southern Tier as well as a major employer; and
WHEREAS, Binghamton University has partnered on many projects with
organizations from the private sector, including BAE Systems, Corning
Incorporated, Endicott Interconnect, General Electric, IBM and Lockheed
Martin; and
WHEREAS, On August 13, 1990, when Lois B. DeFleur became President of
Binghamton University, she was one of the first women in the nation to
hold such a position and, as a role model, helped pave the way for
others of her gender who aspire to one day sit in a CEO or College Pres-
ident Chair; and
WHEREAS, Educators like President Lois B. DeFleur provide a tremendous
service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of
young people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in
their future years; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
public higher education by providing their skills and talents to our
schools; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur upon the occa-
sion of her retirement after many years of distinguished service in

education; and to wish her continued success in all her future endeav-
ors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to President Lois B. DeFleur.