LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. William L. Pollard upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition by Brooklyn Housing and Fami-
ly Services at its Awards Dinner on June 16, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community and their profession; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. William L.
Pollard, President of Medgar Evers College, The City University of New
York, upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by
Brooklyn Housing and Family Services to be celebrated at its Awards
Dinner on Thursday, June 16, 2011, to be held at Brooklyn's Rex Manor;
and
WHEREAS, Currently, Dr. William L. Pollard is the President of Medgar
Evers College of the City University of New York; he was appointed by
the Board of Trustees on June 22, 2009, and began serving as President
on August 1, 2009; he has since maintained his vision to transform the
College into one of the most student-centered campuses within The City
University of New York system and the nation; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his tenure as President, Dr. William L. Pollard
served as Vice President for the Office of Access and the Advancement of
Public Black Colleges and Universities for the National Association for
State Universities and Land Grant Colleges; in this position, he worked
to promote public universities, especially the land grant institutions
which provided for the education and training of African-Americans in
the South; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William L. Pollard also served as the Dean and Founder of
the Syracuse University College of Human Services and Health
Professions; in this capacity, he was responsible for creating a new
entity uniting the College of Nursing, College of Human Development, and
the School of Social Work; in addition, he served as Dean of the Syra-
cuse University School of Social Work for 10 years, leading the School
in its development of a student-centered program; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. William L. Pollard served from 1984 to 1989,
as Dean and Founder of the Grambling State University School of Social
Work; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William L. Pollard's many awards and accolades include
the Social Worker of the Year Award from the National Association of
Social Workers, Central New York Chapter, and recognition as co-founder
of the Syracuse Onondaga Dialog on Race and the Citizen of the Year
Award, from Temple Adath Yeshurun; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he has published numerous articles and papers in
professional journals as well as lectured extensively on cultural and
racial diversity in venues across the country; he is a proud mentee of
the late Dr. John Hope Franklin; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Merriette Chance
Pollard, and their two sons, William L. Pollard II and Frederick Touis-
saint Pollard, all of whom feel privileged to be part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession merit the highest commendation and the recognition and appre-
ciation of those who have benefited from their service; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. William L. Pollard upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by Brooklyn Housing and Family Services at its
Awards Dinner on June 16, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. William L. Pollard.