LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Debbie L. Sydow, Ph. D., upon the occa-
sion of her designation as recipient of the Central New York Sales and
Marketing Executives 2012 Crystal Ball Award

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
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 of
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Debbie L. Sydow upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Central New York Sales and Marketing Executives 2012 Crystal Ball Award,
to be celebrated at an event on March 8, 2012, at the Sheraton Syracuse
University Hotel and Conference Center; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of a Virginia coal miner, as a child, Dr. Sydow
never expected to attend college, but ironically, education has been a
part of her life forever; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sydow graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English
from the University of Virginia's College at Wise; she went on to earn a
Master of Arts degree in English from Marquette University, followed by
a Ph. D. in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Annually, the Central New York Sales and Marketing Executives
bestows the prestigious Crystal Ball Award to a local business person or
group of business people for contributions to the sales and marketing
profession, and for endeavors in the areas of community development and
support; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sydow arrived at Onondaga Community College in 2000,
becoming its seventh president, with goals to transform both the quality
of the institution and the perception of the college held by many in the
community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sydow envisioned a college that would be considered as a
student's first choice, rather than his or her last; this outstanding
educator has made it her core mission to make Onondaga Community College
accessible to students and community members, and has overseen the reor-
ganization of student services to make the campus more enticing to
prospective students; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Dr. Sydow began collecting data from community
members and local high schools that will be used to continue to develop
the college's changing image; and
WHEREAS, Promoting the new image Dr. Sydow sought to obtain, Onondaga
Community College unveiled a new school crest in 2005, and provided
substance behind it through aggressive capital development, making
significant upgrades to the campus, including student housing and a
state-of-the-art sports facility, the SRC Arena; and
WHEREAS, An active professional and civic leader, Dr. Sydow has served
as President of the New York Community College Association of Presi-
dents, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Community
College Development at Cornell University, and Chair of the American
Council on Education's Commission on Leadership and Institutional Effec-
tiveness; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sydow also serves on several community and corporate
boards, including, CenterState CEO, the Excellus Advisory Board, CNY
Works, Syracuse 20/20, and the M&T Bank Syracuse Regional Board; and

WHEREAS, Already having been recognized for her college and community
leadership, Dr. Sydow has received the Association of Community College
Trustees 2008 CEO of the Year Award for the Northeast Region, Women in
Business Award, YWCA Diversity Achievers Award, Girls Scouts Women of
Distinction Award, The Zonta Club of Syracuse's Crystal Award, The Post-
Standard Achievement Award, the National Diversity Council's Tri-State
Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, the Phi Theta Kappa National
Honor Society's Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, and the AIA CNY
Chapter's 2010 President's Award; and
WHEREAS, In her capacity as President of Onondaga Community College,
Dr. Sydow has served with loyalty, honor, and distinction, providing
extensive experience, while providing important new perspectives; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Dr. Sydow has earned the admiration,
esteem and affection of her colleagues, and has been a true asset to
society; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Debbie L. Sydow, Ph. D., upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Central New York Sales and Marketing Executives 2012
Crystal Ball Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Debbie L. Sydow.