LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION, commending Dr. D. David Conklin upon the occa-
sion of the completion of his tenure as President of Dutchess Community
College, after many years of distinguished service on behalf of higher
education

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Dr. D. David Conklin upon the occasion of the completion of his tenure
as President of Dutchess Community College, after many years of distin-
guished service on behalf of higher education, effective August 31,
2014; and
WHEREAS, Dr. D. David Conklin was appointed Dutchess Community College
President in September of 1992; during his tenure, he added more than 20
academic programs, bringing the number of A.A., A.S., A.A.S. and certif-
icate programs to 64; and
WHEREAS, Over the years at Dutchess Community College, Dr. D. David
Conklin guided the growth of enrollment of students from fewer than
7,000 students to more than 10,000; and
WHEREAS, During the tenure of Dr. D. David Conklin, facilities have
been added, renovated, and enhanced to better serve students including
the Allyn J. Washington Center for Science and Art, Hudson Hall, Bowne
Hall, a Student Services Center, and 110 "smart" classrooms and labs
which offer state-of-the-art technology; and
WHEREAS, Dr. D. David Conklin's extensive administrative experience
was recognized by the Dutchess Community College Board of Trustees in
their decision to name the school's first on-campus residence hall,
which was constructed and opened in August of 2012, after him in honor
of his 20 years of service and leadership; and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. D. David Conklin's leadership, Dutchess Community
College has become one of the most highly respected community colleges
in the SUNY system receiving top marks from its students for quality of
education, availability of instructors outside of class and in the qual-
ity of library and classroom facilities; in addition, it is the college
of choice for residents of Dutchess County as approximately 39% of
college-bound high school students in Dutchess County attend Dutchess
Community College; and
WHEREAS, The Dutchess Community College Foundation grew from $280,069
in assets to nearly $7 million in his tenure, enabling the College to
award more than $110,000 a year in scholarships to high-achieving
students; and
WHEREAS, The college's collection of artwork has grown to $2.65
million in value and has been recognized with the Dutchess County Arts
Council Award for Artwork in Public Places and the Dutchess County Exec-
utive's Award for Arts in Education; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Dr. D. David
Conklin also earned a master's degree from Pennsylvania State Universi-
ty, and a Ph.D. in higher education from New York University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. D. David Conklin has published many articles on community
colleges and presented at regional and national conferences including
the College Board National Forum, the Middle States Association of
Colleges and Secondary Schools Annual Conference, and the American Asso-
ciation of Community Colleges' Annual Conference; and

WHEREAS, His volunteer service to the Mid-Hudson Valley region is
well-known through his current service on the board of directors of
Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Dutchess County Economic Development
Corporation (DCEDC), the College Board National Advisory Panel, American
Association of Community Colleges' Commission on Economic Workforce
Development and as Treasurer of the New York Community College Associ-
ation Presidents; and
WHEREAS, His past volunteer service to the Mid-Hudson Valley region is
remembered with the Dutchess County United Way, Saint Francis Hospital
Board of Trustees, Community Foundation of Dutchess County, Hudson
Valley Philharmonic, Hudson Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America,
Mid-Hudson Civic Center, the former Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of
Commerce, and as chair of the Empire Zone Administrative Board; and
WHEREAS, As President of Dutchess Community College, Dr. D. David
Conklin has continually demonstrated an impressive dedication, an unpar-
alleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of the
educational programs and opportunities offered at the College for the
benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the entire communi-
ty; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. D. David Conklin upon the occasion of the completion of his
tenure, as President of Dutchess Community College, after many years of
distinguished service on behalf of higher education; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. D. David Conklin.