LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. W. Hubert Keen upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the
Farmingdale State College Alumni Association on March 31, 2016

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose
dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing charac-
ter 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
Dr. W. Hubert Keen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Farmingdale State College Alumni
Association on March 31, 2016; and
WHEREAS, W. Hubert Keen earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from
Pikeville College, and his Master's degree in Physiological Ecology from
Eastern Kentucky University; he furthered his education by obtaining his
PhD in Ecology from Kent State University; and
WHEREAS, Since January of 2007, Dr. W. Hubert Keen has held the
esteemed title of President of Farmingdale State College, a position
from which he will retire in June of 2016; prior to obtaining this rank,
he served the college for two years as both Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Dr. W. Hubert Keen has been instru-
mental in leading the College's unprecedented success in pioneering
research, economic development, and community involvement, as well as
enrollment, growing to almost 8,600 students; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the campus has embarked on a $185 million
construction and renovation project, academic programs have been
expanded, and new buildings have been built including a Campus Center,
Children's Center, and School of Business; and
WHEREAS, Under his luminous leadership, Farmingdale State College is a
major academic research partner with the Advanced Energy Center at Stony
Brook University; a report by the Long Island Association estimated
Farmingdale's economic impact on the region to be over $1 billion, in
terms of employment, education, partnerships with industry, and develop-
ment of the regional workforce; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Small Business Development Center at Farm-
ingdale State College is one of the most active in the state, having
administered to more than 29,000 clients since its inception while
creating $382 million in business investments and more than 11,000 jobs
throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Dr. W. Hubert Keen serves on several Boards of Directors for
organizations such as the Advanced Energy Research and Technology
Center, the Long Island Regional Planning Council, and the LI Index
Advisory Board; he also chaired the Long Island Regional Advisory Coun-
cil on Higher Education Presidents-Superintendents Group and served as
LIRACHE Chair; and
WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to Farmingdale
State College, Dr. W. Hubert Keen was the recipient of the 2009 Educa-
tion Advocate by the LTA's Small Business Council, and was named one of
Long Island's most influential leaders by the Long Island Press; he was
also honored by Networking magazine for his commitment to community and
civic organizations, and was awarded numerous fellowships, including the
Fulbright; and

WHEREAS, Educators like Dr. W. Hubert Keen 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, Dr. W. Hubert Keen has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of Farmingdale State College, as well as on the community-at-
large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for his impres-
sive dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dr. W. Hubert Keen has displayed
throughout his life; 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 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 Dr. W. Hubert Keen upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Farmingdale State
College Alumni Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. W. Hubert Keen.