LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sara R. Morris upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Kenneth L. Koessler Distinguished Facul-
ty Award by the Canisius College Alumni Association on May 20, 2016

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 honor Sara
R. Morris upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Kenneth L. Koessler Distinguished Faculty Award by the Canisius College
Alumni Association to be celebrated at the Cansisius Spring Honors
Convocation on Friday, May 20, 2016, in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Canisius College Alumni Association's Kenneth
L. Koessler Distinguished Faculty Award is presented to a Canisius
faculty member in recognition of both their teaching excellence and
outstanding contributions to the academic world; and
WHEREAS, Sara R. Morris, a professor of Biology at Canisius, has
received this prestigious award in recognition of her many educational
achievements as well as her passionate commitment to her discipline; and
WHEREAS, Sara R. Morris earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from
Presbyterian College, and completed her Master's and Doctoral degrees in
Zoology from Cornell University; and
WHEREAS, Since beginning her teaching career at Canisius in 1996, Sara
R. Morris has become beloved by both her students and fellow faculty
members for her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her work; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, this esteemed educator has energized students
by effectively combining her lectures with engaging images, videos and
demonstrations to perfectly convey the subject matter from such classes
as Introductory Biology to more advanced classes like Ornithology and
Field Ecology; and
WHEREAS, Known for her dedicated mentoring, Sara R. Morris has
provided unique field experience and research opportunities to countless
biology program graduates while maintaining an active research team of
Canisius undergraduate students to study bird migration; and
WHEREAS, In addition, many of Sara R. Morris's former research
students have been accepted into top graduate programs and are working
in a variety of positions, including doctors, veterinarians, research-
ers, college professors and high school biology teachers; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Sara R. Morris has contributed greatly to the
betterment of Canisius College in her role as Associate Vice President
for Academic Affairs, and has served as co-Chair of the Biology Depart-
ment and Coordinator of the Environmental Science Program; she has also
been active in securing grants and revising curriculum, and has played a
key role on the Strategic Planning Committee, Faculty Status Committee,
and Faculty Senate; and
WHEREAS, A prominent figure within the Ornithological community, Sara
R. Morris is a member of the American Ornithologists' Union and has
served in various leadership positions with the organization; and
WHEREAS, Today, Sara R. Morris ably serves as President of the Wilson
Ornithological Society and is on the steering committee for the North
American Ornithological Conference while also giving professional work-
shops in Ornithology across the country; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and honors during her excep-
tional tenure, Sara R. Morris was presented with an Oishei Teaching
Professorship and a Peter Canisius Distinguished Professorship; and

WHEREAS, Sara R. Morris has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for
the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at
Canisius College for the benefit of its faculty and students, as well as
for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when educators
of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention it
is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sara R. Morris upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the Kenneth L. Koessler Distinguished Faculty Award by the Canisius
College Alumni Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sara R. Morris.