LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken upon the
occasion of the completion of his tenure as Member and Chair of the
Corning Community College Regional Board of Trustees, 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. Cornelius J. Milliken upon the occasion of the completion of his
tenure as Member and Chair of the Corning Community College Regional
Board of Trustees, after many years of distinguished service on behalf
of higher education effective June of 2016; and
WHEREAS, He was the first Corning Community College alumnus to serve
as Chair of the Regional Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken, fondly referred to as "Neil,"
recruited Dr. Katherine P. Douglas, as Corning Community College's
sixth president; during his tenure, he guided an inclusive and compre-
hensive review and revision of the College's vision, mission and values
leading to the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan and budget allocation process
aligned with its objective; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken established the Presiden-
tial Scholars Program, giving unprecedented financial and scholarly
support to academically-motivated students in the College's service
area; in addition, he opened the College's first residence hall, Perry
Hall, ensuring access to students outside the service area; and
WHEREAS, Leading the campaign to raise private funds and enable the
College to leverage additional monies, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken was
instrumental in transforming the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Library, estab-
lishing the Learning Commons, launching the Enrollment Advisement
Center, and orchestrating an inspiring renewal of the College's athletic
facilities; and
WHEREAS, At Corning Community College's 2014 graduation, Dr. Cornelius
J. Milliken awarded an honorary doctorate, the second in the College's
history, to Professor Herbert Gross, founding faculty member of the
Mathematics Department; and
WHEREAS, Last year, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken secured unqualified
10-year re-accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education which provided external validation of the College's quality;
he also inaugurated its StartUp NY tax-free zone in Airport Corporate
Park which incentivized businesses to locate in the region; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken has overseen a number
of significant initiatives for the College including developing the
region's first P-Tech Program entitled the Southern Tier STEM Academy,
which recognizes the need for alternative forms of education and the
value of a college degree; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken also procured inaugural URI funds
for a Health Education Center in downtown Corning, paving the way for a
vibrant downtown presence and a gateway to the Spencer Hill campus as
well as advancing a University Center on the Spencer Hill campus with
partner institutions awarding bachelor's degrees and making advanced
degrees accessible and affordable to more students; and
WHEREAS, Looking to the future, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken's luminous
leadership has helped garner campus, county, and state approval of the
Facilities Master Plan, which will guide campus renewal projects through

2020; he has also led the restructuring of the College for the 21st
Century, reaffirming its commitment to mission-driven initiatives; and
WHEREAS, As Member and Chair of the Corning Community College Regional
Board of Trustees, Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken has continually demon-
strated an impressive dedication, an unparalleled 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 community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Cornelius J. Milliken upon the occasion of the completion of
his tenure as Member and Chair of the Corning Community College Regional
Board of Trustees, 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. Cornelius J. Milliken.