Senate Resolution No. 2608

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMENDING Farley Herzek upon the occasion of his
retirement after three years of distinguished
service as President of Kingsborough Community
College on August 31, 2017

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character 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 Farley Herzek upon the occasion of his retirement after three
years of distinguished service as President of Kingsborough Community
College; he will officially retire from this position on Thursday,
August 31, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Educators like Farley Herzek have provided 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, Farley Herzek is a first generation American; his father
immigrated to the United States after being liberated from a
concentration camp at the end of World War II; he is the first member of
his family to graduate from college; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Farley Herzek earned his
Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York; he furthered
his education by obtaining his Master of Arts degree and Teaching
Credential in Technology Education at California State University in
Long Beach, and his Professional Clear Administrative Services
Credential from the University of La Verne; and

WHEREAS, Farley Herzek began his distinguished career in higher
education as an Interim President for Los Angeles Harbor College; he
then served as Interim President of East Los Angeles College, and Vice
President of Academic Affairs for the Desert Community College District;
under his luminous leadership, he was instrumental in designing
facilities and instructional planning for two brand new campuses in the
Coachella Valley; and

WHEREAS, Farley Herzek also held the titles of Dean of the School of
Trades and Industrial Technologies, and Interim Provost for the Long
Beach Community College District; in addition, he was the Assistant
Director of Career and Technical Education, and served as a full-time
faculty member for Long Beach Unified School District; and

WHEREAS, After serving the citizens of Southern California for more
than three decades, Farley Herzek returned to his native Brooklyn, and
assumed the title of President of Kingsborough Community College; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Farley Herzek accomplished numerous
goals and implemented many programs, all of which greatly benefited the
Kingsborough Community College student body; under his luminous
leadership, the College rated number one in most categories and very
high in others, among all the CUNY community colleges; and the Nursing
Program, EMS-Paramedic program, and Physical Therapy Program were
granted accreditation; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Kingsborough Community College launched the
Assist Me App for incoming freshman; the SPARK initiative was
established to make a far reaching impact on underprepared students,
particularly students of color, from underserved communities; the
building of the student union and intercultural center; established
workforce development and strategic community partnerships; achieved the
Dream Leader college status; supported the Equity in the Borough
Campaign (EBC); and launched the Math High Fail Bootcamp; as well as
formed a partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Farley Herzek's quest for excellence is well-known; he
attributes much of his success to the dedicated ethical team of
educators, supportive friends, caring and involved parents, and
wonderful, enthusiastic young adults; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to higher
education, Farley Herzek was the recipient of several awards and
accolades such as the Outstanding California Community College
Administrator of the Year Award by the California Industrial and
Technology Education Association, and the 2016 Hebrew Educational
Society Award for Academic Excellence; and

WHEREAS, Farley Herzek has been a vital member of numerous
educational organizations including the National Legislative Committee
for the Association of Career and Technical Education, the Hispanic
Association for Colleges and Universities (HACU), Long Beach Area
COMPACT, and the Long Beach Industry Education Council; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Cheryl, who has
shown him love and support and rejoices in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Farley Herzek has clearly had an enduring impact on the
students of Kingsborough Community College, as well as on the
community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for
his impressive dedication to others; 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
institutions of higher education by providing their skills and talents
to our colleges; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Farley Herzek upon the occasion of his retirement after three
years of distinguished service as President of Kingsborough Community
College on August 31, 2017, and to wish him continued success in all of
his future endeavors; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Farley Herzek.