Senate Resolution No. 1251

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 55th Anniversary of SUNY
Polytechnic Institute

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 sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in higher education for the young adults of this
noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 55th Anniversary of SUNY Polytechnic Institute; and

WHEREAS, A member of the State University of New York, the largest
comprehensive university system in the United States, SUNY Polytechnic
Institute is proud to pioneer a unique educational and research
environment at its two campuses, located in Albany and Utica, New York,
where these efforts, coupled with impactful economic development
initiatives, make this institution a powerful catalyst for creative,
experiential learning, enabling our alumni to thrive in the 21st century
economy; and

WHEREAS, SUNY Polytechnic Institute was established in 1966 when
Upper Division College began offering graduate programs to students at a
local elementary school; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, the institution moved to a former mill building in
West Utica which was later remodeled and additional buildings were
leased in both West Utica and Rome, and renamed the State University of
New York College of Technology at Utica-Rome; and

WHEREAS, In the mid-1980s, the college transitioned to its current
Mohawk Valley location before the name changed again to the State
University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome (SUNYIT);
and

WHEREAS, The merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and
Engineering (CNSE) and SUNYIT to form SUNY Polytechnic Institute was a
further extension of its original mission, transforming the aspirations
of the Institute to now include the research intensive, entrepreneurial
culture of CNSE, while maintaining the attributes that were so appealing
to students for the preceding 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, SUNY Polytechnic Institute has grown
from a college with strong emphasis upon the sciences and technology, to
one which prepares students for a wide range of careers and fosters a
culture of research, entrepreneurship, and innovation while leveraging
New York's rapidly growing high-tech ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, The success of SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its faculty and staff, as well as its
student and alumni, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
the institution and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the visionary guidance of Acting President Dr.
Tod A. Laursen, SUNY Polytechnic Institute truly stands proud and
prominent as a globally recognized leader in higher education and
technology innovation, research and development; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, SUNY
Polytechnic Institute may look back with pride upon its humble
beginnings, find just satisfaction in its purposeful growth and hold
true of purpose in its dedication to serving the educational needs of
its students; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 55th Anniversary of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, noting
the propriety of its goals, the constancy of its commitment and the
significance of its accomplishments; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Acting President, SUNY Polytechnic
Institute.