M E M O R A N D U M
	
      			May 10, 2012
To: 		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:  	Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject: 	Special Service Commendation of President Joseph Kennedy, the State University of New York College of Technology at Canton


Action Requested
	
	The proposed resolution honors Joseph Kennedy’s exceptional service to the State University of New York College of Technology at Canton.    

Resolution

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution: 

Whereas Joseph Kennedy has served SUNY Canton since 
July 1, 1993 for nearly two decades as President; and 

Whereas under President Kennedy’s leadership, SUNY Canton has achieved many important forward strides, including:

* recognizing by 1999 the potential of on-line education, and being an early developer of one of the largest on-line presences in SUNY, currently offering eight fully on-line degree programs and over 600 sections offered annually; and

* increased student selectivity, achieving a gain in median average of new students from the high 70’s to the mid- 80’s; and 



* increased the percentage of faculty with terminal degrees from about 10% to the national four-year college average of 70%, by assisting incumbent faculty to earn terminal degrees and recruiting new faculty with terminal degrees; and 

* successfully concluded the campus’s first capital campaign, raising $14 million, more than the initial goal; and

* the physical plant at Canton was transformed with numerous new buildings and a greatly improved appearance; and

* developed strong and innovative academic retention programs that have led to markedly improved retention for students with low levels of preparation for college; and

* greatly improved relationships with alumni, emeriti and community leaders now, therefore, be it 
Resolved the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York recognizes the valuable contributions to the State University of New York President Joseph Kennedy has accomplished at the SUNY Canton campus and wishes him a long and productive future.



Board Resolution 				-2-			May 10, 2012