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New York Community College Trustees Announce 2008 Award Winners

April 09, 2008

Albany – The New York Community College Trustees of the State University of New York today announced the 2008 NYCCT award winners. Established in 1976, the awards program recognizes extraordinary leadership and achievement, dedicated and effective service, and commitment to community as models of excellence in New York State’s community colleges.

The NYCCT awards will be presented on Thursday, April 10, 2008, at a banquet prepared and served by students in the renowned Hotel and Culinary Arts Program at Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). The NYCCT Awards Banquet will also feature a performance by the SCCC Vocal Chamber Ensemble, a tour of the SCCC campus including the new $6 million culinary arts facility, and a rehearsal by the SCCC Wind Ensemble. The Awards Banquet is held as part of NYCCT’s 54^th Annual Spring Conference held through April 12, 2008, at the Holiday Inn in Schenectady.

“We are pleased to recognize such a distinguished group of winners,” said NYCCT President Anton Kasanof. “Each of the individuals we honor has volunteered countless hours in service to SUNY’s community colleges and we are extremely grateful for their extraordinary contributions. It is, after all, the self sacrifice and good will, exemplified by these people, that makes the community college contribution to the vitality of our communities such an invaluable gift.”

City of Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “New York's community colleges are an essential component of our state's dynamic educational and cultural infrastructure, providing the opportunity for citizens of all ages to earn an affordable college education or simply to expand their horizons. We are proud to welcome the New York Community College Trustees to Schenectady and to the campus of Schenectady County Community College for this important event.”

SCCC President Gabe Basil said, “We are pleased to host community college trustees from across New York State during the annual NYCCT conference. This is an excellent opportunity for trustees to exchange ideas, discuss new trends on community college campuses and network with one another. We are proud to welcome them to our campus and to showcase our talented Culinary Arts and Music students, as well as attractions in the city of Schenectady including the historic Stockade district, Proctors and the Schenectady Museum.”

“SUNY is pleased to participate in honoring this year’s NYCCT award winners and we greatly appreciate their service to public higher education in New York,” said SUNY Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges Dr. Dennis Golladay. “SUNY’s 30 community colleges provide access to a high-quality, affordable education for more than 214,000 students and play a key role in educating New York’s workforce in preparing students to further their academic careers and for immediate entry into the state’s economy.”

There are seven NYCCT award categories. Extraordinary service to a community college, service to a community college over an extended period of time, career achievement, accomplishment with advancing a community college’s relationship with business and industry are among the award categories. A full list of awards and winners follows the release.

About NYCCT

NYCCT is a voluntary nonprofit consortium of community college trustees established to strengthen the effectiveness of NY community college trustees as an active force in the development and implementation of public policy impacting community colleges.

NYCCT’s mission is to strengthen trustees of community colleges through education, advocacy and communication.

NYCCT represents the appointed board members who govern the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system and the six community colleges in the City University of New York (CUNY) system.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 427,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu

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The 2008 New York Community College Trustees Award Winners

Anne M. Bushnell Memorial Award for Special Achievement

Susan M.McConekey, Ulster County Community College

Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service

F. Robert Sdao, Niagara County Community College

Marvin E. Maziarz, Niagara County Community College

Jack Stadler, Westchester Community College

Benefactor Vision for Tomorrow Award

Edythe and Herb Kurz, Rockland Community College

Business/Industry Partnership Award

Howard N. Hellman, Rockland Community College