K 708: Honoring Dr. Kristine D. Duffy upon the occasion of her retirement after 12 years of distinguished service to SUNY Adirondack

 Assembly Resolution No. 708 BY: M. of A. Woerner HONORING Dr. Kristine D. Duffy upon the occasion of her retirement after 12 years of distinguished service to SUNY Adirondack WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to recognize meaningful contributions to our community and to the notable people who help make our great State truly great; and WHEREAS, Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., whose tenure as President of the State University of New York (SUNY) Adirondack began on July 1, 2013, and will go to June 30, 2025, is the second-longest-serving president in SUNY Adirondack's history; and WHEREAS, During her tenure, Dr. Duffy oversaw more than $50 million in capital investments to support teaching and learning; and WHEREAS, Throughout her 12 years at the college, Dr. Duffy assisted in securing and investing nearly $45 million in federal, state, county, and private gifts and grants to improve nursing, science, athletic, and student service-related facilities, as well as improved direct support services to students; and WHEREAS, Under Dr. Kristine D. Duffy's leadership, nearly 90,000 square feet of facilities were constructed or renovated; and WHEREAS, A true visionary, Dr. Duffy supported the relocation of the college's Culinary Arts program and the development of its student-run restaurant to downtown Glens Falls, New York and led the college in achieving branch campus status for its center in Saratoga County in the town of Wilton; and WHEREAS, Dr. Kristine D. Duffy also led the way in the building of a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field complex; and WHEREAS, By securing nearly $20 million in grant dollars, Dr. Duffy was able to dramatically increase equipment and meet classroom needs as well as support vital services and programs, thereby greatly improving student success outcomes; and WHEREAS, Under Dr. Duffy's strategic planning efforts and focus on the development of partnerships with K-12 and local workforce leaders, SUNY Adirondack experienced increased graduation rates, increased student racial and ethnic diversity, and a closing of achievement gaps for historically marginalized populations; and WHEREAS, Dr. Kristine D. Duffy also initiated a new computer, engineering, and technology program space study for the Technology Education and Training Programs Project and supported the introduction of several new micro-credentialing, bootcamp and healthcare pathway programs; and WHEREAS, Through ongoing community engagement, Dr. Duffy garnered new donors and partnerships, transforming the college's ability to break down barriers to success in and out of the classroom and increase the recognition of the college's impact on the region; and WHEREAS, It is the exceptional dedication, hard work, and valued sacrifice of such high-achieving and compassionate individuals who make our State and Nation strong and prosperous; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Dr. Kristine D. Duffy upon the occasion of her retirement after 12 years of distinguished service to SUNY Adirondack; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Kristine D. Duffy.