Senate Resolution No. 595 BY: Senator MARTINS COMMENDING Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph. D. upon the occasion of his inauguration as the sixth President of the State University of New York at Old Westbury on April 14, 2023 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those leaders in education whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph. D. upon the occasion of his inauguration as the sixth President of the State University of New York at Old Westbury to be celebrated on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the John & Lillian Maguire Theater in the Campus Center; and WHEREAS, Raised by his paternal grandparents, Timothy E. Sams grew up on the south side of Syracuse, New York, where he was a high-achieving student, played basketball and was an active member of the local Boy Scouts; and WHEREAS, Timothy E. Sams earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Sociology from Union College in Schenectady, New York, his Master of Arts degree in Africana studies from the State University of New York at Albany, New York, and then furthered his education by obtaining his Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University; and WHEREAS, Throughout his 20 year career in higher education, Dr. Timothy E. Sams was driven by the principles of access, excellence, success, and impact to achieve student transformation and social progress; and WHEREAS, With an unwavering commitment to higher education, Dr. Timothy E. Sams has worked with institutions around the country and the world; he moved from learning the fundamentals of building student success programs to innovating new ones as a senior leader committed to educational justice by inclusive excellence, praxis, and purpose-driven education; and WHEREAS, In January of 2021, Dr. Timothy E. Sams earned tenure at SUNY Old Westbury, and through his experience at respected institutions such as Morehouse College and Rensselaer Polytechnic, he never lost sight of his humble beginnings as an Upward Bound and Educational Opportunity Program student and always strives to steer each and every one of his students towards success; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the educational profile of their communities and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph.D. upon the occasion of his inauguration as the sixth President of the State University of New York at Old Westbury on April 14, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Ph. D.