[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E681-E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI PRESIDENT AARON PODOLEFSKY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2010

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations and 
best wishes to Dr. Aaron Podolefsky as he prepares to end his tenure as 
president of the University of Central Missouri, UCM, in Warrensburg, 
MO. After 5 years of dedicated service to the University, Dr. 
Podolefsky will become the president of Buffalo State College in 
Buffalo, New York.
  After a distinguished record of academic accomplishment as a scholar 
at San Jose State University in California and the State University of 
New York at Stony Brook, Dr. Podolefsky pursued a career as an educator 
and academic administrator, showing a commitment to public universities 
and the development of young minds across the country.
  During his tenure as President of UCM, Dr. Podolefsky presided over a 
period of great change. With the adoption of a new name for the 
University, he brought together students, educators, community 
partners, and civic leaders to develop and implement a new vision for 
UCM. He expanded opportunities for students and enhanced economic 
development in the region by reorganizing the academic departments and 
developing partnerships with national and international institutions.

[[Page E682]]

  Under his leadership, the U.S. News and World Report and Princeton 
Review have recognized UCM as one of the best universities in the 
Midwest for the first time in university history. And, UCM provides 
this exceptional education at low cost, ranking first in the Midwest in 
low student debt. These accolades, combined with an ever increasing job 
placement rate for UCM graduates, are evidence of Dr. Podolefsky's 
sustained commitment to the University.
  Madam Speaker, I wish Dr. Podolefsky the best of luck in his future 
career at Buffalo State College and thank him for his dedication to the 
University of Central Missouri. Together with his wife Ronnie and sons, 
Noah and Isaac, Dr. Podolefsky will be missed and his mark on UCM will 
be felt for years to come.

                          ____________________