[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 18 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANN MARIE BUERKLE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 3, 2012

  Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Onondaga 
Community College for 50 years of service to the Central New York 
community.
  In 1961, Onondaga Community College board of trustees met to plan the 
college's upcoming first academic year. Though board members had 
originally planned to enroll 450 students in the first year, nearly 
1,300 students enrolled, indicating the need for accessible higher 
education in Central New York.
  During its first years, Onondaga Community College was located in 
downtown Syracuse at Midtown Plaza. By 1973, the college had moved to 
Onondaga Hill, where a newly constructed campus would house over 5,000 
students.
  Over the years, Onondaga Community College has increased its size, 
growing 65 percent from 2000 to 2010 alone. The college now hosts over 
12,000 students, 1,700 faculty, and nearly 50 associate degree and 
certificate programs.
  The Onondaga Hill campus has grown to include several academic 
buildings, residence halls, and a newly constructed arena that will 
host sporting and entertainment events for the college, as well as the 
Central New York community.
  Today, under the leadership of President Debbie Sydow, Onondaga 
Community College has become one of the Nation's fastest-growing 
community colleges, providing affordable, high quality education to 
thousands of students.
  I thank Onondaga Community College for its dedicated service to the 
community and I am proud to honor the college upon the occasion of 
celebrating 50 years of excellence in higher education.

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