[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 66 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CAREER OF SISTER DENISE A. ROCHE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2016

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and legacy 
of service of Sister Denise A. Roche, GNSH, Ph.D. upon the occasion of 
her retirement as President of D'Youville College.
  A Buffalo native, Sister Denise is a graduate of Holy Angels Academy 
and D'Youville College. She went on to earn a master's degree in 
sociology from Boston University and a doctorate at the University of 
Massachusetts. Prior to being named President of D'Youville in 1979, 
she served as an instructor, acting chair, teaching assistant, 
assistant professor and associate dean at the college.
  Sister Denise was named 14th President of D'Youville when she was 
just 36 years old, the youngest person ever to serve in that position. 
During her remarkable tenure lasting over 36 years, she has overseen 
400 full-time employees and managed a $50 million operating budget. 
Sister Denise led the college to triple its enrollment from 1153 in 
1980 to more than 3100 in 2014, created major new academic offerings 
that attracted a significant number of new students, and achieved 
fiscal stability.
  Under her leadership, the college endowment grew from $1.2 million to 
$34 million. During her presidency $77 million was invested in the 
campus including a new library, three academic centers, gymnasium, 
apartment-style residence hall, athletic fields, and property and 
parking additions. These investments have improved on-campus life and 
helped stabilize the dynamic and diverse neighborhood in Buffalo's West 
Side surrounding the college.
  Her strong belief in helping and encouraging all students has seen a 
multitude of success stories as former students come back to thank her 
for her faith in them and motivating them to succeed. She has supported 
``City As School,'' an alternative program for non-traditional high 
school students at D'Youville for more than a decade, resulting in 
young people reaching higher academic achievements and leading more 
productive lives.
  To our community, Sister Denise is much more than president of the 
college. She is a consummate community leader whose advice and counsel 
is sought on a wide range of issues affecting the city of Buffalo. Her 
thoughtful and caring demeanor has endeared her to all whose lives she 
has touched.
  Sister Denise has received many awards and accolades for her work at 
D'Youville and throughout Western New York, including Citizen of the 
Year by The Buffalo News in 1994, the Chancellor Charles P. Norton 
Medal from the University at Buffalo, the Lifetime Achievement Award 
from the WNY Hispanics and Friends Civic Association, and a Special 
Award presented to her by the National Conference of Christians and 
Jews. She is a member of the WNY Women's Hall of Fame, and both 
Canisius College and Niagara University have awarded her honorary 
degrees.
  While a very grateful community extends deep appreciation for Sister 
Denise's extraordinary leadership at D'Youville College, her work is 
far from over as she was recently nominated by New York Governor Andrew 
Cuomo to serve as chair of the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority 
(NFTA). In this role, she will be responsible for the oversight of Erie 
and Niagara Counties' public transportation system, including the bus 
and rail systems, the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport and the 
Niagara Falls International Airport. As Chairwoman, Sister Denise will 
bring her decades of experience and expertise to the NFTA to continue 
serving the public.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor the 
life and distinguished career of this outstanding educator, leader and 
devoted Sister of the Grey Nuns, Sister Denise A. Roche. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in expressing our congratulations on an exemplary 
career and to commend her for her admirable work to enrich D'Youville 
College and the Western New York community and wish her all the best in 
her future endeavors.

                          ____________________