New York K 1322: Honoring Dr. Bonita Durand upon the occasion of her retirement after 25 years of distinguished service to Buffalo State University

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K01322 Summary:

BILL NOK01322 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORConrad

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top K01322 Actions:

BILL NOK01322 

&nbsp

05/11/2026introduced

05/11/2026adopted

Go to topK01322 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topK01322 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topK01322 Text:

Assembly Resolution No. 1322

BY: M. of A. Conrad

 HONORING Dr. Bonita Durand upon the occasion of
 her retirement after 25 years of distinguished
 service to Buffalo State University

 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals 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 honor
Dr. Bonita Durand upon the occasion of her retirement after 25 years of
distinguished service to Buffalo State University; and

 WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, Dr. Bonita Durand rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Buffalo State University; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Bonita Durand earned a Bachelor of Arts in business
administration and curriculum development from the Union Institute in
Cincinnati, Ohio, a Master of Science in applied public affairs from the
University at Buffalo, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University at
Buffalo with a concentration in higher education administration and a
focus on institutional advancement; and

 WHEREAS, In 2010, Dr. Bonita Durand received a certification in
educational management and leadership from the Graduate School of
Education at Harvard University; and

 WHEREAS, In her capacity as president and her many roles in the
university, Dr. Bonita Durand served with loyalty, honor and
distinction; and

 WHEREAS, In her time at Buffalo State University, Dr. Bonita Durand
served as chief of staff and secretary to the Buffalo State College
Council under five presidents; she was a graduate faculty member in the
university's Higher Education Administration Department, where she
taught courses on the history of American higher education, and
strategic planning and finance in higher education; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Bonita Durand originally retired in 2018, after 22
years of service to Buffalo State University, but she was appointed
officer in charge of Buffalo State University by State University of New
York Chancellor John B. King Jr. on May 31, 2023, before her official
confirmation as president by the SUNY Board of Trustees on June 6, 2023;
and

 WHEREAS, On April 23, 2026, Dr. Bonita Durand was officially named
the 10th President of Buffalo State University until her retirement on
June 30, 2026; and

 WHEREAS, In her official acts, Dr. Bonita Durand was governed by a
keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems;
and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Bonita Durand provided leadership to countless
committees and working groups at Buffalo State, including the Middle
States accreditation steering committee, the presidential inauguration
support committees, the facilities master planning committee, and the
presidential search advisory committees; she has served as the faculty
advisor for the collegiate chapter of the National Council of Negro
Women Inc. and the campus advisor for the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; and

 WHEREAS, An active member of the Western New York Community, Dr.
Bonita Durand has dedicated her time to numerous organizations across
the city and region; she was secretary for the City of Buffalo Citizens
Advisory Commission on Reapportionment in 2011, a member of the mayor of
the City of Buffalo's 2010 Complete Count Census Committee, a charter
member of the Buffalo Niagara Economic Development Corporation board of
directors, a member of the Western New York Women's Fund board of
directors and a Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Commissioner,
a member of the Community Foundation board of directors from 2014 to
2024, and she currently serves as the president of the Erie County N.Y.
Chapter of the Links Inc. and is an active member of the Buffalo Alumnae
chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; and

 WHEREAS, Dr. Bonita Durand was placed on several Buffalo First-a
Buffalo-based busines