SR-215, As Adopted by Senate, September 9, 2008

            Senators Switalski, Olshove and Sanborn offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 215.

            A resolution honoring Dr. Albert L. Lorenzo upon his retirement as president of Macomb Community College, where he served with distinction from July 1979 to July 2008, nearly 30 years.

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo, a highly-respected educator and innovator, was the fourth and longest-serving president in Macomb Community College’s 54-year history; and

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo began his career in public accounting and then joined the faculty of Macomb Community College in 1966 as an assistant professor of business, and later served as business manager, controller, and vice president for business of the College between 1968 and 1979, before being named its president; and

            Whereas, During his term as president, Dr. Lorenzo shepherded the development of Macomb Community College into one of the largest, most-respected, and preeminent community colleges in the nation. It has an annual unduplicated headcount of more than 50,000 students taking courses at three major campuses, a technical education center, locations throughout the community, and via distance learning; and

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo’s visionary leadership brought many innovations to Macomb Community College, including the creation of Michigan’s first university center located on a community college campus that became the model most replicated by other states. The College now has an enrollment larger than many of the state’s private colleges and some of its smaller public universities and--unprecedented--will soon house a medical school in partnership with Michigan State University; and

            Whereas, In addition to the many buildings and innovative programs added under his leadership, Dr. Lorenzo always put the education and well-being of our young adults first, believing that every student can succeed if provided the right learning environment, instruction, and support; and

            Whereas, In a similar fashion, Dr. Lorenzo established strong ties within the community and developed practical and very successful workforce development programs, including the establishment of Michigan’s most successful M-TEC (Michigan Technical Education Center) that prepares our citizens for gainful employment and strengthens our local and state economy; and

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo served on several civic, community, education, and corporate boards and organizations, including St. Joseph Healthcare, the Henry Ford Health System, Huntington Banks of Michigan, the Industrial Technology Institute, Macomb Community Bank, and the Detroit Zoo. He also served on several national advisory boards and received commission appointments from three Michigan governors; and

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo was a member of Governor Granholm’s Council on Economic Advisors, Governor Engler’s Workforce Commission, and Lieutenant Governor Cherry’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth; and

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo’s pragmatic approaches to leadership, planning, and organizational development were the focus of a number of publications and national speaking engagements, and he contributed to nearly three dozen books and monographs and authored several articles for national journals; and

            Whereas, Being the driving force behind Macomb Community College’s success, Dr. Lorenzo brought many local, state, and national recognitions and awards to the College and himself, including ten major leadership awards, two doctoral degrees, President of the Year award presented by three national associations, Citizen of the Year award presented by the March of Dimes, and Lifetime Achievement Award in Education presented by the Detroit Italian-American Community; and

            Whereas, Dr. Lorenzo both distinguished Macomb Community College, which has grown in stature, prominence, and reputation under his leadership, and himself as an outstanding citizen and a model leader among educators; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby offer our congratulations, thanks, and best wishes as we salute Dr. Albert L. Lorenzo upon his announced retirement; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Dr. Albert L. Lorenzo on the occasion of his retirement reception on September 19, 2008, as evidence of our esteem for his many accomplishments and his distinguished career as president of Macomb Community College and as a renowned education leader.