DCC President Inducted into New York Business Hall of Fame

Release date: August 20, 2008

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Dr. D. David Conklin, president of Dutchess Community College and member of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) board of directors, is one of two individuals, along with a business, who have been inducted into the New York Business Hall of Fame as the Class of 2007.

Dr. Conklin was recognized by the organization for his long record of successful management, expertise, and business skills along with his many notable achievements while president of DCC.

During Dr. Conklin’s tenure at the College, 18 new academic programs have been added to the curriculum, an endowed faculty chair initiative was created to allow faculty members to further pursue excellence in education, a mini-grant program was established to fund special faculty and staff projects, and an honors convocation was started to recognize student academic achievement and award scholarships. In addition, the DCC Foundation began a 15-year period of sustained growth under Dr. Conklin’s leadership, and in 2007 reported more than $5 million in assets, a huge jump in funds from the $280,069 on hand in 1992 when Dr. Conklin assumed leadership of the College.

In 2008, DCC reported its highest enrollment in its 50-year history, and Dr. Conklin’s induction honors his integral role not only in that achievement, but the many others over his 15-year presidency.

Also key to the College’s increase in enrollment over the years is the physical expansion of the campus. Since Dr. Conklin became president, major work took place including the building of the Allyn J. Washington Center for Science and Art, the creation of the new Francis U. and Mary F. Ritz Library inside Hudson Hall, the remodeling of the former library building into the Jack and Llelanie Orcutt Student Services Center, and the remodeling of the student lounge in Dutchess Hall.

“I congratulate Dr. Conklin on this well-deserved award,” said Tom LeGrand, chairperson of the Dutchess Community College Board of Trustees. “His leadership at DCC has been critical to its success, achieving record enrollment, and always ranking within the top three community colleges in all categories statewide. I speak for all of my fellow trustees when I say how proud we are of him.”

Dr. Conklin also chairs the Empire Zone Administrative Board, a vital part of the DCEDC, an entity that aims to attract new businesses to Dutchess County while helping to retain and expand the business currently in the county. The Empire Zone encourages new investment in designated areas through tax advantages and other incentives.

“He’s been an outstanding chairman of the Empire Zone Administrative Board,” said Anne Conroy, executive director of the DCEDC. “He has led the board to enable assistance for 300 businesses, employing approximately 16,500 people, and to invest more than $5 billion since he became chairman, which is a tremendous accomplishment.”

Other New York Business Hall of Fame Class of 2007 inductees are Michael Mandina, president of Optimax Systems, a manufacturing firm in Ontario, New York, and MediZine, a health care publishing company in New York City.

“Without a doubt, the Class of 2007 highlights some of the most talented and successful business leaders and companies in our state,” said Ron Dresner, director of the New York Business Hall of Fame.

The New York Business Hall of Fame was established in 2006, and showcases successful companies and business leaders through networking and industry events held throughout the state. The organization partners with private and public organizations, corporations and associations to promote economic development and new ideas in the marketplace.

Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college with more than 50 years of service to the residents of Dutchess County. It is part of the State University of New York and is one of 30 community colleges in the state system. The College offers a wide variety of associate degree programs, as well as career programs in major technical, human service and business areas. The College also offers non-credit courses through its Office of Community Services to meet the continuing education needs of civic, cultural, business and professional groups and the community at large. The main campus is at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie, while the Dutchess South extension site is in Hollowbrook Park, Building #4 at 31 Marshall Road in Wappingers Falls.

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