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Skidmore recognizes career of influential alum
New York State Senator Joseph L. Bruno ’52, who stepped down in late June as majority leader of the New York State Senate, has announced his intent to resign from the Senate as of July 18. His resignation marks the end of a distinguished 32-year career in public service.
The announcement follows an earlier report from the senator that he would not seek re-election to the Senate seat he has held since 1976. Throughout that time, Senator Bruno represented Rensselaer County and part of Saratoga County, including Skidmore College. He had served as Senate Majority Leader since 1995.
“Senator Bruno has been a great friend of Skidmore, of college students throughout New York, and of the Capital Region,” said Skidmore President Philip A. Glotzbach. “He was willing to use state resources creatively to increase jobs and stimulate economic development, both in his district and beyond.”
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| President Glotzbach, Martin Zankel, Sue Thomas '62, and NYS Senator Joseph Bruno in May at the Zankel Center steel signing ceremony. |
Glotzbach added, “Senator Bruno knew from personal experience as a student who worked his way through Skidmore that financial support is critical to a student’s success, and he took seriously his responsibility as a legislative leader to help provide that support. The Senator’s efforts were instrumental in securing access to higher education for many students from New York’s working families.”
Senator Bruno earned a B.S. degree in business administration from Skidmore in 1952. He was among a small group of students, primarily men, who attended the college’s Glens Falls Extension, initially established for World War II veterans. From 1946 to 1954, the Extension offered afternoon and evening classes at a former elementary school in Glens Falls. At the end of their sophomore year, these students completed their degrees at the college’s Saratoga Springs campus.
In 2001, Skidmore awarded Senator Bruno an honorary doctor of laws degree. Then-Dean of Special Programs Don McCormack noted in his degree citation directed at the senator, “As a moderate in high places, you often felt the slings and arrows of both the right and the left. But you learned long ago that politics is the art of the possible, and that compromise is the essence of democratic government.”
President Glotzbach concluded, “We certainly will miss Senator Bruno’s leadership – he has been a passionate advocate for all of New York, but for the Capital Region in particular. We wish Senator Bruno all the very best in his future endeavors.”
Posted On: 7/17/2008
Tags: joseph l. bruno, philip a. glotzbach
