2024 -- H 8163

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LC005929

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RAYMOND M.

DIPASQUALE

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Azzinaro, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Speakman, Chippendale, Kennedy, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: April 11, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Raymond

DiPasquale, whose laudable 50-year career in education included serving as President of three

community colleges; and

     WHEREAS, Initially, Mr. DiPasquale served as President of Middlesex Community

College in 1974, but the majority of his career was spent in the City of Springfield, where he was

elected to the City Council, was a member of the School Board, and in 1979, joined Springfield

Technical Community College (STCC) as Director of Admissions; and

     WHEREAS, Rising through the ranks at STCC, Mr. DiPasquale was named Assistant to

the President in 1982, and was subsequently named Dean of Admissions/Public Relations. From

1983 until 1992, he was responsible for the operation of myriad offices including the Admissions

Office, Public Relations, Media Communications, College Publications, Transfer Office and

Placement Office. In 1992, he was named Vice President of Enrollment Management/Student

Affairs, and served as a member of the President’s executive cabinet; and

     WHEREAS, From 1998 through 2006, Mr. DiPasquale served as Vice President for

Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at SUNY Brockport in New York; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. DiPasquale began his first term as President of the Community College

of Rhode Island in 2006, and over the next decade, also served the people of Rhode Island as the

Commissioner of Higher Education for the State, and on the State Board of Education. In 2013,

he became interim Education Commissioner when the boards overseeing colleges and K-12

schools were merged; and

     WHEREAS, After leaving CCRI, Mr. DiPasquale was hired as President of Clinton

Community College in Plattsburgh, New York, before taking over as the 7th President of

Massasoit Community College in August 2021, a position he held until his passing; and

     WHEREAS, Over the course of his illustrious career in higher education, Ray DiPasquale

was honored with numerous awards and recognitions including a Lifetime Achievement Award

from the New England Board of Higher Education, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from

the New England Institute of Technology, the Community Humanitarian Award from the Rhode

Island DaVinci Center, and had numerous scholarships named in his honor; and

     WHEREAS, A thoughtful and dedicated leader who left a lasting impact on the

institutions and students he served, Ray DiPasquale earned the respect of his peers, colleagues,

and friends, and he is dearly missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends deepest condolences and sympathy on the passing of Raymond DiPasquale; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Michelle Badger, Vice President of

Institutional Advancement, Massasoit Community College.

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