UAlbany to Honor Hugh T. Farley with Medallion of the University

Former New York State Senator Hugh T. Farley

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 12, 2017) – Former New York State Senator Hugh T. Farley will be awarded by the University at Albany with the Medallion of the University for his extraordinary public service and leadership.

The Medallion of the University is UAlbany's highest award for distinguished service. Senator Farley, who is an alumnus, will receive the medallion on Thursday, June 15. A recognition event is scheduled for 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Standish Living Room at the Massry Center for Business on UAlbany’s Uptown Campus.

“This medallion expresses our sincere admiration and appreciation for the extraordinary public service and leadership that Senator Farley has provided to both our University and the Capital Region,” said UAlbany Interim President James R. Stellar. “Our University’s highest honor is not one that we give lightly. But as a student, faculty member and legislator, Senator Farley has remained a faithful booster of his alma mater and, more important, an admirable role model of the power of public higher education and the heights to which a SUNY and UAlbany education can take you.”

Upon learning of his award, Senator Farley said, “I am deeply honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Medallion of the University. The University at Albany, and its School of Business, represent the finest of academic institutions in the nation. I was proud to serve on its faculty, and equally proud as a Senator to support its many good works and outstanding students. As a student, professor and Senator, UAlbany has always held the most special place in my heart, and the highest level of esteem and respect in my mind.”

Senator Farley’s relationship with UAlbany dates back over five decades ago, when he earned his bachelor of science degree with honors in 1958. In 1965, he was appointed to the faculty of the School of Business where he advanced to full professor and law area coordinator. After more than 35 years of teaching service, he was named professor emeritus of business law in 2000.

First elected to public office in 1970, Senator Farley served as a councilmember for the Town of Niskayuna and, later, as town council majority leader. He was elected to the New York State Senate in 1976, and subsequently reelected every two years. Senator Farley, who at the time of his retirement was the second longest serving State Senator in history, announced in May 2016 that he was not seeking re-election for a twenty-first term.

Senator Farley was instrumental in securing $54 million in capital funding for the University’s Massry Center for Business building. Additionally, he supported renovations to the University’s athletic facilities and helped secure $4 million in capital funding to help advance preconstruction work on the Downtown Campus for the future home of UAlbany’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Other recent winners of the Medallion of the University include former University Council Chair Daniel Tomson (2013), award-winning journalist Steve Kroft (2008) and former Albany mayor Gerald Jennings ’76 (2007).

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