Resolution Honoring Lawrence M. Zacarese, Interim Chief of Police, Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Senior Operations Director for Institutional Resiliency and Business Continuity, with the University Medal for exemplary leadership and service. 

WHEREAS, the compassion, dedication and extraordinary leadership demonstrated by Lawrence Zacarese, Interim Chief of Police, Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Senior Operations Director for Institutional Resiliency and Business Continuity, has been vital to Stony Brook University’s successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, with his extensive experience and expert training in emergency management, Chief Zacarese helped the campus community to face each challenge during this complex time with grace and keen determination; and 

WHEREAS, under the guidance of Chief Zacarese and with the engagement of key members of the campus community to develop a comprehensive campus plan and set a foundation of resiliency and commitment, Stony Brook was one of the few institutions in New York — and the only SUNY University Center — to remain open as planned in the fall semester; and 

WHEREAS, the University’s Return to Research Plan enabled Stony Brook to fast-track its researchers getting back in their labs, ensuring that the University’s mission to push the boundaries of science continued with minimal interruption; and  

WHEREAS, Stony Brook’s Return to Work and Return to Campus plans provided a foundation for our work and our support for faculty, staff, students and the broader community and were modeled by others in the SUNY System; and  

WHEREAS, Chief Zacarese was able to motivate teams to stay focused while tackling seemingly insurmountable obstacles presented by the pandemic and to be good regional partners through the management of COVID-19 public and university testing and vaccination sites; and  

WHEREAS, Chief Zacarese is the kind of leader who inspires greatness in others, motivates the team to tackle the almost impossible, and always has the greater good at front of mind; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE STONY BROOK COUNCIL, THAT: 

The Stony Brook Council has unanimously agreed to bestow upon Lawrence M. Zacarese, Interim Chief of Police, Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Senior Operations Director for Institutional Resiliency and Business Continuity, the University Medal in tribute and in gratitude for his outstanding leadership and public service. Chief Zacarese has served the common good and is hereby recognized for his exceptional achievements on behalf of Stony Brook University; Stony Brook Medicine; and our patients, faculty and staff, and furthermore, 

The Stony Brook Council authorizes Chair Kevin S. Law to transmit this resolution to the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.  

February 8, 2021