Inauguration Program

SUNY Board of Trustees

Merryl H. Tisch, EdD Chairman

Cesar Perales Vice Chairman

Joseph W. Belluck Courtney E. Burke Eric Corngold Marcos Crespo Robert J. Duffy James Haddon James Katz Eunice A. Lewin Stanley S. Litow

Dr. Merryl H. Tisch is one of the nation’s leading voices on education. She was appointed Chairman of the State University of New York in September 2019, after serving as Vice Chairman since 2018. From 2009 to 2016, Dr. Tisch served as Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, New York State’s governing body for education. Prior to serving as its Chancellor, Dr. Tisch was a dedicated member of the Board of Regents for 20 years and then held the position of Vice Chancellor from 2007 to 2009. While leading the Board of Regents, Dr. Tisch was responsible for setting the state’s education policy and overseeing both public and private education throughout New York. Her policies were informed by years of experience in the fields of education, community service, and philanthropy. She currently holds a number of philanthropic and civic positions, including serving on the board of the International Rescue Committee and as co-chairperson of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, a leading social services agency. Dr. Tisch founded the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mt. Sinai Hospital in 2008. She earned a BA from Barnard College, an MA in Education from New York University, and received an EdD from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Luca O. Rallis Bruce Simon Edward Spiro Cary F. Staller Candice Vacin Camille Joseph Varlack

12 SUNY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY INAUGURATION