As President of SUNY Fredonia, Dr. Hefner has successfully and gracefully led the university for fifteen years. In this capacity, he has grown the university (enrollment up over 1,000 students during his tenure), enhanced the quality of its programs and dedicated considerable effort to positively impacting the communities surrounding the university through civic engagement and economic development initiatives. His important role is only highlighted by the fact that SUNY Fredonia remains a crown jewel of the SUNY System, even while facing the most difficult financial crisis this State has seen in decades. Dr. Hefner has navigated SUNY Fredonia through these difficult times with the major goal of maintaining the best educational opportunities for SUNY Fredonia students, and doing so without any involuntary reductions to our faculty and staff.

Dr. Hefner's commitment to Chautauqua County and his leadership was the single most important factor in establishing the SUNY Fredonia Technology Business Incubator in Dunkirk, NY, which currently has eleven tenant businesses employing over 30 people. The potential impact of these businesses as they grow out of the incubator and into local commercial spaces, creating jobs and enhancing the economic condition of our region is simply incredible. It was his vision and determination alone to move SUNY Fredonia into a major leadership role in the economic revitalization of our region by conceptualizing, funding, building and opening this resource for our county.

He has always encouraged faculty, staff, and students to be actively involved in community organizations. To that end, he created and staffed an office of volunteer services on campus to assist campus student groups in their efforts to reach out to the community. Each year, hundreds of students dedicate time to helping charitable causes in our region. His leadership does not stop there, however, as he can often be seen working right alongside them with their campus and community service projects.

Dr. Hefner also played a major role in the merging of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York. Before that, he was a member of the Brooks Hospital Board. He also serves as a Voting Member of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. On a statewide basis, he serves as a leader and advisor to other SUNY Presidents, and is often sought out from SUNY Chancellors for guidance and advice. It is not an exaggeration to say that SUNY Fredonia's leader is one of the most respected people in New York State. Congratulations to President Hefner, CLN's 2011 Leader of the Year!