Statement by President Matonak on Passing of Dr. Marco Silvestri

August 6, 2015

For more than two decades Dr. Marco Silvestri dedicated his career to advancing Hudson Valley Community College and its students. His intellect and leadership shaped our administrative processes and campus infrastructure during a period of significant change and growth. I am extremely grateful for his long-time commitment to the college and recognize that he positioned the college very well for the future.

Dr. Silvestri served as interim president of Hudson Valley from Jan. 2004 through April 2005. During that time, the college broke the 12,000-student mark for the first time; received reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Middle States Association; initiated a new planning and assessment process; achieved energy independence with the operation of the college's cogeneration facility; and implemented a more effective institutional advancement function for the college.

Dr. Silvestri joined Hudson Valley in 1984 as the college's vice president for administration. In that role, he provided outstanding leadership in the administrative operations of the college, including collective bargaining, human resources, capital construction financing and physical plant. He also served as the liaison between the college and Rensselaer County.

We share our condolences with the Silvestri family, including Dr. Silvestri's wife, Carolyn, and his sons, Mark, Guy and Jake.