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officials approved William Goodrich, president and CEO of Rochester’s and a 1984 graduate of ��Ӱֱ�� State, as the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree last month. ��Ӱֱ�� State President Skip Sullivan will present the award at the College’s 2014 Commencement ceremony this May.

“Over the years, Bill has guided his company with a set of values that we at ��Ӱֱ�� State cherish—things like quality, integrity, and social responsibility. That’s why he is one of Western New York’s most effective and successful business leaders and why he is such a wonderful role model and mentor for our students,” Sullivan said.

Goodrich has been an integral member of LeChase since 1985. He was named President in 2002 and CEO in 2007. Among his many accomplishments, he has also been instrumental in the ongoing geographic expansion of the organization, its advocacy for sustainable construction, and the development of safety programs to propel the company into becoming a world-class safety organization. LeChase’s commitment to the community on global, national, regional, and local levels is a key element of the company’s corporate ethics and philosophy. Goodrich has also integrated sustainable building practices into the corporation’s daily business operations.

A strong supporter of education, Goodrich has worked with ��Ӱֱ�� State for many years to ensure that his employees and ��Ӱֱ�� State graduates are leaders in the construction industry. To date, more than 40 ��Ӱֱ�� State graduates have found careers at LeChase. Goodrich has also been involved with Rochester Careers in Construction, a program that connects high school faculty and students with construction industry experts, for more than a decade. He has been a driving force behind continuing education and training being available for the company’s employees, allowing for internal growth and a high retention rate. Currently, he is behind the development of a dedicated learning environment within LeChase.

At ��Ӱֱ�� State, Goodrich’s work has been instrumental in the successful completion of the $4.1 million Construction Workforce Development Center at the School of Applied Technology in Wellsville, which is now in its final stages, and in the opening of the $33.5 million Student Leadership Center, where LeChase sponsored one of thirteen leadership suites awarded to community-focused student organizations. LeChase supports several institutional, charitable, and community-based organizations on an annual basis. This practice has been a cultural foundation for many years.

In his personal life, Goodrich maintains active membership in many community and professional organizations that work to improve lives, including the Hillside Children’s Center, Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Boy Scouts of America, NYS Trooper Foundation, Junior Achievements, and the United Way to name a few. His free time is spent with his family, relaxing, traveling, and participating in a variety of activities with his wife Rhonda and both his children who are currently in college. “Family values, both inside and outside of LeChase, are critical components to growing personally and professionally. I am truly blessed to have a caring and supportive family at home and at work,” Bill said.

Goodrich was the recipient of a President’s Medallion from ��Ӱֱ�� State in 2010; was the keynote speaker for ��Ӱֱ�� State’s 99th Commencement ceremony; and was featured in the Transitions, the College’s alumni magazine, in spring 2013. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College and an associate degree in Construction Engineering Technology from ��Ӱֱ�� State.

“We are delighted to present Bill Goodrich with this award,” Sullivan said. “The College is proud to call such a civically engaged, innovative leader one of its own.”