MMC Alumnus Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Porr Inducted into 2008 Independent Sector Alumni Hall of Distinction

(Albany, NY) Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Porr, MSC, USAF, a Marymount Manhattan alumnus from the class of 1981, is among 19 individuals being honored by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) during the 2008 Independent Sector Alumni Hall of Distinction Awards Ceremony and Legislative Reception, March 3 in the War Room of the New York State Capitol in Albany. 

The Alumni Hall of Distinction was created in 2000 to recognize New York’s Independent Sector graduates who make contributions to society through their careers and community involvement. This year, CICU is honoring courageous alumni, who are veterans or actively serving in the U.S. military.

“My college experience had everything to do with becoming a naval aviation officer candidate,” says Porr. “My bachelor’s degree from Marymount Manhattan was the vehicle that enabled me to make the choice to apply for naval aviation schooling. The degree and experience helped project me into the 1% of applicants who are accepted into naval aviation officer candidate school.”

From March through June 2004, Porr served as Deputy Commander at the 447th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron at Baghdad International Airport in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Porr coordinated aero-medical evacuation activities for more than 80 wounded American warriors, managed seven mass casualty events and provided for the safety and security of Iraqi detainees while they received medical treatment. 

From September 11 through November 4, 2001, Porr was the Air National Guard Liaison, supporting Operation Noble Eagle, Resolve Hope, and Enduring Freedom at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management. He coordinated equipment resources and respiratory supplies to various civilian authorities and contractors working on the World Trade Center recovery efforts. 

From August through September 2001, Porr coordinated logistics for the 105th Medical Group’s humanitarian deployment to five villages in the Cuscatlan region of El Salvador, which were severely damaged by earthquakes. He acquired all necessary resources for the mission’s medical providers, which enabled them to treat more than 6,500 patients in a ten-day period. 

Porr is currently the senior administrator of the 105th Medical Group at Steward Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. He is a health services administrator implementing organizational management and training programs for mobility and disaster preparedness for the 105th Medical Group. He manages conformance to group operating instructions and policies to Air Force and Air National Guard medical standards. In his civilian career, he is Northeast Regional Director for Thomson Healthcare, an industry leader of clinical, operational, strategic planning data and consulting services to healthcare providers. Robert serves as a member of the Board of Directors, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Bon Secours Health System.

Honorees were selected by CICU Board of Trustee member presidents. Approximately 50 college and university presidents will attend the reception, along with state legislators and other policymakers. The Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Alumni Hall of Distinction Legislative Reception and Awards Ceremony will be Joseph Robert Kerrey, President of The New School. Mr. Kerrey is a former governor of Nebraska and U.S. Senator who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service during Vietnam.

In addition to recognition at the reception, a full-scale exhibit including alumni photos and biographical profiles will be on display in the Legislative Office Building in Albany from March 3-7. To view the virtual gallery, pleaseclick here.

Also honored in the 2008 Independent Sector Alumni Hall will be:

Lee A. Archer, Jr., New York University
Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., New York University
Khamkay Chitaphong, Roberts Wesleyan College
Richard S. Colt, Fordham University
Charles E. Crusha, Elmira College
Michael Dragotta, St. Joseph’s College
Kelvin B. Gentles, College of Mount Saint Vincent
Arthur V. Gorman, Jr., St. Francis College
Larry K. Grundhauser, Rochester Institute of Technology
Mickala S. Henson, Clarkson University
Henry Chin-Hong, New York Institute of Technology
Adam P. Jameson, The College of Saint Rose
Lee Joffee, Long Island University
Robert C. O’Brien, Wagner College
John J. Phelan, Jr., Adelphi University
James M. Shuart, Hofstra University
Richard C. Trietley, Jr., St. Bonaventure University
Willie J. Trotman, Dominican College

The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu) represents the chief executives of New York’s 100+ independent (private, not-for-profit) colleges and universities on issues of public policy. Member colleges compose the largest private sector of higher education in the world and confer most of the bachelor’s degrees (57%), master’s degrees (72%), and doctoral and first-professional degrees (81%) earned in New York State.

Member campuses enroll more than 460,000 students, including 300,000 New York State residents. One in three (33%) New Yorkers enrolled full time at independent colleges and universities in the state comes from a family earning less than $40,000 annually. And most (53%) African-American and Latino students who earn their bachelor’s and graduate degrees in New York State are Independent Sector alumni.

Published: February 29, 2008