Post Classifieds
Staff gathers to present SUNY Chancellor's Awards
By Michael Canfield
On November 29, 2012
The 2012 Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony was held on Nov. 15 in the Warren Enters Theater in
Upton Hall, with several faculty members receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award.
A mixed crowd of faculty, staff, students and family members filled in the crowd at the theater, with
several award recipients receiving large ovations.
Provost Dennis Ponton began the ceremony, welcoming the crowd and praising the award recipients.
President Aaron Podolefsky, slated to give remarks at the ceremony, was absent due to recent surgery,
Ponton said.
"The faculty and staff are the heart of this institution," he said. "It is because of their contributions that
Buffalo State is the outstanding institution it is."
Ponton went on, offering his personal congratulations to the award winners.
"We are extremely proud of all you have done for Buffalo State," he said. "Congratulations to you."
Several staff and faculty members won various versions of the President's Award for Excellence,
including Ilya Grinberg, a professor in the technology department and A. Paul Reynolds, manager of the
Cyberquad.
SUNY Trustee Eunice Lewin was on-hand to present remarks to the award recipients. She also offered
her congratulations.
"(It's) because of the excellent work, dedication and effort that you've helped to make SUNY and
Buffalo State a wonderful place to learn, live and work," she said, "I worked in the Buffalo Public Schools
for 30 years, and know firsthand the importance of public education and public higher education for the
individual and for the larger community. Your accomplishments are highly impressive."
Five faculty and staff members won the Chancellor's Award this year, including Valentin Brimkov,
professor in mathematics, who won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative
Activities; Daniel Velez, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, who won the Chancellor's
Award for Excellence in professional Service; and Michael Niman, professor in communications, who
won the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in teaching.
Vice President for Student Affairs Hal Payne took personal gratification in presenting Velez with the
Chancellor's Award.
"Daniel Velez has been a consummate professional, whose superb work ethic is exemplified in all
he does for student affairs and Buffalo State while employed at the college," he said. "Seeing where
improvements can be made, his innovative approach combined with tremendous resourcefulness and
creativity have touched on many areas. He is an excellent role model. Students often seek him out for
guidance."
Ben Christy, dean of the school of arts and humanities, presented Niman with his award, citing his ability
to connect and engage students.
"As a teacher and mentor, he challenges students intellectually and encourages them to think critically,"
he said. "Professor Niman's enthusiasm and wide breadth of knowledge has been woven into a wide
range of classes. Professor Niman, for exemplary service to all your students, I am proud to present you
with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching."
Ponton closed the award ceremony by thanking the nominators involved in the award process, and
encouraged more faculty and staff to nominate peers.
"If you want to have a longer program, you need to make more nominations," he said, drawing laughter
from the crowd. "We certainly welcome and encourage that."
Michael Canfield can be reached by email at canfield.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
Students donate shoes, raise money for Boston bombing victims
Buffalo State's Evergreen program is teaming up with the nonprofit Herding for the Hurting in collecting donated shoes to raise money ...
Chartwells plans campus food truck
The food truck phenomenon has made its way to campus as the route, menu and name of a new Chartwells truck will be decided on by ...
USG sens motion 'no confidence'
Correction: In light of new information learned following the publishing of the original version of this story, The Record would like ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
- Your Child’s Tomorrow Begins Today
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
- Keeping Cool and Energy-efficient Amid America’s “...
- Addressing Sarcopenia with a Healthy Diet
- Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
- Family Teacher Conference Topics Beyond Academics
- Youth Take Down Tobacco
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads to Kickoff Spring
- Curbing Colorectal Cancer in Minority Populations
- Taking Action to Take Down Tobacco
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
