M E M O R A N D U M May 11, 2010 To: Members of the Board of Trustees From: Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor Subject: Appointment of Distinguished Teaching Professors I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution: Whereas the State University of New York Board of Trustees has proudly established a historic tradition of acknowledging and honoring extraordinary faculty achievement through appointment to Distinguished Faculty Rank; and Whereas the appointment to Distinguished Faculty Rank is both a system-wide distinction and a promotion in rank; and Whereas Distinguished Faculty Rank has, heretofore, been limited to the state-operated campuses because a promotion in rank is a personnel matter over which the local community colleges� Board of Trustees exercise authority; and Whereas the SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor Zimpher and the State University�s executive leadership wish to extend SUNY�s highest tribute to the Community Colleges in recognition of the extraordinary contributions and achievements of faculty in this sector; and Whereas the SUNY Board of Trustees has the authority to bestow system-wide distinctions; now, therefore, be it, Resolved that the faculty members listed below each be, and hereby is, promoted to the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor at the state-operated campus indicated, effective May 11, 2010: Professor Antonio E. Alfonso, Surgery, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn Professor David K. Geiger, Chemistry, SUNY Geneseo Professor Mark Karwan, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University at Buffalo Professor Robin W. Kimmerer, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry Professor Susan Leist, English, SUNY Buffalo State College Professor Thomas Loughlin, Theatre and Dance, SUNY Fredonia Professor Stephen Vitkun, Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University and, be it further, Resolved that the faculty members listed below each be, and hereby is, appointed as Distinguished Teaching Professor as an honorific distinction at the campus indicated, effective May 11, 2010: Professor Richard Firenze, Biology, Broome Community College Professor Bernard Gorman, Psychology, Nassau Community College Background The Distinguished Teaching Professorship recognizes and honors mastery of teaching. For this prestigious tribute to be conferred, candidates must have demonstrated consistently superior mastery of teaching, outstanding service to students and commitment to their ongoing intellectual growth, scholarship and professional growth, and adherence to rigorous academic standards and requirements. Further, to be eligible for nomination, a faculty member must have attained and held the rank of full professor for five years, have completed at least three years of full-time teaching on the nominating campus, ten years of full-time teaching in the System, and must have regularly carried a full-time teaching load as defined by the campus at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional level. The following encapsulates their accomplishments. Antonio Alfonzo � A nationally acclaimed surgeon and teacher, Dr. Alfonzo�s clinical skills are acclaimed in numerous listings such as Best Doctors in America, and his teaching excellence is further evidenced by his receipt of eight American Cancer Society educational grants. Among his other leadership roles, he served in the prestigious role of Governor-at-Large of the American College of Surgeons. His scholarship is evidenced by his 40 peer-reviewed publications, 18 book chapters in major teaching and reference works, his textbook, The Practice of Cancer Surgery, and his teaching videos in the Film Library of the American College of Surgeons. Many of his former students hold leadership positions throughout the country. Richard Firenze � Richard Firenze has a distinguished 40?year career at Broome Community College characterized by an unrelenting commitment to teaching excellence and scholarship. He is an exemplary educator whose instruction is informed by exceptional knowledge and skills in the biological sciences. He has taught and developed, or helped to develop, fourteen courses and, through every course, he has pulled a common thread � Darwin�s theory of evolution. That theory pervades his teaching and is the hallmark of his orientation as an educator, researcher, and administrator. These significant contributions, particularly in the area of evolution and the nature of science, were recognized in 2002 when he received the prestigious Friend of Darwin Award at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences. David Geiger � David Geiger is being recognized for the effectiveness of his teaching in courses ranging from the first-year writing seminar and introductory chemistry to complex organic and inorganic chemistry laboratories to highly specialized directed studies and research mentorships. While Professor Geiger employs a variety of best practices to engage his students and spark excitement about chemistry, his unique contribution is the way he helps students develop self-confidence as learners and scientists by letting them know he recognizes their talents and has faith in their abilities. Professor Geiger sends students emails praising their good work, even after the semester's end, and invites them for conversations that often lead them to new depths of self-understanding. Professor Geiger's ability to bring out the best in his students extends to the collaborative research he conducts with his undergraduates. He shares his nationally recognized work as a researcher but, at the same time, encourages his mentees to be independent thinkers. Moreover, in numerous ways, Professor Geiger supports a diverse community of learners at Geneseo including his close attention to the needs of underrepresented students, and his facilitation of international exchanges. Bernard Gorman � Professor Gorman has had an outstanding career as an educator, scholar, author and international expert in psychology, research design and statistical analysis. He is a master teacher who is highly respected by his students and colleagues. With lectures that are thought provoking and inspiring, Dr. Gorman imprints a lasting legacy on his students�a legacy demonstrated by the students who write about the impact that he has had on their academic lives and professional careers. The software he has written is used throughout the world and attests to the fact that Dr. Gorman embraces technology and is continually weaving technological innovations into his presentations. He has received numerous awards and honors. Although he has achieved abounding success as a textbook author, as an author of scholarly research papers, and as a sought out lecturer, it is the motivation and success of his students that continues to be his first priority. Mark Karwan � Professor Karwan�s area of expertise is �Operations Research� � a field of applied mathematics; theory, modeling and optimization/algorithmic development. He has twice received the School of Engineering�s Tau Beta Pi �Professor of the Year� award; a student-initiated award only with one recipient chosen by all students. Professor Karwan expects much of the students but gives much in return. Concepts are taught through multiple complementary approaches and examples promoting learning at all levels. Understanding of individual or collective student issues/problems are treated seriously and with great respect. Dr. Karwan is famous for his classroom humor. Through �entertainment� he is able to get technically difficult material across and get commitment of effort. Many of Professor Karwan�s former doctoral students have gone on to have highly successful academic careers. Robin Kimmerer � Professor Kimmerer's teaching is both innovative in technique and of exemplary quality, and ranges from traditional large lectures to intimate field courses highlighting both natural and cultural aspects of New York's forests, meadows, streams, and wetlands. As a scholar, Robin has similarly demonstrated excellence far beyond that traditionally expected or achieved by faculty. In addition to an extensive list of scholarly publications and sponsored research projects funded by SUNY, the US Forest Service, the USDA and NSF, Dr. Kimmerer�s publication of the John Burrow's Medal winning book, Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses highlights a record of scholarly thought and achievement seldom contemplated, and even more rarely seen. Susan Leist � Professor Leist is an inspirational instructor in the teaching of writing, who works to reverse the precipitous decline in writing competency. She is the architect responsible for the �Writing Across the Curriculum� syllabus at Buffalo State College. Beyond outreach to students, she teaches workshops for faculty so they can integrate writing into their courses, strengthening learning foundations for students. The depth and breadth of her expertise is articulated in her book, Writing to Learn in Higher Education, a prominent resource in its field. With the study of the Humanities currently in decline, she has partnered with a colleague from the Sciences to create a course that explores the synergistic value of understanding opposing disciplines. Thomas Loughlin � In a variety of pedagogical environments, Professor Loughin�s students give him the highest ratings possible, e.g., in some classes a unanimous rating of �excellent.� Professor Loughlin teaches a broad range of topics reaching out to students and faculty alike. His main areas are acting and directing, but he is also an innovator in Media Arts. Hence, his pedagogical expertise ranges from the theatrical stage to cutting-edge computer technology. Professor Loughlin has acted in and/or directed more than one play, musical or opera per year for 21 years at Fredonia in his roles as professional and teacher. While his personal performances have received praise from reviewers, more pertinent here is that his current and former students know him to be �concerned,� �committed,� and �available,� and even the best of �the best.� Stephen Vitkun � Since he joined Stony Brook in 1987, Professor Vitkun has received numerous honors for his teaching expertise including the Aesculapius Award for Outstanding Teaching, the President�s Award for Teaching Excellence and the Chancellor�s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to his mandatory teaching assignment, Dr. Vitkun has volunteered to teach and has become an integral member of the faculties of the School of Nursing and the School of Health, Technology and Management, as well as teaching in the undergraduate Pharmacology program. He is credited in students� comments with encouraging critical thinking, keeping students both enthusiastic and focused, and empowering them to be better health care professionals. It is my pleasure to present the nine faculty members named in this resolution to the Board for its approval. A copy of the President�s letter for each professor is attached. The letter highlights the individual�s teaching and major career achievements, and provides the campus rationale for recommending appointment. The full dossier is available in the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Attachments -2- Board Resolution May 11, 2010