UNIVERSITY AT]
ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Contact: Vincent Reda or Tricia Chambers (442-3073)
Albany Alumni Association Honors Outstanding Members
Administration 233
Albany, New York 12222
rtews
518 442-3073
The University at Albany Alumni Association will present awards to five distinguished
alumni at the annual All-Alumni Luncheon Program on Saturday, June 4, at noon in the
Campus Center Ballroom, 1400 Washington Ave.
The Bertha E. Brimmer Medal, awarded in recognition of a University at Albany
graduate deemed to be an outstanding teacher in a secondary school in New York State,
will be presented to Charles W. Bitley. Mr. Bitley, a 1974 bachelors and 1976 masters
graduate, is a widely heralded mathematics teacher at the Doyle Middle School in Troy.
He is best known for creatively motivating students to learn mathematical concepts,
often using stories, songs, limericks, poems and puzzles to aid in remembering concepts.
Demonstrating an equal concern for his students’ personal growth, Mr. Bitley produced a
video to inspire drug avoidance among students. He is committed to improving the
educational system and is active in union activities. Mr. Bitley, supportive of
teacher-administrative relationships, has been awarded several grants to develop
innovative teaching strategies. He is a resident of Clifton Park.
The Excellence in Service Award, given for long-standing service to the Alumni
Association and the University, will be presented to Kay C. Hotaling, a 1967 bachelors
and 1970 masters graduate. Currently the State University of New York’s assistant vice
chancellor for Continuing Education, Ms. Hotaling has held numerous offices within the
Alumni Association, and in 1983 was awarded a Certificate of Service. Having served as
chairperson of the Association’s Awards Committee, Ms. Hotaling has continued on the
committee since 1980. A member of the University’s first graduating class from the
uptown campus, she was instrumental in the class’s return to the downtown campus for
their twentieth reunion in 1987, setting a precedent for the Association’s reunion
planning efforts. Ms. Hotaling is a resident of Menands.
The Excellence in Teaching Award, given in recognition of a University at Albany
graduate deemed to be an outstanding teacher, will be presented to Janet M. Burt, Robert
P. Lanni and Ryk Peter Spoor.
Ms. Burt, a Clinton resident and 1956 alumna, is chairperson of the Clinton Central
School District Mathematics Department and supervisor of Mathematics Teaching for
kindergarten through grade 12. She was instrumental in developing the New York State
mathematics curriculum and co-authored a textbook for the program. Ms. Burt has assisted
in preparing Regents examinations, conducted workshops and made numerous presentations
at professional conferences. She served as president of the Clinton Teachers’
Association, the Oneida County Association of Mathematics Teachers, and the local
chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary educational society. She also served as
advisor to the Clinton senior class and as fundraiser for the Faculty Scholarship
Committee.
Mr. Lanni, a 1952 graduate, is an associate professor of physics at the University
and known by his students and colleaques as "Mr. Teacher," Mr. Lanni is concerned with
student-centered, quality physics education. Having served on numerous University and
department committees and task forces, in 1980 he received the State University of New
York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mr. Lanni regularly contributes to
The Physics Teacher, a journal of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and
takes a leadership role in workshops for middle school and secondary teachers. Asa
member of the Holmes committee, he joins other state and national educators in effecting
the improvement of teacher preparation programs and curricula. Mr. Lanni isa
Guilderland resident.
Dr. Spoor, a 1957 graduate, was formerly a teacher at Albany Medical College, where
he received a PhD in pharmacology. He now teaches at the Albany College of Pharmacy. Dr.
Spoor’s perspective on teaching, "Students are no different from me - we are separated
only by time. I have a head start," is reflected in his ability to challenge and
motivate students to grasp concepts and to learn how to apply them in new and
interesting ways. He was the recipient of the Albany College of Pharmacy Distinguished
Award for 1987. Dr. Spoor lives in Schenectady.
defo
June 1, 1988 42-88
Administration 233
Albany, New York 12222
ATR RAY ews
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK 518 442-3073
Contact: Vincent Reda or Claudia Ricci
ALBANY JOINS IN GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
The University at Albany has joined six other New York State academic
institutions in the Great Lakes Research Consortium, which facilitates intercampus
research and communication in an effort to bring to bear the combined expertise of
the research community on critical Great Lakes problems.
A mecting to introduce the Consortium will be held in the Large Conference
Room at Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research on Tuesday, June 14, from
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Established in the summer of 1986 by the State University of New York to
encourage cooperation among scientists and scholars involved with Great Lakes
research, the Consortium’s other members are SUNY College at Brockport, SUNY
{ College at Buffalo, SUNY Center at Buffalo, Clarkson University, SUNY College of
1 Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) and SUNY College at Oswego.
With the establishment of the School of Public Health Sciences, in the fall
I of 1985, and its affiliation with the laboratories of the State Department of
Health, the University at Albany has established significant research interests on
matters of aquatic biology and the Great Lakes.
F Initial participants from Albany include Associate Professor G. Y. Rhee,
; whose particular interest is PCB breakdown by algae; Associate Professor Brian
Bush, an analytical chemist interested in PCB measurements in water, soils, air
\ and fish; and Assistant Professor Patrick O’Keefe, who has made extensive
measurements of dioxin levels in fish from the Great Lakes: Robert Bode studies
macroinvertebrates in lakes, rivers and streams as a function of water quality.
Other subjects of Consortium researchers include aquaculture potential in
i the Lakes, the economics of recreation, lake effect snows, trophic interaction of
Great Lakes fishes, and conventional and toxic pollution and its clean-up.
For more information, contact Jack Manno, associate director of the
Consortium, at SUNY ESF in Syracuse, phone number 315-470-6894,
June 13, 1988 Bs 88-43
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Contact: Capt. Ed Rouse (518)438-2010 or Brenda Oettinger (518)442-3079
ALBANY STUDENTS EARN GOLD BARS
Seven students from the University at Albany’s Army Reserve Officers Training Corps
(ROTC) company were promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant in a ceremony May 15.
Three of the new officers also earned bachelor’s degrees from the University at Albany
that same day.
Mark A. Ayers of Albany, Suzanne M. Murphy of Ithaca, and Kenneth L. Runyon oF
Ballston Spa graduated from the University at Albany and were commissioned Second
Lieutenants by Captain Edward Rouse, commander of the Albany ROTC program. Also
promoted to Second Lieutenant were Michael V. Gracia of Albany, who completed the
requirements for a degree from the College of St. Rose, and Dean M. Knight of Albany,
Ira S. Promisel of Yorktown Heights, and Patricia A.J. Sylvain of New York City, who
earned their commissions under the ROTC Early Commissioning Program (ECP cadets are
able to earn commissions in two years instead of the normal four years because of prior
military experience).
Following the ceremony, the new officers had their gold Second Lieutenants bars
pinned on their shoulders by family and friends. Since its formation in 1980, the
Albany ROTC program has commissioned over 70 second lieutenants for the Army, the Army
Reserve, and the National Guard.
June 22, 1988 88-44
FUNIVERSITY AT] Administration 233
ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Albany, New York 12222
news
518 442-3073
Administration 233
FUNIVERSITY AT] Albany, New York 12222
ALBAN news
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK 518 442-3073
Contact: Capt. Ed Rouse (518)438-2010 or Brenda Oettinger (518)442-3079
ALBANY ROTC CADETS FETED
Fifteen students from the University at Albany, members of the University’s ROTC
| company, were honored recently at an awards ceremony held on Albany’s main campus. The
cadets were recognized for demonstrating outstanding leadership ability as well as for
| excelling in both ROTC and university academic courses.
Those honored were freshmen Jasmine F. Anani of Ballston Spa and Tracy M. Boas of
Cold Brook; sophomores Thomas J. Baker of Yonkers, Richard J. Maino of Woodhull, and
David B. Sosa of Brooklyn; juniors John D. Alderman of Grafton, Thomas W. DuBois of
Smithtown, Mark Giordano of Selkirk, Robert M. MacMullen of Albany, and Jenda Wu of
Fresh Meadows; and seniors Lisa C. Campanella of Clifton Park, Mario C. Lamar of
Wilton, Suzanne M, Murphy of Ithaca, Ira S. Promisel of Yorktown Heights, and Patricia 233
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A.J. Sylvain of New York City.
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The Albany ROTC company was established in 1980, and has grown to its current high t
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| of 45 enrolled students. Captain Edward Rouse, commander of the campus ROTC program,
attributes the program’s continuing success to the training the cadets receive. The
experience gained as officers carries over into the agadvinic and business worlds, says
Rouse, Service in the National Guard and Army Reserve is popular with Albany students,
he says, because they discover that serving their country is not incompatible with
civilian careers, Also, the challenges of adventure training such as rappelling,
airborne school, and mountain climbing attract those looking for physical challenges to
complement their academic ones, he says.
i June 22, 1988 88-45
FUNIVERSITY Aly a ication 293
| Fog ke
i. Albany, New York 12222
| news
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK : 518 442-3073
Contact: Tricia Chambers (442-3098)
| Mount Everest Presentation to Open Summer Lecture Series
at Whiteface Mountain
Edward Hixson, a wilderness adventurer and physician from Saranac Lake, will discuss his
i experiences during three expeditions to Mount Everest in the opening presentation of the
: 27th summer lecture series at the Whiteface Mountain Field Station of the University at
Albany. His talk begins at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12.
Hixson’s presentation and the other lectures in this series will be held at the
' Whiteface Mountain Field Station located on Memorial Highway in Wilmington, New York. The
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talks, beginning at 8:00 p.m., are free and open to the public.
i The popular Tuesday evening lectures, sponsored by the University’s Atmospheric
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' Sciences Research Center, feature leading scientists and experts who will interpret some
of the many facets of modern science and of Whiteface Mountain. A report on the latest
\ weather, using colored projections, will be given before each lecture. The series is
organized each year by well-known area meteorologist Ray Falconer.
Other scheduled lectures are:
July 19 -- Interpreting the Adirondacks Through a Photographer’s Eye, by Garry
Randorf, a photographer, writer and naturalist.
July 26 -- A Naturalist in the Caribbean Islands and Venezuelan Rainforest, by
Margery Milne, a biologist and teacher of natural history and non-fiction writing at the
University of New Hampshire. She has written more than 50 books.
August 2 -- Environmental Issues in the 1990’s -- Acid Rain, the Ozone Hole, Air
Toxics, by Volker Mohnen, atmospheric science professor at the University at Albany.
August 9 -- The World of Wild Animals -- Live Eagle, Hawk, Racoon, Owl Will be Shown,
by Bill Robinson, a naturalist from Saugerties, New York. He has worked with Jim Fowler
and Marlin Perkins on TV’s "Wild Kingdom."
August 16 -- Wetland Ecology -- Exploring the Bogs, by Richard Oltsch, a biology
teacher at Pittsfield High School and participant in national wildlife summits.
August 23 -- Probing the Early Universe, by Marc Kutner, an astronomy and physics
professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Seo OR
June 24, 1988 88-46
Administration 233
PUNIVER ST Y AT IVER Albany, New York 12222
ALBANY news
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK $18 442-3073
Contact: Vinny Reda or Dennis Quick
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UNIVERSITY SEEKS TO PROMOTE MINORITY. WOMEN BUSINESS
A proposal to help more minorities and women start small businesses in
Albany and Colonie has been made to the state by the University at Albany along
with four groups from the community.
The University is seeking a grant of approximately $100,000 from the State
Department of Economic Development, according to Dr. Richard B. Dressner,
associate vice president in the University’s Office of Public Service.
"The plan is to develop an accessiblé business maintenance organization
modeled on the popular health maintenaitice organizations (HMOs). The BMOs would be
directed towards promoting small business vitality rather than individual health."
Dressner points out that, although small businesses create more than 80
percent of all new jobs, 50 percent of new small businesses fail within their
first three years of operation. "Through BMOs, minority and women entrepreneurs
will find a network of direct, hands-on assistance to help them translate a good
idea into a viable business," he said. "They’ll also get help to survive the
early stages of development,
The University is joined in the proposal by the Albany-Colonie Regional
Chamber of Commerce, the Albany Local Development Center, the Albany Urban League,
i and the Town of Colonie, Dressner says that each member of the consortium would
! bring unique strengths to the BMO.
The University’s most important resource would be its Small Business
Development Center, which provides technical assistance and training to small
businesses and entrepreneurs in a 22-county region,
June 27, 1988 88-44
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Administration 233
Albany, New York 12222
ALB) ews
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK 518 442-3073
Contact: Vincent Reda or Mary Fiess
STRESS/ANXIETY CLINIC STUDIES PROLONGED PHYSICAL PAIN
Mrs. X has many physical complaints. She worries about illness, her major
concern being that she has a brain tumor,or Multiple Sclerosis. As evidence, she
points to chronic dizziness and bouts ‘of wiuired vision, as well as frequent hot
flashes, trembling, sleeplessness and loss of appetite.
She sees a general physician almost monthly, consulted several specialists.
Their extensive lab tests reveal no underlying disease. Mrs. X stays hopeful that
the next test will provide "an answer."
Mrs. X is not alone. Many people spend large amounts of money and time
visiting physicians, but their physical distress is never pinpointed or
\ alleviated. Those interested may contact the University at Albany’s Stress and
Anxiety Clinic, which is now conducting an extensive illness-behavior project.
According to Christine Adler, a spokesperson for the Clinic, when victims of
i physical distress are told by doctors that medical lab tests and examinations have
been negative or inconclusive, anxiety results, which only worsens their distress.
4 Those who feel these conditions apply to them can contact the clinic, which
has found that thorough assessment and treatment of stress and anxiety surrounding
physical discomfort can decrease its symptoms.
Those interested may call Ms. Adler at 456-4127.
June 28,1988 88-43
