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Convocation pays tribute to "UB's Lucky 13"
By DONNA BUDNIEWSKI
Reporter Assistant Editor
While UB's ninth annual convocation yesterday celebrated the accomplishments of faculty and staff, special tribute was paid to "UB's Lucky 13," President William R. Greiner. The atmosphere was nothing short of celebratory, if sometimes bittersweet—Greiner received two standing ovations from the platform party and audience members.
Before reading a proclamation noting the integral role Greiner's leadership played in UB's most recent decade of expansion, both academically and physically, UB Council President Jeremy M. Jacobs pointed out that in his opening remarks, Greiner had, as usual, given all of the credit for the university's success to others, never taking any for himself.
"You may not want to take credit Bill, but the credit is yours," said Jacobs. The UB Council passed a unanimous resolution as a lasting tribute to Greiner's "great work," naming him President Emeritus. Carol Greiner was singled out for her many notable contributions to UB as well, and Jacobs presented her with a dozen red roses.
A video presentation chronicled Greiner's tenure at UB and his rise to the presidency, with numerous quotes by students who expressed their appreciation for the Greiners' down-to-earth appeal and their ability to connect one-on-one with students.
One student especially praised the president's handling of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and how "he got the campus through the tragedy." An administrator featured in the video pointed out that many of UB's significant ventures, such as the Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics, student housing construction blitz and numerous links to industry, would not have been possible "until Bill sunk his teeth into it." Greiner's personal integrity and self-confidence were the primary motivations for always taking the position, "I'm going to do what's right," noted one speaker, and another said significant strides in creating more diversity and tolerance on campus occurred during his presidency.
Greiner's closing remarks were simple but genuinely heartfelt: "All I can say is that it's been a great gig—I love you all. Without you, there would be no UB."
The convocation began with the traditional procession through the academic Spine to the Center for the Arts under an Indian summer sky, led by UB's Thunder of the East marching band; flag-bearing students; macebearer Peter Nickerson, professor of pathology and chair of the Faculty Senate; Larry Labinski, chair of the Professional Staff Senate, and members of the platform party, including all faculty and staff who were to be honored at the event.
The Baird Trio opened the ceremony by performing a Haydn processional, and also played a piece by Mendelsshon—both were moving and reflective, yet hardly somber.
Provost Elizabeth D. Capaldi welcomed newly appointed deans and others who had been appointed to leadership roles for 2002-03 at the university, noting that convocation was a time to recognize the significant accomplishments of faculty and staff.
The President's Medal, given in recognition of extraordinary service to the university, was awarded to Western New York businessman and longtime UB supporter Reginald B. Newman II, chairman of NOCO Energy Corp. Newman has served on the UB Foundation Board of Directors since 1996, supported the university's Intercollegiate Scholarship Fund and is the 1997 recipient of the School of Management's Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year award.
The convocation also recognized faculty and staff who have achieved significant honors during the past year.
Honored for achieving SUNY's highest faculty rank were Francis D. Fincham, professor and director of clinical training in the Department of Psychology; College of Arts and Sciences, who was named a SUNY Distinguished Professor; Susan Howe, professor, and Dennis E. Tedlock, professor, both in the Department of English, CAS, who were named SUNY Distinguished Professors, and Charles P. Ewing, professor in the Law School and adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology, CAS, who was named a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor.
Recognized for receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching were Jim D. Atwood, professor and chair, Department of Chemistry, CAS; Suzanne S. Dickerson, assistant professor, School of Nursing; Maria S. Horne, associate professor, Department of Theatre and Dance, CAS, and L. Vance Watrous, professor, Department of Art History, CAS.
Mary F. Miller, associate librarian, Law Library, received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship.
Winners of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service were Marguerite E. Knowles, equipment and facilities manager, Department of Media Study, CAS; Timothy J. Rutenbur, associate vice provost, Office of International Education, and John B. Sheffer II, executive director, Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth.
Deborah D.L. Chung, professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Huw M. L. Davies, UB Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemistry, CAS; William J. Jusko, professor and chair, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Richard J. Salvi, professor, Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, CAS, received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.
Entering the ranks of UB Distinguished Professor, an award created last year to honor full professors who are nationally or internationally recognized as leaders in their fields, are Huw M.L. Davies, Leonard H. Epstein, professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Psychology, CAS; Michael F. Sheridan, professor, Department of Geology, CAS, and Barbara H. Tedlock, professor, Department of Anthropology, CAS.
The UB Stars award recognizes individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to UB through their time, talent and service. This recognition, given at the discretion of the president in consultation with the senior administration, honors efforts that embody the ideals of UB and enhance life in the university community.
This year's recipients of the award are members of the 2002-03 UB Women's Soccer Team and coach Jean-Arnaud Tassy, for their response to an opposing team member's death last season on the field during a game, and a team of women whose creativity and leadership made "UB This Summer" possible: Katherine Ferguson, associate vice provost and director of graduate recruitment services, Office of the Provost; Lucille H. Kierejewski, secretary, Graduate Recruitment Services, and Cynthia M. Shore, associate director of graduate recruitment services, Office of the Provost.