News From Clarkson - The E-Newsletter for Clarkson Alumni

May 2007

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MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS RECEIVE DEGREES AT CLARKSON’S 114TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
More than 600 Clarkson University students from 22 states, 24 countries and 57 New York state counties were granted bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at Clarkson University's commencement today, Sunday, May 13. (Nearly 200 additional students received degrees at an earlier ceremony in December.) The weekend was also marked by the commissioning of United States Army and United States Air Force officers on Saturday. Receiving honorary degrees and making short addresses were Santokh S. Badesha, Xerox Fellow at the Xerox Corporation; Engineer and construction executive Sandy S. Ginsberg; and Andrew C. Palmer, Keppel Chair Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the National University of Singapore. Suresh Dhaniyala of Potsdam, an assistant professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering in the Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering, was the recipient of the John W. Graham Jr. Faculty Research Award. The $1,500 research account is presented to "faculty members who have shown promise in engineering, business, liberal arts or scientific research." Larry D. Compeau of Canton, an associate professor of consumer and organizational studies in the School of Business, was awarded the Clarkson University Distinguished Teaching Award. The $1,500 prize is given "in recognition of the importance of superior teaching." Candidates are nominated for the award by Clarkson alumni and the final selection is made by a faculty committee. Senior Matthew R. Williams of Plymouth, Mass., was awarded the Levinus Clarkson Award, and senior Andrew T. Bingham of Enosburg Falls, Vt., received the Frederica Clarkson Award. Both are $1,000 prizes given to "a student who demonstrates the best combination of scholarship and promise of outstanding professional achievement."

CONSTRUCTION EXECUTIVE SANDY GINSBERG ’54 RECEIVES CLARKSON UNIVERSITY HONORARY DEGREE
Sandy Ginsberg '54 Engineer and construction executive Sandy S. Ginsberg today received an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson University's 114th Commencement. The degree was awarded "for his exceptional career achievements and pioneering work in preserving some of America's most notable landmarks, and for his engagement with his alma mater as a devoted alumnus." Ginsberg addressed the class of 2007, saying, "This is the greatest honor of my life, exceeded only by the birth of my three grandsons. Their education will be paid by Grandpa, if they go to Clarkson and become civil engineers." He told the students that although he loved the book "Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" over the course of his life he has come to learn that everything he needs to know he learned at Clarkson. "This includes the value of a great education, teamwork, friendships that last a lifetime and that a single, dedicated person can make a difference." He ended his remarks by sharing a favorite story about a man standing before God and crying "How can you allow all the devastation and misery in the world to take place. Why don't you send somebody to correct all of this?" God put his hand on the man's shoulder and said, "I did send someone. I sent you." Ginsberg told the graduates, "I expect great things from the Class of 2007." Ginsberg's career has set him apart as an engineer, construction executive, and senior project manager, because of his success working on many high-profile and one-of-a-kind projects. He is best known for his work rebuilding and preserving some of New York's most notable landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, for which he was highly lauded. Over the years, Ginsberg has also managed many other unique and complex projects, including work on Shea Stadium, the Meadowlands Sports Complex (including Giants Stadium), the Central Park Zoo, the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the North End Access at Grand Central Station. He has also managed environmental projects and the construction of air bases in Saudi Arabia, educational institutions and luxury apartment complexes. He is a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. While a student at Clarkson, Ginsberg was a member of Phalanx, Clarkson's highest honorary society. He served as president of the Student Board of Governors and was a member of Chi Epsilon, the honorary civil engineering fraternity. He was also a member of Pi Delta Epsilon, the honorary journalism fraternity, and on the editorial board of the Integrator. He earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1954.

HONORARY DEGREE NOMINATIONS
An honorary degree from Clarkson University recognizes individuals who have made outstanding achievements and contributions to an academic discipline or to society. Recipients of honorary degrees reflect the University's high ideals and values, and exemplify the concepts of excellence, service and integrity. These degrees recognize distinguished scholarship and accomplishments in the professions, sciences, arts, humanities, public service, and service to humanity. All members of the Clarkson community are encouraged to submit nominations for honorary degree recipients. Further information on the guidelines for an honorary degree can be found here. Alumni are encouraged to participate in the nomination process and can provide an online nomination here.

JIM WOOD ’64 AND HIS LATEST PIECE TITLED SANDY S. GINSBERG, CLASS OF 1954
I want to take this opportunity on behalf of Jim Wood ’64, our contributing writer each month, and myself to thank everyone who has expressed their enjoyment of Jim’s tales. Jim has promised to continue to submit to “In Wood’s Words” monthly for all our enjoyment! Click here to read this month's story. Enjoy!

LAMBDA BROTHERS GATHER IN SARASOTA FOR REUNION THIS PAST WINTER
The brothers of Lambda found a way to stay warm for at least one weekend in March! A wonderful gathering of the alumni took place in Sarasota this past winter and they invited President Collins and Karen Collins to join them! For some great photos of the weekend gathering click here.

THREE KNIGHTS PICKED FOR LIBERTY LEAGUE ALL-STAR SQUAD
Sophomores Mike Bresett (Norwood, NY) and Ryan Glavin (Syracuse, NY) and freshman Steve Magovney (Watertown, NY) of the Clarkson University Baseball team were selected to the Liberty League All-Star squad for their performances this past season for the Golden Knights. Bresett, awarded Liberty League Second-Team All-Star honors as an outfielder, finished second on the team in hitting at .317 and led the Knights in runs (18), hits (32), runs batted in (20) and total bases (41). Magovney, also picked as a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star as the relief pitcher, finished the season with a 3.04 ERA in 17 appearances, 16 of those coming in relief, with a victory and a save. Glavin earned Liberty League Honorable Mention status as catcher, sporting a .400 batting average in 50 at bats while driving in seven runs. He also had an impressive .990 fielding percentage.

2007-2008 SCHEDULE RATES AS ONE OF CLARKSON’S TOUGHEST EVER
Coming off its best season in almost 10 years, the Clarkson University Hockey team will face a challenging task in trying to surpass last season’s success when the Golden Knights begin their 86th year of NCAA hockey in 2007-08. The 35-game slate features seven contests against teams from last year’s NCAA tournament for fifth-year head coach George Roll’s squad, along with the 22-game ECAC Hockey campaign. Highlights on the 2007-08 schedule are the 17 regular-season home games at Cheel Arena in Potsdam, NY, including the 11-game league slate, along with a weekend series against WCHA standout St. Cloud on November 23-24, and a match up vs. perennial NCAA and Hockey East powerhouse Boston College on January 5. The Knights and Eagles last played during the 1997-98 campaign. Clarkson will also take on two formidable opponents in a pair of non-league weekend road series. The Knights will travel to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to battle Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie on October 26-27. Clarkson will also compete in a rare February non-league series, flying out West to face off against Colorado College at the Colorado Springs World Arena on February 1-2. The Green and Gold will return to the Sunshine State during the Christmas break, where they will battle Cornell, Lowell and Maine in the Florida College Classic on December 28-29. Clarkson played in the inaugural tournament held in Estero, Florida, in 2000. “Once again Greg (Drechsel) has done a phenomenal job with the scheduling,” stated Roll. “We knew as things progressed here during our tenure the team would get better and we wanted to improve our schedule to reflect that. We have a great mixture of teams this year, featuring several of the top programs in the country. With coach York coming in to Cheel Arena with Boston College, that is an opportunity that Clarkson has not had in some time. The trips to Lake Superior and to Colorado College should be great experiences for our guys, along with the tournament in Florida. It is one of the top holiday tournaments in the country. After winning out in Wisconsin last year, we would like nothing more than to continue that trend of winning a quality tournament down in Florida.” Clarkson will begin the season early in the fall with three straight home games in its 17th year at Cheel. After an exhibition contest against Acadia University (Canada) on October 6, the Knights open the regular season with a rematch against last year’s NCAA East Regional foe, U Mass, on October 12. The Knights host Providence on October 13 before battling St. Lawrence in a non-league game in Canton on October 19. The ECAC Hockey campaign begins the following night when the Knights and Saints face-off in an early league contest at Cheel Arena. Alumni groups wishing to set up a pre-game (home only) program which includes reserve tickets and a pre-game tailgate event, should look over the schedule and contact Steve Newkofsky at steve@clarksonalumni.com to review the details and reserve the date! The 2007-2008 Hockey Schedule can be viewed here.

GOLDEN KNIGHT HOCKEY CAMP
For information and registration forms on this year’s Golden Knight Hockey School from July 1- 6 for squirts, peewees, and bantams (9-16) presented by Clarkson University Golden Knights hockey, please click here for more information.

CLARKSON REPRESENTATIVES AT AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Sunday, June 24 through Wednesday, June 27, Clarkson University's Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering will host booth #719 at the American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference being held at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Goodarz Ahmadi, Dean of Engineering, invites all alumni who are conference attendees as well as regional alumni to catch up on the School's research and scholarly progress with the faculty and graduate students who will be working this year's conference booth. For more information, contact Dean Ahmadi at 315-268-6446.

OFFICE NAME CHANGE
Effective July 1, 2007, the Development and Alumni Office will become the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations. Skip Leonard will continue to lead this area of the University and will carry the title of Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL FUND CHAIR
Greetings Alumni,
Clarkson has received many accolades, honors and achievements during the 2006-07 academic year. The photos surrounding this letter are just a few examples of our success as Clarkson students and faculty continue to Defy Convention. The formula for success requires essential ingredients – motivated students, dedicated faculty and staff, appropriate facilities, and financial resources. Alumni contributions to The Clarkson Fund provide an immediate source of funds that President Collins and his administration can direct to targeted areas or programs to build and leverage success. Since 2003, The Clarkson Fund has grown from $1.2 million to a projected $2.1 million for the year ending June 30, 2007, a 75% increase in four years. Last year, your gift provided scholarship support for deserving students, helped recruit outstanding faculty members, helped fund renovations to academic and athletic facilities, improved the speed of Internet access to the campus, and sent student groups to a regional or national competition. Can I count on your support again this year to continue fueling Clarkson’s success? Please make your gift on our secure web site by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Siren R. Chudgar, MD '96
National Fund Chair

CLARKSON CREDIT CARD
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KNIGHTS OF NOTE
Frank E. Elias III ’90 of Utica has accepted the position of president of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce following a nationwide search. Elias, who recently began his new role, served as Executive Director of the Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) since 2004.

Randy R. Ott ’72 was recently appointed as Onondaga County’s new Commissioner for the Department of Water, Environment and Protection.

To the members of the Class of 2007! You are now freshman in the real world! Congratulations to all!