POTSDAM – Several Clarkson University faculty and staff members were honored with awards at University Recognition Day ceremony this spring. They include:

• Bebonchu Atems of Potsdam, assistant professor of economics, received the Outstanding New Teacher Award. Established by the University Committee on Improvement in Teaching in 1991, this award recognizes an outstanding teacher within his or her first four years at the University. Criteria for selection include excellence in the classroom, capacity to motivate and challenge students, and creativity in teaching methods and curriculum development. Bebonchu also received the CUSA Outstanding Teaching Award, which was established in 1991 by the Student Association to recognize outstanding teaching and contributions to education at Clarkson University.

• Sandra Fisher of Potsdam, assistant professor of consumer and organizational studies, received the Residence Hall Faculty Award. This award is presented to the faculty member who best exemplifies the ideals of faculty-student interaction in an informal setting. Fisher will have her name engraved on a plaque that is permanently displayed in the Residence Life Office.

• Stephen Newkofsky of Canton, associate vice president for alumni relations and interim dean of students, received the Phalanx Commendable Leadership Award and recognition for 30 years of leadership and service. This award is presented to juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff and administration members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities and quality participation in organizations associated with Clarkson and the Potsdam community. The award recipients exhibit exceptional leadership qualities and the versatility to balance all aspects of college life. New Phalanx members are selected from the group of Commendable Leadership Award recipients. This is the first time the 30-year recognition has been awarded.

• Philip Hopke of Potsdam, Bayard D. Clarkson Distinguished Professor, director of Clarkson’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment and director of Clarkson’s Center for Air Resources Engineering & Science (CARES), received the Clarkson Lifetime Research Achievement Award. This award is granted each year to recognize research throughout a tenured Clarkson faculty member’s career.

• Pier Marzocca of Potsdam, associate professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, received the Clarkson Research Excellence Award. This award is granted each year to recognize research by a recently tenured faculty member who has had a significant impact on his/her chosen field of study.

• James Schulte of Potsdam, associate professor of biology, received the Outstanding Advisor Award. At each University Recognition Day since 1979, the outstanding faculty advisors of undergraduates have been recognized with this award.

• Shane Rogers of Canton, associate professor of civil & environmental engineering, received the Tau Beta Pi Faculty Award. This award is presented annually by the New York Theta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi to recognize a professor who has demonstrated exemplary performance in the art of teaching.

• Michael Felland, instructor of mathematics & computer science, Christine Frascatore, School of Business support center advisor, Marshall Issen, instructor of engineering & management, and Abul Khondker, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, all of Potsdam, received the Office of Accommodative Services Respect Award. This award was created in 2011 to recognize faculty and staff members who make an exceptional effort to respect students with disabilities. Students who receive testing services through the Clarkson Office of Accommodative Services select faculty and staff in testament of their teaching and advising skills, patience and kindness. The individuals honored on University Recognition Day are representative of 34 additional winners in their departments previously selected by OAS students this past year.

Receiving the Phalanx Commendable Service Award were Daryush Aidun of Potsdam, professor & chair of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, Adrienne Boswell of Madrid, student support advisor and officer manager in the Department of Engineering & Management, Susanne Conto of Potsdam, Clarkson University Student Association and student center administrative assistant, Robert Dowman of Potsdam, professor & chair of psychology, Kelly Sharlow of Waddington, assistant to the dean of the School of Engineering, John Shumway of Colton, counselor, Daniel Valentine of Hannawa Falls, associate professor and executive offer of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, Sheila Weiss of Potsdam, professor of history, and Vicki Wilson of Canton, administrative secretary for the biology department. A limited number of Commendable Service Awards are presented annually to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff and administration members who have demonstrated quality in service to their area/organization. The award candidates are well-rounded individuals who excel in all aspects of college life and are especially dedicated to serving their organizations.

Receiving the Phalanx Commendable Leadership Award were Sandra Fisher of Potsdam, assistant professor of consumer and organizational studies, Laura Ettinger of Potsdam, associate professor of humanities and social sciences, Jennifer Ball of Parishville, visiting assistant professor of humanities & social sciences, Christina Lesyk of Norwood, a director of university events, and Barbara Parker of St. Regis Falls, assistant to the President. This award is presented to juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff and administration members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities and quality participation in organizations associated with Clarkson and the Potsdam community. The award recipients exhibit exceptional leadership qualities and the versatility to balance all aspects of college life. New Phalanx members are selected from the group of Commendable Leadership Award recipients.

Ball, Lesyk and Parker were also inducted into Phalanx, Clarkson’s highest recognized honorary leadership society. It consists of a group of selected members of the Clarkson community who have demonstrated leadership skills and active participation in campus activities, along with above-average academic abilities, outstanding character and high morals. Phalanx was established in 1929, and each spring inducts new members into Phalanx during University Recognition Day.