CAMPUS
news & notes
DEVELOPMENT & Awards
Washburn Fund Endowed for Student Travel Abroad Dr. Robert ’49 and Beverly (Darnell) ’63 Washburn, along with SUNY Potsdam alumni, faculty and friends have endowed The Robert Washburn Fund in honor of Dr. Washburn, dean and faculty emeritus of The Crane School of Music. The first award will be presented to a student during the 2008-2009 academic year. The fund will support Crane students who desire to travel abroad for an international experience in music. The Washburns have spent their lives traveling the world and understand firsthand the rewards of their experiences. New Initiatives
SUNY Potsdam to Be Biofuel Study Site SUNY Potsdam has partnered with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to take part in a biofuel study.Various types of willow shrubs will be planted on approximately an acre of land near the College on outer Main Street to determine which variety grows the best in the Potsdam area. “Willow is a crop that naturally grows well in the North Country,” said Dr. Robert G. Ewy, assistant professor of biology and head of the biofuel project site at SUNY Potsdam. “No one has studied the feasibility of growing willows for biofuels here in the North Country. It will be interesting to see if we can find a willow variety that will provide economic benefits to the region.” SUNY Potsdam students will help prepare the field, plant and care for the shrubs and help harvest them. While the crop is growing, students will have the opportunity to study the willows and gain practical field experience. They will study biofuels and crop management,
SUNY Potsdam Professor of Art Marc Leuthold works with students in ceramics. DEVELOPMENT & Awards
Art Department Awarded $88K Grant SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Art will purchase new equipment thanks to the recent grant of more than $88,000 from an anonymous foundation. Marc Leuthold, associate professor and head of the ceramics program at SUNY Potsdam, applied for the grant and is the project coordinator of this equipment enhancement initiative. A Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree was recently added and existing programs in Art Education and Studio Arts have been expanded. Enroll-
measure growth, inspect insect damage and examine genetic differences between shrub types.
DEVELOPMENT & Awards
Four SUNY Potsdam Faculty Win Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence Four SUNY Potsdam faculty members were recently honored by State University of New York Interim Chancellor Dr. John B. Clark with the prestigious 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence. Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Sergei Abramovich was given the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.
ments in the department have doubled in recent years, making it one of the fastest-growing departments at the College. The most expensive item earmarked for replacement will be a gas kiln for the ceramics studio. This piece will enable students to fire their stoneware work with improved results in a state-of-the-art kiln. Other items budgeted for replacement were a table saw, 25 easels, sculpture equipment, electric kilns and wheels. In addition, digital printers and projectors will be purchased.
Professor of Art Dr. Caroline Downing was given the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Instructional Support Specialist of The Crane School of Music Gary Galo ’73 was given the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Professor of Art Mark Huff was given the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. These Potsdam faculty are recognized by SUNY for their commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction and serving the public good.
DEVELOPMENT & Awards
Two Appointed to College Council Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee June F. O’Neill and Massena Town Councilman and General Manager of Penski, Inc. John M. Wicke have been appointed by the governor to serve on SUNY Potsdam’s College Council. O’Neill, former chair of the College Council, replaced Curran Wade, who served on the council for eight years. Wicke replaced Cornelius Mahoney, who served on the council for nine years.
w w w. p o t s d a m . e d u /p e o p l e
5