Faculty, staff recognized for excellence

The UB community came together yesterday to honor the work of the colleagues, mentors and friends at the annual Celebration of Faculty/Staff Excellence.

The afternoon event in Slee Hall recognized exceptional young investigators as well as employees who had completed 50 years of service to UB. SUNY Distinguished Professors and recipients of the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence were honored, along with many others who achieved important distinctions this year.

“The scholarship, creativity, and professional excellence of our faculty and staff are a touchstone that inspires others to reach higher in their own pursuits both within our university community and across the nation and the world,” said President Satish K. Tripathi, who welcomed attendees. “One bold thought can spark thousands of others.”

Provost Charles F. Zukoski also delivered remarks, telling the audience that “the colleagues we celebrate today exemplify academic excellence.”

“Their pioneering work has changed the way that we perform scholarship and defined disciplines,” Zukoski said. “They have revolutionized our understanding of how our bodies work and how diseases are treated. They have developed and integrated new technologies in our classrooms, institution and societies. And they have changed our way of seeing and engaging with the world.”

The event concluded with a music and dance performance presented by faculty members Melanie Aceto of the Department of Theatre and Dance, and cellist Jonathan Golove and violinist Yuki Numata Resnick, both of the Department of Music.

Wednesday’s ceremony was UB’s 11th annual Celebration of Academic Excellence. A separate ceremony recognizing student achievement will take place on April 23.

See a related story for the full list of those honored at the event.