By DONNA LONGENECKER
Reporter Assistant Editor

Continuing a 650-year-old tradition of recognizing the beginning of another academic year, university marshals and mace bearer Michael E. Cohen, chair of the Faculty Senate and professor of neurology, led UB's eighth annual convocation procession yesterday across the Spine of the North Campus and into the Center for the Arts Mainstage theatre.

Provost Elizabeth D. Capaldi and President William R. Greiner congratulate Bruce Jackson (right) after he receives the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at yesterday's University Convocation. PHOTO: Donna Longenecker

In her opening remarks, Provost Elizabeth D. Capaldi noted that members of the procession joined her in renewing "the commitment to the ideals of inquiry, discovery, creativity and the sharing of knowledge," as she issued a special welcome to staff and faculty who joined the university in 2002.

A highlight of convocation was the awarding of the President's Medal to Robert J. Wagner, senior counselor to the president and former senior vice president who retired last year. Wagner received a hearty standing ovation from the audience and a warm embrace from President William R. Greiner, who singled out Wagner's constant push towards excellence while remaining a "go-to" person who always provided counsel and advice when needed.

"Throughout his 35 years of distinguished service to UB, Robert J. Wagner has transformed our university in numerous ways, as a distinguished alumnus, an exemplary colleague and through a variety of key administrative leadership roles," said Greiner.

"Those of you who know Bob Wagner know that his role at this university went well beyond the duties assigned to him from the time he started 35 years ago to this day," he added.

Another highlight was the awarding of the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters), one of France's highest honors, to Bruce Jackson, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Samuel P. Capen Professor of Humanities in the Department of English.

The award, presented to Jackson by Fabrice Jaumont of the French Embassy, recognizes Jackson's international contributions as an ethnographer, filmmaker and folklore specialist, and singles out his documentary and scholarly work on the death penalty and criminal justice system in the United States, which, according to Jaumont, played a significant role in France's abolition of the death penalty 20 years ago.

"You take great pains, according to your students, to let them draw their own conclusions from the tools which you have placed in their hands," Jaumont said.

"Your tools are invaluable in achieving your goal, which is to help civilization and people's minds' progress.

"You are in a way, Professor Jackson, a living example of the cultural power and diversity that France tries to promote on the diplomatic scene," he said.

Also honored at convocation were UB faculty and staff members who had received major awards during the past year.

Recognized for achieving the highest faculty rank with SUNY—the SUNY Distinguished Professorship—were Bruce D. McCombe; professor of physics and director of the Center for Advanced Photonic and Electronic Materials (CAPEM), and Mirdza E. Neiders, professor of oral diagnostic sciences, who was named SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor.

Receiving the 2002 SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching were Alexander Cartwright, associate professor of electrical engineering; Huw M. Davies, professor of chemistry; Cyrus K. Madnia, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Patricia R. McCartney, clinical professor of nursing, and Natalie C. Simpson, associate professor of management science and systems.

Renee B. Bush, associate librarian in the Health Sciences Library, and Karen D. Senglaup, director of access services for the Arts and Sciences Library, received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship.

Winners of the Chancellor's Award for Professional Service were Voldemar A. Innus, vice president and chief information officer; Janina L. Kaars, senior assistant vice provost of academic affairs; David J. Nuzzo, head of the acquisitions department for the University Libraries, and Stephen N. Wallace, director of athlete academic services.

Receiving the newly created Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities—designed to recognize outstanding academic and creative achievements across a broad spectrum of scholarly and artistic fields—were Susan Howe, professor of English, and Barry Smith, professor of philosophy.

This year, UB honored its first UB Distinguished Professors, a rank created by the Office of the Provost to honor full professors who are nationally or internationally recognized as leaders in their fields. The honorees are faculty members who have been full professors for a minimum of five years and have earned national or international prominence through outstanding scholarship and/or artistic contributions.

The UB Distinguished Professors for 2002 are Athol D. Abrahams, professor of geography; Guyora Binder, professor of law; Frank K. Bright, professor of chemistry; Jonathan S. Dewald, professor of history; Colin G. Drury, professor of industrial engineering; Stephen L. Dyson, Park Professor of Classics; Isaac Ehrlich, professor and chair of the Department of Economics; Peyman Givi, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Alfred S. Konefsky, professor of law; Howard K. Kuramitsu, professor of oral biology and microbiology; Russ Miller, professor of computer science and engineering and director of the Center for Computational Research; Frederick Sachs, professor of physiology and biophysics; Jeffrey Skolnick, professor of structural biology and director of the Buffalo Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics, and Stanley Zionts, professor of management science and systems.

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 UB Stars—representatives of the university who responded to the needs of the university community on and after the events of Sept. 11, 2001—are David P. Ballard, associate director of student life; Madison L. Boyce, director of the student judiciary and university ombudsman; Frank P. Carnevale, director of health services and student wellness team coordinator; Lori A. Chiarilli, media coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; Andrea Costantino, director of student unions and activities, and Phyillis A. Floro, student union assistant.

Also, Johnny R. Garcia, manager of the Center for Tomorrow; David L. Gilles-Thomas, clinical psychologist and interim director of the counseling center; Michael L. Jankowski, senior staff assistant in the Office of Alumni Relations; Patrick J. Keleher, director of campus ministries; Sung E. Kim-Kubiak, assistant director of the counseling center; Phyllis A. Komroy, social worker in the Center for Student Health, and Veronica Lugris, assistant director of the counseling center.

Also, Rabbi Shay E. Mintz, visiting instructor of classics and the rabbi for Hillel of Buffalo; Daniel J. Ryan, director of career planning and placement; John N. Schank, teaching hospital nurse practitioner in the Center for Student Health; Elizabeth Snider, social worker/field educator in the counseling center; Susan M. Snyder, administrative director of the student wellness team, and Thomas R. Tiberi, associate director for residential operations in the Office of University Residence Halls and Apartments.