ALBANY – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today approved the appointments of 21 faculty to distinguished ranks – the highest system honors conferred upon SUNY instructional faculty. All distinguished faculty in active service within SUNY are also members of the SUNY Distinguished Academy, established in March 2012.

“The Board is pleased to present these individuals with SUNY’s highest distinguished ranking,” said Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “Their commitment to the students, faculty, and staff at their respective campuses and their vast achievements within their respective fields is impressive and highly commendable.”.

The Distinguished Professorship is conferred upon individuals who have achieved national or international prominence and a distinguished reputation within a chosen field:

• Paresh Dandona – Dr. Dandona, Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is a world renowned physician scientist who has devoted his career to understanding and treating endocrine diseases, especially diabetes and obesity

• Peter Rogerson – Dr. Rogerson joined the Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo in 1986.  He is known internationally for his work in both population geography (demography) and spatial statistics. 

• Edward Steinfeld – Dr. Steinfeld is internationally known as a lead researcher on accessible environments and inclusive design.

• Kenneth Dill – Stony Brook University’s Dr. Dill has advanced our understanding of chemistry and physics of proteins
• Eugene Feinberg – Stony Brook University’s Dr. Feinberg is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading scientists in the field of operations research and its applications. 

• Maria Hepel – Dr. Hepel, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at SUNY Potsdam, has attained national and international recognition primarily for her important work on piezoelectric sensors, quantum conductance of nanowires, and environmental remediation processes.

• M. Stanley Whittingham – In his 30+ year career, Binghamton University Professor Whittingham has been a pioneer in the development of Lithium ion batteries and an inspiration to the next generation of chemists and materials scientists.

The Distinguished Teaching Professorship recognizes and honors mastery of teaching:

• Joseph Sprague – Dr. Sprague is a professor of Chemistry in the Natural Sciences Department at SUNY Cobleskill and he consistently surpasses the criteria for excellence in teaching, as measured by his skill in teaching techniques, representative materials, his scholarship, professional growth, service to students, mentoring of faculty and service to the campus community.
• George Vas – Dr. Vas, a nationally recognized educator in the field of clinical neurophysiology, joined the neurology faculty at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in 1975 and has provided dedicated service to the students, residents, fellows and patients for the past 37 years
• Julie Newell – Professor Newell joined the SUNY Fredonia faculty in 1990, and she currently serves as professor of voice and as coordinator of the Opera program.
• Beth McCoy – Professor McCoy joined the SUNY Geneseo faculty in 1997. Both students and other faculty extol her generosity as a mentor, and note that what they learn from her stays with them long after they leave her classroom or office.
• Martin Lecker – Professor Lecker has been a member of the Rockland Community College Business Department since 1985. He is known for innovations in the areas of course and program development, educational technology, and student mentoring.

The Distinguished Service Professorship honors and recognizes extraordinary service:

• Lynn Anderson – A noted authority in outdoor and therapeutic recreation, SUNY Cortland Professor Anderson was department chair for twelve years, leading strategic planning and successful accreditation visits. She received grants from the New York State Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities to establish a statewide inclusive recreation resource center; and from the Christopher Reeve Foundation, for “Inclusion U,” a national best practices inclusive recreation training program. She engages students in service learning at the YWCA, Cortland Youth Bureau, Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports and Lime Hollow Nature Center. She serves on advisory and editorial boards in her field. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the profession, Dr. Anderson received the New York State Therapeutic Society 2011 Member of the Year Award. 
• Hassaram Bakhru – Dr. Bakhru joined the University at Albany faculty in 1970, and is currently a Professor of Nanoscience in the University’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

• Jack Croxton – Dr. Jack Croxton joined the SUNY Fredonia faculty in 1979 and was promoted to the rank of full professor in 1993.
• Linda House – Over her 24 years as chair, Professor House has transformed the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences at SUNY Geneseo from a small program into a powerhouse of academic excellence.
• Judith LaRosa – As one of the founders of the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health, Dr. LaRosa mustered her scholarly and intellectual skills to assure the creation of a school with a diverse student body and faculty, and focused on urban and immigrant health.
• Lauren Lieberman – Dr. Lieberman has been teaching in Adapted Physical Education at SUNY Brockport for 17 years.
• Ruth Weinstock – Through her efforts in founding the Joslin Diabetes Center at SUNY Upstate’s University Hospital, Dr. Weinstock has transformed diabetes care in New York State.
• Bill Baker – An environmental activist and recipient of both the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, Professor Baker has been a teaching member of the faculty at Rockland Community College since 1970.
• Francis Battisti – For over 40 years, at Broome Community College, Professor Battisti has offered students, staff, and the greater community inspiration and commitment to educational excellence.