Five SUNY Oswego faculty and staff members recently received SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence, among the highest honors in the state's educational system.

Stephen Rosow

Respected internationally for his interdisciplinary scholarship in the areas of globalization, citizenship, capitalism and democracy, Rosow has authored or edited six books and produced a large volume of research for top-tier journals and conferences during nearly 30 years with SUNY Oswego.

Moreover, Rosow affords his students ever-evolving and occasionally all-new courses in political theory, according to political science faculty member Lisa Glidden, who is chair of Oswego's Faculty Assembly and director of global and international studies.

"Steve provides the highest quality of instruction, and works continually to redevelop existing courses and develop new ones that reflect his scholarly interests," Glidden wrote in support of Rosow's nomination for the award. "It is quite rare to find the commitment to introducing undergraduates to political theory and to critical theory. Over the last almost three decades, Oswego's students have been able to keep abreast of current developments in scholarship because they have been taught by someone who was helping to shape the field."

Read more about Rosow's award.

Cynthia Clabough

"Year after year, Professor Clabough continues to go above and beyond her professional obligation as a chair and faculty member in terms of her service to her department, this institution, and to the broader community," said the college committee charged with forwarding nominees worthy of SUNY awards to Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson.

"One of my themes for SUNY is individualized education, meaning the work we do to help our students navigate the opportunities within our 64 campuses," Chancellor Johnson noted. "Our faculty and staff educate, inspire and support our students to pursue their passions; they are the driving force on campus."

Clabough's numerous supporters for the award noted her students-first passion. She always involves students -- some facing significant life challenges -- in the many academic and service projects she and the department have undertaken, they said.

Read more about Clabough's award.

Dan Griffin

Phrases such as "consummate professional," "true visionary" and even "Oswego's biggest cheerleader" dot the letters supporting the nomination of Griffin, the college's top recruiter of new students, for the Chancellor's Award.

An Oswego alumnus with a 1992 bachelor's degree in English and a 2000 master's degree in education, Griffin has worked for Admissions since he was a student, and has demonstrated his credentials for the SUNY honor during a 27-year career, supporters said.

Richard Kolenda -- who as assistant vice president for residence life and housing works closely with Griffin on occupancy and other strategic issues -- called Griffin "a true visionary" whose data-driven projections and analyses helped keep Oswego's enrollment strong during a downturn in the numbers of college-eligible high school students in the Northeast: "He has an uncanny ability to see and project the future. He recognizes that the work of his department is essential in maintaining Oswego as one of the finest four-year institutions in the SUNY system." 

Read more about Griffin's award.

Michelle Bandla

Coordinator of programs to support first-year students in advisement, course selection, summer pre-registration, learning communities, an early-warning academic performance system -- along with other measures to help the new students succeed and remain in college -- Bandla earned praise for innovation, persistence and excellence.

Elizabeth Dunne Schmitt, professor of economics and a faculty leader in the college's retention efforts, called Bandla -- recipient of several previous awards for her leadership in student-success programming -- one of the "quiet heroes" making a difference for student support and retention.

"These awards attest to a willingness to push beyond the boundaries of a position and list of responsibilities and look at the entire institutional environment as supporting the success of its students," Schmitt wrote.

Read more about Bandla's award.

Melissa Arduini

Arduini's nominator and supervisor, Director of MBA Programs Irene Scruton, wrote, "Ms. Arduini is an ideal candidate for this award by exemplifying Oswego's commitment to students. She is devoted, creative, positive and has a 'can-do' attitude. She balances a hard work ethic with good humor and passion."

Scruton praised Arduini for providing an "extraordinary" personal connection for all of the working professionals enrolled in the college's highly ranked all-online master of business administration program option. "Melissa's skills translate a telephone conversation into feeling like a face-to-face connection with the program, department and campus, which develops long-term alumni relationships with the program." 

Her consistent willingness to go above and beyond in customer service earned additional plaudits from Scruton: "It is ordinary to have one good customer service interaction, but it is extraordinary to maintain that high level of customer service, day in and day out, year-round and Melissa should be recognized for that effort."

Read more about Arduini's award.