Posted on May 22, 2009 by Michele Baran
As we move into summer, the Connections Blog will be on hiatus.
Special thanks to our readers, guest writers, and each member of the campus community helping to establish positive and meaningful connections at SUNY Cortland.
Enjoy a healthy and renewing summer!
SUNY Cortland Connections Committee
Lisa Allen, Committee Co-Chair
Sandra Wohlleber, Committee Co-Chair
Michele Baran, Blog Chair
Amber Ingalls, Awards Chair
Mike Pitaro, Midnight Breakfast Chair
JoEllen Bailey
Mariangela Chandler
Ann Cutler
Steve Dangler
Sean Sherwood
Matt Nuesell
Posted on May 22, 2009 by Michele Baran
Post written by: Sean Sherwood
Each year, the Student Affairs Connections Committee has the task of receiving nominations and selecting one faculty member to be awarded the Faculty Connections Award. This award is presented to the faculty member who goes the extra mile with his or her students. This faculty member must strive to create a constructive relationship with his or her students inside and outside of the classroom. The person selected must also create a positive impact on SUNY Cortland students, and establish or maintain opportunities for students outside of the classroom.
This year, the Student Affairs Connections Committee is proud to award the Faculty Connections Award to Dr. Christopher Latimer from the Political Science Department.
Christopher Latimer is the second recipient of this award in recognition of his ability to establish and maintain significant connections with students outside of the classroom. Dr. Latimer is currently serving as the Political Science Association Club advisor and the Pre-Law advisor, as well as an Assistant Professor for Political Science. In all roles he has shown strong support of student initiatives and recognizes the need to keep events student-driven so as to allow members to maintain ownership and a vested interest in same. The nominations speak for themselves as they describe how, “Dr. Latimer is a mentor and a professor who has pushed me in and out of the classroom to reach my full potential.” One nominator highlighted the fact that in their interactions with Dr. Latimer, “He never made me feel like a burden. . . He was always welcoming and helpful . . . He works for his students above anything else.”
Based on the nominations received, it is obvious that Dr. Latimer goes above and beyond what is expected of him to establish excellent relationships with students. He was also noted for establishing “lasting connections with students outside of his regular teaching duties and I am extremely grateful for everything that he has done to help me reach the next phase of my life.”
Dr. Latimer was presented the Faculty Connections Award at the Provost Award Ceremony on May 7th.
The other nominations for this award were Dr. Karen Stearns, Sarah Zipp, Dr. Burns-Thomas, Dr. Eddie Hill, Tim Davis, and Dr. Raymond Collings. These nominees will also be recognized for their hard work and dedication to creating relationships with their students outside of the classroom.
Posted on May 5, 2009 by Michele Baran
“The Raquette Lake experience in the summer of 2006 was the most interesting part of my SUNY Cortland experience. Steve Patrick was the lead on our five day trip through the Adirondack Wilderness and it was a bonding and learning moment that I will never forget. The attitude of the teachers in the physical education department is extremely positive and reinforcing. I am also greatful to Jeffery Swartwood in the psychology dept. for taking time to teach me basic relaxation and focus techniques while reading and test taking that continue to help me today.”
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
Posted on April 28, 2009 by Michele Baran
“Every office at Cortland you deal with as a student treats you with respect and as someone who matters – I’ve come to find that as rare in life (and in grad school). The faculty also actually cares about you as a student and a person. They are completely real in how they represent themselves – which is another part about Cortland that I miss.”
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
Posted on April 21, 2009 by Michele Baran
“My Experience with the P.E. program changed my life. Cortland was the perfect place for me and I really wish I would be an advisor of some sort to help get kids to notice Cortland. I wasn’t aware of what a great opportunity until after two years at a Community College. I highly recommend Bill Williams to teach any courses at Cortland for he prepared me more for my career and life more than any other previous teacher.”
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
Posted on April 14, 2009 by Michele Baran
I really enjoyed my time at Cortland and I would recommend it to anyone. I believe I received an incredible education and I truly appreciate the economics department. All of the faculty in that department that I had interactions with were extremely knowledgeable in their area and were also very helpful. Overall I was happy with my experience at Cortland.
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
Posted on April 7, 2009 by Michele Baran
SUNY Cortland is filled with wonderful friendly people. It seems wherever I was there were people willing to help without hesitation. Whether I was asking for a balance on my card from the food staff, looking for a book in the library, or asking a teacher to stay after and help me – Everyone was friendly. This is why I chose Cortland twice!
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
Posted on April 6, 2009 by mattnuesell
Post written by: Lisa Allen
Student Employment on campus is a big factor in students feeling connected to their college community. The Student Employment office will be celebrating the vital contributions that students make to the campus and community through part-time and seasonal work during Student Employment Week (April 13-17). Please utilize this week to let your student workers know how important they are to you and your office.Ideas to celebrate your student workers include:
- Letters of Appreciation or Letters of Reference
- Coupon booklets–design coupons for free soda, home-baked goodies, etc.
- Notes home–send a note home to the families of your student workers to tell them how much they are appreciated, what they do, and how terrific they are.
- Certificates–buy or make low cost certificates and make up serious or silly awards and present them to your student employees. (i.e. Best Customer Service, Most likely to show up in a snowstorm, Most professional)
- Friendship plants–take cuttings from an office plant and give to each student employee as a “live” connection to the office.
- Prepare care packages to give to student workers with popcorn, trail mix, soft drinks, hot chocolate mix, etc.
- Send all students a thank you note acknowledging their hard work, signed by all staff
- Provide “treat breaks” with popcorn, chips, candy, etc.
- Take student employees to lunch
- Give student employees a small gift
- Have department head or Dean, Chair, or Vice President send student employees a thank you letter
- Tell student employees how much you appreciate their help
- Award “time off” certificates
Posted on March 31, 2009 by Michele Baran
“My experience at Cortland was the best experience of my life. I made lifelong friends and really felt like I was @ “home” during my 4 years. I made great connections with my teachers as well. I am continuing my education @ cortland as a graduate student.”
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
Posted on March 24, 2009 by Michele Baran
“Playing football for Cortland for 5 years was the greatest experience of my life. Being a part of that tradition and stepping onto the field and winning the Cortaca Jug 3 out of my 5 years was an experience like no other. The friendships and relationships I formed with friends, coaches, professors, and others I will take with me forever.”
-Class of 2007 Graduate
“Positive Connections” is a series of short features highlighting examples of ways students have felt connected to SUNY Cortland. Many of the posts will come directly from recent graduates, though any source is welcome!
