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
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.
“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!
