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Harold Kohn Library
M s . E l a i n e We l l s ,
Director of the College’s
Harold Kohn Library, became a
Distinguished Level
member of the Academy of Health Information
Professionals (AHIP).
The AHIP is the Medical
Library Association’s peer-reviewed professional
development and career recognition credentialing
program. It provides a structure for individualized
professional development for all health information
professionals and promotes lifelong learning and
exemplary professional performance through
the recognition of achievements in continuing
education, teaching, publishing, research and
other contributions to the profession.
Faculty Member Earns
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence
D r . A n d r e a Y a n g
was pr esen t ed
with the
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in
Teaching
by President Heath at a recognition
ceremony for the College’s scholars in June. A total
of 312 faculty members from throughout the 64
SUNY campuses received the prestigious annual
award.
“SUNY employs an exemplary body of
faculty and staff across the state and the annual presentation of
these awards underscores our deep appreciation for those who
serve SUNY campuses, students and communities with the highest
levels of distinction,” said Chancellor Zimpher in a statement.
College Community Celebrates Student Achievement at 39th Commencement
I n J u n e t h e Co l l e g e
conducted
its 39th commencement exercises at
the historic Hudson Theatre in Midtown
Manhattan.
Seventy-five graduates from
the Class of 2013 received their degrees
during the event.
The commencement address was given
by Dr. Melvin Shipp, dean of The Ohio
State University College of Optometry.
Dr. Shipp, who in 2011 became the first
optometrist to lead the American Public
Health Association, the world’s oldest,
largest and most diverse organization
of public health professionals, reminded
the graduates about the debt that they
owe—to family, loved ones, peers and
others—for their success and urged the
new doctors to continuously work to pay
this debt back through their actions.
“Your new status brings with it the
responsibility for not only protecting
the health and welfare of others, but
also enabling those less fortunate than
yourself,” Dr. Shipp told the graduates.
“Involve yourself in organizations that
promote and advance your profession,
but also, and perhaps more importantly,
the less fortunate in your community.”
During the commencement ceremony,
alumna Dr. Susan Fisher, president of the
New York State Optometric Association
(NYSOA), awarded College Council
member Dr. Frank Pirozzolo the NYSOA’s
“Optometrist of the Year” award and
his son, alumnus Dr. Raymond Pirozzolo
the NYSOA’s “Young Optometrist of
the Year” award. In addition, Dr. Julia
Appel, president of SUNY Optometry’s
Alumni Association, announced that
1989 graduate Dr. Jillia E. Bird (see
profile on page 27) has been awarded
the honor of “Alumna of the Year.”
T h e S U N Y C h a n c e l l o r ’ s Awa r d f o r
Student Excel lenCE was
awarded to Antonio
Chirumbolo and Irene A. Tran of the Class of 2013.
Additional academic and clinical awards, service awards
and professional distinction awards were also handed out
during a ceremony prior to commencement last June at the
College’s Center for Student Life and Learning.
Commencement speaker Dr. Melvin Shipp
