SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence recipients with President Stephen J. Kolison Jr. (center) include (left to right) Lynn Bowers, Roslyn Smith, Dr. Heather McEntarfer, Rachel Kerr, Dr. Tiffany Nicely, Dr. Thomas Hegna and Elizabeth “Libby” Goblirsch.

SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. and Provost David Starrett recently presented medallions to SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence recipients.

Also recognized at the event was Professor Timothy Frerichs of the Department of Visual Arts and New Media, who was appointed a SUNY Distinguished Professor, the highest rank awarded to faculty by the system administration.

Rachel Kerr and Dr. Tiffany Nicely received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.

Kerr, an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Communication, has over 25 years of teaching experience, and joined the SUNY Fredonia faculty in 2017. Nomination materials note her commitment to individualized undergraduate education, professional development, and student services. Her colleagues noted that even during COVID-19, she maintained impressive standards of instruction in synchronous and asynchronous internet-based courses in topics such as mass media, international media, media technology and public speaking. Kerr is known as a mentor to students who understands the importance that confidence plays in their preparations for the world outside the classroom. Her approach includes practical methods to help students ground their academic skills in their professional goals.

Nicely, an adjunct Lecturer in the School of Music, received an impressive 20 letters of recommendation from administrators, colleagues and students as part of her nomination portfolio. The letters endorsed the representation of Nicely as the model educator.

One student expressed the impact she has had on his life and career, “The respect and dignity she demonstrates to all students goes without question, but the personal connection she makes as a teacher is just as important. . .she helped me transform an overly enthusiastic, unfocused young musician to a teacher, musician and adult with focus and global perspective.”

Dr. Heather McEntarfer and Professor Roslin Smith received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

McEntarfer is an associate professor in the Department of English, and joined the SUNY Fredonia faculty in 2012. She has taught an impressive 20 different classes. It was noted that at the core of Dr. McEntarfer’s teaching philosophy are values of equity and social justice with the motivation to initiate meaningful societal change. With this in mind, she engages her students in experiential learning and discussions on complex and controversial topics to help students navigate and explore ideas on sensitive topics that will help prepare them for the classrooms they will face as teachers. A former student noted, “I have witnessed Heather facilitate a multitude of conversations with the objective of making all students feel safe in the classroom. These conversations are not always easy to have, but it is something Heather has always shown the strength required to lead, and she does so with the understanding that all students deserve to feel safe in their places of learning.”

Smith is chair of the Department of Communication and earned an M.F.A. in video production from Bournemouth University in 1997 and a B.A. in Film and Media from Stirling University in 1995. She joined the faculty as an assistant professor in 2014, was promoted to associate professor in 2019 and appointed as chair of the Department of Communication in 2021. She has significantly impacted the department through her diverse teaching portfolio and innovative initiatives like the Communication Ambassador Program. Known for her hands-on teaching approach and high-impact practices, she has enhanced student engagement and success in film and media.

Dr. Thomas Hegna, an associate professor in the Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.

Hegna has made several contributions to invertebrate paleontology, significantly advancing the field of geoscience through his extensive research. With 43 scholarly articles, 93 conference papers, and 24 public lectures, his work has been influential and widely recognized. Notably praised by peers for his expertise in fossil arthropods and collaborative approach, Hegna has explored overlooked groups like clam shrimp and thylacocephalans.

Lynn Bowers, who is director of Student Accounts, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Bowers started her career at SUNY Fredonia in 2000 as the director of Student Accounts. Her colleagues note she is “dependable, forward-thinking, and intelligent, and demonstrates sound judgment and dedication to excellence when it comes to customer service. In the context of serving both students and their families, she has consistently demonstrated balance when helping to problem-solve and understand a process.” Another colleague noted she is, “extremely conscientious, thorough, and an incredibly hard worker.” In the midst of helping students and their families navigate complexities of paying a student bill, she is known as a collaborator and someone who demonstrates a high level of professionalism. Another colleague stated that she will, “…turn over every stone possible to search for a solution…” when a student finds themselves in hardship.

Elizabeth Goblirsch, a janitor on campus, is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.

Goblirsch, known on campus as “Libby,” wasn’t able to attend the ceremony, but was recognized for her service. She is known across campus for taking tremendous pride in her work, and has been cleaning Thompson Hall since 2011, and was recently transferred to University Commons and the townhouse complex.

Colleagues remark on her ability to befriend many faculty, staff and students across campus and is an asset regardless of her building assignment. In addition, it was said that she takes immense pride in the work she does, has a strong work ethic, and cares about the people and students she serves at Fredonia.