For more than 27 years, the Foundation's Citizen Laureate Awards have honored outstanding leaders in business and industry, government and academia, and are the highest honors bestowed by the University at Albany Foundation. The Golubs and Philip will receive the Community Laureate Award, while Leonard and Slade will receive the Academic Laureate Award.

The award recipients will be honored at a black-tie dinner on Thursday, November 8 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. Cocktails will be 6-7 p.m. with the awards program and dinner to follow. Funds raised through this event will be used to support a range of educational, research and public service initiatives set forth by the University and managed by The University at Albany Foundation. Established in 1967 to encourage philanthropic support, The Foundation today helps to advance the University's strategic goals. It also sponsors efforts to build the University's ties to the community. Sponsorship of the dinner at $2,000 for a table of ten entitles an organization or group of individuals to priority seating, a prominent listing in the program and special acknowledgment at the event. Individual tickets are available for $150. For ticket information, call (518) 442-5310.

Neil and Jane Golub

Both together and individually, Neil and Jane Golub work tirelessly to transform the Capital Region through strong family enterprise and extensive community service. 

Neil Golub is president and CEO of Price Chopper, which is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary as one of the country's premiere food retailers.  A lifelong resident of Schenectady, he balances his active business career with a commitment to the community.  He currently serves as national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (and chairman of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon), chairman of Bellevue Woman's Hospital, chairman emeritus of Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch, chairman of Schenectady 2000, board member of the Public Metroplex Development Authority and board member of the Food Marketing Institute. Golub has a business degree from Michigan State University, a master's degree from Cornell University, and an Honorary Doctorate from Russell Sage College for Public Service. 

Jane Golub, director of vendor income programs at Price Chopper and head of the in-house sampling agency, also balances career, community service, and family. After more than 20 years teaching in the Niskayuna Central School District, she became involved in the family business by successfully implementing an in-house sampling program. She is very involved in the community and serves as board member of the Schenectady Day Nursery, board member of the Schenectady Museum, one of the four campaign co-chairs for Proctors Theatre, tree chairwoman for more than 25 years at Temple Gates of Heaven and chairwoman of the Women's Opportunity Award committee for the Soroptimist International of Schenectady. Golub has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a master's degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta.

The Golubs have worked together as a team, both in business and in the community, for many years. They have been pivotal in their financial support for Schenectady's renaissance, the Golub Family Emergency Center at Ellis Hospital, the Neil & Jane Golub Breast Care Center at Bellevue Woman's Hospital, the Bellevue Woman's Hospital Mobile Mammography Van and the "A World of Difference" anti-bias school education program since 1986.  In recognition of their contributions and service, both individually and as a team, they have received countless honors and awards.

George M. Philip, Esq. '69, '73

As executive director and CIO of the New York State Teacher's Retirement System (NYSTRS), George Philip oversees a portfolio of more than $59 billion in equity and fixed income investments for more than 375,000 public school educators in New York. After graduating from the University at Albany, Philip taught in Linton High School in Schenectady, and joined the staff of the New York State Teachers' Retirement System as an information representative in 1971. Between 1986 and 1995, he held the executive staff positions of Director of Budget and Investor Relations, Chief Real Estate Investment Officer and Assistant Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer. In February 1995, he was named Executive Director of the Teachers' Retirement System, and continues to serve as the System's Chief Investment Officer.

He is a member of numerous other professional organizations and governing bodies involved in financial, educational and community activities, including the Foundation Board of Directors. Philip is the chairman of the University at Albany University Council. Philip is a graduate of the University at Albany where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees. He also holds a juris doctor degree from Western New England Law School.

Paul A. Leonard, Ph.D. '75, '76

For 25 years, Paul Leonard has served on the faculty at the University at Albany, most recently serves as dean and professor of finance at the School of Business. He is known for his innovative teaching techniques, accessibility to students, and commitment to accomplishing goals. In recognition of his dedication, he has received numerous awards and honors, including the School of Business' Harold Cannon Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching and the Dean W. Warren Hynes Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching. Leonard was named a Collins Fellow and has also received President's and Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Leonard wrote or co-wrote numerous books, monographs, and book chapters, along with articles and consulting reports. He also serves as an editorial board member of Municipal Finance Journal. Leonard received a bachelor's degree in business administration from UAlbany in 1975 and a master's of business administration degree in 1976. He received his doctorate in finance from the University of Oregon in 1980.

Leonard A. Slade Jr., Ph.D.

Leonard Slade, a renowned teacher and poet, is currently director of the University at Albany's doctoral program in humanistic studies and master of arts program in liberal studies, as well as professor of Africana studies and adjunct professor of English. Slade has written 16 books, including 12 collections of poetry, and his work has been included in numerous publications. He has accepted invitations to read his poetry at a plethora of institutions and his poetry has been praised by Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Houston A. Baker, Jr.

Slade, a past member of the National Research Center on the Teaching of Literature, has been the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award at Kentucky State University and the University at Albany, the Professor of the Year Award from the University at Albany NAACP Chapter, the Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies Award, the Kentucky Humanities Grant, the Hudson-Mohawk Association of Colleges and Universities Award, the Northeast Modern Language Association Fellowship, the Ford Foundation Fellowship, the U.S. Department of Fellowship for Postdoctoral Study, and the Ragdale Artists' Fellowship, Lake Forest, Illinois. In 2005 he was named a Collins Fellow at UAlbany.

Slade received three degrees in English: his bachelor's degree from Elizabeth City State University, his master's degree from Virginia State University, and his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was named a Collins Fellow and has also received President's and Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Awards.

The event is sponsored by the Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for Berkshire Bank, which is one of Massachusetts' oldest and largest independent banks.