The Collins Award recognizes outstanding service and commitment to the University at Albany and is named for former President Evan R. Collins, who served with vision and dedication from 1948 to 1968.
In his 38 years as a faculty member of the University at Albany, Professor Aceto has compiled a remarkable record of service accomplishments to this University and his School, the State University of New York system, other countries, and several community organizations. In addition to securing a reputation as a dedicated and popular teacher, he has been Associate Dean, and Interim Dean of the School of Information Science and Policy and has directed several of its federally funded projects. Professor Aceto is also cocreator and co-editor of the Film Literature Index, the most comprehensive reference source in the field. Externally, he has been project director of a unique library and information services collaboration with IBM Corporation, generating over two million dollars and involving many of the School's graduate students. In the international arena, Professor Aceto has served the Ministries of Education of Cyprus and Bangladesh and was a Fulbright Scholar to the University of Dacca. His service to the University at Albany is truly exceptional: including election as Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the University Senate, Chair of four Senate Councils, and chair and/or member of more than 30 special committees, task forces, and budget panels. For the past two years, he has served with distinction as President of the University Faculty Senate and has been an articulate and strong advocate for the State University of New York.
Professor Judith Barlow joined the University at Albany in 1973 and has developed a distinguished record of service to her Department, College, and University. Within the Departments of English and Women's Studies, she has taught over 25 different undergraduate and graduate courses and is respected highly as a preeminent student mentor and advisor. Additionally, she is an energetic volunteer for the demanding outreach program that sends Albany faculty to Brooklyn and Bronx high schools to work with students and teachers to insure future college success. Professor Barlow is also a prolific editor and consultant for both national and international publishers, organizations, and theatre groups. Since 1976, she has served the English Department as chair and/or member of more than twenty committees, many of them for multiple years. At the College and University level, the quality, quantity, and total years of service are even more prodigious. Key assignments include chair and member for three years on the Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments, University Senate (elected), mentor for Students at Risk and Presidential Scholars Program, discussion leader for four years for the freshman orientation book discussion, and membership on several search committees.
Since joining the faculty of the University at Albany in 1963, Professor Warren Roberts has compiled a distinguished career as a scholar, a superb teacher, and an exceptionally devoted and selfless University citizen. For many on campus, he is the most cited exemplar of the model faculty member. A demanding, but eagerly sought-after teacher, he has received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching and been awarded the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor. His numerous books and articles on 17th and 18th century European cultural and intellectual history are widely respected. In all areas and levels of university service, his commitment to this institution is one of unbroken and deeply involved industry and accomplishment. He has been Chair of the Department of History, and also agreed to be Interim Chair of the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies. He has chaired the Search Committees for a Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the Undergraduate Academic Council's Academic Standing Committee, and the Distinguished Teaching Professor Committee. He has served on a Presidential Commission on athletics, as well as on numerous committees concerned with academic honesty, student honors, and tenure and personnel appeals. In addition to exceptional service to history and Spanish and Italian studies, Professor Roberts has provided direct service to such diverse disciplines on campus as art, art history, political science, and physics.
