Farewell President Collins Archives - Page 11 of 23

I learned from you that Clarkson has the friendly environment that I needed.

Nimanthi Abeyrthna ’24

I Joined Clarkson for a Masters Degree, But I am continuing to PhD because, in my first few days at Clarkson I realised how nice the environment and the people around are. But after meeting Tony and Karen at Foster house, I got to know that you treat us as we are special and dear to you which made me strongly rooted to Clarkson. Mr. President, you are special, and I wish you and Karen get lots of love and respect from all people and live a long and healthy life!

Great Job and May Retirement Bring You Much Joy and Happiness

Richard Ferguson ’62

Farewell and best wishes to you both. Enjoyed meeting you both at my 50th re-union in 2012. You should be very proud of the legacy you have created for a wonderful University.

Congratulations!

Joanne (Boston) Howard ‘

Thank you for your dedication to Clarkson University!

From taking your Water and Wastewater Processes class, to helping grade papers for that same class, to being a grad student in your department, my favorite memory is when you invited all of the graduate students in Civil & Environmental Engineering to your home for a cookout and we played soccer with your family. Congratulations and best wishes on your next steps.

Thank You!!

Thank you!!

Leah Pinner ’20

Thank you for all of your hard work as the President! I always looked forward to running into you in the hallway in the Science Center, you always said hello to everyone, and it made me feel seen and heard. I’ll never forget all of the wonderful hockey memories, including the Women’s Frozen Four! I also want to say thank you for being accommodating and willing to postpone the 2020 graduation for as long as we needed to -it was important to me to have a ceremony, and I’ll never forget it, and all that you and Karen have done for Clarkson!

Thank You

thank you

David Herbst ’81

Hello,

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to you both for all your efforts, sacrifices and dedication to the betterment of Clarkson. I always looked forward to reading your messages and it was nice to know that Clarkson was in very good hands. I wish you both all the best!!

Thank you,

Dave

Eat the Hamburgers

David Kerr ’95

Prof. Collins,

Thank you for all you did for Clarkson U. Since I started at Clarkson in the fall of 1991 you were already an established presence at Clarkson. Your reputation as a leader and approachable teacher were well known.

I only had one class with you. I’m not even sure of the class name but it was basically wastewater treatment 101. To this day I can hear you talking about the “bugs” eating the “hamburgers.” Good memories!

You are also the one that recommended that I talk with Dr. HT Shen about a TA position to get my MS. That was life changing advise. Thank you for being there for the students.

David J Kerr, 95 & 98

Thank you!

Andrew Fraser ’79

Dear Tony-

Thank you for your many years of great leadership at Clarkson University. I enjoyed meeting and talking with you and Karen on several occasions–hockey games and fundraisers. Thank you also for your “Good Knight from Clarkson” during the pandemic—it was classic and displays the true nature of Clarkson University. Lastly, I will always remember you speaking with my Dad (James Fraser 1950) when I would bring him up for our annual hockey game—he very much appreciated that.

All the Best, so well deserved.

Andy Fraser

Thanks Tony for making Clarkson greater than how you found it!

Henry Vanderbeek ’71

A tough task indeed.

Tony Collins – A Man for All Seasons

Lawrence Delaney ’57

Three meetings with Tony among many that stand out for me that illustrate Tony’s dedication to “Doing the right thing” are:

– Our visit to Walter Reed Army Hospital in DC to spend time with a North Country veteran recovering from his trauma of the Iraq War

– Our first meeting of with the President and Board of the Union Graduate School in Albany/Schenectady to discuss its potential integration into Clarkson’s Graduate School

– The meeting in Lake Placid with the Clarkson team led by Tony and the State’s team led by Governor Cuomo to develop cooperative programs for the Trudeau Institute and Clarkson in order to strengthen biomedical research in the North Country.

Tony’s dedication for excellence in all his work to the benefit of Clarkson, The North Country, New York State and the United States clearly designate Tony as a “Man for All Seasons”.

A message of thanks…

Monica Young ’00

Karen and Tony,

Your time leading Clarkson has set the highest standard for everyone who follows. You helped usher in an era of care, nurturing, and inclusion for the Clarkson community; students, faculty, alumni, parents, staff, and the local community and visitors at large. Thank you for your dedication and many years of service!

Monica Young ’00 & Jason Hill ’99