Farewell President Collins Archives - Page 13 of 23

Best Wishes Tony & Karen

Doug & Jane Collette ’71

We wish you both a happy and well-deserved retirement. Inspired by you both, we will continue to support CU and we hope to continue to grow our scholarship to help more students avoid the crushing debt that often accompanies a college education. The improvements, growth, and changes we have seen in the 51 years since we were college students in Potsdam still astonish us. Much of this would not have happened without your foresight, planning, and leadership abilities. Thank you for that!

You made it personal, even visiting our home for tea during a New England visit a few years ago. That meant a lot to us.

We hope that you have many special memories of your time at CU as you move on to this next phase of your lives. May God bless you both!

Sincerely,

Doug & Jane Collette

Thank you, from one Aussie to another :-)

Thank you, from one Aussie to another 🙂

Mark Collard ’87

Hey Tony & Karen, I am so thrilled to share this special message with you as you move on to the next chapter of your lives. You and your family were a BIG part of my year at Potsdam in 1986/87, and it’s hard to believe more than 35 years have passed since we shared cups of tea and dinner in your home. I hope you enjoy my video message…

Best Wishes Tony and Karen!

Jennifer Coombs ’09

Dear Tony and Karen:

It is quite a challenging task to put into words exactly what your kindness, generosity, and support have meant to me during my time at Clarkson and beyond. I am so very grateful to have had the honor and privilege of knowing you both; Clarkson will definitely feel a little empty without your presence.

I’m sure you won’t remember this, but WAY back in the spring of 2004, I was at an accepted students event and hadn’t fully committed to accepting my admission to Clarkson. In fact, you may have heard me say at one point, Clarkson was actually my LAST choice when it came to my accepted schools, and to make matters worse, the student I was paired with that weekend was an absolute nightmare. As chance would have it, I was the winner of a gift certificate to the university bookstore at the dinner for accepted students, and I very briefly conversed with you both. I don’t recall what was said between us, but all I remember is that the love and respect you showed to your students was so undeniably strong and present that it convinced me to stay at Clarkson. I rarely remember what people say, but I remember how they made me feel. And you both made me feel so welcome at Clarkson that I knew I found where I belonged.

And as we say, the rest is history 🙂

From the groundbreaking, fundraising and celebration of the new student center, to all the alumni roundtable events, to your very thoughtful wedding gift, to ALL the invitations to the alumni receptions at the summer reunions (that I STILL have yet to attend!), to the hugs from you both on my graduation day — you are amazing people and I will never forget all that you’ve done for me and for Clarkson. It truly is a gift to be your friend.

Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement – you will both surely be missed, but I hope you’ll remember to reach out and visit!

All the best,

Jenny Coombs ’09

You are appreciated!

Ashley Sweeney ’15

Tony and Karen,

I just wanted to send my sincerest gratitude to both of you for all of the support and kindness that you have given to me over the years. I have so many wonderful memories; the annual Reh Center dinners, the naming of the Reh School, the opportunity to work with the Reh’s and Lewis’, New York State Business Plan Competitions, Family Picnics, President’s Challenge, Board dinners, setting up Ichor in Peyton Hall, being part of the unveiling of the naming of the Collins Hill Campus, both of my graduations and so many more. Your ability to lead in good times and bad, your support for innovation and entrepreneurship and your willingness to help all of those around you grow to be their best selves is nothing short of commendable. Please know how appreciated you are and how deeply you will be missed. The legacy you leave will live on in the hearts of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Best wishes as you embark on your next chapter,

Ashley Sweeney

Thank you President Collins

Gregg Steiner ’16

President Collins,

Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement and good luck in all your future endeavors. I’m so grateful that I was able to attend Clarkson University as a student during your tenure as President because I saw first-hand what it meant to be a true leader. Thank you for setting the standard on what it meant to be a Golden Knight and how we should carry ourselves while representing our university. I am extremely proud to be a Golden Knight and most of that is because of you.

As a President myself (Delta Upsilon Chapter ’13-’15), I looked up to you as a leader and modeled my leadership after your behaviors. I understand that every decision that’s made will effect everyone and not everyone will be happy with the result, but you need to make the best decision for the organization at the time. Being consistent and transparent in these decisions with the other members of the organization is crucial to developing a strong culture. It’s not easy, but once that culture is created, it can be sustainable for a long time. The culture that you created at Clarkson has impacted every student that has walked onto campus and made us all better students, friends and family members. Your impact will be felt at Clarkson for the rest of its time.

Thank you for always supporting Greek Life and especially the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Without your unwavering support, our chapter may have never returned to campus and 100 years of history would have disappeared. As my fellow brothers would say, you are always an Honorary Lambda.

Wish you and Karen nothing but the best.

Sincerely,

Greggory Steiner ’16

Memories leading up to graduation in 2017

Victoria Peterson ’17

Tony,
It was always a pleasure seeing you on campus. I remember I chaired the leadership development activity during COGO 2017 and the remarks you gave about me in your speech at the event meant a lot. At graduation you caught me by surprise when you gave me a hug as I received my diploma. Thank you for always supporting the Clarkson students and being so welcoming to me. You made a bigger impact than you know. I will carry the positive Clarkson memories with me always.
Best,
Victoria Peterson

Thank You!

Francis Peverly ’85

Tony and Karen,

Certainly, congratulations are in order for your retirement. But I find it is more important for me to thank you both for your tireless energy that has resulted in the transformation of “Tech” into this illustrious university. Not only was it a springboard for me, a first-generation college student, but subsequently served so many others in my family including my sister, brother-in-law, nephews, cousins and close friends. And I would be remiss to not state this is where I met my wife – even if she is a St Lawrence graduate! Beyond the personal stories Clarkson has for me, the opportunity to be part of this change, from research advisory boards to scholarships, from annual donations to special support needs, your initiative, energy and enthusiasm has only served to heighten my duty and my commitment to this school. So, thank you for all you have done directly and indirectly, and go enjoy the life in Philadelphia. I hope to see you at a hockey game sometime in the future. And if you are ever in the Tuxedo NY area, don’t be afraid to reach out. Frank Peverly ’85

Thanks for being a great University leader

Ken Lally ‘-79

Tony, I have learned much from you since we reconnected six years ago. Your dedication and leadership of Clarkson has been simply outstanding. And Karen has bolstered the Clarkson image along with you. Both Jeanne and I look forward to the times our paths will cross again.

Cheers!

Maria Cleator ’89

Tony and Karen,

What a ride! You have poured a lot of energy into Clarkson
and there is so much to show for it.
Your unwavering leadership, purposeful outreach, and vision for growth
have helped propel Clarkson’s reputation and offerings.

From our first interaction at the CU Hurricanes event in NC
to the Saratoga Races and CU Reunions, you have been warm and inviting. And making time for a photo op with us was
always a highlight.

You are two amazing people, and we wish you the best as you
continue with life’s next chapter.
Cheers!

Maria Bunche Cleator ’89 and Nicole Caruso Pfeifer ‘89

Regards from the Class of 1958 Zoomers

Thomas Loggia ’58

Dear Tony,

The class of 1958 Zoom
Alumni would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your upcoming
retirement. It has been a great and rewarding time for us to have you as
President of Clarkson for the last 19 years. Your dedication and hard work have
made us and other alumni proud of the benefits of our continued association
with the university.

Clarkson will always remember you as a driving force that
has guided the evolution of a comprehensive long-term plan that has elevated
the University’s academic standing and reputation. You have worked tirelessly
to ensure that Clarkson provides young men and women an education plus the
necessary tools needed to successfully enter the work force of their chosen profession.

We wish you and Karen the best in your future endeavors. Retirement will
offer you many new opportunities, which we believe you will embrace
wholeheartedly, just as you did at Clarkson.

Thank you and Best Regards,

Anthony (Tony) Fraioli, Arnold (Arnie) Taranto, Charles (Chuck) Perschetz, Henry (Hank) Okraski, Ken Gibbs, Thomas (Tom) Loggia