Category: Farewell President Collins

Wish you all the best

Wish you all the best

Dan Nieser ’86

Dr. Collins – I wish you and Karen all the best.  We both arrived in 1982 and you were my advisor.  I so appreciated your time, coaching, and kindness.  After my sophomore year year you helped partner me with a graduate student for a summer internship that was an invaluable experience.  Thank you for all you’ve done for me and the University.  Your legacy will endure for generations to come!

Best Regards,

Dan Nieser

The very best retirement wishes and a big thank you!

The very best retirement wishes and a big thank you!

Mario Wriedt ‘

Dear Tony,

I still very much remember the welcome dinner with you and Karen when I joined the Clarkson Family in 2013. What a great evening. Many more dinners at your house followed which I have always enjoyed. You have been always an inspiration in any regard. Clarkson is what is because of you. I am very proud to be part of this family. Thank you very much for all your support over the years. I wish you and Karen all the best for your next journey. I am sure this will include lots of travelling and spending quality time with family. Take care Dr. Collins!

Best, Mario & Anja Wriedt

No colored mulch

No colored mulch

Alex French ‘

I fondly remember being in President Collins’ office toward the end of my graduate degree program. I told him that as a former landscaper I did not like colored mulch and putting all of those paints on the ground. I requested just a natural mulch for the campus. President Collins stepped over to his desk, called Karen, and said, “I have Alex French in my office and he says no more dyed mulch, what do you think?” I love how Tony and Karen are such a strong team! I hope you both enjoy the next chapter with your family. 

Accepted Students Day: Impersonating Tony

Accepted Students Day: Impersonating Tony

Angelina Spielman ’24

I still can’t believe you called me up on stage to perform my (quite accurate if I do say so myself) impersonation of your weekly covid videos! We will miss you and “the office.” Just remember, when in doubt, find a good hockey analogy! #DoNotLetCovidGetTheWinOverUs

Best of luck in your next life chapter

Best of luck in your next life chapter

Edward Murphy ’65

Thank you for your service to Clarkson and your help in maintaining the fraternity system at Clarkson, especially your help in allowing the reinstatement of Sigma Delta, it was/is an important part of my Clarkson experience! Again GOOD LUCK in your next life endeavor—Ed Murphy “65

nice job

nice job

FRANK ROMANO ’58

Nice job from a old graduate 

Appreciation

Appreciation

Ian Lang ’04

I, Ian Lang..appreciate how, you welcomed me, into the community..

I had no clue, what college..would be like..since, prominent ivy league opponents..were heavily recruiting me.

And, thanks for inviting me, to watch hockey games..from, your perspective.

Best Wishes On Your Retirement

Best Wishes On Your Retirement

Don Hall ’73

Tony and Karen,

We wish a happy and healthy retirement. It is well deserved!  

While I had graduated and left Clarkson before you arrived on campus, I have tried to stay connected with what was happening in Potsdam. I had the pleasure of meeting you twice in Houston and once in Colorado Springs.   You have done much to improve campus facilities and have been a great spokesman/ambassador for Clarkson, northern New York and higher  education.  

One of the things that has impressed me most during your tenure as University President was your engagement with the student body.  Whether it be helping students unload and get their belongings into their dorm room, inviting various groups into your home for dinner, letting a student be president for the day while you attended their classes, chance meeting in an airport or just being seen around campus I always looked forward to pictures of you interacting with students. I felt you were accessible and knew each student personally.  

Finally, thank you for your support of our athletes but especially both hockey programs  

Again, congratulations and best wishes on your retirement.  Look back on your years at Clarkson with pride.  Clarkson is a better place because of you.  

Don Hall, BSCE 1973, MSES 1975

Sue Hall, SUNY Potsdam 1975

Thank you from CAMP and it’s Affiliates

Thank you from CAMP and it’s Affiliates

Devon Shipp ‘

Dear Tony and Karen,

Thank you for everything you have done for Clarkson and especially CAMP. I hope it was clear at the 2022 CAMP meeting in Clayton that your efforts and energy are greatly appreciated by faculty, students, NY state, and our industrial partners.

Here is what I was given by Corning to read out on behalf of Charlie Craig, who was representing the CAMP Industrial Advisory Board:

“Charlie picked out a piece of Steuben to give you on behalf of himself, CAMP, and the IAB. He specifically picked out this piece because a lighthouse stands steady in storms, and send an unwavering beam of guidance. We all feel that your leadership has provided steady guidance to grow the University and CAMP in quality and prestige, and in their contributions to society.”

I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment. Again, thank you! 

Best regards,

Devon Shipp on behalf of all (happy) CAMPers.

Compassion

Compassion

Skip & Ginny Deneka ‘

One of Tony’s great strengths is his compassion and focus on people.

A prime example of this is when he and Karen came to Corning for the Memorial Service for our son Tom, Clarkson MS ’98.