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

• Farewell President Collins

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.

• Farewell President Collins

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.

• Farewell President Collins

For support

For support

Nicholas Theurich ’23

Thank you Tony for supporting Clarkson University Rocketry Club when it seemed like no one else would.

• Farewell President Collins

You are amazing

You are amazing

Jide Oyerinde ‘6

You make people feel very comfortable with you. The day I saw you honoring the launching of a new student club with your presence, you won my heart completely. Though I have not had reasons to meet you, every time I see you, I see in you a notable role model for the Clarkson community, even when you are long gone. 

Thank you President Collins for choosing to serve and lead us! Your good works remain with us.

-Grad student

• Farewell President Collins

Thanks, TC!

Thanks, TC!

Melissa Lindell ‘

Tony,

It has been an honor to have my office located right next to yours for the past five years! Thanks for guiding me when I was new in my role, and for being patient when I began drafting quotes for you. I will miss you stopping by and looking for a little afternoon snack from my treat bowl! 🙂 And I will miss saying “Hi TC!” And hearing back “Hi Mel!” as you walk past. Thank you for proving that true leaders know everyone’s name and are kind to each one of us. You will be missed!

• Farewell President Collins

What a great ride it’s been!

What a great ride it’s been!

Lorraine Harper ‘

Hi Tony and Karen,

What a great ride it’s been! I wish you and your family all the best. Please take it easy and enjoy slowing down, you deserve to sit back and relax! I’ll miss seeing your friendly smiles on campus. HUGS to both of you! 

• Farewell President Collins

Kiss and Beans

Kiss and Beans

Elizabeth Fessenden ’77

Tony and Karen,

There are so many memories…..I’ll pick just two.

The Search Committee conducted interviews with candidates off Wolf Rd in Albany.  I was positioned such that I could see Tony drive up to the front of the hotel, hop out of the driver’s seat as Karen exited the passenger seat.  As Karen got in the driver’s seat the two of you kissed.  I consider this a very sweet beginning to your joint leadership of Clarkson.  

Being able to find a time for the two of you to visit with me and Ken at Lake Titus….and to have conversation in that relaxed setting, was great.  I wish it could have happened more often.  I do recall what a kick I got out of Tony eating and pondering as to what he was eating.  It was black, it was tasty and he thought it might be mashed black beans.  (It was forbidden rice.)  

Wishing you a long, happy, healthy post-CU time of your lives.

warm regards,

Liz

• Farewell President Collins

Thank you Mr. President!

Thank you Mr. President!

Sri Siva Rama Krishna Hanup Vegi ‘

Tony,

Thank you for all the vision you had throughout your tenure that paved an everlasting impression be it infrastructure, curriculum, people. A better idea may pop up in future but all that matters is the effort that went in to give rise to and execute it.

I admire your efforts and passion for your responsibility.

I wish your health and happiness in more years to come. 

Sincerely,

Grad Student and recipient of last Clarkson degree awarded by Tony as President (May 2022 commencement) 🙂

• Farewell President Collins

Many Thanks

Many Thanks

Jackson Foster ‘-81

Dear President Collins:  Congratulations on your upcoming retirement.  I wish you and your wife many happy years of good health as you begin the next chapter of your lives.  You provided exceptional service to Clarkson through your years of service.  I was so proud of your videos to us addressing the numerous challenges we face in everyday life.  You showed that you really cared to help make our lives better and that we could overcome the problems that we faced.  To you a job well done.  Sincerely,  Jackson S. Foster

• Farewell President Collins