Thank you

Thank you

Russ Vitallo ’06

Hi President Collins,

I played basketball at Clarkson from 2002-2006. During my Senior year my Dad wrote you a letter about the difficult experience I had with the head coach back then. You wrote back to us a really nice handwritten letter with some great advice. I always appreciated that and never thanked you but am doing so now.

Best of luck and you’ll be missed at Clarkson.

Russ Vitallo  06′

• Farewell President Collins

Tony Collins – the Energizer Bunny of college presidents

Tony Collins – the Energizer Bunny of college presidents

Bill Cotter ’73

Tony, as I look back at the LONG list of the ways you improved the Clarkson experience it makes me tired just reading it. How you managed to do all that and stay so energetic and enthusiastic is amazing. All of us connected with Clarkson are better for having known you – and future students who may never meet you will benefit from your efforts for decades to come.

• Farewell President Collins

Goodbye from Greta!

Goodbye from Greta!

Greta Kerwin ’23

Dear Tony & Karen Collins,

I wanted to thank you for all the support you’ve given me these past three years! I remember when I met the two of you in 2019. Back when I was still only considering Clarkson! I remember embarrassing myself in front of Nico Sturm trying to speak german and getting posted on the Clarkson official instagram (I felt famous)!

I really appreciate everything you two have done for the school and for the people that go here, it means so much to us.

I also wanted to thank you again for having my sorority over for dinner this past semester. I don’t think any of us will forget that (mainly because of the food!).

I hope you both have an amazing time in Philly!

Sincerely,

Greta Kerwin

• Farewell President Collins

Gratitude and thanks

Gratitude and thanks

Michael and Amy Baringer ‘

During the pandemic, when our son Luke was searching for schools – you and your wife opened up your home to us along with the Munter family. Your hospitality that day, combined with the lure of Clarkson sealed our students choice. He spent the past year finding a new home and family at Clarkson. We are so grateful for your guidance and dedication to this institution. Congratulations on so much success. You will be greatly missed. Best wishes, The Baringer Family

• Farewell President Collins

Givers Never Lack

Givers Never Lack

Agbor Esong Effiom ’22

I have read how your lives and service have blessed many within and probably without the Clarkson community. It is my prayer for you that Your Source will never run dry and Your living will continuously penetrate the hearts of men and pull them closer to the God in your hearts. 

God bless you more

• Farewell President Collins

Best Wishes

Best Wishes

Omkar Deo ’11

Dear Tony and Karen,

Wish you all the very best.  Have a long and happy retired life!  Take care and enjoy every day! 

Omkar Deo

• Farewell President Collins

Best wishes

Best wishes

Janyce Brennan Fadden ’77

Dear Tony and Karen, 

Thanks for your leadership, fellowship and friendship to our university and to the region. You made a lasting impact from which generations will prosper. Enjoy thoroughly this next chapter of your lives. Kind regards, Janyce Brennan Fadden ’77

• Farewell President Collins

Godspeed

Godspeed

Diane DiFrancesco ’77

Dear Tony and Karen,

Sending love and hugs from a favorite Chicago alum!! Best to you both.

What you’ve done for Clarkson is a fabulous legacy. I, for one, will be eternally grateful. 

Let’s keep in touch. Love you guys,

DD

CEO and Founder of DLD QUALITY ENGINEERING and DLD CAREER COACHING

Diane DiFrancesco, 9154 Kilpatrick Ave, Skokie IL USA 60076-1529 cell=773-485-7957,

• Farewell President Collins

Knowing you both

Knowing you both

Phil Wesler ’48

The years have just flown by. I’ll be celebrating my 74th anniversary this summer, and over those years I have been acquainted with several presidents, of the university and the college before. It was a”little college in upstate New York that nobody had heard of” to a well-known university that it is today. Much of that renown is undoubtedly due to you (and Karen, too, of course). So Berta and I wish you both well in your future ventures. It has been a great pleasure to know you both.

Phil (1948) and Berta Wesler

• Farewell President Collins

Tony, you and Karen will be missed!

Tony, you and Karen will be missed!

Tom Walker ’67

Hi Tony,

That time has come, eh? Well, I hope you and Karen will travel, travel, and travel some more. Provence would be my first trip.

I just would like you to know I really value our friendship … from when you agreed to serve the NYS Section AWWA as Student Activities Chair through the present. And thank you for taking the time from a busy day to advise my daughter, Kate, when we were on college visits, and for maintaining that professional relationship with Kate over the last several years.

Ironically, only about an hour ago I was shredding some 40 years worth of tax records prior to a move when I came across a 1991 letter from you acknowledging my donation of several years worth of Journal AWWA to Clarkson. And then opening my emails to find this message from Clarkson. What is that? A small world? Serendipity? Whatever it is I’m just glad to have the chance to tell you that you have been a special person in my life.

All the best to you, Karen and the rest of your family as you embark on this next phase of your adventure.

Tom Walker ’67 & ’69

• Farewell President Collins