Congrats and Well Wishes
Congrats and Well Wishes
Michelle Thompson (Reddinger) ’10
It isn’t often that the president of a university roams the campus and knows the names of it’s students. In my time at Clarkson I learned you were the exception to this. I saw you both at so many campus events, saying hello after numerous basketball games, and truly felt your commitment to and interest in seeing the students succeed at both school and life. Having watched this year’s spring commencement I could see, that despite a couple very strange years, your attitude has not changed. I wish you and Karen the best in your next adventure.
Category:All the Best
All the Best
Ernie Reynolds ’69
Tony:
In my frequent returns to Alumni weekends, it has been clear that you have provided the type of creative and positive leadership required to assure growth and sustainability for Clarkson experience.
Thank you for making your students and alumni proud.
Best regards in your retirement,
Ernie Reynolds
’69
Category:What a momentous occasion!
What a momentous occasion!
Frank Rotunno ’56
Dear Tony and Karen,
Congratulations on your retirement from Clarkson. If I were to try to come up with one favorite memory it would be difficult to do because there are so many! Time spent at the ECAC games, weekend board meetings, dinners and events together, and especially Karen’s apple pie!
I so admire all you have done for the University and the quality of your leadership. During your tenure, you have positively impacted the culture of Clarkson in a big way. Your time here and the impact you made will be long remembered, and is so appreciated. I am honored to have been a part of watching Clarkson become what it is today under your leadership.
I wish you the best of everything as you move forward into this new phase of your life. May it be filled with good health, happiness and fun!
Fondly,
Frank Rotunno
Category:Thank you for your dedication
Thank you for your dedication
Elaine Hurd ‘
Dr. Collins, thank you for your enthusiasm and dedication to the Clarkson family. I admire your vision and commitment. I want to thank you and Karen for your kindness to me and my husband, Bill. He loved Clarkson and he immensely enjoyed visiting with the two of you. Best to you and your new adventure in life. Elaine Hurd
Category:A funny accent
A funny accent
Fram Akiki ‘
Dear Tony (and Karen),
First of all, thank you very much for all your leadership and support to Clarkson! We certainly wish you all the best in whatever the future holds for you – We doubt you are going to completely sit still!
My favorite memory was during a visit on campus around 2002, I went to a hockey game with my son Samer, who was 7 years old at the time. When we came out of the game, we ran into you and after talking for a little bit, my son asked you “Why do you have such a funny accent?” And without missing a beat, you looked at him and with a big smile said “I don’t have a funny accent, you have an accent!” Fast forward 15 years later and my son graduated from Clarkson in 2017 and stayed another year for his MBA in 2018. The accent did not scare him away from becoming part of the Akiki – Golden Knight Family!
I hope you enjoy your time with friends and family and I look forward to keeping in touch – please look us up if you are in San Diego!
All the best,
Fram, Jeanine, Samer and Maya Akiki
cell: (802) 238-8072
Category:Thanks for personal graduation ceremony at a 76ers game!
Thanks for personal graduation ceremony at a 76ers game!
Joseph St Amant ’04
I graduated in December 2003, but decided not to come back to campus to walk in the spring. I went to an alumni event months later at a 76ers game in Philadelphia that you also attended. Thanks for agreeing to a substitute graduation photo (albeit without the diploma). But more importantly, thanks for everything you did for Clarkson and the broader Clarkson community.
Category:GCT TOUR
GCT TOUR
Bob Saraceni ’70
Congratulations on your retirement.
Glad I was to provide both of you the tour of Grand Central Terminal, especially the climb to the clock tower and the lookout thru the number VI window.
You were a great President, constantly putting Clarkson out front for the whole country to focus on the institution as a leader for others to follow
All the Best, Enjoy your retirement!!!
Best Wishes – Tony & Karen Collins
Best Wishes – Tony & Karen Collins
Ken Baker ’69
Wow, it has been many years since we met Tony and Karen. I met Tony when I was a Trustee on the Board and he was still in the Civil Engineering department. He came to the board meeting and discussed a strategic plan for the University. I was immediately impressed with his forward thinking for the University and his command of the topic . He was someone special. Little did I know at the time how significant this event would be for both Clarkson and I.
Shortly after this ,while on the Board physical plant committee I lead a discussion to move the majority of the universities facilities to the hill campus. After much debate it was agreed to begin this historic journey .
President Denny Brown decided to retire and the board selected Tony Collins as the new president of Clarkson and to lead the transition to the hill. Our earlier meeting at the board was beginning to become a significant milestone for Clarkson – new President and new hill Campus. Tony has lead the transition to the hill campus over the past 20 years in a masterful way. He and Karen have dedicated an amazing amount of time developing proposals and acquiring the funds to turn this dream into a reality. I was very proud when the board decided to name the new campus the Collins Hill Campus. A fitting tribute to both Karen and Tony.
Over his tenure as President of the University, Tony and I have worked on a number of initiatives that have transformed the definition of a Clarkson education.
Stemming from the universities efforts with the DOE Sunrayce program and the SAE mini Baja programs, we developed the SPEED team concept. Clarkson was able to compete with and beat large Universities in various competitions thru their extraordinary teamwork on engineering and management. This literally created the “ mouse that roared” in worldwide competitions. This team concept is being expanded into other areas of research, engineering, and innovation.
This led to the innovation hub concept. A central location for students to work together as teams on the development of the commercialization of technical opportunities. Clarkson is a leader in jump starting new business ventures and creating the innovation dynamic on campus.
One very special memory was when Tony and Karen decided to drop in on us here in Scottsdale to attend the annual alumni hockey telecast. They came to the telecast that I hosted at our golf club and everyone enjoyed the casual interaction with both Tony and Karen. I really enjoyed our time after the telecast sitting around a campfire talking about the vision for the next 125 years of Clarkson Education. A special time with two very special people.
Overall. It has been an honor to serve Clarkson University with Tony and our friendship with Tony and. Karen is something that Suzi and I hold very dear. They are both very special and unique people who demonstrate the principles and culture of the Clarkson University heritage and have built friendships based upon trust, leadership and consideration for others… Tony is truly a “workman that needeth not be ashamed”!
Ken and Suzi Baker ’69
Category:Congratulations and Very Best Wishes
Congratulations and Very Best Wishes
Dana Barry ‘
Dear President Tony Collins and Karen Collins,
Congratulations for your great accomplishments and contributions to Clarkson University, the North Country, and beyond. I wish you continued success, good health, and a wonderful retirement. Very Best Wishes Always, Dana Barry
Category:A Vegan Restaurant in NYC
A Vegan Restaurant in NYC
Catherine Snyder ‘
Back in 2018, after only working at Clarkson for two years, I had the opportunity to work on an initiative with Tony that took us to NYC for a few meetings. On one particular day, we found ourselves around lunchtime with no specific plans. I suggested a nearby vegan restaurant that is one of my favorite places to eat in New York…not really expecting Tony to agree. Well, those of you who know him better than I did at that point will not be surprised that he readily agreed, and enjoyed the experience. As we chatted over lunch he commented that Karen will be very pleased that I brought him to a healthy restaurant in the City!
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