Family Affair

Family Affair

Robert Storms ’74

Neither of my parents were educated beyond high school.  My mother didn’t work outside the home. My father was a one man electrical contractor. He died unexpectedly at 44. I was 13. 

My mother took it on herself to ensure all her children went to college.  After Dad died, she took a clerical job but found scholarship money available to help us attend college. 

 I was the youngest and had good grades in math and science. She told me I was going to Clarkson. I didn’t  know what or where Clarkson was, but she apparently did. 

This ended up to be a great choice for me. I had a successful career and personal life. 

Based on the following, unbeknownst to me, I ended up being a roll model. 6 more family have or are now attending Clarkson.  Two start this fall. 

Tony’s involvement with my son, Mike, got the ball rolling, however. Mike was lost with respect to selecting a college. We visited several but nothing clicked. I finally asked him what he really liked in high school. Once he told me math and science I mentioned engineering and asked if he wanted to consider Clarkson. 

Through a Clarkson friend, we met with Tony, Dean of Engineering at that time. But it was when Tony met with Mike alone that His decision was made. On the way home from that visit, Mike told me he wanted to go to Clarkson. 

A cousin joined him his freshman year and later 4 others have followed. 

Tony, thank you for meeting with Mike. Because of you, my family continues on a path of both professional and personal success. 

Bob Storms ‘74

• Farewell President Collins

Thank you

Thank you

Da Yang ’22

Dear president Collins,

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to chase my dream at Clarkson University in Spring 2016. This six and a half year turns out to be a life changing experience.

I just graduated with my Ph.D. degree in May and I am very fortunate that I graduated while you are still my president. I remember vividly when I was a TA and you switched the role with a student from my FLUENT lab course and how sincerely you participated in the class. I also remember vividly how you fight against all the social issues, and comfort and encourage everyone during the pandemic. I am deeply grateful and honored to have you as my president and thank you so much for all your help and support.

Wish you all the best in the future.

Sincerely

Da Yang

• Farewell President Collins

An Honor and a Pleasure

An Honor and a Pleasure

Dusty Rhodes ’78

Kind, understanding, generous, hard working, dedicated, honest, bold, considerate, innovative, enthusiastic, wise and diplomatic are just a few of the words I would use to describe you Tony.  You have fundamentally changed Clarkson University for the better.  I have been involved with the university for almost 50 years and can honestly say that you made a huge impact on the school, the students, the alumni, the faculty & staff, the town of Potsdam and the state of NY.  I have been actively engaged with Clarkson in many forms for the last 20 years including the Parents Committee, the Business Leadership Council, The Alumni Council and as a recruiter for IBM. I would attribute much of that continued engagement to you and your leadership style.  It has been an honor and a pleasure to be part of the Clarkson journey which you have so dynamically lead.  And I don’t want to leave out Karen.  I know she has been your equal partner in that journey and has been instrumental in support you and the university throughout your tenure.  Thank you for all that the both of you have done and may you enjoy life after Clarkson to its fullest!

• Farewell President Collins

Favorite Professor

Favorite Professor

Jan (Van Deusen) Inguagiato ’96

Professor Collins – I had you my senior year for Water/Wastewater Management – not an easy class.  In all my time at Clarkson, you were the best professor I had, a good (hard) and clear instructor who always seemed to genuinely care that we learned what you were teaching.  In 4 years I never worked, or was as proud of, as the A I got in your class.   Congratulations on your retirement and best wishes to you and your family.  Thank you for all your years of service!

• Farewell President Collins

An Unforgettable College Experience

An Unforgettable College Experience

Rachel Simons ’12

Dear Tony and Karen,

I want to thank you for a college experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. I played Volleyball all 4 years that I was at Clarkson and more times than I can count on my fingers and toes I saw you both in attendance at our home games. At the time I remember feeling so lucky to have you there and looking back I think I appreciate more now just how special that was. In addition, getting invited to your home for dinner on multiple occasions was such a highlight and always a wonderful time. The icing on top of my Clarkson experience was on graduation day, the Volleyball graduating class got a shoutout from Tony! It was a complete surprise and something my friends and family still talk about to this day. Thank you Tony and Karen again for everything and wishing you all the best!

Thank you!

Rachel Simons – Clarkson Alumnae ’12

• Farewell President Collins

Tony and Karen – All Things To All People

Tony and Karen – All Things To All People

Bob Mann ’69

This message is for Tony and Karen!

We first met when my wife (JoAnne) and I visited Clarkson in the late 1990s until about 2005  recruiting for engineers for Exxon and then Exxon Mobil Corporation.   The four of us seemed to gravitate to each other in a very natural way.  We were so happy to assist in supporting you in your successful bid to be President of Clarkson!

Thank you both so much for all your energy and openness in successfully filling the role of President and First Lady!  You both were always willing to take the time necessary to help those at Clarkson that needed some help or guidance!  You and Karen were always fun to be around.  If there was a live microphone nearby and a large group of people present, it was a sure bet you, Tony, would make good use of the mic!! 

I was especially moved this past Christmas when I received a selfie of you and Karen celebrating the Holidays with your Christmas Tree in the background!  You had just uncorked a bottle of Mom, white wine from Narmada Winery, which I passed along earlier last year.  You and Karen were toasting  JoAnne (now passed) and me!  That was very kind!

I wish you both much happiness and joy in your retirement and hope that one day you will be interested in visiting Northern Virginia and spending a few days with me.  I’ve got a great view of the Shenandoah National Park from my home.  There are great restaurants in the area as well as great wineries.  And the Park is just a short drive away.

All the very best in this next phase of your lives.

Bob Mann ’69 CE

• Farewell President Collins

Appreciation

Appreciation

Paul Cooper ’64

I have very much appreciated your support for the Fraternities and Sororities on the Clarkson campus.   Your leadership and visibility within the student body was refreshing and wonderful.   It is obvious that Karen and you love the University environment and love encouraging students to achieve their very best.  You both are a “legend” within the Clarkson community.

• Farewell President Collins

Great Memories with President Collins

Great Memories with President Collins

Andy Loiacano ’80

Dear Tony,

You have been such a great leader and mentor at Clarkson for so many years. The way that you have cared for all students and friends has been tremendous and inspiring. Brenda and I will always cherish the times that we were able to see you and Karen. I hope that we can get together again sometime and wishing you both much happiness and good health in your new home area. All the best Tony and thanks so very much for everything that you have contributed to Clarkson.

Andy and Brenda Loiacano

• Farewell President Collins

An extraordinary memory among so many

An extraordinary memory among so many

Robert Campbell ’61

Dear Tony and Karen,

The most extraordinary memory was standing next to the two of you in Minneapolis at the moment the Women’s Hockey Team beat Colgate in OT to win their third NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship. Best, Soup

• Farewell President Collins

Congratulations on a remarkable career

Congratulations on a remarkable career

Gary Page ’69

In 2019 I attended my fiftieth reunion and, as part of the festivities, there was to be a dessert reception on the lawn of Foster House. Rain intervened and the reception was moved into the house. I (along with a number of my classmates) were greatly enjoying the hospitality and our conversation with Tony and were very much the last to leave as Karen had to gently remind us all that it was getting late. We greatly enjoyed the opportunity for such an intimate interaction and very much appreciated the extra bit of hospitality.

I think it must be quite unusual for someone to spend their whole career at one institution, rising through the academic ranks to the top levels and staying there for such a long period of time. I came to Clarkson in 1965 and was there until early 1973 thus missing all of your time at Clarkson. In the intervening years, many presidents have come and gone but I suspect your tenure will be recognized as one of the great ones.

I congratulate you and your wonderful partner Karen on a remarkable career.

• Farewell President Collins