Appreciative of Your Warmth and Consideration
Appreciative of Your Warmth and Consideration
Chuck DeFazio ’69
Dear President Collins,
We only saw each other a handful of times over your tenure at Tech, but, after we were introduced the first time, you always went out of your way to stop and say hello and make me feel welcome. The culmination was at the 50-year reunion for my Class when they had that trivia quiz and there was a question concerning the Ice Carnival theme that year, and, once you learned that I had been the King you went out of your way to get me involved and let me answer the question in front of all attendees. I truly appreciated that.
I hope to see you if you ever get down to the Southwest Florida area.
Thanks again and best of luck in retirement.
Sincerely,
Chuck DeFazio ’69
Category:Thanks for the Memories
Thanks for the Memories
Joe Drago ’63
It was always a pleasure to return to Clarkson and to have the opportunity to be a guest with Tony and Karen at Foster House. The way we were welcomed and to feel being a big part of the family was something I never expected. What a feeling meeting alumnae, faculty, friends and other guests certainly made each visit special.
My favorite memory is the personal telephone call from Tony. Answering and hearing ” hello Joe it’s Tony Collins ” left me stunned for a bit. I had kept in touch with both hockey programs so I thought it must be a hockey related call. When he informed me that I was to receive an Honorary Doctorate at the next Convocation I immediately asked if he was joking. He laughed. That had to be a most special feeling and it will be cherished forever. The Convocation was wonderful and so meaningful for my daughter’s as this was their first visit to Clarkson and to meet Tony and Karen.
I want to thank Tony for how he has helped Clarkson be what it is today and for making me feel proud and honored to be a part of the family.. His dedication, commitment, leadership and passion has put us on the map. They often say everyone can be replaced but I have been a solid believer that some people CANNOT be.
I send best wishes to Tony and Karen in their new life of retirement.
I
Category:Thank You
Thank You
Schuyler Meyer ’19
Thank you for all that you have done!
(Photo from 2019 Commencement)
Category:“I will have you teach the catering staff how to cook your home country rice and beans”
“I will have you teach the catering staff how to cook your home country rice and beans”
Joanina Gicobi ‘015
I had showed up for my monthly meeting with President Collins and he wanted to know how I was settling in and whether I liked the American food. As a 19 year-old Kenyan dealing with some cold (this was September and I thought it was cold!) and culture shock, I told him “I am having a hard time getting used to the American food.” He asked me, “what is your favorite Kenyan food?” I said, “rice and beans”. He then said “I will have you teach the catering staff how to cook rice and beans and you can just call them an hour before dinner time and they will make this for you.” We then walked to then “Rubro” cafeteria where I showed them and wrote a recipe on how to make the Kenyan rice and beans. This is how I survived fall 2011 at Clarkson as a freshman. With time I got to like the food here but I could not have had a smooth transition without Pres. Collins intervention. He truly cared for me.
I do with you and Karen all the best.
Joanina.
Category:Thank you
Thank you
Meghan MacLean ’06
Dear Tony and Karen Collins,
Thank you so much for not only your support for me as a student while I was at Clarkson, but also thank you so much for your friendship with and unending kindness toward my grandparents, Ron and Doris Frazer. They always spoke of you so fondly and loved seeing you at hockey games!
Wishing you well and many adventures in your retirement.
Best,
Meg Graham MacLean
Category:Thanks for all you have done
Thanks for all you have done
Tim LaLonde ’78
Tony & Karen-
There are so many highlights of your tenure at Clarkson so I won’t attempt to summarize. As a former alumni association leader, I enjoyed being the President in the exciting beginning of your Presidency and appreciated your support for our intiatives. As a parent, I still have the hand written notes you both included on a Christmas letter with regard to our son Tim. It seems like just a few years ago when we stood with the Trustees on the cleared land that soon became Foster House.
Thank you for all that you both have done for Clarkson. Mary and I wish you and your family good health and all the best in your next chapter.
Category:Great Leadership, Well Deserved Accolades!
Great Leadership, Well Deserved Accolades!
Peggy Orosz – Hewitt ’81
Congratulations on beginning your next chapter. Rich and I wish you and your wife long, happy and healthy post Clarkson endeavors. Although your career spanned most of the years after our graduation, we were fortunate to meet you both at several Clarkson cocktail events at your lovely home and a few other events outside of the Clarkson campus. We have appreciated your leadership to grow Clarkson into a very robust and reputable institution. Best wishes, and perhaps our paths will cross again. Enjoy.
Category:Meeting Tony & Karen
Meeting Tony & Karen
Andrew Pucci ’07
When I was a freshman, my family and I sat down at a move-in lunch on Cheel Lawn. Shortly after, we were joined by a couple and struck up a conversation. A few minutes into the conversation, my parents asked the couple what their child would be studying at Clarkson. At that point, Karen replied, “well, Tony is starting his first year as President here.” We had no idea we were sharing a meal with the President of the university! Every interaction I’ve had with Tony since has been just as genuine. As a student, I especially appreciated that he and Karen regularly came to the women’s hockey games (and not just because they tended to send a pizza or two our way as we cheered on the team). It was nice to know that they both cared so much about the Clarkson community. They leave a powerful legacy that will be tough to live up to!
Category:Foster House
Foster House
Derrick Schwab ’20
Hi Tony,
Thank you for making Clarkson University such an amazing place. I truly enjoyed all 4 years I spent there.
One memory that comes to mind was the senior class gift Foster House party. Everyone who donated to the senior class gift was invited to the Foster House for drinks and appetizers. My friends and I had an amazing time at this event in 2019, we were all bummed when the 2020 event was canceled due to COVID. It was great to talk with you on a personal level. You were a great president and an even greater person.
Wishing you all the best in your future.
Let’s go Tech!
Derrick Schwab 2020
Category:Thanks for the gardens
Thanks for the gardens
Tom Basso ’74
Tony and Karen,
First, thanks to the Golden Knight reception at your house that I was invited to, I was able to see Karen’s fine work on the garden there. When visiting the Basso patio of the Student Center, that my wife, Brenda and I donated, I noticed minimal chairs, zero landscaping and way too much grass to cut. I combined the two events in my mind and suggested the garden behind the student union and Karen, who is a driving force in her own right, pushed the project. Once Tony was completely on board, Ginny’s Garden, named after Ginny Clarkson, became a reality, and I love the way it turned out. It makes the student center so much more comfortable feeling when the weather permits. And with potential students frequently visiting in their summer vacations to check out the school, it showcases the back of the building and center of the “Collings Campus” nicely. Thanks for both of you for your efforts over the years in Clarkson’s behalf. Have the best of times ahead as you tackle “retirement”!
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