Two SUNY New Paltz professors appointed to elite rank of distinguished professor

NEW PALTZ — Two mathematics professors at SUNY New Paltz have been appointed to the elite rank of distinguished professor — the state university’s highest faculty designation. Dr. David M. Clark and Dr. Michael Adams received two of only seven appointments given throughout the SUNY system this year.

The distinguished professor designation is conferred on individuals who have achieved national or international prominence and a distinguished reputation within a chosen field. The candidate’s work must be of such character that the individual’s presence will tend to elevate the standards of colleagues both within and beyond the person’s academic field.

For the past 31 years, Clark has published ground-breaking research, and brought successful, innovative teaching and academic leadership to New Paltz. His primary research is universal algebra, branching off into model theory and the theory of natural dualities. Clark has a broad interest in research topics in unfamiliar fields and has prompted attention and further studies in these areas.

As a result of Clark’s scientific curiosity and inquiry, he has been recognized with a U.S. patent in the field of neutral networks. Additionally, Clark has an excellent reputation, both nationally and internationally, receiving multiple travel grants to carry out research projects in Germany, Portugal, United Kingdom, Hungary, Switzerland, Canada and Australia.

“I am most grateful for the many and varied opportunities it (SUNY New Paltz) has given me to fulfill my research potential while contributing to the education of all the young people who now follow me,” said Clark.

Dr. Michael Adams, a mathematics professor at SUNY New Paltz for the past 24 years, has researched extensively and has had articles published in the most rigorous and prestigious journals. Adam’s research findings are referenced repeatedly in encyclopedic texts and in summary articles written by experts in the field.

Adams has enriched the world’s understanding of lattice theory and universal algebra, with an emphasis on problems of representations and structure. His expertise on this subject has been sought in more than 20 national and international mathematical journals. Of special benefit to SUNY has been Adams’s ability to attract more than a dozen world-renowned mathematicians to New Paltz for lectures of interest to all faculty and students.

Adams has served as a volunteer instructor for the Educational Opportunity Program and as an instructor in the Science and Technology Entry Program, a residence program for underprivileged, talented high school students.

“I truly appreciate my research being honored in this way by SUNY and my colleagues,” said Adams. “Active research is vital to the health of any university, and I am particularly pleased that public higher education in New York state recognizes this by giving these awards.”

Note to editors: Photographs of Dr. David M. Clark and Dr. Michael Adams may be downloaded from the SUNY New Paltz Web site at http://www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/clarkadams.html.