Faculty and staff awards, honors, and appointments

Congratulations to the following faculty and staff members for their notable awards, honors, and appointments and promotions:

Joanne Aguilera (Human Resources) has been appointed Clerk 2.

Justin Bassignani (IT/Computer Services) has been appointed Linux Systems Administrator.

Joan Barker (Art Department ) is participating in “Street Dressing,” an exhibition of photographs and mixed media with Allison Constant, a former student (’12).The exhibition opens Oct. 4 and runs through Oct.26 at the Artbar Gallery in Kingston, N.Y. Barker and Constant have collaborated to celebrate art, education and the contribution the arts are making to the revitalization of the Kingston community. Barker’s photographs reflect on the form and function of the eroding surfaces of streets, sidewalks and parking lots, while Constant explores the impact of materials such as hot glue, string and paint as they melt, crack and regenerate surfaces. The color, texture, signs and symbols that are used to dress the street inspire both artists. Through individual and collaborative images, each artist looks at decorated or “dressed” paved surfaces as textured canvases where wheels, workers, pedestrian and the forces of nature leave their mark.

Brittney Dixon (Athletics, Wellness and Recreation) has been appointed Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation.

Kenneth Edenhofer (Residence Life) has been appointed Complex Director.

Howard Good (Digital Media & Journalism) will soon release “Dying Words,” a collection of poetry. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.

Jacqueline LaFalce (Development & Alumni Relations) has been appointed Annual Giving Officer.

Frank Mergendahl (Custodial) has been appointed part-time cleaner.

Joleen McInnis (Library) has been appointed Reference Librarian.

Sarah Melvin (Residence Life) has been appointed Complex Director.

Associate Professor Tom Meyer (Secondary Education) has received a $60,000 grant from Irving Harris Foundation for his project titled, “Irving Harris Foundation Challenge Grant 2014-16”.

Robert Miraldi‘s (Digital Media & Journalism) book, “Seymour Hersh: Scoop Artist,” has been named the best journalism biography in the U.S. for 2013. He will receive the Ann Sperber Award for the book on Nov. 19 at Fordham University.

Neil Trager Director Sara Pasti (The Dorsky) has received a $10,000 grant from Hudson River Valley Greenway / National Heritage Area for her project titled, “Hudson Valley Visual Art Collections Consortium Planning Project.”

Lucas Palmateer (University Police) has been appointed University Police Officer 1.

Members of Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and Pianist Alex Peh , assistant professor of music at SUNY New Paltz, will perform Beethoven Trio in B-flat. op. 11 for Clarinet, Cello and Piano on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/live/ to watch a live broadcast of the performance.

Kiera Poindexter (Geology) has been appointed Secretary 1.

Steven Posada ’12 (Development & Alumni Relations) has been appointed Alumni Relations Officer.

Associate Professor Mary Sawyer (Secondary Education) has received a $20,000 grant from National Writing Project Corporation for her project titled, “2014-15 NWP SEED Professional Development in a High-Need School.”

Erin Stewart (Economics and Political Science/International Relations) has been appointed Secretary 1.

Martha Tech (History/Philosophy) has been appointed Secretary 1.

Amy Tully (Psychological Counseling Center) has been appointed Senior Counselor.

Robin Weinstein  (Office of Communication & Marketing) has been appointed Photographer/Videographer.