New York Conference on Asian Studies creates award to honor New Paltz professor

Ronald G. Knapp

NEW PALTZ —The New York Conference on Asian Studies (NYCAS) has created the Ronald G. Knapp Award for Distinguished Service to Asian Studies in New York State, in recognition of the work of its long-time executive secretary and emeritus SUNY Distinguished Professor at New Paltz, Ronald Knapp. Knapp became the first recipient of the award at the annual NYCAS meeting at Binghamton University on Sept. 27-28.

Knapp served as executive secretary of NYCAS from 1999 to 2013 and was active in the organization for decades. As executive secretary, he worked with colleagues around the state to organize the annual meeting, increase participation, and maintain the stability of NYCAS, which is recognized as one of the strongest of the regional associations affiliated with the Association for Asian Studies. He was a core member of the Asian Studies Program at New Paltz, serving from 1982-83 as director of the Office of International Education and becoming a SUNY Distinguished Professor in 1998. He authored numerous books and articles and is known as one of the world’s experts on vernacular Chinese architecture.

“The scholarly career of Dr. Ronald G. Knapp is notable for excellence not only in research and teaching, but also in service to fellow Asianists across New York State. For this reason, the Executive Board of NYCAS has established an award in his honor to recognize outstanding contributions in support of Asian Studies in the state,” explained a press release from NYCAS announcing the award.