Buffalo News (New York), February 25, 2007, Sunday

Copyright 2007 The Buffalo News

All Rights Reserved

Buffalo News (New York)

February 25, 2007 Sunday

NIAGARA EDITION

SECTION: NIAGARA WEEK; Pg. NC2

LENGTH: 643 words

HEADLINE: Niagara Honor Roll / Achievers and achievements

BODY:

*Six professors have been granted emeritus status by the Niagara County Community College board of trustees.

Paul Dominick, Patricia Evans, Paul Ferington, Anthony Gullo, Eric Knuutila and Michael Ryan were recognized by the board last month.

"The title of professor emeritus is recognized as the highest honor that we can bestow upon a faculty member after retirement," said NCCC board Chairwoman Joan Wolfgang. "It is awarded to retired faculty who have attained the rank of full professor and have served the college for a period of not less than 15 years' continuous service and distinguished themselves in service to the college and its students."

A professor of anthropology and linguistics, Dominick, of Lewiston, was nominated for Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching six times, was awarded the President's Excellence in Teaching Award in 1988 and was named Professor of the Year in 1989. He taught at NCCC for 30 years and served on several school-related boards.

Evans, of Lockport, joined the NCCC faculty in 1986. She designed, implemented and coordinated the Human Services AA Degree program at NCCC. She received the 1995 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 1994 NCCC President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 1991 National Academy Advising Association's Certificate of Merit. She is also the recipient of Niagara Hospice's Patricia L. Evans Founders Award, named in her honor for her founding of, and volunteer service with, Hospice.

Ferington, of Lockport, joined the NCCC faculty in 1973 as an instructor of music. He served as coordinator of the music department, chairman of the Fine Arts Division, coordinator of Title III grants, acting vice president of academic affairs, dean of academic affairs, dean of academic and student affairs, dean of academic affairs and strategic planning, executive vice president and dean of academic affairs and interim acting president when needed. He received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2005.

Gullo, of Lockport, joined the NCCC faculty in 1967 as instructor of anthropology. He served the college as chairman of the Social Sciences Division since 1984. He served as president of the NCCC Faculty Association and was a member of the President's Cabinet for 30 years. He was the originator and coordinator of the NCCC/Cornell University Labor Studies program offered at NCCC from 1982 to 1990. He was also instrumental in working with the Tuscarora Nation as a member of the Tuscarora Committee and originator of the Tuscarora Program, which resulted in the sixth highest native American student enrollment in higher education in the United States (Chronicle of Higher Education, 1985). Among his numerous honors and awards is the 2004 Tuscarora Indian Nation Award. He was the recipient of the 1996 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Knuutila, of Lockport, joined NCCC as a professor of physical education in 1973 and became the first and only wrestling coach in the program's history. During his 32 years of service to the college, he has served as a professor, assistant athletic director, athletic director and coach of wrestling and golf. During that time, he has piled up numerous awards, including being named the Region III Coach of the Year on 11 occasions. He is second on the NJCAA coaches list for the most wins, and NCCC has won four national championships and 12 regional titles under his leadership.

Ryan, of North Tonawanda, joined the college in 1967. He took on his first leadership role in September 1974, serving as coordinator of the sociology department. He later served as Business Education Division chairman for five years and department coordinator for 23 years. He also served as a counselor to new faculty and developed and taught two SUNY Learning Network online business law courses for NCCC.

GRAPHIC: NCCC has honored Eric Knuutila and five others.