Three Faculty/Staff Members Receive Chancellor's Award for Excellence

Dr. Nancy Elwess, associate professor of biology, is the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching while Dr. Donald Adams, professor of earth and environmental science, is the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.

Dr. Kathleen Camelo, director of the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services, is the recipient for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Elwess joined the faculty in 1998 following a senior research fellow appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Mayo Clinic. She holds a bachelor's in zoology from Eastern Illinois University, a master's in science education from Governors State University, a master's in biology from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Vermont.

"Dr. Elwess is an exceptional teacher who engages and challenges her students to stretch and grow as learners," said Dr. John Clark, interim president. "She is creative, enthusiastic and is available and accessible to her students and colleagues. Dr. Elwess personifies the values and criteria for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching."

Elwess has co-authored nine articles and four abstracts with students in her five years at Plattsburgh, given 20 invited presentations and sponsored numerous student presentations at local, regional and national conferences, including the National Association of Biology Teachers. Her teaching load covers general biology, general genetics, bioinformatics, communicating biology and an honors course on bioethics and biotechnology.

Adams joined the faculty in 1982 coming from Wright State University in Ohio. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Whitworth College in Washington, his master's degree in chemical oceanography from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in oceanography from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Over the course of his academic career, Adams has become a nationally and internationally recognized researcher on greenhouse gases and global climate change. He engages in research, lectures and teaching at colleges and universities around the world and has received 30 fellowships to engage in these activities.

Adams has also co-edited three books and has published numerous articles in more than 20 peer-reviewed journals, abstracts and conference proceedings and reports.

"Dr. Adams has been described as a pioneer," said Clark. "He has been hailed by scholars throughout the United States and internationally for his record of scholarly productivity, and for his service to the field of limnology and environmental science. Dr. Adams is also an engaged teacher who encourages and supports students to explore their own research questions."

Camelo joined the Plattsburgh State community in 1993 as medical director for the Student Health Service. Prior to her appointment, Camelo had attained partnership status at Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Center in San Diego.
She had also served as a primary care physician in Plattsburgh from 1989 to 1990. She received her bachelor's from LeMoyne College, her M.D. from SUNY Buffalo and completed her family practice residency at United Health Service in Johnson City, N.Y.

"Respected and dedicated, Dr. Camelo is thoroughly professional in all that she does," said Clark. "She reaches across the campus to create and foster a healthy learning and work environment and has affected the lives of thousands of student patients, her staff and our local community."

Camelo has written or co-authored two grants in the past two years - The Healthy Campus Community Project Grant and a Violence Against Women Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. She serves on numerous campus committees in addition to the New York State College Health Association. She presents at regional conferences within her field and organizes workshops and presentations locally and on campus.

The recipients will be recognized during Spring Commencement at Plattsburgh State on Saturday, May 15 at 11 p.m. in the Field House.

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