At the conclusion of the 1998 school year, UB surveyed graduating students to find which professors, staff members or administrators had the greatest effect on the student body. Those nominated - nearly 200 in total - were honored in a ceremony Feb. 21 in the Student Union social hall.
The survey contained numerous questions, one of which asked students to identify the most influential person in their years at UB. After receiving an encouraging response, Dan Ryan, director of career planning and placement, spoke with alumni and set up a recognition ceremony.
Of the many named, three - Jo Schweitzer, Dean Millar and Melissa Ruggiero - were specially recognized for receiving multiple nominations from students who specifically identified them as making a positive influence in their college career.
Schweitzer, clinical assistant professor in the department of occupational therapy, was recognized first for receiving more than a dozen nominations, but was unable to attend to personally receive her plaque.
Millar, assistant dean for corporate relations in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, was also repeatedly mentioned by students in the survey. "I am no more worthy of this than any of you, but I am deeply honored."
Ruggiero, senior career planning and development associate from career planning and placement, was recognized for having a significant impact on former students.
"There are people on this list that have made a positive influence for me when I was a student here at UB, and now I am among these names, and there is no greater honor," Ruggiero told the audience.
Phillip Stevens Jr., associate professor in the department of anthropology, also was touched by the commendation. "It is nice to know that we are appreciated for our hard work, and this is something that I would like to see in years to come."
Stevens is a 30-year veteran and put his own children through UB. He tells his students at the end of the semester that he will miss them, because "you become friends and when they leave, they never look back, and we always think about them."
"A well-deserved recognition is nice," said David Leal, assistant professor of political science, who said this reminded him of one of many reasons he chose teaching as his career.
In addition to the nominees, several students, professors and staff attended the ceremony to demonstrate their appreciation. A former student of Elaine Bartkowiak, a lecturer in the Early Childhood Research Center, went to show her support for the teacher who had made a difference in her life.
Bartkowiak said it was possible to get just as close to a large group as a small group, citing the time at the end of last semester that her class went to Duffs for chicken wings. According to Bartkowiak, the group had a great time and formed rewarding relationships in the course of the class.
Elizabeth Chiavetta, a math major, said, "There are professors who tend to refer to us as numbers and not by first names, and it is nice to know that there are those few who take the time and make a difference in students' lives and deserve this special recognition."
