University at Albany

The Phi Beta Kappa Society honors the best and brightest liberal arts and sciences undergraduates from 293 top schools across the nation through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process. Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is recognized as America's most prestigious academic honor society. The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at the University at Albany, Alpha Alpha of New York, was founded in 1974 through the effort of History Professor DeWitt Ellinwood and a University Committee. Not long after, a group of dedicated UAlbany Phi Beta Kappa members at the University at Albany endowed a fund to award a prize to the highest-ranking graduating member of the Alpha Alpha chapter of New York. The founders included M.E. Grenander, James W. Corbett, Helen and Bernard Horowitz, Catherine Newbold, Kendall A. Birr, Jarka and Grayce Burian, and Mary Goggin.

The Spellman Award for Distinguished Leadership recognizes African, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American heritage students at the University at Albany who have made notable efforts to enhance the quality of life for the University community. The Award for Distinguished Leadership is presented to students or organizations who meet one or more of the following criteria: Have served as an appointed, elected or situational student leader; Planned, organized or presented successful activities and programs for a student group, club or organization; Functions and is recognized as a leader and role model by peers, faculty and administrators. The program and the awards are named in honor and memory of Seth Spellman, Jr., past dean of the University's School of Social Welfare, serving until 1980. He was also a professor and past chair of the Department of Africana Studies, which he helped establish in 1969. In 1984, Spellman was awarded the rank of Distinguished Service Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees for personifying excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and community service.

The Spellman Awards for Community Service recognizes African, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American heritage students at the University at Albany who have made notable efforts to enhance the quality of life for the University community. The Award for Outstanding Community Service is presented to students or organizations who meet one or more of the following criteria: Have demonstrated unselfish involvement in efforts to improve the quality of campus life; Dedicated considerable time and energy to worthwhile projects that benefit others; Identified by student peers, faculty and administrators as an individual or group which has consistently given of themselves to improve the University community. The program and the awards are named in honor and memory of Seth Spellman, Jr., past dean of the University's School of Social Welfare, serving until 1980. He was also a professor and past chair of the Department of Africana Studies, which he helped establish in 1969. In 1984, Spellman was awarded the rank of Distinguished Service Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees for personifying excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and community service.

Five teams from UAlbany have successfully completed the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program during the recently completed winter cohort. The teams, comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, participated in the intensive 3.5-week session, with three teams distinguishing themselves by completing 20 or more interviews during the program. The teams include six UAlbany students. The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program uses experiential education to help researchers gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship, starting a business, or exploring current industry challenges. The I-Corps Program @ UAlbany helps researchers (1) explore the market need for their work, (2) fund the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and (3) strengthen the commercialization plan of their next grant application. The cohort was led by Kelly Reardon-Sleicher, Program Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University at Albany and Micah Kotch, Partner of Blackthorn Ventures. Reardon-Sleicher leads the NSF I-Corps program at UAlbany and has more than 16 years of entrepreneurial education experience. Kotch is a seasoned instructor for the national NSF I-Corps program and a startup founder with over two decades of experience in industry and venture development and growth. A selection of standout teams from the winter cohort are: 1. Team KBS: Comprising three UAlbany students, Team KBS developed a table-top tensile tester, improving accessibility to a previously expensive and unwieldy tool used in academic training labs. 2. Team HaptiMed: Innovating in the medical field, Team HaptiMed created a haptic-enhanced laser stylus, enhancing tactile feedback for dentists and other practitioners during dental procedures. 3. Team ACES Group: ACES Group developed smart surfaces capable of bouncing high-frequency radio wave signals, enabling communication even in scenarios with no direct line of sight. Successful teams earn eligibility to apply for the National I-Corps program, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey. Other notable participants in the cohort include Team Augacero, Team Warning Project, and Team Nemesys Insights, each contributing valuable innovations to their respective fields.

UAlbany students Michelle Leon Vasquez, Tyler Jardine and Kelvin Cai are getting a first-hand look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve the lives of individuals. They are working side-by-side with the University's Center for Technology in Government (CTG UAlbany) to assist the city of Schenectady in monitoring the use of city assets.

The Spellman Awards program at the University at Albany was established in 1986 as a way to recognize and acknowledge the academic achievements of UAlbany students of African, Asian, Latino and Native American heritage. The Spellman Award for Academic Achievement is presented annually to scholars who are full-time undergraduates with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above and have been matriculated at the University for a minimum of two consecutive semesters. Top Academic Achievement Award honorees are the highest-ranking male and female recipients of African, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino and Native American heritage in their class. The program and the awards are named in honor and memory of Seth Spellman, Jr., past dean of the University's School of Social Welfare, serving until 1980. He was also a professor and past chair of the Department of Africana Studies, which he helped establish in 1969. In 1984, Spellman was awarded the rank of Distinguished Service Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees for personifying excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership and community service.

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

A team of undergraduate students from the Massry School of Business is entering new territory in the annual CFA Institute Research Challenge. Sophia Hofer, Kevin Holder, Tyler Rico, Nohl Schwandtner and Ashar Zahid took home joint first place in the CFA-New York competition, advancing the finance students to the sub-regional round, which will feature winning teams from throughout the eastern United States.

Eight UAlbany students have been recognized with the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the highest award the State University of New York bestows upon a student. Nearly 200 scholars across the 64-campus system were selected to receive awards this year, which acknowledge students for outstanding achievements and excellence within academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service and the arts. Chancellor John B. King, Jr. presented winners with a medallion at an awards ceremony on April 11 at the Albany Capital Center. UAlbany President Havidan Rodriguez and Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Christakis were also in attendance to congratulate students.

The Dean's List at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of full-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher in their first semester of study and a GPA of 3.50 or higher in subsequent semesters.

The Dean's Letter of Commendation at the University at Albany recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of part-time undergraduate students. To qualify for the Dean's Letter of Commendation, students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher in their first semester of study and a GPA of 3.50 or higher in subsequent semesters.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed all five scorers in the top 10 in cruising to a second straight team title at the 2016 Liberty League women's cross country championship Saturday at Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva, N.Y.