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Announced by Interim SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. Clark, this award is a statewide honor conferred to acknowledge and provide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence within the SUNY system. Dr. Straight is one of 228 SUNY faculty and staff from across New York to be recognized for teaching, faculty service, professional service, librarianship, scholarship or creative excellence within this year’s class.
The Chancellor’s Awards underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, librarians and professional staff across all its campuses.
Interim Chancellor Clark stated, “Each of these individuals has met and exceeded the requirements for this honor. I commend each of them for their dedication and service to their respective campuses and thank them for it.”
Individuals selected for this honor are role models within the SUNY community, and a Chancellor’s Excellence Medallion and certificate are bestowed to them to commemorate their selection.
“We are extremely proud of and delighted for Dr. Straight as he receives this coveted and well-deserved recognition,” SUNY Fredonia President Dennis L. Hefner added. “It is highly accomplished professors like Joe that keep our campus among the upper echelon in the state, and beyond.”
Dr. Straight has been a SUNY Fredonia faculty member since 1977, serving as chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science from 1998-2004. He is also an alumnus of Fredonia, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics/Secondary Education in 1973 before earning his master’s and doctoral degrees at Western Michigan University in 1976 and 1977, respectively.
He has taught dozens of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses during this span and has served in a variety of leadership positions, including the Academic Affairs Committee, Dean’s Advisory Council, Faculty Student Association Board of Directors, and the University Senate, which he chaired in 1987. He is presently the faculty advisor to Fredonia’s Mathematics Club, has served on the Board of Governors for the Mathematical Association of America, and has attained Fellow status within the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.
Dr. Straight lives in Arkwright, N.Y. with his wife, Wendy Woodbury Straight (Class of 1973).
