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May 2, 2019Two to Receive Clarkson University Inspirational Educator Award
Two educators nominated by Clarkson University students will be honored as the 2019 Clarkson University Inspirational Educators.
The award recognizes these educators for their lasting impact on their students and in their fields of education.
Christopher Palmer, formerly a choral director and music education teacher and currently the principal at Monticello Elementary School in Monticello, N.Y., was nominated by former student Mallory Keough of Monticello, a senior engineering and management major at Clarkson.
“Mr. Palmer is a huge reason I have been as successful as I have been at Clarkson University over the last four years,” said Keough in nominating Palmer. “He always pushed me to the better version of me that he knew I had inside of me academically. However, he also reminded me every day how important it was to be well-rounded and do things that make me happy. He is one of the reasons I danced, sang, acted, and played sports. He helped encourage me to truly push my academic knowledge to the next level to join a SPEED team and compete using the knowledge I have learned at Clarkson. Without him, I wouldn’t have pushed myself to obtain any of these feats.”
Darlene Baker of East Syracuse, N.Y., a business department chair and DECA advisor at East Syracuse Minoa Central High School in East Syracuse, N.Y., was nominated by former student Connor Bayly of East Syracuse, a senior financial information and analysis major at Clarkson.
“She drove my decision to go towards business,” said Bayly in nominating Baker. “My life definitely wouldn’t be the same without her impact early on. She taught me to be dedicated, to give back to the community, and never give up. Her impact opened up the world of business. It encouraged me to join professional organizations. This led to networking and my ability to do two great co-ops. She taught us to strive for success, and I have done just that at Clarkson. Her dedication to students and their success was unparalleled to other teachers.”
Each year, Clarkson asks its seniors to nominate the educators who have significantly affected their lives and helped guide their higher education and career decisions. The educators will be honored on campus during Clarkson’s spring commencement weekend ceremonies.
As a private, national research university, Clarkson is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation. We ignite personal connections across academic fields and industries to create the entrepreneurial mindset, knowledge and intellectual curiosity needed to innovate world-relevant solutions and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. With its main campus located in Potsdam, N.Y., and additional graduate program and research facilities in the New York Capital Region, Beacon, N.Y., and New York City, Clarkson educates 4,300 students across 95 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, the arts, education, sciences and health professions. Our alumni earn salaries that are among the top 2.5% in the nation and realize accelerated career growth. One in five already leads as a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company.
Photo caption: Each year, Clarkson University asks its seniors to nominate the educators who have significantly affected their lives and helped guide their higher education and career decisions. The educators will be honored on campus during Clarkson’s commencement weekend ceremonies.
[A photograph for media use is available at https://www.clarkson.edu/sites/default/files/media/image/2019-05/commencement-2018.jpg]
[News directors and editors: For more information, contact Melissa Lindell, Director of Media Relations, at 315-268-6716 or mlindell@clarkson.edu.]
