Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service recognizes individuals whose long history of service to the campus, State University, local community or professional societies/organizations sets them apart, as well as those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in local or system-wide faculty governance. The awards were handed out during an Oct. 27 ceremony.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering Frank M. Cardullo, who joined the Binghamton faculty in 1980, has provided exemplary service in aircraft and vehicle control and simulation. Founder of the SUNY Short Course on Flight and Ground Vehicle Simulation, held annually since 1983, he holds a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from Boston University and a master of science degree in applied mathematics from Binghamton. His vision has placed Binghamton University at the epicenter of his field. His leadership and wisdom have guided his participation on University committees and a number of initiatives that have helped establish the strong, positive reputation of the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science. His in-depth knowledge of policies and guidelines highlights his University service. Called a pillar of strength, integrity, good judgment and dependability, he has helped ensure that the Binghamton region continues to be well known in the field of flight simulation. He is active in professional associations, is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and has been an expert witness for international firms and an expert panelist for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration. He was recognized with the AIAA deFlorez Medal, the highest honor for individual achievement in the application of flight simulation to aerospace training. His community service also knows no bounds and includes extensive commitments as a member and chair of the Broome County Environmental Management Council, special advisor to the Edwin A. Link Foundation Board of Trustees and many other community organizations.

John W. Frazier, professor of geography, directs the GIS Facility, which fosters the educated use of geographical information systems and global positioning systems technologies for basic and applied research. He earned his bachelor of science degree and his PhD in geography from Kent State University. Since he arrived at Binghamton University in 1976, he has taken on every leadership role in his department. He listens carefully and creates action plans that solve problems and improve situations. Among his many contributions, he has established his department’s internship program; developed new courses, including ones on diversity and multiculturalism; and reached out to collaborate on projects that benefit students, the campus and the local area for agencies including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority. His commitment to helping make informed decisions and to supporting minorities in academe is unwavering. He is founder of the intellectually rigorous Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference, held biennially to bring geographers and other social scientists together to discuss issues of race and ethnicity, and founder of the Applied Geography Conference, held annually for more than 30 years. He has focused on recruiting and developing the talents of students and faculty of color and serves as a Ronald McNair Scholars Program mentor. Known as a true source of inspiration and a leader, he sees past the discipline of geography itself to how it can benefit students, the campus, the greater community and the world.

Professor of Political Science Michael D. McDonald joined Binghamton University in 1986 after earning his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Wilkes College and his doctorate in political science from Florida State University. A leader in his discipline, he has been called “the glue” that held his department together during major transitions and he is credited with shaping the collegial and cooperative environment prevalent among his peers. Having held virtually every leadership position within his department, some concurrently and for multiple terms, his vision and abilities have set the stage for the department’s success at national and international levels. He has dedicated countless hours to establishing international connections for his department and the campus, playing a pivotal role in creating the Dual-Degree Program for Turkish students, and serving as the department’s liaison for the program. He also has played a principal role in creation of the Dual-Diploma Master of Arts Program in Political Science/Russian Politics jointly with Moscow State Institute for International Relations, and the Center on Democratic Performance — called his brainchild. His service beyond the campus includes work on federal voting rights and analysis of Medicare spending for New York state. His work is a model for experts in the field of voting rights and he has assisted on voting rights cases in more than a half-dozen states. His expert testimony in the area of election analysis in a Town of Hempstead (N.Y.) case was key to a judge’s findings that African Americans were precluded from being elected to public office there.