LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Anthony G. Collins upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Anthony G.
Collins upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York
State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by a
resolution in 2014 and is awarded to individuals who have merited
special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on
behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Anthony G. Collins earned an undergraduate civil engineering
degree from Monash University, followed by master's and doctoral degrees
from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania; prior to his doctoral studies,
he worked for both Australian Consolidated Industries and Utah Develop-
ment Company; and
WHEREAS, Upon receiving his Ph.D. in 1982, Dr. Anthony G. Collins
launched his illustrious career at Clarkson University as an Assistant
Professor of civil and environmental engineering; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently rising to the rank of Professor, Dr. Anthony G.
Collins also assumed increasing levels of administrative responsibility
including Department Chair, Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs,
and Provost; he is among the primary architects of the Vision of a
Clarkson Education which has guided evolution of the curriculum since
1995; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony G. Collins was elected the 16th President of
Clarkson University in 2003, the esteemed position he continues to hold
today; he now leads Clarkson's EVOLUTION TO EXCELLENCE, a comprehensive
strategic plan elevating the University's academic reputation, strength-
ening its financial resources, and increasing the lifetime engagement of
alumni and the greater Clarkson community; and
WHEREAS, A regional and national advocate for higher education, Dr.
Anthony G. Collins has received awards for outstanding teaching,
research, and advising; in addition, he has lectured globally, and is
the author of more than 90 professional publications; and
WHEREAS, In July of 2011, Dr. Anthony G. Collins was appointed to
serve as co-chair for the North Country Regional Economic Development
Council; he also served on a commission in November of the following
year to investigate and study utility companies' storm preparation and
management, as well as to recommend reforms to overhaul regulation of
the entire system to better deal with emergencies; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Anthony G. Collins serves as President of the Seaway
Private Equity Corporation which invests in new technology companies
based in St. Lawrence County, New York; he is also a member of
NYSERDA's Technology & Market Development Advisory Committee where he
provides technical and policy guidance to NYSERDA on energy and environ-
mental research; and

WHEREAS, In May of 2014, Dr. Anthony G. Collins was nominated to serve
on the Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corpo-
ration, and in the summer of the same year, he was recognized as a New
York State Extraordinary Broadband Leader; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of the community he so ably
serves, Dr. Anthony G. Collins is the Past Chair of the National Associ-
ation of Independent Technological Universities, and a Chair Emeritus of
New York's Commission of Independent Colleges and Universities; and
WHEREAS, Active within the Potsdam community, Dr. Anthony G. Collins
provides volunteer service to numerous organizations and youth programs;
in addition, he serves on the Boards of the CenterState Corporation for
Economic Opportunity and the NYS Business Council; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Karen, who feels priv-
ileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Anthony G. Collins continues to live his life with great
dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a deep and continuing
concern for human values and ideals; and
WHEREAS, Individuals such as Anthony G. Collins, devoted to improving
the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity
and self-worth, are deserving of the highest praise and recognition;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Anthony G. Collins upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by
the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Anthony G. Collins.