Three to Receive Clarkson University Inspirational Educator Award
Potsdam, NY (05/02/2022) — Three educators nominated by Clarkson University students will be honored as the 2022 Clarkson University Inspirational Educators.
The award recognizes these educators for their lasting impact on their students and in their fields of education.
Cynthia Morgan of Elba, N.Y., a mathematics teacher at Elba Central School in Elba, N.Y. was nominated by former student Jacob Perez Gangi of Elba, N.Y., a senior civil engineering major at Clarkson."Mrs. Morgan gave me the tools I needed to successfully transition from a very small, rural high school to college, and went beyond her duties as a teacher," said Gangi in nominating Morgan. "She is always willing to help any student and genuinely cares about the well-being and success of each of her students."
Susan Ryan, of Camillus, N.Y., a retired mathematics teacher at G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton, N.Y., was nominated by former student Caitlyn McAfee of Fulton, N.Y., a senior civil engineering at Clarkson.
"Mrs. Ryan is one of the primary reasons I entered engineering," said McAfee in nominating Ryan. "She helped me learn how to problem solve, not memorize solutions. She helped me fall in love with calculus and encouraged my classmates and me to think differently, and critically, and to always strive for more. I would not be the woman I am today without you." McAfee went on to say, "the way you made me love math and learning will forever stay with me. Thank you, Mrs. Ryan."
James Poirer of Ballston Lake, N.Y., a physics teacher at Ballston Spa Central School District in Ballston Spa, N.Y. was nominated by former student Julia Barnum of Ballston Lake, N.Y., a senior chemical engineering major at Clarkson.
"I would not have been in the place I am today if I hadn't taken AP physics with Mr. Poirier. He created a culture in the classroom that made students WANT to learn and INTRIGUED by the material," said Barnum in nominating Poirier. "His passion for physics rubbed off on all the students and he used the curriculum to show how physics surrounds us all in real-life applications. I cannot thank Mr. P enough for supporting our ambitions, truly listening to students, and understanding how everyday life can affect how we learn in the classroom. I would not be where I am today without his dedication to our school community."
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.
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