Published: May 06, 2008 04:15 am         

Three at Delhi to get Chancellor's Awards

Three faculty and staff members at the State University College of Technology at Delhi have received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence, the university's most prestigious honor. Thomas Recinella, associate professor of culinary arts, Jamie Rotter, assistant professor of culinary arts, and Joan Townsend, personnel associate, will be presented their awards at the college's Employee Appreciation Ceremony on the SUNY Delhi campus on May 21.

"We are extremely proud to honor these outstanding faculty and staff. It is their hard work and dedication that sets them apart and makes them distinguished members of the SUNY system," said SUNY Delhi President Candace S. Vancko.

Recinella is the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has served as manager of SUNY Delhi's award-winning junior hot food team since 1999 when he began teaching at Delhi. The team has won the American Culinary Federation New York State Championship eight of the last nine years, and the ACF Northeast Region Championship three out of the seven years, making Delhi the only New York state college to win regionals in the event's 18-year history. In addition, Recinella has led the team three times to the national competition.

Recinella was named "National Educator of the Year" by the American Culinary Federation in 2003 and earned the top award for cold food cookery at the Italian National Culinary Exposition in 2006 as a member of the New York State Culinary Olympic Team. He was awarded the 2002 ACF Presidential Medallion for the Northeast Region, and was invited to serve on the New York State Olympic Culinary team and to compete in Germany. Recinella is also a member of the American Academy of Chefs.

Recinella is involved with professional organizations such as American Culinary Federation, American Academy of Chefs, World Association of Chefs Society and National Ice Carving Association. He has been an officer for the ACF Southern Tier Chefs Association and the ACF Chefs and Cooks of the Catskill Mountains. He has also been the Northeast Region Certification Chair for the ACF National Certification Committee. Recinella is one of only 110 certified judges of culinary competitions in the United States and is a certified practical test administrator. Outside of the classroom, Recinella is involved in numerous campus and community activities.

Rotter is the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. He began his career at Delhi in 1997. Following graduation, he became campus dining hall manager. He joined the hospitality management faculty full time in 2003.

Rotter serves as an adviser for the International Food Service Executives Association and Delta Theta Gamma, a recognized campus fraternity. In addition, Rotter assists many other student organizations and helps Delhi's hot food team prepare for competitions. He initiated the annual chili cook-off as part of the college's Winterfest, and co-chairs the regional culinary competition for the Skills USA event held on the campus each year.

Rotter sits on the Scholastic Standing Committee and the Student Conduct Council, and has been involved in curriculum development for the hospitality management bachelor's degree program. He also developed a comprehensive wine program as part of the Signatures by Candlelight class so that students may gain real-world experience making selections for a restaurant wine list.

Rotter has served as guest chef in hospitality management classes and has also taught small business management and financial accounting.

Rotter is a certified executive chef and member of the American Culinary Federation. He is the treasurer for the Chefs and Cooks of the Catskill Mountains. He has served as culinary show chairman for culinary competitions at the college, hosting the American Culinary Federation New York State Championship twice.

Townsend is the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. She began her career in 1968 at SUNY Delhi as a stenographer in the personnel section of the college business office. She earned promotions to senior typist in 1982, senior stenographer in 1986, secretary 1 in 1991 and principal clerk in 1992. Throughout these years, Townsend took on additional responsibilities as her knowledge grew, and earned a promotion to SUNY Delhi's professional staff as personnel associate in 2004.

Townsend is involved in all aspects of human resources management on the Delhi campus. She serves as the assistant director of the human resources and affirmative action office. Her responsibilities include administering benefits programs, supervising the Human Resources Office staff, assisting in the administration of contracts for all bargaining units, supervising the maintenance of employee records, overseeing payroll, maintaining time and attendance and leave accruals, assisting with recruitment and orientation of new faculty and staff, providing service to the college's employees.

Townsend mentors dozens in understanding SUNY, the civil service system and New York state programs and regulations. A campus resource for supervisors, directors, managers, administrators and administrative support staff, Townsend shares her knowledge with colleagues on other campuses who may need assistance and provides that same high level of support to student employees, presenters said.

Townsend has earned recognition for her professional performance as the recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in the Classified Service in 1982 and the President's Classified Service Award for Exceptional Merit in 1988. Her leadership and penchant for accuracy led to SUNY Delhi being honored with a payroll award recognizing distinguished performance by the Office of the New York State Controller in 2005, presenters said.

Townsend is a founding member and board president of the Delhi Campus Child Care Center and regularly volunteers to assist sports competitions, the college's Family Day event, the annual Alumni Weekend and the Skills USA competition. Townsend also provides assistance with the college's United Way campaign and has served on the board of directors for the United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties.