The Voice is pleased to recognize three members who were recently appointed to distinguished ranks by the SUNY?Board of Trustees.

• Mark Aronoff of Stony Brook is a leader in the field of linguistics. In addition to extensive writing on morphology—the study of the internal structure of words—he is one of four linguists studying an emerging Bedouin sign language.

He is president of the Linguistic Society of America and editor of its journal, Language. He is also a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science.

• Ronald Toseland, director of UAlbany’s Institute of Gerontology, is known internationally for his seminal scholarship in gerontology; An Introduction to Group Work Practice is widely regarded as the most reliable text on the subject. His research has attracted more than $10 million in grants, and he is one of several inaugural fellows inducted into the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Aronoff and Toseland were granted the rank of distinguished professor, which is conferred on individuals who have achieved national or international prominence and a distinguished reputation within their chosen field.

• Distinguished Teaching Professor Mary Jane Giarrusso-Wilkin of Delhi is considered the quintessential mentor. As chair of the nursing department for 13 years, she has been recognized for developing an associate degree nursing program at SUNY?Delhi, instituting “Teddy Bear Clinics” for pre-schoolers, designing an International Service Learning course for students, and as a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The distinguished teaching professorship honors mastery of teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional levels.

— Karen L. Mattison