Each year, hundreds of UUPers publish books and articles, and are recognized for accomplishments on campus and in their communities. The Voice is pleased to recognize three members in this issue.

• Nichole Preston, an instructional support associate in Physical and Health Sciences at Alfred State, was among five faculty and staff to receive the college’s Pioneer Award, which recognizes people who demonstrate a commitment to the mission and goals of the college, have a positive impact on the college, and provide a high level of performance. Recipients receive a cash award of $225.

• Gerhard Falk, a professor of sociology at Buffalo State, recently authored his 19th book, The American Criminal Justice System: How It Works, How It Doesn’t and How to Fix It (Prager-Greenwood, 2010), which offers a critical analysis of the criminal justice system.

He is the author of similar hard-hitting research, including fraud among scientists, writers, academics and philanthropists, and about improper patient care and the failures within the medical profession.

Falk is a 2006 recipient of a research and scholarship award from SUNY’s Research Foundation and a 2004 President’s Award for excellence in research, scholarship and creativity.

• Bahgat Sammakia, a professor of mechanical engineering at Binghamton University, recently earned the 2010 ITherm Achievement Award in honor of his contributions to electronics, thermal and thermomechanical research, as well as his service to the electronics thermal management community. He received the award during the 12th Intersociety Conference on Thermal and Thermomechanical Phenomena in Electronic Systems.

He holds 14 U.S. patents and has published more than 150 technical papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings.

— Karen L. Mattison