Wallace Receives Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service

Buffalo's Director of Athlete Academic Services recognized for service to the University

BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo Director of Athlete Academic Services Dr. Stephen Wallace has received the prestigious State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. The award, instituted in 1977, provides "SUNY-wide recognition for superlative performance and outstanding achievement by professional service employees."

Dr. Stephen Wallace

Wallace was nominated to receive the award by Mary Gresham, Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Vice President for Public Service and Urban Affairs, for his work with UB's student-athletes, coaches and university personnel to ensure academic success and the educational and personal development of all student-athletes at the University.

Recipients of the Chancellor's Award must be serving in full-time professional capacities with more than half of their assignment in non-teaching services, and they must have completed at least three years of continuous full-time professional service in that position. They are described as individuals "who embody SUNY's highest standards and who inspire and serve as role models for the entire university community," and "who have repeatedly sought improvement of themselves, their campuses and ultimately the State University and in so doing, have transcended the normal definitions of excellence." The prestigious award is the highest honor for professional staff members within the State University system, and Wallace is the third athletic department staff member to receive the award in the last five years. Head men's swimming and diving coach Budd Termin received the honor in 2001 and former Athletic Director Nelson E. Townsend was honored in 1998.

Wallace has 34 years of service to the University and 19 working directly with student-athletes. After serving as an Undergraduate Academic Advisor for math, science and engineering from 1968 to 1973, he then became the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Academic Advisement for the next 10 years, during which time he established an Academic Advising Outreach Program. Then in 1983, Wallace became the Director of Academic Services for UB's Division of Athletics, and he proceeded to create the Office of Athlete Academic Services which offers a comprehensive program of academic advising and support to over 500 student-athletes. Wallace has seen his office grow to five full-time professional staff, a director and three graduate assistants who provide a wide variety of academic and student support services.

"Throughout the University's transition to NCAA Division I competition, Steve has continued to provide advisement and guidance to the thousands of student-athletes who have passed through his door," said Bill Maher, Associate Director of Athletics and Wallace's supervisor. "While the landscape has changed over the course of his tenure at UB, the need for accurate guidance and complete information has remained a constant. In every instance, Steve has ensured this standard is met for our student-athletes through his consistent service to this University. The University at Buffalo is a better institution for having had the services of Steve as a professional staff member."

Among his many duties, Wallace is responsible for creating and maintaining an academic advising program that identifies the academic needs of UB's student-athletes and guides them to academic success with the ultimate goal of earning a baccalaureate degree. He is also responsible for identifying students with academic difficulties, being knowledgeable of all NCAA, Mid-American Conference and institutional rules and regulations required to ensure student-athlete eligibility and academic success, directing the Division's mentoring programs in support of academic and social development initiatives, overseeing the athlete tutorial program and the CHAMPS/LifeSkills program and maintaining a consistent increase in overall grade point average and graduation rates for the overall student-athlete population at UB. Buffalo's men's and women's swimming and diving programs have both achieved the top team grade point average in the nation in Division I and UB's student-athletes have graduated at an 82% rate throughout the 1990s, providing evidence of the impact that Wallace and his staff have had on UB's student-athletes' academic performance.

Wallace holds two degrees from the University at Buffalo, a Master's of Education in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior. He is also active in community service and sits on various academic and community committees.

"He has been the quintessential advisor, teacher and supporter of the students with whom/for whom he has worked over his decades of service to the University at Buffalo," said Joanne Plunkett, Assistant Vice Provost, in support of Wallace's nomination. "Steve uses his vast understanding of the human spirit, his expertise on University policies and procedures, his substantial knowledge of the academy and the world beyond it, his incredible wit and unbridled humor to meet the needs of our students."

Wallace and the other recipients of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service were honored at the Professional Staff Senate luncheon on May 15.

06/20/2002