The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Mary A. Durlak

Jill M. Norvilitis, associate professor of psychology, and Margaret E. Schrembs, secretary I in College Relations, have been honored with SUNY Chancellor’s Awards.

The awards will be formally presented to Norvilitis and Schrembs during the college’s 23rd annual Academic Convocation ceremony on September 16 in Rockwell Hall Auditorium.

Norvilitis received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of the outstanding skills she brings to her classroom. She has taught 12 different courses and used a variety of techniques to ensure that her students are engaged and enthusiastic learners. Although her classes are demonstrably challenging, students consistently identify her as an effective teacher.

Outside the classroom, Norvilitis continues to be an invaluable resource to her students by her service as director for more than 40 independent studies, chair for 11 honors thesis committees, and as a mentor and adviser who is acclaimed by students. Her commitment to teaching is underscored by her recent appointments as, respectively, a Carnegie Academy of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellow, and a Volunteer and Service Learning Fellow.

In addition to her active involvement with her students, Norvilitis is a highly productive, exceptional scholar with 20 publications in refereed journals and three papers submitted for publications. In addition, she has encouraged her students to pursue original research, and her students have presented 50 poster sessions at the college’s annual Undergraduate Research and Creativity Celebration. She has also mentored students in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

Norvilitis joined Buffalo State as an assistant professor of psychology in 1997, and she was promoted to associate professor in 2003. She has been an active member of the campus at large as well as of the Psychology Department, serving on many committees and in many volunteer capacities.

Schrembs received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. She started her career with SUNY at Cortland State in 1981, and has worked at Buffalo State for the last 15 years. As secretary I in College Relations, she has combined the highest degree of professionalism with an unflappable, can-do manner—all the while maintaining good humor.

As the sole support person in an office of 15 professional staff in an office that deals with campus emergencies, constant deadlines, and demanding clients, Schrembs has demonstrated flexibility, discretion, and a willingness to reach the highest level of achievement. She plays a prominent role in assisting public relations staff by arranging meetings of the Media Alumni Advisory Board, which includes top TV and print reporters. This assignment requires patience and tact to accommodate the conflicting schedules of the participants.

Her talents and skills include in-depth knowledge of New York State’s purchasing regulations. She efficiently set up blanket purchase orders for creative services including photographers, graphic artists, and outside vendors so that College Relations can respond quickly to campus demands.

A lifelong learner who is adept with new technology, Schrembs has mastered not only standard office software but also customized databases behind several College Relations’ Web products. When the Human Resource Management Office implemented a Web-based system, Schrembs was called upon to serve on the testing and implementation team because of her expertise with the college’s recruitment and advertising program.

Her patience, discretion, and deep commitment to the mission of Buffalo State make Schrembs a key member of the College Relations team.