Paul Leonard
Dean of the School Business
Office: BA 364 Phone: (518) 442-4910 Email: pleonard@uamail.albany.edu Paul Leonard’s nominator for the Collins Fellow Award, Professor David Smith, referred to his “…refined, statesmanlike manner and broad-minded approach.” Other supporters spoke of a superb work ethic, an incredible attention to detail — coupled with the ability to synthesize that detail instantly into sharply-defined concepts — and a splendid sense of humor. Dr. Leonard has been a member of the UAlbany faculty since 1979, when his service to the campus began. He has served repeatedly on the Senate, as chair and member of numerous Senate councils, and on a myriad of other University-level committees. He has served as both a member and chair of the Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointment (CPCA) — probably the most time-demanding of any of the governance bodies. The current chair of CPCA, Distinguished Service Professor Glenna Spitze, describes his contributions as his “deep commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and equity, [which] makes his contributions exceedingly valuable. He reviews every case very seriously, providing extensive, thoughtful commentary delivered in a spirit of collegiality. He is often able to help the Council’s membership reach understandings and bridge differences through his careful, reasoned approach.”
This same sentiment is echoed throughout the descriptions of Professor Leonard’s service commitment to the University. Again, from his nominator, David Smith: “Professor Leonard has also been a non-chair member of countless other committees, both at the University and school levels. All colleagues would confirm that [he] does not merely occupy a seat in meeting rooms, he brings a fervent commitment to accomplishing the goals of each group. That his committees maintain a spotless record of follow-through, of achieving their goals, is no accident.”
Paul Leonard seems to be called upon to serve on any organized body that requires experience, complete commitment to the task at hand, and rock-solid judgment. Several of his supporters said that simply having him in the room adds to the quality of deliberation. Invariably, he is completely prepared, has analyzed the data to be discussed, and brings to the table the rare ability to present his synthesis of that data in a manner that clarifies the issue for all participants.
Additionally, he is a superb teacher, having been recognized with both of the School of Business Excellence Awards for Teaching (undergraduate and graduate), and by the University with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He is known to be extremely demanding of his students, while at the same time committed to spending enormous time preparing for his classes and providing his students with personal and on-line assistance.
This year, Professor Leonard will continue his enormous service commitment to the University by serving as interim dean of the School of Business.
Leonard has received numerous teaching awards. He was twice recognized within the School of Business as the recipient of the Harold Cannon Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching and the Dean W. Warren Hynes Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching. He was also voted the best workshop instructor and course instructor in the University's M.B.A. Dual Degree Program, taught in cooperation with the Graduate School of Business Administration, Zurich, Switzerland.
Leonard earned a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 1980. He served as an Assistant Professor at UAlbany from 1979 to 1984. After teaching briefly at Union College, he returned to UAlbany as an Associate Professor in 1987 and was promoted to Professor in 1996. Known as an innovator, Leonard was not afraid to experiment with his teaching techniques. He began to provide comprehensive lecture notes to students in the executive development programs, allowing students to substitute thinking time for writing or note-taking time, and he used the WebCT to allow evening and weekend students more access to the classroom environment.
Leonard wrote or co-wrote four books, monographs, and book chapters, along with 18 articles. He has written 12 consulting reports for government agencies and private companies and has published approximately one article per year in refereed finance journals. He has been an editorial board member of Municipal Finance Journal for the last six years.
Leonard has served in several administrative positions, including Chair of the Department of Finance (1989-92); Associate Dean of the School of Business (1989-90, 2000-present); and Acting Dean of the School of Business (1990). He is also accessible to students. "Professor Leonard makes himself available outside the classroom and reminds us of his willingness to provide extra help almost every class," one student observed. "I have gone to him to discuss assignments on a number of occasions, and have always left in better academic shape than when I arrived."
