College of Arts and Sciences Honors Faculty for Public Engagement, Service Excellence
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 7, 2026) —The College of Arts and Sciences is recognizing three faculty members whose work reflects the College’s commitment to public engagement and service. The awards were presented Wednesday during a Council of Chairs meeting.
Elaine Salisbury and Kevin Knuth received the Dean’s Excellence in Public Engagement Award, while Ryan Torn was honored with the Dean’s Faculty Service Award.
“These awards highlight the many ways our faculty extend the impact of their work beyond the classroom and into the broader community,” said CAS Dean Jeanette Altarriba. “Whether through public-facing scholarship, community partnerships or sustained institutional and college-level leadership, each of these honorees exemplifies our mission and the values of public engagement and service.”
Salisbury, a lecturer and director of the Journalism Program, was recognized for building strong partnerships with regional news organizations, expanding opportunities for students to contribute to local reporting and launching innovative coursework such as mobile journalism.
Knuth, a professor of physics, earned recognition for bringing complex scientific research to wider audiences through media appearances, public lectures, and documentary work, particularly related to his research on unidentified aerial phenomena.
Torn, a professor of atmospheric and environmental sciences, was honored for extensive service across the college and the University, including leadership as department chair, contributions to major institutional initiatives and national visibility through his research on weather forecasting and climate science.
All three will be formally recognized again during the dean’s annual Fall Address.