Tim Nekritz, SUNY Oswego’s director of communications in the Office of Communications and Marketing, was inducted into the State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD) Hall of Fame during this year’s conference in Rochester.
The honor recognizes individuals who “have distinguished themselves, their institutions and the State University by their significant contributions to the organization and its mission of service and education,” according to the council.
Nekritz, who served on the SUNYCUAD board of directors for 12 years and has worked at SUNY Oswego for more than two decades, said his favorite part of the conference is the connections made.
“For me, it feels good knowing that at every conference we made a difference, and that people learned a lot and met people,” Nekritz said. “I love introducing people to each other, because sometimes they will become friends for life … It’s that payoff of seeing a conference unfold and seeing the socialization.”
During his time on the board, Nekritz primarily focused on inviting and coordinating speakers for the conference, ensuring topics aligned with attendees’ interests. One of his proudest accomplishments, he said, was attracting speakers from across the Northeast and beyond from a network he had established via social media and presenting at international conferences.
“We also started including some leadership topics as well,” he recalled, because “people want to advance their careers and learn more about soft skills, and whatever else.”
In his acceptance speech, Nekritz acknowledged the dedication of staff members at SUNY institutions in providing access and opportunity for students.
“We carry out our missions with pride and joy, despite much smaller budgets and staff, and truly connect with our students,” Nekritz said in acknowledging SUNY employees are just as good, if not better, than counterparts from private and expensive institutions. “To be recognized by [them], all your friends, all the people you’ve met throughout the years, was humbling, and I was very honored.”
Nekritz earned a master’s degree in history from Oswego and has taught courses for nearly 20 years, mostly in communication studies as well as a special topic course on blues history.
