Save the Dates! | The Environment of Dr. Burrell Montz | Scholarship Recipients and Donors Honored | Fund Created by Harpur Faculty Helps Wingspan Fly | Meeting and Greeting in NYC | Obituary: Laurence Leamer | Share A Memory | Shop Harpur Online | Back Issues

The Environment of
Dr. Burrell Montz

Dr. Burrell Montz is the director of the Environmental Studies program and Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies. A twenty-year veteran of Harpur College, she has seen Environmental Studies evolve into one of the most popular and exciting majors on campus.

Tell me all about the Environmental Studies program.

We've been an interdisciplinary major and program in Harpur College since 1976. It emanated out of the first wave of environmentalism when a number of Innovational Projects Board (IPB) students were putting together their own majors in environmental issues and environmental studies. There were enough of them that Harpur College created a major. The people who put it together, particularly Bill Battin in the Biology department really knew what they were doing because other than changing courses, the primary structure of the major — that is, the relationship between environmental science and environmental policy — has remained the same.

The number of majors has gone up and down. When environmentalism is in the press, we get more majors. When the economy is not so great, students are really looking to do good things and to really focus on what their true interests are, rather than go into some pre-professional position. We found that our number of majors more than quadrupled during the Reagan administration. We went from about 35 majors to about 200 in just a few years. We've leveled out to around 200. When things like pictures of the ozone hole are on the cover of Time magazine, are huge environmental issues, we see a big influx of students.

What are some of the courses in the curriculum?

One of the things that separates us from many other environmental studies programs, is that we have our own courses. We don't just take from other departments. We do some of that within the specializations, but we have our own core courses that are interdisciplinary by nature. Of our two introductory courses, one focuses on biological and ecological aspects of the environment and the other focuses on the physical land use and geological kinds of aspects of environmental issues. Both of those courses are interdisciplinary. They tend to be science-oriented, but there's a lot of ethics and a lot of policy that’s imbedded in them.

Our majors take a group of core courses, and then they can choose a specialization. We have 7 B.A. and 3 B.S. specializations that allow students to go into areas they’re particularly interested in. So those who are more science —oriented might choose ecosystems, which is heavily based in biology, or those who are interested in physical aspects of the environment might specialize in earth science / natural resources, which is heavily based in Geology. We also offer environmental policy, administration and law, which is political science mostly, but not exclusively, and environmental planning, which is heavily based in Geography. We’re fully committed to the relationship between environmental science and policy. You have to understand both things. We also have two capstone courses at the end of the major where students can work on local projects, writing impact statements or environmental plans, or do internships.

What kinds of careers do your graduates have?

They are as diverse as the major is. Some are in graduate school for water resource management, forest management, or environmental policy. We have a number who are in law school. We have some who work for government at all levels. We have a number of graduates in nonprofit organizations, some work for consulting firms doing environmental impact assessment or wetlands delineation, and some teach. They’re all over the place. Some go to law school and end up practicing environmental law because they were environmental studies majors. Some don’t ever practice environmental law. I know a fellow who graduated 7 years ago who's a lawyer for a huge law firm in New York City. He e-mails me periodically and tells me he feels like he's on the "other side" because some of his clients are utilities. But he tries to make them more sensitive. He assures me that he really hasn’t "lost it."

What is the future of the program?

I have no doubt that the field is growing, as more and more private sector entities realize if they do think about the environment in their planning and decision-making, then they don't have to do it again. We have a lot of interest in environmental audits or questions about how companies can lower their costs through recycling or by using less water. So I see a lot more planning and thinking about environmental issues by the private sector. I see that in those students who want to get MBA’s with an environmental management focus so they can work in the private sector and make a difference.

This internalization is broadening out in that a lot of other disciplines are embracing environmentalism. We're not "tree huggers," so much as we are acceptable scientists. I see communities becoming more environmentally minded as they want to make more of their environment. There’s still that "jobs versus the environment" disjuncture, which I think is misguided. I think communities are recognizing that you can have both. So Environmental Studies is going to grow, and it’s going to be more embedded in traditional systems.

What are your research interests?

I'm particularly interested in the policy implications of natural hazards. The geography side of me is into natural hazards, the reasons why people live where they live, and the impacts of policy on that. I'm also interested in the environmental impacts of natural events — of any disaster, actually — and I'm trying to document that before events so we can include environmental planning in disaster planning.

I also do water pollution research. When you have flooding of a sewage treatment plant or agricultural fields, those pollutants go back into the river when the water recedes. Why do we put sewage treatment plants in flood plains? That’s an old engineering method to have water run downhill toward the sewage treatment plant. You can just as easily pump water to the treatment plant and then let it go out.

And there's the whole issue of agriculture, what we put on the fields, and non-point source pollution (pollution that comes from runoff). I've been working with some colleagues in Biology and Geology on some grant proposals dealing with non-point source pollution.

What do you enjoy about teaching at Harpur College?

I love the students! I can challenge them. The environmental students are great because they are really enthusiastic about learning. I taught a course last semester at 8:30 a.m. and they showed up and challenged me and I had a great time with them. If I over-generalized, they’d come up with every single exception they’ve heard of, and that’s great because then we can discuss why these are exceptions. I like their problem solving focus, but they’re not afraid of tackling theory either.

I teach a course where, in groups of three, students write environmental impact statements for local projects. They do a great job on those.

I love the field. I love environmental studies because it’s always changing. It's a real challenge to keep up. There are always new examples and new ways to present old theories that still apply. We talk about how people make decisions under conditions of uncertainty, which is what we’re always doing in environmental studies. We can look at twenty years ago and see how that played out, and we can look at now and learn from the past.

Professor Montz always enjoys hearing from former students. She can be reached at bmontz@binghamton.edu.

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Scholarship Recipients and Donors Honored at Reception

During the fall semester of each year, Binghamton University hosts its annual Scholarship Reception. This is the delightful event at which those students who have received scholarships and those donors who made the scholarships possible are given the chance to get to know each other.

The room was loud with conversation and laughter as Foundation Board president Dr. Nick Stamato `76 came to the podium and welcomed all. Dr. Stamato recognized the special occasion and the terrific opportunity for alumni and friends to meet the students who are benefiting from their generosity.

Harpur College alumnus William Denk graduated in 1958. According to Denk, the years he spent attending Harpur College -- located at the time in Colonial Hall in Endicott -- meant the world to him. "My years at Harpur College were wonderful," he said, "They match the birth of my two sons in their meaning in my life." Mr. Denk showed just how special his alma mater is to him by creating the Dorothy Davison Denk Memorial Scholarship in memory of his late wife. This year's recipient of the scholarship is Joseph Pasciak `02, a financial economics major. Pasciak tremendously enjoyed the opportunity to meet Denk and remarked, "This scholarship means a lot to me. I really like that I had the chance to sit next to Mr. Denk and get to know a little bit about him and tell him about myself."

Scholarships are created for lots of reasons, all of them special. We thank our alumni and friends for their valuable and much appreciated support of our students and programs. A list of Harpur College Scholarships, their benefactors, and their requirements can be viewed at http://bingfa.binghamton.edu/harpur.htm.

For more information about how to create a Harpur College scholarship, please contact Debby Cobb at dcobb@binghamton.edu or call 607-777-4277.

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Fund Created by Harpur College Faculty Helps Wingspan Fly

Thanks to the generosity of two Harpur College professors, the Wingspan Assistive Technology Center, a program of Binghamton's Southern Tier Independence Center (STIC), has taken off and is sailing towards success. Wingspan will address the needs of local children with communication impairments.

The Marilyn Gaddis Rose and Stephen David Ross University and Community Projects Fund, which supports projects between the University and local nonprofit agencies, was established in 1998 by Marilyn Gaddis Rose, distinguished service professor of Comparative Literature, and Steven David Ross, professor of Philosophy. A coordinating committee, chaired by Harpur College Dean Jean-Pierre Mileur, each year selects projects to be funded from among proposals submitted by teams of University and community organizations.

Maria Dibble `80, executive director of STIC, said of the grant, "It really gave us the boost we needed to get the program off the ground." She said the funding will pay the salary of a Technology Assessment Coordinator who will publicize the services, arrange assessments by speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, help clients pay for technology funding, conduct consumer satisfaction surveys, and maintain project records.

Since 1983, STIC has provided a range of services to help people with disabilities live independent lives. Binghamton University's students frequently partner with STIC. For instance, engineering students have designed customized assistive devices. STIC representatives have given many presentations to pre-health, psychology, nursing, and educational students about the services they offer.

The Rose Ross Community Projects Fund is one of many bridges between Binghamton University and the local community. To learn more, please contact Lee Nesslage at nesslage@binghamton.edu or by phone at 607-777-4278.

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Jeff Tanenbaum `73: Helping Future Lawyers Join the Firm If your company is going bankrupt or is reorganizing, Jeff Tanenbaum `73 will help you through it. A partner at the New York branch of Weil,Gotshal and Manges LLP, he has extensive experience in all aspects of debtor's and creditor's rights. A native of Mount Kisco, New York, Tanenbaum majored in Math and minored in History at Harpur College. Because of a lifelong desire to practice law, Tanenbaum never misses a chance to help those who have the same dreams. He serves as one of the co-chairs of his firm’s hiring committee and is an active participant in the Harpur College Alumni Law Council. "My wife, Karen (Casper `76), and I have always felt the desire to give back to the school for the wonderful time and education we got," said Tanenbaum, "I have many close friends of mine who are fellow graduates of the school and we’ve kept in touch for 30 years. I’ve always been watchful of the continued success of the University and how it’s maintained its excellent academic standing." The Tanenbaums created a scholarship that benefits students in both Harpur College and the Decker School of Nursing. Tanenbaum joined Weil,Gotshal and Manges in 1978 and has represented borrowers, lenders and investors in out-of-court restructurings and chapter 11 (bankruptcy) cases both in the Southern District of New York and throughout the United States. Tanenbaum is a Business Watch Columnist for the National Law Journal. Along with partner Alan B. Miller, he has written articles on Supreme and Circuit Court bankruptcy decisions. He has also co-authored a chapter on Bankruptcy in the West Group's recently published multi-volume "General Practice in New York," which chapter has been transformed into a recently published book by Weil,Gotshal entitled "Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Practice."

MEETING AND GREETING IN NYC: Harpur College Alumni Attorneys Gather

Hosted by Jeff Tanenbaum `73 (see sidebar), at the Offices of Weil,Gotshal and Manges, the Harpur College Alumni National Law Advisory Council held its third annual event. Welcomed by Tanenbaum, over 125 alumni gathered for networking and a chance to hear Harpur College Dean Jean-Pierre Mileur deliver the latest news from campus. Rich Alpern `69, the current chair of the Law Council, also spoke, informing the group of the accomplishments of the council over the last year, including support of two summer interns and the development of an upcoming searchable on-line database of alumni attorneys.

The Harpur Law Council was formed in 1995 to serve the needs and interests of Binghamton University alumni attorneys and pre-law students. Its goal is to strengthen the university's mission and tradition of academic excellence. The Harpur Law Council advises the Harpur College Dean and the University Alumni Association on matters regarding academic issues and programs relevant to the legal profession. Through a comprehensive mix of volunteer opportunities and programs, the Harpur Law Council cultivates positive relationships among law alumni, students, and the campus community.

The annual Harpur Law Council event is a great opportunity for networking, to connect with old friends, to hear the latest news from campus, and for law school students to speak with practicing attorneys.

Norman Simon `94, Dallas Albaugh `95, Donna Keane `95, got to know Rich Alpern `69, chair of the Law Council.

Jessica Heegan `98, Jill Barbarino `01, Harpur College Dean Jean-Pierre Mileur, and Darren Seilback `01 enjoyed the event.

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Laurence Leamer in 1965

Seven years before there was a Vestal campus, Laurence E. Leamer was teaching economics to students of what was then Harpur College, a newly established college within the just-created SUNY system.

Leamer, 87, professor emeritus of economics, died November 16 in Denville, New Jersey.

"He was a very easy going open man," recalls Alfred B. Carlip, professor emeritus of economics, who taught with Leamer when the department consisted of three faculty members.

Leamer came to the University in 1951 when it was still located in Endicott and went by the name of Harpur College. Leamer retired in 1975 after a career that also included a long tenure in administration.

Born in Alma, Kansas, Leamer had taught high school and junior college classes in Wisconsin and Iowa after graduating from the Wisconsin State Teachers College at LaCrosse. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Chicago

His studies at the University of Chicago were interrupted with service in the U.S. Army during the closing years of World War II, during which he was awarded a Bronze Star.

"He was interested in teaching," recalls Carlip who noted that Leamer instituted departmental courses designed to teach graduate assistants how to teach. The classes were later instituted on a University-wide basis.

Leamer’s tenure as an administrator began in 1961 when he was named chair of the social sciences division, then consisting of seven departments and 49 faculty. He later became as associate dean of social sciences at Harpur College and returned to teaching before his retirement.

Carlip recalls that while he was chairing the Economics Department and Leamer was leading the social sciences division he had to battle with him for additional funds. "He was a hard man to fight with. He was so gentle."

Following his retirement Leamer served as Town of Vestal historian and wrote a history of the town. He also wrote family histories and a history of the Vestal United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Helen, and three sons: Lawrence of Palm Beach, Florida; Edward of Los Angeles; and Robert of New Jersey,

A memorial service will be held by the Economics Department at a later date said Edward L. Kokkelenberg, chair of the department.

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Shop Harpur Online!

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