Thomas Matthews
Higher Education Member of the Year
Thomas Matthews
United University Professions
BUFFALO, NY April 2, 2009 - Thomas E. Matthews, director of student activities at SUNY Geneseo and a longtime leader of United University Professions, will be honored as Higher Education Member of the Year at New York State United Teachers 37th Representative Assembly, being held this week in Buffalo.
UUP, the statewide union representing SUNY academic and professional staff, is NYSUT's largest higher education affiliate. Matthews has served as UUP's statewide treasurer, vice president for professionals and chief negotiator. At the local level, he was president of the union's Geneseo chapter for many years.
On campus, Matthews created a nationally recognized program on leadership for undergraduate students, which he still heads.
"Tom Matthews exemplifies what being a higher ed professional is - in every sense of the word," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "He is committed to his campus and to his union."
Matthews is also chair of Livingston CARES (Community Action Relief Efforts), a campus-community partnership that sponsored trips to Mississippi in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
"Tom rolls up his sleeves and leads by example," said NYSUT Vice President Alan Lubin. "He knows that, as unionists, we have an obligation to stand up for social justice and he lives that principle every day."
The RA - NYSUT's policy-making convention - begins today and runs through Saturday at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center. More than 2,500 delegates, guests and staff are expected to attend."
NYSUT represents more than 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.