Friends Honor Dr. Carey Brush,
Who Chronicled SUNY Oneonta
ONEONTA — Friends and colleagues of SUNY Oneonta’s historian Dr. Carey Brush, who wrote a definitive history of the local campus, where he once served as interim president, gathered in the Craven Lounge of Morris Hall to pay tribute to their friend, fellow professor and mentor.
“All of us have a few stories to tell,” said Dr. Vince Foti, the emeritus dean of Behavioral and Applied Sciences. “I’m sure he would have appreciated all the feelings that are in this room at this moment.
Dr. Brush, 93, died Dec. 29, 2013 in Vancouver, Wash., where he and his wife Tinker lived. He had served as Professor and Acting Chair of Social Science, as well as the first Director of Liberal Studies in 1963, Vice President for Academic Affairs 1970, and as Acting President during the 1987-1988 academic year. He was the author of “In Honor and Good Faith: A History of the State University College at Oneonta” and the sequel, “In Honor and Good Faith: Completing the First Century 1965-1900.”
“I never had the opportunity to meet him, but before I came, I read every word of his books,” said president Nancy Kleniewski. “I feel as though I knew him.”
Six of his colleagues, including Emeritus President Dr. Alan Donovan, history professor Dr. William Simons and Dr. David Brenner, Emeritus associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, shared their fond recollections.
“I thought I heard his footsteps earlier,” said Simons. “It’s final exams, and he used to walk to halls during exam week.”
“What a command he had of bureaucratic life!” said Donovan. “It was such a privilege to work with such a gifted mentor.”
A plaque will be installed under his portrait in the Alden Room of the Milne Library. “We want it to be a positive and active sense,” said Brenner. “Take a moment to think about him and what he did for this college.”
After the service, all were invited to share their memories on a recording, one copy of which will be archived and the other sent to his family.
