Elon University President Leo M. Lambert was one of two people honored this month by the State University of New York at Geneseo Alumni Association for his commitment to the association, college and higher education.
Lambert joined Leslie Leibling Yardeni, a middle-school counselor in the Syosset (N.Y.) Central School District, in receiving the association’s Excellence in Education Award, which is presented to alumni who have achieved extraordinary distinction in the field of education, including pre-K through post-secondary classroom teaching and school services.
Lambert received a bachelor’s degree in English from Geneseo in 1976, a master’s degree in education from the University of Vermont in Burlington and a doctorate in education from Syracuse University. Before being named president of Elon in 1999, he was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Geneseo conferred an honorary doctor of humane letters upon Lambert in 2002 to recognize exceptional achievements in higher education.
“Dr. Lambert is recognized as a leader in higher education and is highly respected by all of his colleagues,” said Tanya Gesek, a member of the Geneseo Alumni Association Board of Directors who presented the awards. “You are a shining star of excellence in the post-secondary world of education and we are proud to count you as a distinguished Geneseo alumnus.”
Yardeni received a bachelor’s degree from Geneseo in 1996 with a double major in psychology and communicative disorders and sciences. She earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling at Hofstra University. Her colleagues praise her service to students and their families, saying she has inspired hundreds of students to achieve their goals.
Lambert and Yardeni received their honors during the university’s reunion weekend held July 8-10, 2011.