Alfred University’s Lambert, Romanchock recipients of SUNY Chancellor’s Awards

Coral Lambert (left) and Mechele Romanchock

Alfred University's Coral Lambert and Mechele Romanchock have been honored by the State University of New York with 2025 SUNY Chancellor's Awards. The office of SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. recently announced that Lambert, professor of sculpture, is recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, while Romanchock, director of libraries, has received a Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship.

Lambert has been a professor of sculpture in Alfred University's School of Art & Design, New York State College of Ceramics, since 2007, serving as chair of the Sculpture Division from 2010-14. "Professor Lambert is a distinguished sculptor, researcher, and educator whose profound contributions to contemporary metal casting and large-scale public art exemplify the highest standards of creative scholarship," Lauren Lake, dean of Alfred University's School of Art & Design, said in her nomination of Lambert for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.

Lambert has established herself as a leading figure in sculpture, particularly in iron casting and metal arts. Her work has been featured in major exhibitions, international symposia, and permanent public installations across the United States and abroad, including significant contributions to the UK National Memorial Arboretum and large-scale projects integrating environmental sustainability with artistic practice. She has shown internationally in 13 solo and more than 150 group exhibitions, and is the recipient more than 20 awards, including the prestigious International Sculpture Center Outstanding Educator Award in 2022.

As the director of the National Casting Center Foundry at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University since 2007, Lambert "has fostered an environment of artistic exploration and interdisciplinary research, mentoring students and faculty alike in advancing creative scholarship. Her work has been recognized with significant grants and awards, including support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, and international arts organizations," Lake said.

"Her ability to integrate traditional sculptural methodologies with contemporary technologies and environmental consciousness reflects the evolving nature of scholarship in the arts. Moreover, her impact extends beyond the studio, as she has actively engaged in collaborations that bridge academia and industry, bringing visibility and prestige to both her institution and the broader field of contemporary sculpture. Professor Lambert's body of work speaks to a lifetime commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic practice. Through her pioneering approaches, she continues to challenge conventions and elevate the discourse in creative scholarship."

The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities recognizes outstanding academic and creative achievements across a broad spectrum of scholarly and artistic fields. Recipients are university faculty members who consistently go above and beyond their teaching and professional duties to make extraordinary contributions to their respective fields.

Romanchock has been part of the Alfred University Libraries and New York State College of Ceramics since 2016, when she was hired as the user services librarian at Scholes Library. She became assistant librarian for public services and director of libraries in 2019, and recently received notice of tenure and promotion to associate librarian.

In nominating Romanchock for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship, Gabrielle Gaustad '04, dean of Alfred University's Inamori School of Engineering, New York State College of Ceramics, and vice president for Statutory Affairs, referred to her work serving dual roles of director of libraries and public services librarian.

"Her work bringing our libraries (Herrick and Scholes) together through a successful reorganization, navigating the complexities of the pandemic, leading a visionary and mentorship-rich student worker program, and being one of the leaders in the implementation along with the other SUNY libraries of a significant new software system (Alma/Primo) all point to her outstanding work in librarianship," Gaustad said. "On campus, Mechele is highly regarded for her work on search committees, accreditations, and facilitating solutions to the challenges of campus-wide event planning. She is a fabulous and energetic colleague, whose body of work in the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University makes her a clearly worthy candidate for this award."

"Over these past years, and particularly in her nearly six years as assistant librarian, Mechele has evolved into an outstanding librarian and excellent library leader," Brian Sullivan, dean of Libraries, said in his nomination of Romanchock. "She is my right-hand person and fellow visionary, who has been an essential part of all the Alfred University Libraries have accomplished during my time as dean."

Sullivan added, "Our libraries would not be nearly as successful as they are without Mechele's compassionate leadership, vision, and hard work on behalf of our students. She is an effective leader, a wonderful person, and one of the best and most patron-centered librarians I have ever had the pleasure of knowing."

The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship recognizes consistently superior professional achievement in the field of librarianship. Recipients of the award demonstrate extraordinary performance in at least one of the following areas: Skills in Librarianship; Service to the University and Profession; and Scholarship and Continuing Professional Growth.