Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Thrive On: The Campaign for Utica University →

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
      • Utica at Florida
    • Utica at Florida
    • Online Study
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Research & Experiential Learning
    • Student Support and Success
    • Core Curriculum
    • Schedules and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Endowed Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
      • Utica Enhanced Tuition Award
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Tuition and Fees - Undergraduate Campus
      • Undergraduate Online Tuition and Fees
      • Florida Programs Tuition and Fees
      • ABSN Program Tuition
      • Graduate Tuition and Fees
    • Net Price Calculator
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Florida Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • College Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Student Living
      • Campus Engagement and Student Activities
      • Dining
      • Greek Life
      • Campus Safety
      • Utica University Campus
    • Satellite Locations
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      • Bias Incident Reporting
      • Community Connections
      • DEI Collaborative
      • DEI Events
      • Dialogue on Race and Equity
      • LACRELA
      • Our Staff
      • Pronouns
      • Readings on Race and the Black Experience
      • Utica University Stance Statement
      • Wilcox Center
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
  • 75th
  • COVID-19
Utica University

Biology Professor Scanga Honored with Harold T. Clark Jr. Award

  1. College Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Biology Professor Scanga Honored with Harold T. Clark Jr. Award
Professor Sara Scanga with Provost Todd Pfannestiel and President Laura Casamento receiving the Harold T Clark Award.

Faculty
Program

Biology

Story Topics
  • Science
  • Research
  • Faculty

"...a supportive, caring, understanding and hardworking mentor. She works hard on her research, excels as a professor and adviser, believes in her students and helps them understand their potential.”

Sara Scanga, professor of biology, has been named the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Harold T. Clark Jr. Award. Since joining Utica in 2010, Scanga has published 12 papers in peer-reviewed journals; has worked with dozens of undergraduate students on research projects and recently helped write two grants, each of which were awarded, totaling almost $750,000. Both grants involve creating new opportunities for research with undergraduate students.

Scanga’s field of research and expertise is plant ecology, the study of how and why plants occur where they do, and how environmental conditions affect them, including entire ecosystems. Her research takes place on her computer, in the greenhouse, the laboratory and in the field.

Jessica Thomas, associate professor of biology, has been Scanga’s colleague since 2012. In her nomination letter, Thomas said “… research is a central thread in Sara’s bright vision. It is the backbone that guides her as an effective educator and a leader in her field, and the propeller that has guided and will continue to guide her to past, current and future successes as a researcher.”

Anastasia Shikula, one of Scanga’s students, said Scanga has helped her grow confident as a woman in science.

“It is clear that Dr. Scanga is a supportive, caring, understanding and hardworking mentor. She works hard on her research, excels as a professor and adviser, believes in her students and helps them understand their potential,” Shikula said.

The award, created in 1989, is named after Harold “Tom” Clark and is given annually to a professor at Utica College who exemplifies the highest traditions of scholarship. Clark, a 1965 graduate of the college, was a member of the UC Foundation and past chairman of the board of trustees. Clark’s campaign, “A New Dream, A New Era,” helped lead efforts to upgrade the college’s science facilities. He was also the college’s first $1 million donor.

Scanga holds a bachelors degree in biology from Drew University, where she completed her first scientific publication in collaboration with her faculty advisor, Dr. Sara Webb. She worked as a research technician after graduation, both in limnology and microbiology labs. She earned her doctorate in ecology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

The honor was announced by Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Todd Pfannestiel, at Faculty Senate.

More Stories

A graduate waves as members of the graduate class of 2022 exits the ceremony with their degrees.
On Campus

Graduate Commencement List 2022

Congratulations to the following students who were eligible to participate in the 2022 Utica University Graduate Commencement ceremonies. Please note...
Fishbowl view of graduates at Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, May 12, 2022.
On Campus

Undergraduate Commencement List 2022

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the 2022 Utica University Undergraduate Commencement. Please note that there are instructions...
Professor Christopher Riddle receives the prestigious Clark Award, presented by Provost Todd Pfannestiel and President Laura Casamento
Faculty

Professor Riddle receives prestigious Clark Award

Christopher Riddle, professor of philosophy, has been named the 2022 recipient of the prestigious Harold T. Clark Jr....
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • College Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2021-2022 College of Distinction2020-2021 New York College of Distinction2021-2022 Business College of Distinction2021-2022 Education College of Distinction2021-2022 Nursing College of Distinction2021-2022 Career Development College of Distinction2021-2022 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2021-2022 Military Friendly School

US News Award for Social Mobility