Al Vos’ office is filled with student-made decorations, a giant painted sign reading exclamations of thanks and shelves of books — all personal mementos he’s collected over his 38 years at Binghamton University.
Acting as faculty master of Hinman College for the last 11 years, Vos’ role is to link the academic and social aspects of student life for Hinman College residents.
“I build bridges between Lecture Hall and the residence halls,” Vos said.
However, it’s difficult to restrict this man to just one title.
Along with closing the gap between academics and fun, Vos also thinks of himself as a “talent scout.” He is constantly on the lookout for students who display leadership qualities, and he likes to take the time to “nurture” those students’ talents.
“Nothing makes me happier than watching my former students emerge into leaders,” Vos, who also has the opportunity to teach his residents, said.
Born and raised in Iowa, Vos spent his childhood on a farm of which he is still part owner. His office is speckled with remnants of his past: a lightning rod topped with a weather vane and a photograph of the farm house where his father was born.
After high school, Vos spent his college years at Calvin College in Michigan. His parents raised four children and never attended college, making Vos the first person in his family to pursue a higher education. At Calvin College, Vos was inspired by one of his English professors, whom, he admits, he tried to imitate for years.
“It took me a while to learn that I was not him,” he said. “I’d have to find my own style.”
Finding his own style has not proved difficult. Following his graduation from Calvin College with a degree in English and philosophy, Vos eventually earned his doctorate in English from the University of Chicago.
After getting a job at the then-young BU as an English professor, Vos has spent the past 38 years perfecting his teaching skills.
The winner of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Vos was chosen for this state-wide award in 1975 by the SUNY Central Office. Later, in 2007, he found himself in the rare situation of being chosen for a second Chancellor’s Award, this time for Excellence in Faculty Service.
Vos’ dedication and passion for his work has not gone unnoticed.
Kristin Calegari, now assistant director of Newing College, worked closely with Vos for the past five years as assistant director of Hinman College. Together, Vos and Calegari worked to build the Hinman Community’s sense of spirit and to plan numerous community events.
“[He is] sensitive, passionate, involved … and a loyal Hinmanite,” Calegari said.
For a period of 12 years Vos held the position of undergraduate director of the English department. Now he teaches a Shakespeare course every spring, along with two area-based courses that are solely for students living in Hinman College.
Having once played a pivotal role as chair of the Faculty Senate Educational Policy and Priorities Committee, and as senator for Binghamton to the state-wide Faculty Senate, Vos continues to stay involved in University faculty governance.