The Research Foundation of SUNY and TIAA-CREF, whose special, long-standing relationship has advanced research and scholarship at The State University of New York, honor for the first time the lifetime efforts of an extraordinary and exceptional SUNY scholar or scientist. This first recipient “embodies the true spirit of TIAA-CREF’s mission for over 86 years — serving those who serve others for the greater good.”

Dr. Claude E. Welch Jr.
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science
University at Buffalo
Through his scholarship, teaching, and service to the international, national, and local communities, Dr. Claude Welch exemplifies TIAA-CREF’s mission of serving those who serve others for the greater good. One of the most respected voices in the world in the area of human rights, Welch has been a faculty member at the University at Buffalo since 1964, and a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor since 1969. His prolific, internationally influential research focuses on human rights and human rights organizations, particularly in Africa, and on the political roles of armed forces. His book “Human Rights and Development in Africa” (SUNY Press, 1984) was selected by CHOICE as one of the outstanding academic books of the year. Recent major books include “NGOs and Human Rights: Promise and Performance” (2001), “Protecting Human Rights in Africa: Roles and Strategies of Non-Governmental Organizations” (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995), “Asian Perspectives on Human Rights” (Westview, 1990), “No Farewell to Arms? Military Disengagement from Politics in Africa and Latin America” (Westview, 1987). He has published seven additional major books, as well as chapters in more than 35 other books, and over 40 articles in academic journals.

Welch is on the Board of Human Rights Watch/Africa, an international human rights monitoring group, and has helped conduct several investigations and reports that have significantly improved attention to, and enjoyment of human rights in Africa. He has also consulted frequently with agencies of the U.S. government, and the MacArthur Foundation on democratization, human rights, and civil-military relations. In addition he has been a consultant to the National Academy of Sciences, the Asia Foundation, the Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, the Ford Foundation, USAID and UNESCO. His stature in the field and service to the cause of human rights are evidenced by his numerous invited lectures, including at Harvard University, Oxford University, the International Institute of Human Rights (Strasbourg), Beijing University, the Sun Yatsen Institute (Taiwan), the Centre for Democratic Studies (Nigeria),Columbia University, the Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, and the National War College. Community service includes the Buffalo Council on World Affairs (President 1997-99), the Buffalo Council of Churches, American Civil Liberties Union, African-American Cultural Center, Amherst Community Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 1985, he received the Didaskalos award from the University at Buffalo Campus Ministers.

A revered teacher, Welch received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1974. He advises the Center for Teaching and Learning Resources at the University at Buffalo, and through their programs regularly shares his expertise about teaching with other faculty. He has taught in the core undergraduate World Civilizations and American Pluralism general education curriculum, as well as advanced offerings to political science majors, and interdisciplinary seminars to law students and graduate students from several disciplines. He has served on nearly 100 doctoral dissertation committees, and many of his former graduate students are now professors or leaders of human rights non-governmental organizations.

The consummate university citizen, Dr. Welch has been Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chair of the Department of Political Science, Chair of the President's Review Board on Appointments, Promotions and Tenure, and Chair of the Faculty Senate (twice). He also is Co-Director of the Human Rights Center at the University at Buffalo, organizing educational programs and speakers, editing a journal, and placing students in international human rights programs for summer and academic year internships. In 2005 he received the Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education at the University at Buffalo. Few have been so extensively involved in university service for such a sustained period of time.