Mark Connell, senior assistant librarian emeritus, passed away on Feb. 3, 2022. He was 71.
Mark worked at SUNY Cortland for more than two decades, starting in June 25, 2001, and retiring in August, 2021. He remained involved with the campus through the fall, 2021 semester, working part-time as a senior assistant librarian and computer applications instructor.
During his two decades on campus, Mark was well-liked by students and co-workers. He was involved with the faculty senate and coached the SUNY Cortland Rugby Club for several years in the early 2000s, including 2005, when the team won the NYS Rugby Conference Division II Championship.
Mark co-authored two textbooks with Gretchen Douglas, librarian emerita, on the fundamentals of Microsoft Office.
Prior to SUNY Cortland, Mark was coordinator of academic computing at Elmira College. There, he was involved with the Elmira College Center of Mark Twain Studies and portrayed the author in a biographical documentary.
Outside of academia, Mark was a master bridge player. In 1988 he won top honors in a national competition run by the American Contract Bridge League.
Mark, of Homer, is survived by his wife, Karen. No memorial services are planned.