THE EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE | FALL 2014 Inside FALL 2014 President Hancock. Merodie A. inauguration ceremony for Tony Esposito, enters the College Council member and Alan R. Davis and presidents Joseph B. Moore W. Hall, followed by former Founding President James Cover DEPARTMENTS 0 Alumni 10 Portfolio 3 2 Profile 2

President’s Message Community

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Student

the state university of empire state college magazine Volume 40 • Number 1 • Fall 2014 FEATURE STORY Produced by the Office of Communications

4 ESC 2.0 Managing Editor Leading the Future of Higher Education Mary Caroline Powers Editor By Helen Susan Edelman Maureen Winney

Writers Helen Susan Edelman Hope Ferguson Karen Nerney

Designer Lorraine Klembczyk

Web Designer Jill Evans

Lead Web Developer Katherine Watson

Copy Editors Mallory Burch Debra Park Kirk Starczewski

Photographers Gary Gold David Henahan John Hughes ‘81 Tom Stock

Production SUNY Empire State College Print Shop

More Content Online www.esc.edu/Connections

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College Websites www.esc.edu www.esc.edu/Alumni

Left: Award recipient David Shakes ’85, far left, is joined by Dean Jonathan Franz and other honorees, John Larish ’80 and Patricia Uttaro ’95, at a GVC open house. Center: SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, center, presents ESC students Lori Mould and Jamal Arabaty the SUNY Student Assembly award for Strongest Student Campus Government. Right: External Affairs and Communications staff celebrate the college’s first 24-hour giving challenge, which surpassed its goal by 225 percent.

www.esc.edu 1 FROM THE PROFILE Rebecca Hegel President By Karen Nerney

When I said in my inauguration address that we will open doors, I meant it figuratively and literally. To that end, we’ve undertaken two big construction projects, one in Rochester and the other on Long Island, to establish permanent college locations in both areas. After many years of planning, negotiating and lobbying for state funding, it’s finally time to start breaking ground. The shovel went into the dirt in September on a 5-acre parcel on Westfall Road in Brighton, a stone’s throw from the Rochester city line. PHOTO CREDIT: GARY GOLD And, we’ll be doing the same thing in 2015 on a similar-sized parcel near Selden, Suffolk County, within Hometown: Whitesboro, N.Y. interested in rather than preset the path to the end goal. walking distance of Suffolk County What she does: Assistant professor Community College. in the nursing program, Saratoga Springs; Philosophy: Failures are a step to success. “Sometimes the weakest student Both locations will offer students, teaches educational planning and health policy. is the strongest student, and I believe in faculty, staff and the community at giving that student a chance.” large state-of-the-art connectivity, Educational highlights: First allowing for teaching and student to receive a Master of Science in Job satisfaction: “Even through an communicating across the state, Nursing Education from SUNY Institute online environment, I get that ‘ah-ha’ nation and globe. That’s exciting. of Technology. “In order to qualify for a moment. That’s why I became a teacher.” grant, I had to finish the master’s program Favorite pastimes: Baking and So that you can keep tabs on both in a year, and I was the only one who gardening. “I’m from an Italian and French construction projects, we’ve set up a did.” Recently earned post-master’s background. Making food for people website and invite you to visit it at certificate, family nurse practitioner, makes me happy.” www.esc.edu/News. SUNY IT. Favorite movie: “When Harry Information on a BOCES Career path: Met Sally” program near her hometown initially piqued her interest in nursing, but her Favorite music: “I love, love, love Merodie A. Hancock ultimate goal was to teach. ’70s music and country music. Weird combination, I know.” President Why teach nursing: “I feel we need more empathy and humility in medicine. Bucket list: Travel to Europe My goal as a teacher is to transform Best advice: “You own your the nursing profession, one student knowledge, don’t let someone talk at a time.” you out of what you believe, and Why she loves ESC: The school’s don’t look back.” philosophy. “It epitomizes the importance On the homefront: Husband, of teaching and the role teachers have Michael, and daughter, Selah, 2. in life.” On being a mom: “She loves me Approach to teaching: Set and she looks to me for everything. boundaries up front, but be flexible with It’s amazing that somebody needs students as the term goes on. Allow you like that.” students to explore a concept they’re PORTFOLIO By Hope Ferguson

Under the Big Top A Cheese What? Barbara File Marangon ’11 Michelle Buffardi ’06 Center for Distance Learning Northeast Center In 1977, Barbara File Marangon, a Michelle Buffardi ’06, a writer and classically trained ballerina, decided editor for the Food Network and the to join “The Greatest Show on Earth,” Cooking Channel, has published a Barnum & Bailey’s three-ring circus. She cookbook for everyone who loves was recruited to ride Peggy, a female cheese. “Great Balls of Cheese” is an elephant. Marangon’s book, “Detour On update of traditional cheeseball recipes. BOOK An Elephant,” describes circus hierarchy, BOOK Readers will find 50 cheeseball recipes love affairs, squalid living quarters, for every season and occasion that kindnesses and scary surprises (like a can be made using untraditional flavor lion in her shower) that made her year with the circus an adventure. combinations such as cheddar, blue cheese and Buffalo wing sauce or Marangon has performed with the Stuttgart Ballet and in the musicals Bing cherry, rum and pecans. The book features a whimsical variety of “Can Can” and “Hair.” The writer, teacher and choreographer lives in suggested cheese-ball shapes ranging from Easter eggs to owls. Florida and Italy.

Soldiers As Reporters Story Cycle Complete John Robortella ’01 and Eric Darton ’90 Mickey Schlosser Metropolitan Center Genesee Valley Center The final two volumes of Eric John Robortella ’01 and Mickey Darton’s “Notes of a New York Son,” Schlosser co-authored the beautifully an ongoing journal of observation rendered “Writing Home: Civil War about , have been Letters from the Hinchey Family Archive” released. Darton is the author of The (Gates Historical Society). Prior to mass New York Times bestseller “Divided We BOOK communications, letters were the BOOK Stand,” a biography of the World Trade preferred means of news from the front, Center, which was published shortly and soldiers served as de facto reporters before the destruction of the towers. on the battlefield. With creamy paper, photographs and unabridged His new books, “Brave New York” and “Book of Manitou,” culminate an letters, “Readers will be taken back to … the pioneer kitchen table or 18-year process of writing. The series encompasses elements of history, parlor as the envelope was opened and every word cherished.” urbanism and cultural criticism.

Langston’s Storybook Multi-genre Memories Ken Hatfield ’93 Willa Schneberg ’73 Metropolitan Center Metropolitan Center

Langston Hughes is known for his In ancient , when people were poetry and for being a luminary of distressed, they would “rend” their the Harlem Renaissance. Musician clothing. Willa Schneberg ’73, an Ken Hatfield ’93 launched a Kickstarter award-winning poet, photographer campaign to raise money to do a and sculptor, uses this metaphor in her CD of songs, “For Langston,” with fifth collection, “Rending the Garment.” MUSIC six renowned musicians, including BOOK Schneberg visits the intersection of vocalist Hilary Gardner, based on family, history and memory that Hughes’ poetry. Composed as a jazz uses poetry, flash fiction, imagined song cycle and arranged for an ensemble, the songs on “For Langston” meetings with historical figures, letters, journal entries and other literary fit together like chapters of a book, according to Hatfield, who is an techniques to tell her story “from the inside, where grief and love live accomplished guitarist. side by side,” according to reviewer and author Philip Schultz.

www.esc.edu 3 Leading the Future of Higher Education

By Helen Susan Edelman Photography by www.stockstudiosphotography.com

4 www.esc.edu Schenectady Pipe Band Ensemble leads the procession for the inauguration of President Merodie A. Hancock down Broadway in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

March 27, 2014, was a momentous McCall, College Council Chairman James day in the history of Empire State Lytle, Foundation Board President Ann College. In its 43rd year, the college Turner ’86, College Council member G. formally welcomed its fourth president, Angela Henry, President of the Faculty Merodie A. Hancock, who was fervent Senate Thomas McElroy ’96, who served in her address to the hundreds as mace bearer, Mentor Cynthia Bates, assembled at her inaugural ceremony alumna and current graduate student about the future of the college and her and editor of The Student Connection keen excitement about spearheading Sandra Barkevich ’13 and Rabbi Anna initiatives to further align ESC with the Sugarman. Also in attendance were State University of New York’s goal to the college’s deans, its faculty, staff, make higher education more accessible students and alumni, Hancock’s family and relevant. and friends, public officials such as The crowd gathered to honor Hancock Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen, featured dignitaries on the podium presidents of other SUNY and area including State University of New York colleges, Empire State College’s three Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Chairman former presidents and members of More content available of the SUNY Board of Trustees H. Carl the press. www.esc.edu/Connections

www.esc.edu 5 Our ‘re-emerging’ college will be responsive and relevant in the next decade. We will open doors.”

– president merodie a. hancock

Days later, Hancock took the time to reflect and The stability and prestige of the institution is expand on her inaugural remarks. She touched rooted in its relationship to the State University of on a wide range of subjects, such as innovative New York, which is the largest public university educational technology, the economy and system in the U.S. But its success, measured in the globalization as they affect students, social trends success of its students and nearly 73,000 alumni, and morphing attitudes toward online education abides in the college itself, in the interactions of and nontraditional adult students. She also spoke of mentors and students on a daily basis and over time shifting demographics, politics, employment needs and in the deep well of services offered to ensure and opportunities that, in part, drive academic that learning is rich, rewarding and sparks lifelong program development curiosity and discovery. and her determination The unique experience that is Empire State College that Empire State originated in 1971 as an education experiment College will emerge conceived by then-chancellor of the SUNY system as the leader among Ernest L. Boyer, who was passionate about serving U.S. public colleges those New Yorkers not accommodated by the state’s in response to higher education system as it then was construed. new demands and Now, in 2014, under Hancock’s leadership, the approaches. college is set to “re-emerge,” in her words, “stronger, Hancock inherits a more agile, more creative and poised” to both college that has been withstand and embrace the inevitable intellectual and flexible and responsive practical evolution inherent in an increasingly fluid in the execution and unpredictable world. of its philosophy, With respect for the founders’ vision, Hancock able to bend pledged to safeguard and extend their intentions by without breaking continually promulgating the college’s “relevance,” “SUNY Empire State College’s dedicated to accommodate not merely as a good idea, but as a fertile working faculty and staff use innovative, alternative and continually shifting model that connects programs and services to flexible approaches to higher education that transform people and communities by providing trends, while productive, meaningful outcomes for the diverse rigorous programs that connect individuals’ maintaining a population served by the pioneering institution. unique and diverse lives to their personal steadfast focus on “I think about Boyer’s statement that education is learning goals.” its commitment to meant ‘to transform you,’” says Hancock. “I don’t President Merodie A. Hancock uphold the vision of want to give up what we’ve been, but I want to its founders. take on today’s learners, responding to them with Even the name of alternatives such as credit by examination, prior- the college reflects learning and competency-based assessments as they its singularity. While other SUNY campuses assume advance toward a degree. I want the college to be the identities of their locations, Empire State College proactive about a learning-centered approach. It’s a explicitly represents the entire state – from Long matter of looking at where we are in our world – the Island to Buffalo, and far beyond, as the Center for strengths and weaknesses – and re-emerging as the Distance Learning reaches every state in the union, best, the most we can be. We will continue to lead international partners, Americans living abroad, and by never sitting still.” veterans and deployed service members around the world.

6 www.esc.edu Hancock also wants the college across the state and to be responsive to the changing around the globe. economy of the state of New York Technology offers and the evolving goals of workforce tools that promote development. collaboration and “We will continue to relate our interaction and learners to their programs, both support Open SUNY structured and unstructured, to Complete,” which is connect students and their mentors an initiative to help on their academic journey and learners who have Candace Vancko, president of SUNY Delhi, Cliff Wood, president of connect personal and professional taken a break from Rockland Community College, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and components of an education,” their college degree Andrew Matonak, president of Hudson Valley Community College, Hancock says. “There are hundreds programs and now preparing for the inauguration ceremony of ESC President Merodie A. Hancock. of thousands of nontraditional want to return to students who have not gone back school. Empire State and another may be an independent to college and we will open the College is well positioned to be at the study with a mentor, or the student doors for them.” forefront of the movement because may already know the material and Empire State College students, of the college’s long experience want competency-based credit. The Hancock notes, “are both challenged delivering education to nontraditional point is, our students can be online and encouraged to push themselves students online, in small groups, or face to face, they can mix and in an environment for individuals through independent study, or at mingle approaches. We should always who are not just looking for a job short residencies, enabling more be looking at how we distribute and a promotion, but for a broad, students to participate in more education and asking ourselves, ‘What liberal education.” educational opportunities. are the student touch points?’” To facilitate it, Hancock says, “We’re “We are already doing well, but we Additionally, Hancock underlines looking at technology in a number can do better,” Hancock says. “We the need for faculty and students to of areas that can bring us together have to be agile. One course may develop “an international Rolodex.” in communities of common interest be very traditional in a classroom,

“With its world-class degree “On behalf of my colleagues on “We are re-emerging to take on offerings and flexible class schedule, the SUNY Board of Trustees, I offer new and exciting challenges, new Empire State College has become Merodie and the entire campus jobs, careers, new businesses … the a top choice for nontraditional community our appreciation and possibilities are endless and Empire and adult students. As the college full support as Empire State College State College has shown us that we continues to build upon its excellent continues its impeccable service to can tackle new things without fear, reputation and service, we are students, faculty and staff in every without reservation.” fortunate to have Merodie at the helm. region of the state.” Sandra Barkevich ’13, current graduate Congratulations to Merodie and the Chairman H. Carl McCall, SUNY student in the Master of Arts in entire campus community.” Board of Trustees Learning and Emerging Technologies; SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher editor of the student-run newsletter; and student speaker at President Hancock’s inauguration

www.esc.edu 7 “While I don’t think ESC “I watched her grow as a professional, as a person and as a leader. has lost sight of its original There are times in our lives that we are meant to take that next step, goals, I think that we need to Merodie has taken that next step as she assumes the presidency of always be cognizant of what Empire State College. She is the right leader to take Empire State it means to move these goals College to a bright and successful future.” forward for our current and President George Ross, Central Michigan University, where Hancock future populations, especially served as vice president of the global campus before coming to Empire considering advancements in State College technology. As a college, we need to re-emerge as the best “She has a tremendous understanding of Empire State’s mission, choice for students to earn their higher education and the needs of adult students in the culturally college degree, but we can only diverse world in which we live. She’s also open to new ideas and not do this by moving forward.” afraid to challenge the status quo. Those skills will serve her well in Assistant Professor and Unit Coordinator Cynthia Bates, Schenectady guiding the re-emergence of Empire State College.” Unit, Northeast Center; Susan H. Turben Chair in Mentoring ’14; President Candace S. Vancko, SUNY Delhi recipient of the Empire State College Foundation Excellence in Mentoring Award ’13; SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in “As a nontraditional student with a 27-year gap period, I can tell Teaching ’13; faculty speaker at President Hancock’s inauguration you firsthand that my own personal ‘re-emergence’ back into academia was quite daunting. I found that my research into universities and “It is clear that she has invested time and energy in meeting the colleges always seemed to draw me back to SUNY Empire State college’s various constituencies, that she values her students highly College. Our faculty, staff and administrators have made this process and that she will energize the institution to advance its mission in of re-emerging into this part of my life seamless. SUNY Empire State 21st-century education. I look forward to getting to know her as College has been blazing the trail for the nontraditional student for a new member of the Saratoga Springs community.” over 42 years.” President Philip Glotzbach, Skidmore College Lori Mould ’14, president of the SUNY Student Assembly and voting member of the SUNY Board of Trustees; graduation speaker at 2014 “President Hancock’s inaugural address – and discussion of ceremony for the Genesee Valley Center; college representative in 2014 ‘re-emergence’ – is a handy antidote for any attacks of nostalgia, at the annual public hearing on higher education convened by the New something that, as ‘new’ as the college is, has a way of creeping into York State Legislature any conversation about the future of this place. ‘Gosh, once we were … ’ Well no, we were never that, because we are still coming out of “I love the president’s choice of ‘re-emergence’ as our guiding theme. the box and growing into the fullness of the college’s original vision. It is a simple affirmation: What does each student want to accomplish That work, however handsomely begun, has a large horizon toward and how can mentors and ESC help bring that goal into reality? This which it must continue to move.” signature affirmation powers our work and sustains our existence.” Mentor of Historical Studies and Unit Coordinator Robert B. Carey, Mentor of Cultural Studies Robert Congemi, Northeast Center, Unit, Metropolitan Center, since 1973 since 1973

College Council Chairman James Lytle, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Empire State College faculty and staff during robing at the Saratoga President Merodie A. Hancock and SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Springs City Hall prior to inauguration procession. H. Carl McCall

8 www.esc.edu Three Voices That Shape Our Vision

As industry becomes more global and more international An Inauguration Celebration travel is required, ESC students will need to prepare to webinar series work both abroad and on U.S. soil with colleagues drawn from a worldwide arena. Hancock speaks of the potential of the college’s Center for International Programs to expand, continuing to serve foreign students in ESC’s The idea for the webinar developed called, “Three Voices overseas programs, but also hosting foreign students on series was presented by Patrice That Shape Our Vision.” The DeCoster, former chief of staff in committee and other college U.S. soil, as well as encouraging USA-based students to the Office of the President and faculty suggested a variety of study abroad. Many alumni already work for international chairwoman of the Inauguration speakers; the following were corporations, or want to, the president points out, adding Planning Committee, in September selected: 2013. Center for Mentoring and that current and potential overseas partners, as well as Saleem Badat, vice chancellor of Learning Senior Staff Assistant experts among ESC’s faculty and staff in international Rhodes University in South Africa. for Faculty Development Karen business areas of study are being consulted about student Badat has been at the forefront LaBarge was a member of the of access and fairness issues in residencies – both in the U.S. and abroad – that would committee, and was asked whether higher education in South Africa promote “a cohesive community.” she and College Professor of and around the world. He spoke Adult Learning Alan Mandell Hancock wants to “break down the silos,” so that on the Nelson Mandela quote, would be willing to coordinate students, faculty and staff, and the general public think of “Education is the most powerful such an event. The webinars ESC as one college and not as separate divisions, thereby weapon which you can use to would derive their focus from leveraging the college’s expertise across regions and change the world.” three quotes President Merodie programs – even spanning oceans. A. Hancock had chosen to James W. Hall, founding president “We have a lot of pieces to deal with, but we are so represent the inauguration theme, of SUNY Empire State College. fortunate because we actually have fewer boundaries to “re-emergence.” The quotes were Hall worked closely with break down than traditional colleges do,” says Hancock. taken from the written works State University of New York Chancellor Ernest L. Boyer Sr. “We have so much to accomplish that we have to take of Nelson Mandela, Ernest Boyer and Aristotle. After some in the establishment of ESC. He, advantage of every resource in the college, regardless of brainstorming, the webinar thus, was uniquely qualified to where it is.” planning committee – Director address Boyer’s quote, “Education She says there also will be a stronger emphasis on of the Center for Mentoring and is a seamless web: one level of relationships, such as links with research partners and social Learning Katherine Jelly, LaBarge, learning relates to every other.” services, increasing access as an inroad to relevancy in their Center for Distance Learning Elizabeth Minnich, senior scholar Dean Tom Mackey, Mandell, education for students. Hancock wants to support SUNY with the Association of American Metropolitan Center Mentor Colleges and Universities. As Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s “aggressive agenda” by finding Gina Torino and Chairwoman a philosopher, she has written ways to “realign” with SUNY’s mission to match New York of Teacher Education Tina extensively about the very state’s needs with students’ abilities. Wagle – agreed on a plan in early nature of knowledge and its “The chancellor is raising the bar for colleges and November 2013. “transformation.” Minnich’s talk students and ESC is stepping up and doing it better, The committee was excited centered on the Aristotle quote, dedicating staff and faculty to make it the strongest place to have an opportunity to think “All men by nature desire to know.” it can be,” Hancock says, while acknowledging that “the about important ideas and values as part of the larger inaugural process will sometimes be uphill – but still fun.” Each of these free sessions celebration. They considered was open to the public and drew The president predicts she might “lose sleep sometimes,” finding three people who could between 75 and 90 participants, but she is committed to listening to naysayers’ legitimate best use the quotes to help including Empire State College concerns as she leads the college through these changes. colleagues think more deeply faculty, staff and administrators “Concerns add value – that’s why I tend to put about President Hancock’s vision and colleagues from outside for Empire State College. Thus, something out there and let people respond,” she says. the college. a three-part webinar series was “We are in a challenging time for the budget and social change, so we have to figure out how to build creatively. We have a great team, passionate about doing what we do in a way that has meaning and purpose.” The Blackboard Collaborate webinar The president calls her plans for the college “innovative, recordings and accompanying PowerPoint optimistic and bold.” But, she says she won’t be alone in slides are available at http://cml.esc.edu/ meeting the challenges, concluding, “People want to put resources/materials/presentations. in the effort and I am honored to lead them.”

www.esc.edu 9 ALUMNI AND STUDENT News

Center for Distance Learning He is the owner of Bag and and the business, facilities and governor, Rob Astorino, String Wine Merchants, a human resources offices. She to be the GOP lieutenant Warren Abriel ’83, a fourth- boutique rare wine and liquor is responsible for the college’s governor candidate. generation firefighter, was store in Lakewood, N.Y. budget and capital projects, sworn in as the chief of the Stephen Tarbell ’87 has and serves as liaison to the Department of Fire and Center for been named to the Genesee Auxiliary Services Corp. and Emergency Services in Albany, Community College Hall International Programs the SUNY Cortland Child N.Y., on Feb. 25. The 42-year of Fame. After earning his Three recent graduates of Care Center. fire department veteran criminal justice degree at GCC the University of New York has served the Albany Fire Dawn Myers ’08 has been named in 1978, Tarbell went on to Program in Prague, Department since 1972. Abriel Andrea director of the Lowville, N.Y., work for the Wyoming County earned a Master of Science in Sandorova ’13, Jakup Bermak ’13 public library after nine years Sheriff’s Department. During and , won the Public Administration from Jiri Sykora ’13 as assistant librarian there. a 23-year-career, he served prestigious BCG Strategy Cup, Russell Sage College and a as deputy sheriff, scientific a student competition held Bachelor of Professional Studies Genesee Valley Center evidence technician, technical by the Consulting in Business, Management and sergeant and investigator Group in the Czech Republic. Liz Baradi ’87 was one of Economics with a concentration specializing in crime scene and Sykora also is a graduate the artists in a show at the in fire service administration fire investigations. He’s also of Empire State College’s Patterson Library Octagon from Empire State College. Gallery last spring, which served on the Warsaw Central International Programs School Board, on the Village Lisa Morahan ’01 founded featured her piece, “Out of the partnership with UNYP. Board as deputy mayor of Silver Floydwarriors.com, whose Box.” Baradi studied art at the Springs, and Wyoming County motto is “Helping Families University at Buffalo and at Central New York Center Youth Court coordinator. He Cope with Cancer, One Empire State College, where she is an was town councilman for the Household at a Time.” The Andrew D. Bennett ’77 earned her degree in art and alcohol and drug counselor town of Castile and is town organization announced its natural science. instructor at Mueller College supervisor. He’s a member of fifth annual Project Easter in San Diego, Calif. Since Adam Gayhart ’06 took second the Wyoming County Board of Bunny. Morahan started the he entered the chemical place in the Allegany Arts Supervisors and the Wyoming project after being too ill from dependency treatment field Association Poetry Contest/ County Community Hospital chemotherapy treatment in in 1977, he has provided Slam, as voted on by the Board of Managers. He earned 2009 to fill an Easter basket for professional training for the entire membership. his bachelor’s degree in criminal her son. The project’s goal is to Association of justice, public administration collect small toys and candy for Lynn Lubecki ’05 was profiled Alcohol and Drug Abuse and accounting from Empire 250 baskets each year. Several in the Woman to Watch section Counselors. He is a published State College and a master’s area cancer organizations of the Rochester Democrat author and a frequent degree in criminal justice from and hospitals in the Saratoga and Chronicle last spring. She presenter at state and the University at Albany. Springs, N.Y., area received is the executive director and national conferences. baskets to hand out. CEO of the Rochester Childfirst Mary Woodhull ’79, who Lynn Mallaro ’96 is a licensed Network and was cited for her earned a degree in business, Miguel Rodrigues has been real estate agent with Hunt passion for educating children. management and economics, appointed director of security, Real Estate. After 18 years She earned her degree in early passed away last spring. safety and emergency as an area human resources childhood education. Woodhull was a very active management for the Greater manager with BJ’s Wholesale alumna, participating in many Hudson Valley Health System. Corinna McKnight ’02, ’03 Food Club, she made a midlife events with the college. She Rodrigues has more than recently introduced the new career change. She was awarded loved to interact and inspire 16 years of experience in class of Allegany ARC’s the Hunt Real Estate of Central current students and the security, including HAZMAT Leadership Program. As chief and Northern New York 2013 Genesee Valley Center Annual and FEMA training. Rodrigues operating officer, McKnight Million Dollar Rookie of the Alumni Student Art Show. was recently honored as an works with an executive Year honor. She was fond of making Orange County Rising Star. He committee to identify employees sketches of costume is earning his bachelor’s degree Mary K. Murphy ’00 was named who demonstrate the interest photography that she would in emergency management. interim vice president for and capability to emerge as get from the George Eastman finance and management for future leaders. Samuel Whitmore ’11 was House. Her cartoon drawings SUNY Cortland. She oversees , the interviewed for the monthly Christopher Moss ’11 were very much in the style of the offices in the Division of Chemung County sheriff, has news feature, Leadership the New Yorker magazine. Finance and Management, Reflections, in the Sunday Post been selected by the Republican including the physical plant Journal of Jamestown, N.Y. nominee for New York state

10 www.esc.edu Hudson Valley Center Grossman’s wife, Janet at the Garibaldi-Meucci Grossman ’78, also is an Museum in Staten Obed Figueroa ’97, ’00 Always Be alumna, as is her mother, Island, the Friesen has completed an M.A. Jeannette Kopp ’78. Gallery in Sun Valley, a Part of Empire State College in higher education from Idaho, and at Greene Stony Brook University, Juanita Torrence- County Council on the and has been accepted in Thompson ’83 has Arts, Catskill, N.Y. Northeastern University’s launched her eighth doctorate program in book of poetry, “The Eric Darton ’90 launched education. Secret Life of Scrambled a blog, Book of the Eggs.” She is editor-in- World Courant, at www. Peter Graham ’85 recently chief of Mobius, The bookoftheworldcourant. retired and launched Poetry Magazine. net. It is an ongoing GNP Printing, a custom meditation on change t-shirt and embroidery Sonia Usatch-Kuhn ’97 and transformation as business in Binghamton, recently published a it is processed through N.Y., with his wife, chapbook, “Regarding language. In addition, AnnMarie. My Son.” She believes her most important work a fable, “Certain Long Island Center has been as an advocate Amazing Adventures of and voyager on her Mr. Hoel,” originally Jerry Astree, a student, son’s path to recovery published in New has penned “Loss of England Review in Grandma.” The story from schizophrenia. spring, 2001, has been Gareth Williams ’07 is designed for parents She also has been an selected as an NER founder and owner, and grandparents to instructor at SUNY Stony Brook School Classic. It may be Utility Survey Corp. share with children who read online at www. have suffered a loss. of Medicine, teaching Healing and Madness, nereview.com/category/ It explains, in terms ner-classics. children can understand, a nonclinical course she how sad things happen created dealing with Deborah Gregory ’86, in families, and provides issues of mental illness an award-winning MAKE A a sense of comfort. not found in textbooks. author and writer Usatch-Kuhn’s poetry of the Cheetah Girls POWERFUL IMPACT Terry Fokas ’93, a and an article about her series, is penning a new on Tomorrow’s Students member of the Empire course were published column on style for State College Foundation in The Journal of Poetry Ebony.com, showcasing Board, was named to Therapy. She was a black designers, artists Join Gareth and nearly 100 PAID, Inc., board of contributing writer for and other creatives directors, bringing his “Poetic Medicine: The who are not yet well additional Empire State College knowledge of patent Healing Art of Poem- known. The historic licensing and managing Making” by John Fox. black magazine and alumni and friends by including intellectual property. Other poems appeared website are undergoing the college in your will today. He is the president and in several anthologies, a transformation to chief executive officer of including “In the West appeal to a younger Parallel Networks. of Ireland, and love … ” demographic, and To learn more about how you Karl Grossman ’76, a and forthcoming in Gregory’s column is part professor of journalism Poetica Magazine. of the new look. Find can invest in the future of Empire in the media and her new column at www. State College, visit us online or communications Metropolitan Center ebony.com/style/antonio- program at SUNY’s Nancy Azara ’74, who browns-shoe-game-is- call today. College at Old Westbury, presented two new crazy-interview-402. has been named a workshops last summer, George A. Manger, www.esc.edu/PlanGifts member of the inaugural will be part of a panel a Staten Island Unit class of inductees to the at the upcoming student, former 800-847-3000, ext. 2793 Long Island Journalism encaustic conference stockbroker and Hall of Fame. He in Provincetown. She sales trader who received a Bachelor of is beginning some new was completing his Science with a social wall sculptures. Last undergraduate studies science concentration winter, she also was in in social work, died from the college. He’s several group shows: in West Brighton, N.Y., been an active journalist Sideshow Gallery in earlier this year. He for more than 50 years. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was a well-liked student at the college, work in Buffalo and on the Hudson Valley according to his mentor continue his work with campus. Amanda Sisselman. the Fenians. Have you made your Michael Burhans ’13, a has student, has been named Janice Novello ’83 Northeast Center gift yet this year? been awarded The publisher and regional University of Phoenix Patricia M. Gioia ’75, general manager for Thank you to everyone who has School of Advanced a tireless advocate for the Gatehouse Media generously made a gift so far this year. Studies Research homicide victims and properties in Saugerties Your support helps make it possible for Presentation Award. their families, was and Liberty, N.Y. named a Schenectady our students to realize their dreams. She says she owes it , M.A. (N.Y.) Patroon, the Erin Sullivan ’13 all to Empire State in labor and policy If you have not yet made your gift, there highest honor the College, which gave studies, recently initiated is still time to join your fellow alumni in city can bestow on her the opportunity to the implementation support of our students. a resident. Gioia’s earn an undergraduate of a new member daughter, Mary Regina Visit www.esc.edu/SupportESC and degree. She is the faculty mentoring program Gioia, was killed in make your gift before Dec. 31, 2014 – supervisor for the School within the International of Advanced Studies California 29 years ago. our students are counting on you. Brotherhood of Gioia has been a (Florida location) for the Electrical Workers Together we are greater than the power part of the support University of Phoenix. Local 3. The program, group Parents of of one! , which she developed as Richard Shaw ’08 ’10 Murdered Children just released the audio part of her M.A. final since shortly after her version of his 2013 project, has been such a daughter’s death. It’s Not Too book, “Teachers success that it is being Matter,” an essay Brenda Stubblefield ’97 considered for use across about the role of the has joined Affinity the entire IBEW. Health Plan as director Late! teacher in our society , a student, of Medicare operations. Pamela Witter and the partnership presented Five Strategies A leading managed-care between parent, child to Increase Your organization, Affinity and teacher. Annual Fund Revenue serves more than last spring at the 51st Niagara Frontier Center 267,000 members in the International Conference New York metropolitan Padraic Walsh ’13, was on Fundraising in San area. She was director named to the “40 under Antonio, Texas. She is of pharmacy and 40” list in the Irish completing her master’s government programs Echo. A University at degree in business at Independent Health. Buffalo law student, administration from After receiving her he graduated from Erie the college. She has bachelor’s degree from County Community served as the agency the college, she earned College in 2012. Walsh relations coordinator her master’s in health emigrated to the U.S. and development care administration/ from Kiltimaugh, Co. manager for HomeCare management from Mayo, Ireland, in 1994. & Hospice, and the SUNY Buffalo. He is noted for his event management scholastic achievements, School for coordinator for St. in addition to his work Graduate Studies Bonaventure University. with the Irish Network Buffalo and his public Bruce Burdock ’08, In Memoriam relations work with who earned an M.A. Lorraine Peeler ’88, the Buffalo Fenians in liberal studies, is a Ph.D., a mentor at Gaelic Football Club. practicing fine artist the college’s Niagara His humanitarian who earned his B.F.A. Frontier Center, died work in Vietnam from the Maryland July 5, 2014. Peeler with DDS4Kids.org, Institute College of was well-known in the Please Stay Connected! a dental outreach Art. He recently had Buffalo area as a pastor, program for the a solo show at the teacher, counselor, Tell us what’s new with you. Do you have a new country’s underserved James Palmer Gallery researcher, HIV/AIDS job, a promotion, an award, a new publication, communities, also was of Vassar College titled advocate, workshop new exhibit, etc.? We’d love to hear from you. cited. Walsh hopes to “Faces of Vassar: An leader and author. Send us your news and photos. Just go to: practice construction Appreciation” honoring Peeler held an M.Ed. www.esc.edu/Alumni-Info. law, pursue urban selected individuals and a Ph.D. from property development who work in the trades SUNY Buffalo. 12 www.esc.edu Lifelong Learning Lifelong Connection

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Proudly displaying her 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award, noted author Deborah Gregory ’86 of the Cheetah Girls book series, is joined by Metropolitan Center Dean Cynthia Ward, left, and President Merodie A. Hancock, following presentation of the honor.