Taking the Industry by Storm
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horizonsWinter 2020 The Magazine of SUNY Delhi Taking the Industry by Storm President’s Welcome In November, the campus community enjoyed a special visit by world-renowned animal behavior expert, autism spokesperson, and author Dr. Temple Grandin. Her extraordinary life and insights as an ‘autistic savant’ have made a lasting impact on how both autism and animal behavior are understood today. At Delhi, Grandin talked to a full audience about her unique perspective into veterinary science, drawing parallels between the sensory-based way that both ear friends, animals and individuals with autism think. Because of their difficulty deciphering D vagueness and subtlety, Grandin stressed the importance of clear and specific communication as well as more rigid training on life skills and manners. She also As we enter the year 2020, I’m excited for everything the new decade has in store talked about the unique strengths of the autistic mind such as its tremendous for SUNY Delhi. The world keeps changing, and we change right along with it. capacity to store information. Our institution’s history has proven that SUNY Delhi is consistently able to evolve Grandin had an opportunity to tour Delhi’s veterinary science facilities and see the department’s new canine simulator, ultrasound machine, and dental x-ray and adapt to the developments and demands of the world around us. We remain machine. Grandin was pleased to hear that Delhi uses fear-free treatment methods secure in our position as a leading instructional institution, offering extraordinarily with animals, remarking that the way medical tools are used is as important as the equipment itself. relevant degrees to prepare our students for successful lives and careers. Temple Grandin Grandin’s message resonated deeply with veterinary technology major Cory Palmer who shares not only Grandin’s passion for animals but the experience of growing In this issue of Horizons, you’ll meet Brooke LaTourette, a talented young Inspires up on the autism spectrum. soon-to-be graduate who is in high demand in the job market because of her at SUNY Delhi “Seeing Grandin has been the highest point of my college career so far,” Palmer cutting-edge education from SUNY Delhi. You’ll learn about the innovative said. “After a stressful semester, it gives me so much confidence to see someone who has gone through similar experiences.” new programs we’ve created to meet industry needs. You’ll also read about alumni that make us proud. School of Nursing Recognized as Center of Excellence As the world changes, you can count on the core values of a SUNY Delhi SUNY Delhi’s School of Nursing has earned the designation education staying the same. We are a community that works, learns, and grows of 2019–2023 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by together, determined to use all the tools at our disposal to transform our the National League for Nursing (NLN). With this prestigious honor, Delhi joins an elite group of institutions that also students’ lives. includes Duke University School of Nursing and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Thank you for staying connected and engaged with your Alma Mater. As According to NLN, Centers of Excellence help raise the bar for graduates, you are a critically important part of our college community. We all nursing programs by role modeling visionary leadership and environments of inclusive excellence. value you and hope SUNY Delhi always feels like home. “Receiving the designation of Center of Excellence is an honor that reflects our vision of being a frontrunner in delivering outstanding, cutting-edge nursing education for today’s health- care industry needs,” said Dr. Susan Deane, Dean of the School of Nursing at SUNY Delhi. “Thanks to the tremendous efforts Dr. Michael R. Laliberte of our faculty and staff who collectively create and support President, SUNY Delhi innovative learning environments, our nursing students are exceptionally well-equipped to enjoy successful careers as healthcare providers, educators, and leaders in a global and diverse society.” With a dynamic blend of theory and hands-on lab work and practicums, SUNY Delhi’s holistic approach to nursing is highly ranked among nursing programs at both state and national levels. Small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and personalized support services further promote student success. 2 Winter 2020 delhi.edu 3 Brooke LaTourette: Taking the Industry by Storm When automation industry employers look for the perfect hire, they expect great technical aptitude, a tremendous work ethic, and an ability to adapt to situations on the fly. They want a natural leader and a jack of all trades. They want someone just like SUNY Delhi student Brooke LaTourette. Brooke LaTourette, 21, is set to graduate from SUNY Delhi’s mechatronics bachelor’s program in May 2020. Right out of the gate, she is taking the industry by storm. When MDI Multi-Dimensional Integration, an automation services giant based in Shrewsbury, PA, took a chance on hiring their first-ever intern from a SUNY school to work alongside engineering students from big universities, they were amazed by her job-ready skills and professionalism. “Brooke was definitely one of our top interns from that batch,” says Kevin Morabito, business developer and LaTourette’s internship coordinator at MDI. “She really impressed us with her abilities and analytical mindset. She is excellent with our customers.” Brooke LaTourette comes from a family of SUNY Delhi graduates. “My parents, With so much potential to tap into, LaTourette was given the lead role on a project and a a couple of my siblings, uncles, and permanent position at MDI upon graduation – a job that will include frequent travel to client many other relatives went to Delhi for sites around the country. different majors. I’m proud to be part of that tradition.” LaTourette is humble and modest about her quick advancement in the automation field. The youngest of five children, the Downsville, NY, native followed her passion for robotics and enrolled in the mechatronics program after spending a day shadowing Professor Michael Miller, one of the founders and biggest champions of the program, at Delhi. “It looked like the perfect blend of design and hands-on experience with technology,” LaTourette says. “Coming from a somewhat challenging, small-town background, I wanted What is Mechatronics? According to the a degree that would get me a well-paying job and a stable, independent life. Delhi has helped me achieve that.” Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that melds all major technological Manufacturing Institute, disciplines including mechanical, electrical, technical controls, there will be 4.6 million Miller says that LaTourette was a top student from the beginning—a perfect storm of natural automation, and computer systems. The field has applications in every ability and drive. industry. skilled manufacturing jobs to fill between 2018 “While Brooke is an outstanding student, all our students graduate with one or multiple job “Mechatronics is innovative automation,” says Professor Michael Miller. offers on the table,” Miller points out. “We teach a combination of engineering and technical “We take a concept from design to fabrication, testing, implementation, and 2028. Due to a skills skills that makes our students highly employable.” troubleshooting, and maintenance—everything from soup to nuts. When shortage, more than half a piece of equipment malfunctions, a company loses a lot of money. Our will lie vacant. “Delhi taught me everything I needed to be successful,” LaTourette affirms. “Going into students are trained for a wide skill set and know how to fix problems.” employment, I didn’t have to be handheld or have things explained to me. I was able to approach each situation with the information given and run with it.” Delhi’s mechatronics program was the first in New York State and the first 4-year technologist degree in the country. It was born out of an industry LaTourette is happy that more women are entering the industry. need to hire employees with a versatile skill set instead of a single area of competency. “We’re good at our jobs. Having a better gender balance brings different views and strengths to the job,” she says. “I’ve never had issues being treated differently as a female, but I think the industry needs more of us.” 4 Winter 2020 delhi.edu 5 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Programs Grow to Students and Alumni KRISTINE “SQUITIERI” FITZPATRICK ’88 Meet Industry Needs Connect on Campus Major: Hotel and Restaurant Management SUNY Delhi introduced new academic majors and Kennedy Lounge in Alumni Hall served as the tracks last fall in response to industry needs and setting for the Fall 2019 SUNY Delhi Student- Professional position: Account Manager developments. Added this year were an associate Alumni Networking Night on October 3rd. at C.H. Robinson Logistic Services degree in Electrical Construction and Utility Operations, a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Twenty-one students joined College President Residence: Long Island, NY; proud mother of and new tracks for the bachelor’s degree programs Michael Laliberte and other campus leaders to Peter and Wade Fitzpatrick in Business and Technology Management. engage with successful SUNY Delhi alumni to hear About Kristine: Kristine began her SUNY Delhi is committed to providing students about their experiences going from students to top educational journey at SUNY Delhi in with the most up-to-date and relevant educational level managers, executives, and leaders in their 1985. She excelled in track and field and experience possible. “Through our extensive network professional lives. The event, sponsored by the was an inaugural member of SUNY Delhi of industry connections, alumni, and advisory boards, SUNY Delhi Alumni Association, was designed to Athletics Hall of Fame. Kristine was then we closely follow industry trends and demands and give students the confidence and skills to jumpstart recruited by St.