ReflectionsA PUBLICATION OF THE SUNY ONEONTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPRING 2020

POLETTA LOUIS ’92 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Keynote Speaker ALSO... Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and School of Economics & Business celebrate 50 Years ReflectionsVolume XLXIII Number 3 Spring 2020

FROM NETZER 301 RECENT DONATION 2 20 TO ALDEN ROOM FROM THE ALUMNI @REDDRAGONSPORTS 3 ASSOCIATION 23 COLLEGE FOUNDATION 4 ACROSS THE QUAD 25 UPDATES EARTH & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES 2020 ALUMNI AWARD 11 50TH ANNIVERSARY 27 WINNERS 14 MARK YOUR CALENDAR 15 ALUMNI IN BARCELONA SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS & BUSINESS BEYOND THE PILLARS 15 50TH ANNIVERSARY 30 BEHIND THE DOOR: A LOOK ALUMNI PROFILE: 18 AT EMILY PHELPS’ OFFICE 41 ROZ HEWSENIAN ’75

On the Cover: Poletta Louis ’92 connects Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights legacy to the continuing struggle for equality and justice in all facets of our society.

Photo by Gerry Raymonda Reflections Vol. XLXIII Number 3 Spring 2020

MANAGING EDITOR Laura M. Lincoln

EDITOR Adrienne Martini

LEAD DESIGNER Jonah Roberts

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Adrienne Martini Geoffrey Hassard Benjamin Wendrow ’08

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Gerry Raymonda Michael Forster Rothbart

Reflections is published three times a year by the Division of College Advancement and is funded in part by the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta.

SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY 13820-4015 Postage paid at Oneonta, NY

POSTMASTER Address service requested to: Reflections Office of Alumni Engagement Ravine Parkway Reconnect SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY 13820-4015 Follow the Alumni Association for news, events, contests, photos, and more. For links to all of our Reflections is printed social media sites, visit www.oneontaalumni.com on recylced paper. From Netzer 301

This is an edited version of President shifted online and campus closed, some Barbara Jean Morris’ message to the had to find money to buy laptops. Our SUNY Oneonta community as the Student Emergency Fund has become COVID-19 public health emergency a vital resource for students whose unfolded. college careers were about to end because of the curveball this global I hope you and your family are healthy emergency threw at us. and faring as well as possible during these uncertain times. While some of the immediate concerns are resolved, the consequences are This issue of Reflections was in the still revealing themselves. In the process of being finalized and sent to midst of everything that happened, press as the COVID-19 public health our campus united, and I was in awe emergency began to unfold. We had no of SUNY Oneonta. With tenacity and idea how much would change and how empathy, Red Dragons stayed true to quickly. our students and to the SUNY Oneonta Our situation on campus has continued community of alumni, faculty, and staff. to evolve. I struggle to find words When I first came to SUNY Oneonta, accurate enough to express how I feel almost two years ago now, the thing about what we went a through in such that struck me most was the profound a short time in March. We sent our ethic of care that was universal here — students off for spring break, wished present everywhere and on display day them safe travels, and told them we after day. It truly shone through. That When I first came to would see them back in Oneonta in a ethic of care is what binds us. It is our week. SUNY Oneonta, almost calling card. two years ago now, the Who could have possibly guessed that, For the past few months, our ethic of two weeks later, we would transition thing that struck me care has shone through — again. It to online classes, cancel long-awaited most was the profound kept us strong and allowed us to find events, postpone commencement, joy in an uncertain time. To be sure, ethic of care that was close our buildings, send most of our more challenges lie ahead as we come universal here. employees home, and watch students to a more complete understanding of pack their belongings to move off our new reality. I know we are up to campus for the rest of the semester? the challenges. There is nowhere else That’s the view from campus. However, I would rather be and no one else with all members of our Red Dragon family whom I’d rather do this work. All Red have felt an impact, including our Dragons are in this together, and we alumni. Our commitment to all of you is will get through this together. just as important. During this time, we We wish you and your family good have found new ways to connect with health and safety, now and in the weeks you and help you to connect with each to come. Thank you for being such an other. important part of the SUNY Oneonta “Disruptive” is the word used to family. describe the effects of COVID-19. Those feelings of stress, uncertainty, and sadness may have faded by now. But those disruptive days aren’t so far in the past that we’ve forgotten them. We can Barbara Jean Morris, Ph.D. still feel the emotional exhaustion. President We faced an unprecedented situation. Our students faced additional financial hardships and new expenses that they could not have foreseen. Their campus jobs disappeared. When instruction

2 Spring 2020 | Reflections Daren Rylewicz ’93 From The Alumni Association

stonework for the 9/11 memorial towers like visitations from people he had adjacent to Fitzelle Hall. lost. The doe was Kathleen, who knew how special this campus was to both Five years after Kathleen died, John, of them. The eagle was his childhood a New York City firefighter, was at the friend Eric, a firefighter who lost his life World Trade Center buildings when at the World Trade Center. they were bombed in 1993. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was on his way to work at the “They have helped me to understand New York City Fire Museum in lower that they may take your physical being Manhattan. He was walking out of a away, but they may not take away your subway station when the north tower eternal spirit. Your actions, words, and was hit. After calling the fire dispatcher, deeds will exist infinitely,” he said. John went downtown to help. As he prepared the Class of 2002 for During the commencement for the life after college, he reminded them, Class of 2002, John spoke. On Sept. “Every individual has the potential to 11, he said, “Our status changed from contribute to the advancement of the rescuers to victims. Our job description human race. Go forth and do so, make John Jermyn ’81 passed away in changed from protecting the public your mark, do your best, and enjoy December 2019. He was 63 years old. from the ravages of fire to becoming yourself as you go along. Make our city, We hope all our alumni who have front-line soldiers in the war on our state, our country, and our world a died lived lives full of meaning and terrorism.” better place for us all to live in.” connection. John certainly did. His impact has been felt not only on This wasn’t how John expected his life Thank you, John, for all of your work. campus, but in the wider community, to go after he graduated from SUNY It has helped make this world—and this too. Oneonta. “I am just an average, regular campus—a better place for all. guy who is doing his job. Life can be Daren Rylewicz ’93 both funny and strange; you never John’s impact has been felt President know what tomorrow will bring,” he SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association not only on campus, but in said. the wider community, too. In his speech, John talked about an experience he’d had on campus in the John was a member of the Alumni late 1990s. He was visiting Oneonta Association Board of Directors from with his son and decided to go for a 2007 to 2015. From 2012 to 2014, he run one morning. Near the green space served as president. His sister Kathleen between Milne Library and the Chase was a Red Dragon as well. She would Gymnasium, he came face to face with have graduated in 1989 but was killed a white-tailed doe. The two locked when Pan Am Flight 103 was brought eyes before each turned to run in the down by a terrorist’s bomb over opposite direction. Lockerbie, Scotland. Kathleen was He had a similar experience with a returning from a semester studying in bald eagle while hiking near Lake London. In her honor, John donated Tahoe a few years later. The majestic more than $140,000 and endowed a bird soared overhead so close, John scholarship. In addition, he made gifts said, that it felt like he could touch it. John to fund all of the landscaping and Both moments were special; both felt Jermyn ’81 SUNY ONEONTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020 PRESIDENT PRESIDENT-ELECT Carolyn Cacciato ’79 Mark Ventrone ’79 EX OFFICIO Daren Rylewicz ’93 Christine Warnquist ’71 Katie Dupuree ’07 STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS VICE PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Thomas Glennon ’09 BOARD MEMBERS Paul J. Adamo ’81 Ed Aluck ’95 Laura Madelone Lincoln Alice Maggiore ’10 Odalis Galeano Umana ’20 Barbara Jean Morris, Ph.D. Erikka Misrahi ’08 SECRETARY BOARD MEMBERS Luke Sheridan ’20 Coleen Moore ‘96 Stephanie Peguillan ’15 Erica Skov Beams ’07 HONORARY Judith Stern Palais ’81 Kyle Beckley ’08 BOARD MEMBER TREASURER Bob Raymond ’74 Drew McKay ’05 C.L. “Three” Bollinger ’01 Jim Zians Spring 2020 | Reflections 3 Across THE QUAD

Scott Saltzman ’86 spoke with students about the fundamentals of marketing.

Poletta Louis ’92 ’11 ’15 delivers her keynote on Martin Luther King Jr. Day ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS TO SHARE INSIGHT WITH STUDENTS

Scott Saltzman ’86, national sales manager for Puma North America, returned to campus in November. While here, he spoke with students learning the fundamentals of marketing, as well as those in fashion marketing and apparels quality analysis. Poletta Louis ’92 ’11 ’15, an elementary school counselor for the Worcester Central School District, in Worcester, New York, was the guest speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Louis is originally from the Caribbean and emigrated to Oneonta through the Job Corps program in 1987. After completing the Job Corps program, she graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a bachelor’s degree in business economics and a minor in personnel administration. In her early career, Louis worked for the Oneonta Job Corps program and subsequently spent 14 years in higher education. The program was an evening of remembrance, reflection, influence, and an engaging conversation in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. This conversation linked King’s civil rights legacy to the continuing struggle for equality and justice.

CAMPUS Temple Grandin, Mask and Hammer a leading advocate theatre club and the connections for the autism theatre department community, spoke produced Ayad NOVEMBER in the Alumni Akhtar’s Disgraced. Field House about The play was the connecting animal Common Read for science and autism. 2019-20.

4 Spring 2020 | Reflections Brynn Sussman ’15 met with students to speak about her career and working to overcome mental health challenges.

Rich Mendel ’85 Bill Ruffing ’85 Lauren Dolginko ’12

Rich Mendel ’85, a retired vice president from Afton Brynn Sussman ’15, a 30 Under 30 nominee, returned to her Chemical Corp., and Bill Ruffing ’85, a vice president at alma mater this fall to meet with students to speak about her Action Capital Corp., spoke to engineering and industrial career as well as how she has been dealing with and working chemistry classes. After their discussions with students, to overcome mental health challenges. After graduation, the pair agreed that “given our careers and amazing things Sussman began her career working for the NBA and NFL we’ve done, to do it all over again, we would always choose before taking a job as a manager for entertainment and SUNY Oneonta.” creative development at the National Hockey League. Lauren Dolginko ’12, who earned her master’s degree Sussman shared her professional experiences with the from Binghamton University, returned to campus to talk sports management department alongside her father, Gary about and recruit current students for Roux Associates, her Sussman, who is a former executive with the Brooklyn Nets. employer. This environmental consulting firm serves clients She also spent time with the men’s and women’s tennis including Amtrak, Sunoco, and Pfizer. Dolginko worked on teams. the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program and works with developers to understand water contamination levels.

Natalie Weiner, The Nutrition for Activist Robyn a staff writer Performance Club Ochs lead Loos- at SB Nation, hosted a class full ening the Gender spoke about the of cooking tips for Girdle, a workshop 1959 project, maximizing ath- for students to ex- where she is letic performance plore gender rules writing about in the Human and norms. jazz events Ecology Kitchen. during that year.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 5 The Harvey Delaney Leadership Institute Panel

Alumni were on hand during the Harvey Delaney industry major because she studied classical cello for 12 years Leadership Institute to provide graduating students with and wanted to combine her passion for classical music with some tools necessary to translate on-campus leadership business. skills into post-graduation benefits.John McAlary ’86, April Brewer ’13, an assistant production manager at the Michelle Osterhoudt ’99, Barbara Ann Heegan ’99, Kansas City Repertory Theater and a 30 Under 30 finalist, Keith Stewart, Coleen Moore ’96, Lisa Meschutt ’92 gave theatre students career advice during a Skype call with ’97, Kristen Gaynor ’11, 30 Under 30 finalist William Mask and Hammer. She talked about the process of applying VonAtzingen ’15, Tyler Itzkowitz ’15, and Michael to theatre-specific graduate school programs as well as what Morales ’17 shared their insights and time with our to expect as a professional in the industry. seniors. SUNY Oneonta students who are aspiring to be school counselors heard about experiences in the field from Red During a Skype call with music industry students, 30 Dragons. Karen Gilbertson ’96 ’12 ’15, a counselor at Walton Under 30 finalistEmilia Albarano ’16 talked about (New York) high school; Pathy Leiva ’18, the SUNY Oneonta her work in the classical division at Columbia Artists EOP and CAMP director; Poletta Louis ’92 ’11 ’15, an Management. For the 30 artists she manages, Albarano elementary school counselor; and recent graduate Matthew programs events, organizes travel, and arranges rehearsal Horne ’17 ’19 participated in a panel discussion in November. schedules. When she was a student, she pursued a music

CAMPUS As part of the Rich- FlemFest featured ard Siegfried Lecture SUNY Oneonta connections Series, Daniel Stich, bands Kill the King, assistant professor of Daisy Haze, Descent, DECEMBER biology, delivered “Fish, and Letters from the Fishing, Dams, and Coast at the Foothills Climate: What Have Performing Arts and We Lost and What Do Civic Center. We Stand to Gain” in Craven Lounge. 6 Spring 2020 | Reflections Earth Science Majors’ Night

Greg Floyd ’80 Christy Lamagna ’90

Greg Floyd ’80 and Christy Lamagna ’90 returned to campus to talk with accepted students during two Scholars Days in February. After his presentation, Floyd met with communications students for an informal chat about how he began his career at CBS in Albany and stressed the importance of fully preparing for an interview and being Margaret LaFarr ’89, Lisa Meschutt ’92 ’97, DelaneyAnn ready for anything that might happen. Lamagna spoke Martin ’18, Emmon Johnson ’08 ’12, Tyson Robb ’11, about how she built Strategic Meetings and Events then Francis Alvino ’18, Chelsea Krieg ’14, Kaitlyn Woods held a fireside chat with the Start-up Grind Club, a student ’15, Erin Potter ’12, and Connor Chapman ’17 networked group for those who want to start their own businesses. She with current Earth and atmospheric sciences majors also met with food service management students who are in December. These alumni, who work in education, interested in event planning. government, and private industry, shared wisdom about how they put their degrees to practical use after graduation.

CAMPUS Comedian Daniel Molly Jean Franzese delivered Feulner’s connections “Yass! You’re Amazing,” photography show, his stand-up show, in Oogie Boogie, JANUARY the Hunt Union opened in the Ballroom. Project Space Gallery.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 7 STUDENTS AND ALUMNI NETWORK IN NEW YORK CITY In January, theatre students met in New York City to participate in the Goodrich to Broadway program. The day started with a tour of Hudson Scenic Studio, which was co-founded by Alumni of Distinction honoree Neil Mazzella ’73. Students then had the opportunity to network with Kyle Beckley ’08, Alumni of Distinction honoree David Feldman ’82, Jamie Pitter ’15, Alumni MUSIC INDUSTRY STUDENTS MAKE of Distinction honoree Nancy Robillard ’84, Kendall Sherman MEMORIES IN ANAHEIM ’09, Alumni of Distinction honoree Just one week before he became a sessions tied to today’s trends and Heidi Schulman-Cohen ’81, Alumni five-time Grammy Award winner, marketing techniques. of Distinction honoree Carol musician/producer Finneas O’Connell The NAMM trip is a long-running Silverman ’83, Andrew Tejada ’13, spoke to SUNY Oneonta music SUNY Oneonta tradition. Music and James Whiteman ’83. The day industry students about what it was like department faculty have been taking concluded with a discussion led by recording a hit album with his sister, students to the event for more than 25 superstar Billie Eilish. Broadway producer and Alumni of years. Lecturer Nancy Tarr ’87, who Distinction honoree Hal Luftig ’79. It was just one memorable moment has accompanied Oneonta students on Alumni of Distinction honoree students experienced at the world’s the trip for the past five years, said it’s a Annette Krassner ’84 hosted a largest music products trade show, wonderful opportunity for students to networking dinner at the SUNY The NAMM (National Association of meet and learn from people who have Global Center near Bryant Park for Music Merchants) Show in Anaheim, been in their shoes. recent graduates from the School California. While in California, the students of Economics and Business. Serina The NAMM Show is an annual event also visited Paradigm Talent Agency, Aridi ’19, Heather Teichmann ’18, that brings together leaders of the where Natalie Costanza ’19 landed Breanna O’Shea ’18, Katherine music products, pro audio, and event an internship last summer through Tighe ’14, 30 Under 30 nominee technology industries for four days the Well Dunn Foundation. A group Amber Conforti ’16, and Amanda of product introductions, business of students also got to volunteer at Barcia ’17 attended. opportunities, networking and NAMM’s She Rocks Awards show, Student travel was supported by inspiration. The 40 SUNY Oneonta which pays tribute to women in the charitable gifts to the Fund for Oneonta. students who attended got to preview music industry. and test new products from more than This trip was made possible in part by 7,000 brands; enjoyed special events, support from the Caroline (’67) and live music, and celebrity appearances; David D’Antonio Student Travel for and attended dozens of demonstrations, Excellence Fund. panel discussions, and educational

CAMPUS Theo Wilson gave Rana Bitar, a a lecture about physician, author, connections his experience as and poet, read a black man who her work during FEBRUARY went undercover the Red Dragon with the alt-right Reading Series. in the Hunt Union Ballroom.

8 Spring 2020 | Reflections Dr. Chiang enjoys the company of SCIENCE PROFESSOR RETIRES colleagues at his retirement party. AFTER HIS GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Joseph Chiang’s career with the University of Chicago, and the Argonne National SUNY Oneonta began in the fall Laboratory. He even collaborated with a local Oneonta artist of 1968 as an assistant professor and helped to develop a plastic medium for a sculpture. in the chemistry and biochemistry Equally noteworthy are the hundreds of students who department. During the more than learned the fundamentals of chemistry in his classroom five decades that have followed, he over the past 50 years. As part of his retirement celebration, has had visiting professorships at Dr. Chiang and his wife, Nancy Chiang, who is a retired universities in Chicago, Shanghai, chemistry professor from Hartwick College, generously and Beijing and authored more than endowed a scholarship to encourage the study of physical 49 publications. He has held research chemistry for SUNY Oneonta students with financial need. and teaching fellowships at institutions around the world, including the Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Harvard University,

The Black Wax Alice Lichtenstein read Museum, where from her novel The Crime participants of Being on Feb. 4 in portrayed black Craven Lounge as part of people who the Red Dragon Reading made a historical Series. impact, opened in Morris Hall.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 9 The Pillars were busy this winter. On Dec. 7, graduating seniors closed out their college careers with their Pass through the Pillars toward the Hunt Union. On Jan. 13, incoming first-year and transfer students celebrated the start of their time at SUNY Oneonta.

ALUMNI Events New York City New Year’s Social

1889 Society Holiday Reception Alumni Gatherings in Boca Raton and Naples, Florida

10 Spring 2020 | Reflections Earth & Atmospheric th Sciences 50ANNIVERSARY

The beginnings of what would become the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 1985 2004-05 Department can be traced to 1963, Inaugural Philo C. Wilson Outstanding The Earth Science Outreach Program and the formation of the science Graduating Senior Award is given. (ESOP), a program to enable high department. It included all sciences school students to take introductory and science education. geosciences, is established. ESOP is Robert Biviano ’63 was this omni- 1986 now in more than 24 schools. science department’s first graduate, The department changes its name to with majors in Earth Science and the Earth Sciences Department. Biology. The department’s true beginning was 1996 in 1970, when Philo C. Wilson became Beth Bitteto ’96 is the first graduate the first chair of the newly independent in the Environmental Earth Science Earth Science Department. William major. “Buzz” Clement ’70 and Richard Chris Jansen ’70 were the first graduates in the Geology major; 2000 James Vroman ’68 earned the first Inaugural QTZ Scholarship is awarded master’s degree from the department; through the generosity of alumni Terry and in 1973, Louis P. Curschmann ’73 Quinn ’82, Eric Tappa ’81, and James and Richard Lumia ’72 were the first Zachos ’81. graduates in the Meteorology major. Gary Braunfeld ’81 and Christopher Reynolds ’81 were the first graduates 2002 in the Water Resources major. Moira Beach retires as department secretary after 25 years and a total of By 1984, 72 graduates had earned 32.5 years in service to the College. degrees in the department, and it continued to evolve. Spring 2020 | Reflections 11 The department pioneers a First Year 2006 Experience with GEOFYRST: Geologic 2011 The Earth Sciences Department Professor Duane Wohlford retires. His First Year Regional Summer Trip, a becomes the Department of Earth 42-year tenure spans the entire life of weeklong field experience for incoming the department, including its time in and Atmospheric Sciences to better freshmen. describe the breadth of majors. the science department.

2008 2014 2006-08 The inaugural Scholarship for , establishes the With the renovation of the Science I “Buzz” Clement ’70 Excellence in Water Resources, Clement Fund for Field Study in the Building, the Skylab is added to the Geology and Earth Science, which was Geosciences to support extended field- south side of the third floor, adjacent to endowed by Professor Art Palmer and based courses such as GEOFYRST, the meteorology lab. his wife, Peggy Palmer, is awarded. Field Study of the Rocky Mountain Region (a.k.a. the Western Regional 2007 field trip), and Field Geology of Plate 2010 Boundaries. Clement and his wife, The inaugural Peter W. Knightes ’67 Randall Wilson ’06 ’10 is the Marilyn, had previously established an Scholarship is awarded for majors in department’s last master’s student; endowed scholarship for STEM majors Adolescence Education: Earth Science. the College deactivates the graduate with financial need. program.

12 Spring 2020 | Reflections The Department of Earth and 2017 2019 Atmospheric Sciences looks Professor Melissa Godek, meteorology, Leigh Fall begins her service as forward to the next 50 years of is the first female faculty member to department chair; she is the first fostering excellence in teaching and receive tenure in the department. woman in the department to hold this undergraduate research. position Over the past 50 years, 10 faculty 2018 Please join us for a 50th anniversary Science I Building is renamed the members have been recognized with event on Nov. 13, 2020. More information Janet R. Perna Science Building in the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is at www.oneontaalumni.com honor of her gift supporting women in in Teaching. Of the 14 Distinguished the sciences. The building is named in Teaching Professors recognized by the College beginning in 1975, four have honor of Janet Perna ’70, recognizing her support for women in the sciences been from the Department of Earth and and the unrestricted endowment at Atmospheric Sciences. SUNY Oneonta. Alumni, faculty, and emeritus faculty The water resources major is contributions to the Earth Sciences Field Experiences Fund enable deactivated; Silas Sleeper ’18 is its last graduate. undergraduates to conduct research, as well as attend and present research at national and regional conferences.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 13 Mark your CALENDAR JUNE 5-7 REUNION WEEKEND, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED AUGUST 7 BREW AT THE ZOO ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 7 ALUMNI NIGHT YANKEE STADIUM, THE BRONX, NEW YORK 23 2020 FRESHMAN PASS THROUGH THE PILLARS, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 28 2020 SENIOR PASS THROUGH THE PILLARS, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 29 CLASS OF 2020 COMMENCEMENT, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS SEPTEMBER 4 FOUNDERS’ DAY, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 11 9/11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 11 22nd HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 12 13th DINING FOR CHAMPIONS DINNER, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS OCTOBER 16 ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION PRESENTATION OF HONORS, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 23-25 FAMILY WEEKEND 2020, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS 24 LEGACY FAMILY BREAKFAST, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS NOVEMBER 13 EARTH & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES MAJORS’ NIGHT, SUNY ONEONTA CAMPUS SEE WHAT’S NEW on social media

Keep up with the most recent events, as well as news, photos, FOLLOW blog updates, and anything you might need to stay engaged with Oneonta! TODAY! Official SUNY College at Oneonta Alumni

The Twitter feed is filled The Instagram page with class notes, alumni is filled with alumni news, and cool tidbits about updates and profiles. what alumni are doing. Takeovers follow fellow @OneontaAlumni alumni throughout LinkedIn is a great way to keep in contact their day. Follow to with Alumni of Distinction spotlights as keep updated. well as loyal Red Dragon news. @sunyoneontaalumni Official SUNY College at Oneonta Alumni 14 Spring 2020 | Reflections Jim Ajello ’75 supports business and economics students with an internship fund.

School of Economics th & Business 50ANNIVERSARY “A business economics major is one of the best majors because it’s good preparation for life,” says Wade Thomas, the dean of the School of Economics and Business. Fifty years’ worth of business economics alumni likely would agree.

The major started with four graduates in the early 1970s. to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 2011. As of 2018, there are 707 alumni of the program. While the Fewer than 5 percent of the world’s educational institutions focus is building a solid foundation for careers in business, earn this designation. accounting, law, marketing, and information management Entry into the AACSB is a rigorous process, one that SUNY fields, SUNY Oneonta’s emphasis on providing a liberal arts Oneonta started in 1997. At that time, Thomas says, “the experience ensures that these students are also exposed to business program as it was here was not in a form that you the arts, humanities, and sciences. would expect to see in an accredited business school. It Dr. Wade Thomas has taught in the school for 30 of its 50 wasn’t necessarily a bad form because it had some of the years. Over his tenure, he’s seen its majors grow stronger. origins that you see at some other places that had business The biggest change was its accreditation by the Association economics or economics management.”

Spring 2020 | Reflections 15 Once earned, this accreditation But the goal of the program is to make investment that began in winter 2019. requires continuous improvement to sure students—no matter if they are Business and economics students remain current with the organization’s pursuing a traditional business degree choose how to manage this pool of ever-evolving standards. or will become CPAs—understand the money. It has made an immediate and fundamentals of the field. significant impact upon teaching and One aspect of the program that learning in finance. makes it distinctive among other While classroom experience is colleges across the state is its important, applied learning and Another alumni gift is being used to emphasis on economics. Students real-world experience are crucial create an incubator for entrepreneurs. are required take introductory micro- components of the program—and the Alan Rubin ’93 initiated the A&D and macroeconomics as well as number of opportunities for students Transport Services Entrepreneurial intermediate levels of those topics. continues to grow. Fund to nurture the development of the next generation of business owners. “That’s unusual,” Thomas says. “Most Most recently, a gift from Kent places usually require one or two Newhart ’77 allowed the creation of For six years, the School of Economics principles of economics courses.” a fund that led to a student-managed and Business has participated in the

Dr. Kai Chen (center) consults with finance students.

16 Spring 2020 | Reflections Student, faculty, alumni, and community leaders network and share knowledge in the AACSB-accredited School of Economics and Business.

Bloomberg for Education program. stronger for 50 years. Business and Even with all of that success, the It gives students a rigorous course economics students continue to program doesn’t rest on its laurels. in using Bloomberg terminals, which compete in the Fed Challenge, which The school is investigating a supply are ubiquitous in finance-related allows undergraduates to predict chain management concentration as workplaces. Recently, SUNY Oneonta monetary policy. They also continue well as a 4+1 program for professional became a member of the highly to visit successful alumni in their accounting that would give students selective Bloomberg Experiential New York City offices during the the opportunity to graduate with a Learning Partners. The goal was to annual Backpacks to Briefcases trip. master’s degree. have 100 students earn certification in SUNY Oneonta’s chapter of the honor Regardless of what the future may hold, Bloomberg Market Concepts; students society Beta Gamma Sigma has been it is clear the School of Economics and exceeded that goal by 88, making named a Highest Honors Chapter. In Business will continue to reinvest in SUNY Oneonta one of two SUNY addition, students lend their skills to the successes of the past 50 years. institutions to earn this designation. the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a service that helps These programs only build upon a local residents complete their taxes. foundation that has been growing

Spring 2020 | Reflections 17 Behind The Door

The College community should be a welcoming place for every student.

That’s where Emily Phelps, an assistant director for the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC), comes in. “Ideally, we want everything to be integrated. We want the entire campus— the entire country—to be safe for everybody. That’s a pretty lofty goal, and there’s a lot of factors that make that a very slow-moving process,” she says. During the last 25 years, the GSRC’s identity has changed. It started as a women’s center in the mid-’90s after a student was sexually assaulted on campus and didn’t have a clear place to go for support. At that time, it was under the umbrella of the Women’s and Gender Studies department. In 2001-02, the focus broadened to include all gender and sexual identities, and the women’s center was renamed. Over the years, as institutional support grew for the GSRC, it moved to the division of student development, and a director was hired to manage the space and programming. Currently, the GSRC is in Hunt Union. “The mission of the GSRC has pretty much stayed the same in terms of maintaining an inclusive space, as well as providing awareness and education to the campus on these issues,” Phelps says. The GSRC interfaces with the College community to deliver on its mission two ways. There’s a physical space in the Union, Photos by Gerry Raymonda which is where LGBTQ+ students and their allies can hang out, find resources, and talk to their peers about, for example, fun things to do in town when you are a The GSRC also provides programming, like the Closet on the Quad, where queer person. But it’s also a space where students are given support to come out, and the Lavender Graduation they can just be, Phelps says. “It’s nice to Ceremony, which celebrates LGBTQ+ graduates. The center supports events be in a space where they can just exist during Pride Month and hosts the SUNY-wide Pride Conference. More than without worry and having to explain or 200 attended 2019’s conference, which featured Jim Obergefell, who spoke defend themselves.” about his time as the plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that brought marriage equality to all 50 states.

18 Spring 2020 | Reflections A Look at the Office of Emily Phelps

Emily Phelps, the assistant director for the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, in her Hunt Union office.

Phelps herself organizes the Safe Space trainings on they’ve gotten the supports they need and the confidence to campus, visits classrooms to talk about LGBTQ+ issues such be able to go out into the working world and be successful,” as pronoun usage, and sits on committees to support diverse she says. perspectives. “I just go out there and spread the word,” Phelps says. Emily Phelps’ office reflects her passion for her work. She “My passion in this work is making sure that any student intentionally displays objects so that visitors have the that I work with, whether they identify as a part of the option of focusing on, say, a glass sculpture rather than the community or not, can leave this institution feeling like person behind the desk. Over the years, she’s found that her memorabilia are great for starting conversations.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 19 Historic Objects

With a Recent Donation, An Alumnus Helps Tell the College’s Story One Commemorative Item at a Time Two publications drove a 1989 met Brenner, who inscribed on the title he has amassed a sizable collection graduate of the College to collect and page, “I hope you enjoy this book as of coasters, commemorative plates, donate boxes and boxes of SUNY much as you did SUCO.” holiday ornaments, souvenir spoons, Oneonta memorabilia. One was a book scrapbooks—really, just about anything “I read the book,” the alumnus says, published in 2002; the other was an you could put a logo on—that is the “and said, ‘Wow,’ because I had no idea article in Reflections from 2019. most complete catalog of SUNY about the College’s rich history.” Oneonta stuff that exists. The alumnus, who prefers to remain The alumnus went online and started anonymous, started his hunt for all What prompted him to donate all of reading about the school’s 100-plus things SUNY O after his mother gave this to the College is a story about years of existence, which led him to him a copy of David Brenner’s State the College’s archives that ran in the eBay out of curiosity. He started to University of New York College at winter 2019 issue of Reflections. It was browse Oneonta-area garage sales Oneonta pictorial history. The alumnus about SUNY Oneonta memorabilia and antique stores. Now, 18 years later,

20 Spring 2020 | Reflections in Milne Library’s Alden Room. The Some of the material this alumnus has would wait until the last few seconds, alumnus was inspired. collected is less sentimental. Like a then place the winning bid. But with copy and a few promotional posters for this one, some other buyer snapped it “That really motivated me,” he says. “I Last House on Dead End Street, a low- up with seconds to spare. would hope that my donation would budget horror movie directed by the motivate all the people who have these “To be honest, besides me, I don’t know late Roger Watkins ’71 in 1977. It was things sitting in a closet to bring them who else was out there looking at this shot on campus with a cast of theatre back to the campus because there’s so stuff. Somebody beat me to it,” he says. majors. Professor emeritus Paul Jensen much rich, rich history there.” “I was upset because what are they appears in a few scenes. going to do with it if they’re not going One piece sticks out in the alumnus’ There has only been one item that the to donate it to the College?” mind. It’s a little box with a picture of alumnus wasn’t able to bring home Old Main on it that he picked up on Still, it’s not the thrill of the auction and it still haunts him. It was a pen, he eBay from a seller in California. A note process that the donor enjoys. He is in thinks, with Old Main on it. Usually, inside said the owner was glad the box awe of the campus’ history. with online auctions, the alumnus was finally making its way back home. Spring 2020 | Reflections 21 “One of the books that I donated was “You go on a trip to a new city. You If you have SUNY Oneonta a collection of poems from faculty have a great time. Then you come back memorabilia to donate to the archive, member Charles Schumacher. Do home and flip through a magazine and please contact Heather Beach at people realize that Schumacher Hall you read all these things about the city [email protected] or was named after this man who wrote you just left. You didn’t realize this was 607-436-3585. poems and was an influential person? the history of the city. And you kind of It’s not just the name on the wall,” he regret it a little bit. Like had I known, it says. would have made the trip much richer because I didn’t understand all of it.” For this alumnus, the collection is not only an accumulation of items but a Like that magazine story, this alumnus way to enrich the student experience of wants his collection to enrich the the College. experience of all who call SUNY Oneonta home. “Let me give you an analogy,” he says.

22 Spring 2020 | Reflections @reddragonsports SPORTS Roundup Academic Honors

Daniel Douglas For Four Fall Athletes Ioos ’20 Minogue ’20 At the conclusion of the fall season, Chancellor’s Award for soccer, both four student-athletes were recognized coming in 2017. for their accomplishments in the Minogue was selected to the United classroom. Leading the list of honorees Soccer Coaches College Scholar All- was Daniel Ioos ’20, who was selected East Region Second Team. Minogue for a second time as a College Sports became the fifth men’s player ever Information Directors of America to receive recognition and the first (CoSIDA) Academic All-American. since 2015. Minogue was a part of Teammates Douglas Minogue ’20 and the back line that helped Oneonta Tristan Battistoni ’22 were recognized post 11 shutouts last fall. His on-field Tristan Gillian by the United Soccer Coaches and performance earned him second team Battistoni ’22 Stieglitz ’20 CoSIDA respectively. Volleyball player All-SUNYAC and All-Region honors. Business Endowed Scholarship. Gillian Stieglitz ’20 was recognized by the SUNYAC as well as CoSIDA. Stieglitz earned a pair of academic Battistoni earned academic honors honors for her performance in the from CoSIDA as an Academic During the fall season, Ioos served classroom and on the court. She was All-District 3 First Team selection, again as a team captain for the Red selected to the CoSIDA Division III which automatically earned him Dragons and started all eight of Academic All-District 3 First Team consideration for national honors. As a the games he played. A business while also earning the SUNYAC business economics major, Battistoni economics major with a business Elite 20 Award, which was presented earned Provost’s and Dean’s List status communications minor, Ioos has during the conference championship as a freshman while also being named been an active member of the campus weekend. Academically, Stieglitz to the SUNYAC Commissioner’s community during his four years at has earned honors on the SUNYAC Academic Honor Roll. Battistoni’s Oneonta. Ioos is currently serving for Commissioner’s Academic Honor department involvement includes the a second year on the Intercollegiate Roll each year and was inducted into Dr. Joseph Heissan ’63 Leadership Athletics Board along with serving as the National Student Athlete Honor Academy; leading youth drug and the secretary for the Student Athlete Society of Chi Alpha Sigma in 2019. alcohol education efforts through the Advisory Council, a position he has She has also been inducted into the SUNY OPROS program (Oneonta held since 2017. Academically, he has Beta Gamma Sigma International Players Reaching Other Students); and been the recipient of the SUNYAC business honor society and has been being a member of the Student Athlete Elite 20 Award and the SUNYAC the recipient of the Economics and Advisory Council.

For the latest news and information regarding Oneonta ATHLETICS Info State Athletics, visit www.oneontaathletics.com Watch games live livestream.com/accounts/14594035 CALENDAR ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME Subscribe to the Athletics YouTube channel To access the master calendar of Do you know someone who may be worthy of induction into www.youtube.com/oneontareddragons home and away athletic contests, the Athletics Hall of Fame? Please nominate this individual at: click on the composite calendar http://www.oneontaathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=4 Like Athletics on Facebook link on the Athletics homepage. Facebook/OneontaRedDragonSports The Hall of Fame inducts individuals and teams in the following After subscribing, the calendar categories: student-athletes, department staff, honorary, teams Follow Athletics on Twitter can appear on mobile devices of distinction, and veterans. Nominations are accepted throughout @RedDragonSports and Outlook calendars. the year. Once nominated, an individual or team does not need Follow Athletics on Instagram to be nominated again. The next induction is September. RedDragonSports

Spring 2020 | Reflections 23 Men’s Cross Country Competes at NCAA Championship For the second consecutive year, the men’s cross country team was on the start line at the NCAA Division III championships in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 23. The Red Dragons came away with a 31st place finish overall. “The race was not the result we had hoped for, but things don’t always go according to plan,” commented head coach Chris Wilber. “It’s a bit disappointing for the seniors who worked so hard to get here and who have shaped our SUNY Oneonta Baseball program for the future to fall short of their own expectations. We are very proud Facility Gets Makeover of them.” In their final collegiate cross country race, it was the quintet of seniors that With a brand-new turf surface and led the Red Dragons through the 8K course. Blake Dellabough ’20 was the other state-of-the-art enhancements, first finisher for Oneonta followed by classmatesMatthew Palmer ’20, Sean Red Dragon Baseball Field was ready Ryan ’20, Ethan McDonald ’20, and Aidan Smith ’20. Ryan O’Rourke ’22 and for its debut this spring as part of a Brandon Martin ’23 rounded out the group of seven competitors. multimillion-dollar upgrade. Phase two, Dellabough ran a personal best time of 25:27.9 and crossed the line in 102nd which should be completed by the end place overall. Dellabough was also making his third appearance at nationals, of the year, includes the softball field. which ties for the most all-time by an individual. O’Rourke also ran a personal The field turf for baseball gives Oneonta best time in the race of 26:30.4. the first and only such full-field surface in the SUNYAC conference. All-American Honors from A new scoreboard will be dedicated in honor of Hall of Fame baseball coach Coaches Association Don Axtell, who spent 30 years at the helm of the Oneonta baseball program. Three SUNY Oneonta student-athletes were recognized as All-Americans by An endowment in Axtell’s name was their respective coaches associations. Witman Hernandez ’20 and Roberto made possible by the generous gifts Ventura ’21 earned honors for their performances on the soccer pitch, while of former players, the 2018-19 baseball junior Clara Culeton ’21 was honored in volleyball. team, and other donors. Hernandez earned First Team honors, and Ventura earned Third Team honors “SUNY Oneonta is committed to from the United Soccer Coaches. The honor for Hernandez was the first of his providing the best opportunities career, while Ventura was recognized for a second time. Ventura earned First for every student to compete at the Team honors in 2017 after a remarkable rookie season for the Red Dragons. highest level, and this rehabilitation Hernandez became the fifth individual to earn a First Team selection in program project is an example of that,” Tracey history, while Ventura was the third player to earn multiple nods as an All- Ranieri, director of athletics, said. “We American for Oneonta. named the scoreboard and created an Culeton was recognized for her on-court performance by the American endowment in this Oneonta baseball Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), earning honors as an Honorable legend’s honor. The generosity of Mention All-American. The honor for Culeton made her only the third player in baseball alumni for this project was program history to be recognized and the first since 2004. amazing.” Clara Roberto Witman Culeton ’21 Culeton Ventura ’21 Ventura Hernandez ’20 Hernandez

24 Spring 2020 | Reflections From The COLLEGE Foundation Dear Alumni and Friends, We find ourselves in extraordinary times. While the world continues to respond to COVID-19, more and more SUNY Oneonta students and families are feeling the impact and facing unprecedented economic hardships. As we close out the 130th anniversary of our College’s founding, the College at Oneonta Foundation is ready to answer the call and provide vital financial support to SUNY Oneonta students. Grow. Thrive. Live. For the Future of SUNY Oneonta is an opportunity for the entire SUNY Oneonta family to come together and do something remarkable for those in need. This campaign will increase the availability of emergency funding and scholarships that assist students facing challenges that threaten to derail their education.

Today, we ask that you direct your support Pat ’75 and Linda ’76 (center) McCann with to the SUNY Oneonta Student Emergency Barbara Jean Morris, President, SUNY Oneonta Fund by visiting www.oneonta.edu/give or use the gift envelope included in this edition of Reflections. We are motivated to co-chair Grow. Thrive. GROW. Live. and hope you will join us and invest in our students and our world. We are all in this THRIVE. together. Sincerely, LIVE. Pat ’75 and Linda ’76 McCann THE FUTURE Grow. Thrive. Live. co-chairs OF SUNY ONEONTA State University College at Oneonta Foundation Corporation This is our legal name, and it is important that this name be used in wills, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and all other estate planning documents that name the College as a beneficiary of a gift or bequest. For more information about how you can give to SUNY Oneonta now or in the future, please contact: Paul J. Adamo ’81 Tim Hayes Benjamin Wendrow ’08 Vice President for College Advancement Senior Advancement Officer Director of Development and Donor Relations [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Division of College Advancement Ellen Blaisdell Jill Mirabito 308 Netzer Administration Building Associate Vice President for Director of Gift Planning SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, NY 13820 College Advancement [email protected] Phone: 607-436-2535 | Fax: 607-436-2686 [email protected] http://www/oneonta.edu/advancement/ Spring 2020 | Reflections 25 Student Emergency Fund Helps Red Dragons Succeed In Time of Need Like people worldwide, students at to support students facing unexpected Many students have greater need now, SUNY Oneonta were dramatically situations that would keep them from more than ever, because of the impacts affected by the coronavirus. In addition completing their coursework, like a car that COVID-19 had on their education. to the anxiety and uncertainty felt repair, medical emergency, or stolen Times are challenging for many, but by all, SUNY Oneonta’s students computer. we also hope that alumni and others were required to adapt to a necessary who are able will help the students by With COVID-19 and disruptions that but abrupt change to distance supporting our Student Emergency came as a result, applications to the learning, which presented them with Fund. All gifts of all amounts will help Student Emergency Fund increased. unanticipated challenges and expenses and are greatly appreciated. Since the middle of March, we have to complete their semester. awarded emergency funds to support: To make your gift to the Student SUNY Oneonta was ready to help with • the purchase of laptops and other Emergency Fund, visit oneontaalumni.com/give or use the gift the Student Emergency Fund. technology for distance learning envelope included in this edition of • students who have lost jobs on Back in 2018, SUNY Oneonta was Reflections. one of six SUNY schools selected to campus and in the community participate in a pilot program funded • students who have made by the Gerstner Family Foundation and unanticipated trips to campus to the Heckscher Foundation for Children. collect their belongings Before the emergence of COVID-19, the • rent, groceries, and fuel needs that program’s Student Emergency Fund have increased because of (SEF) had awarded more than $129,000 pandemic

26 Spring 2020 | Reflections 2020 Alumni Association Award Winners ALUMNI award Winners Edward Banovic ’68 ’73 — Charlotte Kinney ’64 ’84 — Lianne Palais ’20 — Military Service Military Service Student Leadership After graduation, Oneonta soccer Charlotte Kinney entered the Army after Lianne Palais is a dietetics major player, Delta Phi Kappa member, and graduation and served on active duty with a chemistry minor. She has been student government representative and in the reserves for 29 years. She an orientation leader, new-student Edward Banovic enlisted in the Army, worked in recruiting, public relations, mentor, and orientation mentor; a where he became a Green Beret. administration, and personnel positions member of the Phi Upsilon Omicron After his service during the Vietnam in the United States, Korea, and Japan. honor society; and the secretary of War, he joined the New York Army Kinney intended to be an Army chaplain, the Food & Nutrition Association. National Guard and served another but she was unable to attend seminary as After studying abroad in in Athens, 24 years, retiring as a colonel. Banovic women were barred from serving in that Greece, she was an intern in the received a Bronze Star in addition capacity. Over the next decade, she was Office of International Education. She to other commendations, medals, instrumental in helping to open the doors has worked closely with the Alumni and state awards. Banovic spent 33 for women, and finally, in 1975, while Association as a member of the years as a teacher, administrator, and stationed in the Pentagon, she succeeded Oneonta Future Alumni Network and coach at Ballston Spa Middle School in deleting the words “male only” from is a Legacy student. After graduation, in Ballston Spa, New York, and was the chaplain regulations. In May 2019, she will complete her dietetic voted to the Ballston Spa Middle Kinney was one of 15 military women internship and pursue a master’s School Hall of Fame in 2016. He and from Pennsylvania honored for breaking degree before becoming a registered his wife, Karen, have two children and gender barriers. She will graduate from dietitian. She hopes to work as a one grandchild. seminary in May. pregnancy dietitian in the future.

Edward Banovic Charlotte Kinney Lianne Palais La-Tarri Canty Charles Bollinger

La-Tarri Canty ’01 — Outstanding Charles “Three” Bollinger ’01 — Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Red Dragon Spirit-Individual La-Tarri Canty is associate dean of intercultural Charles “Three” Bollinger III played a leadership role in re- engagement at the Massachusetts Institute of forming SUNY Oneonta’s ice hockey team while earning his Technology. She earned a master’s degree in student degree in mass communications. For the past 15 years, he has affairs personnel and diversity from Binghamton led the planning of the group’s affinity reunions, including University. Canty is earning her doctorate at the annual hockey game. Bollinger now serves on the SUNY Northeastern University and will complete her Oneonta Alumni Association Board of Directors. dissertation in 2020. In 2017, she spearheaded the Bollinger’s career started at Job Corps in Oneonta and, creation of the Social Justice Programming and Cross- later, in Devens, Massachusetts. He eventually became the Cultural Engagement (SPXCE) Intercultural Center and executive director for Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center was promoted to her current position, where she oversees (MVOC), where he worked with homeless veterans in central diversity programmatic efforts in student affairs. Canty Massachusetts. In 2014, he relocated his family to Western New has received awards including MIT’s highest honors, the York and is the coordinator for Partners Ending Homelessness. MLK Leadership Award and the Excellence Award. In He oversees 50 programs that house over 1,000 individuals and 2019, the MIT Black Student Union renamed its families in Monroe County. Bollinger met his wife, Amanda, faculty/staff excellence award to honor her. during his time at SUNY Oneonta, and together, they have two daughters, ages 11 and 8. Spring 2020 | Reflections 27 Greg Floyd ’80 —Excellence Jennifer Bueche ’83 — Marc Schein ’09 — in Alumni Service Current Faculty Outstanding Service Emerging Leader Greg Floyd, an Alumni of Distinction Jennifer Bueche joined the SUNY Oneonta faculty Marc D. Schein is a certified honoree, is the nightly news anchor at 22 years ago and is a professor in the human insurance counselor and WRGB-TV/CBS6 in Schenectady, New ecology department. She earned her advanced published author and has York. He has twice won the Edward R. degree from Long Island University, and her spoken before members Murrow Award from the Associated doctorate in nutrition from Syracuse University. of Congress about Press, multiple regional Emmy awards, She has been the faculty athletic representative cybersecurity. He established and was named the best television since 2010 and serves on SUNY Oneonta’s the cybersecurity program news reporter/anchor in New York intercollegiate athletics board. She is a New York at Rutgers University State. Outside of the newsroom, Floyd State registered dietitian and a certified dietitian and frequently lectures at works with the Children’s Hospital nutritionist and is the consulting dietitian for the Fashion Institute of at Albany Medical Center and the the College’s dining services. Bueche was an Technology’s Educating Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition Tomorrow series. He is a is an active volunteer for the SUNY and Dietetics ACEND program director for 10 mentor for FIT students Oneonta Alumni Association and has years and has been an ACEND program reviewer looking to pursue careers in served as the master of ceremonies since 2011. Most recently, she completed a four- cybersecurity. Rather than at the Alumni of Distinction year term as the dietetic internship representative charge membership fees for his Presentation of Honors for the past on the ACEND board and a three-year term as cyber think tank in New York three years. He has been a part of the the human ecology department chair. She is the City, he asks that each member Distinguished Alumni Lecture series director of the online nutrition and dietetics donate to a local charity. Schein and several networking events, and a master’s degree program. The SUNY Board is a contributor to Big Brothers keynote speaker at SUNY Oneonta’s of Trustees appointed Bueche to the rank of Big Sisters of Long Island. Scholars Day. Distinguished Service Professor for her service and dedication to the SUNY Oneonta community and to the field of dietetics regionally and nationally.

Greg Floyd Jennifer Bueche Marc Schein Paul Conway Thomas Clements Paul Conway — Thomas Clements ’70 — Military Service Emeritus Faculty Outstanding Service Thomas Clements began his 38-year career in the Paul Conway served three years in the U.S. Army Security United States Navy in 1970 and retired at the rank of Agency before earning a bachelor’s degree in American studies commander. His assignments included the Vietnam from Michigan State University. He taught at Hackettstown High War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi School in New Jersey for three years, then earned a doctorate Freedom as well as exercises where he mobilized heavy in political science from Purdue University in Indiana. Conway equipment, tools, and supplies to maintain strategic air joined the political science department at SUNY Oneonta in bases, NATO, and the Navy Honor Guard (services for 1970. During his 40 years at the College, he developed several deceased veterans). Clements retired in August 2008 new courses and pursued research in Europe and Africa. Conway after a distinguished career in which he earned several has published several articles, essays, and more than 100 book medals and commendations. He says the real honor was reviews. Since his retirement in 2010, Conway has volunteered the opportunity to serve. for over a half-dozen community organizations, including the Catskill Area Hospice, the Oneonta Concert Association, and the Oneonta-area branch of the NAACP.

The SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association extends its congratulations to this year’s Alumni Association Award winners. The awards will be presented on Friday, October 18. The celebration will be open to the general public, and registration is available at oneontaalumni.com. We hope you will join us to celebrate the accomplished alumni.

28 Spring 2020 | Reflections Connections Across Time and Space So huge, in fact, that Sheesley went back to France after graduation and started a business importing lithograph stones. Studying abroad gave him the courage to start, he said. Fusillo went back to Europe, too. After graduation, she worked in a Swiss hotel, where she met a Spanish woman who invited her to Galicia, Spain. There, Fusillo met several artists, and they began to visit each other’s homes. Some visited her in Queens, which led to “the Spanish connection,” she said. “On one of these travels back and forth, I met my husband, who is Spanish and lived in Barcelona.” She has been based in Barcelona ever since. Sheesley put down roots in Oneonta but continued to travel across the country and the world. “Cynthia and I didn’t stay in touch really at all,” Sheesley said. “[Art professor] Jim Mullen stayed in touch with her, however. When I’d see him, he’d tell me about what she was doing.” The two were back in touch in 2012, when Sheesley asked Fusillo to contribute to an alumni art show. Then, just a few months ago, Fusillo asked Sheesley to come to Barcelona as a guest of Galeria Contrast. Fusillo’s show, “Deep I Walked Two alumni go from Oneonta to Into Her Belly,” was on exhibit. Europe to Oneonta and back again The city holds an annual three-day weekend to celebrate Red Dragons never know where the connections made its art scene. Not only did the two artists have a chance to during their time in Oneonta will take them. For Tim catch up in person, the festival had both an English and Sheesley ’77 and Cynthia Fusillo ’76, their paths recrossed Spanish side to the presentations. “It was just great to see an in Barcelona, Spain, nearly 45 years after their initial incredible range of creativity and how exuberant and alive connection. Barcelona is,” Sheesley said. In 1975, Sheesley, now the SUNY Oneonta gallery director, Sheesley also spent time with Fusillo talking about and Fusillo were one of the first groups of art students to art—and in fall of this year, she will show her work in the spend a year in Tours, France. Before heading over the Martin-Mullen Gallery, four decades after both took that Atlantic, the two knew each other but “weren’t close buddies transformative trip to Tours. or anything,” Sheesley said. With only two dozen students in the cohort — half of those from SUNY Potsdam — Sheesley and Fusillo became friends. For both, however, the trip was about art, both studying it and creating it. “My memories of Tours seem quite romantic now,” Fusillo said. “During the course, I lived in a very cold attic run by an elderly couple who would leave me fresh fruit from their orchard outside my door. Our instructor, Erich Koch, was passionate about art in the studio. Studying abroad was the best education for me.” For Sheesley, the trip marked a fundamental change for him as a person. “I really got a sense of what it meant to be an artist,” he said. “I saw the history of art and understood that it was something I could really take seriously. It was huge.”

Spring 2020 | Reflections 29 If you’ve been to an alumni event during the last two decades, you’ve likely seen Gerry Raymonda. He’s snapping away in the background and ensuring that we can revisit the good times for years to come. In honor of his twentieth anniversary, he picked out a few of his favorite images. Amanda LaPolla-Grabowski ’04 hugs a teammate after winning the soccer championship in 2003.

Students get hyped at a pep rally in Music industry students mix new work Chase Gym in October 2009. in the studio on May 4, 2012.

The Red Dragon soccer team in action in 2003. Past SUNY Oneonta president Nancy Kleniewski cuts the ribbon at Tobey Hall’s re-opening during Homecoming Weekend in 2009 with retired VP for Finance and Administration Leif Hartmark. 30 Spring 2020 | Reflections BEYOND the Pillars 1950 70th 1957 1967 Patricia Burke Walsh moved to a Lorraine Bythewood and her husband, Al Liotta was inducted into the new residence in Mercer Commons, Chuck, celebrated their 61st wedding Westchester County Senior Hall Colorado. anniversary in summer 2019. They of Fame on Dec. 6, 2019. He was are proud parents, grandparents, and nominated by a member of the great-grandparents. Westchester County legislature. In attendance was Shirley Fioravanti, one 1959 of his SUNY Oneonta professors. Barbara Michels Carter is enjoying her 28th year of retirement. She’s 1968 completed RV-ing and loving South Texas. Teresa Cicchine Millias the Stories from Lone Moon Creek series, which is available online. Book 1954 1966 seven is subtitled Shepherd’s Bay. Esther Steadman Fowlston, Marilyn David Cooper has four grandchildren Bowen Marston, Lois Gregory who keep him busy and broke—and all Wright, Beverly Van Dusen Reed, are worth it, he says. 1969 Doris Scotton McWenie ’59, Frances Bobbye Dickerson enjoyed Reunion Bliven, Marion Plumb Hamlin, Betty Douglas Johnson and Mary Ann Weekend 2019, where she attended Foster Burr, and Eleanor Filburn Dorsey Johnson ’65 are enjoying the special events for her 50th and the celebrated their 65th reunion during retirement. They are filling their time Alpha Beta sisters. The campus and Reunion Weekend 2019. with travel and hobbies. the weather were beautiful.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 31 Larry Stockwell ’73 ’77 became the third coach to reach 500 career wins in Section III high school girls’ basketball in Waterville, New York. 1974 Gary Haddock is enjoying his retirement from Munson’s Building Supply in Oneonta. He and his wife, Robin, have been married for 46 years and have two children and five grandchildren.

Eileen Kane-Gemmell is a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a certified diabetic care and education specialist. She has been married to Jim Gemmell for 46 years, and they have three children.

45th 50th 1975 Karen Maffei Moculeski and her 1970 husband, Stan, are enjoying retirement Pete Pidgeon ’70 sent this photo of his monthly lunch group. From left: Ralph and are recent grandparents. Dallara ’70, Pat Gabriel ’70, Pete Russo ’72, Pete, Keith Stewart ’73, Bruce Morrison ’70, Tom Thornton ’70, Joe Muehl ’72, Greg Aidala ’72, Gary Tutty ’71 ’78, and John Fusco ’72. Missing diners are Chuck Leonelli ’73, Dan D’Amboise ’70, and Chris Bartkowski. 1972 Joann Cavo Campbell is enjoying being a first-time grandparent.

Gail Skroback Hennessey’s latest book is Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps: A Hair-Raising History of Women’s Hairstyles in 18th-century London. It was published by Red Chair Press in January 2020. 1973 In October 2019, Dennis Lally and Carolann Martin Elaine Chandley Lally married in 1976. The native Long McGuire, Donna Stewart, Suzanne Islanders raised three children there. Bonamo, and Barbara Stafford Tilke Mark Delligatti traveled from London Dennis, a retired social studies teacher, ’72 got together for a weeklong New to Chester, England, on Oct. 21, as coaches men’s lacrosse at Suffolk York City adventure, which included part of his quest to meet with as many Community College. Carolann retired North Central Park’s Conservatory SUNY Oneonta alumni living in the in June 2019 and is looking forward to Gardens. UK as possible. He met who is earning a creating her own art. Both are enjoying Steven Lanza and Eileen Gustafson James Bethel ’19, graduate degree at Chester University. their first granddaughter. Lanza celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. They are enjoying They enjoyed the sights and concluded Andrea Karabela Cowan has three retirement, three grandchildren, and that Red Dragons are pretty much the grandchildren who “keep a retired same, no matter which century they person young.” time at a cottage in the Thousand Islands region. graduated in. 32 Spring 2020 | Reflections 1984 Brian Assael has a general dentistry practice in Berkeley, California. He lives in Walnut Creek, California, with his wife, Melissa. They have two daughters who attend the University of Oregon. 35th 1985 Anthony Gambino won the inaugural President’s Faculty Excellence Award (second from left) Arthur Nimmo for his work as a natural sciences received a Sustained Exemplary 1979 professor at State College of Florida, Teaching Award from the University of Mike Holober was nominated for a Manatee-Sarasota. Florida College of Dentistry. 2020 Grammy Award in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Category for his album Alumni of Distinction honoree and with the Gotham Jazz Orchestra, and Cooperstown Graduate Program Hiding Out. director Gretchen Sorin received a starred review from Publishers Weekly for Driving While Black: African 1982 American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights. How Many Bushels Am I Worth? —a play co-written by Kevin Olson— toured the east coast in January. 1976 Alumni of Distinction honoree Dave Kim Burdick retired as the executive Feldman designed the lights. director of the Delaware chapter of People to People International. 1983 Lori Feldman lives in San Francisco. Franklin Abrams is a special counsel Alfred Perreca and Donna for Hoffman Warnick, an intellectual Dombrowsky Perreca ’79 will property firm in Albany. celebrate their 40th wedding Steve Rothman, Steve Goldstein, anniversary in October 2020. They Sharon Wank Goldstein, Patty are living in Rockland County in McGrath, Donna DeRosa Vought, Stony Point, New York. They are Christine Czark Atkins, and Hillary 1986 expecting their first grandchild in Feuchtbaum lived in Curtis Hall as Tracy Mosher visited with retired June. They wonder if he/she will be first-year students. They reunited in economics professor and WONY a future Red Dragon and follow in October in New York City. advisor Dave Ring in December. the footsteps of his/her grandparents and great-grandmother Lila Powers Dombrowsky ’54. Lila relocated back to New York from Florida after the death of her husband.

Alumni of Distinction honoree Bob Vitale retired as the chief executive officer and president of Wacoal America. 1978 Alumni of Distinction honoree Joseph Poon, a chef and Chinatown expert, cooked onstage at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2020. Spring 2020 | Reflections 33 1987 Joseph Furner is celebrating 24 years as a math education professor at Florida Atlantic University. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers and books. He plans to retire in a few years.

Donald Gibson, president and CEO of The Bank of Greene County, has been elected chair of the New York Bankers Association. 1988 Twalema Khonje is on the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church board of deacons.

Monica Meyer Grau earned her doctorate from the Binghamton University College of Community and Public Affairs in May 2019. Her dissertation “Why They Stay” is 1980s a study of why students persist in college and the results she found Rudy Buel ’86 hosted a Super Bowl party with several other Red Dragons. First row, can help colleges develop retention from left: David Lipp ’87, Rudy, Adam Silber ’85, Ron Sherling ’87, Chris Dowd plans and provide interventions to ’86; Back row, from left: Kevin Scannell ’87, Mike Golonka ’87, Tony DiGregorio keep students enrolled. Monica is the ’87, David Schneebaum ’87, Hugh O’Toole ’87. Not pictured: Neil Konigsberg ’87. director of new student services at SUNY Oneonta.

Julie Scholz showed her art at the Piermont FlyWheel Gallery in Piermont, New York, at the end of 2019. 1989 Katy Graves is the executive director of the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center in East Hampton, New York.

1990 30th Dermot Shea was appointed New York City Police Department On Dec. 14, 2019, theatre alumni gathered in New York City for their 38th Commissioner. He has been with the annual Snowflake. Pictured are Joanne Murray ’83, Amy Rubinger ’83, largest American police department for Andrew Tallis ’81, Jim Whiteman’83, Tricia Whiteman ’86, Shannon 28 years and started as a beat officer in Masterson Kendrick ’83, Nelson Donald ’84, Cindy Flood Jacobsen ’84, the Bronx. Randi Fox Slusky ’83, Jacki Goldhammer ’82, Andrea Blank Brenner ’82, Colby Thomas ’84, Kevin Olson ’82, Lila Stromer ’81, Katie Mulligan ’83, Richie Keitel ’83, Carolyn Patierno ’82, Lisa LoCurto ’83, Donna Rocks ’81, Dana Kuznetzkoff ’83, and Dave Feldman ’82. 34 Spring 2020 | Reflections Craft YOUR A GIFT LegacyTHROUGH YOUR WILL HELPS OUR STUDENTS ForeVer

YOURYOUR 1994 Tricia Liberti Silverman’s book Healthy Dividends was CraftCraft released in November. The book builds on her work as a registered dietitian, certified wellness and fitness coach, and instructor.AA GIFT GIFT It guides readers on improving the way they feel LegacyLegacyTHROUGHTHROUGHinside and out. YOURYOUR WILL WILL HELPSHELPS OUR OUR STUDENTSSTUDENTS “I am supporting the college with a planned gift as a way to acknowledge ForeForeVVerer 1993 my appreciation to all the fine students I’ve known over my 38 year career.” Larry Lowe ’93 and Sadaka Kitonyi ’08 served 40 hot Faculty Emeritus Art Palmer enjoyed a long and distinguished meals to the residents in front of and inside Townsend It is his way of giving back to SUNY Oneonta, and to help Homes in Albany, New York, during the holiday career as a member of the Earth Sciences department. Over future generations of students. You too, can create and season. Larry is the director of St. Peter’s Health many years, he saw firsthand the transformational impact that enduring legacy at SUNY Oneonta, without affecting your Partners; Sadaka is is an officer with the Albany Police education had on his students. In addition to endowing a current finances. Please consider naming the College at Department. Scholarship for Excellence in Geology and Earth Science, Oneonta Foundation as a beneficiary of your estate, TIAA Andrew Mannarino, a deputy chief compliance officer 1995 generously supporting the SUNY Oneonta Research Fund and deputy general counsel for Citadel Securities, or other retirement plan. Your future gift will qualify you David Lincoln was given the Life Saving Award during received the Ken Heath award from the Securities and Faculty Development Fund, Art has established a legacy as a member of our Netzer Planned Giving Society. the SUNY Police Chiefs Association’s 2019 Police Awards Traders Association Women in Finance Committee. for rescuing a contractor who was pinned in a ditch that gift to the College at Oneonta Foundation in his estate plan Jeremy Moore is the principal of Owasco Elementary was quickly filling with water during the campus’ summer School in Auburn, New York. construction season. GiV e back to s U n Y o neonta F or what the colleG e has meant to Y o U . “I “I am am supporting supporting the the college college with with a aplanned planned gift gift as as a away way to to acknowledge acknowledge mymy appreciation appreciation to to all all the the fine fine students studentsCaroline I’ve I’ve known knownD’Antonio over over ’67 my andmy 38 her38 year yearlate career.” career.” YOUR husband established the Caroline ’67 and For more inFormation, please contact: Craft David D’Antonio Student Travel for Jill Mirabito, Director of Gift Planning FacultyFaculty Emeritus Emeritus Art Art Palmer Palmer enjoyed enjoyed a long a long and and distinguished distinguished ExcellenceIt isIt hisis his way way of Fund. ofgiving giving backIn back addition to toSUNY SUNY Oneonta, to Oneonta, her and and to tohelp help 308 Netzer Administration Building careercareer as asa member a member of ofthe the Earth Earth Sciences Sciences department. department. Over Over outrightfuturefuture generations generations gifts, Caroline of ofstudents. students. has You Youmade too, too, can can create create and and SUNY Oneonta | Oneonta, NY 13820 Legacy Phone: (607) 436-3107 manymany years, years, he hesaw saw firsthand firsthand the the transformational transformational impact impact that that provisionsenduringenduring legacy legacy in ather atSUNY SUNY will Oneonta, toOneonta, support without without her affecting affecting your your Email: [email protected] educationeducation had had on on his his students. students. In Inaddition addition to toendowing endowing a a Travelcurrentcurrent Fundfinances. finances. and Please Please the consider State consider University naming naming the the College at College at at A GIFT Oneonta Foundation Corporation oneonta.edu/giftplans.org ScholarshipScholarship for for Excellence Excellence in inGeology Geology and and Earth Earth Science, Science, OneontaOneonta Foundation Foundation as asa beneficiary a beneficiary of yourof your estate, estate, TIAA TIAA THROUGH Unrestricted Endowment. Gifts to the generouslygenerously supporting supporting the the SUNY SUNY Oneonta Oneonta Research Research Fund Fund YOUR WILL Unrestrictedor orother other retirement retirement Endowment plan. plan. Your Your future futureprovide gift gift will will qualify qualify you you andand Faculty Faculty Development Development Fund, Fund, Art Art has has established established a legacy a legacy HELPS OUR flexible,as asa member a member powerful, of ofour our Netzer Netzer board Planned Planned directed Giving Giving Society. support Society. giftgift to tothe the College College at atOneonta Oneonta Foundation FoundationSTUDENTS in hisin his estate estate plan plan and makes the difference between a good education and a great one. FOREVER

GiGiV eV eback back to to s Us nU Yn Yo neontao neonta F orF or what what the the colle colleG eG ehas has meant meant to to Y oY Uo .U .

ForFor more more in inFormation,Formation, please please contact: contact: JillJill Mirabito, Mirabito, Director Director of ofGift Gift Planning Planning 308308 Netzer Netzer Administration Administration Building Building SUNYSUNY Oneonta Oneonta | Oneonta, | Oneonta, NY NY 13820 13820 Phone:Phone: (607) (607) 436-3107 436-3107 Email:Email: [email protected] [email protected] oneonta.edu/giftplans.orgoneonta.edu/giftplans.org Spring 2020 | Reflections 35 1995 25th 2010 10th Angelina Blasich is featured in a Howard Cohen is a photographer TEDx talk on how shared joy and silliness for Motion City Media in Asbury can promote healing. It is available Park, New Jersey. He also travels the online: https://youtu.be/-AJYwAPxjkU country with his band latewaves.

Florence Walker-Harris directed and choreographed Duke Ellington’s 2011 Sophisticated Ladies with Brenda Rachel Linehan is a New York State Didier for Porchlight Musical Theatre in Michella Hand sent this photo from master teacher. her wedding in September 2019. Chicago. “Whenever we attend a wedding together,” she said, “we always throw 1996 up an O for O State. We currently have five wedding photos that look similar Whitesboro (New York) High School to this.” From left: Carly Foti, Amanda principal was named the Jeffrey Kuhn Conway, Kristin Komazenski, Hand, Educator of the Year by the Oneida/ ChloeJean Tedford, Jacey Marasa, Herkimer School Library System. and Laura Nelson. Jen O’Dwyer is Evoke Marketing’s president for North America. 2013 Lisa Miller is a special education 1999 teacher in the Poughkeepsie City Jill Powers is the vice president of sales School District in Poughkeepsie, New at Okapi AI. York. Kaylyn Boccia Romeo is the Maggie Syron-Smith and Jennifer multimedia franchise manager for the 2004 Syron-Italiano ’89 traveled to Red Brothers That Just Do Gutters. Joshua Campbell Torrance is the Dragon Soccer Field to watch Grace executive director of the Bennington Syron ’22 play. Maggie and Grace are Museum in Bennington, Vermont. Jennifer’s goddaughters and nieces. 2006 2012 Max Spritzer is on the Johnstown (New Peter Fishman is an associate York) Common Council. He works in the manager for the Siegfried Group in philanthropic division of Stewart’s Shops Los Angeles. Corp. in Saratoga Springs, New York. 2008 Michael Gorra is the manager of remote IT and engineering for CBS Sports. He 2014 won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Four alumni celebrated Christmas Technical Team Remote for his work on with a Red’s Party Pack. From left: Sara “Superbowl 50.” Zevola Allen ’14, Audrey Olney ’14, Sarah Vitro ’13, and Seth Masten ’13.

2009 Emily Maggiore earned her doctorate Tara Maloney is the head of production in physical therapy from Sage Corrie Donaldson teaches third grade at Framestore, an Oscar-winning creative Graduate School. She is a physical at Success Academy in Harlem, New studio. therapist at Lourdes Hospital in York. She shares her Red Dragon pride Binghamton, New York. with her students, who created T-shirts for fun. 36 Spring 2020 | Reflections 2015 5th Christopher Bowers was named an emerging young leader by the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance in Kingston, New York. He works for the Reis Group.

Remi Farnan enjoyed her sorority sisters during the Arethusa/Sigma Gamma Phi 125th anniversary celebration in October.

Gil Fire anticipates completing his master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders at New York University in 2022.

Jonathan Halligan is a municipal banking officer for The Bank of 2017 2018 is engaged and “living Greene County. Carly Salzman and friends from Devin Kiser the Classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 life to the fullest.” Christopher Linkletter has joined celebrated the new year in style. Angelica Toumbas launched Where D&B Engineers and Architects as a the Dogs Go, a mobile dog-grooming geologist and works in its Woodbury, business in Sidney, New York. New York, headquarters.

Adam Myer is completing his 2019 residency in internal medicine at Brian Primm received the Moritt Stony Brook University Hospital. Hock and Hamroff Business Law Honors Fellowship at Hofstra University. 2016 Want to Submit to Beyond The Jerrad Pacatte is officially a doctoral candidate in African American and Pillars? Women’s and Gender History at Email: [email protected] Rutgers University. A chapter he co- Mail: Class Notes authored will be published in Scarlet Office of Alumni Engagement and Black Volume 2: Constructing SUNY Oneonta Race and Gender at Rutgers, 1860- 108 Ravine Parkway 1945. He is also engaged to be married Oneonta, NY 13820 to Daniel Ruth in 2020. Online: oneontaalumni.com 2000s The Oneonta Ultimate Frisbee Club celebrated its 12th annual alumni weekend in November. It involved a downtown meet-and-greet, a tournament, and a social after the games for the 147 attendees. This year had its largest attendance to date.

SUNY Oneonta and its Alumni Association are neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy of information submitted to Class Notes. Please note that all class notes are subject to review before publication. Spring 2020 | Reflections 37 Celebrations Katherine Horowitz Maggino ’02 and her Alexandra and Jonathan husband, Rocky, welcomed Winnicki ’06 welcomed their second daughter, Hudson Jack in December Mikayla Marie. Mikayla’s 2019. He joins his two sibling, Nikolina, is super older siblings Thomas and excited having been Charlotte. promoted to big sister.

Sean ’08 and Laura ’07 Gallagher welcomed their daughter Parker Evelyn in Adriana Csaki Graham August 2019. They already ’09 and Doug Graham ’09 brought her to campus to welcomed Lucy Charlotte show her the ropes. The in 2019. Gallaghers also celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. Kenneth Crosby ’09 and In October 2019, Courtney Fitzgerald ’18 and Ryan Page Lindsey Johnson ’15 eloped ’17 got engaged. They first met in Littell Hall in 2014 and in Santa Fe, New Mexico, began dating right next to Hunt Union Pond. Both are on Sept. 30, 2019. They met teachers. A June 2021 wedding is planned. in the SUNY Oneonta art department in 2015. They Hannah Walsh ’15 and Tyler Kuznia ’14 were married on live in Voorheesville, New Oct. 5, 2019. There were quite a few Red Dragons at the York, and both work for New ceremony. York State. Tim Vassilakos ’08 and Katlynn Van Ogtrop were married on Sept. 7, 2019, at Perona Farms in Andover, New Jersey. In attendance were, from left, Michael “Bubba” DeRosa ’07, Nick Bambino ’07, James Joos ’09, Joseph Palazzolo ’09, Tracey Drayer ’87, Keith Drayer ’87, Derek Brite ’97, Jonathan Samuels ’08, Matt Barbato ’08, Igor Eftindzioski ’08, Tim, Gianna Vassilakos ’11, Kevin Gregory ’09, Elyse Smolin ’09, Dan Chanod ’08, Alicia Gervase ’06, Michael Palazzolo ’10, Stephanie Mazzone ’07, Anthony Gilchrest ’06, Chris Algeria ’08, Melissa Urena ’08, Charles Petrone ’08, Davy Salle ’09, Kevin McCarrick ’07. In attendance but not pictured: Marissa Richute ’07 and Ryan Valveri ’08.

Amanda Losardo ’14 and Jake Coletti ’14 were wed on Nov. 9, 2019, in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. In attendance were, Carol Scheuerer ’14 ’16 and Shawn Dacey ’13 married from left Andrew Messina ’13, Emily Davis ’13, Kevin Clarke on Long Island on Aug. 3, 2019. The two met while Carol ’14, Lauren D’Arco ’14, Amanda, Jake, Melissa Rosman ’14, performed on the Oneonta State Kickline and Shawn Emily Hillel ’14, Thomas Szybillo ’14, Annie Ducham ’16. worked for the Men’s Basketball Team.

38 Spring 2020 | Reflections In Memoriam

Margaret Filipczak ’40 passed away Robert Van Wormer William Countryman ’75 passed on Oct. 19, 2019. She was part of a ’60 passed away on Feb. 3, 2020. He away on Feb. 8, 2020. He worked for vaudeville dancing team called the taught fifth grade in Glenwood and Goldman Sachs and Citibank. Dancing Dolls, was a “Donut Dollie” Enfield in Ithaca, New York, until his Jennifer Kantonen ’75 died on Nov. during World War II, and was a reading retirement. 10, 2019. She was a remedial reading teacher in the Twin Cities. Susan Howland ’64 passed away on specialist. Nancy Nichols ’51 passed away on Nov. 26, 2019. She taught elementary Alfred Rollins ’75 died on Dec. 17, 2019. Dec. 31, 2019. She was a teacher for school in the Scotia-Glenville (New He retired as the executive director of most of her working life and served York) School District. the Jefferson County Historical Society in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Joan Swart ’69 passed away on Nov. in Watertown, New York. Volunteer Emergency Service) during 3, 2019. She taught home economics in Max Shmuel ’75 died on Nov. 21, 2019. World War II. Walton, New York, area schools. He was an outreach coordinator for George Link Jr. ’53 passed away on George Kaywood ’70 passed away on New Horizon Counseling Center. Dec. 25, 2019. He retired from the Feb. 8, 2020. He was a radio personality Gordon Ludwig ’76 passed away Baldwinsville Central School District, known as George Woods across the on July 31, 2019. He was a criminal in Baldwinsville, New York, where he country and got his start at WONY. worked for 30 years. defense lawyer for the Legal Aid James Iandiorio ’71 died on Nov. 16, Society in New York City. Charles Mitchell ’53 ’59 passed away 2019. He was a chiropractor in the Frank Timmons ’79 passed away on Feb. 7, 2020. He was a professor Oneonta area. emeritus at SUNY Plattsburgh and on March 5, 2019. His sister Jeanne began his career at Center Street Edward Day ’72 died on Nov. 5, 2019. Timmons ’85 says that his “gift was School in Oneonta. He was a nurse in the New York state making everyone around him feel mental health system. welcome.” Jane Stavely ’54 passed away on Nov. 5, 2019. She was a teacher at Yates Timothy Johnson ’72 died on Jan. 3, Godfrey Young ’80 passed away on Elementary School in Schenectady, 2020. He was the longtime owner of the Jan. 11, 2020. Autumn Café. New York. Dana Fitzgerald ’82 passed away on Paul Longo ’56 passed away on Oct. Terrance Powers ’72 passed away on Oct. 13, 2019. She worked in the nuclear 19, 2019. After his service in Korea, Oct. 12, 2019. He served in the United energy field before moving to Florida he was a school administrator for the States Army during the Vietnam War. to work for Veterans Affairs. Schalmont (New York) School District. Russell Williams ’72 passed away on Karen Engellenner ’83 passed Aranka Lawyer ’57 ’64 died on Nov. Jan. 25, 2020. He received the Engineer away on Nov. 9, 2019. She was a 15, 2019. She retired after 31 years of of the Year award from the New York sales representative for Ross-Abbott teaching English in the Richmondville State Department of Transportation. Pharmaceuticals. (New York) Central School District. Randall Anderson ’74 passed away Jeffrey Hinkle ’83 died on Nov. 5, 2019. Helen Thompson ’58 died Dec. 8, 2019. on April 28, 2019. He retired from the He worked for 22 years at the New York She was a special education teacher at furniture company Stickley Audi in State Department of Motor Vehicles. 2018. the Broome (New York) Developmental Patricia Sofranko ’83 passed away on Center. Richard Geraty ’74 passed away Jan. Feb. 8, 2020. She worked to improve John Bozzone ’60 passed away on 16, 2020. He owned and operated the lives of children and families in the Nov. 1, 2019. He taught social studies at Geraty Pools and Spa in Herkimer, LaFayette, New York, area. New York. DeWitt Junior High School in Ithaca, Phillip Zenir ’84 passed away on Nov. New York. Dale Gifford ’74 passed away on Dec. 5, 2019. He was a stonemason and Elizabeth Brien ’60 passed away 19, 2019. He worked as a counseling musician. psychologist for the U.S. Department of on Oct. 5, 2019. She was a first grade Daniel Murabito ’85 passed away Veterans Affairs in Syracuse, New York. teacher in the Mohawk (New York) on May 7, 2019. He worked for the School District. Gail Fairbairn Hillriegel ’74 passed Westchester County Department of James Clough ’60 passed away on Jan. away on Jan. 30, 2020. She was a home Parks and Recreation. 22, 2020. economics teacher, nursery school teacher, town clerk, and town historian. Theodore D’Aloia ’60 passed away on Oct. 21, 2019. He taught in the Saratoga Springs (New York) School System.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 39 In Memoriam Kevin Kraft ’87 died on Dec. 12, 2019. William O’Connell ’16 passed away Stanley Syvertsen passed away on As a Marine, he served overseas. on Dec. 31, 2019. He was a teaching Dec. 28, 2019. He was the industrial arts After leaving the military, he founded assistant in the biology department at teacher for Bugbee School in Oneonta BlastKraft in Cooperstown, New York. SUNY Oneonta. before he and his business partner bought the trucking company Shearer’s Teddy Olechowski ’90 ’91 passed away on Jan. 6, 2020. Express. Faculty & Friends passed away on Jan. Joseph Otello ’94 died on Jan. 28, Rita A. Wellman Wanda Dibble passed away on Jan. 19, 14, 2020. 2020. He taught early elementary 2020. special education in Oneonta City Nan Williams passed away on Dec. Schools. Carl Horner passed away on Oct. 18, 8, 2019. She worked in the bakery and 2019. He was a chemistry professor at food service department. Richard Alpert ’97 passed away on the College. Dec. 8, 2019. Garth Stam passed away on Feb. 12, Annabel Kellam died on Jan. 6, 2020. 2020. He had been a revered soccer Dale Turner ’98 passed away on She was an assistant professor in the coach at SUNY Oneonta for 28 years Dec. 1, 2019. He worked in school biology department. administration in the Utica, New York, and recognizable in the Oneonta area. Marshall Palmer passed away on community. His student-athlete alumni Dec. 17, 2019. He served in the SUNY describe him as a legend. Events to Christopher Kenney ’01 passed away Oneonta University Police Department honor his memory during Hall of Fame on Dec. 24, 2019. He was the director of for 40 years. induction weekend Sept. 11-13 are education at the McKinley Presidential planned. More information is available Library and Museum in Canton, Ohio. at oneontaalumni.com/coachstam.

Ways of Giving to

Now is a great time to reflect on all you are grateful for—family, friends, community. It’s also a great time to support organizations like SUNY Oneonta that have special meaning to you.

HERE ARE A FEW EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GIFT: $

CREDIT CARDS CHECKS GIFTS OF PLANNED GIVING DONOR Simply and securely Use the envelope included in SECURITIES For bequests, ADVISED FUNDS make your gift, or enroll this edition of Reflections, or charitable gift in monthly recurring mail your check payable to To donate gifts of annuities and Contribute cash, appreciated giving, at SUNY College at Oneonta appreciated stock or charitable remainder assets, or investments that oneontaalumni.com/give Foundation to: mutual funds, call the trusts, contact have been held for a year or College Advancement College Advancement Jill Mirabito, Director of more. Contact the College SUNY Oneonta Office at 607 436-2535 Gift Planning, at Advancement Office at 308 Netzer Administration Building 607-436-3107 607-436-2535 P.O. Box 4015 [email protected] Oneonta, NY 13820

40 Spring 2020 | Reflections ALUMNI profile ROZ HEWSENIAN ’75 ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION HONOREE • SUNY HONORARY DOCTORATE RECIPIENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION: Chief Investment Officer of The Helmsley Charitable Trust• RESIDENCE: Stamford, Connecticut

WHY I CHOSE SUNY WHY I GIVE BACK TO ONEONTA: SUNY ONEONTA: The influence of an enthusiastic I really didn’t have the money to go SUNY Oneonta alumna was all it to college. I worked hard during the took. A neighbor’s daughter had school year and over the summers to just graduated from Oneonta, and make money. I always sweated the bills my mother invited her over to talk from Oneonta before the semester to me about the College to “begin commencement, hoping I had enough the process” of deciding where to from financial aid, loans, and my apply. By the end of the evening, her earnings to cover that semester’s cost. I enthusiasm was so infectious, my will never forget that feeling, and I’m in mind was made up! As I began my a position now because of my Oneonta high school senior year, my first order education to see to it that other students of business was to go to my guidance don’t have to face that same feeling. counselor to complete and submit my application. DURING MY COMMENCEMENT SPEECH MY JOURNEY FROM IN 2017, I ASKED STUDENTS TEACHING TO TO AMAZE THEMSELVES. INVESTING: HERE’S HOW I’VE AMAZED I was part of a glut of teachers relative to the size of the generation behind us MYSELF LATELY: In today’s day and age of diversity, equity, that led to the closure of public schools. and inclusion, I have successfully built Combine that with an economic HEWSENIAN challenge an extremely diverse investment team recession, and new teachers had a hard Roz Hewsenian recently made without a formal diversity program simply time getting and keeping jobs. I did a $100,000 challenge gift. Her by hiring people like me when I was teach for three years but kept getting contribution will match recurring younger: hungry, looking for a chance laid off each June, not knowing if I’d donations and gifts to help students and willing to work hard—like the kind of get rehired in September. Again, I ran in need through the Fund for students who attend SUNY Oneonta. into a neighbor who told me about Oneonta, the Student Emergency a new program at a local business Fund, the Student Success school for students with non-business Scholarship, and the Class of 1975 WHAT SUNY ONEONTA undergrad majors. I applied, was Scholarship. TAUGHT ME: accepted (as there were few women in I learned how to become truly business schools in the 1970s), and the If you would like to make a gift to independent, think for myself, solve rest was history. More importantly, I the College at Oneonta Foundation, my own problems, and get ready to continually found my most important contact the Division of College soar after graduation. It was a safe training for my business career was my Advancement at 607-436-2535, visit environment where I could make SUNY Oneonta degree in education. oneontaalumni.com/give or use my mistakes and know a professor, It enabled me to advance my ideas, the gift envelope included in this a dean, an upperclassman, a dorm explain them to upper management, edition of Reflections. director, or a dining hall manager and successfully advise clients. I found would catch me before I hit the a whole new way of teaching. ground.

Spring 2020 | Reflections 41 Reflections SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY 13820-4015

SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY 13820-4015 607-436-2526 • 607-436-2124

Email: [email protected] Giving Spotlight “I know Oneonta needs support to continue growing and offering top-notch experiences for students. By setting up a recurring gift, I am able to prioritize my support for Oneonta every month, and am able to budget a larger gift overall in order to make an even greater impact.”

AnneMarie Cucci Haumesser ’12, Ed.D. Associate Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement D’Youville College

To make your monthly recurring gift, visit www.oneontaalumni.com/give