New Mario Café Dedication 4 the Bridge Faculty Profile Fall 2018

the

Fall 2018

A Magazine for SUNY Polytechnic Institute Alumni, Faculty, Friends & Students

New Mario Café Dedication 4 The Bridge Faculty Profile Fall 2018

The Bridge is published by the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute Alumni Association to keep 3 you informed of campus activities and news. New Interim Provost Publisher: Andrea LaGatta Editor: David Dellecese G’18 Lynne Browne ’04, G’14 Production: Patrick Baker ’15 Matthew Kopytowski Find out more! Visit us online: www.sunypoly.edu/alumni Call: 315-792-7273 E-mail: [email protected]

Address change? E-mail [email protected], 8 call 315-792-7273, or write SUNY Polytechnic Institute Alumni Office, 100 Seymour Road, New Café Dedication Utica, New York 13502.

This publication is printed on recycled paper. 6 “Woman of the Year”

14 Wildcats of the Year Interim President’s Message Greetings from SUNY Poly,

I am honored to write to you as SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Interim President. In this new role, I look forward to opportunities to work with our faculty, staff, students, and you, our alumni, to move our institution forward, together. I am extremely thankful to Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, who recently returned to his position at Binghamton University after leading SUNY Poly since December 2016; he provided a firm foundation for our institution to reach its full potential.

Looking into the future, SUNY Poly will remain focused on enabling student success and enriching students’ lives at both of our campuses in Albany and Utica, expanding our research and innovation activities, and stimulating the economic growth of our community.

It is an exciting time at SUNY Poly. Our 2,900 students, 13:1 student to faculty ratio, and cumulative economic impact of more than $15 billion in research and development investments during the last two decades, have positioned SUNY Poly at the center of a dynamic educational and research-focused ecosystem. It provides our students with unique, valuable, and hands-on learning experience and offers our faculty, students, and staff the fertile ground to innovate and collaborate.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet many of you as we work together to create a clear path- way toward a more sustainable future and cultivate a dynamic and inclusive environment for each and every one of us who work and study at SUNY Poly.

Again, it is an exciting time, and I am honored to start SUNY Poly’s next chapter with you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Grace Wang SUNY Poly Interim President

The Bridge 1 SUNY Poly Foundation Welcomes Andrea LaGatta It is my honor to have the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Vice President of Development at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Our institution is filled with knowledge, creativity and talent. We offer students a premier education at a nation- ally ranked institution. Throughout our history, SUNY Poly students, faculty, alumni and friends have made what, at times seemed impossible, possible. By investing in SUNY Polytechnic Institute, our students will learn from the brightest minds; will be ready to lead and excel in their given fields and will provide our community with a strong workforce ready to generate new ideas and solve challenges. I thank the generosity of our alumni, donors, friends, businesses and partners who believe in the SUNY Poly Foundation’s mission and vision. Generous donations fund scholarships, academic and athletic programs, research, facility and campus enhance- ments, and countless other initiatives. Your philanthropy allows us to connect the passion of those who want to support SUNY Poly with our areas of greatest need. Our donors have different reasons for giving, but share a similar passion – to see SUNY Poly students thrive and succeed. Please visit our web site to learn more about the many ways you can make a direct impact on our students and faculty. Every gift is meaningful and will contribute to the progress and success of our institution. The greatest days are ahead for SUNY Poly- technic Institute. So much of our success depends on you. I invite you to join us as we change lives, transform our community, and expand the possibilities for SUNY Polytechnic Institute. I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Andrea LaGatta Assistant Vice President of Development sunypoly.edu/foundation/giving

Thank you to all who participated in our 9th Annual Golf Tournament on June 18, 2018 at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, NY. The tournament raised nearly $48,500, increasing 45% from 2017. All proceeds benefit a wide range of scholarships for students who have demonstrated strong academic ability, community service, and/or financial need. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, SUNY Poly Wildcat Athletics!

2 The Bridge Longtime Faculty Member Dr. Steven Schneider Named Interim Provost

The provost is SUNY Poly’s chief academ- of Pennsylvania’s Annenburg Public Policy ic officer, overseeing six academic colleges: Center. Arts and Sciences, Business Management, “Dr. Schneider brings significant insti- Engineering, Health Sciences, Nanoscale tutional knowledge along with a passion for Engineering and Technology Innovation, teaching and scholarly activities,” said SUNY and Nanoscale Sciences. Each of the colleges Poly Interim President Dr. Grace Wang. is comprised of a number of undergraduate “Dr. Schneider will undoubtedly leverage and graduate programs and their faculty is his decades-long experience as a professor headed by a chair. at SUNY Poly and previously at SUNYIT, In addition to his teaching duties in in addition to his work as Interim Dean of the realm of communications, information the School of Arts and Sciences and Chair design, and political science, to name just a of the Department of Communication and few, Dr. Schneider has served in numerous Humanities, to lead academic operations at administrative appointments since joining both campuses, further academic account- SUNY Poly in 1991, including Chair of ability and excellence, and enable new, in- the Department of Communication and novative academic programs.” Humanities, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and coordinator of the Dr. Schneider holds a Ph.D. in Political Information and Design Technology gradu- Science from the Massachusetts Institute ate program, among others. Dr. Schneider of Technology, an MA in Communications has also spent time as a visiting Associate from the University of Pennsylvania, and Professor at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute a BA in Political Communications from Dr. Steven Schneider u and as a Research Fellow at the University George Washington University. Current Student and Recent Graduate Leverage Experience at SUNY Poly to Secure Exciting Internships

Aleksandr (Sasha) Filippov, a recent SUNY Poly graduate, who received a Bach- elor of Science in Nanoscale Engineering, interned with the Food and Drug Adminis- tration (FDA) this summer in Silver Spring, MD. He was a Fellow in the Oak Ridge Ana Institute of Science and Education’s (ORISE) Research Participation Program, managed by Ana Segarceanu Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) , a rising SUNY Poly and worked with the Office of Pharmaceutical senior undergraduate, interned with Stat Quality’s Science Staff within the Center for Peel, Ltd. in Glarus, Switzerland this Drug Evaluation and Research. As an ORISE summer. She expanded on her occupational Fellow, Sasha contributed to ongoing efforts health and safety training on the Brenner to develop nanoscale analytical methods Research Team as she worked with Stat using enhanced dark field microscopy and Peel to develop and assess instruments hyperspectral imaging (EDFM-HSI) and for detecting airborne nanoparticulates in Raman spectroscopy. This fall, he begins a work environments. During her 14-week PhD program in Molecular and Cellular Bio- internship, Ana put her training in nano logy at the Irell & Manella Graduate School health and safety to use as she contributed of Biological Sciences, part of the Beckman to advancing the state of the science in occupational exposure assessment for the Sasha Research Institute at the City of Hope u National Medical Center in Duarte, CA. nanotechnology workforce.

The Bridge 3 Faculty Profile: John Marsh

“Working with students and helping them launch their careers” that’s what Dr. John Marsh, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science, enjoys the most about working at SUNY Poly. Before entering the world of academics and wearing the multiple hats of an Associ- ate Professor and Program Chair, Dr. Marsh studied physics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Carnegie Melon University before receiving a postdoctoral appointment overseas in Paris. Upon his return to the United States, Marsh taught physics for students enrolled in the photonics program at SUNY Poly. After roughly five years, he temporarily left SUNY Poly and joined high-tech industry, where he held various research and product management positions in the fiber optic testing and photonic integrated circuits. It was during this time that one of his career stops led him to become a cybersecurity researcher at AIS Dr. John Marsh in Rome – an organization with deep roots to SUNY Poly. Despite its widespread popularity and academic advisory board offers the next step, “Most of the world came late to the realiza- appeal today, Dr. Marsh is quick to note that helping students connect with real-world tion of how important information assurance cybersecurity was not always a mainstream opportunities to work in the field. and network security is to our modern lives. field. In fact, when he began as a researcher, And while he certainly has a full plate The founders of Assured Information Security it was what many would consider a niche. developing, managing, and teaching in the (AIS), both SUNY Poly alums, recognized Reflecting back on that time, Dr. Marsh sees Network and Computer Security programs this early on, and I pursued an opportunity what a drastic change the world and the field at both the undergraduate and graduate level, to join AIS and become fully immersed in the have gone through, becoming a completely Dr. Marsh does still find some time to enjoy field.” mainstream concept. In today’s world, it’s not his passions, such as playing guitar in a band uncommon to find articles online, in print, or made up of some of his closest friends. There he gained a vast amount of first-hand on TV about security breaches and Internet experience, all of which he carried with him security, emphasizing what an extremely But when he’s not rocking out, his mind when, in 2007, he returned to the SUNY fast-growing industry it has become. He moves from guitar strings to strings of coding Poly classroom and his passion for teaching says cybersecurity is not an easy field to keep and problem solving, constantly keeping up and helping to guide the careers of the next up with, but provides him with a wonderful to date on the latest cybersecurity issues, data generation of innovators. challenge and forces him to keep engaged security, privacy, and the growing importance With all those experiences, Dr. Marsh with a number of colleagues in the industry. of these topics in our lives. certainly has a lot of wisdom to offer students With the field of cybersecurity ever- “The growth in the field of cybersecurity looking to step into the world of cybersecurity. increasing with each passing day, there is a is only going to continue, and we expect our And the most important thing he says any growing need to fill positions with individuals academic programs to grow along with it. We student can do is to get themselves immersed who possess both technical and non-technical will continue to see great demand for our NCS in the field with their own projects. backgrounds. With that in mind, Dr. Marsh program graduates as the world continues to “Read about cybersecurity topics in order says it is important for students to recognize evolve into an ever more-connected place.” to familiarize themselves with the field and that the programs they have access to at SUNY Poly now offers the master’s degree the current issues at hand,” he says. “Working SUNY Poly are heavily oriented towards the program online – read more about the online u hard to learn the networking and computing technical side of computer science, which is Cybersecurity: NCS program. fundamentals while immersing oneself in where the vast majority of entry-level op- technology news and blogs will allow one to portunities for graduates lie. As students acquire an insider view of the industry, and make their way through the coursework and that’s a big plus.” experiential learning of cybersecurity, the

4 The Bridge Online Degree Program in Nursing Launched

In a continued effort to provide students curriculum has been redesigned into one is an excellent choice at a great price point with the highest quality academic offer- course to reflect the interwoven nature of the and enables students from throughout New ings, SUNY Poly’s online degree programs relationship of learning about community York State to complete the program on their continue to expand with the addition of a health support services and public health schedule.” bachelor’s degree in nursing. organizations within one’s community and According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor aligning this information with the experi- Through its online format, students from Statistics, employment of Registered Nurses ential component of the course. Students all over New York State, the country, and is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to in Public Health will now be working in even the world will have access to the courses, 2026, much faster than the average for all the field of community and public health at faculty, and resources of SUNY Poly’s Nurs- occupations. The bureau also estimates that the same time they are taught the role and ing Department, allowing even those that are with an increased emphasis on preventative responsibility of the public health nurse and working full-time the ability to still complete care, growing rates of chronic conditions a college degree in a format that is convenient the appropriate ways of accessing support services across communities. such as diabetes and obesity, along with an to them, providing those with busy lifestyles aging baby-boom population and longer, and work schedules an educational option Registered nurses work in a variety of more active lives, there will likely be an built upon a strong history of excellence at a settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, increase demand for healthcare services. great price point. home healthcare services, nursing care facili- ties, outpatient clinics, schools, or serve in Launched in Fall 2018, the online BS This online version of the long-running in Nursing program joins already popular and highly successful on-campus nursing the military. These professionals provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and online programs through SUNY Poly, program at SUNY Poly reflects the changes including the MS in Nursing Education, occurring in the nursing profession and ad- the public about various health conditions, Health Information Management, Finance, dresses the changing landscape of healthcare. and provide advice and emotional support to Forensic Accounting and Valuation, Cyber- For instance, topics such as ethics and epi- patients and their family members. security: Network and Computer Security, demiology are integrated into all the courses “The Department of Nursing at SUNY Information Design and Technology, and as they are essential content areas that are Poly is extremely excited to be welcoming the many more. highly relevant within multiple courses in- first class of students to the online nursing stead of being standalone courses. A course program,” said Dr. Kathleen Rourke, Interim Those interested in learning more about in Care Management has been added to the Dean of the College of Nursing. “Given the the online Bachelor of Science with a major nursing curriculum to assist nurses in facili- new law requiring Associate prepared nurses in Nursing program can visit sunypoly.edu or tating patient care seamlessly throughout the to complete their Bachelor of Science Degree contact the SUNY Poly Admissions Office at u health care system. Also, the Public Health within ten years, we believe our program [email protected] or 315-792-7500. Thank you to our donors for their generous support!

The Foundation awarded scholarships to over 150 current students for the 2017-2018 academic year.

For more information on the SUNY Poly Foundation and to view the 2017-18 Annual Report, visit: www.sunypoly.edu/foundation

The Bridge 5 Kathryn Stam Named “Woman of the Year”

Kathryn Stam. “Women refugees and im- migrants often struggle with issues that are not the same as their male counterparts. They try to learn English as quickly as they can but that is really difficult for some who may have been denied educational opportunities their entire lives. A little bit of understanding and assistance can go a long way to help them overcome isolation and confusion about many of the social, health, and legal systems upon which they now interact. I am so pleased when I see people and organizations in our community being thoughtful about the inclusion of everyone. Gone are the days when it’s acceptable to invite a keynote speaker or even a panel of speakers that does not represent broader perspectives and positions.” Dr. Kathryn Stam speaks at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. Dr. Stam is also a 2015 recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in A member of SUNY Polytechnic Insti- who sought refuge from war and political or Scholarship and Creative Activities, given tute’s faculty is among those recognized in ethnic strife, from Cambodia to Sudan. by SUNY System to publicly proclaim its the Mohawk Valley with the prestigious Among her long list of accolades, Dr. Stam pride in the accomplishment and personal title of “Woman of the Year.” Celebrat- and SUNY Poly Web Coordinator Lynne dedication of its instructional faculty and ing outstanding women in the community Browne were awarded a grant in 2017 by professional staff across its campuses. Dr. during the month of March in conjunction the New York State Regional Bibliographic Stam was honored with the award for her with Women’s History Month, Professor of Database Grant program to create an archive qualitative research on information technol- Anthropology Dr. Kathryn Stam was hon- of the collection of images and stories the two ogy and culture which has been published in ored with other community members by the have collected. In particular, the grant focused numerous academic journals as well as for her Mohawk Valley Chapter of New York State on archiving items from the Refugees Starting co-authoring of Information Nation: Educa- Women, Inc. at the “Women of the Year” Over Project and Portraits of Hope: Faces of tion and Careers in the Emerging Informa- awards dinner on March 20. Refugee Resettlement in Central New York tion Professions. In 2010, she received the The event, which has been held under vari- – an exhibit at Munson-Williams-Proctor SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence ous names and forms over the years, has been Arts Institute in Utica that was on display in in Teaching. honoring professional women of the Mohawk conjunction with the work of internationally “Our mission statement is to build pow- Valley for several decades. recognized photographer Steve McCurry. erful women, professionally, personally, The project involves creating metadata and Dr. Stam earned her Ph.D. in Social Sci- and politically,” said Lucretia Hunt, Chair an online collection for the Refugees Starting ence (Anthropology and Sociology) from The of the Women of the Year event. “We are Over Project, an online community for and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public women helping women. In other words, to about the refugees of the greater Utica area. Affairs at Syracuse University, an M.S. in For- be all they can be. I personally know that The project involves the permanent online est Resource Management from SUNY Col- women have come a long way, but women archiving of images to preserve their work and lege of Environmental Science and Forestry, have accomplished what they have not for further strengthen connections to the refugee and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the themselves, but for others – their daughters, community in the City of Utica. Portraits of University of Vermont. Her areas of research their granddaughters, and their nieces. And Hope depicted survivors of war, genocide, and I know that while the glass ceiling has been include cultural anthropology, information u political strife who came to the U.S. and settled shattered, it hasn’t fallen yet.” design and technology, information security in the Utica region after living in refugee and information professions, anthropology of camps in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and work, communication, refugee studies, and the Middle East. The exhibition celebrated Thai studies. diversity and confronted stereotypes about Dr. Stam also serves as the President of the resettlement while exploring the challenges Board for the Midtown Utica Community and aspirations of local refugees starting over Center, whose mission is to foster inclusive in a new land. Through the archiving of these community participation by providing an projects, they will be connected with other environmentally sound facility for arts, rec- collections of New York history as well as with reation, celebration, and locally based human larger statewide and national communities. services in order to increase opportunity for “Working in this community, I am im- personal and collective growth in our com- pressed with the brilliance, creativity, and munity. potential of some of the girls who might be Recently, Dr. Stam was recognized by The overlooked because they communicate dif- Genesis Group at the 12th Annual Celebra- ferently, appear culturally different, or don’t Recipient and SUNY Poly Alum, Eve Van de Wal tion of Education for ongoing efforts to shine reach the more traditional standards that focus G’07 G’08 and Kathryn Stam. a spotlight on some of the 15,000 refugees strictly on academic achievement,” says Dr. 6 The Bridge SUNY Poly’s FRC Robotics Team Takes Home Regional Wins, Travels to FIRST World Championships

A robotics team made up of local high school students and mentored by SUNY Poly engineering students headed to the FIRST World Championships in Michigan in April following an exciting win at the Central New York 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition at SUNY Poly’s Utica campus. SUNY Poly’s own FRC Team 5030, The Second Mouse, along with FRC Team 340 Greater Rochester Robotics from Church- ville, NY, and FRC Team 2791 Shaker Ro- botics of Latham, NY, made up the alliance of teams declared regional champions. These three teams competed among the 35 total teams from across New York State, China, and Taipei in a series of challenges throughout the weekend March 2-4 in the Wildcat Field House in Utica for the CNY 2018 FIRST FRC Team 5030, The Second Mouse, at the CNY First Robotics Competition, held at SUNY Poly. Robotics Competition. The world-renowned, multi-day robot- Each year the competition’s rules and gam- And while they may not have taken home ics competition saw students, along with ing environments change, requiring students a win at the World Championships, the im- their mentors, demonstrate skills in science, to build new robots that can accomplish par- pressive record leading up to the main event technology, engineering, and mathematics ticular tasks relevant to the new challenge. remains a well-deserved feather in the team’s (STEM) as they competed for honors, rec- Called “Power Up,” this year’s competition cap and the team’s input and hospitality has ognition, and the chance to earn that coveted focused around the theme of 8-bit video been a leading contributor to the success of spot at the World Championships the follow- games, with each three-team alliance taking the inaugural CNY Regional Robotics Com- ing month. Event sponsors came from some of advantage of three ways to help defeat the petition. The Competition returns to SUNY the most highly-regarded organizations in the game’s “boss.” Symbolizing goals and moves Poly’s Utica Campus on March 14-16, 2019. area, including National Grid, SUNY Poly, of classic video gaming, teams earned points Students learning from FIRST events and NYSTEC. Sponsors provided resources by tipping a scale or switch in their favor, and programs come away with a greater ap- including time and talent from professional exchanging power cubes to gain temporary preciation of science & technology and how mentors, services, equipment, financial con- advantages during the match, and climbing it can be utilized to positively impact the tributions, and volunteers. the scale to face the game’s “boss.” The alli- world around them. Teams gain valuable life Over the course of six weeks, students ance with the highest score at the end of each skills, such as brainstorming, creative problem worked with professional engineering men- match won that match. solving, collaboration, teamwork, planning, tors to design a robot that solves a problem “We’re thrilled to have all the hard work time management, leadership, and a myriad using the same parts kits and a standard set of and dedication of our team members and of impressive technical skills. rules. Once the young inventors had created mentors over those six weeks pay off with the The positive impact on FIRST Robotics their robot, teams participated in regional chance to go to the championships in Detroit,” Competition participants is tremendous, with competitions across the globe that measured said Dominick Ferone, one of the team men- FIRST studies showing more than 88% of the effectiveness of each robot, the power tors and a senior SUNY Poly student majoring those who participate are interested in doing of collaboration, and the determination of in Computer and Information Design. “The well in school and 92% of participants are students. entire team was so excited to host the event interested in attending college. Teams learn “Team 5030, The Second Mouse, advanced to begin with, we never expected to do so well from professional engineers; master STEM to the FIRST world championship in Detroit so early.” skills; learn and use sophisticated software, after coming back from a last place seeding Before they headed to the World Cham- hardware, and power tools; improve team- at one point over the weekend,” said Janice pionships in April, the team made a stop at work, interpersonal, and communication Martino, FRC Coordinator. “While that is RIT for the Finer Lakes Regional and then skills; learn the practice of gracious profes- a great accomplishment, I think I am even the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland. It was sionalism; and qualify for millions of dollars u prouder of the fact that they won the Gracious at the Buckeye Regional that Team 5030 in college scholarships. Professionalism award for being a welcoming The Second Mouse took home an additional host team, helping other teams throughout regional championship win. the tournament and setting an example of how to behave and move forward in the face of adversity.”

The Bridge 7 New Café Honors Memory of Professor Emeritus

In order to get a student’s attention, Albert serving up beverages provided by Utica Roast- Mario was known to say “You need to use your ing Company, as well as light food and small head for something more than a hat rack, my meals with a focus on local New York fare, friend.” including offerings from throughout the Utica And now students stopping in to the Peter area. J. Cayan Library in Utica will have an extra Most significantly, this new café honors a spot to hang their hat. In January 2018, the longtime member of the SUNY Poly faculty library opened the doors to the Mario Café, who left an indelible mark on the institution from its earliest days – the late Albert Mario. Sodexo General Manager Michael Lusk (left) and Rudy D’Amico Present at the café ribbon cutting was Mario’s nephew, Rudy D’Amico, who referred to the new campus hotspot as the “Uncle Albert Café.” “So many conversations I had with him revolved around SUNY and what he loved about this institution,” D’Amico told the faculty member at Utica College and an em- crowd at the opening. “What an honor to have ployee at the Rome Air Development Center. him recognized this way.” Colleagues of Mario’s recall that when Upper Division college was formed in 1966, he saw A café was a fitting tribute, D’Amico said, an opportunity to create a program that would for a man who made sure families in East Utica give graduates skills needed to be successful had olive oil for the holidays by buying cases members of the workforce. wholesale and having it delivered to their door. “He left a beautiful traditional campus “Food was a high priority for our family,” at Utica College to come to Upper Division D’Amico said with a laugh. College in an old, run down mill building His uncle, Albert Mario, joined the insti- on Court Street,” recalled Associate Profes- tution shortly after its establishment in 1966, sor Emeritus Robert Orilio of the Business known then as Upper Division College. Before Management Department. “Upon his arrival coming to SUNY Poly, Mario had been a to Upper Division College, he energized the

8 The Bridge business program which, to my knowledge, while the “Professionals was the first approved academic program at for a Day” program al- the school.” lowed students to gain the Thanks to his tireless efforts in the class- workplace experience by room, Mario created visibility and credibility shadowing at local compa- for the business program as well as establishing nies. Both programs were the Small Business Development Center and created by Mario. the Small Business Institute. Even when the grades “This was a program where the Small were in and the classroom Business Administration would fund the work complete, Mario con- School of Business to create a class where the tinued to take an active role students went out and did projects with small in the institution, the com- businesses in the community,” recalls Thomas munity, and his students, Reynolds, a Business Advisor at the Albany coordinating the yearly Small Business Development Center (SBDC) graduation ceremony, in- who as a graduate student worked with Albert Mario. cluding making arrange- ments for its location in the When the institution was designated as an days when the college had SBDC in 1985, thanks to Mario’s work in the no campus, securing a key- Small Business Institute Program, Reynolds was one of the first SBDC employees. His note speaker, and granting work to connect the college to real-world any honorary degrees. businesses and experiences led to numerous It also didn’t matter if opportunities and developments, such as the school was in session for school being designated as part of the New the kind spirit of Albert York State Industrial Innovation Extension Mario to shine onto those Service, a program providing manufactur- around him. Even during ing and technical assistance to small manu- holiday breaks, he looked facturers in the region and a forerunner to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership out for others in the same Program. way he looked out for his colleagues and students. “Al was my mentor upon my hiring in January 1977 and he took me under his wing,” And though Mario is no said Orilio. “I noted his tougher than nails longer with us, the memory Albert (Al) Mario approach in the classroom was simply a ruse of his contributions to the to get students to understand that the way school that would become SUNY Poly lives “I will never forget the influence Al they comfort themselves, their dress, their on as an influential force, whether from his had on me and my teaching style,” recalls Orilio. speech mannerisms all played a role in their teaching, education, mentorship, or commu- “I do not think I would have been as future success.” nity involvement, and through the many lives effective an educator without him as a mentor u Many described him as a superb teacher that he came into contact with. and guide.” who brought to the classroom a hands-on, real world scenario that reflected society at the time Rudy D’Amico, nephew of Al Mario, speaks at the opening of the Café honoring his Uncle. and paved the way for the experiential learning that has become a trademark throughout SUNY Poly’s 50+ year history. “Together, he, [Associate Professor of Ac- counting] Ken Wallis, and myself traveled the state visiting community colleges to inform them of our programs in the department,” said Orilio. “Those contacts with faculty, staff, and students were the beginning of the tremendous growth of the business programs.” It was thanks to Mario that the institution gained approval from the New York State Education Department and SUNY Central for an Advanced Management certificate program that ran for many years for middle level managers of local and regional companies, including Rome Labs, General Electric, Oneida Limited, and PAR Technology. Local business leaders also got a taste of academia when they came into the classrooms to teach for the “Professors for a Day” program

The Bridge 9 Dr. Russell, Colleagues, Talk Maintenance at U.S. Senate

Politicians love a good ribbon cutting; the cameras, the audience, a new building to feast one’s eyes on. But what about the building next door, once heralded as the talk of the town but that has started falling into disarray as the years waned? “We like the next thing,” says Dr. Andrew Russell, Dean of the College of Arts & Sci- ences at SUNY Poly, referring to this practice as “the ribbon cutting paradox.” “The ribbon gets cut on the new building, but there’s no ceremony when a sewer pipe gets fixed…and it turns out we need the fixed sewer pipe more than we need the new building.” Dr. Andrew Russell (center at table) part of a panel of experts address issues of maintenance of the U.S. Senate. It’s this idea of maintaining, of keeping up the systems that we’ve built that has become a specialty of Dr. Russell, who has drawn only $77 billion appropriated for transporta- it an issue that truly reaches across the aisle the attention of the New York Times and sat tion and infrastructure improvements by of political ideology. on a panel of experts at the U.S. Senate for a Congress. So the question remains how to “Progressives really like it because it’s good conversation on Innovation vs. Maintenance move forward. for the working poor. Conservatives like it in the Drive Toward Hybrid Infrastructure, “That is the core issue, spending,” Dr. Rus- because it’s about conserving the technologi- hosted by the Information Technology & sell said. “We don’t have adequate mechanisms cal achievements we’ve already built. There’s Innovation Foundation. or policies to maintain or repair the things something about the idea that’s bipartisan.” Along with Vice President of Global Infor- that we’ve already built, whether that’s train While the topic itself and its impact is mation Technology Stephen Ezell, Director of infrastructure, roads, bridges, water, or sew- recognized and felt by both sides of the aisle the American Society of Civil Engineers John age systems, or dams. Hundreds of billions of in Washington, Dr. Russell notes that much Casana, President and CEO of Eno Center for dollars would be needed to fix what we have. of the future of maintenance falls back to Transportation Robert Puentes, and Virginia That’s the core problem, made worse by the fact how it can be funded. However, he hopes that Tech Assistant Professor of Science, Technol- that private and public investment is thrown through the work of he and his colleagues, ogy and Society Lee Vinsel (who is Dr. Rus- disproportionately to new technology.” keeping the idea of maintenance on the forefront of minds versus the attractive allure and sell’s partner in their research and writings While Dr. Russell believes that those shiny veneer of new technologies and products, on maintenance), the panel discussed possible dealing with policy matters recognize the will help find a way to keep things working. solutions to aging infrastructures. The panel importance of these issues, he says there is a focused on integrating digital technology with disconnect and problem had by policy mak- “I think the need to do something about physical infrastructure in a way to be more ers moving from that recognition to putting this is very well established. The big challenge efficient and sustainable than the concrete the funding into actual budgets. He says that now is how to pay for it. So I think the contri- roads and bridges of yesteryear. during the panel discussion he was asked by bution I’m making, along with my co-author, The panel of experts addressed a room of U.S. Senator’s staff what message she should Lee, is to help this cultural side of things to roughly 50 people in the Russell Senate Office bring back to her boss. solidify bipartisan consensus that we need to do more about it. And hopefully it gives Building in Washington, DC, mostly made “I told her the first thing she should policymakers more tools to keep maintenance up of congressional office staff, staffs from do is to start talking about maintainers in at the forefront.” various federal agencies, and representatives her public messaging and to talk about the from trade associations. And while Dr. Russell helps move the important work people do, like teachers, or discussion about maintenance on the national “We had a really substantive discussion janitors, or technicians and nurses. These are stage, he’s also helping to let the world know about the major themes of innovation and the people who maintain society. We need to that many programs at SUNY Poly put these maintenance,” said Dr. Russell. “We’re not express our appreciation of them. The next ideas to practice, training students to enter the doing a great job with infrastructure and the step is straight forward – that if we want to, maintenance workforce, including engineering, main question is, if we can invest more, can on the whole, improve and show our respect engineering technology, network and computer we incorporate new technologies?” for them, to make sure their wages are better security, computer science, and nursing. as a class, as a group, and to support their The solutions they seek are very much In Spring 2019, he began teaching a course work in terms of policy.” needed, as noted by a recent D+ rating for the on maintenance - IDS 103: Science, Technol- United States on an infrastructure report card One of the promising aspects for the ogy, and Human Values. He notes that part of from the American Society of Civil Engineers. future of maintenance, Dr. Russell notes, the course was student projects that examine The cost to maintain the U.S. infrastructure is that it’s the type of topic that doesn’t fit the work of maintainers on our campus and u has hit $4.6 trillion in necessary repairs, with within one party line or the other, making in the local area. 10 The Bridge Commencement 2018

The Bridge 11 New College of Business Management Dean Named

SUNY Poly proudly welcomes Dr. Xinjian Lu is the perfect candidate to lead our College of (Arthur) Lu as Dean of the College of Business Business Management as it continues to rapidly Management. grow and expand,” said Dr. Steven Schneider, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Lu to Interim Provost at SUNY Poly. “We are confi- SUNY Poly,” said Dr. Grace Wang, Interim dent that with Dr. Lu as our Dean, the already President of SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “His impressive track record of the College of Business experience in the world of business, higher edu- Management will continue to reach new heights.” cation, and research is a perfect match with the The Dean of the College of Business Man- goals and mission of our College of Business agement (CBM) helps to promote the vision, Management. We are confident that Dr. Lu, mission, and focus of the institution with a together with our outstanding faculty members, commitment to advancing the merged institu- will continue to drive academic excellence of the tion with strong advocacy on campus and in the College and provide unique, world-class learning community. With duties that include recruiting opportunities to our students.” and retaining high-quality faculty, the Dean of the CBM helps maintain SUNY Poly’s position With a Ph.D. in Management Sciences, Dr. Xinjian (Arthur) Lu two master’s degrees (M.S. in Computing & as a world-class institution, leading the way in education to prepare its students for the 21st Information Science and M.S. in Systems in College of Business Management offers students Century economy and workplace. Engineering) and a B.S. in Mathematics, Dr. Lu the opportunity to learn about and become lead- joins SUNY Poly from the College of Business “I was drawn to the opportunity at SUNY ers in the realms of global business, technology and Economics at California State University, Poly because of its 21st century model of promot- management, accounting, government, and not- East Bay (CSUEB), where he was serving as ing the technology-driven ‘knowledge-based’ for-profit organizations. Major programs of study Interim Dean of the College of Business and economy of New York State, while providing an within the CBM include Master of Business Economics. At CSUEB since 1999, Dr. Lu has unparalleled experiential learning, research, and Administration in Technology Management, also served as Associate Dean, Chair and Asso- development platform for students, staff, faculty, Master of Science in Accountancy, Post- ciate Chair of the Department of Management, and community partners,” says Dr. Lu. “Being Bachelor’s Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Professor of numerous undergraduate and a polytechnic institution’s business school, the & Valuation, Bachelor of Science in Business graduate courses in Operations Management and College has a unique advantage to collaborate Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. With a myriad with other colleges in SUNY Poly on innova- Accounting. The rigorous programs within of publications in refereed journals to his name, tive programs that can serve the ever-evolving CBM are accredited by the Association for the Dr. Lu also brings with him industry experience demand for talent in areas such as data science, Advancement of Colleges and Schools of Busi- as a software engineer at Mortice Kern Systems business analytics, and artificial intelligence, ness (AACSB) International – a worldwide gold- and Prior Data Science. among others.” standard. Fewer than 5% of the world’s business “With his extensive background and experi- With graduate programs individually ranked degree-granting schools are AACSB accredited, u ence and his well-developed leadership skills, Dr. by U.S. News & World Report, SUNY Poly’s and SUNY Poly is proud to be among them.

Yes! I would like to support the Foundation! q Enclosed is my gift of: q $1,000 q $500 q $250 q $100 q $______q Check made payable to: SUNY Poly Foundation www.sunypoly.edu/foundation • 315-792-7419 q One-time credit card charge Please charge my: q Visa q MasterCard q Discover q AMEX Name:______Class Year:______Card #______Exp. Date ___/___ CSC #______Address:______Name on card (print):______City:______State:______Zip:______Authorized Signature:______Tel: ______E-mail:______Designate my contribution to: Please return to: SUNY Poly Foundation q The Annual Fund 100 Seymour Road q Other______Utica, NY 13502 The SUNY Poly Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

12 The Bridge Earn an Advanced Degree at SUNY Poly

College of Arts & Sciences College of Engineering • Computational Mathematical Modeling • Computer & Information Science (MS) (post-bachelor’s certificate) • Cybersecurity: Network & • Data Analysis (post-bachelor’s certificate) Computer Security (MS) FULLY Online FULLY Online • Information Design & Technology (MS) • Systems Engineering (MS) FULLY Online College of Health Sciences College of Business Management • Family Nurse Practitioner • Accountancy (MS) (MS and post-master’s certificate) FULLY Online • Nursing Education • Forensic Accounting & Valuation (MS and post-master’s advanced certificate) (post-bachelor’s certificate) FULLY Online FULLY Online • Technology Management (MBA) Colleges of Nanoscale FULLY Online Science & Engineering Concentrations in: accounting and finance, (Albany NanoTech Complex) business management, health informatics, • Advanced Technology (MS) human resources management, marketing management • Nanoscale Engineering (MS and PhD) • Nanoscale Science (MS and PhD) • Medicine and Nanoscale Science or Nanoscale Engineering (MD/PhD)

Learn More! sunypoly.edu/graduate-admissions Contact the Graduate Admissions Office Call: 315-792-7347 or 1-866-278-6948 E-mail: [email protected] The $60 application fee is waived for SUNY Poly students and alumni.

State University of New York Polytechnic Institute The Bridge 13 2017-18 Year in Review

The Wildcats had another successful season ers tuning in to watch or listen to SUNY Poly’s in 2017-18 with 10 of the Wildcats 12 teams student-athletes compete. Next season, the portal qualifying for the North Eastern Athletic Con- will take on a new name, more fitting to the plat- ference post season, three more than in 2016-17. forms mission of multimedia offerings including Three teams made it as far as a championship video, audio, and live statistics. The new name game appearance. The SUNY Poly cross country for the platform will be the SUNY Poly Sports Angela Bartlett team continued to break records, securing a fifth Network or SPSN for short and will still be found consecutive NEAC Championship, the only at portal.stretchinternet.com/polywildcats. FALL championship for SUNY Poly in 2017-18. This year’s Wildcat Athletic Banquet was This season, the men’s cross country, did Wildcat student-athletes excelled this season held at SUNY Poly’s Wildcat Field House where what they do best, win a championship. For the both on and off the field. A record-breaking a record number of guests joined the athletic fifth consecutive season the Wildcats hoisted number of Wildcats were named NEAC Scholar staff to honor this year’s athletic achievements. the NEAC trophy at the NEAC championship athletes in 2017-18. There where 74 student- The department gave out 30 awards to Wildcat race. To go along with their fifth NEAC Cham- athletes who have a combined GPA of 3.4 or student-athletes. Notable award winners were pionship in as many years, the Wildcats had five higher at SUNY Poly, the largest total amount in Angela Bartlett (West Winfield, N.Y.), senior all-conference runners, Noah Valvo (Town of SUNY Poly’s history. Wildcat Athletes garnered Wright, N.Y.), Ian Kurzrock (Woodbourne, N.Y.), 180 total awards: 38 NEAC All-Conference goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, who Jonathon Miller (Oneonta, N.Y.), Derek Smith awards, 13 NEAC Student-Athlete of the Week was named the female student-athlete of the year. (Rochester, N.Y.), and Christopher Bouchard awards, two NEAC Player of the Year awards, Kevin Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was named (Latham, N.Y.). Wildcat Noah Valvo earned the three Regional Coaches Association Awards, and the male student-athlete of the year after his NEAC rookie of the year award after finishing a SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete award. outstanding senior season for the Wildcat men’s basketball team. Wildcat men’s soccer player third in the race, and coach Tylutki won his fifth The Wildcat Athletic Department added to straight Coach of the Year Award. Their level of Jeremiah Besse (Delmar, N.Y.) and Wildcat soft- their digital offerings this season, opening their success is the best run of any team in the history ball’s Haley Breeyear (Fort Edward, N.Y.) were first online apparel store. The store,polywildcats - of Wildcat Athletics. gear.com, features more than 2,000 items, includ- named the male and female Scholar Athletes of This season, the women’s cross country team ing clothing, accessories, drink ware, tailgating the Year. Both had cumulative GPA’s over 3.9. had its best season in recent memory. The Wild- gear, and more! The SUNY Poly athletic department also used cats had three, top-five finishes and placed fourth the event to celebrate the retirement of long-time WildcatTV, the SUNY Poly athletics web at the NEAC Championships. For their efforts Wildcat Administrative Assistant Marisa Greer, based streaming network hosted a record num- this season, Rebecca LaPorte (New Hartford, who retired in June after a 30+ year career with ber of events this season. There were 104 events N.Y.) and Jalize Mejia-Perez (Bronx, N.Y.) streamed on the platform with over 13,000 view- SUNY Poly in multiple departments. earned NEAC Second Team All-Conference The fifth consecutive season the Wildcats hoisted the NEAC trophy at the NEAC championship race. honors. Kiersten Albertson (Kirkville, N.Y.) and Kassidy Eng (Staten Island, N.Y.) were named to the NEAC All-Conference third team. The four All-Conference Awards were the most in program history. The Wildcat men’s soccer team had a fantastic 2017 season. Coach Peterson Jerome coached his squad to an 11-9 record, qualifying for post-season play where the team had a fantastic run. The Wildcats advanced to the NEAC Championship where they narrowly lost by just a single goal. Three Wildcats earned All-Conference awards, Benjamin Alonge (Elmont, N.Y.) and Jeremiah Besse (Delmar, N.Y.) were first team selections and Amadou Ndiaye (Harlem, N.Y.) was second- team all-conference selection. This season, the women’s soccer team finished 13-3-2 under head coach Jess Skelton; The team made the NEAC post-season, advancing to the 14 The Bridge semifinal game. Five Wildcats earned NEAC D3hoops East All-Region All-Conference nods. Angela Bartlett (West first-team, and was SUNY Winfield, N.Y.), Alicia Wittmann (Rome, N.Y.), Poly’s only SUNY Chan- and Nakeya Stedman (Sauquoit, N.Y.) were voted cellor’s Scholar-Athlete first team. Brittany Waterbury (Remsen, N.Y.) Award recipient. His sea- and McKenna Hungerford (Morris, N.Y.) earned son was one of the most third team awards. decorated in Wildcat ath- The 2017-18 season was solid for the Wildcat letics history. women’s volleyball team. First year Head Coach The SUNY Poly men’s Juleah Wanner led her team to an 11-16 overall volleyball team had a solid record with a 5-4 conference record, qualifying for 2018 season under first the NEAC Post-season. The Wildcats made it to year Head Coach Katie the first round of the NEAC Championship tour- Kenny. The Wildcats went nament with a young roster chock-full of talent 7-2 in conference play, and will have all of their entire roster returning securing the three seed in in 2018 including NEAC All-Conference Second the NEAC Championship Team setter Sydney Johnson (Nine Mile Falls, Tournament. The Wildcats Wash.) and Third Team All-Conference outside season came to an end Connor Manderson hitter Karlie King (Liverpool, N.Y.). in the semi-final after a hard-fought matchup with Wells. The Wildcats weather was rough at the beginning of the season had three NEAC All-Conference selections; and did not let up until the end of April. Despite Zach Goggin (Feeding Hills, M.A.) was a first the cold and rain, the bats heated up helping the team selection, Max Szuba (Irondequoit, N.Y.) Wildcats wrap up their regular season with a was voted to the second team, and Ryan Gloff six-game winning streak to clinch a playoff spot. (Brockport, N.Y.) earned third team honors. They finished the season 10-13 with a 8-5 NEAC record. Three players were voted to NEAC All- SPRING Conference teams. Bailey Wood (Preston Hollow, This season, Head Coach Brandon Misiaszek N.Y.) and Courtney Morton (Whitesboro, N.Y.) and the SUNY Poly men’s lacrosse team had the were second team selections. Bailee Haddad best season in the history of the program. The (Frankfort, N.Y.) was a third team selection. Wildcats started the season off with a seven-game The SUNY Poly baseball team under first-year winning streak to surpass the former season re- head coach Tom Pfisterer had a solid season in cord of six. The Wildcats finished 9-5 with a 4-4 2018. The team became the first in the history NEAC record, missing the NEAC postseason of the program to start the season 4-0 on their by a single win. This year’s team was young, en- annual trip to Florida. The poor spring weather ergetic and fun to watch. Freshman goalkeeper shortened the season and made it very difficult for Jared Laird broke the single season wins record, the team to hit their stride, but the Wildcats still sophomore Eddie Rosaschi broke the single qualified for post-season play, finishing the season season points and assists records, and moved into 12-18 with a 6-7 NEAC record. Just one Wildcat first place, all-time on the assists list. Freshman was named to the NEAC All-Conference teams. Ryan Mead set a new season high with a faceoff Senior Connor Manderson (New Hartford, N.Y.) Kevin Williams was a first-team All-Conference selection for the percentage of 61 percent. The Wildcats had five u WINTER All-Conference players, four of which were fresh- second time in as many seasons. man. Daniel Rivie (Ossining, N.Y.), Ryan Mead The SUNY Poly women’s basketball team had (Churchville, N.Y.), and Jared Laird Khristaijah Jackson a fantastic season in 2018. The Wildcats went (Ontario, N.Y.) were second team 21-7 with a 15-1 NEAC record, clinching the selections. Austin Rio (Cicero, N.Y.) number one seed and the rights to host the NEAC and Tyler Schmitz (Eden, N.Y.) were Championship Tournament. Unfortunately, the voted to the third team. team came up just shy of their third consecutive The women’s lacrosse team finished NEAC championship and NCAA Tournament this season 4-10 with a 2-7 record appearance. Two players earned All-Conference in the NEAC under first year Head nods. Khristaijah Jackson (Levittown, P.A.) Coach Jamie Elderbroom. Adversity was the NEAC Player of the Year, a first-team tested the will of this group of fantas- All-Conference selection, and a d3hoops East tic student-athletes and coaches. The All-Region second team selection. Kiersten Leos team responded with fight, showing (Camden, N.Y.) earned NEAC second team All- up with passion for every single game. Conference. Despite their best efforts, the team This year, the SUNY Poly men’s basketball just narrowly missed post-season team went 19-8 with a 14-2 Conference record. play. Three Wildcats were voted to The Wildcats won the Lehman Coaches versus All-Conference teams. Mari Ames Cancer Tournament, placed second in the Hilbert (Carthage, N.Y.) and Kayla Prosinski Tip-off, and made it to the NEAC final four. Kev- (Endwell, N.Y.) were voted to the sec- in Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Redell Freeman ond team and Megan Will (Remsen, (Rochester, N.Y.) were named NEAC First Team N.Y.) was voted to the third team. All-Conference First Team. Kevin Williams was This season started a bit slow also named NABC East All-District first-team, for the Wildcat softball team. The The Bridge 15 Jeffrey Hinderliter ’06 is Jon Eguren ’13 G’15 is now working for NYS Build- currently in a technical sales Class Notes ing Standards and Codes as a role as a product manager for code developer and is married CED Baldwin-Hall Emma Larson ’17 Justin Deschamps ’17 with three children. moved to is Lillian Mary Zambri ’14 Austin, Texas after gradua- working as a design engineer Michelle Lewis ’11 is cur- is currently working full time tion and is a medical scribe for Ryan Bentz ’02 currently is rently working at Oriska as as a care manager for UCP an orthopedic surgeon and a an instructional design and a claims adjuster for workers and going to Utica College clinical assistant in pediatric delivery specialist with Syracuse compensation for a masters degree in psychiatry while coaching Occupational Therapy University Erik Franceschini ’15 is volleyball on the side Kris Ellman Curry ’85 Sarah LaFont ’13 is working currently a systems/components spent Mark Mowers ’96 is on earning a PhD in Clini- engineer at Indian Point En- 30 years in HR for two differ- employed at Black River cal Psychology from Syracuse ergy Center in Buchanan, NY ent companies and now is an Systems Company as a senior University Carmann Benedetto ’17 operations manager software engineering specialist is Michelle Balderston beginning a Masters in Social Andrew Jonas ’08 has been Dominic Merante ’90 Simonds ’92 is a claims Work from University at working for almost 10 years currently is the program direc- specialist for the Social Security Buffalo this fall and currently as a software developer and tor for Independent Living Administration working as a behavior special- is now software development Center of the Hudson Valley ist assistant at the Kelberman supervisor Kelsey Marie ’15 recently and city councilman for the Center Tracy Lewis Fletcher ’88 earned an MSW through city of Hudson, NY Carey Michelle ’14 Shaquille Berhanu De UAlbany went retired in 2016 as the business on to get a masters degree in administrator for the Federal Bique ’14 Joe Chevrette ’13 G’15 is the currently resides social work from University at Bureau of Prisons in FCI Ray senior manager of IT systems in Cincinnati, working as a Buffalo and is now a preventa- Brook, NY and Infrastructure at Nascentia software developer at a major tive social worker with Rebecca Laymon ’87 Health is industrial machine company Catholic Charities a senior claims specialist at and is currently working on a Jesus Kaiser Carrasco ’12 Crystal Bastien ’15 is Utica National Insurance Masters degree in Cyber has been working the last five currently a practicing PA Group Security at Utica College years at an acute care institution in Herkimer Karen Nesbitt Belcher ’94 Autumn Campau ’11 dedicated to end-of-life care Ashley Pratt Kise ’06 is currently COO at Food has been working for more Christopher A Bivins ’02 is is a program manager of a Bank of Central New York than for years at the Cerebral currently a finance manager at residential program for adults Leah Segerlin ’17 Palsy Association of Nas- Steet Toyota in Yorkville, NY is an diagnosed with mental illness sau working with adults with Katharine St. Laurent ’10 airport engineer in Roches- and chemical addiction at a varying disabilities and was ter, NY, designing airports is the librarian at Solvay High non-profit agency recently promoted to be the and completing construction School investigator/program review Jennifer Gilston ’95 is inspections Jessica N. Hastwell ’10 specialist for the agency went currently retired nursing home Chris Crafts ’95 finished her Dan Akers G’17 onto Sage Graduate School administrator is the lead MBA at the Simon School in for a Master’s in Professional instructor and also the Direc- Samuel Speziale ’16 went 2011, is living in Oklahoma, School Counseling and is cur- tor of the Ford ASSET Auto- on to earn a Masters in Crimi- and is an IT director with rently a school counselor at motive Technology Program at nal Justice from UAlbany and OU Medicine Carthage Middle School SUNY Morrisville is currently working for child Loren Rose Burnor ’13 Darlene Marie ’03 Abby Coyne ’16 G’18 is cur- protective services moved to California two years rently a corporate compliance is currently working as a senior Valerie Salamon ’85 is ago and is a full time release officer at Rome Hospital accountant at a Rivers Casino currently living in Colorado of information specialist James McGuire ’96 Erika Kistowski ’16 has Springs, CO working as a for Sharecare Health Data is currently working as a school been employed with Toyota healthcare auditor for a Services Financial Services for last 21 national company guidance counselor at Notre Pamela Moore ’04 is work- years, currently as an area sales Dame Jr. Sr. High School Elliot Stuart Thomas ’18 is ing for Cornell University manager, living in the Hudson Rob Wilbert ’01 currently employed by Cooper- Hospital for Animals as the is working as Valley stown Central School District medical record director Project Engineer in the com- Sean Bayliss G’10 is an op- as their network coordinator mercial nuclear industry Kyle Bliek ’17 is currently erations manager for Amazon pursuing a masters degree in IDT while working as a front-end coordinator at Wegmans Food Markets 16 The Bridge Mark Vrydaghs ’15 works as Shelby Parker ’14 is Jason Kahler ’00 is Nicole Buccheri G ’16 is a software engineer at SRC, working with Saratoga EOC employed at PAR Government currently working in NYC Inc. in Rome, NY casework and BAE systems for Viacom as a legal finance coordinator Erin Tobin ’06 is currently Scott Monahan ’03 has Jennifer Ryan ’93 is a tech- head of advertising technology been working for Nielsen as nical trainer at Rite Aid Corp Anoosha Movva G’16 and systems at Bloomberg Lp. a solution architect for 15 years moved to Michigan and is Gayle Kilburn ’89 works at working as a network engineer Johnnie Buffalo ’85 has Becky Vasquez ’05 is now Utica College in the Regis- worked in the auto industry working at Indeed in Austin, trar’s Office James Ellis ’02 is a system since 1992 as a plant and TX administrator at Schneider Alison Bowman G ’10 is a manufacturing manager Electric Tricia Flinn Hadden ’02 human resources manager at Shelby Kostal ’17 is current- lives in Southbury, CT and Ringling College of Art and Denise Crandall ’12 is ly a medical assistant for CNY has been working for IBM for Design working in the department of Brain and Spine Neurosurgery 16 years theater at Colgate University Todd Thompson ’11 works at and a Chief Medical Scribe Vicki Fuess Mayne ’93 is a GE as a calibration specialist Chris Black ’16 is working for St. Luke’s, Rome Memo- licensed P&C insurance agent Amy Leclair ’97 for the state of Maine as a rial, and Crouse Emergency is the Cathy Behrendt ’94 programmer analyst Departments. She will begin is a director of academic advising Bridget Ashmore ’15 a masters degree program in consultant for medical devices at SUNY Fredonia is teaching 8th grade math in the January 2019, at Massachu- Carol Hutchings Renwick Lisa Moore Sheldon ’84 is a Utica City School District setts College of Pharmacy and ’82 retired last year with 35 senior director of IT for a gov- Health Sciences years service with New York ernment contractor in Florida Renee Dudajek ’10 is a David Bush ’89 State commercial lines underwriter is working as Kimberly Olsen ’11 is at Utica National Insurance a system administrator for the Cassie Liz ’12 is a practicing currently an underwriter at NYS thruway attorney in Buffalo, NY MetLife Chris Erdmann ’14, is a Tom Harter ’97 project manager at SECO/ is employed Brandon Meszko ’13 has Matthew Watson ’04 G’07 VACUUM Technologies in as senior project manager at been an engineering techni- went on to attend law school Meadville, PA Excellus Blue Cross and Blue cian for five years at Osmose in Virginia and now works Shield Utilities in Utica, NY for the public Maureen Seaman Boufas Chad LaDue ’97 defender’s office ’10 Accounting is working in is employed O’Dell Gordon G ’14 financial aid at MVCC as director of athletics at is working in emergency Christine Cuccio ’96, has North Country CC medicine at a Critical Access been employed at UPS for 22 Matthew Payne ’99 Psychology Corey Hickok ’07 has Hospital years as a quality assurance is currently a analyst manager at FedEx worked for Northern Safety Garrett Musto ’17 has been since graduating and is cur- working as a software engineer Kyle Lince G’04 is a To submit your Class Notes please rently a senior application contact the Alumni Office at since graduation full-time professor at MVCC [email protected] or call developer in computer science and web Rachel Lynn ’11 is currently 315-792-7110. Liz Harrigan Wagner ’98 development is working as a labor and delivery employed at Upstate nurse Scott Michael Murray ’18 Homecare in Clinton, NY is currently working as a Jim Rafferty ’91 has been an Brenda Episcopo ’97 G’02 contracts administrator for IT project manager at UPS for Assured Information Security is the President & CEO of 27 years. United Way of New York State in Rome, NY Bianca Brown ’13 is working Mandy Cornick ’01 G’03 Dinesh Reddy G ’12 is is at Excellus BCBS as a provider currently a senior business teaching preschool-12th grade relations representative intelligence analyst computer science in Albany, Vicki Cinelli Callagan ’02 NY Victoria Pompey Encalade G’10 is currently the associate Pamela Marshall ’87 is a health services director is cur- chair in nursing for curriculum living in New Orleans rently a Global Manager with at Maria College Nielsen David Peterson ’18 is Heather Fry ’93 is the Howie James ’02 currently pursuing an MBA is cur- director of development, in Technology Management rently living in Schenectady automation and performance at SUNY Poly while working and working at SUNY Sche- at Paychex for 23 years and as an analyst in client services nectady Community College counting as a student success coach at BNY Mellon, Oriskany branch The Bridge 17 Alumni Association 100 Seymour Road Utica, New York 13502

College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Making a Gift to the • Dedicated Endowment for establishment of Endowed Faculty lines in Nanoscale Engineering SUNY Poly Foundation • Dedicated Endowment or fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students in Nanoscale Engineering Making a gift is just one way that you can have a positive impact on the lives of our students, faculty, staff and the community at large. College of Business Management • Joint Center for Creativity, Ethics, and Venturing Established in 1974, the SUNY Poly Foundation was created to support the University’s mission and institutional goals through philan- • Chaired/Funded Faculty Lines thropic support. • Internship Management and Placement Center With the help of a dedicated board of directors, loyal alumni, donors, College of Engineering friends and volunteers, the Foundation has developed a funding stream • Electrical engineering department drones that provide essential financial support for SUNY Poly and our students. • Collegiate Seminar Series Below are some key areas that will benefit from your investment and • Computerized server for Network and Cyber Security provides support for departments and programs including equipment, College of Health Sciences supplies, travel, professional development and more. • Syndaver Thank you for your interest in sharing the gift of education with SUNY • DEXA Poly Students. • Nursing lab updates