Apr 06 Features Bk

MAGAZINE September 2006 Our doors are open... A M ESSAGE FROM THE P RESIDENT OF AluThme ni Association By Michael N. Christakis, Ph.D. ’99 The Alumni Association is again soliciting nominations for its annual awards. The write this, my first message as Alumni Award guidelines can be found on the Association president, after having Alumni Association Web page I spent Friday and Saturday of Reunion (www.alfred.edu/alumni/awards.html). Weekend 2006 with well over 700 AU Please consider recognizing a fellow alum alumni from across the country and whose for achievement or service to AU. graduations dated as far back as 1935! I Additionally, the Association’s class ring cannot even begin to share with you the program witnessed the delivery of its first heart-warming stories shared by fellow set of class rings to graduating seniors and alums of their time as students at AU. alumni who traded in their old rings. An article, describing the program in more There are 26,670 AU alumni living detail is also included in this issue of the throughout the world today. The vast Alfred Magazine (pg. 25). In the coming majority of us reside in the United States months, the Alumni Council will continue (26,312 to be exact) with another 358 to examine ways to better serve fellow residing internationally. All 50 states have alumni, current and future students. at least three AU alumni living in them – North Dakota has the fewest (with three). Finally, Reunion Weekend also signaled This past May’s Commencement speaker, the conclusion of Christine Pinto Kulp’s Mike Christakis ’99 amd Chrissy Nyman NYS Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, ’71 term as Alumni Association president. would be pleased to know that the advice Christakis ’01 at Reunion 2006 Chris’ leadership over the past three years he offered to new AU graduates (stay, live, has been invaluable. Her tireless efforts and work in New York State!) had been opportunity to elect four new members to on behalf of the Association, her vision heeded by most of their predecessors as its ranks. Michael Birmingham ’95,’01 of for a fully functioning Alumni Council, nearly 12,300 AU alumni reside Dansville, NY, Katherine McCarthy ’80 and her desire to continue to help Alfred throughout New York State. Thirty-two of Albany, NY, Richard Steer ’71 of New University connect with its alumni, attract alums call Alaska home, with another 35 York, NY, and Ken Wissman ’65, ’67 of the brightest students, and expose recent lucky alums waking up to the beautiful Stephens City, VA, were all elected to graduates to the plethora of successful AU Hawaii sunrises. Internationally, AU their first term as members of the Alumni alumni have left a lasting imprint. So alums reside in 67 countries. Fourteen Council. many of us have valued her friendship, alums reside down under, calling Australia her leadership, and her passion for all home, 10 live in Turkey, 21 in China, 18 Additionally, the Alumni Council re- things Alfred. On behalf of the Alumni in England, three in South Africa, and five elected Kathy Benzaquin ’74 of Association and Council, “thank you, in Venezuela – to name only a few. To Wilmington, NC, Michelle DeRitter ’74 Chris for your service and passion.” Chris paraphrase a 19th century saying made of Olean, NY, Greg Connors ’92 of will continue to serve her alma mater as popular when speaking of the British Pittsford, NY, Punkie Sinesiou ’68 of an alumni-elected trustee on the Empire’s global expanses of the time, “the Cuba, NY, and George Walter ’82 of University’s Board of Trustees. sun never set on the British Empire;” the Lima, NY, to second terms and Mark sun does not appear to set on Alfred Ferm ’94 of Clarence Center, NY to a full Until next time, Fiat Lux! University either – thanks to its alumni first term, having just completed a partial from coast to coast, and sea to sea! term. Many of the nearly 27,000 alumni The Alumni Council also elected a new slate of officers during its summer ALFRED continue to give back to their alma mater in a variety of ways, both financially and meeting. Don Boulton ’52 of Chapel Hill, MAGAZINE NC was reelected first vice president, through service. One such way to serve Editor your alma mater is to become a member Warren Smith ’59 of Carmel, IN was Debbie Clark Alfred Magazine, copyright 2006, [email protected] is published two times a year and of the Alumni Council, the working body elected to his first term as second vice is mailed free of charge to alumni, president, and Daryl Murray ’78 of New dEsignEr current parents, and friends of of the Alumni Association. With 21 Rick McLay ’89 Alfred University. York, NY was elected to his first term as [email protected] elected members, five officers, and three CirCulation : 13,950 alumni-elected trustees, the Alumni secretary. I look forward to working with Contributing WritErs Address all correspondence to the all of the newly elected members. Sue Goetschius editor. Council is by far the single most diverse [email protected] tElEPhonE : 607·871·2103 Mark Whitehouse organized body of AU alumni anywhere Email : [email protected] [email protected] in the country. The Council’s summer Fax : 607·871·2373 PhotograPhy www.alfred.edu meeting, during Reunion, afforded the Sue Goetschius Rick McLay ’89 Alfred Magazine is printed on Chris Stutz/Golden Proportions recycled paper. Pamela Torok MAGAZINE September 2006 FEATURES Breaking the mold Thirteen alumni artists are bringing their work to Taste of Reunion campus this winter......................................... page 12 A photo essay of a truly memorable gathering of alumni and friends .......................................... page 2 DEPARTMENTS The new face of healing AU Online Mark Dillon ’87 says his success in biotechnology A look at what’s been happening on the can be traced back to his AU senior project... page 4 academic side of the University......................p. age 14 ...meant to be Class Notes The Connors reflect upon their AU connection and Read all about what your classmates and friends have its impact on their lives................................... page 8 been up to lately ............................................. page 15 Building on Excellence Finding a new race to run The latest report on the University’s capital Andy Corman ’99 embarks upon a new journey on campaign; there are many ways to give back to the West Coast.............................................. page 10 Alfred University........................................... page 41 Cover photo: The Reunion Weekend dedication of the Alfred University Welcome Center at the Fasano House took place on Saturday, June 10, 2006. Top photo: The addition of horse-drawn carriages at Reunion 2006 offered alumni the opportunity to truly ride in style. The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Alfred University 1 “The largest reunion gathering in my memory was handled beautifully. Thank you for a memorable time.” –Stephen J. Levine ’61 here were hugs and smiles, old tales and new in every corner of the campus during Reunion T2006 festivities, June 9-11. More than 700 of you – the largest alumni crowd in memory -- traveled back to campus from near and far to enjoy a jam- packed weekend. There were meals to be shared, sights to see, old haunts to visit, and new facilities to dedicate, but mostly reunion meant renewing the irreplaceable relationships with roommates and classmates, faculty and coaches, dining crew and merchants. And realizing that Alfred is that special place where times change but the memories remain. Some of the Reunion Weekend sights included (clockwise, beginning at top of right page) learning new dance steps in the Knight Club, Powell Campus Center; toasting friends at dinner; young and old sharing common experiences; singing Alfred’s praises; strolling to lunch on a sunny Saturday; picking up the newest style in Alfred-wear; enjoying that special hug; and sharing this special place with family. RTASeTE uOF nion 2 “The Joe & Ann Fasano house is just gorgeous, inside and out. The whole weekend was outstanding!” –Mary Lou Cartledge ’68 3 The new face of By Sue Goetschius healing 4 Mark Dillon ’87 can trace the course of his career in a series of “Eureka” moments, those rare times when suddenly everything coalesces and a decision becomes clear. The first led him to Alfred University. ttending high school in the Philadelphia area, Dillon needed to work on it full-time. He sold stock in his really had no intention of continuing his education. He fledgling company to family and friends, and became was talented, though, and an art teacher suggested he the first employee of Bio Med Sciences. Alook at AU’s ceramic art program. Dillon applied to the “Pretty early on, I realized that getting an implant art school, but without a portfolio, he wasn’t admitted. device approved by the Food and Drug Administration The trip to AU was not in vain, because Dillon learned was going to take millions of dollars and years of about ceramic engineering, a field he he’d never heard experimentation,” Dillon said. of until then. Eureka moment number three: He recalled that while After high school, Dillon went to work in a plastics working on his senior research project, that the IPN processing plant, took some courses at a community “felt like skin. I remember touching it, and thinking, college, and again applied to AU. “From the first time I ‘This is really soft.’” He set a new course: developing came to Alfred University, I never considered going any artificial skin that combined the hydrating properties of place else,” Dillon, said. silicone and the durability of Teflon®.

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