SUNY CORTLAND Alumni News All-SpringUSA Today Teacher Amber2008 Larkin ’03 S Inspires Inner City Students in Charlotte By Peter D. Koryzno Editor HARLOTTE, N.C. — When USA Today announced the 20 outstanding members of its 2007 All-USA Teacher Team last October, the list included N Ca young fifth grade teacher with a remarkable gift for transforming the lives of her impov- erished students, some of whom are homeless and refugees, in North Carolina’s largest city. Amber Larkin ’03, a Rome, N.Y., native who earned her elementary education degree from SUNY Cortland, has been teaching at Billingsville Elementary School — and its predecessor Chantilly Elementary School — since accepting the job over the phone after her Teacher Recruitment Fair campus inter- view five years ago. “I flew to Charlotte and my principal showed me my new classroom — Trailer 69,” recalled Larkin. “I said to him, ‘This is a trailer!’ M He replied, ‘No, this is a learning cottage.’” As Larkin embarked upon a new career as an urban educator in Charlotte’s poorest district, the challenge would test her mettle as a budding teacher. She soon learned that she was not only up to the task but that she “She is like a mother to all of us,” said one Billingsville Elementary School student about her fifth grade could reach students living on society’s fringe teacher, Amber Larkin ’03, who was selected to the 20-member All-USA Today Teacher Team from in ways she never imagined. among thousands of nominees this past autumn. “For two years, I taught in that learning cottage, a narrow gutted-out trailer with bars that evening. Not one person attended. She here and take this challenge with these kids?’ on the windows and an old, green raggedy was crushed. Never a quitter, Larkin nonethe- You like to feel that they need you in here and carpet on the floor,” said Larkin, who’s quick U less began to question her career choice. no one else is going to try as hard.” to recall the toughest moments she’s faced “I was fortunate to have some great col- By Christmas that first year, Larkin had with hearty laughter. leagues at Billingsville who helped mentor me an epiphany; she wasn’t going anywhere. “No, “In the beginning, it was about survival. and tell me everything was going to be OK,” not after I started to get to know the kids, I just wanted to come out at the end of the she explained. Another anchor in her life was learn about the ‘baggage’ that came along with day breathing and not bleeding. If I could do Brooke Frank Amo ’03, her Cortland house- them, to see how special they were and how that, I would be fine. You heard all the stories mate who student taught with her in Utica and much potential they had,” she admitted. about what happened in the trailer the year who made a pact with Larkin to accept teach- The problem was not the students, Larkin before, about what kind of kids you were deal- L ing jobs in the same city after graduation. discovered, but how she was attempting to ing with and about all the fighting.” “Brooke worked at another school in Char- relate to them given their non-traditional Larkin tried to improve the ambiance by lotte but we lived together,” said Larkin. “After backgrounds. decorating her makeshift classroom’s gloomy work, Brooke and I would go home and reflect “Billingsville is in a high poverty, low metal walls with posters and colorful con- on our day. We just really tried to put ourselves socio-economic area,” she said. “About 20 struction paper die-cuts. She baked cookies in the students’ shoes. We asked ourselves, ‘If for her first open house, but sat quietly alone we’re not in here doing this, who will come in Continued on page 18 Memorial Library O Inside Scoop Campus Hub Continues Its Dynamic Role ..................... 12 China Connection Million-Dollar Class Gift Fifteen Faculty and Staff Forge Ties During Visit .................8 1962 Alumni Hope to Become College’s First ..................20 Leanne Leonard ’79 Fall Sports International Executive Shares Insights ....................... 10 Trio of Red Dragon Teams Compete in NCAAs ................. 28 David Hennessey ’53 Chapter Chatter ............................................4 Bike Ride for Scholarships to Raise $150,000 .................. 11 Class Notes ...............................................20 C Cortland Alumni Affairs Office. Affairs Alumni Cortland SUNY the to address correct the with it return and label address the clip please home, your at address permanent a maintains longer no who daughter or son a to addressed is Columns If EQUESTED R E C SERVI CHANGE Alumni Affairs Office Affairs Alumni n Permit #57 Permit Cortland, NY 13045-0900 NY Cortland, Utica NY 13504 NY Utica P.O. Box 2000 Box P.O. PAID US Postage US Non-Profit Organization Non-Profit 2 SUNY Cortland Columns Spring 2008 Association Enjoys Two Very Good Years s I approach the end of my convenience of alumni and friends who and a historical presentation focusing on two-year term as Alumni use the house, we have installed a sprinkler SUNY Cortland’s many traditions. Association president, it seems system above both second-floor staircases We are also about to implement our new A appropriate for me to reflect to ensure egress in the case of a fire. We Alumni Online Community. Designed to on the accomplishments, challenges and also have received approval from the City attract all alumni, but especially our younger unfinished business. of Cortland and New York State for the graduates, the online community will provide I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the addition of an access ramp for the handi- a great medium for networking of all kinds. association, my fellow alumni, students, and capped. We expect this important project In essence, alumni from all over the country the College. Working with the wonder- to be completed this spring. will have the opportunity to communicate ful Alumni Affairs Office staff has been a In conjunction with the ramp and our with former roommates and college friends By Gordon Valentine ’68 pleasure. They truly are a special group of commitment to increase accessibility to the at any time. Alumni Association President people who always work hard to ensure that Alumni House, we completed the installa- In addition, the Alumni Affairs Office our alumni receive the personal service and tion of a handicapped-accessible bathroom will use the community to send an electronic attention important to developing and main- on the first floor. Both of these projects newsletter filled with timely and important taining strong and loyal alumni relations. were made possible through funding from information. When I first became president, I es- State Senator Jim Seward. Finally, the Alumni Board of Directors Columns tablished a series of goals for the Alumni To help “spruce up” the Alumni House has contracted with Hezel Associates of Association. One goal was to establish a grounds, Joan Lombardi Peck ’56 donated Syracuse to conduct an internal audit of Spring 2008 realistic plan to insure financial stability beautiful driveway lanterns and A. Norman the program and the board of directors. and predictability for the alumni program Peck ’57 donated a flagpole dedicated to This is the first time that an outside group Published four times a year by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association and the Alumni House. I am happy to the many veterans who are Cortland alumni. has been engaged to take a close look at SUNY Cortland, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, NY 13045-0900 report that financial situation has improved We broke ground early this winter for our how the Board of Directors and Alumni Phone: (607) 753-2516 • Fax: (607) 753-5789 as we truly move toward a more stable new backyard patio that will be a great Affairs Office manages its responsibilities. E-mail address: [email protected] financial framework. staging area for the delivery of food and We expect the final report to be completed Much of the credit for this belongs beverage services, as well as for dancing by June 2008. Peter D. Koryzno Editor to the leadership and support of College and music. Our patio was made possible In closing, it has been an exciting and Jennifer Wilson President Erik Bitterbaum, Vice President for through the generosity of the Class of 1957 challenging two years for me. I have enjoyed Associate Editor Institutional Advancement Ray Franco ’72, and the SUNY Cortland baseball program. every minute of it. I have had the privilege Jean Palmer the Alumni Association and Cortland College Programmatically, we kicked off our firsthand to witness the loyalty and the love Staff Writer Foundation boards of directors, and our initiative called Alum From Day One dur- our alumni have for their alma mater. It Raymond D. Franco ’72 many generous alumni and friends who ing the 2007 summer orientation program. has been truly inspirational. I hope to see Vice President for Institutional Advancement have established an Alumni House endow- Alumni Association Board of Directors you this July when I celebrate my 40th class Douglas DeRancy ’75 ment of $700,000. Our $1.5 million target members met with parents and students to reunion and hand over the leadership of the Executive Director of Alumni Affairs is clearly within our range. address the many questions families have Alumni Association to incoming President Nicholas Koziol Speaking of the Alumni House, many about the first year experience. We plan Ronnie Sternin Silver ’67. Associate Director of Alumni Affairs important projects have been completed to expand this program in the future to Go Red Dragons! Erin Boylan over the last two years.