2019 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

 Alfred State conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Goya Foods Great Lakes President and former College Council member Robert Drago. Drago joined his family’s business, the Bison Canning Company, in 1956, and assumed co-leadership of Bison in 1969 along with his brother, Franklin, and brother-in-law, James Seeley. Under their guidance, the company became a preferred supplier of private label canned food products among many premier supermarket chains around the US.In 1991, Bison Canning was purchased by Goya Foods, Inc., the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States. As a result, Bison shifted from being a private label processor to an internal supplier of Goya brand canned dry bean products, which can be found in supermarkets throughout the US and offshore.

After Franklin Drago’s retirement in 1994, Robert became president of the company. Bison was officially renamed Goya Foods Great Lakes five years later, and the company continues to flourish under Drago’s leadership to this day.

Mr. Robert "Bob" Drago, Age 87 of Hamburg, NY entered into rest November 21, 2022 after a brief period of declining health. 

John Coughlin 1978

Heavy Equipment Truck & Diesel Technician

2022 Hall of Excellence Inductee

Legacy Society and President’s Society

Married to Ann Ramano

John Coughlin’s remarkable career has taken him from Alfred State College in 1978 to being President and CEO of Linder Industrial Machinery Company.  Based in Plant City, FL (near Tampa), Linder has 380 employees and 16 locations in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. With the support and confidence of the Board of Directors, John has played a major role in shaping Linder into a product support powerhouse.

John Coughlin grew up in Watertown and discovered his passion for working on automobiles in high school through an elective course in his senior year.  He wanted to attend a college that provided a hands-on, real-world education.  Naturally, he became a Pioneer in 1976, enrolling in the heavy equipment maintenance technology/technician program on the Wellsville campus. He thrived in the workplace-like environment, gaining six hours of laboratory experience a day. John credits his instructors with providing outstanding education and guidance.  “The actual time that they spent on the specific areas of my major like axles, transmissions, the internal parts of the engine, and the electrics associated with the engine,” John said, “all of that was extremely insightful and certainly helped prepare me for what was to come in the next few years.”

After earning his associate degree from Alfred State in May of 1978, John first worked as a technician for a Caterpillar dealer named Syracuse Supply Company. In 1979, he started what would be a 30+ year association with Komatsu. John started as a field technician for the Buffalo based Komatsu dealer in Syracuse, then known as Rupp Rental and Sales Corporation (now known as Anderson Equipment).  John worked his way up to service manager and, in 1990, parts and service manager in Syracuse. In 1994, he became employed at Komatsu America as a technical manager, covering the dealers located in Northeast and Upper Midwest, assisting them with technical situations, warranty, and policy claims. That role allowed John to examine the operations of many Komatsu dealers and identify “best practices.” In 1998, Mr. Coughlin became the general manager of service for another Komatsu dealer, the Columbus Equipment Company located in Ohio, working with all eight of the company’s branches. In 2002, John had a brief stint at a John Deere dealership in Beacon, NY, called Nortrax, in which he ran an entire branch, a job that entailed sales, service, and parts.

John’s career path brought him to Linder Industrial Machinery in 2003, where he has been ever since. He began as a general manager of service and parts for North and South Carolina, then worked his way up to vice president of service in 2008.  In 2010, just seven years after joining Linder, he was appointed President and CEO.

“Growing to the scale that we have …, we’ve gotten to be a more socially involved company, as well,” John noted. “Business is important but being able to give back to the local communities is also a very essential part of our company,” Coughlin said. In addition to running Linder, John is a board member for several organizations, including the Florida Transportation Builders Association and the Florida Phosphate Committee. John and Linder have both been generously supportive of Alfred State College with equipment donations, financial support and hiring students.  “We are working closely with the Automotive Trades Department to donate components for the students to work on.” John is also a member of both the Alfred State Legacy Society and the President’s Society.  He enjoys spending time with his wife Anne and boating near their Tampa waterfront home.

Reflecting upon how Alfred State helped get him to where he is today, John mentions the significance of his hands-on education, and that his professors at Alfred State were very influential in helping him prepare - not only his career but also to be mentally ready for life after college. “They helped you identify your strengths, insisted that you talk to the class about what you had discovered, and prepared you for public speaking,” he said. “Then you think about those experiences later on in life and realize how they really helped prepare you for situations in the future.”

1999 Doctor of Science

Attended Alfred State College in 1966 and joined the family business serving in various capacities.  In the mid 1970’s he was named Executive Vice President. In 1980, upon the retirement of his father, Joseph was elevated to the position of President and chief executive officer of the Sorrento Cheese Co., has pledged $100000 to Alfred ... and will establish a Russo Family Scholarship Endowment Fund at Alfred State.

2009 President's Medallion 

Alfred State College recognizes the tremendous amount of support that it has received from State Senator Catharine Young over a period of many years. Her support has resulted in the addition of several major facilities to our campuses, including the Student Leadership Center, the Center for Organic Sustainability, the Workforce Development Center, and the locker rooms at Pioneer Stadium. These facilities additions and upgrades have brought about many new opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and new work areas for our students. The impact that Senator Young has made on Alfred State has forever changed the quality of life for our students, faculty, and staff. Alfred State College is now better empowered today to meet the needs of our students and our community thanks to Senator Young and Alfred State will be forever grateful to Senator Young for being a true champion of our students and our college.

Therefore, Alfred State College recognizes and honors State Senator Catharine Young for her years of service to the community as an elected representative, and for her tireless devotion to the advancement of our institution and its goals.

Dr. Aniko Constantine’s true legacy is her impact on students.

In her 40-plus years of teaching English at Alfred State, Dr. Aniko Constantine has won awards, become a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, and donated money for scholarships and a legacy gift in the form of a $100,000 annuity.

Yet Constantine’s true legacy isn’t measured in achievements or dollars and cents, but rather by the impact she has had on her students.

2015 President's Medallion

James Smith, Jr., 1977

Construction Engineering Technology

Jimmy Smith is a 1977 graduate of Alfred State with an associate degree in Construction Engineering Technology. He went on to obtain a bachelor’s in civil engineering technology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1982 and began working as a quality control technician for Ward Pavements in Haverstraw. He later became the chief quality control technician for Plaza Materials Co.  In 1984, Mr. Smith founded his own company, Advance Testing Company, Inc., with only his station wagon and some credit cards. In a year’s time, he was able to move the company’s entire operation out of his home and into a small building in Newburgh, New York.

Under his technical and entrepreneur skills, Advance Testing has become an industry leader in the northeast, providing construction materials testing and inspection services, ensuring that materials and construction practices comply with project documents, and that the finished product is safe for the public’s use and enjoyment. The company has more than 165 employees. It operates a state-of-the-art, accredited materials testing laboratory in Campbell Hall, with additional facilities in Central New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Florida, which allows the firm to service projects across the East Coast, as well as in parts of Canada. Jimmy states that “Every day, our goal is to make a difference,” he said. “We strive to provide the highest quality services and personnel that our industry has to offer.”  https://www.advancetesting.com/major-projects/

Outside of his business ventures, Jimmy has also been very active in his community. Over the years he has served on the board of directors for a number of organizations, some of which include president of the Newburgh Rotary, chairman of the Orange County Partnership, chairman of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Orange County Workforce Investment Board, chairman of the Highway Division of the New York State Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, board member of the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley, and was a founding board member of the Northeast Transportation Technician Training Certification Program (NETTCP).

Jimmy has received numerous awards for his professional and community endeavors, including the Medium-Size Business of the Year award from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the Orange County Distinguished Citizen Award from the Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Spirit of Innovation Award from the Orange County Partnership, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrows, Inc, and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.

With all his professional success and community accolades, Jimmy has always remained true to his roots and especially Alfred State College. Jimmy has returned to campus many times since graduating more than 40 years ago, including in 2014, when he served as the featured speaker at Honors Convocation. He has said that he is continuously impressed by the ways in which Alfred State has evolved over the years, from adding bachelor’s programs, to constructing new state-of-the-art facilities, all while maintaining the high quality of education and sense of camaraderie that students have experienced for years.  Jimmy has said, “Alfred State College is one of the most special places on Earth to me.”

In 2020 and again in 2021, Mr. Smith answered the call by Alfred State College to support the Major Gifts Campaign.  He responded by donating his time, industry connections and financial support.  Together with his Alfred State classmate, Gary Hill, Jimmy has served as co-chair to help raise $500,000 to upgrade the existing Construction Materials Laboratory and rename the facilities in honor of the late professor, Professor Emeritus William Bruce.“ 

Doc Bruce Contruction Materials Lab Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Pat Fogarty was Appointed Alfred State College Council Chair in 1993. Fogarty was a huge supporter of Alfred State Athletics and could be found at almost every home athletic contest. Fogarty also had a long history of civic activity and served on the boards of the Allegany County United Way, Southern Tier Traveling Teachers, Catholic Charities of Buffalo, and on the Bishop's Council of the Laity for the Diocese of Buffalo.

She earned numerous honors, including the Alfred State College President's Medallion in 2012 and the Alfred State Outstanding Service Award in 2001. Fogarty also received many outside awards, which include the NYS Bar Association Pro Bono Award (Allegany County) in 1993 and an award from the Committee on Women in the Courts & the Local and Specialty Bar Association of the Eighth Judicial District in 2011.

"...the youth of today are our sole investment in tomorrow." – Franklin D. Roosevlt

We lost one of the greatest PIONEERS to the Alfred State Family on 8/21/2023 - you can read more about Pat's legacy at:

https://www.alfredstate.edu/news/2023-08-23/former-asc-college-council-chair-pat-fogarty-passes-away

A collection of photographs (Pat Fogarty | Flickr) is available to highlight Pat Fogarty’s support to Alfred State College through the years

2008 President's Medallion Recipient

Alan G. Mosher, Alfred State
College class of 1973, was recipient of the 2008 President's Medallion. The medallion is "awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to Alfred State College. The College recognizes and commemorates the efforts of supporters and advocates
dedicated to the mission of Alfred State."

Mosher, of Wellsville, put his ASC business degree to work by purchasing Fred Roberts Auto Parts in 1977. In 1997, the company was named Small Business of the Year (1997) by the Wellsville Chamber of Commerce. The following year, Fred Roberts Auto
Parts merged with Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributors, Inc. (MAWDI), and in 2003, became part of Uni-Select USA, one of the four largest auto parts distributors in North America. Currently, Al holds the position of category and inventory
manager for Uni-Select USA and serves as the Alfred State liaison for the company.

Mosher is an active volunteer in his community. He participated in the Wellsville Girls' Softball Association, both as a coach and as a board member for six years. He served as president of the Wellsville Area United Way where he took the initiative to expand the organization to become the Allegany County Area United Way. For 25 years, Al has been a perfect-attendance member of the
Wellsville Lions Club, serving on the board of directors, as past president of the club, and as director of the annual minstrel show. Mosher served on the Wellsville Central School Board for many years, at one point, serving as president.

Mosher's connection to the College is long-standing, and his efforts have had a profound impact on Alfred State College's automotive parts technology program. He started the Wellsville campus Fred Roberts Auto Parts store which allows the College's students ready access to auto parts needed for their class work. This on-campus store was the start of the relationship with MAWDI, now part of
Uni-Select USA. Mosher was a driver behind the College's partnership with Uni-Select USA, which included $150,000 for the creation of an automotive parts technology program. This initial funding included funds for both scholarships and start-up costs for the program. Uni-Select USA has also been supportive of the new online option for the automotive parts technology program. With Mosher's assistance, vendors that supply Uni-Select USA have been encouraged to donate equipment, software, and manuals to the college, and the company has held numerous on-campus training programs for faculty and students.

Uni-Select USA was also honored and received a plaque for "its outstanding contributions to the College and to the Automotive Trades Program at the School of Applied Technology in Wellsville.  The College expresses its gratitude to Uni-Select USA for its dedication to the mission of Alfred State."

Recipient of the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award

2007 Doctor of Humane Letters

Some 900 two- and four-year graduates, their families, professors, and friends were on hand Sunday, May 13, 2007 as Alfred State College honored its 96th graduating class. Dr. John B. Clark, interim college president, presided over the ceremony. For only the fourth time in college history, Alfred State presented an honorary doctorate to alumnus Wayne W. Wagner, class of 1960, president and CEO, Birkett Mills, Penn Yan. The citation from SUNY (State University of New York) granting Wagner the doctor of humane letters degree, read, in part:

"Mr. Wagner, yours is a career defined by outstanding leadership of The Birkett Mills, the world's largest producer of buck wheat products, and your tireless service to your community and to your alma mater, Alfred State College. Your role as chief executive officer of your firm, your recognition for outstanding service by the Lions Club International, and extensive involvement in the Finger Lakes Economic Development Board, Fleet Rochester Regional Board, and the Soldiers and Sailors Hospital as well as the Rainbow Junction Children's Home in Penn Yan clearly demonstrate your commitment to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of the region. Your continued involvement with Alfred State College through the Development Fund Board and the President's Society reflects a deep appreciation for the educational opportunity afforded you at Alfred State. Your significant professional and volunteer efforts have made the Central and Southern Tier Region of New York State a better place to live and work."

Clark and Dr. Ronald R. Rosati, ASC provost and vice president for academic affairs, vested Wagner with the doctoral hood.

The newly minted Dr. Wagner spoke briefly, thanking the SUNY (State University of New York) Board of Trustees and the campus community for this honor, and congratulating this year's graduates on their achievements and on their excellent choice of college.

Wayne passed away days before his 80th Birthday in Jan 2021.

James Joseph Wilder, Esq. 1977

James “Jay” Joseph Wilder grew up in a farming and commuter community in northern Chautauqua County.  His father died unexpectedly in 1966 and the three Wilder boys were raised by their loving mother, Carolyn, a school teacher.  The untimely loss of his dad indicated that life could be short, unpredictable and unfair.  However, attending Alfred State College taught him that hard work, good friends, and a solid education can change life’s trajectory.

Mr. Wilder graduated from Alfred State College with a major in Industrial Technology (IT) - Broadcasting (A.A.S. 1977).  After a short break from college in industry, he continued his education at Purdue University (Industrial Education, B.S. summa cum laude 1979), and earned his Juris Doctorate from The University at Buffalo School of Law (J.D. with distinction 1983).   

While at Alfred State, he enjoyed being disc jockey “Mickey Karr,” and produced some “specials” on WETD-FM, the broadcasting “Voice of the Alfred Valley.”  As part of the IT-Broadcasting curriculum, Mr. Wilder earned his FCC First Class Broadcast Engineering License which authorized him to be an engineer for a television or radio broadcast station. “Earning the FCC license was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but the faculty taught me persistence and preparation can overcome most obstacles – a lesson that helped passing the bar exam, getting my pilot’s license and throughout life,” Wilder said. 

Upon graduation from Alfred State, Jay worked during the summer and Fall semester as the principle engineer for the construction of WBTF’s (FM 101.7) studios and broadcast tower in Attica, NY.  He enrolled at Purdue University in January of 1978.  His Alfred State education qualified him to be an FCC licensed engineer at WBAA (the “Voice of Purdue University”) and he soon became a Teaching Assistant for Purdue’s Engineering Department laboratory sessions.  He graduated in 1979 1^st in the School of Technology (6.0 GPA). 

While deciding whether to become an educator or attorney, Mr. Wilder worked two semesters (1979-1980) on a master’s degree, was a Resident Assistant at Purdue and clerk for the Public Defender in Tippecanoe County.  He ultimately enrolled in the University at Buffalo School of Law for the Fall of 1980.  While in law school, he was a member of the Moot Court Board, participated in trial competitions and learned practical legal skills while a law clerk for two years at Lipsitz, Green, Fahringer, et al. (helping on some high-profile criminal cases, e.g., People vs. Claus von Bulow, People vs. Ferber).

Mr. Wilder has built a successful law career in civil litigation, using his industrial technology education to represent clients in complex forensic matters throughout the United States.  An attorney since 1984, Jay first practiced law at Phillips Lytle (1983-1990), where he became one of the principle defense attorneys for The Hooker Chemical Company team on the infamous Love Canal litigations (federal CERCLA claims and over 500 personal injury lawsuits).   He also helped defend product liability and utility industry claims.  He next became a partner at Falk & Siemer, LLP (1990-2000), where he further developed his environmental, products liability and utility industry legal skills.  He also learned about health care law, the “business end” of the law, and served as the firm’s Managing Partner from 1995-1997. 

In late 2000, Mr. Wilder and Laura A. Linneball, Esq. formed the boutique law firm of Wilder & Linneball, LLP https://www.wilderandlinneball.com/  He was the Managing Partner from 2000-2007 and again 2016-2018. The firm represents publicly traded utility companies throughout New York State, serves as National Product Liability Counsel for various manufacturers, represents advertising companies in the Northeast, and represents medical facilities and cancer institutions.  Jay has counseled clients in 31 states plus Canada and England. Mr. Wilder is admitted to practice in all courts of New York State, multiple federal district courts across the US, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Throughout Jay’s long year career, he has earned several awards and recognitions including recently being named a “Super Lawyer” (2021 and 2022).  He is a past President of the Lawyers Club of Buffalo and was one of 16 attorneys selected in 1997 by Business First for its list of "Who Runs Western New York Business." He was selected in 2005 by the National Republican Congressional Committee to the Business Advisory Council and received an award as "Businessman of the Year." He was elected by his peers in 2011 for "Who's Who in The Law" for Civil Litigation and in 2007 for Business Law and for Civil Rights Litigation, as published by The Buffalo Law Journal and Business First, related to his extensive experience in First Amendment litigation.

Mr. Wilder was an Adjunct Instructor in Administrative Law and Environmental Law at Hilbert College (1993-1997 and 2003-2005, respectively). He has been a speaker and/or chairperson for seminars presented by the American Bar Association ("ABA") and the New York State Bar Association ("NYSBA"), including the ABA's Litigation Section (Environmental Law Committee). He has been a frequent speaker for trade and industry groups, including the Edison Electric Institute, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the New York State Gas & Electric Utilities Claims Managers Association, Dig Safely New York Excavator Safety Seminars, the Greater Buffalo Environmental Conference, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, the New York State Outdoor Advertising Counsel, and various Continuing Legal Education seminars for in-house law departments. He has published legal writings, including as an author of "Developments in 'Toxic Tort' Law," published quarterly by the NYSBA, and as a co-author of "Pleadings and Motions Directed at Their Faults," revised and republished every two years by the NYSBA from 1995 through 2011.

Alfred State College has long held a special place in Jay’s heart. In 2007, he reengaged with the College for its 100^th Anniversary and then joined the Alfred State College Development Fund Board.  He served as Chair from 2009 until 2014. During his tenure, he was helpful to the board in facilitating growth of its assets.  Improved accounting and transparency were also accomplished with the team of Joe Laraiso (’67), other Board members, Acting President Val Nixon, and Alfred State’s CFO Joe Greenthal.  Mr. Wilder was a member of the Presidential Search Committee, which recommended the appointment of Dr. Irby “Skip” Sullivan in 2013. 

In 2018, President Sullivan invited Jay to become the Major Gifts Officer and lead a Major Gifts Campaign as part of the Office of the President.  Hoping to lead the “Be a Life Changer” Campaign by example, Jay and his wife Laura pledged a Major Gift and were instrumental in creating the Wilder & Linneball Hall of Excellence for Alumni & Friends. https://www.alfredstate.edu/news/2021-06-04/alfred-state-dedicates-new-wilder-and-linneball-hall-excellence 

Jay and the Campaign team develop scores of Major Gifts from individual donors, corporations and foundations, including The Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.  “These relationships can be significant for many years by changing the lives of students, the College and our donors,” said President Sullivan.  Although travel and other efforts were slowed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the “Be a Life Changer” Campaign would not be stopped.  Working tirelessly together, The Alfred State College Development Fund Board, multiple College departments, deans, faculty, staff, alumni, steering committee members, and many others beat the Campaign’s $8 million goal. The team closed the Campaign at the annual President’s Society Dinner in October of 2021 and announced an outstanding $9,243,000 total.  https://www.alfredstate.edu/make-a-gift/major-gifts, Successfully serving Alfred State College as MGO with President Skip Sullivan to “Be a Life Changer” will remain one of Mr. Wilder’s proudest accomplishments. 

John Anderson served as the College President from 2008-2013. Anderson was instrumental in the Athletic Department's transition from a two-year model to a four-year model.

Anderson served more than 11 years as a professor of chemistry and physics at Alfred State (which began in 1981). He also served as chair of the Faculty Senate at Alfred and was convener of statewide SUNY Local Governance Leaders. In between Dr. Anderson's years as an Alfred State professor and his presidency, he held several senior-level administrative positions within the college including the roles of interim vice president of student services, dean of student development, vice president of institutional advancement, and provost and vice president for academic affairs. In those roles, he developed a diversity of new degree programs and established the office of Institutional Advancement for which he developed and implemented a major gifts program and annual fund campaign. During his tenure as provost, the college saw significant enrollment growth. He also enabled the college to raise millions of dollars for a variety of projects including the establishment of a manufacturing training center, the Student Leadership Center and the Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. He served as President from 2008-2013 and returned to Alfred State in 2021 as Officer-in-Charge while the college searched for its next President. Throughout Anderson's tenure he was a supporting presence at Alfred State athletic events.

“Collegiate athletics is an integral part of student development. Through competition and teamwork, students experience the highs and lows of life which contributes to building a strong character.”

Recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Jenny Brongo graduated from Alfred State with a bachelor’s degree in construction management engineering in 2011 and immediately joined her father in his excavation and earthmoving business. Upon the untimely death of her father just two months following her graduation, she realized the true meaning of the statement “hit the ground running.” “You have to believe that everything happens for a reason, that you’re placed on a specific path and mission in life and it’s up to you to continue down the right road.”

Brongo became a successful business owner of Brongo Contracting & Supply. With the knowledge from her Alfred State education in LEED: Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, she has transformed an abandoned gravel pit property into a business focusing on sustainability. Brongo Contracting & Supply in Rochester is a woman-owned business and specializes in construction recycling and wholesale landscape supply.

Brongo also founded a nonprofit organization in honor of her brother called “Homesteads for Hope,” which is a developing community farm for young adults with autism and disabilities. She stated that, “Alfred State gave me the bricks and mortar to build a strong foundation to build a beautiful and sustainable life for her community. I am proud of this college and all of its accomplishments, past and future, and it was the best thing I could have ever invested in.”

2020 Distinguished Alumni (recognized in 2021)

Marlene (Bennett) Johnson graduated from Alfred State in 1956 with an Executive Secretarial Science degree. While a student at Alfred, Marlene worked as a clerk and typist for the Registrar in order to pay her tuition and room and board. Additional spending money was earned babysitting for faculty and staff. While a student, Marlene lived at the Alpha Beta Chi (ABX) sorority and served as their chaplain. As a young child, Marlene was placed in foster care and was eventually transferred to the Thomas Indian School, a residential boarding school for orphaned and destitute Native American children.  Considered a “survivor” of the Thomas Indian School, having lived there from 1942-1952, at age 15 Marlene was placed in a wage home and worked as a live-in maid. Today, that home is the residence for the SUNY Fredonia college president.

After graduating from Alfred and getting married, Marlene returned to the Seneca Nation and Allegany territory community. Marlene’s first job with the Seneca Nation was as a tribal advocate. Her responsibilities focused on assisting families in their adjustment to new homes built in the Jimersontown and Steamburg relocation areas following the construction of the Kinzua Dam. During this time, Marlene worked with the elder faithkeepers to secure HUD grant funding to build the community center that would be used to support longhouse activities, as well as assisting the Nation in procuring the funding to support the building of the two Seneca Nation libraries and the Seneca Iroquois Museum.  She was also the Allegany territory newsletter (the Ohi:yo’) editor for many years, and also served as an elected tribal councilor. As tribal councilor, Marlene was selected to serve on the Salamanca lease negotiation team and represented the Seneca Nation as it lobbied Congress for funding owed to the nation. Today, her congressional testimony is used in native studies college courses. Marlene later worked as the first director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) at St. Bonaventure University establishing several initiatives that specifically targeted Native American college students. One was called “Bridging Two Worlds,” and became an annual gathering for Native college students to share experiences and gain more insights and support to improve their graduation success. To this day, many Native graduates credit Marlene for providing the support they needed to achieve their college degrees.

In the early 1990s, Marlene was chosen by her peers in Indian education from across New York State to serve as a delegate on the first White House Initiative on Indian Education. Later, she collaborated with the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) to garner their support in establishing the Native American Indian Education Association of New York and was recognized as a founding member in 2018. Post-retirement, she worked as a long-term guidance counselor substitute for Randolph Union Free Academy, whose goal was to provide education to children that other districts could not or would not work with due to behavioral challenges.

Marlene married Gordy in 1956.  Gordy is also an Alfred State graduate (1958).  Marlene continues to share her wisdom and knowledge of her heritage with five daughters and several grand and great-grandchildren.

2016 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

Lee Brasted ‘62

Engineering Science

In his 30-plus years of working for Shell Offshore, a subsidiary of Shell Oil, Lee Brasted carved out an   impressive and prosperous career as a world-class engineer. The success he enjoyed in this field was largely founded on the solid education he received at Alfred State.

Lee grew up on a poultry farm outside of Hornell, and originally sought and earned a degree in poultry science at the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University. After graduating, he began working on a poultry farm near Penn Yan and was soon facing doubts about his career. A chance run-in with a successful engineer in Erie, PA, convinced him that engineering was the field he should have entered.

Upon this realization, the next step was figuring out which college to attend. In addition to being affordable and close to home, Alfred State also offered a two-year industrial laboratory technology course that could lead to a degree in several branches of engineering. He enrolled in the fall of 1960.

When asked what he enjoyed most about being a student at Alfred State, Lee said, “The college had fairly small class sizes and great professors.”

After graduating from Alfred State with his engineering science degree in 1962, Lee enrolled at Bucknell University, where he would earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1964.

“I found when I entered Bucknell University at the beginning of my junior year that my first two years of foundation from Alfred State prepared me as well or better than my classmates there,” he said.

Following an NSF summer fellowship at Duke, Lee began graduate studies in structural engineering, also funded by an NSF Fellowship at University of Illinois, Urbana. He earned his master’s degree in 1965, and that August began a career at Shell that would span more than three decades.

In his career with Shell Offshore, Lee played key roles in designing offshore drilling platforms from California to the Gulf of Mexico and from the North Sea to the South China Sea, and the Atlantic offshore to West Africa. Three of the projects he was involved with won the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, including the company’s drilling platform Cognac, which stood in about 1,025 feet of water in 1978. By that time, Lee had assumed supervisory and management responsibilities at Shell Offshore.

Another project that won the same OCEA award 10 years later was known as the Bullwinkle Project, which had nothing to do with the cartoon character of the same name. The $500 million project, for which Lee was the structural engineering design supervisor, resulted in a 50,000 ton platform standing in more than 1,300 feet of water about 150 miles southwest of New Orleans.

Following Bullwinkle’s success, Lee became manager of the Floating Systems Group in 1987, which was developing the tension leg platform (TLP), an entirely new system for recovering oil and gas from ocean depths far beyond the capability of sea floor standing structures. Shell Offshore installed the first deepwater TLP, named Auger, in nearly 3,000 feet of water in 1993. That accomplishment earned the company a third OCEA award.

In 1993, three years prior to his retirement at the beginning of 1996, Lee became Manager of the Civil Engineering Design Process involved with structural design, drafting, and project scheduling for many of Shell Offshore’s drilling production platform products worldwide. He currently has six US patents and also co-authored several technical papers that were presented by Lee or others at the annual Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.

Lee has lived in Kingwood, Texas since July 1974 and has given much back to his community since then. He was elected to the board of directors of his local Municipal Utility District in 1978, serving a total of 18 years and as president of that entity for 12 years until Kingwood was annexed into the city of Houston. Furthermore, he and his wife, Martha, have served as Stephen ministers in their church, assisted local charities, and recently joined the Meals on Wheels program to distribute meals to shut-ins.

Lee has also given back much to Alfred State over the years. Since 1997, he and his wife have been President’s and Legacy Society members, have donated and had matching gifts totaling nearly $243,000 and have also established the Lee Brasted Engineering Science Endowed Scholarship.

“My professional success, I believe, is greatly indebted to the solid foundation I received at Alfred State,” he said. “God has richly blessed Martha and I and we fully realize that we are only temporary custodians of earthly assets. We enjoy sharing those blessings.”

Recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

RJ Klisiewicz III enrolled into Alfred State in the Fall of 2009 after graduating with Honors from Silver Creek Central School. After completing the Business Administration Associates program he reapplied to continue his education in Alfred and later graduated in May 2013 with his BBA.  While a student at Alfred State, RJ was the Vice President for the Psi Delta Omega Fraternity and the Parliamentarian for the Business Professionals of America Club.  He worked under Roxanne Sammons and Danielle White in the Office of Institutional Advancement as a work study and then later in the phone-a-thon office as well.  Since graduation RJ has been a full time auctioneer and the Operations Manager of Auctions International, now the largest volume online auction service provider for government and municipal agencies in NYS.  He is a member of the National Auctioneers Association, the New York State Auctioneers Association, the Massachusetts Auctioneers Associations and holds several state auctioneer licenses across the country. This year he will be completing his Real Estate brokers course and attending the Certified Auctioneers Institutes at the Indiana University.

Recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award

Thomas M. Blackwell has served as the laboratory director for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Northeast Laboratory in New York City since 2002. In this position, he oversees a staff of nearly 50 technical and administrative personnel to include disciplines in controlled substance analysis and latent print examination. His geographic areas of responsibility include the 10-state Northeast region of the continental United States, Bermuda, and the eastern provinces of Canada. This area encompasses more than 34 DEA offices.

Thomas has served as the acting associate deputy assistant administrator (2006) in DEA’s Office of Forensic Sciences, overseeing DEA’s nine field laboratories and two sub-regional laboratories. Prior to this, Thomas served as a program manager in the Laboratory Operations Section in DEA Headquarters where he oversaw the Quality Assurance, Personnel, Recruitment and Inspections Programs in support of all DEA field laboratories. He was also a supervisory chemist at the DEA Northeast Laboratory and began his DEA career as a forensic chemist at DEA’s Mid-Atlantic Laboratory in Washington, DC. He has also authored scientific publications on controlled substance analysis and written chapters for forensic science textbooks.

Prior to joining DEA, Thomas worked as an environmental compliance specialist with emphasis on Department of Defense (DOD) programs for LABAT-ANDERSON, Inc. in Arlington, VA, specializing in combat casualty care and biotechnology. He also worked as an analytical chemist and as an inhalation toxicology technician with Hazleton Laboratories in Vienna, VA, performing research and analytical methods development on various pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and pesticides.

Thomas served as a member of the INTERPOL Forensic Science Symposium Organizing Committee in 2004 and 2007. He has represented DEA at numerous domestic meetings and at various international meetings in Hong Kong, Finland, and France. His professional memberships include the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), the New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists (NJAFS), The Northeastern Association of Forensic Sciences (NEAFS), and the American Academy of Forensic Scientists (AAFS).

Thomas has lectured at AAFS meetings and at national meetings of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). He has also conducted workshops in laboratory accreditation at ASCLD meetings and his laboratory was one of the first laboratories accredited under the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) International Program.

Thomas holds an Associate in Applied Science degree in chemical technology from Alfred State, and a Bachelor of Science degree in recombinant gene technology from SUNY College at Fredonia. He has also completed graduate classes in chemical toxicology at the American University, Washington, DC.

Recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award

Both graduated in 1982, Deborah took a job in Boston as a registered nurse. Timothy followed and secured a position as an electronic technician at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory. Both, went on to earn bachelor’s degrees, Deborah (nursing) from Emmanuel College in 1987, and Timothy (mechanical engineering) from Northeastern University in 1988. Deborah continued to work as an RN until her daughter was born in 1991, then stayed home for 10 years to be with the couple’s two young children. In 2001, she began taking graduate classes and received her master’s in nursing from Regis College in 2006. After graduating and passing her board exams, she worked for Charles River Medical Associates as a nurse practitioner until she became employed at Regis College in 2012. Timothy, after leaving Lincoln Laboratory, worked in engineering positions at a few medical device companies, including Bard Cardiology, Boston Scientific, and NinePoint Medical. It was through working part time at a company called Solutions for Accessibility, however, that he was able to discover his true passion: designing and fabricating adaptive equipment for people with various disabilities.

Timothy founded Adaptive Solutions and Design in 2005. That same year, he began his tenure at Perkins School for the Blind, repairing toys, switches, and designing and fabricating equipment, working primarily with wood, plastic, and some metal. “Through my business and at Perkins, I’ve worked on making wheelchairs more comfortable, and created toys and games for children with hearing and visual impairments, including a Sudoku board for visually impaired children. In addition, I design and fabricate adaptations for seating and mobility,” he said. “When a student is more comfortable, they can better attend to the world around them. That’s what I love doing the most.”

Deborah credits her professors at Alfred State with being one of the reasons she decided to pursue education as a career. “Most of them were working professionals,” she said. “That gave me a long-lasting model for how I wanted to be as an educator because I still work as a nurse practitioner. I find that the best way to be a professor is to continue to work in the field. I always knew I wanted to teach, but I wanted to get a lot of clinical experience first.”

Alfred State is the place where they met, the place where they fell in love, and the place that helped set them on a path to bright futures. Though they now reside more than 400 miles away from Alfred, the Moores have still maintained close ties to Alfred State and have generously supported their alma mater over the years. “It really did provide a solid base for both of our futures.”

In 2014, The Deborah and Timothy Moore Endowed Scholarship was established and presented to New York State residents who are 20 years or older, enrolled in the nursing program, and are in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Recipient of 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Miranda Dischner enrolled into Alfred State in Fall of 2009 after Graduating from Springville-Griffith High School. After two semesters in the Nursing program she switched gears to the Human Service program, looking to pursue a Psychology and Sociology Degree. In the Spring of 2011 she transferred to the University of Buffalo where she completed her Bachelors degrees.  Since graduation she has worked for Auctions International, Inc.  In October of 2017 in a selfless act of kindness, Miranda was able to donate her left kidney to a fellow co-worker and best friend, Nicole.  Today, she is the Human Resource Manager and Assistant Accounts Clerk at Auctions International. 

Recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Steven Elwell, who received his degree in financial planning in 2007, has risen from intern with Schroeder, Braxton & Vogt Financial Advisors (now known as Level Financial Advisors) to partner at the firm, which manages $270 million for 534 households in Buffalo.

In the last nine years, he has advanced from intern, to financial planning associate, to financial planner, and now holds the vice president position within the firm. He also leads the firm’s financial planning and investment management division while supervising two other CFP® professionals.

Steven has been able to cultivate a great relationship with the local and national media over the last few years. He has appeared on WIVB Channel 4 Buffalo news several times to discuss the stock market and financial news. He has been quoted in such publications as Huffington Post, Investment News, Buffalo News, Buffalo Business First, Investopedia, Dow Jones Newswire, and more. He also has had several of his articles featured by NerdWallet, Nasdaq, and the Christian Science Monitor.

In 2012, Steven was named one of Buffalo’s “30 Under 30 Outstanding Young Professionals” by Buffalo Business First. He was recognized for his career achievements and his community involvement, which includes board member of the Ronald McDonald House of WNY Young Professional Group, B Team Buffalo volunteer, Red Cross volunteer, and Lupus Alliance of Upstate NY fundraiser.

He currently sits on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Counselors of WNY, the PR committee for the Financial Planning Association of WNY, and is a member of the Estate Analysts of WNY. Steven has clearly demonstrated a commitment to his community and to the growth of the financial planning profession.

Lastly, Steven has been able to give back to Alfred State since graduation. He has served on the five-year review board for the financial planning program twice since 2007.

Steven has been back to serve on panels and speak to classes several times. He also has arranged a class visit to his firm and coordinated an Alfred State student to spend a day shadowing at the firm.

Joseph S. Laraiso ‘67

Mechanical Engineering Technology

2022 Distinguished Alumni Award 

Like so many students at the beginning of their college careers, Joe Laraiso was unsure of which path to take after graduating from Lancaster High School in 1965. Ultimately, he decided to enroll in mechanical engineering technology at Alfred State College (ASC), a decision that created a solid base for a long and remarkable career in the construction industry.

Today, Joe, who is an owner of M&C Utilities, LLC and engaged in sophisticated underground excavation for communications and other utility companies. Joe remains thankful for the strong foundation that Alfred State provided for his future. As a Development Fund Board member and twice a Major Gifts Campaign donor, he’s doing his part to ensure that other Pioneers are also able to find the path that’s just right for them.

Joe was born and raised in the Village of Lancaster, where he has spent almost his entire life and currently lives. During his time at Alfred State, Joe made many cherished memories, from playing in a rock ‘n’ roll band at the Lake Lodge, to establishing “morgue hours” for studying with his fellow Rosebush residents. 

“I would say my fondest memory of Alfred was the friendships made and the sincere effort made by the instructors to instill in us the importance of learning. They established a base for moving forward with our education, which was particularly true since Alfred State was only a two-year school,” he said.

Upon graduating in 1967, Joe was still unsure of which path to take, so he enrolled in engineering science at Alfred State. After just one semester, however, he decided to enlist in the US Marine Corps.

Once he completed boot camp and basic infantry training, he was classified as a machine gunner. But Joe was next sent to the Language Institute in Monterey, CA to learn Vietnamese. Upon completing the three months of schooling, he was tested and graded as being fluent in speaking, reading, and writing the Vietnamese language. He was then sent to Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. Being classified as a machine gunner by Military Occupational Services (MOS), Joe spent 12 months in active combat. He received the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V’ for valor along with other unit citations for his work.

Upon his return from Vietnam in 1970, Joe knew he needed to further his education, so he enrolled at the University at Buffalo. In 1974, he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, with a minor in accounting.

His educational background landed him a position as an office engineer at ABC Paving. Plenty of hard work enabled Joe to climb the corporate ladder, becoming job superintendent, then project manager, and eventually president of the company.  In 1978, ABC Paving Co. Inc. purchased Buffalo Crushed Stone, a stone quarry in Williamsville that Joe oversaw as Executive Vice President.

In 1982, Buffalo Crushed Stone acquired Buffalo Slag Co. and absorbed it into the company. In 1987, ABC Paving acquired Energy Resources Services Corp. (ERSC) from Harrison Western Mining out of Denver, CO and began performing high-voltage power line work across the lower 48 states. At the same time, the company also acquired Newberry Alaska, which focused on high-voltage power line installations and underground facilities locations for the various utility companies in the Anchorage area.

Also in 1987, Buffalo Crushed Stone acquired the northern portion of the former Bethlehem Steel property, and thus Gateway Trade Center, Inc. in Buffalo was born. Joe served as Executive Vice President of that company, as well.  “I was also Executive Vice President of those companies, which required a great deal of travel and time away from family,” Joe said.

Over the years, these companies grew and flourished under the guidance and direction of Richard Garman and Melissa Garman-Baumgart. Both were Joe’s mentors and inspiration in business and in life. In 2000, all the companies were sold to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. of New Enterprise, PA. Joe stayed on as Executive Vice President until his 2014 retirement from ABC Paving and its affiliates, after 40 years.

As someone whose involvement in the construction industry dates to age 12 when he worked for a family-owned construction company named Twin Village Construction Co., retirement was not a realistic option for Joe. He joined a couple of former employees, who had formed M&C Utilities, LLC. Joe became one of the owners and the company now has just under 50 employees.

Looking back, Joe realizes that Alfred State and the education he received there played a big part in his life’s journey. One way he has given back to his alma mater is by serving on the Alfred State Development Fund Board (DFB), which helps raise and manage funds for the College.  As DFB Treasurer working with other Board members and the College’s CFO, Joe help create greater transparency and analysis for the funds.

“My continued participation on the Development Fund Board allows me to ensure that all students who have aspirations of success can achieve it, and that starts with their education and life’s lessons learned at Alfred State,” he said.

Joe noted that he has a great admiration for former President, Dr. Sullivan, mainly because he was a student-oriented president. At one of the DFB meetings, President Sullivan mentioned that a number of students were having monetary issues – some personal, some needing funds to buy books or even pay student fees to enroll and remain a student at Alfred. “This led me to informally establish the special needs fund, which is funded by existing Development Fund Board members,” Joe said.

Wanting to make the fund permanent, Joe decided to make a difference in the lives of Alfred State students through his 2020 Major Gift to the College. As a result, he established the Skip Sullivan Student Special Needs Fund to help students who have emergency needs.  However, Joe wasn’t finished.  His company donated a dump truck for the Wellsville campus and Joe again answered the call of the Major Gifts Campaign in 2021 with another Major Gift to establish the Joseph S. Laraiso Construction & Geomatics Lab in the Engineer Building.  The lab, which will be completed in the Fall of 2022, features cutting-edge construction management and surveying software while fostering group collaboration among students. 

In addition to be added to the Hall of Excellence to inspire students, Joe accepted the Distinguished Alumni award from President Mauro in April of 2022.  Finding your path isn’t always easy, but as Joe Laraiso has shown, if you work hard, follow your instincts, you can find great success!  There couldn’t be a better example of Alfred State Pioneering spirit than Joseph S. Laraiso. 

2020 Distinguished Alumni (Recognized in 2021) 

Stewart Haney graduated from Alfred State in 1985 with a degree in Engineering Science and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University at Buffalo.

Stu is currently President & CEO of Wendel, a national architecture, engineering, energy efficiency and construction management firm headquartered in Williamsville, NY. It is his unique combination of technical skills and organizational leadership that have fueled his successful 30-year career in the design and construction industry.

Stu began his career as a Professional Engineer, earning his PE license in 1994. His initial focus as an Electrical Engineer quickly expanded into project management, operations and firm leadership roles over the years. In 2013, Stu was appointed as President & CEO of Wendel and is only the 4^th CEO to be named to the company in its 80-year history. As CEO, Stu focuses his time on the firm’s strategy, growth and culture. Since he took the helm seven years ago, he has led the company to nearly double in growth both in staff and revenues. Under his guidance, the company has opened six new regional offices and made three acquisitions, growing its geographic footprint from 7 to 15 offices. In addition, Stu’s focus on organizational culture is a defining and inspirational quality of his leadership style. This is a chief reason why Wendel maintains a sought-after company culture and is continually named a Best Place to Work. Being named a finalist in the Best Places to Work awards for the past four years in a row is a meaningful accolade for Stu, particularly because the award is based on employee surveys.

As CEO of one of Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 design firms in the US and Architectural Record’s Top 300 firms, Stu is poised for continued success. The firm has continually been recognized by Buffalo Business First as a Top Private Company and Fast Track Company, as well as one of Western New York’s Largest Employers and Healthiest Employers. Under his leadership and guidance, the company continues to evolve, adapt and grow while maintaining focus and core values.

Last but certainly not least, Stu has been committed to his community. He is an active board member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. He has formerly served on the Board of the Buffalo Niagara International Gateway Organization (ITGO), Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo State Industrial Advisory Committee and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). When not in the Board Room, Stu can be found on the soccer field as a volunteer coach for Amherst Soccer Association.

Richard A. Ash

Dick was a 1960 Alfred State graduate with an A.A.S. in Civil Engineering Technology. He later obtained a B.S. in Economics at the University of Rochester. Dick became President of C.P. Ward, Inc, a civil contractor located in Rochester, and ended his career as the Chairman of the Board, having worked for the company for more than 50 years. Under his leadership, C.P. Ward experienced substantial growth and built many large-scale projects in Western NY, including the construction of the Inner Loop, projects with the University of Rochester, Seneca Park Zoo, and Frontier Field. Dick loved the construction world and received the Builders Exchange Lifetime Achievement Award.   

Mr. Ash once said:

“My professors at Alfred State used to stress the importance of doing a job right the first time. That’s something I still apply today. There’s no substitute for good workmanship. Treat people fairly, honestly, and do a good job; you’ll stay busy.”

For nearly 70 years and throughout his career, Dick maintained a very strong relationship with his Alma Mater, Alfred State. He sought out ASC graduates to hire, promote, and mentor both within and outside his company. Beginning in 1979, he was actively involved in the CET Advisory Board. Under Dick’s leadership, C.P. Ward Inc. was and remains a constant supporter and contractor member of the New York State chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. In 2018, he pledged a Major Gift to ASC on behalf of C.P. Ward. Dick passed away in 2019 and C.P. Ward honored the pledge by creating the Richard A. Ash Memorial/C.P. Ward Inc. Endowed Fund. The endowed fund will assist students and the construction management program at ASC to help bridge the gap between skilled graduates and industry needs.

Dick was active in many professional and civic organizations, including the Rochester Builders Exchange, The Advisory Board for Engineering Students at Alfred State, and the Pension and Welfare Board of Laborers Local 435 Union. For many years he also served on the board of the Livingston County Industrial Development Board. In addition to this engagement in the construction field, he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying skiing, flying, and traveling worldwide with his wife Joan and friends. He had a special passion for the Genesee Country Village and Museum. As an avid pilot, he was also active with the Genesee War Plane Museum and served on the boards of both museums. Dick will always be remembered as an integral member of each community he served, especially that of Alfred State.

2011 President's Medallion Recipient

Charles P. (Charlie) Joyce, president, Otis Eastern Service, Inc., Wellsville, was presented with the Alfred State College “President’s Medallion” at its annual President’s Society Dinner. The medallion is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to Alfred State College. The College recognizes and commemorates the efforts of supporters and advocates dedicated to the mission of Alfred State.”

Charlie has always worked closely with the Applied Technology campus in Wellsville, often supporting the college with access to equipment and employees when special items were needed, including access to cranes and operators. He was instrumental in the college’s working directly with the IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers) at the local and national levels and setting up and attending meetings with national and local representatives. He continues to give Alfred State students and instructors access to his larger heavy equipment for training exercises in our heavy equipment operations program.

In 2006 Charlie participated in the planning for the 40th Anniversary of the Applied Technology campus in Wellsville. Based on his ideas, the college instituted an annual “Taste of Wellsville” program where faculty and local merchants host program events and food tasting, attracting approximately 800 visitors to the campus. He has also regularly supported Alfred State College with letters and donations as well as by being a regular participant in the college’s capital campaigns at significant levels of financial commitment. But the time he gives by attending meetings and sharing ideas is often more important than the funds he donates.

Charlie Joyce quietly supports the community, and it is very difficult to track all the private things he does for the community and the region. He is well deserving of this recognition and meets the criteria by being active nationally, regionally, and locally and needs to be publicly recognized for his giving of both time and funds to worthy causes.”

Otis Eastern, founded in 1936, is one of the nation’s leading constructors of high-pressure pipelines to transport oil, natural gas, and petroleum products from producers to the market.

In 1972, following his graduation from Cornell University with a BA in government, Joyce started work with Joyce Leonard Canada, Ltd., managing construction projects in Western Canada and Australia. In 1977, he became the president of Joyce Western Corp. and managed that company’s construction activities throughout the United States and Canada.

Joyce joined his father, Charles H. Joyce, at Otis Eastern Service, Inc., in 1983, as vice president; he became president in 1995. The company has experienced steady growth and is recognized as the leading northeast-based pipeline contractor, specializing in projects with tough environmental and logistical challenges. Joyce and Otis Eastern are also active in the development and production of oil and natural gas, in the Appalachian region.

Reuben Q. Zielinski 1982

Working with his hands has been a lifelong passion for 1982 Alfred State graduate Reuben Zielinski. The hands-on approach that he craved when looking for a place to further his education in his early 20’s still drives him today in the business world.

Zielinski worked for a roofing company for two years after graduating from Dunkirk High School. At the urging of his good friend’s father, he started looking at places to pursue a career in engineering. Zielinski’s father was a toolmaker and his two older brothers were electricians.

That nudge led Zielinski to find Alfred State and with one visit, he knew it was the right place for him. “Alfred State had good academic programs, a great reputation, and wasn’t far away from home. Math and science came easy to me so I knew that with hard work I would be successful in the electrical engineering technology program. It was obvious to me and others around me that I would become an engineer.”

Sitting in Circuit Analysis I, during his first semester, Zielinski knew he made the right choice and by the third or fourth class he knew he wanted to study this for the rest of his life. The hands-on learning he received set him on a mission to achieve his goals.

“I learned the value of hard work, honed my study habits, and treated my education as a job. The hands-on approach set me up for success in my future studies and was a springboard to bigger and better things for me.”

Two weeks after graduation from ASC, Zielinski enrolled at RIT, and he quickly used his experience at Alfred State to land a co-op at IBM. The co-op led to his first job at IBM after getting his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He has since continued his education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he earned Master’s Degrees in mechanical science and computer science, and later earned a Master of Business Administration. Through his career, Reuben has served as a vice president and general manager in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, as well as director of research, development and engineering for a leading hearing aid manufacturer.  “The hands-on lab experience I had from Alfred State helped me land the co-op at RIT and a job offer a year before I graduated.”

A notebook and a pencil sit next to Zielinski’s bed. He often writes down ideas in the middle of the night and tries to conceive new ways of creating things. He spends his free time in a lab in his basement working on these ideas.

Zielinski always had a dream of owning his own company one day. He put that dream off to allow his children to enjoy his and his wife’s large families.

A new job opportunity moved Zielinski to Indiana. One day, his neighbor came to him when his wife’s phone went through the washing machine. That discussion took Zielinski to his lab to find a solution and eventually led him to cofound his own company, Redux, in 2013.

Redux uses a patented technique to remove moisture from personal electronic devices with a vacuum drying process that reduces the evaporating point of water so that all moisture is removed quickly, completely, and at a safe temperature. Redux saves phones, tablets, and greatly extends the lifespan of hearing instruments.

Today, as president, he leads Redux’s growth and expansion strategies, as well as technology development. Patented Redux technology has been used to dry drones, high-tech objects for the military, game controllers, and high-end cameras. After Hurricane Michael hit in 2018, the company provided support by saving hundreds of water damaged hard drives holding precious data and memories. So far, nearly 2.2 million customers have prepaid subscriptions to Redux drying services to protect their devices and data, and the company is negotiating contracts with cell phone carriers in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Europe.

When Alfred State started the Major Gifts Campaign, Zielinski knew he wanted to give back. “The beginning of my career started at Alfred State. I still have the books and notes from my classes. I built great friendships and have great memories of my time at Alfred.”

Recently Zielinski returned to Alfred and toured campus. He noticed the things that were the same and marveled at the new. He reminisced about living in Main Gate, playing intramural sports, and taking classes in the Engineering building. “I felt like I was back home.”

Zielinski does not think he will ever retire. He wants to keep finding solutions to problems. He has written and holds over 50 patents and is not planning on stopping. His smile increases when he shares what might be the next big thing coming out of his lab.

“I have fun at work and I don’t consider it work. I am very fortunate.”

Recipient of the 2016 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Alexandra Argentieri graduated from Alfred State in 2011 with an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences: social science. She continued her education at Nazareth College in Rochester, graduating in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Her drive to complete her education and succeed, despite battling illness, has been an incredible accomplishment. 

Alexandra was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the age of 15 months. At that time, medical advances only gave her a life expectancy into her teens. Throughout her life, Alexandra has helped raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, and she has also worked with the CF Foundation to help raise nearly $1 million. The funds raised are used for science and research to help find better treatments and ultimately a cure.

In 2015, Alexandra’s health significantly declined to the point of almost losing her life. After a long, difficult journey, on Oct. 8, 2015, she received the gift of life and had a double lung transplant – she was given a second chance to live. Because of her strength, determination, and courage, Alexandra was the recipient of the CF Foundation’s 2015 Katie’s Courage Award. Just four months following her transplant, she returned to work part time at Alfred University. In addition, she not only continues her work for the CF Foundation, but she is also a dedicated advocate for UNOS.org, the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Ultimately, Alexandra has impacted the lives of potentially thousands by raising awareness and funds for the No. 1 genetic disease, cystic fibrosis, as well as educating people about the desperate need for organ and tissue donations. She plans to continue her dedication to both, as she lives a full and meaningful life to help those in need, as well as to honor the memory of her donor.

Gary G. Hill, 1977

Construction Engineering Technology

Growing up in West Seneca, NY, Gary G. Hill often had summer or part-time jobs in the family’s construction work.  After high school graduation in 1975, he enrolled in Alfred State’s construction engineering technology program. One week before classes started, he married his high school sweetheart, Deborah.  The two of them moved to Alfred and rented a trailer on Kenyon Road. Upon graduating in 1977, Gary continued his education at Purdue University. After just one year, however, he decided to join the company that his father, George Hill, founded in 1950: Union Concrete and Construction Corp.

After joining the company full time in 1978, Gary worked his way up from surveyor, to project superintendent, to project management. In 1983, he and his brother, Robert Hill, took over management of the entire company. Roughly 10 years later, their sister, Jodi, became a partner in the family company. Today, Gary is the president of Union Concrete.  Over the years, the company has completed several signature projects in western New York, including the Gateway Connections project (a major reconfiguration of access to the Peace Bridge Plaza), repairing the exit 53 overpass on the I-90 and reconstruction of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport runways.  See: https://www.unionconcretecorp.com/

Not only is Union Concrete a multi-generational family owned business, it has multi-generational employees.  Gary recognized the importance of younger and older generations successfully working together and “passing the torch.”  Gary worked with peers in the Associated General Contractors (AGC) to help establish a scholarship program for students in construction majors.  The AGC awards $40,000 in scholarship funds each year and the program has given out well over $1 million in scholarships.

In 2020 and again in 2021, Gary answered the call by Alfred State College to support the Major Gifts Campaign.  Gary responded by donating his time, industry connections and financial support.  Together with his Alfred State classmate, Jimmy Smith, Gary has served as co-chair to raise funds to upgrade the existing Construction Materials Laboratory and rename the facilities in honor of the late professor, Professor Emeritus William Bruce. “It’s so important that we update the Materials Lab. It’s been decades since it’s been updated and things are changing so quickly in the construction industry. When it comes to the composition and testing of materials, being on the cutting edge is critical,” Gary has said. “With technology, younger people adapt to it so easily. By having that next-gen knowledge, companies like ours can survive because someone is going to keep up with innovation.”

Through the scholarship program, the Doc Bruce Campaign, and helping with transitioning the next generation of management at Union Concrete, Gary is doing his part to ensure that the future of the construction industry is solid. He is committed to helping ensure young professionals have the tools to develop strong careers that are built to last.

2023 Doc Bruce Contruction Materials Lab Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 

HONORARY DOCTORATE 2020

Burt has made a career out of helping people lead better and healthier lives every day. Today, he is a key opinion leader in Cancer Healthcare and an accomplished executive in the specialty-biotech pharmaceutical and oncology cancer care ecosystems. But, before he got to where he is now, the journey began at Alfred State in 1970 when he enrolled in the business program. As a Pioneer, Burt was also a member of Alfred’s First National Championship swimming team, which left a lifelong mark on him. He has said that the time spent at Alfred State was amongst the best of times of his life, growing and maturing. Today, relationships with fellow Alfred classmates and swim team members still remain strong bonds, including Coach Glen Patton, who went on to Coach University of Iowa to NCCN Colligate Swimming fame. Unfortunately, Burt did lose his dearest teammate Bob Longo to cancer along the way.

After leaving Alfred State in 1972, Burt enrolled at the State University of New York at Buffalo, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and business management in 1976 and graduated with a 3.78 average and the Top Ten Academic Athlete. Since that time, Burt has carved out quite an impressive career. Currently serving as Executive Director of Cancer Treatment Centers of America and as Managing Partner of Upstream-Partners, LLC, a New York City-based investment advisory company focused on incubating and launching new healthcare delivery services, specialty bio-pharmaceuticals, genomics, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence technologies into healthcare ecosystems.

Previously, Burt was founder, CEO, and Vice Chairman of Onco360, a national oncology pharmacy care management provider with corporate offices in New York City. The Onco360 model provided the full continuum of oncology pharmacy service solutions to more than 3,000 community and hospital-based hematologists, oncologists, and cancer centers of excellence in coordination with managed care providers that insured more than 45 million people. Additionally philanthropically, Burt has served as a National Board Member for Swim Across America for decades to help raise over a Hundred Million Dollars in the fight against cancer research, and is a survivor himself.

We are proud to present Burt with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, and we are privileged to count you — a leader and loyal supporter of Alfred State College — amongst our closest friends. As you said, “At Alfred - your journey began”

2008 Honorary Doctorate of Science

A life spent enhancing the physical world, improving the body politic, and contributing to the world scene is a life well lived. After graduating from Harvard University, he served our country as a member of the United States Marine Corps in World War II. Then he began his work at Corning Glass Works where he rose to the level of Chairman and CEO. In his many successful years as the leader of Corning, he strengthened the Company's tradition of technical innovation and led its ground-breaking research and development efforts. His leadership in these important areas earned him the Electronics Industries Alliance Medal of Honor and the designation of "father of fiber optics." Not only did he share his expertise with Corning Incorporated, but with numerous other corporations and institutions as member of various boards.

In addition, he turned his attention to public service where he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for nine consecutive terms from 1987 to 2005. Within his public role, he founded the John Quincy Adams Society, a forum that brings together moderate officeholders with top business leaders. He served as a founding member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a group seeking to strengthen the political center. Through all of his work, he has been a steadfast friend, not only of the Southern Tier, but also of Alfred State, advising several presidents and helping the College grow in influence and importance in the region.

Houghton noted that Alfred State College has an "enormous opportunity to turn upstate New York's assets of land and water" into programs and initiatives that can have a "tremendous impact on our state."

He also told the graduates that Alfred State College has a "great sense of community which will always be with you...there is no more special place than Alfred State College."

Amo Houghton passed away in March 2020.

Walter P. Sass, 1978 Civil Engineering Technology

Walter P. Sass is a 1978 graduate of Alfred State College in Civil Engineering Technology – surveying.  He attributes much of his success to his experiences and education at Alfred State College. 

After graduation, Walt moved to Houston, Texas and began his extraordinary 44+ year career as a surveyor.  He came to work for Weisser Engineering & Surveying (WES) in 1980, became a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) in 1986 and became a principal and owner of WES in 1987.  Walter’s skills and hard work as a surveyor and entrepreneur have been instrumental in building WES into a preeminent engineering and surveying firm. 

Walt has overseen numerous major projects for over 25 major energy industry clients.  Mr. Sass’ clientele also includes: Texas A&M University, Port of Houston, Coastal Water Authority, Galveston County, Houston Independent School District, Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Toll Road Authority, Montgomery County, San Jacinto River Authority, Brazoria County, Texas Department of Transportation, Fort Bend County, Harris County Engineering, The City of Tomball, The City of Hunter’s Creek Village, The City of Sugar Land, The City of Houston, The City of Mont Belvieu, The City of Missouri City, The City of Katy and other public and private owners.  His work includes boundary & topographic surveys, elevation surveys, subsurface utility engineering, telephone route and right of way surveys, subsidence monitoring surveys and land title surveys for litigation purposes. 

Mr. Sass has served as an expert at legal research and boundary conflict resolution and has provided expert witness testimony on behalf of several utility, pipeline, and governmental clients.  Mr. Sass serves on the Lonestar College Survey Curriculum Advisory Board. He has often lectured for and/or been published by various associations and industry groups, including the City of Houston, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping Convention, the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), professional land surveyors and right of way professionals.  Mr. Sass was the 2016 IRWA Chapter 8 Professional of the Year and the 2019 IRWA Region 2 Professional of the Year.

Mr. Sass has been active in political and community events in Galveston, Montgomery, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, and Waller Counties since 1987. Walter is a past President of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors, past President of IRWA Chapter 8, past Chairman of the Board for Katy Christian Ministries, a board member for the Fort Bend Surface Water Corporation and a board member for the Gulf Coast Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  He is actively involved in the support and operation of various other civic organizations in the Houston area. Walt also serves as a Special Commissioner on condemnation cases for Harris County.  During Alfred State College’s first Major Gifts Campaign in 2019, Walter generously pledged a Major Gift to help support the surveying program through 2023 and has donated extensive equipment to the College. 

WATCH THE VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URHIp8GPRSk

Walter P. Sass grew up on his childhood farm in North Collins, New York.  He is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, enjoying bird hunting, clay shooting, golfing, fishing, and ranching Texas Longhorn cattle.  He has been happily married to Joyce Sass for over 35 years.  Walt and Joyce currently have 17 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. 

Bob Healy

Bob Healy is a 1978 graduate of Alfred State’s architectural technology program. Upon graduation from Alfred State, he went on to obtain his bachelor’s in architecture from Syracuse University while also working as an architectural technician at the Pike Company. Over the years, he has built a strong career in the architecture industry, proudly serving as President of LaBella Associates for a decade until transitioning to a new role in 2020 as firm principal which focuses on mentoring employees, supporting client relationships, and developing business and community relationships

Bob joined LaBella in 1990 and founded the firm's architectural practice. When he began, the company employed 35 workers in Rochester. Today, LaBella maintains its Rochester headquarters and has over 470 employees at 15 locations, including 311 local employees. Throughout Bob’s early years with the company, his portfolio rapidly expanded to include a wide variety of projects, including large, complex and high profile structures. Bob’s projects have shaped Rochester and the surrounding communities, including the redesign and rebuild of the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua; the construction of the five-story, 170,000-square-foot ESL Federal Credit Union Corporate Headquarters in Rochester; the creation of the Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great on the St. John Fisher College campus; and the redevelopment of a former Kodak office building into Monroe Community College’s downtown campus.

Being a firm believer in giving back and getting involved in the community, Bob serves in variety of philanthropic and leadership roles. Such include board positions with the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, WXXI Board of Trustees, Monroe 2 - Orleans Educational Foundation, President of the Rochester chapter of the AIA in 2001 and 2009, was named Small Business Council Business Person of the Year in 2014, and chair of the Alfred State Major Gift Campaign’s Steering Committee.

Bob's Alumni Profile was a featuer in our - Alfred State Alumni & Friends Magazine - Fall 2020

In his free time, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife, Cathy, and their three children. He is also an avid golfer, sports fan, and music enthusiast.

Recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

Dale Stell graduated with an associate degree in landscape development from Alfred State in 1975.  In 1980, he founded his own company called Lakeview Lawn & Landscape, wherein he handled commercial landscaping, including businesses and colleges. For more than 30 years, Dale owned and operated his business until he sold it in 2012.

Dale then purchased a business with his two nephews, City Hill Construction, which is located in Penn Yan, and provides quality residential and commercial site work excavation, landscaping, and aggregate products. He is currently president of City Hill.

Dale consistently credits Alfred State with helping to jumpstart his career. He has been a member of the Alfred State College Development Fund Board of Directors since 2010, and has served as chair of the Board since 2014.

For numerous years, Dale has been an avid proponent and supporter of Alfred State for numerous years. In addition to his endowed fund to preserve the bell tower and his naming of a leadership suite in the Student Leadership Center, he most recently led the Development Fund Board to challenge the other board members of the college to match the gifts from the Development Fund to help raise funds for the first-ever Alfred State Day of Giving. With his assistance, the college was able to raise over $100,000.

Dr. Ferry received his AAS degree in agronomy from Alfred State in 1963 followed by BS and MS degrees from the University of Georgia. He continued his education with a PhD degree in biochemistry from the University of Illinois in 1974. He was appointed assistant professor of microbiology at Virginia Tech in 1976, where he rose to the rank of professor.

In 1995, Ferry moved to Penn State to accept an endowed chair in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications and is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and past editor of the Journal of Bacteriology. He has served on numerous national committees and currently is co-chair of the Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science that advises the federal government on matters of space exploration.

Ferry recently created the James G. and Marilyn A. Ferry Endowed Scholarship to assist students with a strong desire to learn and who have the need for financial assistance.

He served as the speaker for Alfred State’s 104th Commencement on May 17, 2015.

Recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award

2008 Honorary Doctorate of Science

Dr. James Koller grew up more than 1,500 miles away from Alfred in the small town of Edgemont, SD, where he attended public schools.

Although his undergraduate education was interrupted by 38 months of active military duty, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, in 1947 and 1949, respectively. He then achieved his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Nebraska in 1953 and although he never attended or worked at Alfred State, Koller has been a Pioneer for more than 30 years.

In 1981, he was appointed to the Alfred State College Council, an advisory group to the president of the college. He would serve for two additional three-year terms, the legal limit.

For more than 20 years, Koller voluntarily invested his time and efforts in the future of Alfred State, both as a College Council member and later as an original member and second chair of the Board of Directors for the Development Fund, the fundraising entity for the college. Under Koller’s direction, the Development Fund came together, the infrastructure was built, and policies and processes were established.

“Our main goals were to establish a ‘habit of giving’ among the friends of Alfred State and to set up appropriate structures for conducting fundraising and stewardship activities,” said Koller, who served on the Development Fund Board from 1996 to 2002. “These, among other challenges, meant establishing a policy base and working out the appropriate relationships with the Educational Foundation and Alumni Boards.”

By the time he began his involvement with Alfred State in the early ‘80s, Koller had been an employee at Eastman Kodak for nearly three decades. He began working there in 1953, holding various positions in research, development, and manufacturing, until becoming manager of paper manufacturing at Kodak Park in 1979, manager of film manufacturing in 1980, and both in a reorganization in 1983. He retired in January 1987.

Thirteen years later in 2000, Alfred State established the Jim Koller Volunteerism Award to honor Koller and to recognize the time, effort, and energy he has invested in the future of the college. In recognition of his service to and support of Alfred State, the college awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2008.

Evidence of the special place Koller has in his heart for Alfred State and its future can also be found in the financial donations he has made and will make to the college. He said he plans to contribute to the Koller Scholarship Fund to encourage student volunteerism on campus and in their home communities.

Dr. James Koller passed away Feb, 6^th, 2019 leaving a legacy gift to the college in the form of a commitment from his charitable remainder trust.

Koller had always encouraged fellow members of the Alfred State family to give back to the college financially, saying, “If you’re interested in Alfred State, support it with a gift that will keep on giving.”

Recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Justin Recktenwald is a proud alumnus of Alfred State, class of 2010, as well as Cornell University, class of 2012. While studying at Alfred, he majored in agricultural technology, which served him well in his industry.

After college, he was able to work for prominent industry leaders in New York’s Finger Lakes region, as well as California’s Lake County and Sonoma regions. In 2013, while still working full time for other wineries and traveling, he began work on Wild Brute Winery, a boutique farm production in Arkport that focuses on indigenous fermentations of Finger Lakes-grown grapes.

In 2016, The Brute: A Finger Lakes Focused Wine Bar in Hornell was added as an outpost to the winery. The wine bar serves to showcase other great examples of the craft beverage industry in New York State, as well as to give the unique wines of Wild Brute a consistent retail front.

Over the past few years, Wild Brute Winery/The Brute and Recktenwald have acquired numerous accolades, including this year’s New York State Agriculture Society’s Next Generation Farmer Award for his efforts of promoting the local and regional agriculture community. Recktenwald and his supportive family are also zealous philanthropists who are involved in many community organizations both locally and regionally.

Recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award

Patrick Doyle is a partner in the international law firm of Arnold & Porter, LLP, and a resident in the firm’s Washington, DC office. Doyle has a broad background in financial institution regulation and headed the Arnold & Porter financial services practice from 1993 to 2013.  Doyle regularly counsels bank holding companies, foreign banks, savings institutions, insurance companies, securities firms, hedge funds, and private equity entities on a wide variety of regulatory matters, including strategic planning, complex regulatory issues, enforcement proceedings and legislation. In addition, he has represented numerous firm clients on merger and acquisition transactions. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter in 1983, Doyle served in a variety of legal positions at the US Treasury Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency - including counsel to the Multinational Banking Group - and as the acting general counsel of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Doyle served on the adjunct faculty of the Morin Center for Banking Law Studies at Boston University School of Law from 1985 to 1993, and currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Board of dvisors of the University of North Carolina School of Law’s Banking Law Institute. Doyle is a frequent speaker both in the US and abroad on topics related to the regulation of the financial services industry. He also has authored or coauthored numerous articles on the regulation of this industry, focusing most recently on the Dodd Frank Act. Doyle has been recognized by his peers and clients in Chambers USA, Chambers Global, Euromoney’s “The Expert Guide to the World’s Leading nBanking Lawyers,” “The International Who’s Who of Banking Lawyers,” and “The Legal 500 United States.” For several years, Doyle has been included in Washingtonian’s “Best Lawyers” and Washington, DC, Super Lawyers.

Doyle is a member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Law Center, Washington, DC.  Although he was born in Pittsburgh and reared in Erie, PA (until age 13), Doyle calls upstate New York home. He graduated from Sweet Home High School in Amherst in 1966, Alfred State in 1968, and the State University of New York at Oswego in 1970. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University in 1975.

Jim - 1965 Hornell High School grad and current civil engineering student at Clarkson University when a significant event would change the course of his life – the death of his friend and former classmate, Joe Barillo. At that point, Jim decided to serve his country.

“What I like to say is, I was born and raised in Hornell, but grew up in Vietnam,” he said. “I don’t think I’d be the man I am today without having served in the Marine Corps.” From 1967 to 1968, Jim fought in Vietnam as part of a Marine Recon unit, having been wounded three times and earning three Purple Hearts. He returned to the US in 1968, forced to retire from the military because of the wounds he received.

Jim returned to college, receiving two degrees from Alfred University: a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1971 and a Master of Science in counseling and guidance in 1972. He also took his first job at Alfred State as a residence hall director of Robinson/Champlin Hall. “They didn’t hire me because I had a Master of Science in counseling and guidance,” he said. “They hired me because I was a former Marine sergeant. They put all the fraternities and sororities in that one dorm. Those students were the ‘problem children’ of that era, and I was hired to keep them in line.”

Jim then decided to volunteer in the Admissions Office in 1973. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming assistant director of Admissions three years later, and then dean of Admissions, Records, and Financial Aid in 1978, a position he would hold until 1989 when Jim joined the Business Department as an associate professor, becoming department chair from 1993 to 1999. Then serving as the dean of the School of Management and Engineering Technology for less than a year until he was named the dean of Marketing and Enrollment Management in November of 1999. In 2001, Jim became the VP for Marketing and Enrollment Management, and then VP for Administration and Enrollment Management. He rejoined the Business Department faculty in 2005 to round out his career. He served eight years as Faculty Senate chair. Throughout his career at Alfred State, Jim has received a number of significant honors and awards, including the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 1980, Business Teacher of the Year Alumni Award in 1992 & 1993, being recognized among the Who’s Who In Teaching in 1996, and the President’s Medallion in November 2017. But in 2007, Jim received what he considers the biggest honor of his career: being named a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. “As far as I am concerned, my biggest honor was when the students put me in for Distinguished Professorship.

In 2018, Jim retired after 46 years of working at Alfred State and he summed it up by saying- “I’ve loved every day, I can honestly say I have enjoyed coming to work every single day. I don’t think too many people can say that. Looking back on my career, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve loved every minute that I’ve been here.”

Honorory Doctorate 2017

When Albert Styrcula entered the workforce in 1959, he was fresh out of college, having just graduated that year from Alfred State with an associate degree in general business management.

He started out at Foodcraft Inc., a small processing and distribution company that dealt in dairy products. His jobs varied from accounting work to driving trucks to delivering milk to washing bottles.

However, by 1972, Styrcula had worked his way up to the top of Foodcraft, becoming CEO and chairman of the board, positions he held until 1988, when Uni-Marts Inc. acquired the company. During that time, the company’s sales increased from $2 million to $50 million.

A strong work ethic was instilled in Styrcula at an early age. While growing up on a farm around the Dundee and Penn Yan area, he helped his mother, Mary, a widow with several children to raise. After graduating from Dundee High School in 1952, Styrcula served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and after he went back to his guidance counselor in high school and since jobs were difficult to find in 1956, he recommended that I apply to Cornell University and a couple state universities,” Styrcula said. “I was getting up in age where I didn’t think I needed a four-year degree, so in 1957 I chose Alfred State and the agriculture business program, which turned out to be an excellent program for me.”

Much like today, the faculty, according to Styrcula, took a keen interest in students and their futures. I talked to E.J. Brown - head of business department and I told him I just didn’t think I was getting enough substance in the agriculture business program. “He said, ‘Well, you know, you did pretty well in accounting, why don’t you come over to the business section?’ So I did and I spent an extra year at Alfred State learning about profit/loss statements, cost accounting/federal taxes and that was an important part of running a small company.

While at Alfred State, Styrcula became VP of the junior class and joined the Theta Gamma fraternity and the veterans club. Unquestionably, the biggest connection he made while at the college was with a girl whom he went on a blind date with on what was only her 10^th day at Alfred State. “I think the first event of the year was the Harvest Ball and I didn’t have a date so somebody fixed me up with the girl who turned out to be my wife, Judith,” Styrcula said.

The couple married in 1959 and had three children, Keith, Kim, and Mike. They currently reside in Montoursville, PA, and sponsor a scholarship at Alfred State called the “Albert and Judith Styrcula Endowed Scholarship,” which is awarded to academically talented students from Dundee High School or from Yates County.

Styrcula retired in 1994. “As a result of the education that I had received at Alfred State, I just stayed in my field and I found it very enjoyable and it became very successful for me,” Styrcula said. His advice to current Alfred State students is to study hard.

“You’re here to get an education,” Styrcula said. “It’s a very short period in your life, but it’s a very important time and you should get as much out of your education as you possibly can.”

Albert Styrcula certainly did.

Peter L. Krog is a 1962 Alfred State College graduate in Engineering Construction Technology.  He was a member of the Theta Gamma Fraternity.  He has helped the College as a member of the Honorary Centennial Committee and more recently behind the scenes as part of President Skip Sullivan’s “Kitchen Cabinet.”  He joined the Hall of Excellence in 2021.

Before attending Alfred State College, Peter helped at his father’s Dansville construction business, beginning at age 16.  After graduation from Alfred, he went to work at the consulting engineering firm of Eckerlin & Klepper in Syracuse.  In 1964, he moved to the consulting and engineering firm of Rupley Bahler Blake (formerly Thomas McKaig) of Buffalo, at the time the largest structural engineering firm in Western New York.  In 1975, Peter Krog co-founded the Zaepfel-Krog Construction Company, which he operated through 1995.  In 1996, Peter founded The Krog Corporation, substantively renamed the Krog Group, where he continues as President and Chief Executive Officer.  http://www.krogcorp.com/

Through The Krog Group and his other businesses, Peter Krog is a self-made, world-class development, construction, and engineering entrepreneur.  Peter owns and manages over 5,000,000 sq. ft. of commercial and industrial space.  His life’s work spans nearly seven decades, during which time he has completed far too many projects to provide an exhaustive list here.  In June of 2014, with the admiration of his Western New York peers, Peter received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Business First Brick by Brick awards ceremony.  Some of his more notable projects include Harbor Hotels in Watkins Glen, Thousand Island (Clayton, NY), and Chautauqua Lake. He built the first phase Wegmans headquarters in Rochester, a $60,000,000 facility for the Dept. of Energy at Savana River, NC, the substantial Brook Bridge medical facility, a city block of retail in Orchard Park, and the Federation Building in Hornell.  He has engaged in several historic reconstruction projects and million-dollar lakefront condominiums in Hammondsport on Keuka Lake. 

The Krog Group involves virtually every aspect of design and construction for new properties and renovation, whether it be commercial, industrial, educational or residential. Projects have a great balance of esthetics and cost-sensitivity.  Krog also has developed a niche for redevelopment of Brownfields, using tax incentives to make large projects financially feasible.  Among several on-going projects, Krog is engaged in the $90-million redevelopment of the massive Trico Plant in Buffalo’s medical corridor, scheduled for completion in late 2024. 

When he isn’t working, Peter spends time at his home in West Falls, his 800-acre “camp” in Ellicottville, his oasis in Tucson, Arizona, and enjoying his passion for traveling.  He loves the wilderness, hunting, and fishing, which often takes him to Colorado and Alaska. The walls in his office and residences are adorned with pictures of mountain scenes and mounts of wildlife.  He is a member of the Ellicottville Ski Club, but also can be found skiing at the 700-acre Kissing Bridge ski resort, in which he owns a major interest.  He also enjoys golfing, although the pace is sometimes a little slow for the octogenarian.  Some people suggest that Peter might be a workaholic, but he asserts, “It’s not work when you love what you do!”  

Peter is happily married to Kim Krog.  His daughter Gay Krog and his son, Peter L. Krog, II, work at the The Krog Group, managing construction projects and real estate holdings.

2019 Athletic Hall of Fame

Huntington has been supporting and advocating for Pioneer students and student-athletes for over 50 years. She has been deemed the athletic department’s #1 Fan.

Huntington came to Alfred State in 1964 when her husband David became the seventh president of the college. Since then she has been a fixture in the stands at Alfred State athletic events. She can be found at athletic events cheering on athletes, ringing her cowbell, and interacting with students, staff, and fans. Huntington is also a regular visitor to the Pioneer Fitness Center.

Huntington has served on committees on and off campus over the years. Some of her committee work includes serving on the Alfred State Faculty Wives, the Alfred State Development Fund, the Bethesda Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.

In 2016, she was the recipient of the President’s Medallion, an award given to those who have made outstanding contributions to Alfred State. She has also received a certificate of recognition for being a role model for all women by Allegany County. SUNY awarded her a certificate of appreciation for service, support, and contributions to the Alfred State College Association of Women.

John “Jack” Benjamin

Jack received an associate degree from Alfred State College in construction engineering technology in 1965. He then went on to receive a bachelor of science in economics and urban geography from SUNY Brockport and a master in public administration from Alfred University.

He had an outstanding career as President of Three Rivers Development Corporation.  He retired in 2015, leaving a lasting legacy within both the company and community. Three Rivers first employed Jack in 1973 to aid in rebuilding the community after a devastating flood.  As can be seen through his many outstanding accomplishments, Jack went above and beyond his call to action. Throughout his 40 years with the company, the Horseheads native played a key role in the economic development of the Greater Corning area. His work that began with the Agnes flood recovery stimulated growth and success of various similar redevelopment plans to follow. Jack has played a key role in many, many significant developments in the area over the last four decades.  For example, the construction of the Centerway parking garage and helping to build the Gaffer District, both of which set the footprint for what Market Street would become.

Jack’s community involvement has extended well beyond his work as President of Three Rivers Corp. His drive and passion for improving the lives and economy of the community led him to serve on several local and corporate boards in the area, including Corning Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ceramics Corridor, Guthrie Corning Hospital, REDEC, Bethany Village, United Way of the Southern Tier, the New York Planning Federation, the Town of Erwin Industrial Development Agency, and Five Star Bank.

Upon his retirement in 2015, Jack did not have any plans of settling down. He has remained involved with the community through various leadership roles, such as assuming the role of chairperson of the Board of Directors of Guthrie Corning Hospital.  He has also offered expert consultation on projects when needed.  Jack has been a member of the Alfred State President’s Society for more than ten years, served on the “Kitchen Cabinet” to counsel former President Skip Sullivan and recently became the Alumni Representative for the Alfred State College Council, where he will assist newly appointed President Steven Mauro.  In addition, Jack and his wife, Sue, own and maintain a farm in the Horseheads area, where they enjoy frequent visits by children and grandchildren.

2014 President's Medallion

Vern Billings epitomizes the spirit of giving back, whether it’s to his country, his father’s business, or to his alma mater.

Originally from Bath, NY, Billings graduated from Alfred State in 1956 with an associate degree in construction engineering technology. After spending his first year of college as a diesel engine major, Billings enlisted in the Navy for four years during the Korean War, then returned to Alfred State as a student in the construction technology field.

After working as an inspector at an architectural firm in Corning, NY, and later as an estimator in a tile and marble business in Binghamton, NY, Billings joined his father’s construction company in Bath in 1966, serving as president of R.C. Billings until 1998.

As of 1999, the three interrelated companies owned by the Billings family, Knight Settlement, Valley Asphalt, Inc., and R.C. Billings, Inc., generated around $12 million worth of work per year. That year, Billings, his wife, Mary Lou, and his sister, JoAnn Axtell, and her husband, Donald, made what was then the largest gift to date to Alfred State, $503,540.95, to endow a scholarship to honor Vern and JoAnn’s parents, the late Evelyn C. and Rumsey C. Billings.

With their spouses’ blessings, Vern and JoAnn, a retired teacher, decided to combine forces to honor their parents in a way that would not only relate to their father’s life work, but would also support one of the family’s core values: education.

Since 1999, more than $225,000 has been given to students from the Evelyn C. and Rumsey C. Billings Endowed Scholarship, which was established to encourage students from Steuben and Otsego counties to pursue an education at Alfred State.

The first Evelyn C. and Rumsey C. Billings Endowed Scholarship was disbursed to students entering the 1999-2000 academic year. The scholarship had $28,500 available for disbursement for the 2013-14 academic year.

Vern and Mary Lou Billings have two sons, Michael ’78 (deceased), and Charles, and two daughters, JoAnn Shartrand and Jennifer Young. The couple, who has given more than $375,000 to Alfred State, currently resides in Boynton Beach, FL, where Vern enjoys playing golf and cards.

The Billingses were selected as the 2000 Council for Resource Development (CRD) Benefactor Award winners from Region II in Washington, DC.

In 2010, Alfred State received a gift of $250,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Billings to support equipment purchases for the heavy equipment operations program. That was the couple’s second major gift to the college.

John Anderson, the college’s president at the time, said Vern and Mary Lou are friends of Alfred State who provide truly transformational gifts to the college.

“Their student-focused gifts perfectly reflect our philosophy here at Alfred State,” Anderson said in 2010, “and our students are fortunate to have such advocates.”

George J. Welch, Sr., Esq.

2022 Hall of Excellence Inductee

George J. Welch is a graduate of Cornell Law School and Canisius College.  In 1971, he was admitted to practice in all courts in New York State.  He is currently the senior partner in the Welch Law Firm in Corning, New York, concentrating on real estate and business transactions.  He has served as a director for Corning Gas since May 2007. He has served as a director of many regional organizations, including a regional economic development organization, and PaneLogic, Inc., a provider of control system integration services.

Mr. Welch has served for many years on the Alfred State College Council, an advisory group to the President of the College. Mr. Welch has extensive experience in legal matters, economic development, and as a community leader, all of which have been of great value to his clients, his community and Alfred State College.

In 2021, the Welch Family dedicated the Joseph R. Welch Leadership Suite at Alfred State College, in loving memory of his son, a well-respected attorney who passed away at age 48.  Joe was a scholar, natural leader and a gentleman who, despite great health challenges, made an indelible mark on his community. Joe was the bedrock of the Corning City Democratic Party for over 20 years, the president of his college fraternity and a leader for local not-for-profit causes.  Though a passionate Democrat, he was at ease arguing both sides of political and constitutional topics.  The Joseph R. Welch Leadership Suite is a monument to Joe’s short, but significant life.  He will be missed by friends and family everywhere, but never forgotten.

Recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award

Jim was born in 1944 in Portsmouth, OH. He moved to West Virginia with his family in 1954 when he was in the 5th grade. This was the year his father, Paul Bradbury, started Kanawha Valley Scale Service.

Jim attended WVU for 2 years in mechanical engineering and then graduated from the

State University of NY at Alfred in Measurement Science (1967).

Jim then worked two years in Columbus, OH for H. J. Fuller & Sons.

In 1969 he married Judy Freeman (Class of 1968) and returned to WV to join his father,

incorporated the business and started running the company within a year.

Jim has won numerous awards including W.Va. Entrepreneur of the year in 1994 for manufacturing and the governor’s award for excellence in exporting. Kanawha Scales & Systems has grown

Jim and Judy have been proud supporters of Alfred State and our students for 30yrs.

Recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

Thomas Ward, a 1966 graduate in accounting, carved out a successful career in the financial world that spanned more than four decades.  Following graduation, Tom joined the National Guard (amidst the Vietnam War) and secured a job as an auditor with the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. He worked for the NYS Department of Taxation & Finance for 10 years until he took over as comptroller for the town of Henrietta.

In 1979, Tom obtained his securities and insurance licenses and joined Investor Diversified Services (IDS), a financial planning firm that was later bought by American Express and is currently Ameriprise Financial Services. From this, in 1986, Tom and four other colleagues became a franchise.  In 1992, the partnership was formed that led to the creation of Ward, Wyand, and Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., which is located in Rochester. This company assists with a variety of things, including retirement planning, investing, insurance, tax planning, and more. Upon Tom’s retirement in 2012, his son, Andrew, returned to Rochester and joined the firm. Tom also has been a longstanding champion and supporter of Alfred State. He has provided funds for scholarships and has been a member of the President’s Society for numerous years. Most recently, Tom provided a $10,000 matching gift challenge for the Day of Giving, also helping to more than double the goal of $50,000.

When requested, Tom also makes it a point to return to Alfred State to speak with current students enrolled in both the accounting or financial planning programs.

1995 Honorary Doctorate of Science

“Moving from my studies at Alfred State to my first job at Richardson Scales felt like a lateral move – that’s how good the education was,” says Henry “Hank” Henderson (’50). “The course material at Alfred State mirrored my work exactly.” Hank founded H.F. Henderson Industries in 1954 on a part-time basis. In 1967 he left Richardson Scale Co. to devote full time to his rapidly growing company which today is recognized as a leader in its field and has become a Top 100 minority-owned business.

In 1981, Hank formed Systems Control Corp., a designer and manufacturer of navigational aid products. He was president and chief executive officer of both companies, located in West Caldwell, NJ.

“My entire experience at Alfred was good,” Hank says. “I got married to Ethel in my second year, and we moved into Diaper Hill [the name used for family dormitories at the time]. Ethel sang in the church choir, and I was invited into the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity. I didn’t have a big social life because I was usually either working or studying. But the school felt very social to me, and I liked  earning.” he says.

Hank has hired many of his best people directly from Alfred State. “Given the intense competition in the technical business, seeking employees trained here is not a function of fond memories about my school,” he says. “It is the result of my knowledge about the quality of the technical training and discipline required by the faculty and staff.”

Hank holds honorary doctorate degrees from Alfred State (1995), Stevens Institute of Technology, and Kean College. He served as a commissioner to the Port Authority Commission of New York and New Jersey, the first African-American to hold such a position, and his company was featured on the PBS series “Growing a Business” in 1990. He was named to the SUNY Honor Roll for outstanding alumni in 1996; he was presented with the National Minorities Supplier Development Council Leadership Award, 1996; and he received the HiTech Hero Award from the New Jersey Technology Council in 1998.

Henry "Hank" Henderson passed away in March of 2018.

2020 Outstanding Young Alumni (recognized in 2021) 

Robert Steen graduated from Alfred State in 2014 with a bachelor of science in Architectural Technology. While a student, Rob attended a mission to Honduras during spring break of his senior year.  This opportunity made such an impact, he decided to spend the year after graduation in Honduras helping to build the Little Angels of Honduras, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. 

While in Honduras, Rob was a design Intern for healthcare-based projects as well as a community representative assisting in organizing and leading mission trips.  In addition, his responsibilities included establishing affiliated college campus clubs, assembling fundraisers, and creating marketing materials for schools and local communities across western NY. In 2015, Rob worked as a Youth Mentor for New Direction’s Youth and Family Services. In February 2016, he was hired as Architectural Designer at LaBella Associates, working steadily toward NYS Licensure of Architecture.

Because of Rob’s professional and educational experiences, he’s developed passions for volunteering.  Rob is a volunteer staff member at The Fathers House Church in Rochester where over the previous 2 years he has served as the Director of the Middle School Youth group and the High School Youth group, leading 100+ students and volunteers in both ministries each week.  In addition to his director roles, he is now serving on the Guest Experience team. Rob’s passion to volunteer has also led to a partnership with the Hornell Area Concern for Youth Center. There he was also able to use his architectural background to develop drawings and documents that would assist in receiving funding from both local and global corporations and organizations for much needed renovations to their existing buildings and programs.

2010 President's Medallion

2014 Doctor of Humane Letters

SUNY officials approved William Goodrich, president and CEO of Rochester’s LeChase Construction and a 1984 graduate of Alfred State, as the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree last month. Alfred State President Skip Sullivan presented the award at the College’s 2014 Commencement ceremony.

“Over the years, Bill has guided his company with a set of values that we at Alfred State cherish—things like quality, integrity, and social responsibility. That’s why he is one of Western New York’s most effective and successful business leaders and why he is such a wonderful role model and mentor for our students,” Sullivan said.

Goodrich has been an integral member of LeChase since 1985. He was named President in 2002 and CEO in 2007. Among his many accomplishments, he has also been instrumental in the ongoing geographic expansion of the organization, its advocacy for sustainable construction, and the development of safety programs to propel the company into becoming a world-class safety organization. LeChase’s commitment to the community on global, national, regional, and local levels is a key element of the company’s corporate ethics and philosophy. Goodrich has also integrated sustainable building practices into the corporation’s daily business operations.

A strong supporter of education, Goodrich has worked with Alfred State for many years to ensure that his employees and Alfred State graduates are leaders in the construction industry. Goodrich has also been involved with Rochester Careers in Construction, a program that connects high school faculty and students with construction industry experts, for more than a decade. He has been a driving force behind continuing education and training being available for the company’s employees, allowing for internal growth and a high retention rate.

At Alfred State, Goodrich’s work has been instrumental in the successful completion of the $4.1 million Construction Workforce Development Center at the School of Applied Technology in Wellsville and in the opening of the $33.5 million Student Leadership Center, where LeChase sponsored one of thirteen leadership suites awarded to community-focused student organizations. LeChase supports several institutional, charitable, and community-based organizations on an annual basis. This practice has been a cultural foundation for many years.

Goodrich was the recipient of a President’s Medallion from Alfred State in 2010; was the keynote speaker for Alfred State’s 99th Commencement ceremony; and was featured in the Transitions, the College’s alumni magazine, in spring 2013. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College and an associate degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Alfred State.

“We are delighted to present Bill Goodrich with this award,” Sullivan said. “The College is proud to call such a civically engaged, innovative leader one of its own.”

2013 President's Medallion

Despite having been born in Louisa, KY, Turner is proud to call Wellsville her home. She and her late husband owned and operated Turner & McNerney Pipe Line Inc. in Wellsville, where she managed finances, human resources, records, and internal controls for the company as assistant vice president and business manager. The couple often discussed the calling they both felt, which was to support other hardworking people in their endeavors.

In 2013, Alfred State honored Turner with the President’s Medallion, which is given to those who have made outstanding contributions to the college. Turner’s contributions have stemmed from three main motivations: her admiration for the culinary students who work in various rotations, her emphasis on the value of education, and her belief in the ability of food to bring people together.

For many years, Evelyn Turner has been a strong supporter and friend of Alfred State, particularly when it comes to the college’s Culinary Arts Department.

Now, thanks to one of her many contributions – a combination of funds and gift-in-kind items – culinary students have an impressive, newly renovated space to sell baked goods from, “The Hank and Evelyn Turner Pastry Emporium,” which the college dedicated in their honor.

Located in the Culinary Arts Building on the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville, the emporium includes a new two-sided bakery case that features refrigeration on one side to keep items cold. Adjacent to the bakery case is a new island cupboard with a granite top. That was constructed by students in the building trades: building construction program.

“The new bakery case has improved the quality of the products the students are making because they want to make the baked goods as delectable and appealing as possible to go in the beautiful case,” she said. “Evelyn made this possible.”

Danielle White, executive director of Institutional Advancement, said, “We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful and caring friend of the college. Evelyn has impacted many students’ lives with the generous scholarship funds she donates every year and the extra funding she has provided over the years to help make our culinary arts programs what they are today. She is so proud of the students, and we are so grateful to her.”

Speaking to the culinary students during the dedication, Turner said, “I’m going to continue to help in every way that I can, and I’m always here for you. I’m proud to be associated with each and every one of you. I’m proud of your accomplishments and the ones you are striving to achieve. Keep up the good work.”

Examples of Turner’s ongoing generosity include the Evelyn Turner Culinary Arts Annual Scholarship, which is in memory of her husband, Henry “Hank” Turner. This provides two culinary arts students and two culinary arts: baking, production and management students in good academic standing with $2,000 each.

Turner also donates $10,000 for the Evelyn Turner Excellence in Culinary Arts Annual Scholarship, which is disbursed evenly among four returning culinary students with financial need who have attained high academic standing.

2019 President's Medallion Recipient- The President’s Medallion was instituted in 2008 and is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to Alfred State. The college recognizes and commemorates the efforts of supporters and advocates dedicated to the mission of Alfred State.

He is a 1966 graduate of Construction Technology, which he says laid the foundation for many of his personal and professional achievements. He served as a faculty member and as dean and helped the construction programs attain TAC/ABETaccreditation. He participated in the development of baccalaureate-level engineering-technology courses, and cultivated relationships with area and regional businesses and various alumni resulting in donations to the engineering technology programs. He served as an evaluation team member for the Accreditation board for Engineering and Technology, and in the Rochester Construction Specifications Institute.

Outside of the classroom, he established a construction company that helped build the village of Alfred; he served as a member of the Education Foundation; the Crandall Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Department; and the Alfred 21st Century group board of directors. Although he officially retired from “work” in 2008, he did not slow down. He is a ten year member of "S.C.O.R.E.”, Senior Core of Retired Executives, a group that works to support and mentor small business success;  he manages 5 rental properties and is developing building lots in Sittee Belize; and loves his 25 year hobby of scuba diving and taking underwater pictures.

Recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award

1987 Doctor of Science

2019 President's Medallion

In 2010 the Pioneer Stadium VIP box for sporting events was named in his honor for his passion and support to Alfred State and our students!

Erland E. "Erkie" Kailbourne, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Fleet National Bank and a business leader known as a model of corporate citizenship. Erkie relates that growing up in a small town is what formed his way of life. “In a small town such as Wellsville, everyone knows everyone. With the limited amount of resources available the whole town worked together to advance the community. There were sound friendships made without hidden agendas. If there was a way that someone could help another person or community group, they would. I carried this experience and philosophy with me throughout my career

Whether he has been leading small-town community organizations or serving on the board of The Business Council and the SUNY Board of Trustees, Erkie has always shown business leaders how success in business can and should go hand in hand with community involvement.

Kailbourne served with the Fleet organization or its predecessors for 37 years before he retired on December 31, 1998.

A native of Wellsville, New York, he earned a degree in business administration from State University College at Alfred in 1961 before joining the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 1962. He served in various capacities with the Comptroller's Office in this country and abroad through 1966.

He joined First Trust Union Bank in Wellsville in 1966 and served in various positions there until he was elected president in 1977. After First Trust Union Bank joined Security New York State Corp. in 1973, he was named a director of Security New York State and later president of Security Trust Company of Rochester in 1981.

Norstar Bancorp acquired Security New York State in 1984, and Kailbourne was named chairman and CEO of Security Norstar and, in 1987, chairman and CEO of Norstar Bank, N.A. when it merged its Buffalo and Rochester banks in 1987. In 1993 he became chairman and CEO of Fleet Bank, a $11.1 billion banking subsidiary of Fleet Financial Group, based in Albany.

Kailbourne has worked for a range of professional and civic organizations. He chaired "Business Backs the Bills," a successful campaign to keep the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League in Buffalo. He has also been a volunteer director for public television stations in Buffalo, Albany, and Rochester. He is vice chairman of the board of trustees of State University of New York, chairman of The John R. Oishei Foundation in Buffalo, and a director of the New York ISO, Albany International, Jaran Aerospace Corporation, and Rand Capital. Kailbourne has served as a National Director of Robert Morris Associates (an organization of commercial loan officers) and as chairman of its Empire Chapter. He is a past director of the New York Business Development Corporation and of The Business Council, and of the chambers of commerce of Buffalo and Rochester. He is also past chairman of the New York Bankers Association.

Recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Almuni Award

Donald F. Arnold, Sr. is Professor Emeritus of Accounting at Union Graduate College and Union College in Schenectady, NY. He holds a Ph.D. from the SUNY Buffalo and degrees from SUNY Albany and SUNY Alfred (’64). He served as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar at the National University of Ireland at Galway and on the editorial board of the Irish Accounting Review. He has co-authored over forty articles in various national and international academic and professional journals, has received the Managerial Auditing Journal’s Outstanding Manuscript of the Year award and has presented his research at various academic conferences in the U.S. and in Europe. He has served in various capacities with the American Accounting Association, including chairperson of its By-Laws Committee and twice as chair of the Executive Committee for the Northeast Region of the association. He was inducted into to the American Accounting Association – Northeast Region's Hall of Fame in its initial membership class. He has been Director of the Graduate Accounting Program at SUNY/Albany where he was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. At Union College he held the position of the Director of the Graduate Management Institute and the Director of the Ph.D. program where he served as chairperson or member of ten student Ph.D. dissertation committees. He was appointed as a Faculty Resident of Arthur Andersen & Co. in their Boston office and has taught professional development courses for KPMG (international accounting firm) and General Electric Company’s Corporate Audit staff.

Don and his wife Betty are also Alfred State Legacy Society Members- the "ultimate" gift to Alfred State and our Students

2009 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

Thomas Golisano, Alfred State class of 1962, received the 2009 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree and was able to address over 900 graduates along with their family and friends during the 2009 ceremony. The self-made billionaire, is widely known for his business acumen, his philanthropy, and his interest in government, particularly that of New York State.

Golisano founded Paychex in 1971 with $3,000 and an idea about how to make payroll outsourcing easy and affordable for small businesses; he is chairman of the Board of the Company. Until October 2004, he served as president and chief executive officer.  Paychex began with one employee and 40 clients. Today, Paychex serves more than 500,000 clients from over 100 locations across the United States and employs more than 12,000 people.

Paychex and Golisano have received numerous national honors over the years. In 2009, the company was recognized for a sixth year by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America.   Paychex has also been recognized by Training magazine as one of the top 100 training organizations in the country, FORTUNE has named Paychex one of the most admired companies in the country, and Forbes honored Paychex as one of the best-managed companies in
America.

The Irondequoit native is a member of the board of directors of several private companies, and he serves on the board of trustees of the Rochester Institute of Technology. He was once owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team. Golisano has served as a member of the board of directors of numerous non-profit organizations, and founded the B.
Thomas Golisano Foundation in 1986 to provide grants to organizations serving persons with disabilities. Golisano has also made major donations to leading healthcare and educational centers. Golisano has also been a major underwriter of former President William Clinton's Global Initiative.

TheAlfred State College alumnus has served on the college's Development Fund Board as an honorary member and
was a sponsor of the ASC Entrepreneurship Program, established in 1998.

Golisano is a founder of the Independence Party of New York State and has run for governor of New York as that party's candidate three times. In 2008, Golisano formed a PAC called Responsible New York, to support candidates for the New York state legislature.
The goal of Responsible New York is to guide true political reform in the state and to return government to the people.

Recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award

Both graduated in 1982, Deborah took a job in Boston as a registered nurse. Timothy followed and secured a position as an electronic technician at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory. Both, went on to earn bachelor’s degrees, Deborah (nursing) from Emmanuel College in 1987, and Timothy (mechanical engineering) from Northeastern University in 1988. Deborah continued to work as an RN until her daughter was born in 1991, then stayed home for 10 years to be with the couple’s two young children. In 2001, she began taking graduate classes and received her master’s in nursing from Regis College in 2006. After graduating and passing her board exams, she worked for Charles River Medical Associates as a nurse practitioner until she became employed at Regis College in 2012. Timothy, after leaving Lincoln Laboratory, worked in engineering positions at a few medical device companies, including Bard Cardiology, Boston Scientific, and NinePoint Medical. It was through working part time at a company called Solutions for Accessibility, however, that he was able to discover his true passion: designing and fabricating adaptive equipment for people with various disabilities.

Timothy founded Adaptive Solutions and Design in 2005. That same year, he began his tenure at Perkins School for the Blind, repairing toys, switches, and designing and fabricating equipment, working primarily with wood, plastic, and some metal. “Through my business and at Perkins, I’ve worked on making wheelchairs more comfortable, and created toys and games for children with hearing and visual impairments, including a Sudoku board for visually impaired children. In addition, I design and fabricate adaptations for seating and mobility,” he said. “When a student is more comfortable, they can better attend to the world around them. That’s what I love doing the most.”

Deborah credits her professors at Alfred State with being one of the reasons she decided to pursue education as a career. “Most of them were working professionals,” she said. “That gave me a long-lasting model for how I wanted to be as an educator because I still work as a nurse practitioner. I find that the best way to be a professor is to continue to work in the field. I always knew I wanted to teach, but I wanted to get a lot of clinical experience first.”

Alfred State is the place where they met, the place where they fell in love, and the place that helped set them on a path to bright futures. Though they now reside more than 400 miles away from Alfred, the Moores have still maintained close ties to Alfred State and have generously supported their alma mater over the years. “It really did provide a solid base for both of our futures.”

In 2014, The Deborah and Timothy Moore Endowed Scholarship was established and presented to New York State residents who are 20 years or older, enrolled in the nursing program, and are in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

2021 Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters

Alan grew up in western New York in a small town in the heart of the Finger Lakes called Gorham. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the 1976 Section V, Class A, Championship basketball team at Marcus Whitman High School, where he was also named the 1977 Athlete of the Year. He has been an avid player his entire life and participates in the Howard County Basketball league, where he was awarded the Good Sport Award in 2014. 

After graduating from Marcus Whitman, he enrolled in Alfred State’s computer information systems program.

Looking back on his time at Alfred State, Alan noted that the college has impacted his life in many ways.

“It isn’t just the curriculum that has helped,” he said. “All of the non-curricular courses have made a real difference, as well. The economics, accounting, calculus, and especially the public speaking courses really prepared me for life, something I never realized or appreciated as a student. Alfred State gave me the opportunity to enter the world that lay ahead with the right groundwork, tools, and confidence.”

Alan graduated in 1979 and moved to Richmond, VA to begin a career in construction. He started as a laborer on a jackhammer crew, then quickly became a carpenter and then a carpenter foreman.

After he began working in the commercial construction field, Alan became a superintendent by the age of 27.

“My first opportunity as a superintendent was completing a hotel in downtown Washington, DC,” he said. “The field team was let go, and I was challenged with completing the project that was 11 weeks behind schedule, with 16 weeks to complete. We finished three days ahead of schedule.”

Alan credits his background in computer programming with helping him to manage projects.

“Using what I had learned in programming allowed me to have the thought process for scheduling one activity at a time in the correct sequence,” he said. “The other abilities that I further utilized were physics and math. I could ace the calculus test but not the physics. I taught myself to manage in physics by visualizing the situation in my mind, similar to the labs. I developed the same thought process in construction. I can memorize the documents, correct the dimensions, and see the details in 3-D. I have the projects completely scheduled and built in my mind prior to starting.”

As fate would have it, while launching his career in construction, Alan met his wife, Mary Ellen, at a wedding for a mutual Alfred State Pioneer and the two of them hit it off. Mary Ellen, a 1980 Alfred State grad, had decided to move to Richmond with her son, Sean, in 1984. Alan and Mary Ellen married in 1987 and later welcomed a daughter, Ashley, into the world.

“Alfred changed my life by creating a path that ultimately led to my success,” Alan said. “In a broader sense, meeting my roommate and moving to Richmond where I began my career would not have happened had I not gone to Alfred. I would not have met my future wife of more than 30 years had I not gone to Alfred. Call it destiny or luck. I call it Alfred.”

In 1991, Alan began working at Armada Hoffler, a vertically integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust that has four decades of experience developing, building, acquiring, and managing high-quality office, retail, and multifamily properties located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.

At Armada Hoffler, Alan advanced from superintendent, to site manager, to partner and executive vice president of construction. Throughout his distinguished career at the company, Alan has been involved in some amazing projects, including overseeing the building of Harbor East, an upscale, multiple city block development on the waterfront in Baltimore. The construction value of the project was over $1.5 billion.

Alan has worked on projects from New Jersey to Georgia, including many high-profile jobs, such as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC; Brasstown Valley Resort in the North Georgia mountains; the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore; and the Emory Conference Center and Hotel in Atlanta, GA.

Another signature project for Alan and the company was constructing the Legg Mason Headquarters and Four Seasons Hotel at the Baltimore Inner Harbor. This two-year, $350 million project included building five levels of below grade parking 20 feet from the harbor, and 28 floors above street level. The company completed the 500,000-square-foot project in 10 months, an effort Alan called “the challenge of a lifetime.”

Alan is thankful for all that Alfred State has brought him over the years, from a terrific education, to a rewarding career, to a connection that resulted in a long, loving marriage. As a way to give back to the college, Alan and Mary Ellen decided to start an endowment fund to help building trades, automotive trades, and heavy equipment students at the Wellsville campus further their education.

“Our goal is to have a substantial fund that will help support the needs of the students for future generations. Both our son, Sean, and our nephew, Matt, have graduated from programs on the Wellsville campus and have very promising careers in the construction industry,” said Alan, whose brother, Jeff, is also an Alfred State grad.

Supporting the college that changed their lives and also being a life changer for current and future Pioneers is important to Alan and Mary Ellen.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to further their education,” Alan said. “As you prepare for life after high school, Alfred State gives a solid platform to start that process, whether you elect to study at the main campus or the Wellsville campus for skilled trades. Alfred State provides the cornerstone for self-advancement. If Mary Ellen and I can financially help a student that may need support with college costs, we want to offer that assistance.”

Alan believes that the economic gap in today’s society can be softened by furthering a student’s education.

“The shortage of a skilled workforce in construction over the years has provided a solid opportunity for graduates to enter the workforce,” he said. “I have seen that some of the best construction superintendents started in the skilled trades as a carpenter. Today’s salaries for those positions can reach or exceed $150,000 depending upon the area.”

Alfred State can certainly provide a strong foundation for an alum’s future, but what also matters is how you build on that foundation. Looking at his life, career, and the impact he is making on Alfred State students, it’s easy to see that Alan Hunt has built something very special.

Because of Alan’s love and support of education, Alfred State College and its students, and the impact he has made in his field, we feel that Alan is a prime example of someone worthy of the honorary degree, Doctorate of Humane Letters. He demonstrates the work ethic and civic responsibility that we teach our students and is truly making a difference in society every day.