notes
To ensure you continue to hear from us, we need your e-mail address! Visit us at
Taking the
Darlene (Dixon) Kerr ’73 was featured in the spring 2010 issue of Central New York Business Exchange, which called her a “powerhouse” and “a force to be reckoned with.” Darlene recently retired as president of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as a board member of the newly established organization created from the merger of the Chamber and the Metropolitan
leap
a nd
class
e n! e r g g goin
www.potsdam.edu/alumni and click on “Information Update Form”
Development Association. Previously, Kerr had retired as president and chief operating officer of Niagara Mohawk after a 30-year career with the corporation. Kerr endowed a scholarship at SUNY Potsdam to benefit women pursuing
a career in math, the sciences or computer science. Among her many honors during her career was being named on the National Women’s Hall of Fame’s Wall of Fame.
Dr. Gail Witz Paludi ’73 has accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools for School of Administration Unit #88, Lebanon, NH. She was unanimously elected by the Lebanon School Board and began her position on July 1, 2010. One of her first responsibilities was overseeing the construction of a $24.9 million new middle school.
Kassoff
Brian Normile ’74 recently retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH after 34 years of federal service. He was chief of labor and employee management relations in the civilian personnel office. Normile resides in Beavercreek, OH with his wife, Mary.
Jim Moragne ’73 showed Potsdam’s colors in full view in front of the Nation’s Capitol at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on Oct. 25, 2009. “This was my first marathon, and I received lots of ‘way to go, Potsdam’ calls from the spectators (and one ‘way to go, North Country’) along the way.”
Russ Kassoff ’74 was the pianist/conductor in the Twlya Tharpe Broadway production of “Come Fly With Me,” a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Russ toured as pianist to Frank Sinatra from 1980-1991 including The Ultimate Event Tour 1988-1989 featuring Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Dean Martin, and Liza Minnelli. Kassoff is currently the music director to Rita Moreno, was Minnelli’s pianist from 1982-2001 and conductor/pianist for Charles Aznavour on Broadway in 1998. He is pictured with President John F. Schwaller and Broadway actress Lisa Vroman ’79. Helen Sanzone DeMong’s ’75 son, Bill DeMong, won a gold medal Apr. 15, 2010 at the Vancouver Olympics in the Nordic combined large hill event. DeMong is currently choral director at Saranac Lake High School. Col. Thomas H. Palmatier ’75 has been invited to join the American Bandmasters Association. Founded in 1929, the ABA recognizes outstanding achievement on the part of concert band conductors and composers in the US and Canada.
w w w. p o t s d a m . e d u /p e o p l e
19