Community Roots: The SUNY Adirondack Magazine, Issue 20

COMMUNITY ROOTS

THE SUNY ADIRONDACK MAGAZINE I S S U E 2 0 | S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 | NEW BEGINNINGS

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INSIDE...

In this issue, we celebrate the college’s 64th commencement, the culmination of another incredible academic year and the achievements of our students, faculty and staff.

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Commencement

Chancellor’s Awards

Faculty and staff updates

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Athletics

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Alumni profiles

Student profiles

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Campus events

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INTRODUCTION At SUNY Adirondack, our students are deeply determinated and resilient, and enjoy the support of a community that believes in their potential. Many balance coursework with jobs, family responsibilities and financial challenges, yet they continue to persevere in pursuit of their educational and career goals. Through the SUNY Adirondack Fund, that support helps students rise — overcoming barriers, pursuing opportunities, and building brighter futures for themselves and their families.

The SUNY Adirondack Fund strengthens student success by providing scholarship assistance, enhancing teaching and learning environments, and funding critical college priorities that shape the student experience.

Through academic programs, student resources, emergency support and campus initiatives, every contribution helps create opportunities that make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Gifts to the fund also help ensure that SUNY Adirondack remains accessible, affordable and responsive to the changing needs of the region it serves.

Your generosity helps students stay on course when unexpected challenges arise. It can provide emergency relief for transportation, textbooks, technology, child care, or other essential needs

that might otherwise stand in the way of completing a degree or certificate.

Support from donors also allows the college to invest in innovative learning experiences, modern equipment, and programs that prepare students to succeed in today’s workforce and contribute to their communities. For many students, this support can mean the difference between stopping out and staying enrolled to complete their education.

Each year, from July 1 through June 30, SUNY Adirondack Foundation conducts its annual giving campaign in support of the SUNY Adirondack Fund. Contributions are tax-deductible and, unless otherwise designated, directed to the areas of greatest need — allowing the college to respond quickly and effectively where support matters most. This flexibility ensures that resources are available to address emerging priorities and have an immediate impact on students and programs across campus.

Together, we are rooted in a shared commitment to education and rising to meet the evolving needs of our students, campus and community.

With the continued generosity of alumni, employees, retirees, friends and community partners, the SUNY Adirondack Fund will continue to open doors, remove obstacles and empower students to achieve their goals for years to come.

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CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence for faculty and staff are system-level honors that acknowledge consistently superior professional achievement and encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

Professor of English Naftali Rottenstreich was awarded for Excellence in Teaching; Michael Sauro, an adjunct instructor in the Social Science division, for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching; and Patti Jo Tennyson, administrative assistant for Administrative Services, for Excellence in Classified Service.

Rottenstreich Rottenstreich is chair of the English division at SUNY Adirondack. With the exception of his stint as co-owner of Red Fox Books, his career has been devoted to teaching. He maintains a tireless commitment to balancing rigor and compassion, analysis and imagination.

A Brooklyn native, he holds a master’s degree from George Mason University and a Ph.D. from the CUNY Graduate Center. When he is not in a classroom, Rottenstreich can be found walking, reading and taking quirky photos.

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Sauro is a longtime adjunct instructor, serving SUNY Adirondack since 1992. By recognizing diverse learning needs and the complexities of students’ lives, Sauro fosters an environment that creates equitable and supportive learning experiences. He uses varied teaching methods to recognize students’ strengths, support their challenges and help them achieve their academic goals.

Tennyson is co-chair of the Support Staff Work Group, and serves as a member of the Social Planning group and other committees. Outside work, she is involved in community service, contributing to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, including co-chairing the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk at SUNY Adirondack and International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. She is a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church planning team for the Women’s Retreat at Wiawaka and serves as chair for her high school class reunions.

He holds a master’s degree and certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Northeastern University.

He has been a Big Brother for twenty years for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.

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December 2025 graduates Lucas Van Dyke and Audrina Hill were awarded for Student Excellence.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence acknowledges students for outstanding achievements that demonstrate integration of SUNY excellence into many different aspects of their lives, including academics; leadership; diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; campus involvement; civics and service; research and development; or creative and performing arts.

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Hill, a Queensbury native, earned an associate degree in Psychology from SUNY Adirondack, then enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh Queensbury.

She will pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Cornell University in the fall.

At SUNY Adirondack, Hill was an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) student and was active in the Sustainability Club.

Van Dyke is from Franklin (Delaware County), where he graduated in a class of 15 students. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice: Police Science from SUNY Adirondack, then transferred to a bachelor’s degree program at SUNY Potsdam, where he is a dispatcher in the campus police department and will be a resident assistant (RA) in the fall.

While at SUNY Adirondack, Van Dyke was an RA; president of Pride Club; student senator-at-large; a mental health advocate; served on the Diversity Committee, Residence Hall Association and Safety Advisory Group; a member of Active Minds; an English tutor for Upward Bound; and a TRIO SSS student.

He also worked in Student Life and had an internship with Saratoga Springs Police Department.

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GRANTS UPDATE At SUNY Adirondack, we are dedicated to offering programming that impacts students’ lives and our region’s workforce.

To support our efforts, we rely in part on grant funding. Since Oct. 1, 2025, we are grateful to have received the following: EQUITY FUND SUNY Office for Higher Education in the Prison Round 2 Grant: This $25,000 grant will help SUNY Adirondack redevelop math and English preparatory courses to help incarcerated students test out of remedial coursework and advance more efficiently into credit-bearing programs.

The college offers Second Chance, a program at Washington Correctional Facility in which incarcerated individuals take business courses.

SUNY GATEWAY COURSE SUCCESS Professional Learning Community: $15,000 to support campuses to improve student success in gateway courses. SUNY Adirondack received $15,000 to support math faculty in managing a curriculum redesign.

SUNY EOP HIGH IMPACT PRACTICE (HIP) SCALE-UP INITIATIVE This two-year $51,322 grant used a cohort approach, enrolling Fall 2025 EOP students into a summer service learning internship course. Funding supports student participation.

TITLE II EIT ACCESSIBILITY GRANTS The college received $10,000 in funding to help meet a Title II compliance deadline regarding the technical standards for web content and mobile applications.

The grant supported faculty participation in Title II Standards Workshop, review of online materials, implementation of modifications, and supported development of best practices guides.

SUNY ACADEMIC MOMENTUM FUNDING To support Academic Momentum Plan implementation, the college was awarded $20,000 to build internal institutional research (IR) capacity. The college’s IR consultant will train the director of Grants on data collection and analysis. A portion of the director of Grants salary will be offset by the effort dedicated to IR training.

WARREN COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION Community Conservation Grant Program: SUNY Adirondack was awarded $1,000 to support conservation-focused initiatives and will purchase and plant native plants in its new Outdoor Classroom.

ADIRONDACK NORTH COUNTRY ASSOCIATION (ANCA) Agricultural Producers Grant: The college was awarded $10,000 to support expansion of agricultural production at the college farm through procurement and installation of an additional high tunnel.

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COMMENCEMENT

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SUNY Adirondack is proud to announce its 64th graduating class of more than 450 students, marked with a commencement ceremony May 9 at Harding Mazzotti Arena in downtown Glens Falls.

Nearly 260 students from the Class of 2026 participated in the ceremony, completing studies in the college’s nearly 40 degree and certificate programs, as well as Pathways to Technology (PTECH) and Early College Career Academy (ECCA) high school programs.

“Commencement is the culmination of all our work at SUNY Adirondack. We come together on this special occasion to celebrate academic achievement, determination and resilience,” said SUNY Adirondack President Anastasia L. Urtz, J.D.

“Each graduate’s unique story contributes to the legacy of learning that has made SUNY

Adirondack a launch pad for success over its 65-year history.

We are proud of our graduates and look forward to the great futures they will build for themselves, their families and our community.”

Professors emeritae Nancy White, distinguished professor of English, and Holly Ahern, associate professor of Biology, served as marshals. The processional and recessional were led

by Galloway Gaelic Pipes & Drums. The SUNY Adirondack Chorale performed the National Anthem and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Urtz and Amie Gonzales, chair of SUNY Adirondack’s Board of Trustees, offered opening remarks and a welcome.

Warren County Supervisor Mike Wild announced this year’s county award winner as Krystal Allen; Washington County Supervisor Scott Hahn announced Walter Miller as recipient from that county.

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Student speakers included Lucas Van Dyke, a December graduate of SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Chancellor’s Award winner. Van Dyke, of Franklin (Delaware County), earned a Criminal Justice: Police Science degree from SUNY Adirondack, then transferred to SUNY Potsdam, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

At SUNY Adirondack, Van Dyke was a resident assistant, president of Pride Club, a student senator-at-large, a mental health advocate, an English tutor for Upward Bound, a member of Active Minds, and served on the Diversity Committee, Residence Hall Association and Safety Advisory Group.

Thirty-seven graduates of SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury also participated in the ceremony, including student speaker Izabella Sawyer — a 2024 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Individual Studies — who earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

The Buskirk mother of two wants to work in a special victims unit at the federal level.

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FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES

SUNY Adirondack’s faculty and staff are passionate about their work and exemplify their dedication to the tenets of the college’s mission — on and off campus. In this edition of Community Roots, we celebrate:

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SUNY Adirondack Foundation’s mission hasn’t changed, but the faces you see when you visit the office have.

Laura Lincoln was named chief advancement officer and executive director of SUNY Adirondack Foundation in January. Lincoln has more than 25 years of experience in alumni engagement, university advancement and student affairs.

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operations, led communications and publications, supported fundraising strategy, and managed board relations and volunteer leadership.

Lincoln earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in higher education from Syracuse University.

“Laura brings a deep understanding of relationship-building, strategic fundraising and the critical role advancement plays in expanding access and opportunity for our students,” said SUNY Adirondack President Anastasia L. Urtz, J.D.

“SUNY Adirondack has a powerful story rooted in access, affordability and community,” Lincoln said. “I look forward to working alongside the Foundation board, alumni and partners to build meaningful connections that expand opportunity for our students and advance the college’s mission.”

Lincoln worked most recently at SUNY Oneonta, where she directed alumni engagement and alumni association

Also new to the Foundation is Megan Mercier, who was named director of Development in March. Mercier was

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previously assistant director of SUNY Adirondack Saratoga. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Skidmore College.

Sarah LeRoux, the college’s former events coordinator, was named assistant director of College Advancement in February. LeRoux has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University.

Wanda Adamson, Class of 2007, a longtime college services associate, rounds out the new team, bringing nearly two decades of experience in SUNY Adirondack’s offices of College Access, Athletics, Technology, Engineering and Computer Science (TECS) and Mathematics.

SUNY Adirondack Foundation’s offices are located in Bryan Hall, Suite 137.

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Council of Mental Hygiene Directors.

SUNY Adirondack was selected as a campus partner by the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (CLMHD) and the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) to participate in Year 2 of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Higher Education/Harm Reduction Pilot.

Holly Ahern, Kathleen McCoy, Ph.D., and Nancy White were honored with faculty emeritus status this spring.

Chandler Atkins, Ph.D., distinguished professor of Business; Sarah LeRoux, assistant director of College Advancement; and Kelly Hammond, College Services associate, were awarded President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Administrative Service and Classified Service, respectively. Laura Baker, Class of 1991, messenger, earned the Community Spirit at the annual Employee Recognition Event.

Beth Braxton, professor of Counseling and chair of the Counseling division, was elected for a second term on Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education. Braxton is a licensed mental health counselor with more than 20 years of experience in clinical and educational settings. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Richmond, as well as master’s degrees in school counseling and mental health counseling from James Madison University.

Braxton and Holly Irion, associate professor of Counseling, in March presented to Saratoga County Community Services Board about campus mental health initiatives as a part of the college’s grant partnership with the NYS

The pilot’s goal is to build a team of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors to help break down stigma, support mental health, and equip students, faculty and staff with the tools to assist someone who may be struggling. Developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, MHFA provides practical ways to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Plus, through a partnership with NYS OASAS, the program includes harm reduction training and resources to further support student well-being.

More than 40 individuals have been trained in MHFA, including students, resident assistants, staff and public safety officers. Also in March, 75 students participated in a Harm Reduction event with Residence Life that focused on healthy choices and ways to reduce risk when using substances.

Braxton, Irion and Tobey Gifford, director of Health & Wellness, accompanied students Joyce Camarena and Lilyanna Machado in March at the SUNY Capital Region Mental Health Roundtable on Student Mental Health. Braxton was a panelist at the event, which included students, faculty and staff from SUNY institutions throughout the Capital Region.

Jeff Clark, associate professor of Mechatronics; Lale Davidson, Ph.D., distinguished professor of English; Dan Dennett, associate professor of Physical Education; Yvonne Goodwin, Class of 1979, coordinator of Community Out-

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reach; Cheryl Grzyb, cleaner; and Nancy Palangi, Class of 1982, bursar, announced their retirements this spring.

Stephanie Drotos, professor of English and campus reading specialist, recently completed a video project for Pakistan as part of her work with the U.S. Department of State’s transformative English Language Specialist Program.

The program, which empowers TESOL experts to drive impactful change in English education worldwide, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange, works on just 240 projects every year.

In 2025, Drotos was recognized with the prestigious English Language Specialist Impact Award from the U.S. Department of State for her work leading a curriculum design and materials development project.

The English Language Specialist Program is the premier opportunity for leaders in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way English is taught abroad.

Jeremy Duers, Class of 2006 and former coordinator of Veterans Peer to Peer, was named director of SUNY Adirondack Saratoga. Duers is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, who earned an associate degree in history from SUNY Adirondack, a bachelor’s in history and government from Skidmore College and a master’s degree in history and teaching from Union College.

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10 Peter Fernbach, associate professor of English; Kim London, assistant professor of Business; Ann Miele, professor of Human Anatomy and Physiology; Evan Sullivan, SUNY Adirondack Class of 2010 and assistant professor of European History; and Adriana Umaña, assistant professor of World Studies, earned certification as OSCQR Online Course Reviewers as part of the second cohort of the TLC Faculty Fellowship program.

The TLC Faculty Fellowship is an immersive faculty professional development program designed to improve student outcomes, encourage cross-disciplinary faculty collaboration, and provide faculty with an opportunity to engage deeply in innovative, evidence-based teaching and learning best practices.

Chelsea Foster, former director of TRIO Services, was named director of Student Affairs and Early College Academy.

Foster earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUNY Stony Brook and a master’s degree in student affairs counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Emily Goodspeed, Class of 2004, associate professor of Library Science, Digital Services librarian and chair of the Library, in December was appointed to a three-year term as a member of the Board of Trustees for Johnsburg Library. As a member of the board, she will help guide the library’s policies and procedures, including implementing changes to comply with ADA Title II mandates; approve payments; advise the library on its website; and review the library director.

Lisa Grant, an adjunct instructor of English, was named Prison Education coordinator for SUNY Adirondack’s Second Chance program at Washington Correctional Facility. Grant earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from University at Albany.

The artwork of John Hampshire, professor of Fine Arts, was included in the NYFA 2026 Hall of Fame Benefit Auction, which was held at the group’s annual gala at Capitale in New York City. Hampshire has participated for the past several years, alongside other NYFA fellows.

Val Haskins, professor of Anthropology and Archaeology, was consulted twice in November for help in identifying remains. As a consultant for New York State Police, the 28-year professor is called when skeletal remains are discovered, then determines if they are human.

“Fortunately for the police, most of the time the bones and teeth are from large mammals, such as pigs or deer,” she said. Haskins’ master’s work focused on human and animal remains from 16 caves in Kentucky. Her dissertation was on 5,000-year-old skeletons excavated in the 1930s during the Works Progress Administration era.

Rebecca Howe was named assistant director of Financial Aid. She earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta.

Wendy Johnston, Class of 2005 and professor of Political Science, served as a reviewer for ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge plans. ALL IN is “a national awards program that encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, make democratic participation a core value on their campus, and cultivate generations of engaged citizens who are essential to a healthy democracy,” its website reads.

SUNY Adirondack is an ALL IN campus, and was recognized as a 2024 Most Engaged Campus for Student Voting and earned an ALL IN bronze seal for the 2022 midterm elections.

In March, Hampshire lectured about his work to a Studio Seminar course at Russell Sage College. He critiqued student works and answered questions for students, some of whom were SUNY Adirondack alumni.

In late May, Hampshire and other Cornerstone Studio artists welcomed students from PS 187 to their studios in Washington Heights. In early June, the artists offered an open house to the public.

Khristeena Lute, Ph.D., associate professor of English and director of the Center for Reading and Writing, in June celebrated the release of her latest novel, “Whippoorwill Sing,” a story about the interconnected women of the Whitaker family and the ghosts of a cursed family tree.

Brittany Nikas, Class of 2013 and assistant professor of Nursing, was awarded the NNYPNO Helen Vartigian Mentoring Award by the Northeast New York Professional Nurses Organization (NNYPNO). This honor recognizes a nurse who has demonstrated excellence in mentoring other nursing professionals.

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For a decade, Goodwin worked at Glens Falls Hospital in various positions, including as a benefits administrator in human resources.

“When my daughter was born, I just couldn’t leave her,” Goodwin said of her decision to be a stay-at-home mom to her daughter and son.

“Once they started school, I said, ‘I have to get myself out there.’”

Bryan had started working at the college as a network manager and told her about an open part-time administrative assistant position.

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While working on a degree in medical secretarial science, Goodwin met the man she would marry, Bryan, who was taking classes while preparing for Cornell University.

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Goodwin grew up in Moriah (Essex County) and considered attending a college close to home. Four friends, though, rented an apartment near the SUNY Adirondack (then ACC) campus in Queensbury, so she enrolled in classes, too. “I’ve been here since,” the 1979 graduate laughed.

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“It worked well with my family life,” Goodwin remembered of her early days on the job.

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worked 10 hours a week in a building in downtown Glens Falls. As she retires more than 32 years later, she leaves “her baby” — a packed Continuing Education schedule that boasts more than 160 classes a semester across multiple locations.

That allowed her the flexibility she needed. As the kids got older, she said, her role evolved.

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When Yvonne Goodwin started at Adirondack Community College, she

“Yvonne has built such an incredibly strong and popular community outreach program,” said Susan Wynkoop, director of Continuing Education and Workforce Innovation.

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For the past several years, Goodwin has been instrumental to an expansion of personal enrichment course offerings in SUNY Adirondack’s Continuing Education office.

(A program that once offered 10 to 15 classes a semester now boasts more than 160 in locations throughout the region.)

“It’s important to have that connection on a personal level,” she said.

“That enrichment, people need that in their lives, you need that balance.”

Goodwin was also a driving force in development of the annual Let’s Go STEM event, a partnership with AAUW in which middle school girls are introduced to STEM careers; the Dr. Norman A. Enhorning Lecture & Lunch Series, held during fall and spring semesters; and the long-running Summer Enrichment program that offered programming for area youth.

Despite her love for her work, Goodwin is ready to step back.

Bryan is retired and the couple’s second granddaughter is expected to be born in early July, so Goodwin is confident that between family and her many hobbies — gardening, cooking, hiking, reading, camping, fishing and traveling — she will stay busy.

“We are an educational institution, and we should be educating people on things, even if it’s how to paint or take care of finances, or to get fit — there are so many aspects to education.”

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STUDENT PROFILES When Joyce Camarena visited her beloved grandfather in a nursing home, she found purpose.

“I saw how much was missing — especially music and mental health support for seniors, and I knew I wanted to be that change,” said Joyce, who earned a Psychology degree from SUNY Adirondack in May.

She’s blending that passion into her studies, which include growing as a vocalist and performer.

Before graduating, Joyce was involved in more than just Residential Life. In Spring 2026, she was a student trustee on the college’s Board of Trustees. She also served as a senator-at-large on Student Senate, is an office assistant in Student Life and founded LASO (Latin American Student Organization), which celebrates, represents and uplifts the growing Latinx and multicultural community at SUNY Adirondack.

When the Washington Heights native enrolled at SUNY Adirondack, she was looking for a change of scenery.

“I’ve always wanted to help people,” she said. “Being able to represent the student voice is the biggest honor.”

“I connected Adirondack to mountains and nature,” she said. “I just thought it would be something different from city living.”

Especially since the community here means so much to her.

Joyce plans to become a music therapist, inspired by her grandfather, who taught her to love music.

“We used to go to church together, and he’d play piano,” she said.

“Then we’d come home and he’d teach me what he played.”

“I feel like I’ve become a well-rounded person.

I’m more aware, more confident and I know I’m becoming who I’m meant to be.”

assistant in the on-campus Residence Hall. “I told myself, ‘If I get this role, I’m going to give it everything I have,’” she said.

“Getting accepted boosted my confidence and helped me find my voice.”

But her journey wasn’t easy. “My first semester, I was really closed off,” she admitted. “I didn’t think I was going to come back. I missed home, and I felt disconnected.”

Everything changed when she applied to be a resident

“I love my friends here. I found my people,” she said. “If you put yourself out there — go to events, talk to people — it makes all the difference.”

“It’s OK to feel lonely at first,” she said. “But take a look around.

There’s so much here. You just have to step out and find it.”

FUN FACT: Joyce, who will stay on the SUNY Adirondack campus to earn a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury, is the second recipient of the Cathy Wright Williams Spirit fund, a memorial scholarship. Donate at www.sunyacc.edu/give

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Xavier Baker was awarded the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. on March 10. The award recognizes outstanding Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students for their academic merit and perseverance.

“I wasn’t even sure what EOP was when my guidance counselor suggested I apply. I just decided to give it a chance — and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Xavier said.

The Albany native is an Outdoor Education major. “I got into snowboarding around my senior year of high school, and I fell in love with it,” he said. “That’s what pushed me toward this path. I want to use recreation to help people — especially kids and individuals recovering from injuries — through therapeutic activities.”

Coming to SUNY Adirondack from Albany felt right to Xavier.

“I liked how different it felt,” he said. “It’s smaller, but in a good way. You walk outside and you see familiar faces everywhere. Over time, you build real relationships — with professors, with classmates, with everyone. It’s a tight-knit community, and that makes a big difference.”

The EOP office and team have been particularly welcoming.

“EOP has been like a home away from home for me. There’s always someone there — whether I’m having a great day or going through something tough. They never turn me away or tell me to come back later. They really want to see me succeed and put me in the best situation possible.”

Xavier graduated in May, and plans to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, likely at SUNY Cortland, to study therapeutic recreation or sports management.

“Looking back, I’m really glad I took that chance on EOP. This place, these people — they’ve made a big impact on me.”

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ALUMNI PROFILES LYDIA THRALL Hometown: Wilton, New York 2024 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Culinary Arts Currently: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree as a double major in management and Spanish at Siena University; expediter at The Merc and line cook at Familiar Creature

A high school job gave Lydia Thrall a taste of restaurant life and for the Wilton native, there’s no going back.

Thrall mentioned to her music teacher that she wanted to work.

Her teacher performed at Mouzon House and suggested Thrall see if they needed someone.

“They asked, ‘Do you want to work in the kitchen?’” Thrall remembered.

“I always had a draw to food, my family always grew a lot of vegetables, and I had an interest in making cookies and stuff like that.”

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“I ended up taking baking classes; butchering, which was amazing, and I didn’t even know I was interested; a wine and spirits class; and a dining room class, where I learned how to serve, which I never would have done.”

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Not sure what to expect, Thrall was pleasantly surprised. “I thought the classes would all be kind of similar and that was not the case,” she said.

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“I don’t want to have too much student debt, which was a big part of choosing Adirondack, but my time at SUNY Adirondack was really fulfilling.”

After Thrall graduated from high school, she decided to attend SUNY Adirondack. “My grandma lives in Queensbury, so I would get to spend more time with her,” she said. “The college had the Culinary program and I decided to give it a try.”

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Working in Seasoned, SUNY Adirondack’s student-run restaurant, helped Thrall build confidence. “That

gave me time to practice my skills and be more comfortable,” she said.

The college offers more than one degree in culinary fields, and Thrall chose Culinary Arts, an Associate of Applied Science degree. “I wanted a taste of other educational sides of things, so I took some gen ed classes, since I knew I wanted to go on to a bachelor’s degree.”

Thrall was honored with the inaugural Josh Cellars Culinary Award, a scholarship in recognition of vintner Joseph Carr, with whom the college has a close relationship, awarded to a student who demonstrates culinary excellence.

“He’s successful in the restaurant industry and food and wine business, so to have that scholarship come from that place of success feels more valuable and special to me,” Thrall said of being chosen as recipient.

Now, she’s studying management and Spanish at Siena University. She also works two jobs — one as an expediter at The Merc, and one as line cook at Familiar Creature. “I’ll probably become a chef at some point, or GM of a restaurant; I also have an interest in working with a food distribution company like Baldor and focusing on locally sourced products,” she explained.

Despite a packed schedule, Thrall still finds time for her hobbies, including yoga, strength training, cycling and playing violin. “Playing old-time fiddle music is a really good thing for me to decompress and stay in touch with my habits and interests,” she said.

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“I’m grateful to the O U D A L U M people who fought for this campus and started the college.

It is remarkable what has transpired since, how the college has developed.”

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And even nearly 60 years after her time at SUNY Adirondack, Genier still appreciates the safety net the college provided her. “I needed a change,” she said, remembering how uncomfortable she was so far from home.

“If I were graduating today, I would come here before I’d go to a four-year school. It offers big financial savings, and this grounds you.”

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Under her watch — despite a few harrowing experiences and rescues — there were no on-the-job fatalities. “We had a good safety program,” she said.

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Genier graduated in 1969 and started work at Glens Falls Hospital, married in 1970, then was part of opening a new family practice, which later became a surgical office. She worked there for nearly a decade, having her daughter, Jennifer, and getting a divorce in the meantime.

1982 graduate of Russell Sage College with a bachelor’s degree in health education

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That fall, she entered the Nursing program and was a member of Tyche, a service organization, and Alpha Nu Omega, a social organization for Nursing students. “I’m still in touch with some of them,” she said of the friends she made.

Currently: Retired after a career supervising the medical department at IP

1969 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Nursing

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She returned home and enrolled at what was then Adirondack Community College (ACC) in the spring of 1967. “I started on the Hudson Falls campus, with satellite classrooms all over the place,” she said.

She graduated cum laude and soon after was hired on at International Paper to help develop its medical department at the Corinth facility.

She worked for years at the company, ensuring employees were educated about substance abuse, health risks and how to avoid them, and tending to injuries, managing recovery and identifying non-occupational illnesses.

Hometown: Glens Falls, New York

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The Glens Falls native first attended Kingston School of Nursing, taking courses at New Paltz College, but in the fall of 1966, the campus there was representative of the political unrest of the times. “It was very radical, protesting race and civil rights,” she said.

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member of the first class to graduate from the Queensbury campus, Genier has vivid memories of attending a psychology course in a building on John Street in Hudson Falls.

Around that time Genier decided to take advantage of a scholarship to Russell Sage College. “I took my 3-year-old, my scholarship and my sister Sally, and we started at the same time,” she said. “My sister Holly joined us a year later.”

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A FAMILY AFFAIR Joann Genier and her two sisters are SUNY Adirondack graduates.

Genier’s daughter, Jennifer Silva-Dingman, attended SUNY Adirondack after high school, but it wasn’t a good fit at the time. When she came to campus last year with her daughter Tanner Dingman (Genier’s granddaughter), Jennifer enrolled. Tanner graduated in May and Jennifer is on track to do so in 2027. Jennifer’s older daughter, Trinity, graduated in 2024. “We really appreciate the school,” Genier said.

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JASON BROWN Hometown: Kingsbury, New York 2017 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Electrical Technology Currently: Electrical technician at Irving Tissue

When the local GE plant closed and Jason Brown lost his job, the Kingsbury native took advantage of Trade Adjustment Act benefits — a government provision that allows for the training of workers impacted by foreign competition —

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“This college is such a great place.

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and enrolled at SUNY Adirondack.

“The government pays for your college education and pays you unemployment,” Brown explained, “so I earned my Electrical Technology degree.”

By then, Brown had nearly a decade of experience working in the field, first at Boston Scientific, then at GE. “An industrial background is great for any type of skill set,” he said. “It prepared me for electrical courses, safety, engineering — having that background helps.”

After graduating, he started work at Essity and, while there, earned journeyman certification. “I built on everything I learned,” he said.

When Essity shuttered its regional mill in 2023, Brown was hired at Irving Tissue, where he still works. “My classes at

SUNY Adirondack pretty much gave me the basics of everything I do,” he said.

“Wiring, schematics, PLCs (programmable logic controllers), motors and controls — all that I learned is everything I deal with every day.”

Brown believes so strongly in the education he obtained, he serves as a lab tech for two courses in SUNY Adirondack’s Mechatronics program and taught a class in Continuing Education at the college. “I enjoy helping people achieve their goals, connect the dots, learning and seeing they’re capable of it,” he said. “A lot of times, people doubt themselves — especially young people or adults who haven’t been in an academic setting — and it’s rewarding to see they understand and can do it.”

“A two-year degree in Mechatronics is pretty much a prerequisite now,” Brown said. “The industry has changed and if you don’t have it, they’re not going to touch you.”

The father of four is now facing college as a parent.

“Places like SUNY Adirondack, community colleges, are vital,” he said. “You at least need a two-year degree, it’s pretty much the new high school diploma.”

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She served in the Peace Corps from 2014 to 2016 as an agriculture volunteer, helping farmers in Cameroon transition some of their crops to soy to improve soil health. When she returned to the states, she started work at New York Farm Bureau.

“I love agriculture, but I also like policy and politics,” she explained.

“It’s a big job, but it has been great seeing how I can really use everything I’ve learned over the years to help farmers in New York and even on the national side,” she said.

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Through nine years at NY Farm Bureau, she advanced through every level of the public policy team and was named director in 2025. In recent months, St. Jacques spoke at Legislative Joint Budget Hearings in the state Assembly, pushing for support for agricultural programs in the state budget.

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“That got me the start with building relationships, coming up with innovative ideas — that’s what advocacy

After earning a bachelor’s degree, St. Jacques returned to SUNY Adirondack’s campus to earn a master’s degree in leadership from SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury.

“That was really helpful for me, to be able to come back home.”

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St. Jacques also played on the women’s basketball team; worked as a reading and writing tutor; was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society for students at two-year colleges; performed with the college’s vocal ensemble; and, of course, served on Student Senate.

Currently: Director of Public Policy, New York Farm Bureau

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Being a Liberal Arts major gave St. Jacques flexibility to take classes in different fields of study. “I thought I wanted to be a doctor, took an anatomy class and realized that was not my career,” she said. “SUNY Adirondack gave me that start, where I could try different classes; there wasn’t a limit on what I could try out to see what I liked.”

2011 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh with a master’s degree in leadership

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St. Jacques grew up in Argyle and wasn’t sure what she wanted to study in college. She decided to attend SUNY Adirondack to stay close to home and not take on debt.

2010 graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a bachelor’s degree in English

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“Student Senate was the first time I was able to have an opportunity to learn how to be a leader and get into politics,” said St. Jacques, who as director of Public Policy for New York Farm Bureau works on behalf of farmers in New York state and across the country. “I didn’t know politics was going to be what I would do, but looking back at those experiences, I kept moving in that direction.”

The English classes she took at SUNY Adirondack led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English from SUNY Oneonta, and those writing skills have proven invaluable. “As a lobbyist doing advocacy, a lot is about communicating and it really helps if you can write well,” she said.

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volunteering with Glens Falls Medical Mission in Guatemala, helping farmers in Cameroon and fighting on behalf of New York

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is, relationship building and finding a way to share your story to get to the solution you want,” she said.

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Renee St. Jacques’ advocacy work —

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“I got the same great education a lot of my friends did, but I was able to save money at SUNY Adirondack.”

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2019 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Nursing Currently: Pediatric care coordinator at Albany Medical Center and U.S. Paralympian skier

“I got an incredible education at SUNY Adirondack. In my two and a half years there, I learned way more than in a BSN program.

The professors were amazing, I met lifelong friends and the Accessibility Services Offices was fundamental in my success.

As a neurodivergent human, Nursing school wouldn’t have been possible, nor would graduating among the top of the class. I’m enormously proud of that and it’s a testament to the work ASO does.”

Outfitted in signature Ralph Lauren U.S. Olympian garb, the gravity of being in Venice as a U.S. Paralympic athlete hit Kelsey O’Driscoll. “‘Oh my god, I made this dream happen’,” O’Driscoll remembered thinking. “‘I figured out how to turn lemons into lemonade with the broken back thing, turned my dream into a reality, a way to represent my country.’ Putting on that U.S. Olympic uniform, I was representing my country, my people, where I’m from, Adirondack and New Jersey grit.”

What O’Driscoll casually referred to as “the broken back thing” was, of course, a significant moment. The 2019 graduate of SUNY Adirondack’s Nursing program was sledding with family in 2021 when she suffered a life-changing injury.

The lifelong athlete grew up skiing at Gore Mountain and surfing off the Jersey Shore. When it came time to go to college, she left a nursing program and spent her winter on the slopes of Gore. She mentioned to a fellow ski patrol member that she wanted to go to nursing school, but loved the area too much to leave, and he told her about SUNY Adirondack.

“It was amazing,” she said. “I got an incredible education at SUNY Adirondack.”

Before graduating, O’Driscoll lined up a job in the pediatric care unit at Albany Medical Center, where she had a clinical rotation as a student.

“The nurse manager told me, ‘When you graduate, apply and send me an email,’ so I did and went right back to that floor.”

Everything was going as planned for O’Driscoll: She was young, active, healthy, in love and had her dream

SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

job. So when she broke her back and lost strength and mobility in her lower half, she could have wallowed in self-pity or gotten bitter.

But with help from High Fives Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent life-changing injury in outdoor adventure sports, just months after the accident, O’Driscoll got back on a surfboard.

“It was definitely not recommended by ortho,” she said. “But I needed to feel like me again, and like life wasn’t over.”

With a life jacket on over a back brace, she lay prone on a surfboard while a man named Bruce controlled the ride. “From the moment we caught that first wave, I felt my body light up again,” O’Driscoll gushed. “I felt joy, pure joy again for the first time since I broke my back. It was magic, the first time I felt OK again and like I was going to be me again.”

After that, O’Driscoll had an epiphany: “That was a taking-off point. I said, ‘Life can go one of two ways: You can sit on the couch and be a miserable <expletive> your whole life, or you can figure out how to live anyway,’” she said. “I said, ‘OK, we’re going to live anyway.’”

She met High Fives athletes — some with disabilities greater than her own — who skied, surfed, rode dirt bikes and more.

Inspired, she reached out to a friend who runs the adaptive ski program at Gore Mountain. “I just surfed, so I can ski,” she told him. “I don’t know how, but we can figure it out. It’s July, I know, but I need to know there’s a way forward.”

Nine months after the sledding accident, she got to Gore, put ski boots on and went to the bunny hill. After a few runs using a long wooden pole the way a child learns to ski, the instructor — another Bruce, actually — said, “Stay here for a second,” left and returned with outriggers, a ski attached to a forearm crutch with a trigger that controls the ski.

“He told me to hold them, turn my arms right to go right and left to go left, then said, ‘C’mon’ and took me up,” O’Driscoll remembered.

“He said, ‘You’ve been a skier your whole life, your body knows what to do; we’re going to use your arms to make your legs go.’”

“I took big ’S’ turns all the way down and it felt so natural, I was sobbing tears of joy,” she said. “The instructors were crying, my mom was crying, ski patrol was crying.”

Those tears of joy fueled a winter marked by enormous gains. With a goal of skiing

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the green trails that season, O’Driscoll mastered all the blues by January, the black by February and, by spring, was skiing the entire mountain.

She volunteered at the World University Games and, watching the skiers, thought, “I wonder if I can ski race; that might be fun.”

O’Driscoll asked the coaches to open the slalom gates. “I fell in love two turns in,” she said. Someone sent a video of her first run to the director of the National Sports Center for the Disabled, who then invited her to forerun at nationals.

“At any race, two or three people who aren’t in the race ski the course to make sure it’s safe,” O’Driscoll explained. “I did that in Winter Park, did pretty well, and that bought me an invitation to train with the Winter Park team last winter, then I raced my way onto the U.S. team.”

O’Driscoll placed in two World Cup events, which qualified her for the U.S. team. In Cortina, she placed seventh in Downhill Standing; eighth in Super Combined Standing; and ninth in Giant Slalom Standing.

“Standing in that start, with a beautiful view, looking down this insane chute, I got a little choked up,” she said. “I thought, ‘I did it, I’m here’; that was a really cool moment and I’ll never forget it.”

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KEITH HARRINGTON Hometown: Hartford, New York 1986 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a degree in Liberal Arts 1996 graduate of The College of Saint Rose with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education Currently: Retired teacher; assistant coach of SUNY Adirondack’s women’s basketball team

Keith Harrington wasn’t old enough to read or write when he started going to Hartford Central School’s varsity basketball games with his mother, a teacher’s aide in the district.

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“I’d sit right behind the bench, ask Mom for a piece of paper, pretend I was keeping stats, then go up to the coach and say, ‘I kept stats,’ and he’d get a chuckle out of it,” Harrington remembered.

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“Even then, I dreamed of being a college basketball coach,” said Harrington, who after high school enrolled at SUNY Adirondack first to earn a certificate, then a degree.

His first semester didn’t go well. “I came out of high school not really knowing what I wanted to do and, discipline wise, I didn’t do well, and that was eye opening to me,” he admitted. “If I had gone somewhere else, I might not have lasted.”

But his SUNY Adirondack professors supported him through those struggles, and he stayed on to earn a degree with honors.

“I’m enjoying being part of this and getting Adirondack back to where it needs to be. This is a dream come true for me to get a chance to coach at the college level.”

He didn’t play basketball for the Timberwolves, but he assembled a formidable intramural team.

After graduating, Harrington was coaching in Hartford and, after an end-of-the-year award ceremony, his grandfather pulled him aside.

“He said, ‘I saw the way you interacted with the kids and you’re really missing your calling; you should be a teacher,’” he said.

That motivated Harrington to study elementary education. After earning a bachelor’s degree, he dove into education and had a 30-year career

teaching in Vermont.

He coached basketball and softball, leading the Poultney boys basketball team to two state championships and the girls softball team to a state championship, and was named Coach of the Year in Vermont.

“I really like having influence on a kid’s life and helping build their future,” Harrington said.

After retiring in 2025, Harrington started pursuing some of his interests, including writing scouting reports for a high school athletics recruitment website. At a girls game, he learned that SUNY Adirondack women’s basketball coach Aidan Glynn is making great gains in rebuilding the college’s burgeoning women’s program.

“Aidan and I talked a few times and one thing led to another and one phone call and text led to another and next thing you know, a job,” Harrington marveled.

“I jumped on it as soon as they asked me. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? I’ve been waiting for this for 30 years!’”

Since, he has been scouting at girls games, especially in the Adirondack League, looking for athletes to help build momentum for the SUNY Adirondack team, which over the past few years was not recruited heavily.

(Glynn stepped into the role in Fall 2025, too late to recruit for the 2025-26 season, and pulled together a small team from the student body. Since his arrival, he has been working on strategic recruiting.)

“We are getting the program heading in a great direction,” Harrington said.

SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

DEGREE UPDATE

Over the past few months, SUNY Adirondack has quietly made some changes to its degree program offerings, including: • Adolescence Education English Studies • Adolescence Education Social Studies • Early Childhood/Childhood Education • and Psychology which were concentrations under the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences degree program, are now standalone degree programs.

Adolescence Education Mathematics Studies, which was a concentration under the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Math and Science degree, is now a degree program.

A Health Sciences degree was added; the degree is offered from SUNY Adirondack Queensbury. The existing Liberal Arts and Sciences: Health Sciences degree is offered at SUNY Adirondack Saratoga.

The names of Criminal Justice: Substance Use and Addiction Services and Journeyworker: Construction Management were changed slightly to more accurately reflect their content.

• Early Childhood/Childhood Education • Adolescence Education Mathematics Studies, • Health Sciences • and Journeyworker: Construction Management were approved by SUNY to be included in SUNY Reconnect, a state-funded program that covers the cost of earning a degree in high-demand fields for residents ages 25 to 55 who don’t have a degree.

Learn more about degrees and certificates at www.sunyacc.edu/ programs-courses/degrees-certificates.

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CAMPUS NEWS SUNY Adirondack was named a participant in Empire State Service Corps (ESSC) for the 2026-27 academic year.

ESSC is an opportunity for SUNY students to be paid for public service work, learning lifelong skills and making a positive impact on the community. Students are placed in one of six cohorts — Civic Engagement; Environmental Stewardship; Economic Opportunity; Healthy Futures; Education; or Veterans & Military Families Outreach — then perform 300 hours of work throughout the academic year.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful service while building skills that will benefit them long after they leave SUNY Adirondack,” said Wendy Johnston, Class of 2005, associate professor of Political Science, chair of the Social Science Division and campus coordinator for ESSC.

In the program’s first year at SUNY Adirondack, 10 students will be accepted to participate in on-campus sites. Applications are being

accepted from campus offices to host students in servicerelated projects. Interested students are invited to apply, and will be assigned based on their interests and position availability.

ESSC can be expanded to community-based host sites and more students in the future.

Work assignments, Johnston emphasized, aren’t typical workstudy tasks. As an example, she cited filing paperwork as a traditional assignment in the Financial Aid office; students in ESSC might instead be tasked with developing and instilling a plan to increase completion of Free Application for Federal Student Aid applications.

“The work is civic engagement,” Johnston explained. “Through this program, students will make a real impact in our community and gain a deeper understanding of their own ability to lead, contribute and create positive change.”

Participating students are eligible for additional benefits, including an education award, through AmeriCorps should they choose to apply.

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SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

ATHLETICS

The 2025-26 academic year was an exciting one for SUNY Adirondack Athletics.

Well-established teams gained momentum, while a few in the rebuilding stages made great leaps forward. Across the board, victories — small and large, personal and program wide — were celebrated, including the following:

BASEBALL

Tad D’Andrea (left) of Saratoga Springs was named to the All-Mountain Valley Conference Second Team. The Accounting major hit a .374 with 26 RBIs. On the mound, he earned three wins, striking out 26 batters.

SUNY Adirondack golfer Mason MacDougall capped off an outstanding season with a 25th place finish at the NJCAA Golf National Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club. The national championship appearance was the latest accomplishment in a remarkable season for MacDougall, who was named to the Region 3 All-Region Team after tying for fifth place at the regional championship.

Patrick McKinley (right) of Saratoga Springs was named NJCAA Region 3 Athlete of the Week on April 2. The Accounting major was also named to the All-Mountain Valley Conference First Team. The catcher and first baseman batted .345 with three home runs and 33 RBIs. D’Andrea; Peter Baltis of Bethlehem; Jacob Carroll of Chatham (Columbia County); Gavin Cramer of Albany; Ryan Gillis of Hudson Falls; Jimmy Johnson of Schaghticoke (Rensselaer County); McKinley; Jeremiah Strock of Cohoes (Albany County); and Ben Viggiani of Albany were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

Left to right: Hunter, Colucci, Foote, MacDougall and Casey

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The SUNY Adirondack men’s golf team wrapped up competition at the Region III Golf Championship with a fifth-place finish, posting a team score of 358 in the final round. MacDougall, of Cambridge, once again led the Timberwolves, carding an 80 on Day Two to finish tied for fifth. Ash Hunter of Hamburg (Erie County) recorded an 89 in the final round, while Chaz Colucci of Saratoga Springs added an 88. Collin Foote of Scottsville (Monroe County) rounded out the Adirondack scoring with a 101.

MacDougall; Colucci; Hunter; and Foote were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

following an outstanding season in which he averaged 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game, playing a key role in leading the Timberwolves to 17 wins. The sophomore guard led Region III in assists with 153, surpassing 250 career assists in a Timberwolves uniform.

Dicaterino; Collin Foote of Scottsville (Monroe County); Hunter; Oscar Lilac of Glens Falls; Jacob Price of Clifton Park; and Mekhi Walker of Las Vegas, Nevada, were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

of Cropseyville (Rensselaer County) was named to All-Mountain Valley’s Second Team. She hit .311 with one home run and 11 RBIs, while adding 14 stolen bases.

Rebecca Campbell of Argyle; Skylar Elgin of Broadalbin (Fulton County); and Jenna Fantasia of Northfield, New Jersey, were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

MEN’S SOCCER

Adrian Lunde of Horten, Norway, was named NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Week on Oct. 22. The forward was named to Mountain Valley Second Team, finishing the season with 15 goals, five assists and 35 points.

Jase Brunell of Corinth; Titus Byron of Corinth; Riley Grant of Queensbury; Lunde; Gavin Miller of DeRuyter (Madison County); Alexander Schiavi of Corinth; Jack Sullivan of Lake George; and Chase Tolene of Fort Ann were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Mariano DiCaterino (left) of Gloversville was named to Mountain Valley All-Conference Third Team. The Business Administration major averaged 9.5 points per game, shooting more than 38 percent from the three-point range. Ash Hunter (center) was named to Mountain Valley All-Conference Third Team. He averaged 9.5 points per game and knocked down 71 three-pointers at a 40 percent clip in his first collegiate season. Messiah “Moose” McLaurin (right) was named NJCAA Region 3 Athlete of the Week on Jan. 28. McLaurin was also named to the Mountain Valley All-Conference Second Team and NJCAA Region 3 Second Team

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SOFTBALL

Natalie Conroy (left) was named to All-Mountain Valley’s Second Team. The leadoff hitter batted a .381, with one home run and nine RBIs. She stole 19 bases. On March 17, Emma Martens (center) of South Glens Falls was named the NJCAA Region 3 Athlete of the Week. The Mathematics major earned First Team All-Mountain Valley Conference honors after an outstanding season in which she batted a .436 with three home runs and 24 RBIs. The pitcher and first baseman also made a major impact in the circle, delivering key performances throughout the year. Psychology major Cameron McClurg (right)

VOLLEYBALL

Moira Connolly (left) was also named to the Mountain Valley All-Conference Second Team. The middle hitter from Latham is a Media Arts major who has 18 conference sets on the season, with 41 kills (a 2.28 kill-per-set rate), 148 total attacks, a 0.088 hitting percentage and an average 0.17 assists per set. On Oct. 8, Natalie Conroy (center), an Independent Studies major from Saratoga Springs, was named NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Week, with eight sets, 54 digs and 6.8 digs per set.

The defensive specialist was named to the Mountain Valley All-Conference Second Team. Jaydey Jackson (right), a middle hitter from Amsterdam, was named to the Mountain Valley All-Conference First Team, closing out the season with 18 conference sets on the season, featuring 60 kills (3.33 per set), 146 total attacks, a 0.267 hitting percentage and an average 0.11 assists per set.

Natalie Durkee of Fort Edward; Nicolette Forte of Lake George; Amelia Gates of Queensbury; and Hailey Mackrodt of Queensbury were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Emily Gongola of Salem and Rylan Rist of Argyle were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.

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CULINARY in the community

Summer at Seasoned TAKE A BITE SUNY Adirondack will participate in Take A Bite from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday, July 8 through Aug. 19. Each week, downtown restaurants offer small plates ranging from $1 to $5 in this Glens Falls Collaborative event. Enjoy live music and explore our beautiful downtown!

WILTON COMMUNITY DAY SUNY Adirondack will serve snacks at Wilton Community Day from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Road in Saratoga.

COLLABORATIVE CUISINE Friday, July 31 YOUTH COURSES SUNY Adirondack turns up the heat on summer fun with a lineup of classes for students in fourth through 12th grades.

• Introduction to Cooking • Sizzlin’ Summer Snacks • The Science of Bread: From Dough to Oven 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, July 7 to 28, for students entering grades 9-10 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays, July 9 to 30, for students entering grades 11-12 Each is held at Seasoned in the Culinary Center, 14 Hudson Ave. in Glens Falls. See website for details.

SUNY Adirondack teamed with The Hyde Collection to present a delicious mix of art, education and community with Hyde & Seek: The Flavor Celebration.

SUNY Adirondack Culinary instructors Matt Bolton and Emily Peterson visited the museum March 26 to talk about plating with participants in a 12-week Hyde program for individuals supported by AIM Services and Community, Work & Independence. The group visited The Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic House as part of the museum’s enrichment program, which provides art exploration opportunities to people with disabilities.

“We’re exploring our favorite foods, creating the dish, plate, silverware, tablecloth — the whole table, which will be the final presentation,” said Janek Palat, educator and preparator at The Hyde.

Those works of art were then exhibited May 14 at Seasoned.

“We’re honored to partner with The Hyde Collection on an event that brings together culinary arts, creativity and community in such a meaningful way,” Bolton said.

“Food is an art form, and it’s exciting to see how these participants interpreted their ideas through visual expression.”

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CAMPUS EVENTS

Writer’s Project Writers have to be able to face rejection, Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Kennedy told the standing room-only crowd March 30 in SUNY Adirondack’s Visual Arts Gallery.

“Writing is hard work — you fail a lot, and it takes years to learn how to do it,” Kennedy told more than 75 people gathered on a spring afternoon (with even more attending via Zoom) to hear the 98-year-old acclaimed author, playwright, reporter and screenwriter speak from his Averill Park home.

Your next chapter starts with a good book.

SUNY Adirondack Foundation invites graduates to reconnect through its Alumni Book Club.

Kennedy is widely regarded as one of the most important chroniclers of New York’s Capital Region. Best known for his Pulitzer Prize–winning novel “Ironweed,” Kennedy built a distinguished literary career rooted in the people, politics and history of Albany.

Before becoming a full-time novelist, he worked as a journalist, an experience he credits with shaping his voice as a writer.

“I’m an old newspaperman,” Kennedy said. “There was a time when a great many writers who worked for newspapers went on to become novelists.

Journalism taught me concise language — to get the story in the first paragraph.

But novels work differently. When I be-

gan taking language more seriously and writing at a higher level than newspaper prose allowed, everything changed.”

Kennedy played a major role in supporting writers across New York state. Along with fellow author Saul Bellow and with support from the MacArthur Foundation, Kennedy helped found New York State Writers Institute, which has hosted generations of internationally acclaimed authors. He also taught creative writing at the University at Albany and Cornell University.

“Being a writer is a wonderful, free life,” Kennedy said. “Even now, I wake up wanting to go to work and write.”

Meetings at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month in Bryan Hall, Room 122, on the college’s Queensbury campus.

Email librarypamf@hotmail.com or call 518-260-5837 with questions.

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SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

CLUB PRODUCTION STUDENT SPOTLIGHT THEATER OF ‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’ When Ivan came to SUNY Adirondack from the Clifton Park area, he was looking for distance, independence and a chance to discover who he wanted to become.

“I wanted a new experience and to meet people outside the area I grew up in,” he said.

Before coming to SUNY Adirondack, Ivan had never even held a camera, but discovered photography is his passion.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to study,” he said. “Then I saw Media Arts and realized how many different directions it could take me.”

That path became clear after taking Photo I with Professor Brandon Segal.

“He’s the reason photography really clicked for me. He pushed my curiosity and gave me real advice about how to grow.”

What started as an introductory class quickly became more. Long hours spent in the studio with classmates turned into a creative community.

“That class felt like a family,” he said.

“We were always in the studio together, working, learning, creating. That’s when I realized this is what I want to do.”

Now Ivan is building an impressive portfolio of fashion-inspired commercial

photography and creative portraiture, with dreams of becoming a creative director and professional photographer.

“I don’t want to sit at a desk,” he said. “I want creative freedom. There’s something really satisfying about creating a piece of art and being proud of it.”

His work often combines technical experimentation with bold imagination.

“I’m always writing ideas down,” he said.

“Once I get an idea, I have to try it.”

That drive has led him to photograph more than 5,000 images for the Theater Club, create his own magazine cover concepts and spend hours refining shoots until the vision is just right.

Through the Educational Opportunity Program, Ivan was able to get ahead on credits by taking summer classes, giving him more time to focus on his craft.

He plans to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program and hopes to work in commercial fashion photography.

‘Addams Family’ photos by Ivan Aviles

SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

Adirondack Retro Nerdfest Adirondack Retro Nerdfest spun SUNY Adirondack back in time April 4, when nearly 300 visitors revisited the golden age of gaming. Sponsored by Adirondack Broadcast Association, this was the fourth annual Retro Nerdfest. The day included a “Super Smash Brothers” tournament led by the campus Gaming Club; snacks provided by Culinary Club; music on vinyl by members of ABA; a cosplay costume contest overseen

by Theater Club; vintage arcade and pinball games; and 20 vendors of fan art, games, comics, vinyl and all sorts of geekery. ABA and WGFR advisor and distinguished professor of Broadcasting Kevin Ankeny reported the number of vendors at this year’s event doubled over last year. Attendance, too, took a huge leap; last year’s was estimated to be around 175 and this year’s was 292.

ADK Slay At 2026 ADK Slay, four SUNY Adirondack students performed alongside professional drag queens.

Cora Brown, Kelly Carter, Lindsey Kurz and Arabella Tracey took the stage April 10 in the annual drag show that featured performers Lexxi Pro, Matti Cation, Lady Seanzia and Piper Fixation.

A crowd of more than 60 attended the show, which celebrated drag culture, great entertainment and self-expression.

“Being able to become a different person is just kind of freeing,” said Kurz, a Media Arts major from Greenwich who also performed in the 2025 Slay event.

“Changing your outfit is a bit like taking off your skin and putting on a different persona, which helps with self-expression and lets you explore a new side of yourself.”

Photo credit: Anthony Sparks, Media Arts student

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SPRING SPRING 2026 2026 | NEW | NEW BEGINNINGS BEGINNINGS

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Native Plant Symposium SUNY Adirondack’s Agricultural Business program brought more than 150 people to campus March 26 with its inaugural Native Plants Symposium.

SUNY Adirondack students and faculty were joined by their peers from University at Albany (ITECA), Skidmore College and the University of Vermont, professionals from NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District, landscape designers and representatives from organizations throughout the region.

“Native plants are more than just a landscaping choice; they are part of the ecological foundation that supports pollinators, wildlife and healthy communities,” said Kim

London, chair of the college’s Business division and an assistant professor. “This symposium brings together experts and community members to explore practical ways we can incorporate native plants into our gardens, campuses and public spaces to build landscapes that are both beautiful and resilient.”

Presentations addressed such topics as native bee conservation and pollinator support; American chestnut restoration and native tree nursery development; functional native plant garden design; edible native plants and their uses; roadside ecology and infrastructure management; regenerative gardening approaches; and the relationship between nature and mental health, among others.

Shanti Nagel of Design Wild delivered the keynote presentation, emphasizing the role of landscape stewardship, community engagement and native plant systems in shaping a more sustainable future.

Student Art Exhibition “Having been part of this exhibition as a student nearly 20 years ago, it was an honor — and a true ‘full-circle’ moment — to return as a judge,” said Fowler, partner and creative director at Sidekick Creative, who acted as juror in this year’s SUNY Adirondack Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.

As Will Fowler pored through submissions of artwork in SUNY Adirondack’s Visual Arts Gallery, he felt a bit like he was traveling back in time.

Fowler attended SUNY Adirondack as a student and participated in StartUp ADK. “All the submissions reflect the incredible creativity of the student artists, as well as the strength of the academic departments,” Fowler said.

The exhibition featured 56 works of art selected from more than 125 submissions of photography, sculpture, graphic design, drawing, illustration, painting and more. “I was especially impressed by the depth of skill, craft and concept demonstrated by students,” Fowler said.

SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

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Career Cafe Fifty-six students visited Career Cafe, a weekly initiative offered

by SUNY Adirondack and Warren County Department of Workforce Development to provide on-campus career services support.

Warren County Student-to-Careers Development Specialist Kayla Sherman was available weekly throughout the Spring semester to provide instruction on creating resumes, conducting career searches, finding a job that suits a student’s personality, applying for work, interviewing and securing internships.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce by giving students practical hands-on tools like skills assessments, resume development, interview preparation and real paid opportunities that help them step confidently into their careers,” said Sammantha Ball, an instructor of Business at SUNY Adirondack who also teaches in the college’s Early College Career Academy program with Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton Essex (WSWHE) BOCES.

The program was developed for firstyear business students, focusing on career decision-making, academic alignment and professional readiness to support improved student retention.

Sherman plans to bring in occasional guest speakers, and provide information about internship opportunities.

“I am excited to be on campus and encourage students to come check out the Career Cafe, where they can get handson support with internships, resumes and job shadowing, explore different careers, and connect with local professionals,” Sherman said.

“In business, who you know matters,” said Kim Feeney London, assistant professor of Business at SUNY Adirondack, and chair of its Business Division. “This collaboration will help our students build meaningful connections, sharpen professional skills and launch careers with confidence. Partnership with Warren County Career Center will further increase access to internships and opportunities.”

“We are excited about evolving our partnership with SUNY Adirondack and connecting more of their students to local businesses and organizations that can enhance their education and increase their likelihood of staying local for long-term careers,” said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County director of Workforce Development. “We do not have enough people to fill all our local jobs and SUNY Adirondack is one of the best avenues to bring more people to our community.”

Job Fair SUNY Adirondack held its annual Spring Job Fair on April 8 in Northwest Bay Conference Center. Forty-seven employers participated and approximately 200 students, alumni and community members attended.

“Events like the Job Fair create a direct connection between our students, community members and the many employers who are eager to hire in our region,” said Sheila Morton, assistant director of Student Success at SUNY Adirondack.

Employers in attendance included: • Aim Services • Albany Medical Center • Arrow Financial Corporation • ASCEND Mental Wellness • Center for Disability Services • Glens Falls Hospital • GlobalFoundries • Hudson Headwaters Health Network • Lake George Steamboat Co. and dozens of others

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SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

Out of the Darkness SUNY Adirondack hosted an Out of the Darkness campus walk April 25 as part of a national American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) campaign to raise awareness about suicide.

More than 250 participants joined in the college’s sixth year participating in this national effort to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.

Patti Jo Tennyson, survivor and SUNY Adirondack staff member, and Holly Irion, SUNY Adirondack counselor and associate professor of Counseling, co-chaired the event, which raised more than $10,000 for AFSP. More than 20 community health advocates had informational tables at the event. Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner participated in the sand ceremony, a powerful symbolic act in which participants contribute sand to a shared container to represent remembrance, support and merging the community in hope and healing. Local musician Jeff Brisbin, whose son Josh died by suicide, played guitar at the event; bagpiper Mike Murdock kicked off the walk.

Tennyson, an advocate of AFSP in her personal journey of healing, said events like the campus walk allow the community to come together, support one another and help break the silence to end the stigma surrounding suicide.

SPRING 2026 | NEW BEGINNINGS

Continued from Page 10

Emma Volks, director of SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury, and Michelle Peter, assistant director, delivered “Seamless by Design: Inside a High-Impact Dual-Admission Model” at the annual National Association of Branch Campus Administrators conference in May. Recognized by the SUNY Center for Professional Development as a Campus Best Practice for Student Success, the session revealed SUNY Plattsburgh’s dual-admission model, including with SUNY Adirondack.

SUNY Adirondack, in partnership with Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES, was recognized by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) as part of its Champions of Change program, celebrating innovative and impactful programs across New York state.

The honor recognizes the annual Manufacturing and STEAM Day, a collaborative initiative between WSWHE BOCES and the SUNY Adirondack Continuing Education Office. The event connects students with postsecondary pathways and high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing through a combination of firsthand experiences, industry engagement, and peer insight.

Spring Open House SUNY Adirondack’s spring Open House attracted more than 155 prospective students and their families. Featuring a student panel, tours of campus, info sessions about admissions and financial aid, and opportunities to meet professors, the event was a great success.

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SUNY Adirondack, a community college of the State University of New York, does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, intern, whether paid or unpaid, contractor, student, or applicant for admission or other members of the college community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors and guests) based on a individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identification, gender expression, sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, the status of being transgender, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim state, criminal conviction or any other category protected by law. The college adheres to all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment in public institutions of higher education.

The college prohibits conduct by any employee or any student who disrupts or interferes with another’s work performance or education experience, or who creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work or educational environment due to discrimination based on protected status or sexual harassment. SUNY Adirondack is committed to educating employees in the recognition and prevention of workplace and education discrimination and sexual harassment, and to informing students, employees and others how to report a discrimination complaint. Inquiries about and reports regarding this notice and procedure may be made to compliance@sunyacc.edu or to one of the following: Chelsea Foster, director of Student Affairs and Early College Programs and Title IX coordinator, Warren Hall, Room 113, lyonsc@sunyacc.edu, 518681-5650; Amy Wolfe, director of Human Resources, serving as the Affirmative Action Office, Washington Hall, Room 107, wolfea@sunyacc.edu, 518-681-5657; Diane Wildey, associate vice president of Academic Affairs/Section 504 Coordinator, Scoville 324, wildeyd@sunyacc.edu, 518-743-2337. Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500, ocr.newyork@ ed.gov, 646-428-3800.