Plattsburgh Magazine Fall 2018 / Winter 2019

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19 VOL. 20 NO. 2

Returning to the Classroom College Sees Uptick in Teacher Education Enrollment

Legacy of a Leader Remembering EOP Director Kyla Relaford '02 G'04

The Sound of Success More Than a Record Deal for Shawn Strack ’07, ’10

Lighting the Future Alumni-Led Company Makes Energy Efficiency Easier

Members of the campus and local communities came together to kick off the Fall 2018 semester in August at the third-annual CommUNITY Night at Hawkins Pond.

In addition to enjoying live music, performances and food trucks, attendees wrote notes and placed them in a time capsule to be opened after 10 years.

VOL. 20 NO. 2

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40 Years of Support; Lifetimes of Success

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Passion Upon Passion

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The Legacy of Kyla Relaford

Celebrating the Impact of Student Support Services

Two-Time Alumnus Shawn Strack Gets Record Deal

‘The Tale of a Place Where Their Journey Began’ A Story of the Honors Program and Its Founding Director Dr. David Mowry

Student Corner Students Dine in Style at Clinton Dining Hall

DEPARTMENTS CONNECTIONS 18 CARDINAL Many Memories Made at Reunion 2018

IN ACTION 24 GIFTS Advancing the Cause Investing in the Future of the North Country

Class of 2018 Inducted Into Athletic Hall of Fame

RULE 20 CARDINALS Memorial Hall Renovations Two Former Cardinal All-Americans Signed by NWHL's Connecticut Whale

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THE LAST WORD A Bright Light: In Memory of Dr. Douglas Skopp, History Professor and College Historian Emeritus

ON THE COVER ¢ An energy-efficient LED bulb reflects the surrounding SUNY Plattsburgh campus. Atlantic Energy, a wholesale energy provider founded by alumnus Patrick Linden ’10, has distributed 600,000 LED light bulbs since its inception in 2011, helping to reduce energy consumption. Page 12.

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

'Just Extraordinary'

SUNY PLATTSBURGH ALUMNI

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A Resurgence in Teacher Education Enrollment

@PLATTSBURGHALUMNI

Making the Grade

@PBURGHALUMNI

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SUNY PLATTSBURGH ALUMNI

FIRST LOOK

02 THIS IS PLATTSBURGH College President Dr. John Ettling Vice President for Institutional Advancement Anne Whitmore Hansen

Making a Difference THERE ARE MANY WAYS to measure how an institution

such as SUNY Plattsburgh makes a difference in our communities — both close to home and across the globe.

In a study released earlier this year, the campus was found to have an economic impact of more than $307 million annually in the North Country, with an estimated 4,238 jobs created or sustained in the region as a result of college operations.

The report, which you can read in full on our college website, www.plattsburgh.edu, is an impressive summary of our work. And statistics such as these are important in sharing our story.

But how we collectively affect the lives of others needs to be captured in other ways as well. The faculty, staff, alumni and students who invest in and serve this campus have an immeasurable impact. Some of these people and programs are brought forward in this issue of Plattsburgh Magazine: ¢

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Student Support Services celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Led by Dr. Michele Carpentier ’77, G’87, director of special programs and assistant vice president for student affairs, this academic support program continues to help students meet their educational goals.

Semmler Service Day remains a staple opportunity to help others. Inspired by Dr. Richard Semmler ’68, the event takes place each spring and involves alumni, faculty, staff and students taking part in service projects in various cities.

The legacy of advocate and mentor Kyla Relaford ’02, G’04 continues to drive the Educational Opportunity Program and more. Her sudden death last spring left a hole in this campus. We honored her at Homecoming and will continue to keep her in our thoughts.

Also during Homecoming Weekend in October were celebrations of other individuals and programs of distinction, including the Honors Center and its founding director, Dr. David N. “Doc” Mowry, professor emeritus of philosophy; the college’s first African-American graduate, James Augustus Wilson, a social-justice advocate and member of the Class of 1902; and the late Dr. Douglas R. Skopp, professor emeritus of history and college historian.

Indeed, as I serve out my final year as president, my initial impressions have held after nearly 15 years of service: This is a wonderful college in a scenic location. The consistent dedication of faculty, staff, students and alumni – who make a difference here and wherever they go – remains a source of great satisfaction to me.

Enjoy the holiday season as you serve in your wider communities.

With Warm Wishes,

John Ettling President

Director of Advancement Communications Aubrey Bresett ’01 Director of Alumni Relations Kerry Chapin-Lavigne ’98 Director of Advancement Services David Gregoire ’98 Director for Development Faith Leach G’01 MAGAZINE STAFF Editor-In-Chief Aubrey Bresett ’01 Managing Editor Ashleigh Livingston ’10

Photography Gabe Dickens Andy Duback Ashleigh Livingston ’10

Creative Director Sarah Richard ’02 COLLEGE COUNCIL Chair Martin Mannix Jr. ’64 Members Daniel Burke ’74 Jessica Falace ‘18 G’19 Sydney Sue Garrant ’69 G’75 G’90 Salvatore Graven ‘02

John W. Johnson ’71 G’93 Heidi H. Kelly Gloria Ragonetti G’92 Patrick K. Russell

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION President Joseph DeSalvo ’89

Secretary Richard Davino ’89 G’94

First Vice President Dr. Ashley Gambino ’04

Special Advisor/Past President Toni Anne Nichels ’88

Second Vice President Justin Elmendorf ’04 Treasurer Jody Carpenter ’92 Directors Michael Bates ‘02 Dr. Taranpreet Chandhoke ‘01 Marcia Cognetta ‘98 Woodrow Freese Jr. ’87 Andrew Gola ‘06 Bruce Mante ‘79 Lori McCaffrey ‘04 Rabbi Daniel Price ‘79 Prajwal Shah ’11 Gary Stevens ‘79 Dr. Joseph Tolliver ‘72

Matthew Veitch ‘94 Khary Ward ‘12 Ex Officio Dr. John Ettling Anne Whitmore Hansen Student Representatives Kristin Berkey Jessica Falace ‘18 G’19 Executive Director Kerry Chapin-Lavigne ’98

COLLEGE FOUNDATION President Linda Bourgeois

Treasurer Kathy Magaw ’72

First Vice President Kathleen Kirleis ’89

Secretary Henry Casazza ’66

Second Vice President John Conners ’75 Directors Robert Airo ‘81 Clayton Ajello ‘72 Diane Austin ‘73 Phillip Baltz ‘88 Anthony Cassella ‘76 Joseph DeSalvo ‘89 Kerry Diamond ‘91 John Ettling Jessica Falace ‘18 G’19 Stanley Fifield ‘62 Peter Gerney ‘83 James Johnson Jay Kesslen ‘95 James Koniuto ‘96 William Laundry ‘05 Gordon Muir

Theresa Nitescu ‘81 Michelle NobleCoursey ‘94 R. Michael Penfield Pamela Perrone ‘78 Robert Schofield ‘93 Lawrence Unrein ‘79 Honorary Member Dr. Celine Paquette ’60 Executive Director Anne Whitmore Hansen

Plattsburgh Magazine is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement at SUNY Plattsburgh. www.plattsburgh.edu ¢ alumni@plattsburgh.edu

www.plattsburgh.edu

03 AROUND THE POND

SBE Welcomed into Elite Bloomberg Program

BY GERIANNE WRIGHT

THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS has been awarded

membership in the elite Experiential Learning Partners program of Bloomberg LLP, which will give SUNY Plattsburgh and its students a direct link to the premier provider of financial data in the world.

The college is the first — and to date, only — SUNY campus to achieve membership.

“Bloomberg terminals are the industry standard in accessing and extracting financial data for investment professionals around the world,” said Dr. Robert Christopherson, chair and professor of economics. “Being an ELP identifies SUNY Plattsburgh as having successfully integrated Bloomberg terminals into our curriculum.”

In order to qualify for the ELP program, SUNY Plattsburgh must have had more than 100 students interact in the course context with data projects supported by downloads from the terminals, said School of Business and Economics (SBE) Dean Rowena Ortiz-Walters.

“At the beginning of my SBE deanship, one of my critical priorities was to provide access to the big-data world for SUNY students and faculty,” she said. The SBE, with the help of Anne Hansen, vice president for institutional advancement, was able to secure Bloomberg terminal access, and we created a dedicated finance lab where there are four Bloomberg terminals.”

John Conners, a 1975 SUNY Plattsburgh graduate, former member of the Plattsburgh College Foundation Board of Directors and senior vice president of financial counseling at Ayco, a Goldman Sachs company, knew how beneficial these terminals would be for Plattsburgh students. He became a catalyst in the success of the campaign, Hansen said.

Conners and his wife, Diana, matched charitable gifts on a dollar-for-dollar basis from SBE alumni and friends over a twoyear period.

"They also made additional personal gifts that ultimately enabled the finance lab to be established and operate," Hansen said.

"Bloomberg is cutting edge as a financial resource," John said. "Knowing and using the Bloomberg system will give our students a competitive advantage when they graduate.

"As donors, we wanted to see our contribution have a direct impact. With the help of the development office and

business school, this project achieved that."

The Experiential Learning Partners designation also denotes SUNY Plattsburgh’s willingness to help other institutions integrate their terminals into their curricula, Christopherson said.

“Members of the ELP post copies of their finance and accounting syllabi to Bloomberg’s website as an example of how they are currently using Bloomberg terminals in their curriculum,” he said. “Other institutions can then use this information to update and more fully integrate the terminals into their curriculum based on our example.”

The SBE’s Finance Trading Lab will be dedicated to John and Diana Conners in Spring 2019. ¢

Alumni and friends helped to build a fence in Alexandria, Va., in September as part of Semmler Service Day, hosted

by Dr. Richard Semmler ’68. The event marked his 100th house project with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.

TO LEARN MORE about Dr. Richard Semmler ’68 Service Day, visit alumni. plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

04 AROUND THE POND

Economic Impact of SUNY Plattsburgh Tops $307 Million

food, transportation and other personal expenses. ¢

Volunteerism contributed nearly $1.3 million in additional output.

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Student volunteers provide thousands of hours of work for nonprofits and the public sector.

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About 134,000 residents and tourists visit the various campus museums, theaters and athletic facilities.

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Numerous SUNY Plattsburgh centers and institutes provide a variety of outreach services in healthcare, economic and community development, social services, and small business development.

BY GERIANNE WRIGHT

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT of SUNY

Plattsburgh to the North Country is more than $307 million annually, according to a new study. An estimated 4,238 jobs were created or sustained in the region as a result of college operations, the study found.

The 2016-17 Regional Economic Impact study was completed in July 2018. The 27-page report provides detailed estimates and breakdowns of the overall effects of campus operations and activities.

"SUNY Plattsburgh is truly an economic engine for the North Country," said President Dr. John Ettling. "The college is directly invested in economic development in the area through such efforts as START-UP NY, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council and more. But the college's activities — from operations and events to human resources and volunteerism — contribute a great deal more as well, as this study shows."

Other key findings include: ¢

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Tax revenue generated by SUNY Plattsburgh’s activities totals more than $56 million per year.

The college created a total output of more than $172 million for the region from the nearly $96 million it generates.

An additional $45.6 million of income and 160 jobs arise because of the education attainment of SUNY Plattsburgh graduates remaining in the North Country region.

SUNY Plattsburgh students contributed nearly $55 million in direct expenditures to the region’s economy through their spending, including off-campus housing,

www.plattsburgh.edu

The study was prepared by the Office of the President, the Office of Sponsored Research & Programs and Colin Read, Ph.D., professor of economics and finance at SUNY Plattsburgh, using IMPLAN economic modeling software. It can be found in the President & Leadership section under the About Us tab on the college website. ¢

Mihuc Promoted to SUNY Distinguished Service Professorship Rank

BY GERIANNE WRIGHT

DR. TIMOTHY MIHUC, professor in the Center for Earth and Environmental Science, director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute and co-director of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant, was promoted to the rank of distinguished service professorship by the SUNY Board of Trustees.

Mihuc, who joined the faculty in 1999, “has a long track record of service to this campus, our community and Lake Champlain," said Dr. John Ettling, president of SUNY Plattsburgh.

Director of the LCRI As director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute (LCRI), he’s drawn hundreds of students, faculty and community members into research efforts, creating a base of knowledge and activism on behalf of the lake that makes a major contribution to its preservation.

It’s his work with students in the LCRI that Mihuc says he is most proud, citing the numbers who have gone through the program whom he has helped with career and life skills, and the satisfaction he’s derived over the years being “able to provide students with hands-on, realworld skills.”

‘Happy to Have Helped’ “The lifeblood of LCRI is the student,” he said. “We spend a lot of time outside the classroom with our students, training in a variety of areas and helping them learn skill sets they can use in real life. We have many LCRI alumni out there working in successful careers, and we are very happy to have helped them along the way.”

Mihuc has served as the longtime coordinator of the professional science master’s program as well as the master’s program in natural science. He has mentored more than 100 undergraduate student research projects and served as thesis adviser for 11 master’s degree students so far.

Continue Successful Funding In fact, one of his ongoing goals is to continue the successful external funding record he’s maintained in the LCRI, which allows him to hire more students to help with research projects and “help them move on to successful careers.” ¢

05 AROUND THE POND

Diversity and Inclusion Center Coming to Campus

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

THE CREATION OF a center dedicated to

promoting, celebrating and embracing diversity and inclusion is underway at SUNY Plattsburgh.

A first-floor space in the Angell College Center is currently being renovated to

Double the Impact

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

FOR DECADES, Dr. Nancy Church and Jackie Vogl have found ways to inspire and empower SUNY Plattsburgh students.

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by the Plattsburgh Alumni Association, which honored each with a 2018 Faculty or Staff Impact Award during the annual President’s Welcome event at the start of the Fall 2018 semester.

Recognizing current or retired faculty or staff members who have made a major and lasting positive impact on the life of alumni, the award is given based on nominations from graduates.

Church, a distinguished service professor of marketing and

accommodate the new entity, which is intended to provide an environment of advocacy and support for students from underrepresented groups, as well as offer social-justice education and training and other programming, according to Interim Chief Diversity Officer Portia Allie-Turco '05.

“The overall mission of the center is to advance SUNY Plattsburgh’s commitment to respecting and valuing diversity by serving as a resource and liaison for students, staff and faculty,” she said. “We aim to build a more inclusive, equitable and welcoming campus environment.”

Allie-Turco envisions the center collaborating with other offices and groups on campus, as well as with members of the local community.

The college plans to use a poll to engage students in choosing an official name for the new entity, which is expected to be up and running this coming spring.

“Our goal is for it to be comfortable,” Allie-Turco said. “We want students to stop by and feel at home.” ¢

entrepreneurship emerita, has devoted the majority of her career to the students and alumni of SUNY Plattsburgh, alumna Jeanine Debar ’88 wrote in her nomination of the educator.

“She had a profound impact on me when I was a student,” Debar continued.

“That impact contributed to how I approached my career, and I’ve heard similar sentiments from other graduates.”

Church began her tenure at the college in 1977, when she joined the faculty of what was then called the Department of Business and Economics. There, she was instrumental in launching SUNY's first and only entrepreneurship bachelor's degree program.

"Most professors work hard preparing for their classes, performing service and conducting research, and we don't often think about the long-term impact that we have on our students,” Church said.

“However, when we receive that beautiful letter or email from a student with a subject line, "Message from a former student," it lets us know that our work has made a difference in our students' lives, and it motivates us to continue in this great profession."

Meanwhile, Vogl, director and associate vice president for global education, has been instrumental in putting SUNY Plattsburgh on the world map, alumnus Aaron Noronha ’08 wrote in his nomination of her.

“Her tireless dedication to traveling the globe and introducing prospects to Plattsburgh is something that cannot be done through the internet,” he continued.

“Jackie was an anchor to international students, like myself, even after enrolling at the college. SUNY Plattsburgh holds a special place in hundreds of international students’ hearts because of Jackie’s contributions.”

Vogl joined the college’s staff in 1990 as an admissions adviser and was named assistant director of admissions in 2003 before stepping into her current role.

Like Church, Vogl maintains relationships with students long after they graduate and enjoys receiving news about their personal and professional milestones.

“When I look through a list of international students who have been enrolled over the last 20 years, I have visual memories of so many,” she said.

“I've followed them through graduate school, first jobs, promotions, marriage and children. And when I am lucky enough to see them face-to-face when traveling in the U.S. or abroad, it's a family reunion. I'm so happy to know that I have positively impacted their lives because they have had a profound impact on mine.” ¢

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

G N I K MA E H T : E D A GeR surgence in

AR n o i t a c u d E r e Teach t n e m l l o r n E

ESETT ’01

BY AUBREY BR

OVER THE PAST DECADE, the percentage of college students majoring in teacher education at SUNY Plattsburgh has been steadily declining, but professors say enrollment numbers are consistent with national and state trends.

“People were getting discouraged from entering teacher education, and cohorts were getting smaller,” said Yong Yu, program coordinator for the Bachelor of Science in education (B.S.Ed.) program. “We were not producing enough teacher candidates for the job positions.”

According to the Department of Education, many public schools across the nation struggle to find enough teachers to meet the demand, with particular shortages of math, special education, science and foreign-language teachers.

The education department at SUNY Plattsburgh, however, is starting to see a slight uptick in enrollment. For the past seven years, Yu has taught both the literacy and undergraduate courses for childhood education and childhood special education and is hopeful after seeing Fall 2018 enrollment numbers.

“When I first started, I think we had the largest enrollment with 140 students. We had five different sections. Over the years, it changed. One year, we only had roughly 50 to 60 freshman and transfer students. In Fall 2017, we had about 70; and in Fall 2018, the number increased to 80,” Yu said.

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The college’s combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science for teachers (B.A./M.S.T) program, as well as its childhood education and adolescence education Master of Science for teachers (M.S.T.) programs, have run a similar course.

“For a while, people across the country were saying, ‘Don’t enter education; it’s not a well-respected profession,’” said B.A./ M.S.T. and M.S.T. program coordinator Maureen Squires.

At the time, she explained, annual professional performance reviews were being implemented for educators, and the state was rolling out standardized tests based on controversial new curriculum and pedagogy, the Common Core.

“With all of that, numbers in all teacher education programs nationally started to go down,” Squires said. “It was a perfect storm. But there is definitely a resurgence now, and we’re seeing it.”

While multiple SUNY campuses now offer a combined fiveyear program for adolescence education, Plattsburgh was the first, according to Squires.

New revisions to the program will also give Plattsburgh students an elective option not offered at other SUNY schools.

“We are going to help them choose that elective very carefully in an effort to support their career development,” Squires said.

Currently, adolescence education students are eligible for a single teaching certificate that allows them to teach grades seven through 12 in one of the following areas: English, biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, earth science, social studies, French and Spanish.

“But if we can help students carefully register for courses and plot out what they might want to do in the future, they could pursue other certificates after that,” Squires said.

According to Janelle Burgos, who is in her last year of the B.A./M.S.T. program, this option will give teacher candidates a much stronger chance of job placement.

“Students who can take advantage of this opportunity gain the skills to be diverse, inclusive and interdisciplinary educators with vast cross-curricular background knowledge,” she said.

“These students are one step ahead of the wave and are also investing in an enriching learning experience.”

Nationally, the focus in education has been on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as special education, so that is where the college is seeing enrollment numbers grow.

“Biology, for me, was always the most engaging and entertaining subject in high school and college,” Burgos said of her certification area. “Filled with crazy stories, wacky animals and hilarious fun facts, biology was a subject that never left me bored.”

Students are also gravitating to Plattsburgh for the combined childhood education and special education program, which fulfills degree requirements for certification in four teaching certification areas in both general and special education from birth through sixth grade.

“We are the only SUNY campus to offer the combined program, so that’s probably why we get about 20 transfer students every year,” Yu said.

Henry Amoako is in his last year of the combined program and said the day he realized he wanted to be a teacher brought the most excitement he had ever felt.

“My friends have always told me that I am good at explaining things, simplifying information and making it seem exciting,” Amoako said. “So one day, I was sitting there and thought, ‘I would love being a teacher!’’’

Besides curriculum, clinical hours are a large part of the education program. The department partners with local school districts to provide opportunities for student teaching and early clinical experiences.

“Such experiences help teacher candidates develop as professionals and build networks,” Squires said.

James Mahoney G’17 took advantage of his clinical opportunities and was employed immediately following graduation. He teaches world history to sixth-graders and American history to seventh- and eighth-graders at Our Lady of Fatima School in Jackson Heights, N.Y. “I enjoyed the hands on experience I received in my M.S.T. part of the program,” Mahoney said. “Getting to work at Beekmantown Middle School really helped me be open to teaching middle school. Because of that placement, I actually discovered how much I love middle school, and I’m currently able to do what I love.”

Program coordinators Maureen Squires and Yong Yu discuss coursework in the Literacy Education Center.

Maria Veloz, a BS/MSEd student, gains practical experience at Cumberland Head Elementary in a special education classroom.

An additional resource for students to gain on-the-job experiences is Project Connect, an afterschool program staffed by qualified site directors, as well as SUNY Plattsburgh teacher candidates. The SUNY Plattsburgh Teacher Education Unit developed the program in partnership with the Plattsburgh City School District.

“This program is a great way for us to apply the material we learn in class,” Amoako said. “It shows us what activities may work in a school setting and what modification can be made to make the activities run more smoothly.”

Nearly half of the college’s teacher education courses can be taken online, providing flexibility to students who may have families or full-time jobs. Additionally, Squires, Yu and their team continue to look for ways to make their programs accessible to more prospective teachers.

“We have very strong programs in teacher education. We are working constantly to make it better. Our candidates are well prepared for the strong curriculum coursework. We have very caring and supportive faculty and a very positive culture here,” Yu said. ¢

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

‘Just Extraordinary’ THE LEGACY OF KYLA RELAFORD

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

THERE WAS A TIME when SUNY Plattsburgh’s Educational Opportunity Program was largely unknown to members of the campus community.

To Kyla Relaford, that was simply unacceptable.

So, in 2013, when the North Country native was promoted from associate director to director of the special-admission program, she set out to bring EOP and the students it serves to new heights.

“Because she believed in EOP’s promise and saw firsthand the lives her work changed — and, I would say, even saved — she would sacrifice any amount of time, effort and energy to make Plattsburgh’s EOP better,” Relaford’s husband, Mike Gallagher ’04, explained.

Under her leadership, the program, which gives academically and economically disadvantaged youth a shot at higher education, quickly emerged from relative obscurity and saw one of the largest enrollment increases in its history.

“That rarely happens, even across the state,” EOP Associate Director Cassie Christman ‘13 said of the program’s growth from about 225 to 275 students.

“But there was so much faith in Kyla being the director that the state was willing to take that risk,” recalled SUNY Plattsburgh Special Programs Director and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Michele Carpentier ’77 G’87.

Relaford remained at EOP’s helm up until her untimely death on April 15, 2018.

“And while she was there, it was truly, uniquely hers,” Gallagher said.

After all, he noted, “she was never a person of half measures.”

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Instead, Relaford, who served the college a total of 15 years, was “bighearted, perceptive and unafraid,” according to SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus Dr. Tom Moran ’69 G’73.

“Her leadership in EOP became an organizational center of gravity for the campus,” he told the large crowd who gathered in the Angell College Center Ballrooms in May to honor her memory.

Still, the alumna, who earned her bachelor’s in anthropology from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2002 and her master’s in student affairs in 2004, never sought praise or recognition for her work.

“She cared only for results, for the success of her students,” SUNY Plattsburgh English professor Dr. Anna Battigelli said at the memorial.

In fact, while Relaford’s 2-year-old son, Grant, is her only biological child, many of her students thought of her as their mother as well.

“She’d show up for graduations, probates, and if you needed a shoulder to cry on, you can bet Kyla would be there,” EOP alumnus John Peralta ’18 wrote in a tribute to Relaford that appeared in SUNY Plattsburgh’s student newspaper, Cardinal Points.

Even students who weren’t enrolled in the program often sought her to speak with, as her reputation as an advocate and mentor was well established, and her door, always open.

“I think what it was was that she could see in people what they couldn’t necessarily see in themselves yet, and so she’d nurture that,” Christman said.

“Kyla’s purpose was to help others to realize their purpose, talents and gifts,” Evonne Hamler-Cadet, associate for the SUNY Office of Opportunity Programs, said at the memorial.

Relaford challenged her students to reach their full potential, Moran noted, but she also put enormous amounts of energy into ensuring they had the support and resources needed to do so.

“When it came to protecting her students and their best interests,” President Dr. John Ettling said at the memorial, “She could be as fierce as a mother bear defending her cubs, while at the same time, nudging them toward self-reliance.”

In a separate interview, sophomore Richeal Quartey recalled how Relaford, her primary adviser, was a source of strength during difficult times.

“Whenever I felt like giving up, Kyla would always give me that pep talk and get me right back on track,” she said.

In Spring 2018, Quartey became the inaugural recipient of the Kyla J. Relaford Memorial Scholarship, which provides for EOP students with the greatest financial need.

Initially shocked to be chosen for the award, she found comfort in Christman’s assurance that Relaford would have wanted her to have it.

“That has been my source of motivation and strength through the summer and up until this semester,” Quartey said in September. “When I feel like giving up, I remind myself that I have to make Kyla proud because she chose me for a reason, and I have to uphold her legacy.”

Former EOP Director Kyla Relaford ’02, G’04 (front) enlisted the help of students, staff and friends to surprise EOP Counselor Levi Martinez ’15 (not pictured) with a fully decorated cubical brimming with yellow balloons on his birthday. This photo illustrates the fun atmosphere Relaford created within EOP, according to her husband, Mike Gallagher ’04.

During Homecoming Weekend in October, a space in Macomb Hall — where offices for EOP and Student Support Services are now housed — was dedicated in Relaford’s memory.

The Kyla J. Relaford Room is intended to be a special gathering place for students and a space where both programs can hold celebrations and ceremonies.

“It’ll be a place where every time we enter, we’ll remember Kyla,” Carpentier said.

Additionally, Relaford’s former EOP colleagues strive to keep her spirit alive by honoring her passion for the program —

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Former EOP Director Kyla Relaford ’02, G’04 (center) shares smiles with EOP Associate Director Cassie Christman ’13 (right) and EOP Senior Counselor Amy Daniels G’08.

which will celebrate its 50th-anniversary in Fall 2019 — as well as her desire for justice.

“Both EOP and Student Support Services are really about justice,” Carpentier said. “Our kids don’t have much of a break before they get here, but most of them go on to make enormous impacts on their communities.”

For example, it’s not uncommon for EOP and SSS alumni to earn doctorate degrees, become college professors or enter the medical field, she noted.

“I think part of Kyla’s vision was eventually they’ll take over the world,” Carpentier said. “And we’re trying to perpetuate that in her memory. That’s what we want for them.”

Also part of Relaford’s legacy is the sense of family she helped to create within EOP. “Our hope in continuing her legacy is to continue that feeling for our staff and for our students,” Christman said.

“Some people are just extraordinary,” Carpentier added.

“And Kyla was one of those people.” ¢

“bighearted,

perceptive and

unafraid”

TO VIEW VIDEO of the Kyla J. Relaford Room dedication, visit alumni.plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

“It’s made school a lot easier for me. The staff is awesome.

I think it’s impressive that they’re able to help so many different people.”

YEARS OF SUPPORT; LIFETIMES OF SUCCESS

— JULIA KARKOSKI, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY RELATIONS

FOR THE PAST FOUR DECADES, Student Support Services has been making the road to a college degree a lot less lonely and a lot more navigable for some of SUNY Plattsburgh’s most at-risk students.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program has served seemingly countless first-generation, low-income and disabled students through the years, providing both academic and emotional supports.

“A lot of times, as a first-generation student, as a lowerincome student or a student with disabilities, you just don’t feel like you have that advocate, and in Student Support Services (SSS), you find people who really care, people who want you to be successful,” said Tom Thompson ’02 G’06, an SSS alumnus who now serves the program as coordinator for outreach and retention.

The tireless efforts of SSS staff have resulted in the program surpassing federal performance guidelines, with nearly 70 percent of participants earning bachelor’s degrees within six years of enrollment.

“I think what makes our program so successful is that we can take that human approach,” said SSS alumna Athena Castro-Lewandowski ’02, now a writing skills specialist for the program. “Even though our Student Support Services program

is the biggest one in the SUNY system, it still feels like a really small, family-based program.”

As Plattsburgh’s SSS celebrated its 40th anniversary this fall, students and alumni were eager to reflect on their participation in the program and the many relationships, opportunities and achievements made possible because of it. ¢

“With the motivational guidance of the Student Support Services team, I found pride in being a firstgeneration college student. Even after graduation, I’ve continued to benefit from their mentorship and encouragement but more importantly, their friendships.”

— MICHAEL MITCHELL ’15

TO READ MORE about the experiences of SSS students, alumni and staff, visit alumni.plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

Progress Power To The People

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

PATRICK LINDEN ’10 doesn’t believe in putting more energy

into anything than is absolutely necessary.

As a result, the 30-year-old CEO’s company, Atlantic Energy, has reduced hundreds of millions of carbon emissions from the atmosphere since its inception in 2011.

“We’re doing our part,” he said of the enterprise, which also employs fellow alumni Kyle Burke ’11, controller; Nick Capozzo ’11, vice president of operations; Timothy Havens ’11, assistant controller; Nick Seidel ’11, director of logistics; Kerin Soltren ’13, staff accountant; and Daniel Tangney ’10, director of marketing.

A wholesale energy provider, Atlantic Energy brings electricity and natural gas to consumers in 10 states, while simultaneously helping them reduce their energy consumption.

“We are able to purchase directly from generators and natural gas providers and put it through the energy grid to consumers to offer them more flexibility than your local utility,” Linden explained. “Your local utility sends you the price for a commodity every single month, and you pay to keep your lights on. We take the place of the utility for the commodity portion, and we offer you the option to include bundles.”

These bundles, or package options, allow consumers to add energy-efficient smart home products, such as security cameras and systems, smart plugs and smart lights, to their energy contract at no upfront cost.

“We know that stuff is expensive, so when customers sign up with us, we provide them the products at no upfront cost,” Linden said. “That’s really what differentiates us from everyone else. No one is full service the way we are.”

Atlantic Energy is also a leading provider of LED lighting, he noted, “so if a commercial entity signs up with us, we’ll replace all incandescent light bulbs with LED lights.”

The company has distributed almost one million energyefficiency products, including 600,000 LED light bulbs, since its founding and currently comprises about 150 employees.

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Pictured top left are Atlantic Energy Vice President of Operations Nick Capozzo ’11 (left), CEO Patrick Linden ’10 (center) and Director of Marketing Daniel Tangney ’10. They are among seven SUNY Plattsburgh alumni employed by the wholesale energy provider.

sive

Sustainability Studies

“Every single person from Plattsburgh who works for me is someone I knew in Plattsburgh, and as I was growing the company, I needed the ability to hire quickly, so I was able to reach back to my friendships I created at SUNY Plattsburgh and staff key positions,” Linden said. “It was really nice because I knew who they were, so I didn’t have to go through a formal vetting process.”

Among the first students to go through the college’s supply-chain management program, the CEO also credits the college with opening his eyes to vertical integration, a concept Atlantic Energy practices by doing its own manufacturing, sourcing and delivering.

“I know Plattsburgh’s not an Ivy League school, but our group of people are doing things that a lot of the Ivy League people are not, so I think that’s really cool,” Linden said. “In our industry, we’re on the younger side, and we take pride in saying we all went to Plattsburgh.” ¢

SUNY Plattsburgh now has a study option for students interested in careers involving two fields that often intersect — business and environmental science.

The college’s 21-credit minor in economic and environmental sustainability — a collaboration between the Department of Economics and Finance and the Center for Earth and Environmental Science — launched in Fall 2018. It challenges students to consider both scientific and economic implications when approaching various problems.

“Some of the solutions to our environmental problems, by necessity, require economic intervention,” explained Dr. Anthony Noce of the Department of Economics and Finance, who proposed the idea for the minor after working as a senior economist for the government of Canada.

“One of the things that I found working in an economics branch of a federal government department where we had to deal with fishing industry problems was the necessity to call in biologists to get their perspective, especially if one were to talk about prices and their effect on fish stocks,” he said.

Having come from a science background, Noce understood the biologists’ perspective; however, not all economists did so easily.

“The biologists had the same problem,” he said.

“So when the economists were talking about a solution, it sounded foreign to the biologists and vice versa. And yet they were talking about the same solution, but they’re using different terms.”

To create the minor, Noce teamed up with fellow coordinator Dr. Curt Gervich, associate professor of environmental science, and Dr. Colin Read, who was chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at the time.

“We envision that it should be attractive to everybody in the sciences, especially environmental sciences, and certainly anybody in business who leans toward working in the energy, sustainability or agriculture fields,” Noce said. “You could find a job in energy policy, agriculture policy or even trade policy without the necessary, steep learning curve.”

Additionally, graduates of the minor could potentially work at private firms as sustainability officers or marketing specialists.

The study option may also be appealing to journalism majors who wish to write about environmental policy, Noce added.

“Generally, a minor by itself is not sufficient to get the dream job working in sustainability, but it could be sufficient to propel you to a master’s program that could then get you that dream job,” he said.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

PASSION UPON PASSION

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

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IF ALUMNUS SHAWN STRACK ever wanted to drop names, he knows a few that might make a splash.

After all, the North Country native interned on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart; served as a production assistant for the 2010 film “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie; and calls famed singersongwriter Don McLean his father-in-law.

Additionally, here in Cardinal Country, Shawn’s father, Rick Strack ’81, is considered among the top goaltenders ever to play men’s ice hockey at SUNY Plattsburgh.

But Shawn has no need to rely on the star power of others. He and wife, Jackie McLean, are making names for themselves with their indie-pop band Roan Yellowthorn, which signed with LA-based label Blue Élan Records in May and released its first full-length album, “Indigo,” in September.

“Music was always a huge passion of mine, and I played in bands in college and listened to music all the time,” Shawn said.

Still, he found time to study, ultimately earning two bachelor’s degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh, the first in broadcast journalism and video production in 2007.

“My goal was to become like Jon Stewart,” Shawn said.

Following internships with Stewart’s Comedy Central show and MTV2, he took a job as an editor and web producer at WRGB-TV 6 in Niskayuna, N.Y., before assisting with production on “Salt.”

But after working in media for a couple of years, Shawn said, “I just sort of had a change of heart a little bit, and I actually came back to Plattsburgh for two semesters.”

This time, he studied English, earning his second bachelor’s in 2010.

“I’ve always really enjoyed reading and writing, and sort of what got me into that were lyrics in music,” Shawn said.

“Maybe I just had the communication/language thing built into me already, but that was something that I connected with, and that led me to English.”

His English degree would then lead him to Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., where he met Jackie and obtained a Master of Arts in teaching in literature.

The couple now resides in Morrisonville, N.Y., just outside of Plattsburgh. Shawn teaches seventh-grade English at Northern Adirondack Central School (NAC) by day and devotes himself to Roan Yellowthorn by night.

Meanwhile, his mother, Nancy Strack ’83 G’87, also a SUNY Plattsburgh graduate, teaches English at Stafford Middle School in Plattsburgh.

“That was probably part of the reason why I didn’t want to become a teacher at first because I wanted to do something different,” Shawn said of following in his mother’s footsteps.

“But then, at the same time, it’s probably also what brought me back to it.”

In addition to launching his music career and shaping young minds at NAC, Shawn has made a point of giving back to his alma mater through the Alumni in the Classroom Experience (ACE) program.

Jointly funded by the Plattsburgh Alumni Association and Plattsburgh College Foundation, the program brings alumni back to campus to share their perspectives with today’s students.

During his ACE visit, Shawn presented to English faculty and pre-service teachers about project- and problem-based learning.

“For me, the opportunity to return to Plattsburgh was extremely important,” he said. “Education is always changing, and for students, it’s a valuable experience to engage in discourse with someone who is an active professional.

“Engaging in that conversation and being reminded of ideals and theories helps me refine my own philosophy on education.”

Still, the skills Shawn gained with his first degree have proven valuable to his music career, allowing him to produce “Indigo” — as well as Roan Yellowthorn’s 2015 self-released, self-titled demo album — himself.

“The editing software for audio is really similar to editing software for video, so there was a very small learning curve for me to be able to do the audio production that I do,” he said.

Shawn also directed, produced and edited the music video for “Talk About It,” the first single off of “Indigo,” and played bass, electric and acoustic guitar, synthesizer and drums on the album.

Though he had no prior experience on drums, he was compelled to buy a kit and learn, as the couple had a very specific sound they were trying to achieve with the album.

“Jackie and I talked a lot about how we wanted the album to feel and sound,” Shawn said, “and she told me at one point that she wanted the songs to feel like she was flying through space, and there were stars exploding around her.”

Influenced by the folk genre, Jackie is responsible for writing all 10 tracks on “Indigo,” as well as supplying vocals and keyboard.

The couple spent part of the summer touring for the album, playing shows in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as in New York City, Albany and at the Monopole in Plattsburgh.

“Performing is extremely fun because we get to play the songs that we like and feed off the energy of the people in the room,” Shawn said. “Basically, that’s the reason that we do it.” ¢

TO LEARN MORE about Shawn Strack and Roan Yellowthorn and see photos from the band’s record release party, visit alumni. plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

‘THE TALE OF A PLACE WHERE THEIR JOURNEY BEGAN’ A STORY OF THE HONORS PROGRAM AND ITS FOUNDING DIRECTOR DR. DAVID MOWRY

BY AUBREY BRESETT ’01

PROVIDING A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES to students from every

academic major, the Honors Program has served thousands of students over the past 30 years.

Founding Director Dr. David Mowry said his idea for the program was sparked by renowned British philosopher Stephen Toulmin, who completed an eight-week residency at SUNY Plattsburgh in the 1980s as one of the first participants in the college’s Distinguished Visiting Professor program.

“Stephen taught classes, gave lectures and helped faculty with their research projects, and toward the end of his stay, I asked him for his feedback, and he said, ‘You have some very bright students here, but they often don’t seem to have much contact with each other. I think you should develop an honors program, so they can take some classes together,’” Mowry recalled.

And from that simple suggestion, the Honors Program was conceived.

“He (Mowry) articulated a vision for the program, persuaded the campus of the value of the program, secured resources for it, designed a beautiful facility to house the program, attracted faculty to teach in it and students to participate in it,” SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus Dr. Tom Moran ’69 G’73 told the large crowd gathered for the dedication of the Honors Center’s David N. Mowry Seminar Room, formerly known as Seminar Room B, over Homecoming Weekend in October.

That vision, according to Mowry, was to “bring committed and highly educated faculty and energetic students eager for intellectual challenges together in small classes to explore topics and issues.”

In the fall of 1984, Toni Anne Nichels ’88 became one of the first students to enter the program.

It was an impromptu conversation with Mowry that fueled her decision to attend SUNY Plattsburgh, she said, and it was his excitement that made her hungry to be part of the fledgling Honors Program.

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“The Honors Program had very humble beginnings — a handful of students divided between two seminars, one room and not much else,” Nichels said at the dedication ceremony.

“Yet, it was, for me, the most exciting place to be on campus.”

Mowry’s students, many of whom call him “Doc,” describe him as humble, committed, passionate, sincere and available.

“The many laps around the pond with Doc were among the best times of my four years at Plattsburgh,” Justin Elmendorf ’04 said at the ceremony. “We talked about everything from classes to relationships and everything in between.”

With class size capped at just 15 students, according to Mowry, the Honors Seminars in themselves were conducive to these relationships.

“The seminar rooms are designed to encourage discussion,” he said. “Students and their instructor sit around a table facing each other rather than sitting in rows of chairs looking at their instructor. And that makes students and faculty partners in the learning process.”

To many, Mowry helped make the college a more truly comprehensive public institution.

Dr. Mowry engages with students during a seminar in the Honors Center.

“Essentially, Dave founded a college within our college,” said Moran, a friend and colleague of Mowry’s and college provost at the inception of the Honors Program. “It is a personal and programmatic legacy that has yielded a transformative impact on thousands of students for whom the Honors Program enabled their tender hopes to blossom into confident capabilities and bright, promising opportunities.”

Today, the program enrolls over 400 students, according to its current director, Dr. Tracie Guzzio.

“The center and the seminar room are the ideal community he imagined,” she said at the dedication. “It’s a place with chairs and many side tables and couches, a place to hang out and study, to commiserate with friends during midterms, a place where students take some of the best seminars with some of the most outstanding professors on campus.”

Nicholas Schumacher ’17 excelled in the program.

“The Honors Seminars allowed me to study and learn in an environment where conversation and variety are encouraged for understanding different points of view,” he said in a separate interview. “The seminar settings enable students to have greater freedom and responsibility for their own education than is normally the case.”

For alumni like Elemendorf, Nichels and thousands of others, the center was their home away from home; it’s where they felt valued.

“The seminars gave us a voice,” Nichels said. “They provided us with an opportunity to speak, rather than merely be spoken to.

“Dave was a champion of students.”

Mowry was humble and modest, she continued, crediting the program’s success to the students rather than himself.

“The students certainly were an integral part of the program, but it was Dave who made the Honors Program a community, and its students, a family,” Nichels said.

In addition to his dedication to SUNY Plattsburgh and its students, Guzzio added during the ceremony, the story of the Honors Center is one of “the ideal community he imagined while promoting the possibilities of higher learning, of finding ways to challenge students and facilitate their intellectual growth, and to be inclusive of diverse opinions and cultures.

“Today, the center and this seminar room speak to all who enter, casting a spell over them with this magnificent tale of a place where their journey began.” ¢

TO VIEW VIDEO from the dedication, visit alumni.plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

“THE STUDENTS CERTAINLY WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROGRAM, BUT IT WAS DAVE WHO MADE THE HONORS PROGRAM A COMMUNITY, AND ITS STUDENTS, A FAMILY.” — TONI ANNE NICHELS ‘88

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

18 CARDINAL CONNECTIONS

Many Memories Made at Reunion 2018

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

SUNY PLATTSBURGH WELCOMED ALUMNI AND FRIENDS back

to campus June 7 through 9 for a weekend full of educational activities and social gatherings as part of Reunion 2018.

“There is really no place like home, and Reunion Weekend 2018 seemed to prove that for the nearly 200 alumni and friends who returned to celebrate their lifelong connection to this place,” said Kerry Chapin-Lavigne ‘98, director of alumni relations.

The festivities marked the anniversaries of class years ending in “3” and “8,” with the Class of 1968 celebrating 50 years since graduation. Members of the class were joined by alumni from prior years as the Class of 1968 was inducted into the Golden Anniversary Club at a luncheon in the Myers Fine Arts Building. The Class of 1968 Anniversary Dinner followed the next evening at Samuel D’s, providing members of the class time to catch up, share stories and enjoy each other’s company.

Among the other activities for Reunion attendees were walking tours of campus and local museums, cooking classes and a barbecue at the Naked Turtle on Lake Champlain.

Guests were also given the opportunity to relive their college dining days by attending lunch at Algonquin Dining Hall.

There, the Reunion Class Challenge trophy was awarded to the Class of 1968, which comprises the highest percentage of college donors of any of this year’s anniversary classes.

New this year was an all-class event at Retro Live in downtown Plattsburgh. Attendees sang and danced their way

Check out alumni specific products and apparel at mypsubookstore.com.

Go to the Merchandise tab and click Alumni from the drop down menu.

www.plattsburgh.edu

through time with music and trivia from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s at this colorful conclusion to Reunion 2018.

“Thank you to everyone who traveled from near or far to celebrate with us,” Chapin-Lavigne added. “You are always welcome home!” ¢

19 CARDINAL CONNECTIONS

Class of 2018 Inducted Into Athletic Hall of Fame

BY BRIAN SAVARD

ON FRIDAY, OCT. 12, the Plattsburgh State Department of

Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations, inducted the Class of 2018 into the Plattsburgh State Athletic Hall of Fame.

Comprising the Hall of Fame’s 34th induction class were Breanne Doyle ‘07 (women’s ice hockey); Kris Gibbs-Smith ‘06 (men’s basketball); Susan Hutchins ‘88 G’92 (women’s cross country and women’s track and field); Julie (Devereux) Kimball ‘08 (women’s ice hockey); Matthew LoPiccolo ‘97 (men’s cross country and men’s track and field); Curtis Smith ‘06 (men’s basketball) and Head Coach Emeritus Chris Waterbury (men’s soccer).

A two-time First-Team All-American, Doyle made a name for herself as one of the top goaltenders in program history.

She helped Plattsburgh State win its first NCAA Division III national championship in 2006-07 and ranks among the program’s career leaders in winning percentage (second, .904), save percentage (fourth, .934) and goals-against average (fourth, 1.26). The Ogdensburg, N.Y., native was also a two-time AllECAC West selection, a two-time ECAC West All-Tournament Team honoree and a NCAA All-Tournament Team pick in 2006-07.

Helping the Plattsburgh State men’s basketball team earn its first SUNYAC championship since the 1970s during his senior year, Gibbs-Smith left an indelible impact on the program.

The Rochester, N.Y., native garnered several plaudits during his senior season in 2005-06, including NABC East District AllRegion, D3hoops.com All-East Region, All-ECAC and First-Team All-SUNYAC honors. Gibbs-Smith earned SUNYAC Tournament MVP honors in 2005-06 as well, averaging 19.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game during the tournament.

Hutchins was a trailblazer in the history of women’s athletics at Plattsburgh State, as she became the college’s first-ever All-American female. She finished eighth in the 800-meter run at the 1988 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 2:15.93, and by virtue of her finish, she earned All-America recognition. Hutchins finished her career as the program record holder in 13 events, six of which came during indoor season.

Kimball helped Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey achieve national acclaim, as she patrolled the blue line on the Cardinals’ first two NCAA Division III national championship teams in 2006-07 and 2007-08. The Lombard, Ill., native earned two All-America honors during her career, receiving SecondTeam All-America recognition in 2006-07 before earning a spot on the All-America First Team in 2007-08. Kimball was named

to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2007-08 and the ECAC West All-Tournament Team in 2005-06 and 2006-07, and she was a three-time First-Team All-ECAC West selection.

A decorated middle-distance runner, LoPiccolo remains the outdoor program record holder in the 800-meter run (1:50.34) and the indoor program record holder in the 800meter run (1:52.41), the 600-meter run (1:21.25) and the 4x800-meter relay (7:47.27). LoPiccolo earned All-America honors at the 1998 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships, finishing fifth in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.76. During the 1998 outdoor season, his time in the 800-meter run (1:50.34) was the fastest performance in Division III that year.

One of the most important figures in the era of head coach Tom Curle, Smith impacted the program first as a standout student athlete before remaining a steadfast supporter of Cardinal men’s basketball after graduation. Smith ranks sixth in program history in career steals (191), and he was a D3hoops. com Second-Team All-East Region selection in 2003-04. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native earned a pair of Second-Team AllSUNYAC honors in 2003-04 and 2004-05, respectively, and he was named to the SUNYAC All-Tournament Team in 2003-04.

Few coaches have enjoyed success in the history of NCAA Division III men’s soccer quite like Waterbury, who amassed a 477-169-65 overall record across 36 years of being a head coach and a 453-151-62 mark over 33 years at Plattsburgh State.

Waterbury led the Cardinals to 26 consecutive winning seasons from 1988-2013 — the 12th-longest streak in Division III men’s soccer history — in addition to eight SUNYAC titles and 11 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, which included a run to the national semifinals in 2005. ¢

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

20 CARDINALS RULE

Memorial Hall Renovations

BY BRIAN SAVARD

MEMORIAL HALL, SUNY Plattsburgh’s key facility for varsity

athletics and student recreation, is slated for major renovations beginning Fall 2019. Designs for the multimillion-dollar project show new facilities and equipment that will transform training opportunities for athletes and fitness options for students and the wider community.

“This is a game-changing project for all of our programs and comes at an exciting time here in Cardinal Country,” said Mike Howard, SUNY Plattsburgh’s director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. “The scope of this project is comprehensive and transforming.

“The new Memorial Hall will play a critical role in allowing us to continue the momentum we have built over the past few years, which has included a major rebranding effort, the addition of women’s lacrosse, increased fitness and recreation programming, greater sponsorship funding and continued athletic excellence on both the conference and national levels.”

The complete renovation of the existing Memorial Hall will maximize the use of space within the building’s current footprint.

Planned upgrades and enhancements over the course of the multi-year project include:

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Multipurpose and group activity areas.

Renovated Fitness Center that will increase in size by more than 12,000 square feet.

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Expanded academic offices and classrooms for the fitness and wellness program.

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Addition of a strength and conditioning facility for varsity student athletes.

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Remodeled entrance and lobby area.

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Renovated varsity athletics gymnasium for varsity volleyball and basketball teams.

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New recreation gymnasium and climbing wall.

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New locker rooms and team-room space.

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New offices for athletics staff.

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Sports medicine suite for varsity athletics that will include a new treatment and rehab space.

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New doctor’s office and hydro room.

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www.plattsburgh.edu

With the renovations, comes the permanent closure of the Memorial Hall pool in May 2019, in part, because renovations must be within the current building footprint due to state guidelines covering funding, and a modern, competitive pool cannot be constructed in the current space. The former pool space will be used as a recreation gym. Such space is needed after open recreation space in Sibley Hall was replaced by the Center for Neurobehavioral Health.

HOLT Architects, a firm based in Ithaca, N.Y., is serving as the principal architect for the project, which is financed by the SUNY Construction Fund. ¢

21 CARDINALS RULE

Two Former Cardinal All-Americans Signed by NWHL’s Connecticut Whale

BY BRIAN SAVARD

AFTER COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREERS that will long be remembered in Cardinal Country, former Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey student athletes Melissa Sheeran and Kayla Meneghin signed contracts with the Connecticut Whale of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) in advance of the 2018-19 season.

Sheeran and Meneghin both completed their senior seasons in 2017-18 and won three NCAA Division III national championships during their time with the Cardinals.

Sheeran earned the Laura Hurd Award, which is given annually to the top player in Division III women’s ice hockey, in 2017-18 after earning Northeast Women’s Hockey League (NEWHL) Player of the Year and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West Player of the Year recognition in 2017-18 and 2016-17, respectively. She finished her career ranked fifth in Division III history in points (186), doing so on 97 goals and 89 assists. Sheeran also ranked second in Division III history in career game-winning goals with 24, which stands as a Plattsburgh State record. She was a three-time CCM/ American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-America honoree and was named Plattsburgh State Female Athlete of the Year for three consecutive years.

Meneghin also enjoyed a decorated career in a Cardinal uniform, earning three CCM/AHCA All-America honors.

Meneghin, the 2015-16 ECAC West Player of the Year, was also named the NEWHL Tournament MVP in 2017-18. She finished her career fourth in Division III history in points with 188 and ranked fifth all-time in career assists with 102. Meneghin earned the Plattsburgh State Senior Achievement Award in 2017-18 as a result of her success as a Cardinal and was recently named the assistant women’s ice hockey coach at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

The five-team NWHL is in its fourth season of existence, and the Whale’s 16-game schedule stretches until Sunday, March 3. ¢

Melissa Sheeran

Kayla Meneghin

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

A N E A T E R Y E X P E R I E N C E STU D E N T S D I N E I N S TYLE A T CLI NTO N DI NI NG HA LL

www.plattsburgh.edu

23 STUDENT CORNER

BY BREYANA ANDERSON

CLINTON DINING HALL, one of nine eating facilities on

campus, recently reopened after undergoing four months of renovations. Located near Hood, Wilson and deFredenburgh halls, Clinton is the main dining facility for first-year students and serves the largest number of students and members of the campus community.

Last renovated in 2000, Clinton was built in 1967 with a layout drastically different from the one it has today.

“When you got to the bottom of the stairs, the first thing you saw was the dish return,” Executive Director of College Auxiliary Services Wayne Duprey said. “And then you went left or right, and there were tray slides; both sides were identical.”

The design was very similar to a high school cafeteria.

“Everything was stainless steel,” Duprey added.

With upgrades to services and remodeling of residence halls on campus taking place, it was inevitable that Clinton would also be revamped, he noted.

The most recent renovations have transformed the dining hall into a technology-based facility, making the dining experience more efficient for customers. Instead of waiting in long lines and getting pre-prepared meals, diners now wait less than five minutes for their orders, which they are able to customize thanks to the installation of kiosk systems.

“We want to stretch the elasticity of the ordering platform, but yet not compromise the time,” Duprey said.

The “Clinton Experience” begins upon entering the dining hall. There are eight different food stations to choose from, four of which allow for custom orders using the kiosks. Vibrant blue lights surround the salad and fruit bar, wood-fired pizza is cooked in a real brick oven, and the dessert station is overflowing with a variety of treats.

“Freshmen may not know the difference, but for an upperclassman, I would like to think the experience is better than it was,” Duprey said.

Now a senior, Jordanne Stephenson used to eat at Clinton Dining Hall every day as a freshman.

“When I first went to Clinton three years ago, I was amazed,” she said. “There was a great variety of food that I wasn’t used to.”

Stephenson hasn’t been back since her sophomore year and decided to check out the renovations for herself.

“The new renovations are beautiful. It has definitely changed, and it’s much more appealing to the eye,” she said.

The facility is still undergoing cosmetic and non-operational improvements, which are expected to be complete in January 2019.

“The end goal with this project was to try and bridge institutional food service with a restaurant-quality experience,” Duprey said. “And I think we were able to reach that goal.” ¢

Breyana Anderson is a New York native, born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She majors in public relations and double minors in journalism and marketing. She will be graduating in May 2019.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

24 GIFTS IN ACTION

Advancing the Cause

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

SUNY PLATTSBURGH has ensured

that a monumental figure in its history will never be forgotten.

“It’s high time that we at Plattsburgh honor this man, this alumnus — James Augustus Wilson,” President Dr. John Ettling told the large crowd who gathered in Champlain Valley Hall during Homecoming Weekend in October for the dedication of the James Augustus Wilson Commons.

The grandson of former slaves, Wilson earned a degree in education from SUNY Plattsburgh’s predecessor, Plattsburgh Normal School, in 1902, becoming the college’s first African-American graduate.

He was chosen by his classmates to deliver the commencement address, which he titled “Up From the Depths,” before continuing his studies at Wesleyan University and going on to teach at Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University; Samuel Huston College, now Huston-Tillotson University; and Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University.

The commons features a large portrait of Wilson, along with a commemorative plaque, and recognizes his lifelong commitment to education and social justice.

“James Augustus Wilson strongly believed in advancing the cause of social justice,” Interim Chief Diversity Officer Portia Allie-Turco G’05 said at the dedication. “He really was looking at ensuring that people of all genders, of all races and abilities, are welcome and that people can realize their full potential and also give back to their community.”

The occasion also served as the inauguration of the James Augustus Wilson Endowed Scholarship, established by Greg Riley ’77 and Plattsburgh Alumni Association Director Bruce Mante ’79 for African-American students who demonstrate academic achievement and campus leadership.

“By the end of this semester, we will award two scholarships of $2,500 each,” Mante told the crowd.

As of mid-October, the endowment had received $230,000 in gifts and pledges since its inception in 2016.

“This great nation of ours has a rich history of welcoming all,” Mante said. “Throughout our American history, education has played a key and vital role in lifting and advancing the quality of life of all of our citizens. Mr. Wilson was a man of

www.plattsburgh.edu

great foresight and perseverance. He was an individual who valued education, scholarship and character, and he made a great difference in this world.

“Greg and I envision that each and every recipient of the scholarship will embrace and live these values.” ¢

TO LEARN MORE about the James Augustus Wilson Scholarship and view video of the dedication, visit alumni. plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

25 GIFTS IN ACTION

Investing in the Future of the North Country

BY ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON ’10

LIKE MANY OF THE REGION’S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES,

Malone, N.Y., native Danielle Johnson ’13 had her choice of multiple colleges. Ultimately, however, receiving a North Country Scholarship provided just the incentive she needed to stay close to home and earn her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh.

That’s exactly what the Plattsburgh College Foundation had in mind 10 years ago when it established the meritscholarship program, which rewards top graduates of high schools in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties by deducting $3,500 per year from their educational costs if they enroll at Plattsburgh. This can be stacked on top of other awards, including the Excelsior Scholarship, to help with the cost of meal plans and on-campus housing.

Additionally, students who keep their grades up may receive the discount for up to eight semesters of consecutive study.

“We see it as a way of keeping the local students here,” said SUNY Plattsburgh Director of Development Faith Leach G’01.

This is important, she explained, because the region is experiencing a shortage of professionals to serve its growing industries, as many talented youth leave the area for college and never return.

“It’s much more likely a student is going to stay in this area if they come here for college,” Leach said.

Since the program’s inception in 2008, approximately 633 of the region’s best and brightest students have benefitted from a total of $4.3 million in North Country Scholarships, funded primarily through the foundation’s Plattsburgh Fund, with additional support from area businesses and individuals.

“We are proud to help some of the finest local students go to college to fulfill their dreams and future aspirations,” said Randy Giltz ’87, a member of the Plattsburgh College Foundation Board of Directors and Senior Vice President of Northern Insuring.

The business, which has supported the program since the beginning, is among several area benefactors who sponsor named North Country scholarships for individual students at the $2,500 level.

“These young students are the possibility for the future of our region; they could stay here, have families here and help us all be successful,” Giltz said.

“How we invest in them now will have an impact on how they will reward our society as they put the knowledge and talent to good use in our communities,” added Mike Penfield, a member of the Plattsburgh College Foundation Board of

Jody Carpenter ’92, vice president of marketing and business development for UFirst Federal Credit Union, speaks to North Country Scholarship recipients during a recent luncheon that connected them with benefactors of the program.

Directors and director of manufacturing at Georgia Pacific, which has also sponsored named scholarships since the program’s inception.

Meanwhile, Johnson — now the first director of the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment, a subsidiary of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh — serves as a shining example of the program’s success.

“During my time at SUNY Plattsburgh, I had the opportunity to do work in the community through internships, class projects, even just my part-time job,” she said. “I met a lot of great people doing this and realized that this would be a great place to start my career.”

UFirst Federal Credit Union, another decade-long sponsor of named scholarships, recognizes the difference the scholarship has made in the past 10 years, according to Jody Carpenter ’92, vice president of marketing and business development for the organization.

“We were delighted to be an inaugural donor to this program because we understand the importance of achieving a higher education and what it can mean for local students and their future,” she said. ¢

TO LEARN MORE about the North Country Scholarship program, including how to make a gift, visit alumni. plattsburgh.edu/webextras.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

26 ALUMNI TODAY

Our Alumni Today ’50s

¢ This past summer, these ladies met up at Clare & Carl’s in Plattsburgh for a mini-reunion. Pictured from left to right: Mary Lee Gload ’52 (SNT), Patricia Burba Cleary ’52 (SNT), Pam Monette Altizer ’52 (SNT) and Peggy Ringwall Weiss ’52 (SNT). ¢ SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinal Sports Hall of Famer Mike Storonsky ’50 (EDU) and wife, Pauline, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary and her 90th birthday in July 2017. They marked the occasions with a fine dinner with their four children and six grandchildren.

¢ Members of the Class of 1954 recently met at Battle Hill Brewery in Fort Ann, N.Y. Pictured in front row: Annamarie Grasberger Kelly (HUS), Joan Smith Argentero (EDU), Chris Schyler Mahr and Barbara Story Newton (HUS).

Pictured in back row: Arlene Moore Green (NUR), Dorothy Carpenter (HUS), Joan Harris Sears (NUR) and Jim Sears (EDU).

’60s ¢ David Behm ‘68 (IND) shared that after graduation, he worked for General Motors for 34 years in various management positions in several plant locations and served in an aviation company of the National Guard. He married Nancy Kneuer in 1971, and the two enjoyed 40 years together before she died of cancer in 2011. Today, he enjoys spending time with their two daughters and six grandchildren, as well as his

THIS ISSUE’S FREE SWAG WINNER, Mike Jette ’89 (EDU), became superintendent of Litchfield School District in Litchfield, N.H., on July 1, 2018.

GET IN ON THE FUN. Share your wedding, birth and career announcements or other exciting news for a chance to win a SUNY Plattsburgh sweatshirt! Share your success: alumni.plattsburgh.edu/announce.

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mother. Over the past six years, Behm has visited 27 countries on five continents. He summers at his house on Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, and winters on the beach in Venice, Fla. ¢ Pictured from left to right are Barbara Orton ’69 (EDU), Sue Williams ’69 and Janice Campbell ’69 (NUR), who, along with Neville Strumpf ’69 (NUR) met up at Friends Lake in Warren County, N.Y., in August 2018. ¢ Ronald W. Yankowski ’66 (EDU) attended an NFL college draft party on April 25, 2018, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., home of the Arizona Cardinals professional football team.

There, wearing a SUNY Plattsburgh T-shirt, he met the team’s mascot, Big Red.

’70s ¢ Keith J. Anderson ’79 G’86 (GEG) (CLG) is president elect of the American College Health Association and will take over as president in May, serving through 2020. Additionally, he and Henry Gagnon ’80 (BUS) hosted a reunion in Lake George for residents of the ninth floor of Wilson Hall. Andy Rudack ’79 (AS), a former resident assistant to the ninth floor of Wilson Hall, joined more than 16 other floor members at the event. ¢ Debra Chauvin ’79 (HUS) celebrated her 60th birthday in June 2017 in Montgomery, N.Y., with her family and best friends.

27 ALUMNI TODAY

Pictured on page 26 from left to right: Tina Gerardi ’80 (NUR), Mary Chauvin Jamison ’82 (EDU), Patti McCarthy Winniczuk ’79 (HUS), Debra Chauvin ’79, Michelle Mateus Chauvin ’82 (CSC), Phyllis Harth Chauvin ’55 (EDU) and Bill Chauvin ’83 (BUS). ¢ Kate Chilton ’76 (BSC) and friends Mel LucasGaddy ‘75 (EDU) and Liz Ewing-Burns ‘77 (PSY) got together this year in Portsmouth, N.H., for lots of memories, laughs and wine. ¢ Gregory Cole ’76 (BIO) is a 201718 distinguished graduate of the neuroscience program at Florida State University. ¢ Alan Davis ’74 (EDU) is retiring after 44 years in the working world, the last 29 of which he was at the New York City Housing Authority. Writing, electronics, men’s club work and Helene’s “honey-do” list await him. ¢ In February 2018, Linda Durant ’72 (EDU) took over as vice president for development at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in Washington, D.C. ¢ John Fabiano ’71 (ART) recently published his second book, “The Endangered Sales Person’s Path To Longevity.”

Formerly the national sales manager for the distribution division of a global communications company, he is now an artist and writer living in Florida. ¢ Stephen Haupt ’78 (AS) is the CEO of Ammon Labs, full-service toxicology labs in Linden, N.J., that provide quality services and competitive pricing for the testing and detection of substance misuse. In addition, Haupt, who is pictured in front of the company’s new state-of-art facility, established the Ammon Foundation, which provides educational scholarships and initiatives for those recovering from addiction.

¢ Eileen C. Egan Mack ’72 (THE) had an article published in the Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies, a journal of the Adirondack Research Consortium. Published by the Kelly Adirondack Center at Union College, the article is a tribute to Jeanne Robert Foster, an Adirondack-born writer, poet, model, reporter, art agent and pioneer social worker. The accompanying illustration is a sketch by Foster’s friend John Butler Yeats, father to the Irish poet, W.B. Yeats. ¢ Robert Marino ’75 (BIO) was the 2017 Session II Grand Prize Winner in the jazz category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with his song “I Gotta Little Crush on You.” ¢ Karen Podmore McGlynn ’75 (NUR) received her doctorate of nursing practice degree from Case Western Reserve University and is deputy chief nursing officer at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y. Her oldest son is a fourth-year medical student at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., and her youngest son is a secondyear nursing student at Long Island University Post College on Long Island, N.Y. ¢ John McShane ‘75 (AS) shared this 2017 photo of he and former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Anne Anderson at the Irish Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he was named a division marshal of the 46th-Annual St. Patrick’s Parade for his many years of volunteer service with a number of Irish organizations. ¢ Plattsburgh alumni reunited on a Coral Princess Cruise through Alaskan glaciers in June 2018. Pictured from left to right: Ginny Cote Pfeil ’78 (NUR), Lois Rybka Dysard ’78 (AS), Pam Teague ’78 (EDU), Suzanne Carrillo ’78 (BIO), Janice Hofaker Tighe ’78 (EDU) and Carol Godette ’77 (EDU).

¢ Larry Sargeant ’72 (EDU) published his first novel, “The Saga of Chief Barking Loincloth,” with Outskirts Press. His other writings include special occasion poetry, short stories for use in his English classes and numerous musical comedies used as fundraisers for a Rotary scholarship program.

’80s ¢ Christina “Tina” Gerardi ’80 (NUR) was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Nurses Association in Nashville, Tenn., in January 2018. ¢ Former Cardinal hockey player Jim Griffin ’83 (COM) was inducted into the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Hall of Fame on Oct. 22, 2017.

He and his wife, Martha, reside in Winchester, Va. ¢ Sudi Karatas ’86 (MKE) authored “Rainbow Relatives,” a book about talking with kids about LGBT families and topics.

It is being published by Skyhorse Publishing. He also wrote/ produced the film “Walk A Mile In My Pradas,” now available for free for Amazon Prime members at http://tinyurl. com/gnwsehl. The film stars Tom Arnold, Dee Wallace, Mike Starr and Bruce Vilanch. View the trailer: http://vimeo. com/22498902. ¢ John Kocik ’84 (BIO) is a salmon researcher and serves as director of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Maine Field Station in Orono, Maine, as well as task chief for the Atlantic Salmon Research Team.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

28 ALUMNI TODAY

¢ Megeen Mulholland ’86 (ENG) published her first volume of poetry, “Orbit,” with Finishing Line Press. ¢ Janet Johnson Schliff ’82 (EDU) authored a book, “What Ever Happened to My White Picket Fence? My Brain Injury from My Massive Brain Tumor,” in which she mentions SUNY Plattsburgh and shares stories of her teaching career.

’90s ¢ Robert Bourgeois ’99 G’01 (BUS) (MLS), national sales manager for Plattco, an industrial valve manufacturer in Plattsburgh, was featured in the August 2017 issue of Strictly Business. He and wife, Darcy, have a daughter, Emily. ¢ Randi Colton ’95 (COM) is the recipient of the 2018 New York Hero Award from Worldwide Community First Responder. A resident of Rockland County, N.Y., she founded FitChick CPR and has nearly 30 years of experience in CPR and first-aid training.

She is affiliated with the Valley Hospital Emergency Life Support Training Center in Ridgewood, N.J. ¢ Carolyn Currie ’93 (NUR), a native of Lake George, N.Y., was recently promoted to the rank of captain in the United States Navy.

¢ On Sept. 5, 2018, Laurie Guyon ’94 (EDU) began a new job as assistant coordinator for Model Schools at the Washington-SaratogaWarren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. ¢ Kerri Moccio ’91 (EDU), a first-grade literacy intervention specialist at Bedford Elementary School in Dearborn Heights, Mich., won the 2018 Educator of the Year award and a $10,000 prize from the Michigan Lottery’s Excellence in Education program. She and husband, Craig ’92 (PHY), who is a manager in body engineering with Ford Motor Company, live in the Ann Arbor area with their two daughters, Abbie, 20, and Sophie, 17. ¢ Matt Ryan ’95 and Brian Flynn ’00 (COM) won a New York State Emmy in April for the WMHT-TV documentary “Governor Mario Cuomo: Poetry and Prose.” The film also won a New York State Broadcasters Award for Best Documentary. Flynn was chief videographer and editor on the project.

Ryan, who served as host and producer, picked up his second career Emmy. ¢ Jennifer Wilson-Mathis ’97 (COM) began a new job as director of admissions & communications at Friends School of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C., in May 2016.

’00s

¢ Edward Lenane ’91 (EDU) provided this photo of Plattsburgh alumni, family and friends gathered on Sept. 8, 2018, at West Point Military Academy for their annual Plattsburgh/Alpha Sigma Phi Tailgate.

www.plattsburgh.edu

¢ Rachael (Osborne) Athearn ‘06 (JOU) was recently promoted from writer to supervising editor of creative services at Joyce Meyer Ministries in St. Louis. Rachael is responsible for overseeing all of the organization’s printed content.

¢ Collette (Mayer) Mathsen ’06 (COM) married Jeremy Mathsen ’10 (COM) on Aug. 20, 2016, at the Samuel De Champlain Monument in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Alumni in attendance included Jaja (Cabalit) Cabagnot ’05 (HRT), bridesmaid; Jon Forbes ’09 (ENG), groomsman; Jamie Prudhomme ’06 (EDU), maid of honor; Amanda Liberati ’02 (ACC), bridesmaid; Marcie (Everleth) Reardon ’07 (SOC), matron of honor; Griffin Burnett ’10 (MKE), groomsman; and Jared Silverman ’10 (MKE), groomsman. Collette and Jeremy welcomed their child, Kaleia, on Sept. 13, 2017. ¢ Beth Barnes ’04 (ART) was recently named among the “2018 Top 20 Young Executives” by Supply House Times. ¢ Kristofer Cross ’07 (BCJ) and wife, Julia, welcomed their second child, Brady Michael Cross, on Nov. 15, 2017. Brady joins his sister, Lillianna Lawson Cross. The couple reside in Plattsburgh. ¢ On Oct. 1, 2018, Amanda Dermott ’05 (CRI) began a new job as labor relations specialist at Erie 1 BOCES in western New York. She earned her law degree from the University at Buffalo and has been practicing law for more than seven years.

29 ALUMNI TODAY

¢ In November 2017, Lindsey Jakiel Diulus ’05 (COM) (CAS) started a new job as the director of development for Communities In Schools of Greater New Orleans. She received her doctorate from the University of New Orleans in 2018. Serving as methodologist on her doctoral dissertation committee was Dr. Anne O’Hanlon ’83 (PSY). ¢ Pamela Kenniston ’02 (COM) earned her doctorate in health sciences from A.T. Still University in Arizona in December 2016. ¢ Taryn ’ 09 (MKE) and James ’07 (ACC) Nieke welcomed their first son, Rory James Nieke, on May 6, 2018. ¢ Harmony Osei ’09 (HDF) recently accepted a position with the City University of New York. She is a senior academic adviser for Macaulay Honors College and works on-site at Baruch College.

¢ On September 8, 2017, Tara Marie Raeburn ’09 (ENG) married Jahmar Fox at the Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers, N.Y. They now live happily in the Bronx. ¢ R. Todd Ransom ’01 (ENG) has joined the financial services team at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, N.C. Ransom was recently a partner at Haynes and Boone LLP in New York City. Prior to that, he served as assistant general counsel at Bank of America Corp. ¢ Tim Sarrantonio ’04 (HIS) was recently a key executive in helping launch Neon One. This new tech company is focused on nonprofits and combines NeonCRM and Rallybound, two companies that, together, have helped charities raise over $9 billion. ¢ Morgan Snyder ’08 G’09 (EDU) and Bryce Hicks ’11 (BUS) were married March 31, 2018, at Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel by the Rev. Eric Woods. ¢ Carolyn Strauss ’09 (EES) married Philippe Marguet on Sept. 16, 2017, at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, N.Y.

’10s ¢ Plattsburgh alumni got together last fall for lunch in Somers, N.Y. Pictured from left to right: Erin Gauthier ‘02 (ACC) (MGM), Anthony Nadler ‘01 (ACC) (MGM), Kimberly Holroyd Maier ‘82 (ACC), Alison Wiehl ‘00 (ACC), Jason Sugg ‘99 (BUS), Corrine LaPierre ‘02 (ACC) (BUS), Stacie Pezzullo ‘00 (BUS), Dylan Bailey ‘15 (BUS) (ACC), Sarah Gregory ‘00 (ACC) (BUS), Thuy Luong ‘09 (ACC) (BUS), Charmi Ketan Shah ‘17 (ACC) (BUS).

¢ Jeff Carpenter ’14 (ENG) and Sara Weigel ’14 (SWK) wed on Oct. 14, 2017, in Rochester, N.Y. ¢ Sarah Fournaris ’13 (HRT) married Barry Roytman ’14 (BUS) (ECO) on July 14, 2018, with several other Cardinal alumni in attendance. ¢ Kristen Harris ’11 (MKE) married Mathiew Harris on Sept. 9, 2017, in Deansboro, N.Y. ¢ In July 2018, Kristina Hjertkvist ’11 (MGM) (BUS) began a new job as manager of community relations and social impact with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Fla. ¢ Jennifer Lee ’12 (CMM) joined landscape architecture firm Barton & Loguidice’s Syracuse office as a marketing specialist.

She is a resident of East Syracuse. ¢ Stefano Mineo ’11 (BUS) (ECO) married Nicole Dittl ’14 (NUR) on April 12, 2018, in San Diego, Calf. ¢ Alan McFarren ’12 (SOC) married Elizabeth Rafferty ’13 (GWS) on May 19, 2018, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. ¢ After celebrating more than 12 years together, Kyle Phillips ’10 (CSC) and Jessica Bartlett ’10 (ART) were married Aug. 19, 2017.

¢ Anthony Alamia ’11 (PSC) married Andrew Dolman on Nov. 4, 2017, in Cambridge, Mass.

SEND US YOUR NEWS Submit your news at alumni. plattsburgh.edu/announce, or send it to SUNY Plattsburgh, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY, 12901, or to aubrey. bresett@plattsburgh.edu.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

30 FAREWELL

In Memoriam FACULTY AND STAFF Lawrence “Larry” Arcarese G’65, associate professor emeritus of media communications — April 16, 2018 Keitha Brunell, library and information technology services, retired — Aug. 24, 2018 Joseph Burke, president emeritus — Aug. 3, 2018 Philip DeVita, professor emeritus of anthropology — Nov. 17, 2017 Christopher Hayward, professor emeritus of geography — Oct. 24, 2017 Mervin LaGrave, janitorial, retired — Nov. 18, 2017 Edna LaValley, cleaning department, retired — May 21, 2018 John Middleton, professor emeritus of marriage and family-life counseling — May 13, 2018 Rodney S. Patnode, janitorial, retired — Sept. 5, 2018 Mary Roden-Tice, professor emeritus of geology — July 14, 2018 Dr. John Paul Roemischer, former instructor and lecturer — Sept. 23, 2018 John Shout, professor emeritus of English and theater — Nov. 24, 2017 Dr. Douglas R. Skopp, professor emeritus of history — May 27, 2018 Arnold A. Stone Sr., maintenance, retired — Oct. 26, 2017 Nicholas Troisi, professor emeritus of education — April 26, 2018 Patricia A. Wood, assistant vice president for finance emerita — Nov. 26, 2017 Waltraud “Daui” Woodin, administrator and faculty emeriti — March 24, 2018

www.plattsburgh.edu

’30s G. “Eileen” Perras ’39 — April 7, 2018 Arma Rollier ’34 — May 13, 2018

’40s Laura Connolly ’49 — Jan. 26, 2017 Patricia C. Consolmagno ’42 — Dec. 27, 2017 Doris Dedrick ’42 — Nov. 10, 2017 Lettie DeSilva ’46 — Feb. 21, 2018 Elizabeth Hughes ’48 — June 25, 2018 Dorothy Peck ’42 — June 18, 2018

’50s Marilyn Bennett ’53 — Aug. 25, 2016 Marilyn Ricci Borski ’57 — March 10, 2018 Jean Bovee ’55 — Dec. 8, 2016 Mary D. Boyle ’57 — May 26, 2018 Evelyn Brayton ’55 — Dec. 6, 2017 Neal E. Burger ’54 — Jan. 9, 2018 Dona Croto ’57 G’69 — July 30, 2018 George Davey ’53 — Nov. 29, 2017 Arthur Einhorn ’58 — Dec. 22, 2017 Nancy Finch-Pierce ’57 — Feb. 5, 2018 Vernon Gokey ’57 — June 8, 2017 Mary Jane Graf ’51 — Aug. 18, 2017 Maureen L. Haggart ’52 — June 14, 2018 Anne Bethel Heaney ’50 — Aug. 22, 2018 Kenneth Humiston ’53 — Oct. 2, 2017 Jocile E. Irwin ’55 — Sept. 24, 2018 Nancy Kirch ’53 — Feb. 18, 2018

Elizabeth “Sandy” Kubica ’53 — June 23, 2017 Donald H. LaPierre ’51 — Sept. 3, 2018 Teresa Mathews ’57 — Nov. 27, 2016 Jean McMillan ’55 — Nov. 30, 2016 Carolyn B. Smith Morris ’58 — Oct. 3, 2017 Melva L. Naylor ’56 — May 30, 2018 Carol A. Perkins ’55 — Sept. 25, 2018 Elizabeth Raymond ’51 — Aug. 21, 2017 Gretchen Sayer ’50 — Sept. 1, 2017 Samuella Wallen ’50 — April 12, 2018 Joan Fenton Welch ’54 — Oct. 23, 2017 Norbert Yakey ’56 — July 31, 2018

’60s Shirley Berger ’60 — Nov. 13, 2017 Robert Bergevin ’66 G’69 — Nov. 17, 2017 Eileen Whalen Brewer ’66 — May 14, 2018 Joanne Glasgow ’68 — July 7, 2017 Ruthanne Hadley G’66 — June 20, 2017 Carol A. Jones ’68 — April 26, 2017 Carole A. Kane ’62 — May 14, 2014 Grace Hilt Mack G’69 — Nov. 25, 2016 Karen Matis ’68 — July 29, 2014 Barbara Morrell ’64 — Aug. 24, 2018 Mark Muto ’69 — Dec. 15, 2016 Mary Pechette ’62 — March 28, 2016 Janice Potskowski ’69 — June 7, 2018 J. Bruce Seguin ’64 — July 4, 2018 Neil Sessleman ’63 — July 6, 2018 Linda Sinor ’68 — June 28, 2015 Clifford A. Winslow ’66 G’71 — Oct. 8, 2017

31 FAREWELL

’70s Vernon Colditz ’77, ’91 — June 26, 2018 Diana Cron G’75 — Oct. 19, 2017 Denise Denisoff ’74 — Feb. 11, 2018 Thomas DiCaprio ’77 — Sept. 20, 2017 Carolyn Droscoski ’78 — Feb. 5, 2018 Lorraine M. Dundon ’74 — Nov. 4, 2017 Thomas Glasgow ’71 G’77 — Oct. 12, 2017 Steven Kishlansky ’74 G’78 — Oct. 16, 2017 Linda E. Matyas ’74 — June 29, 2017 Linda W. Mayo ’71 — Aug. 31, 2018 Patricia A. Nephew ’75 G’88 — Sept.

12, 2018 Robert Newell ’73 — July 20, 2018 Thomas Noonan ’74 — July 13, 2018 William Pettersen III ’76 — Oct. 2, 2017 Timothy Scannevin G’73 — June 13, 2018 Amelia Schonzeit G’73 — July 7, 2015 Thomas Schultz G’79 — March 29, 2018 Terrence Shpur ’78 — Aug. 10, 2018 Robert E. Smith ’71 — April 24, 2018 Douglas Spaulding ’73 — Feb. 4, 2017 Sandra E. Stafford-Chester ’73 — March 6, 2018 Michael J. Thayer ’78 — May 2, 2014 Harry Kingsland Welsh Jr. ’74 — Sept.

13, 2018 Peter W. Wright ’75 — June 3, 2018 Susan M. Zebro ’72 — July 8, 2018

’80s

’00s

Andrew Bradley ’87 — Oct. 17, 2017 Deirdre Carr ’83 — April 5, 2018 Emily Castine G’83 — Nov. 13, 2017 Stuart Dunn ’87 — Nov. 15, 2017 Gary J. Gabriel ’82 — May 14, 2017 Robert J. Krasucki ’81 — May 11, 2018 Elnora Mills ’87 — March 28, 2018 Margaret L. Nolan ’89 — March 5, 2017 Douglas Parrish ’85 — Sept. 5, 2015 Rosemarie Schoonmaker ’83 — Sept. 19, 2016 Christine Shaffer ’87 — Aug. 5, 2018

’90s Eugene Burnell Jr. ’92 G’96 — Nov. 17, 2017 David Manuel Medeiros ’93 — July 2, 2018 Donna Pedersen ’93 — Dec. 4, 2017 Sharron Rock ’98 — Nov. 16, 2017 James E. Rothwell ’97 — Aug. 4, 2018 Margaret Wachtmeister ’91 — Feb. 17, 2018 Matthew P. Wentland ’98 — Feb. 9, 2018 Scott Wright ’97 G’07 — Aug. 10, 2018

Christopher M. Haley ’09 — May 6, 2018 Jeffrey Ryder ’06 — Nov. 21, 2017 Gary Titherington G’09 — Sept. 23, 2018

’10s Allison King ‘10 — Oct. 6, 2018 Giancarlo Adrian Mayor-Valencia ’16 — June 24, 2018 Brian J. McNally ’14 — Aug. 3, 2018 Amanda Rivenburg ‘11 — Oct. 6, 2018 Marcy Lynn Rivers G’15 — June 3, 2018 Amy (King) Steenburg ‘11 — Oct. 6, 2018 Lucas James Wesley ’11 — Aug. 22, 2018

STUDENTS Jason Michael Concepcion — June 22, 2018 Evan Mac Dougal — Oct. 2, 2018 Seoncheol Shim — Oct. 3, 2018

Death notices must be accompanied by a copy of an obituary or memorial card. Send to Aubrey Bresett, SUNY Plattsburgh, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY, 12901, or aubrey.bresett@plattsburgh.edu.

PLATTSBURGH MAGAZINE

FALL ’18 / WINTER ’19

32 THE LAST WORD

LIGHT A BRIGHT sor History Profes

opp, Dr. Douglas Sk In Memory of ian Emeritus or ist H and College

earth simply by p op be obtained on n ca e lif l na er gacy. Doug Sk et way. It is our le he l My view is that d fu an ng , ni le ea op m s of pe rs in a touching othe some people, but thousand d humble an t ie qu a st as ju w touched not ound way. He ue. rsonal yet prof for us to contin ung, having cy did so in a pe ga le nt rta po yo im ry ve an ft as le w in 1974, I both giant who e immaturity, to Plattsburgh When I came my youth, cam r. ith so w es d of An pr l e. grad specia skipped eighth cial. Dr. Skopp was a very elf challenge mys d so intellectual an strengths and forced me to of the world. His r ns He saw my inne ived and rather small notio sacrificed in the ce be and my precon was that ideals should not eath. g until his last br un ls au ea ch id s ns hi ta el ed W r liv ei e th H y. ed or en st in hi , Evelyne, op search for truth their hearts. e and his wife H ed it. en r fo op m ey hi th And I loved e importantly, lt, I have given but even mor y life. As a resu r dreams as m home to me, on ct pa im arkable ts fulfill thei He had a rem lp many studen he to h rg bu back to Platts ine. ded him how ed me fulfill m Dr. Skopp help , I wrote to Doug and remin e lives of so many. th ed d di an he e Before en in my lif ure he had be “that has so long illuminated fig a nt rta po , im it will not be ,” I wrote him “A bright light world, will be dimmed. But the many e as th ng of lo alive, as ht— the darkness r as long as I am is earth, that light—your lig Fo . ed ish gu th k extin al w d he uc ve to students you ha spread. , and who be to ue in nt co lived our lives ill w simply how we will achieve is ce cy en ga ist le r ex ou “If ing more, your th no d an d, we touche immortality.” w ’78 Norman Rado EO C Radco

D

r. Douglas Skopp joined the college’s history department in 1972, where he remained until his retirement in 2006. He received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1963, his master’s from Connecticut College in 1964 and his doctorate from Brown University in 1974. In the mid-1980s, Skopp was a Fulbright scholar/lecturer and a guest professor at Germany’s Universitaet Hannover.

During his more than 40 years of engagement with SUNY Plattsburgh, there was little his gentle but inspiring leadership did not impact. Among many roles, at various times, he served as chair of the history department, acting associate vice president for academic affairs, co-director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, presiding officer of the faculty and acting director of the Institute for Ethics in Public Life, where he played a central role for 20 years.

He also served as the college’s official historian, a position he held until his death. In the late 1980s, Dr. Skopp researched and published the college’s centennial tome, “Bright with Promise: From the Normal and Training School to SUNY Plattsburgh, 1889-1989, a Pictorial History.”

www.plattsburgh.edu

Additionally, Dr. Skopp was instrumental in establishing the annual Holocaust commemoration on campus. He received the SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professorship in 1997, and his novel, “Shadows Walking,” about a German physician who joins the Nazi Party and participates in crimes against humanity, was published in 2010.

In honor of Skopp and his wife Evelyne’s contributions to the college and their “efforts to bear witness and bring an end to genocide,” a gallery in Feinberg Library was permanently named the Douglas and Evelyne Skopp Holocaust Memorial Gallery in 2012. ¢

TO READ MORE about Skopp’s legacy and view video of a celebration of Skopp’s life, visit alumni.plattsburgh. edu/webextras

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