Alfred Magazine Fall 2019

Alfred
M AG A Z I N E
OCTOBER 2019

CELEBRATING OUR UNIQUE

Maker
CU LT U R E

MOMENTS

Alfred Executive Editor Photography Alfred University
M AG A Z I N E Jason Amore ’97, MS ’99 Jeremy Lange, Peter Mangels, 1 Saxon Drive
OCTOBER 2019 ISSUE Rick McLay ’89, Hannah Paduano ’19, Alfred, NY 14802
Contributing Writers Olivia Piazza ’19, Mark Whitehouse 607·871·2103
Mark Whitehouse [email protected]
Rob Price Alfred Magazine, copyright 2019,
is mailed free of charge to alumni, We reserve the right to edit all
Design current parents, and friends of Alfred letters and articles submitted for
Rick McLay ’89 University. Circulation: 6,473 publication in Alfred Magazine.

Alfred
M AG A Z I N E
OCTOBER 2019 ISSUE

Inside 2 Celebrating our unique Maker Culture
One of Alfred University’s distinctive characteristics is its maker
Facing page: As part of the
First Year Experience program, culture, which encourages creativity, pushing students to unlock
professor of Philosophy Emrys their potential and reach their goals through an immersive, hands-
on learning environment. In this issue, we tell the stories of alumni
Westacott, far left, introduces who were inspired to take their maker spirit into the world and
new students to the unique accomplish great things. Jeff Morris ’76 founded Hi-Tech Ceramics
environment surrounding in the mid-1980s. In 1989, Jeff and his wife, Laurie Richer ’86 (page
Alfred University. 2), started Glenora Farms, producing grapes that supply numerous
Above: After a delightfully Finger Lakes Region wineries. Heatherlee Bailey ’90 (page 5),
inspired by her parents – themselves pioneers in the field of
warm September in Alfred, the emergency care – co-founded the student First Responders group
fall colors are at last begininng on the Alfred University campus and, as a physician trained in
emergency medicine and critical care, helped develop a program
to appear on campus. to train physicians and nurses in the Indian sub-continent in the
Cover image: Laurie Richer ’86 care of trauma patients. Mike McCumiskey ’03 and Dave Woolever
’06 M.S. (page 8), grew up as friends in Hornell, NY, and parlayed
and Jeff Morris ’76 inspect the their passion for brewing beer into a popular craft beer operation
grapes during harvest time at in their hometown. Fred Tracy ’87 (page 10), earned his B.F.A. from
their vineyard. See story, page 2. Alfred University and dreamed of a career as a potter, eventually
designing a small canopy to keep shaded at craft fairs. Today, Fred
is a worldwide leader in the tent manufacturing industry.
13 Alf red Campus Digest
Major happenings on campus.

18 Saxon Athletics

23 Class Notes

37 Afterthoughts

THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALFRED UNIVERSITY 1

&C h a m p a g n e wine

FineMIGHTY Jeff Morris ’76 was familiar with the
lay of the land when he bought a
Jeff Morris ’76 and Laurie weekend cottage along the west shore
Richer ’86 start a second career of Seneca Lake in 1989. He had grown up
in grape farming, as New York in Irondequoit, NY, a suburban kid, but
his parents had taken care of a cottage
enters the Modern Wine Age near the lakeshore. Jeff had spent his
weekends learning how to farm, and he
2 liked the physical labor. “I had a closeness
to Seneca Lake,” he says.
He also knew the soil was good for
growing grapes.
Buying the cottage also coincided
with a nearly 30-year revolution in
winemaking occurring in New York’s
Finger Lakes region.
“We had had big wineries in the Finger
Lakes – Pleasant Valley, Taylor, Gold Seal
– all of them making jug wines,” Jeff says.
Those wines used the local grape varieties
– Catawba, for instance; Niagara; Concord.
Grape farmers believed the local varieties
had a better chance of surviving Upstate
New York winters than the European vitis
vinifera variety.
Local grapes, however, tended to
produce a sweet wine at odds with
seasoned wine drinkers’ preference
for European wines, fermented from
vinifera varieties. Cornell University began
experimenting with hybrid grapes that
combined local varieties with the vinifera,
but in 1962, Konstantin Frank began
producing outstanding wines solely from
locally grown vinifera grapes on his farm
overlooking Keuka Lake.
“Now,” says Jeff, “we have about 140
wineries in the Finger Lakes region,
most of them making wine from vinifera
grapes.” Those wines have received
international respect; the Finger Lakes
now are recognized for world-class
vintages of Riesling and Chardonnay.
Wineries need grape juice, and to make
the juice, you need to grow the grapes.

By Rob Price

Jeff and his wife, Laurie Richer ‘86, are the he bought his

owners of Glenora Farms in Dundee, “We harvest anywhere from cottage, he
NY, one of the many vineyards a few tons to 40 tons daily. was invited
along Seneca Lake that specialize Cleaning the equipment and to Alfred
in growing vinifera varieties. It’s University

been a winding road from their delivering the fruit takes up to discuss
work at Alfred University, the rest of the day. That’s careers
where Jeff had been trained in ceramic

as a ceramic engineer and typical of grape farming engineering at
Laurie had graduated from during the harvest season.” a conference
the University’s College of high school

of Business. The story Jeff Morris ’76 counselors.
involves a high-tech The conference

ceramic material was organized by

Jeff invented as a Laurie Richer, working

graduate student and then in Alfred University’s

research associate for the Admissions Office. It was the first time

Alfred University Research she had met Jeff, and they’ve been together ever since.

Foundation, a conference of high school guidance By then, Hi-Tech Ceramics had become, in Jeff’s own

counselors, and an old barn. words, “the poster child for economic development.”

It was a big, old barn – “Huge,” Laurie says – and it sat The company employed about 120 individuals, some

at the top of a hill that overlooked the western shore of of whom were ceramic engineers who had graduated

the lake. “It obviously needed a coat of paint, but it was from Alfred University, and it exemplified the

still solid. It was built entirely of wood, and they’re not successful collaboration between private businesses

making barns like that anymore.” and academic research institutions. Alfred University

It was part of a 113-acre parcel of farmland owned next began a collaboration with Corning Incorporated

by Eastman Beers, a pioneer in the viticulture of the and New York State that resulted in the construction of

Finger Lakes. Nearby was the Glenora winery, which two business incubators in Alfred and Corning; people

Beers had helped found with Gene Pierce, who now in the economic development business began talking

was producing award-winning wines from vinifera about a Ceramic Corridor across Western New York.

vines. Jeff drove past the Beers property (and the barn) Meanwhile, Jeff was feeling the pull of the land, and

on his trips between his cottage and his office in Alfred of that beautiful barn. Driving back and forth between

Station, where he was president of Hi-Tech Ceramics. Alfred and the cottage, he could imagine buying the

Jeff had started the company in the mid-1980’s, barn and the surrounding acreage, then leasing the

while he was pursuing his doctorate in ceramic land back to the original owner. “We could see the

engineering at Alfred University and working for future of cool climate viticulture here in the Finger

the Alfred University Research Foundation. His Lakes,” Jeff says.

mentor was Emeritus Professor William Crandall ’42. “I was traveling in California for Alfred University

With Crandall’s guidance and the resources of the when Jeff called me with the news,” Laurie recalls. He’d

Foundation, Jeff developed a porous ceramic material made the deal: The two of them were now owners of

that could be used to filter impurities out of molten one old barn and the 113 acres of farmland that went

metals. Alfred University owned the patent on the with it. They would call their new business Glenora

material, called reticulated ceramic; Jeff negotiated Farms.

successfully with the University for the purchase, then A period of intense work followed, during which

started Hi-Tech Ceramics in partnership with two other Jeff continued running Hi-Tech Ceramics on a full-

ceramic engineers from Alfred, John Jarrabet ’80 and time basis while he gradually became more involved

William Meinking ’76. in Finger Lakes viticulture. Both he and Laurie were

His subsequent success exemplified the growing scrambling between the farm and cottage and their

career potential in ceramic manufacturing, which obligations in Alfred. Subsequent parcels of farmland

traditionally had been viewed as a process dedicated also came up for sale, contiguous with the original

to porcelain bathroom fixtures. In 1989, the same year Continued on page 4

3

acreage he day during the

and Laurie had late spring and

bought in 1991. throughout

They continued the summer.

buying property “It’s impor-

– “It’s part of tant for them

my nature to to have this as

get bigger,” Jeff their back-

jokes. ground, doing

Eventually, he hard work ev-

began stepping ery day,” Laurie

back from Hi- says.

Tech Ceramics. “How do

In 1995, he sold you teach the

the company State-of-the-art equipment is essential for a vineyard of this size, and both work ethic?”
to Vesuvius, Laurie and Jeff take an active part in the harvesting process. adds Jeff. “My
staying with parents and

the company as a research consultant until 1996, when Laurie’s parents taught us. So here comes the next

he stepped away completely and became a full-time generation. Part of what we are trying to do is help

farmer. Laurie continued working at Alfred University them find out that a huge part of personal satisfaction

until 2003, when she became Glenora Farms’ other comes from a job well done.”

full-time owner and employee. They’ve developed a sort of unique, hybrid approach

When Alfred Magazine recently interviewed Jeff to parenting teenagers. Austin and Devon have

and Laurie, they were in the middle of the annual fall been enrolled part-time in the local school district,

harvest. Most of the work is done by machine, with Jeff where Laurie has served as school board president.

operating the farm’s state-of-the-art mechanical grape During the winter months, Jeff and Laurie also home-

harvester and Laurie driving a tractor and bin wagon. school Austin and Devon during extended ski trips to

One morning in late September, they were hand- Colorado. The family loves to ski, and when necessary

picking grapes for sparkling wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Jeff and Laurie can oversee from a distance the

Blanc and Pinot Noir. They had some time to sit and myriad of winter farming chores, which include hand

talk. trimming each vine.

“We’re up before sunrise,” Jeff says. “We harvest More recently, the family bought a home in the Vail

anywhere from a few tons to 40 tons daily. Cleaning Valley of Colorado. They spend the academic year

the equipment and delivering the fruit takes up the there, where Austin and Devon are enrolled at the Vail

rest of the day. That’s typical of grape farming during Mountain School. Jeff and Laurie return to the farm

the harvest season.” for approximately six weeks for harvest. The entire

Laurie jokes she’s the first person in her family to family spends late spring and summer on Seneca Lake

take up farming as a business and way of life. She had working the farm.

grown up in Wellsville. When she graduated from Nearby, Glenora Wine Cellars is one of their best

Alfred University in 1986, she stepped straight into the customers. Owner Gene Pierce’s wines continue to

Admissions Office, where she stayed until 2003. receive international recognition, and Pierce owns

“It’s a lot of work and we’re getting older,” Jeff reflects. two additional wineries: Chateau Lafayette Reneau

“How we proceed is always the interesting question and Knapp Vineyards Winery and Restaurant. He also

we ask ourselves at the end of the season: Do we have serves as chairman of the Finger Lakes Economic

another year in us?” Development Center. Talking with him, you get a sense

Part of the answer involves two teenagers: their son, of someone who has his finger on the viticultural pulse

Austin, who is 15, and their daughter, Devon,13. Jeff and of the county.

Laurie made sure their children grew up absorbing “Jeff and Laurie grow good crops of vinafera grapes,”

the farming culture, working on the farm two hours a Pierce says. “They’re the real thing.”



4

MAKING A

Difference
IN PEOPLE’S LIVES

Heatherlee Bailey ’90 has enjoyed a career in
emergency and critical care medicine that has
spanned more than two decades. She has been
active in the Society of Critical Care Medicine and, in
February, became the Society’s first-ever president
trained in emergency medicine and critical care.

By Mark Whitehouse 5
Photography by Jeremy Lange, Durham, North Carolina

A n emergency care physician were Heatherlee and her younger brother,
at the Durham Veterans Richard Jr.
Affairs (VA) Medical “I had my CPR card when I was

Center in Durham, NC, seven,” Heatherlee said. “My brother

Heatherlee’s dedication and I would teach CPR and first aid

to her field is evident at in high school health class. When

home and abroad. She EMT courses started to be offered,

has served on numerous my parents taught that as well,

committees tasked with and we were there with them. I

improving the delivery grew up doing this.”

of critical care, is a past Jessie, who passed away in

recipient of the American 2014, became the first female

Medical Association’s captain of her first aid squad,

Women’s Mentoring Award, a position she held for 13 years.

and serves as Oral Board Heatherlee’s father, now 84, made

Examiner for the American more than 5,000 ambulance calls.

Board of Emergency Medicine. Heatherlee’s dedication to her profession

She is also one of the creators of – which places an emphasis on volunteerism

a course that has provided and mentoring – is no doubt rooted

training in trauma case “I had a great time in her parents’ involvement as first aid
essentials to thousands of volunteers.

physicians and nurses in India. at Alfred University That sentiment was evident when
Heatherlee has long aspired Heatherlee matriculated at Alfred

to a career in medicine. It led and wouldn’t trade a University in the fall of 1986, her plans
her to Alfred University, where to pursue a career in medicine by then

she earned a bachelor’s degree minute of it.” clearly set. She chose Alfred because
in biology, and then to the New it checked the boxes of what she was

Jersey Medical School, where looking for in a school: an excellent

she earned her medical degree Heatherlee Bailey ’90 academic reputation; an equestrian

in 1994. Her decision to pursue program that would allow her to pursue

a career in medicine, and in particular to specialize in her love of riding; and scholarship assistance.

emergency medicine, was influenced in large part by At Alfred, Heatherlee worked a few jobs. One was for

a December 1973 automobile accident near her family then-head football coach Jim Moretti, inputting statistics,

home in Pennington, NJ, which left her parents, father filing paperwork, and preparing letters for recruits.

Richard Sr. and mother Jessie, seriously injured. Another was working in student security for the Office of

“My mother was appalled by the care they had Public Safety.

received from pre-hospital providers,” said Heatherlee, “In student security, every so often we’d encounter

who was just six years old at the time. “It’s not that they individuals who needed help, who were sick or hurt. We’d

didn’t care; they just lacked the proper training. All the be on standby at events, and sometimes there were

volunteers had were basic first aid skills.” injuries,” Heatherlee explained. “Some of us had a first aid

After they had recovered from their injuries, background. We got together and talked about forming

Heatherlee’s parents joined the local first aid unit and a first responder group on campus.”

eventually trained to become paramedics. Jessie was a The group was outfitted with radios and equipment.

member of the first class of trained paramedics in New Student volunteers, initially numbering 12, provided CPR

Jersey; Richard was in the second class. Recognizing a and basic first aid. The group, founded in 1988 remained

need for training in first response, Jessie and Richard active for nearly 25 years, disbanding in 2012.

began teaching courses in first aid and CPR. The course Heatherlee has continued to follow in her parents’

was 12 hours long, which was prohibitive for many footsteps, making a difference through her professional

working class adults, so they developed the abridged work, as a volunteer, and as a mentor. After earning her

four-hour version which would later be adopted by the medical degree, she completed her residency at the

American Heart Association. Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (now

In the ensuing years, Heatherlee’s parents taught first Drexel University College of Medicine).

aid and CPR to thousands around their home in Mercer By then, Heatherlee knew she wanted to focus on

County and throughout New Jersey. There with them emergency medicine and critical care. “I knew that’s

6

where I could make a difference,”

she said.

After her residency, Heatherlee

joined the faculty at the Medical

College of Pennsylvania and, after

a faculty fellowship in critical

care, served as her department’s

director of Critical Care Education

as well as its associate residency

program director. Twelve years

later, Heatherlee was appointed

director of Critical Care Education

at Duke University before taking

her current position at the Durham

VA Medical Center. She is an

emergency medicine intensivist,

with a primary specialty in

emergency medicine and a sub-

specialty in critical care.

What does Heatherlee find

most gratifying about her work?

“The fact that you have the ability

to make a difference for the

individuals you are treating and

their families,” she says. “These are

people who are having the worst

days of their lives and we have

the potential to make it better.

Saving a life: there’s nothing more Above: Heatherlee attends to a patient during one of her overnight shifts at
rewarding than that.” the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Throughout her medical career, Facing page: Heatherlee along with other members of Alfred University’s

Heatherlee has been a member of original student “first responders” group in the late 1980s..

the Society of Critical Care Medicine

(SCCM), the largest non-profit medical organization Heatherlee lives in Chapel Hill with her husband,

dedicated to promoting excellence and consistency Dr. Edward Cooner, whom she met during her first

in the practice of critical care. With members in more week of medical school. A member of the equestrian

than 100 countries, SCCM is the only organization that team during her four years at Alfred, she maintains

represents all professional components of the critical care her interest in riding. While she hasn’t ridden

team, from doctors and nurses to respiratory therapists competitively for years, she owns and boards a horse,

and pharmacists. Her parents’ involvement in volunteer Silver, riding as her schedule allows. “It’s important

work and the impact it has had on her is reflected in her to have something outside of medicine, to maintain

work with the SCCM, which stresses volunteerism and balance. You need another area of life that brings you

mentoring. joy.”

One of Heatherlee’s most significant and rewarding Of her time at Alfred University: “Between

endeavors is the development of the Comprehensive working for (Moretti), working with the student first

Trauma Life Course for India. In 2005, in the aftermath of responders, riding on the equestrian team, all my

the 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of coastal India, classes, the people I met…I had a great time at Alfred

Heatherlee was instrumental in creating the program, University and wouldn’t trade a minute of it.”

which trains physicians and nurses in the Indian sub-

continent in the care of trauma patients. She stayed active Footnote: Heatherlee’s father, Richard Bailey Sr.,

in the program from 2005-10, making annual trips to India. passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 20, at his home

The program remains in operation to this day. in Florida.



7

Brewcrafting the

TrueTHAT IS

Mike McCumiskey ’03 and Dave They continued their joint hobby, eventually moving from
Woolever ‘06 M.S. grew up together beer kits to recipes for specific kinds of beer. They used
in Hornell before attending Alfred Mike’s kitchen in Rochester, where he had moved and was
University. They enjoyed drinking working. Dave also began studying the actual chemistry involved
beer with each other and eventually in the brewing process while working as a school counselor (he
extended the fun into making their had earned a history degree at Susquehanna University, then
own homemade batches. Mike, an received his master’s degree in education counseling from Alfred
undergraduate business major University). Dave further immersed himself in the science and
who had been experimenting with craft of brewing through internships with the Rochester-based
fermenting grape juice, found the Rohrbach Brewing Company and CB Craft Brewers. Eventually he
relatively short fermentation and began working full-time for Rohrbach and dropped his original
maturation period for beer – about career plans to be a school counselor.
a month ¬– preferable to the six-to- “I wanted to brew beer,” he says.
nine-month period it took to produce a In 2014, after about two years of talking and planning, the two
drinkable batch of wine friends opened their own brewery in their hometown of Hornell.
The Railhead Brewing Company is located alongside the old Erie
By Rob Price Railroad tracks in Hornell, near the sprawling Alstom plant where
Hornell continues to serve as a hub for train and locomotive
manufacturing. (Hornell, both Mike and Dave note, also was the
home base for several successful brewing companies in the early
twentieth century.) From the start they wanted to use the facility to

8

brew craft beers and supplement the brewing business Above: Dave Woolever ’06 M.S., left, and Mike
with a wood-fired brick oven pizza restaurant. They McCumskey ’03, in the Railhead brewery. Lower left:
purchased a ready-made brick oven and learned how Dave checks the beer quality with a hydrometer.
to use it, while relatives contributed construction and Facing page: Mike describes the different varieties to
carpentry skills to renovate the building. customers.
Their first night in business featured a low-key
opening, with just an invitation to friends on Facebook. range and greater quantity of brewing. The larger
“We knew we were going to have a steep learning curve, facility will allow them to open the restaurant in its
and we were nervous,” Dave says. “We wanted as soft an current location four nights a week. They also hope
opening as possible.” to begin selling their beer to other restaurants in
The first customers began arriving at about 3pm. western New York.
And they keep on coming. The work is collaborative with little division of
Mike and Dave credit a lot of their success with labor between the brewing and the business end
knowing the local market and having a realistic idea of of the operation. Mike focuses more on the details
what kind of brewing/eating business would succeed in of accounting and taxes, while Dave continues
Hornell. learning the science and craft of brewing. That said,
“We knew the community,” Dave says. “If we had just the duo believes the business is small enough, and
opened a brewery, we could take it only so far. The new enough, for the two of them to work closely
wood-fired pizza just made sense – of course, we had to together in the daily operations, and in planning
learn how to make pizza on the fly.” for the future.
The beer is excellent (so is the pizza). As chief brewer, “We really don’t have a fire wall between the
Dave keeps three 93-gallon fermenting tanks in brewing and the business,” Dave says. Then he
operation in a back room, turning out a combination laughs and adds: “But I’ve really enjoyed learning
of ales and lagers that are served up in pint glasses, how to brew.”
or in flights of four five-ounce sampling glasses. The
brewery is open for business only three nights a week
9
and on an y given
evening the bar
serves about seven
different kinds
of lagers and ale,
plus batches of
experimental
brews. Customers
may also purchase
64-ounce servings,
or growlers,
in take-home
containers, and
Mike and Dave
recently added a
crimping machine
that can seal a
32-ounce can of
beer, or growler, for transportation.
Business has been good enough for the partners to
begin an ambitious expansion plan, leasing a nearby
building in which they will have more space for a wider

FRED’S

CoGvOTerITed

Fred Tracy ’87

In the summer of 1987, right after receiving The structures were a hit with fellow vendors at
his BFA degree from Alfred University, craft fairs so Fred began making the tents at a
Fred Tracy made a living selling his original garage in his native South Glens Falls and selling
pottery, at studios he owned in Lake George, them. “That was the start of Fred’s Studio Tents
NY, and Virginia Beach, VA, and at numerous and Canopies,” he says.
craft fairs and shows in the Northeast. “Studio” has since been dropped from the
What Fred remembers most about working company name and today, Fred’s Tents and
the summer craft fair circuit was the intense Canopies is a multi-million dollar business,
heat that reddened his skin and made his employing nearly 70 people at an 87,000 square-
artwork nearly too hot for customers to foot facility in Waterford, NY.
handle. The business manufactures a variety of tents
“I was getting sunburned. I needed and canopies of all shapes and sizes, serving the
something to shade me and keep my pottery sports and entertainment industries, third-party
cool,” Fred recalls. sales and rental companies, and agricultural and
Fred’s solution? He designed a small tent industrial entities. Fred’s Tents and Canopies
– about 10-by-10 feet in size – consisting of a products have been used by emergency
steel and galvanized frame topped by a white responders at the sites of natural disasters and by
polyethylene canopy. the military in overseas operations, at Super Bowls,
and Presidential inaugurations.
By Mark Whitehouse “We have tents in every continent, in at least 15
countries, and in all 50 states,” Fred says.
Fred and his wife, Linda, co-own the business,
which has evolved steadily over the years. After
graduation from Alfred University, Fred operated
pottery studios in Lake George – which he opened
during his senior year at South Glens Falls High
School – and Virginia Beach.

10

Fred and Linda met in 1987 when “Our tents were in 2009, introduced the still popular
Linda came into his studio in Lake Stillwater Sailcloth line. Made

George, looking to buy some pottery. Louisiana for 18 from a translucent material, the
After they married, in 1991, Linda Stillwater Sailcloth has been

joined the business while working as months (following featured on the cover of In Tents, a
a CPA. top industry publication.

Over the first few years in Katrina), until people In 2010, Fred’s Tents began
business, Fred’s Tents and Canopies manufacturing its BFS (Better
manufactured and sold thousands
of the small tents, moving in 1990 to were able to get Fabric Structure) line. BFS is
a building in Stillwater, NY. Fred had essentially a much larger version of
closed his studio in Virginia Beach
and was making pottery at his Lake back on their feet The Fred Shed. The latter measured
George studio. He and Linda sold again. People were anywhere from eight to 30 feet in
pottery, wicker baskets, and tents width, while the BFS ranges from
from the Lake George facility. “One
day, Linda said to me, ‘We have 30 to 100 feet wide. Industries
these three businesses. Why not
concentrate on tents?’” calling us ahead of that make use of BFS structures
include agriculture (housing

Hurricane Dorian.” farming equipment or livestock)

and transportation (storing heavy

Fred Tracy ’87 equipment and road maintenance

Fred agreed and, in 1992, he materials like salt and sand).

expanded the tent business, making larger structures By 2014, the facility had increased from 6,000 to

that were rented for events like graduation parties and 15,000 square feet, but the business was growing

wedding receptions. Fred’s Tents operated out of a barn at a rate that outpaced the added space. That year,

with no heat and, later, in a section of a former middle Fred moved the business to its current location,

school building in Stillwater. “We were in a 21-by-24-foot an 87,000-square-foot manufacturing and storage

room on the second floor,” facility in the former Yankee Dollar distribution

Fred recalls, “If no one was using the gym, we made center in Waterford.

tents there and carried them back upstairs.” Fred’s Tents and Canopies has become one of

In 1996, Fred moved into a new facility, a 60-by-100-foot the largest and most successful businesses in the

building in Stillwater. “Every other year, we put a new tent industry. The firm provides tents primarily to

addition on,” he said. third-party businesses, including rental companies,

The business’s product line expanded over time and manufactures tents according to customer

as well. In 1992, the company introduced “The Fred specifications. It consists of three divisions: soft

Shed,” a structure consisting of fabric stretched over goods/fabric; metal fabrication; and printing. Fred’s

metal arched supports, which was typically used as a Tents does its own printing on tent and canopy

garage or to store equipment. In 2004, the company fabric, and has developed a process for printing on

manufactured its first pole tent and five years later, in the tent’s metal components.

Continued on page 12

11

One of Fred’s most ambitious projects was for an the major manufacturers in the United States and the
expansive tent and canopy structure commissioned for a world…It’s pretty humbling.”
2013 Great Gatsby-themed birthday party at a residence Fred attended Alfred University on the
on Long Island, NY. The project – which took five weeks recommendation of his art teacher in high school. At
to install and three weeks to take down – consisted the time, he knew of Alfred’s reputation as having one
of a 12-by-34 meter custom marquee entry; a 3-by-15 of the nation’s top ceramic art programs. He called his
marquee connecting a 12-by-9 meter cocktail tent with time at Alfred “a growing experience” that helped set
a 15-by-30 meter dining tent; and a 170-foot casino tent the stage for his career.
installed along the curved exterior of the home. More “During my junior year, I was able to study abroad
than 2,000 meters of fabric were used and a faux wood in Manchester, England. Alfred gave me that
finish was printed on every aluminum element. The opportunity. I do a lot of international travel so that
project won the International Achievement Award from (experience) helped me,” says Fred, who lists Fred
the Industrial Fabric Association. Tschida (glass art professor), John and Andrea Gill
Fred’s Tents and Canopies has been a supplier for (ceramic art professors), and Fred Frederickson (kiln
contests in every major sports league. Its products have technician) among his mentors at Alfred.
been used at horse races, stock car races, festivals, and His advice to students? “Don’t give up on your
concerts. Fred is quick to point out that the tent industry passion. There are places for you. Eventually you will
serves so much more than the entertainment industry. fall into something. It was what I learned in high
“Most people think of graduation parties, wedding school and at Alfred that has allowed me to do this. I
receptions, carnivals, and festivals. But it’s a unique took all of what I learned and experienced and applied
industry. In the 30-plus years I’ve been doing this, it, ran with it and created a multi-million dollar
I’ve seen this country’s worst and best days,” he says, company.”
referring to his tents having been used at staging Fred and Linda have two children: son Fred Jr.
areas for first responders in New York City following recently graduated from Clarkson with a graduate
the attacks on 9-11; by rescue workers in Louisiana in degree in engineering; daughter Amanda is an
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and in Afghanistan, undergraduate at Delaware Valley College, studying
where they’ve provided shelter to the U.S. military. agricultural business. Despite not having a career as a
“Our tents were in Louisiana for 18 months (following potter – he hasn’t made a piece of pottery in 15 years
Katrina), until people were able to get back on their – Fred says his business is a form of art, and it allows
feet again. People were calling us ahead of Hurricane him to indulge his creative side.
Dorian,” Fred says. “Those are the bad days. But we’ve “I always thought I was going to do something” that
had our tents at PGA golf tournaments, NASCAR events, tapped into his creativity, Fred says. “I thought I was
and Super Bowls. Our products have been there for going to be a potter; I didn’t know it would be in tents.
millions to see, and we’ve done a lot of those events. I’m asked, ‘Do you still make pottery?’ I say I still do it,
There’s a huge spectrum there. To have become one of but in a different form: I do it in aluminum, canvas and
steel. I’m still fulfilling my artistic need.

12

campus Digest

Marlin and Ginger Miller donating ceramic art to Alfred University

Over the last half century, Marlin Marlin Miller ’54, ’89 HD, ’19 HD and Ginger Miller including the late Val Cushing, a
Miller ’54, ’89 HD, ’19 HD – with ceramic art professor who earned
his first wife Marcianne (Mapel) “Materiality: Masterworks from the Miller Ceramic a B.F.A. degree from Alfred
Miller, and second wife, Ginger Art Collection,” opened at the Alfred Ceramic Art University in 1952, and several
– has collected works by some Museum Sept. 26, 2019 others affiliated with the University,
of the most renowned ceramic including: Wayne Higby, director
artists in the world. Since Marlin’s and curator of the Alfred Ceramic
first acquisition, a lidded ceramic Art Museum; John Gill ’75 M.F.A.,
bowl created by famed artist and professor of ceramic art, and his
Alfred University alumnus Val wife, Andrea ’74 (B.F.A.), professor
Cushing ’52, the Millers’ collection of ceramic art emerita; Anne
has grown to exceed 200 pieces. Currier, professor of ceramic art
On Sept. 27, Marlin, a member emerita; late professor of ceramic
of the Board of Trustees and one art Robert Turner ’49 (M.F.A.), the
the University’s most generous late David Shaner ’59 (M.F.A.),
benefactors, announced he and the late Ken Price ’59 (M.F.A.), the
Ginger would be donating the late Ken Ferguson ’58 (M.F.A.), Ed
majority of the Miller Ceramic Art Eberle ’72 (M.F.A.), and Tony Marsh
Collection to Alfred University’s ’88 (M.F.A.). The exhibition also
Ceramic Art Museum. Marlin, contains pieces by noted Japanese
who earned a bachelor’s degree and Chinese ceramic artists.
in ceramic engineering from An exhibition, “Materiality:
Alfred University and received Masterworks from the Miller
honorary degrees from his alma Ceramic Art Collection,” opened at
mater in 1989 and 2019, made the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum
the announcement at a dinner Sept. 26 and will remain on view
following the Perkins Ceramic Art through Dec. 30. The Val Cushing
History Lecture. piece is one of approximately
Miller enrolled at Alfred 60 pieces in the exhibition; the
University in 1950 as an remainder of the collection
engineering major, but soon remains at Marlin and Ginger’s
became interested in the arts. His home. “We’re going to give
roommate was an art student, the bulk of our collection to
who introduced him to another Alfred University,” Miller said in
art student, Marcianne Mapel announcing the bequest to the
’55 (B.F.A.). After Marlin and University.
Marcianne married, Marlin’s Miller, a member of the Board
appreciation for art continued of Trustees since 1972, is a
to grow. On a trip to Cape Cod, successful businessman and noted
MA, in 1969, the Millers acquired philanthropist who has been one of
the first piece of their collection, Alfred University’s most generous
a lidded bowl by Val Cushing for supporters. His gifts have funded
which they paid $50. construction of the Alfred Ceramic
Today, the Millers’ collection Art Museum, as well as the Miller
contains some of the most Performing Arts Center and Miller
renowned names in ceramic art, Theater.


13

Alfred University awards Helen Drutt English honorary degree

Alfred University awarded an “During the exhibition,

honorary Doctor of Fine Arts his work was acquired by

degree to Helen Drutt English, eight private collections

a pioneering educator, as well as the Smithsonian

collector, and curator in Institution’s National

the craft art industry, who Museum of American Art,”

has long been a supporter Higby said. “Today, Sun Koo

and advocate for ceramic Yuh is one of the world’s

artists affiliated with Alfred renowned ceramic artists.

University. The honorary This is but a single example

degree was presented at a of Helen Drutt English’s

dinner following the Perkins commitment to young

Ceramic Art History Lecture artists.”

on Sept. 27. Over the years, Drutt

Drutt English’s involvement English has exhibited

in the field of Modern and From left: Wayne Higby, Helen Drutt English and Mark and promoted the work

Contemporary Craft began Zupan. of numerous ceramic

in the mid-1950s, first as a artists affiliated with Alfred

collector. In 1973, she founded the Helen Drutt Gallery, University. They include Higby, whose work has been

one of the first galleries in the United States committed shown at more than 20 exhibitions at Drutt English’s

to modern and contemporary crafts. In presenting her for galleries in Philadelphia and New York City. In 2018, she

her honorary degree, Wayne Higby, director and curator began work with the National Museum of Art in Sweden

of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, said, “None of the on an exhibition that includes the work of several ceramic

pioneers of the contemporary cultural marketplace has artists connected to Alfred, including Higby, John ’75

been more important to Alfred University and to the M.F.A. and Andrea Gill ’74, Linda Sikora, Robert Turner ’49

advancement of ceramic art than Helen Drutt English.” and Val Cushing ’52.

Higby related how, during a visit to Alfred University in Over her career, Drutt English has organized a number

1997, Drutt English arranged to see a Master of Fine Arts of major exhibitions in the United States and abroad.

thesis exhibition of Sun Koo Yuh ’97, a Korean American In 2014, she facilitated the gift of a collection of 74

student. A month later at the Helen Drutt Gallery in works, including ceramics, furniture, and jewelry, worth

Philadelphia, she mounted Sun Koo Yuh’s first solo approximately $2 million, to Russia’s Hermitage Museum.

exhibition. The work of several Alfred University-affiliated artists,

including Higby, is included in the collection.

SUNY affirms Gabrielle Gaustad’s appointment as vice president of Statutory Affairs

On Sept. 26, the State The vice president of Statutory Affairs/unit head is SUNY’s
chief administrative officer of the New York State College of
University of New York (SUNY) Ceramics, overseeing budget requests and expenditures for
the College on behalf of the SUNY Board of Trustees.
Board of Directors affirmed Gaustad has been dean of the Inamori School of
Engineering since Jan. 1. She came to Alfred from Rochester
the appointment of Gabrielle Institute of Technology (RIT), where she served as associate
professor and director of the Master of Science program
Gaustad ’04 as vice president in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. At RIT, Gaustad
conducted more than $2 million in sponsored research
of Statutory Affairs at Alfred programs, and mentored dozens of doctoral and masters
students.
University. Gaustad earned a B.S. degree in ceramic engineering from
Alfred University in 2004. She also holds a master’s degree in
In her role, Gaustad computation for design and optimization and a doctorate in
materials science and engineering, both from Massachusetts
– who is dean of Alfred Institute of Technology.

University’s Inamori School of

Engineering – serves as unit

head for the New York State

Gabrielle Gaustad ’04 College of Ceramics at Alfred
University. She succeeds W.

Richard Stephens, who had served as acting vice president

of Statutory Affairs from 2016 until June 30, 2019, when he

retired from his position as Alfred University’s provost and

vice president of Academic Affairs.

14

Alumni gift to support innovation in the Inamori School of Engineering

By Mark Whitehouse aimed at attracting top student applicants; hiring new faculty;
supporting faculty teams writing large-scale research projects;
Terry Michalske ’75 credits much of his professional success and investing in improvements to the operational efficiency of
the School.
to his Alfred University education. A recent gift from Terry
“In the near term we have several exciting initiatives to
and his wife, Susan (Knab) Michalske ’79 will be used to spur support. One is reinvigorating our first year engineering
curriculum, and the other is providing enhanced hands-on
continued growth and innovation in the Inamori School of capabilities in our maker spaces,” Dean Gaustad commented.

Engineering and allow future generations of students to Terry pointed to recent “exciting new developments” in the
School of Engineering – such as the appointment of Gaustad
benefit as Terry did. as dean; the state’s reauthorization of the Center for Advanced
Ceramic Technology for another 10 years; and the creation, in
“I count myself among the many Alfred University grads 2013, of the renewable energy engineering major – on which
the University can build momentum.
whose lives and professional careers have benefited “We’re very excited about the future of Alfred University
engineering. The expansion into new directions is paying
greatly from my Alfred dividends and the addition of Dean Gaustad is just what we
need to take our game to the next level,” Terry said. “There
University engineering are great things happening in the engineering school. The
facilities are world class. This is a great time to draw attention
experience,” said Terry, to that.”
Terry encourages other Alfred University engineering
who earned a bachelor’s alumni to support the endeavor. “Our hope is that the new
Engineering Innovation Fund will provide a vehicle to give
(1975) and doctoral back to Alfred University engineering and to provide (Gaustad)
and future engineering deans with the flexibility they need
(1979) degree in ceramic to invest in the continued growth of our Inamori School of
Engineering.”
engineering from Alfred. Alfred University trustees, including Tom Hinman ’79;
Kathleen Richardson ’82, M.S. ’88, Ph.D. ’92; Cheryl Blanchard
“My glass and ceramic ’86; A.N. Sreeram M.S. ’90; and Christine Heckle ’92, M.S. ’95,

education provided the “There are great things happening

professional connections in the engineering school.

and engineering skills The facilities are world class.”

Terry Michalske ’75 that allowed my career to Terry Michalske ’75
develop in directions that I
Ph.D. ’98 have also committed to support the Engineering
couldn’t have guessed.” Innovation Fund.
Tom, who earned a bachelor’s degree in ceramic
The Michalskes recently gave $50,000 to Alfred University engineering and is retired as senior vice president at Corning
Incorporated, expressed his enthusiasm about the vision for
to establish the Alfred University Engineering Innovation the Inamori School.
“For me, a major point of distinction for Alfred has always
Fund. It creates a permanent endowment that the dean of been ceramics and glass, and I personally benefited from my
bachelor’s in ceramic engineering during my 32-year career at
the Inamori School can use in support of strategic priorities; Corning Incorporated,” he said. “Today, engineering at Alfred
has grown, building on the strengths of our uniqueness in
rapidly respond to new opportunities; and invest in the ceramics and glass to include mechanical engineering, as
well as a number of other distinctive engineering majors. I
future of the School’s students, faculty and staff. am delighted to support the Engineering Innovation Fund to
ensure that Alfred University’s engineering program continues
Terry, who is a member of the Alfred University Board of to thrive well into the future.”

Trustees, retired last year from his position as laboratory

director for the U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River

National Laboratory (SRNL) in Aiken, SC. He and Susan,

who earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Alfred,

live in Cedar Crest, NM. Prior to joining SRNL, Terry worked

for nearly 30 years at Sandia National Laboratories in

Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA.

Gabrielle Gaustad ’04, dean of the Inamori School of

Engineering, expressed her appreciation to Terry and Susan

for their generosity, and noted the important role Terry has

played in the advancement of the engineering program at

Alfred University.

“Alfred University, and its School of Engineering in

particular, are so fortunate to have Terry and Susan

Michalske sharing their resources with us,” she said. “The

investment is appreciated, and even more significant is the

tremendous time and energy that Terry has spent helping

us with strategic leadership and curricular innovation.

I have personally benefited tremendously from the

mentoring he has provided me stemming from his years of

experience leading large, diverse research teams.”

Terry explained that as the endowment grows, the

Engineering Innovation Fund will assist in a number of

initiatives he sees as important to advancing the Inamori

School. They include undergraduate research; fellowships

15

Academic Program Innovation Fund initiative creates path to new majors

The Academic Program Innovation Fund established Data analytics is the process of examining data sets in

last year by Kevin Livingston ’93, a member of the Alfred order to draw conclusions about the information they

University Board of Trustees, and his wife, Hanh, is leading to contain. Data analytics technologies and techniques

the creation of new majors in data analytics and computer are widely used in commercial industries to enable

science. organizations to make better-informed business decisions

This academic year, the University and by scientists and researchers to

began offering a minor in data verify or disprove scientific models,

analytics. As that minor, and one in theories, and hypotheses.

computer science created in 2015-16, An increasing demand for

are being offered, the University is graduates trained in data analytics

developing new majors in both fields, makes the new academic

with an eye on implementing them in programming at Alfred University

the fall of 2020. attractive to prospective students.

Beth Ann Dobie, provost and vice “The market demand for graduates

president of Academic Affairs, said to fill data analytics needs in both the

$50,000 from the Academic Program private and public sectors is growing

Innovation Fund was split evenly to rapidly,” Lewis said. “The demand for

help develop new majors in data filling analytics positions far outstrips

analytics and computer science. the supply of graduates, and comes

Alfred University faculty groups from small and medium businesses,

are developing the new majors and government and non-profit sectors.”

designing the needed courses. Once Kevin Livingston ’93 Lewis said that Academic Program
a proposal is drafted, and resources Innovation funding may be used

required to deliver the new program are identified, the to support initiatives – such as consulting, attendance at

University’s Curriculum and Teaching Committee will review AACSB analytics workshops, and visits to analytics Centers

and make the decision to approve the new majors. for Excellence – that will assist in the development of the

Once approved by the New York State Education new analytics majors.

Department, the University will house two data analytics Alfred University had offered a computer science

majors – data analytics and business analytics – in the major, but it was discontinued in the early 2000s.

College of Business. Only the business analytics major The minor provides students with an introduction to

would be accredited by the Association to Advance modern programming, web development, and software

Collegiate Business Schools engineering. The program can

(AACSB). The computer science supplement majors in engineering,
mathematics, physics, or
Academic Program Innovationmajor will be housed in the College

of Liberal Arts and Sciences. funding may be used to other fields where computing
The data analytics major is technology is an integral part of job

being developed by faculty support initiatives – such responsibilities.
from the College of Liberal Arts David Toot, dean of the

and Sciences, Inamori School as consulting, attendance at College of Liberal Arts and
of Engineering, School of Art Sciences, noted that since the
and Design and the College of discontinued Bachelor of Arts

Business. “It includes courses from AACSB analytics workshops, degree in computer science is still
all four units, and is governed by a registered with the State Education

committee of faculty representing and visits to analytics Centers Department, the University could
all four units,” explained Mark simply reactivate the degree

Lewis, dean of the College of for Excellence – that will assist program. He said the University is
Business. looking into expanding the major

Business Analytics, Lewis to include specialties and will likely
said, “will be a business degree,
in the development of the new submit a proposal to the state for

with students taking all of the analytics majors. a Bachelor of Science degree in
accounting, finance, marketing, computer science.
and other courses required for all Toot said funding from the

business students. In addition Academic Program Innovation

to the core business courses, students will take analytics Fund will support faculty searches and, potentially, defray

coursework, including newly developed advanced business the cost of developing new physical space, like classrooms

analytics courses.” and labs, needed to facilitate a major in computer science.

16

Dillon Smith ’19 leading program advocating for military

By Mark Whitehouse between the Student Accounts

Dillon Smith knows well the and Financial Aid offices, and
challenges that come with being the military,” Dillon recalled.

both a member of the military and a Early last year, Dillon

college student. Dillon joined the Army approached Kathy Woughter

in 2011 during his junior year of high ’93 M.S., then vice president

school and has held the roles of both of Student Affairs, and Norm

college student and soldier since the Pollard, then dean of students,

time he enrolled as an undergrad at about planning his graduate

Alfred University in the spring of 2014. assistantship.

Dillon earned a bachelor’s degree “When I realized my career

in criminal justice and experimental aspirations, I was considering

psychology (minors in sociology and my focus and thought back

public law) from Alfred University on the tough times I had

in May, and in the fall began his experienced. I thought it

graduate studies at Alfred, pursuing would be a good idea to

a master’s degree in College Student analyze Alfred University’s

Development. He spent his senior year Dillon Smith ’19 strengths and weaknesses
developing his graduate assistantship, and see if there are ways we

Military Affairs Liaison, with a goal of helping members of the can better support service men and women, said Dillon, who

military – active duty and veterans alike – meet the challenges hopes that as Military Affairs Liaison, he can give that group

they may face as college students. greater attention. “I will be the person to help them if they’re

If anyone is suited for the job, it is Dillon, who has thrived struggling. I can use my experience and give guidance.”

as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, attaining the Dillon’s goals for the two-year assistantship include:

rank of sergeant, and as an Alfred University student, honored educating various departments on the needs of those on

this spring as one of two Marlin Miller campus with connections to the military;

Outstanding Senior Award recipients. “I will be the person maximizing military benefits; creating a
Dillon’s career in the military began Veterans/Military Support Council; creating

well before he matriculated at Alfred a resource center where veterans and
University. A four-year member of
to help [students] if members of the military can learn about
the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training the services available to them; travel for

Corps (JROTC) at Washingtonville (NY) they’re struggling. the purpose of student recruitment;
High School, he earned the position and development of on-line academic

of battalion commander as a senior, I can use my coursework for veterans and active duty
overseeing a group of more than 150 military personnel.

cadets. As a junior in high school, Dillon His assistantship is supported by a pair of

experience and givedecided he wanted to commit to military gifts to the University. One – from Board

service and, with his parents’ consent, of Trustees member Neal Miller and his

joined the Army as a 17-year-old. guidance.” wife, Lynne – enhances the assistantship,
The summer before his senior year, allowing Dillon to work 20 hours per week

he went to Fort Benning, GA, for basic instead of 10. The second – from alumnus

training. After graduating from high Dillon Smith ’19 Dr. Robert Chaikin, a Vietnam veteran
school in 2013, he traveled to Fort (U.S. Army) who graduated from Alfred

Leonard Wood in Missouri to complete in 1962 (B.A., psychology) – is dedicated to

his advanced individual training in supporting programming initiatives, such

electrical engineering. Dillon became interested in Alfred as training seminars, travel, and guest speakers.

University during his junior year in high school, learning about Dillon said he hopes that after his graduate assistantship

the University at a college fair. concludes, efforts to serve the military and veterans on

Looking back at his early years at Alfred, Dillon said there campus will continue, whether through continued advocacy

were moments of uncertainty. He was unaware of the by the Veterans/Military Support Council, or through the

financial aid benefits available to him as a member of the establishment of a Military Affairs Office staffed by a full-time

military, and unsure where to turn for guidance. “When doing director.

my own research, I found out my benefits were greater than I

originally thought. It was just a matter of miscommunication

17

athletics

Hall of Fame ceremony taking place in November

Five former student-athletes will be inducted into the The Baker brothers were four-year members of the Alfred

Alfred University Sports Hall of Fame during an on-campus University swimming and diving team from 2005-09, helping

ceremony in November. The University will also introduce lead the Saxons to three consecutive Upper New York State

two new honors, Collegiate Swimming Association (UNYSCSA) Championships

recognizing a pair in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

of former Saxons. Matt was a four-time NCAA All-America Honorable Mention:

The 2019 Hall of three times in the 100-yard backstroke (2007, 2008, and 2009)

Fame inductees and once in 200-yard backstroke (2009). He is a two-time

are twin brothers Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year (2007 and 2009) and 23-time

Mark Baker ‘09 Empire 8 Champion, including 13 relays and 10 individual

and Matt Baker events. Baker was named the Empire 8 Swimmer of the

‘09 (swimming Meet in 2007 while aiding the Saxons to their first of three

and diving), consecutive UNYSCSA Championships. Over the course of his

Katie Calfee ‘08 career, he won 54 individual events and 42 relay events during

(women’s tennis), dual meets.

Tim Jaenecke He participated in the NCAA Division III National Champi-

‘84 (swimming onship meet in

and diving) and 2007, 2008, and

Paul Keeley 2009. During

‘08 (football). the 2007 meet,

Matt Baker ’09 This year, the he finished 14th

University added in the 100-yard

two new honors to the Hall of Fame ceremonies: Golden backstroke to

Saxon inductee and the Distinguished Saxon Alumni Award. earn his first ca-

Honorees for those awards are, respectively, John Henderson reer All-America

‘76 (football) and Dr. Kathleen Richardson ‘82, M.S., Ph.D. Honorable Men-

(volleyball). tion recognition.

The seven will be recognized at the Hall of Fame induction He finished

ceremony Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Knight Club in Powell ninth in the 100-

Campus Center. They will be honored as well at halftime of yard backstroke

the home football game that afternoon against Utica. Other at the 2008

events honoring former and new Hall of Fame members will NCAAs. At the

be held on Friday, Nov. 1. 2009 NCAAs,

This marks the first year a weekend will be dedicated to Hall Mark Baker ’09, right he placed 13th
in the 100-yard
of Fame festivities: in the past, induction ceremonies were

held the same weekend as Homecoming. backstroke and 16th in the 200-yard backstroke. Matt still

“What an outstanding class of inductees we will honor this holds school records in the 400-yard medley relay, the 200-

November. They represent the very best of what a Saxon student- yard medley relay, and the 100-yard backstroke.

athlete is, and across a great diversity of sports as well,” said Paul Matt graduated from Alfred cum laude with a degree in

Vecchio, athletics director. “I am also excited to welcome our first chemistry. At the 2009 honors convocation, he was honored

Distinguished Saxon and Golden Saxon honorees, which will with the American Chemical Society College Student Award,

add greatly to our celebration and, we hope, lead to many more the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award, and

nominations in those deserving categories in the future. I hope the ECAC Merit Medal. He was also a three-time UNYSCSA All-

to see plenty of former Hall of Famers, alumni, family, and friends Academic selection and four-time Collegiate Swim Coaches

as we usher in a new era by moving the Hall of Fame to its own Association of America Academic All-American.

weekend in early November.” Mark Baker secured 16 Empire 8 Championship titles

18

gosaxons.comFOR ALL THE LATEST IN ALFRED UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS, VISIT

including four titles in the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle.

relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. He also Tim, who passed away

aided the Saxons in winning the 200-yard in 2007 from Amyotrophic

medley relay three times, the 400-yard medley Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or

relay twice, and the 800-yard freestyle relay Lou Gehrig’s Disease), was

twice. He was part of the 200-yard medley recently memorialized in 2017

relay team that holds the school record with a by the Saxon swimming and

time of 1:32.34. diving team and alumni with

Individually, Mark won one Empire 8 title the installation of the “Tim

in the 50-yard freestyle during the 2006- Jaenecke Memorial Record

07 season. He also earned Empire 8 All- Boards” in Lebohner Pool.

Conference Second Team honors in the Schaeberle said prior

100-yard freestyle twice while earning Second to the dedication, “Tim

Team honors in the 200-yard freestyle and 50- was a dedicated student-

yard freestyle once. Mark earned a bachelor’s athlete, a hard-working,

degree in mathematics from Alfred University. competitive swimmer who

Katie Calfee, a four-year member of the never complained about how

women’s tennis team (2004-08) is the fourth difficult the workouts were.

Alfred University women’s tennis player to be Tim was the quiet achiever,

inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, and is Katie Calfie ’08 who pushed everyone around
one of the most decorated tennis players in him to be better. Tim was a

school history. man of action and little talk

She was recognized on the Empire 8 All-Conference team who was well liked by all his fellow swimmers.”

every year at Alfred University earning Empire 8 Rookie of the Paul Keeley was a three-year starting quarterback on the

Year, Empire 8 First Team singles, and Empire 8 Honorable Saxon football team from 2005-07. In 2007, he was a Gagliardi

Mention in doubles during her first year in 2004. She earned Trophy semifinalist, competing for the National Player of the

first team singles and second team doubles honors in 2005; Year honor. Over the course of his career, he was a two-time

Player of the Year, first team singles and second team doubles D3Football.com All-Region honoree, three-time Empire 8

honors in 2006; and first team singles and second team doubles All-Conference honoree, two-time ECAC Bowl Championship

honors in 2007. She was also a member of the 2004 team that Most Outstanding Player, team captain, and team Most

went undefeated (12-0). Valuable Player.

Katie won a school-record 44 singles Paul currently holds the

matches in her career as well as 30 doubles school records for passing

matches. She is the overall winningest player yards in a season (3,015 in

in program history with 74 total wins. She is 2007), passing touchdowns in

tied for second all-time at Alfred University in a season (34 in 2007), passing

career doubles wins, singles wins in a season touchdowns in a game (six

(12), doubles wins in a season (10) and total vs. Hartwick in 2007), passing

wins in a season (twice winning 20). The two- efficiency in a season (166.31

time captain, who earned a B.F.A. degree, in 2007), passing efficiency

capped off her career by earning the Muriel in a career (145.21), passes

Strong Morley Award as Alfred University’s completed per game in

most outstanding senior student-athlete. a career (17.6), passing

The late Tim Jaenecke was a four-year completion percentage

member of the Alfred University swimming in a game (82.1 percent vs.

and diving team from 1980-84 under Norwich in 2007), passing

legendary Hall of Fame coach Michael completion percentage in a

Schaeberle. He was a member of the 1983 and season (64.4 percent in 2007),

1984 undefeated Saxon men’s swimming and and passing completion

diving teams – the first two in program history. percentage in a career (59

He was also a two-time All-American, earning percent). He held records,

recognition in the 400-yard medley relay since broken, for career

(1982) and 800-yard freestyle relay (1984) while continued on page 20
setting school records in the 50-yard freestyle Tim Jaenecke ’84

19

athletics

Hall of Fame continued

passing yards (7,607), career passing touchdowns (80), total Distinguished Saxon Alumni Award was created in 2018 to

yards in a career (7,647), and total yards in a season (2,991 in recognize Alfred University student-athletes for outstanding

2007). achievement following their playing career at Alfred

Keeley earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice studies University. This award is not necessarily based on athletic

and returned to Alfred as a graduate assistant coach before achievement, but on the nominee’s career success following

earning his master’s degree in counseling in 2010. graduation through leadership, service, and professional

John Henderson is the inaugural accomplishment.

inductee and recipient the Golden Kathleen, who played volleyball at

Saxon Award. The Golden Saxon Award Alfred University from 1979-82 under

was created in 2018 to honor student- head coach Shirley Liddle, is currently

athletes from earlier eras (40 years the Pegasus Professor of Optics and

or more back) at Alfred University. Materials Science and Engineering at

It honors outstanding athletic the University of Central Florida and

achievement while recognizing has been a member of the Alfred

that a lack of statistical information University Board of Trustees since

puts nominees at a significant 2006.

disadvantage when assessing them In 1989, Kathleen earned the IR

against contemporary student- 100 Award from Industrial Research

athletes. Magazine for one of the most

John was a four-year football and significant technical advancements

golf player at Alfred University, where of the year – Liquid Crystal Polarizer/

he played under legendary Hall Isolator. She is a past president of the

of Fame coach Alex Yunevich. He American Ceramic Society (ACerS)

contributed to a 26-7 overall record for and a past chair of the ACerS Glass

the football team during his tenure and Optical Materials Division, as well

with the Saxons, helping lead them as a past president of the National

to the Lambert Bowl in 1971 and Institute of Ceramic Engineers.

another Independent College Athletic She is a Fellow of the American

Conference (ICAC) Championship in Paul Keeley ’07 Ceramic Society; the Society of

1972. On the golf course, John carried Glass Technology in Britain; SPIE,

a handicap of four throughout his career while serving as the the international society for optics and photonics; and

number one player on the Saxon golf team. the Optical Society of America. In 2009, Kathleen received

Alfred University Hall of Fame member Joseph Van Cura ’76 the Outstanding Educator Award from ACerS. In 2012, she

said about Henderson, “John was always a positive, quiet leader became a United States Representative to the International

with an amazing work ethic that he carried on and off the field. Commission on Glass, and, in 2015, she was named President

I believe John’s greatest asset was his versatility. He played of the ACerS.

defensive back, linebacker and even filled in at defensive Kathleen earned a B.S. degree in ceramic engineering

tackle. It didn’t matter where he played, his performance was from Alfred University. She went on to earn her M.S. degree

seamless.” in glass science (1988) and doctorate in ceramic engineering

Another Hall of Famer, former Alfred University football (1992), both from Alfred University. She founded the high-tech

coach and Athletic Director, Jim Moretti ’72 cited in his letter optics company, IRadience, which was recently purchased by

of recommendation, “I’ll end with this short story told to me by Rochester Precision Optics – one of the fastest growing optics

Gregg Maurer. Gregg was struggling with his (golf) game his companies in the United States and regional employer of

senior year and asked Coach Yunevich for advice on his swing nearly 300 people.

and stance. ‘Don’t ask me - go over there and ask Henderson She was also a trailblazer for the Alfred University women’s

for some pointers.’ Yunevich said. “Henderson was a first-year volleyball team, playing in the program’s infancy of the late

student at the time.” 1970s and early 1980s. During her playing career, the Saxons

John graduated from Alfred University with a bachelor’s posted a 47-59-2 record, including winning seasons in 1979

degree in economics, and went on to earn his MBA from the and 1981.

University of Rochester.

Kathleen Richardson is the first former student-athlete to be

recognized with the Distinguished Saxon Alumni Award. The

20

gosaxons.comFOR ALL THE LATEST IN ALFRED UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS, VISIT

Saxon men’s basketball team earns Pride Board title

The Alfred University men’s basketball team topped the In addition to their athletic achievements, the men’s
2018-19 Connors & Ferris Saxon Pride Board, which measures basketball team completed 214.5 hours of community
athletic team performance in a variety of categories over the service, which included playing in “Greg’s Game” – a
course of a full academic year. fundraiser in honor of Greg Norton in Almond, NY; hosting
The Connors & Ferris Saxon Pride Board measures each shooting clinics for local youth; and hosting the Hornell
team’s performance in each of the following: community Concern for Youth. All four seniors on the team also joined
service; academic excellence; athletic achievement; sporting Saxon Circle – a five-year leadership giving society. At the
event attendance at designated games; Saxon Circle and student level, students pledge $100 per year over a five-year
Saxons Nation contributions; and participation in the athletics’ period.
LEAD Program.
Men’s basketball took Football (17,325 total
home the Connors & Ferris points), women’s
Saxon Pride Board title volleyball (16,901 total
after earning 21,871 total points), softball (13,145
points. The team earned total points) and women’s
a majority of its points swimming and diving
via athletic achievement (12,675 total points)
(15,660), but also led rounded out the top five
all Alfred University overall in the Saxon Pride
programs in community Board final standings.
service (2,860 points) while Women’s soccer led
ranking third in Saxon all teams in overall GPA
Circle and Saxon Nation points (2,700 points)
participation (1,000 points) earning the highest
and fifth in Saxon-For- GPA and the most
Saxon attendance (750 improved GPA for the
points). spring semester. Softball
“I continue to be took home the crown
incredibly proud of the in Saxon-for-Saxon
efforts that all of our attendance, earning 1,275
programs are displaying in points due to 85 percent
our critical areas of focus: attendance at all Saxon-
academic and athletic for-Saxon events. The
achievement, community team with the highest
service and support and participation in Saxon
selflessness to causes outside of their own,” Athletics Director Nation and Saxon Circle
Paul Vecchio said. was women’s soccer (1,300 points).
Men’s basketball had the most community service points
“Through these efforts we are living our goals of creating (2,860) in 2018-19 while football (2,125), women’s swimming
champions in life. Our men’s basketball team truly embodied and diving (1,500), women’s basketball (1,283) and men’s
all of these attributes this year and is an extremely worthy swimming and diving (1,270) comprise the other top five
champion. I look forward to our programs raising the bar even teams in the category. Overall, Saxon student-athletes
further next year and I am thankful for Connors and Ferris’ completed 1,120 hours of community service over the course
ongoing support of this important Athletics Department of the 2018-19 academic year.
endeavor.” Women’s tennis took home the top honor for the most
The men’s basketball team earned athletic achievement “Purple & Gold” points, measured by academic honors
points both through team efforts and individually. Senior Dom achieved by the team and individuals, with more than 40
LeMorta and Head Coach Russell Phillips earned All-Region percent of the team earning President’s/Dean’s List honors
honors following a season where the Saxons won both the in both the Fall and Spring; four or more players earning Chi
Empire 8 regular season and championship tournament titles. Alpha Sigma recognition; and senior Nurila Kambar being
Men’s basketball also earned significant points from senior named a 2019 Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior.
Sage Brown and first-year Elliot Bowen, who were named The Saxon Pride Board is supported by Connors & Ferris, a
Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the law firm specializing in worker’s compensation, with offices
Year, respectively. Overall, four players and the coaching staff in Rochester, Buffalo, and New York City. Greg Connors ’92,
earned Empire 8 All-Conference honors in 2018-19. chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, is a co-founder and
partner in the firm.


21

Nate Smith named Director of Athletic Communications

Nate Smith is Alfred University’s new student-workers to deliver a memorable
four-year experience to Skidmore’s student-
Director of Athletic Communications. athletes.

Smith, whose appointment was announced Prior to working at Skidmore, Smith
worked at Rochester Institute of Technology
by Athletics Director Paul Vecchio, began for one year, serving as an associate contact
for the Division I women’s ice hockey
his duties on Sept. 30. program as well as providing coverage for
the soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, and
“I am very excited to have Nate join our lacrosse teams.
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in
Saxon family and for the work he will do journalism in 2015 from Buffalo State
College, where he was a student assistant
in sharing the many accomplishments of in their sports information department.
He worked at 91.3FM WBNY as the sports
our student-athletes as well as interfacing director, producing and co-hosting multiple
music, news and sports talk programs. Prior to being hired
with our alumni and friends,” Vecchio as a student assistant in the sports information department,
Smith helped to provide play-by-play and sideline
commented. “He brings great enthusiasm commentary for 10 of Buffalo State’s 14 varsity sports.
Smith joined Assistant Director Chris Boswell and Graduate
and experience to Alfred University Assistant John Ambroselli on the Alfred University Athletic
Communications staff. “When I first met Nate Smith, I
and I know will be a great asset to our quickly learned that we would work very well together
and that he would be an excellent fit for Alfred University
department.” athletics,” Boswell commented. “I could tell that he had a
strong desire to continue to develop himself and the Athletic
Smith came to Alfred University from Nate Smith Communications office in order to set ourselves apart from
Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, other institutions and provide a great four-year experience for
our Saxon student-athletes and to stay connected to them
NY, where he has served as Athletic Communications once they graduate.”

and Marketing Manager since June 2016. At Skidmore, he

handled public relations efforts for 19 athletic programs, with

primary responsibilities for the soccer, field hockey, volleyball,

basketball, ice hockey, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis

teams.

“I would like to thank Paul Vecchio and the rest of the

search committee for their trust and faith in me. During the

search process, it was clear that the staff and I shared the

same plan of showcasing the day-to-day successes of our

student-athletes,” Smith said. “I was also inspired by the vision

laid out by everybody I met on campus.”

Smith worked with social media, videography, photography,

game-day operations, and oversaw an eight-person staff of

Empire 8 President’s List includes 76 Saxons

In July, the Empire 8 Conference announced its President’s semester grade point average of 3.243, the league’s highest
List for the 2019 spring semester and a school-record 76 since the President’s List program was initiated.
Alfred University student-athletes were recognized. In “Our student-athletes continue to achieve at very high levels
addition to individual awards, seven Saxon teams earned in the classroom. I am so proud of their accomplishments,”
Empire 8 All-Academic honors. said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “The
To be named to the President’s List, a student-athlete commitment to academic excellence from our member
must earn a 3.75 grade point average or higher during institutions is unmatched and these numbers prove it.”
the semester, while participating in an NCAA-sponsored
sport. In addition, the student-athlete must display positive Additionally, 116 teams were acknowledged as Empire
conduct on and off campus and be enrolled full-time at the 8 Conference All-Academic Teams for registering a team
member institution. grade point average of 3.2 or higher for the spring semester.
Overall, more than 750 student-athletes from the league’s The Alfred University recipients of Empire 8 All-Academic
membership were recognized for their excellence in Team recognition for the spring 2019 semester were:
the classroom last spring. The nine full-time conference women’s soccer (3.47), women’s track and field (3.45),
members sponsored a record number of 3,744 student- women’s cross country (3.42), women’s swimming and
athletes who combined for a conference-wide spring diving (3.42), women’s volleyball (3.41), softball (3.24) and
men’s cross country (3.21).

22

Class NOTES

1952 GOLDEN SAXONS REUNION 1956 GOLDEN SAXONS REUNION into a television miniseries. He
served in the late 1950s as a junior
Frank Hamm (B.A., economics) The 20th novel by Robert Littell officer in the Navy’s Mediterranean
of Corning, NY, received the (B.A., English) ’56 — “Koba” — has fleet. Later, in civilian life, he
33rd Degree of Sovereign Grand been published by Baker Street, a had stints as a wire-service and
Inspector General, Honorary French-language publisher based newspaper reporter in New Jersey
Member of the Supreme Council in Paris. Robert’s book is the story and New York before joining
of Masons. The 33rd Degree of a fictional encounter in Moscow Newsweek as a staff writer and
designation is awarded to those between Joseph Stalin — the editor. He left the magazine in
members who make outstanding “Koba” of the title — and a 10-year- 1970, moving to France to become
contributions to Freemasonry, the old chess wizard. Written largely in a full-time novelist and permanent
Scottish Rite. Frank traveled to dialogue, the tale develops into a resident. With his wife, Victoria,
Milwaukee, WI, in August to receive growing dependence by the Soviet a Moroccan-born artist, Robert
his degree. Of the two million dictator on his meetings with the migrates annually between a Paris
Masons in the United States, boy, whose candor and precocious apartment, a country home in the
roughly 1,500 have attained the intelligence secretly delight him. western province of Normandy,
33rd Degree. Praise for the new novel by the and a winter retreat in Morocco.
French press was immediate and
inKteoeupch unstinting. Le Monde, a leading 1959 GOLDEN SAXONS REUNION
French newspaper, called the
Please send us your family book “superb.” Robert, the paper Robert S. Cohen (B.A.,
activities, professional moves, said, “has become both painter psychology), one of the nation’s
and story teller — one sees; one leading matrimonial attorneys
achievements, and photos. hears…. He tells the story of a and a member of the Alfred
dictator that has always obsessed University Board of Trustees, is one
EMAIL him.” The monthly magazine of six narrators in a documentary
[email protected] or Literaire acclaimed the book as “a on the late Roy Cohn, one of the
splendid success.” Robert, it said, most infamous and controversial
alumni@alf red.edu “is an American author who writes men in 20th Century America.
a cruel fable—which keeps us Where’s My Roy Cohn?, released
NOTE: When using alumni@ glued to his work.” Another literary to theaters Sept. 20, tells the story
alfred.edu, please label your publication, Livres, is headlining of Cohn, an unscrupulous attorney
subject as “Class Note,” so we can “Koba” as “The child and the and political power broker who
be sure to include it in the next tyrant from the head of one of the served as chief counsel to U.S.
masters of espionage fiction,” and Senator Joseph McCarthy during
issue of Alfred Magazine. called the book “a theatrical and investigations into Communist
lyrical fable that at the same time activities in the 1950s. Cohn is
SNAIL MAIL stands as a great novel that cuts also known for being a personal
Mark Whitehouse like a diamond to the heart of its lawyer and mentor to a young
Assoc. Dir. of Communications story.” U.S. publication has not yet Queens real estate developer
1 Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802 been announced. Robert has been named Donald Trump. Robert
awarded both the English Gold Cohen earned his law degree from
Dagger and the Los Angeles Times Fordham University and today is
Book Prize for his fiction. His spy senior partner at Cohen Clair Lans
novel “The Company” was a New Greifer Thorpe & Rottenstreich LLP,
York Times bestseller later made headquartered in New York City.

23

South Carolina. During his career,
Richard made humanitarian trips
to several developing nations. He
has moderated debates on public
radio; served as a mentor through
the Leadership Fellows Program
at the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons; was an
American Medical Association
delegate for five years; and
steered Pattison’s Academy for
Comprehensive Education, a
Charleston public charter school
for children with multiple severe
disabilities, through a financially
difficult time to stability. For the
past 10 years, Richard has been
working on a spinal implant
treatment for kyphosis and other
spinal deformities. The implants
are attached to four ribs and slowly
pull the bones back to bring the
patient to a more upright position.
It is an alternative to the risky and
more complex vertebral column
resection procedure.

Bob ’60 and Karol Libbey ’61 were in Alfred recently for a visit with their 1962 GOLDEN SAXONS REUNION
daughter, Carol. Warren Sutton ’61, ’17 HD, Bob’s friend and roommate at
Pasquale De Blasi Jr. (B.A.,

Alfred University, drove to Alfred from his home in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, history, political science)

to join the Libbeys for lunch. Pictured here at the Community Table in Powell conducted a workshop in May
Campus Center are, (clockwise from back-left): Gary Ostrower ’61, professor titled “Adolescent suicide and
of history; Warren; Mark Zupan, University president; Bob and Karol. the therapeutic relationship,” at

the Sixth Chinese Psychoanalytic

Earlier in his career, he worked condition generally known to the Congress, Shanghai, China.
at Roy Cohn’s law firm. This year,
Robert began his second tenure public as hunchback. Richard Pasquale is assistant clinical
on the Alfred University Board of
Trustees. He also served from 1984- earned a medical degree from professor of psychiatry and
90.
Duke University in 1965 and assistant clinical professor of
1961 GOLDEN SAXONS REUNION
environmental medicine and
Dr. Richard H Gross (B.A., entered the U.S. Army, having been
biology), professor emeritus in commissioned on graduation public health at Icahn School of
the Department of Neurosurgery from Alfred University’s ROTC Medicine at Mount Sinai, New
at the Medical University of program. He received training in York City. He is serving as visiting
South Carolina, was awarded orthopedics and primarily treated professor at Wuhan Mental Health
the Humanitarian Award by the patients who were casualties of Center, Tongji Medical College,
Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of the Vietnam War. In his last year Huazhong University of Science
North America in June. A pediatric of residency, he worked at Carrie and Technology, through next
orthopedist, Richard’s continued Tingley Hospital for Crippled November.
research focuses on finding a Children in New Mexico. After
better way to treat kyphosis, a Dr. Robert L. Johnson (B.A.,
1968leaving the Army in 1973, he biology) has been appointed

NOTworked in Oklahoma as that state’s
first pediatric orthopedist. Richard a Board of Trustee member at
then moved to Florida, and finally, RWJBarnabas Health, a network of
in 1986, to the Medical University of

24 Gold class years indicate honored class at Reunion 2020 – June 12-14

independent healthcare providers

in New Jersey, based in West

Orange, NJ. Its members include

academic centers, acute care

facilities, and research hospitals.

Robert is dean of Rutgers New

Jersey Medical School, and Interim

Dean at Robert Wood Johnson

Medical School. He is a professor

of pediatrics, and director of the

Division of Adolescent and Young

Adult Medicine at Rutgers New

Jersey Medical School. He chairs

the New Jersey Governor’s Advisory

Council on HIV/AIDS, the Newark Regular lunches bring 1950s alumnae from
Ryan White Planning Council, and

the Board of Deacons at Union Long Island together
Baptist Church in Orange, NJ.

Robert is a Fellow of the American A group of Alfred University alumnae, graduates from the 1950s who reside on
Academy of Pediatrics, and vice Long Island, NY, have been meeting regularly for lunch, some since the 1980s.
chair of the Community Prevention The group usually gets together on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Some
Task Force of the U.S. Centers for of the group is shown above at a recent gathering, from left: Judy Greenberg
Disease Control and Prevention. He Saccucci ’55, Simone Zudeck Adams ’54, Barbara Schwartz Kirsh ’56, and
has previously been the president Mary Jane Villereale Mackey ’55. Sadly, some members have been lost in
of the New Jersey Board of Medical recent years, notably Dee Michaels Levine ’54 (former alumni-elected trustee),
an irrepressible personality. We would love to have more Alfredians join us.

Examiners, the chair of the U.S. For more information contact Mary Jane Villereale Mackey at 631-368-6089 or
Department of Health and Human Barbara Schwartz Kirsh at [email protected].

Services Council on Graduate

Medical Education, and a member 1979 1980 HONORED REUNIONYEAR
of numerous councils in his field.
Robert earned his medical degree Sue (Boutillier) Vinton (B.A. Marianne (Wilcox) Gaige (B.S.,
from the College of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey. criminal justice) is currently accounting) was selected for

serving her second term in the induction into the Printing

1977 Montana House of Representatives Industry Hall of Fame by Printing
representing House District 56 in Impressions, a magazine covering
industry trends, emerging
Debra Kreck-Harnish (B.A., Yellowstone County. Sue serves on technologies and news in the
graphic arts industry with a
environmental studies) the Business and Labor; Education specific focus on the commercial
print segment. Marianne is
participated in Sacramento’s (vice chair); Fish, Wildlife and Parks; president and CEO of Cathedral
Corp. Since Marianne took over at
Open Studies over two weekends and Ethics (chair) committees. the company in 1996, Cathedral
has grown from a printer of church
in September. Artists around the She has also been appointed by offering envelopes to a complete
marketing service provider. Among
Sacramento, CA, area, including House Leadership to serve on the the services Cathedral offers are:
The Essentials® Suite (specialized
Debra, opened their studios Education Interim Committee and set of services developed to
handle critical communication
TESto the public. Debra describes to the Montana University System needs), data management,
herself as a “lifelong creative Education Review Structuring
recycler.” Trash, she believes, “isCommission. Sue is also currently
simply a failure of imagination.” serving on the Economic
Over the past 10 years, Debra Development Committee of the
has put her imagination to work, Council of State Governments
building complex and eloquent West.
mixed-media assemblages out of
discarded objects. direct mail, print production,

digital solutions and fulfillment

services. In an article announcing

25

the 2019 Printing Industry Hall
of Fame inductees, Printing
Impressions cited Marianne for
maintaining the core values and
mission of Cathedral Corp., which
include treating employees with
respect; providing customized
and personalized service to
customers; and embracing new
technology. The article also refers
to her commitment to mentoring
women to excel in management
roles. Women hold more than half
of Cathedral’s senior management
positions.

1985 HONORED REUNIONYEAR When Eric Brennan graduated in May with a B.S. degree in health fitness
management, he joined his mother, Lydia (Tengstrand) Brennan, and sister,
Greg Leshe (B.F.A.) curated a Laura Brennan, as Alfred University alumni. The Brennan family, from Mansfield,
group exhibition, “Mounds, Piles PA, pictured above at our 2109 Commencement, are (from left): Laura Brennan
& Massings,” Sept. 9 through Oct. ’16 (global studies, political science), Lydia Brennan ’88 (B.A., psychology, general
19 at the Walsh Gallery, Seton studies), Eric, and Eric’s father, Charlie Brennan.
Hall University, in South Orange,
NJ. The exhibition examines the exhibition, the Schuylkill Center doubled manufacturing capability.
human impulse to stack, pile and
amass groupings of objects as provided six artists with Emerald Radio-frequency identification
both creative action and critical
inquiry. The participating artists Ash Borer infested wood, cut from uses electromagnetic fields
investigated a variety of themes
within the notion of accumulation, the Center’s property. Each artist to automatically identify and
including: consumer waste and
climate change; Caribbean history created new work highlighting the track tags attached to objects.
and the colonial economy of salt
tied to slave labor; the “mixed impact of the Emerald Ash Borer The tags contain electronically
reality” world we inhabit between
physical and virtual contexts; infestation on our nation’s forests. stored information. RFID tags are
consumerism, capitalism, and
copyright. Greg’s solo exhibitions The exhibition features sculpture, frequently used for merchandise,
include “Personal Gravity” at the
Jersey City Museum and “Personal photography, cyanotype, laser cut but they can also be used to track
Radar” at Exhibit A Gallery in New
York. He is a member of the South wood forms and wood installation vehicles, pets, and even patients
Orange Arts Advisory Council.
1986 with Alzheimer’s disease. A
Nancy Agati (B.F.A.) is one of six staunch advocate of encouraging
artists participating in a group
art exhibition in Philadelphia Sandra Garby (B.S., ceramic women of all ages to pursue
which aims to bring attention
to the Emerald Ash Borer, an careers in STEM, Sandra educates
invasive insect that is destroying and supports women and those
ash trees throughout the region. in education, on engineering and
The exhibition, “We All Fall Down,” the benefits of a career in the field.
opened Sept. 19 at the Schuylkill In 2017, she was named one of
Center for Environmental Lehigh Valley Business’s Women of
Education and will remain on Influence. Prior to joining Vizinex,
view through Nov. 30. For the she served as business manager
for Engelhard Corp., where she
was responsible for managing the
Electronic Materials product unit.
engineering) is the co-founder
and COO of Vizinex RFID, a
developer and manufacturer of
high-performance RFID (radio-
frequency identification) tags
tailored to specific applications
for businesses and government.
For more than 20 years, she has
been directly involved in electronic
materials development. At Vizinex,
Sandra oversees the company’s

NOTmanufacturing operations and
has successfully implemented

process improvements and testing

automation, which more than

26 Gold class years indicate honored class at Reunion 2020 – June 12-14

1992 �lumni… M.F.A. degree in ceramics from
the University of Georgia and a
Jill Vitale-Aussem (B.S., business master’s degree in advanced visual
studies from the Massachusetts
administration) is author of a Institute of Technology. He has
been awarded numerous grants
newly-published book titled Was there a member of the and fellowships, including an
“Disrupting the Status Quo faculty, staff or administration Enrichment Travel Fellowship
of Senior Living: A Mindshift.” to work on a project in London,
Interweaving research on aging, during your time at Alfred Budapest and Dublin, and a
ideas from influential thinkers University who had a profound Fulbright fellowship in India. The
in the aging services field, and Minneapolis College of Art and
her own experiences managing and lasting impact on your Design is home to more than 800
life? If so, we’d like to hear your students and offers bachelor’s
degrees, master’s degrees, and
and operating senior living stories. Draft a quick note with continuing education courses for
all ages in arts entrepreneurship,
communities, Jill challenges this positive influencer’s name design, fine arts, and media.

readers to question long-accepted and a brief description of what 1997
practices, examine their own he or she did to make your
biases, and work toward creating Kari (Jermansen) Martin (B.A.,
vibrant cultures of possibility and experience at Alfred fulfilling environmental studies, political
growth for elders. Shining a light and enriching. science) was appointed in May
on her own professional field, to the position of education
Email to [email protected] coordinator for Clean Ocean
Action (COA), a leading national
Jill exposes the errors of current and regional advocacy group
working to protect waterways
thinking and demonstrates how had served four years as director using science, law, research,
education, and citizen action.
a shift in perspective can affect of the Corcoran School of Arts and COA is a broad-based coalition
of 125 active boating, business,
real cultural transformation. Her Design. At George Washington, community, conservation, diving,
environmental, fishing, religious,
book delves into society’s inherent Sanjit led the reincarnation of the service, student, surfing, and
women’s groups. These “Ocean
biases about growing older — historic art school into one that Wavemakers” work to clean up
and protect the waters of the New
where ageism, paternalism, and has a home in a major research York Bight – the coastal waters
that extend from Cape May in
ableism abound — and provokes institution. Under his direction, the New Jersey north to Montauk
Point on the tip of Long Island.
readers to examine how a youth- university’s programs in museum Kari originally joined the COA
staff in 2000 as a college intern
obsessed culture unconsciously studies, theater and dance, music, while a graduate student at
SUNY College of Environmental
impacts even the most well- fine arts, art history, and interior Science and Forestry in Syracuse
(ESF). In 2001 she joined the staff
meaning senior living policies, architecture were integrated full-time focusing on outreach
and education, and was later
practices, and organizations. under the Corcoran School of appointed policy outreach and
communications director. Kari,
Jill is a licensed nursing home Arts and Design umbrella. He who met her husband, Joseph,
while staffing a COA table, left her
administrator, and a certified articulated a mission focused on
27
assisted living administrator. Since cultural leadership and launched

2018, she has been president a new master of arts in interaction

and CEO of Eden Alternative, a design and a master in fine arts

global nonprofit organization in social practice. Sanjit’s previous

that provides education and positions in higher education

consultation for organizations include: director of the M.F.A.

serving the needs of elders and program at the Memphis College

their care partners, wherever they of Art; director of the Center for Art

may live. She resides in Highlands and Public Life, Barclay Simpson

T1994ESRanch, CO, with her husband, Professor, and chair of Community
Todd. Arts at the California College of
the Arts; and executive director
Sanjit Sethi (B.F.A.) was appointedof the Santa Fe Art Institute. He
president of the Minneapolis has lectured and taught at the
College of Art and Design, Srishti School of Art, Design,
effective July 15. Sanjit came and Technology in Bangalore;
the Massachusetts Institute of

to the Minneapolis College of Technology; School of the Art

Art and Design from George Institute of Chicago; and Saint

Washington University, where he Mary’s College in London. A native

of Rochester, NY, Sanjit has an

position in 2009 to raise a family. Alumni Council Awards Return
She served on the COA Board of �lumni… a ceremony on July 11 at the
trustees from 2015 until May, when
she rejoined the COA staff. Kari The Alfred University Alumni Council is pWroautdertvoliaentnAorusnecneatlh, aWt,aatfeterrvaliebtr,ieNf Y.
earned a Master of Science degree htihaetuUs,niitviesrrseitiyntfaromdiulyciwnghoawhaavredscothnattrirbeuctMoegdanrtiotzienmataloukmoinkgnioAavlnferdredothtUhenecrivomemresmimtyb,atehnrsediorf
in environmental policy and memcobmermoufntithye, and sociefrtoy ma bAetrtmerypLlatc.eC. ol. Eric A. Treschl,
democratic processes from SUNY Was there a who received a Legion of Merit
ESF. She lives in Oceanport, NJ.
facTuhletyC,osutnacfifl iosrnoawdmacicneipsttirnagtinoonminatioanwsafordr tuhepoAnwarerdtifroermDeisntitnagfutiesrhed
Jason Amore (B.A., Adchuireivnegmyeonut,rthtiemAewaatrdAflofrreDdistinguishseedrvSinergvincee,atrhlye 3A0biygeaailrAs.llMenaArtwinard
communication studies, ’99 flUsoiwUtfrnoeanwSi?rniFveviwodIeeerfrvs.rralsms.isacloiDiftesot,yrtyrretw,ieaoandwefni.gWnte’dhdfdaioooamlurmiqmhnk/puaeeaeaanliwdutctc,ioomkttaahnwohnnepgonaeoirr/nLratapodyierlAdrf,loiooutlwayuuhuganomreitnruteTaRnhdsr.miiNsoAisfenw/tvaghailnerAucnftadsolmhlinsauoAvr,esmdwniwattliainhadnaD-lcdneerneiedteAcatiUpwoavtdwfwodea.mosSareroAr.rmt.aLkdArmrkike,fmoreed/rmeratsenyeni,lmdoyuitatinmmcRehnoairaedfSnnteencetaicAh-drrtar2vuireoutwi7moicntiA0etaishynir,rnsotmdvgRoongisseloyA.difctrslo:iiffenerrmregrvsde
M.S.) was inducted in June into this positive influencer’s name
the Friendship Central School Command. The Albany “Eagles”
(FCS) Hall of Fame. Jason, who Kaarnstdisaabtroiepfodgerascprhiyptfoiornmoefdwfrhoamt RAremcryuaitnindgABrmatytaRlieosnerivseofnoer tohfethe
graduated from Friendship Central
High School in 1993, was one of the dhiessoorlusthioendoidf stoolumbalekeroycokusr lUa.rSg. eAsrtminy RUeScArRuEitiCn,gwCitohmamn aanreda.
four FCS alumni being inducted sucehxpaesrliimenecsetoanteA, ldforelodmfuitlefi, lalinndg oThf oepAelbraatnioyn“Etahgaltesin” cRleucdreusittinhge
into the Hall of Fame. Jason ugnypdseurgmro. Iutaninsddcdheranarrianiccathgeirenizsgey.dstbeyms sBtaattteaslioonf NiseowneYoorfkt,hMe alasrsgaecshtuinsetts,
enjoyed a stellar athletics career withEsminakihl otoleasmanodrec@avaelfsr. eMdi.cehdauel CUoSnAnReEcCt,icwuitthaanndaVreeramofoonpt,eirnation
at Friendship Central High School, athdadtitiniocnlutdoeGs ethrme satnatye, sNoofrNthewAfYriocrak,
where as a basketball player he is a professionally licensed aMnadsstahcehMusiedtdtsle, CEoansnt.eMctaicrutitnahnads
netted 2,332 points – fourth on
the section V career scoring list agneodloKgairssttinSy1s2tsetmatseso, finthcleudWinogrld).” eVaerrnmeodntth, irneeadBdriotinoznetoStGaer rMmeadnayl,s,
– from 1989-93. He was named
a Second Team New York State KFlaorrsidt ais, antdopaongartaiopnhayllfyocremrteifidefdro/ m fNoourrthMAefrriticoariaonuds StheervMicieddMleedEaalsst,.
all-star following his senior season trehgeisdtiesrseodluhtyiodnroogfesoollougbislet. rHoecks tMharerteinAhrmasyeCaronmedmtehnredeaBtiroonnze
in 1992-93, and at the time of his
graduation, he ranked 13th all-time scucrrhenatslylimeanstaognees, tdhoeloompeitrea,tiaonnd MSteardMalse,daanlsA, fromuryMAecrhitieovrieomuseSnetrvice
on the state’s career scoring list.
He was also a standout in soccer gofyhpysdurmog. Ietoilsocghicaarlascetrevriiczeesdfobry MMeeddaalls, ,athCroeme Abramt Ay cCtoiomnmBeanddgaetion
and baseball in high school. After
graduation from high school, uWnadtergRreosuonudrcderAasinsoacgieatseyss, tLeLmC s aMneddaalsP, aarnacAhrmutyisAt’cshBieavdegme.eHnte
Jason attended Alfred University,
where he was a four-year member w(WitRhAs)ininkThaomleps aa,nFdL.cAasveasp. rMinicihpaael l hMaesdaalls, oa eCaormnebdataAQctuioanrteBramdgasetaenr d
of the men’s basketball team.
He was inducted into the Alfred ihsyadrporgoefeoslosigoinstaalltyWlicReAn,sheed Ra ePgairmacehnuttaisltA’ssBsoacdigaeti.oHne’shOarsdaelsro
University Athletics Hall of Fame
in 2014. He is vice president of gpreoovliodgeisstgieno1lo2gsitca,theysd, irnocgleuodloinggical, oeaf rSnaeindtaMQauratirntearnmdatshteerARveigatimionental
University Advancement at Alfred Fanlodrikdaar,satnsdcieanncaetinotnearpllyrectearttioifnied/ RAsesgoicmiaetniotna’sl AOsrsdoecriaotfioSani’ns tKMniagrhtint
University.
raengdisetvearleudathioyndsro; cgoenosluomgisptt.ivHee/ oanf tdhtehOe ArdveiartoiofnSRaiengtimMiecnhtaael l.
1998
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Michaell AAllfifieerrii((BB.A.A.,.,environmental
estnuvdirieosn, mgeeonlotaglys)tcuod-aieust,hgoeroeldogy) oalftehryndartoivgeewolaotgeircsaul pseprlyviscoelsutfoiorns; SSatainfftCMoilclehgaeel..IMn aardtidnitisioangtroadhuisate
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geologiiccaalllyyyyoouunnggteterrarainin, u, usisningg hcuydrrreongtleyotlhoegiCsthaitrWofRthAe, hFelorida cfrooumnsAelflirnegd eUdnuivceartsiiotyn, hfreohmasSat.
the staatteeooffFFlolorrididaaaassaanneexaxmampplel.e.
Michaell aannddffoouurrootthheersrsaauuththoorerded pBrooavriddeosf Pgreoofelosgsiiocn, halyGderoogloegoislotsgical, Bmoansatevre’snitnucreouUnnsievleinrsgiteyd. Mucaarttiionn
the boookk““TThheeKKaarrssttSSyysstetemmssoof f and ckhaarsirtmscainenocfeASinTtMerIpnrteetrantaiotinonal afrnodmhSist.wBiofen,aCvaetnhtuerreinUe,nhivaevresittyw. o
Floridaa:: UUnnddeerrssttaannddininggKKaarsrtstininaa aSnubd-eCvoamlumatiitotenes;ocnonWseulml Dpetsiivgen/ , cMhailrdtirnenan, ddahuisgwhtiefer,, CTaaythae, arinnde,shoanv,e
GeologiiccaalllyyYYoouunnggTTeerrarainin(C(Cavaeve
and Karst Systems of the World).” wMaatinerteunsaenpceramndittCinognsatsrsuicstiaonnc. e; Mtwaottchheilwdr. en, daughter, Taya, and
alternative water supply solutions; son, Matthew.
John Mauro (B.S., glass
1999groundwater flow modeling; eJonhgninMeearuinrgo s(Bci.eSn.,cgela, ‘s0s6 Ph.D.
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Ccoomnsmtrauncdtiofrno.m Army Lt. Col. Eric
A. Treschl, who received a Legion of

19N99 OTMeritawarduponretirementafter
AserrmviyngLtn. Ceaorll.yM3a0ryteinarDs.eMBaorctikn now MthaetePreianlns SSctaietnecDeeapnadrtEmnegnint eoefring

(leBa.Ads., pmsoycrehtohloagny2)7, a0sssoulmdieerds and aMnantueraial alswSacridesncbeanaqnudeEtningiAnpereirl.ing

tDheepcaortmmmenatnodf othfethAermAlybcainviylian TahnenuFaalcauwltayrodfstbhaenYqeuaer tAiwnaArpdr, il.

Rweocrkrueritsi,ningrBeacrtutaitlinong fdourrtihnegactive The Faculty of the Year Award,

28 Gold class years indicate honored class at Reunion 2020 – June 12-14

Pair of glassblowing alumni take part in Netflix series

Two Alfred University alumni appeared in a G. Brian has been on the hot glass team at the

10-episode reality series that aired this summer on Corning Museum of Glass since 2004; Tom joined the

Netflix, which chronicled competition among some team in 2009. Both have worked on the Hot Glass at

of the most promising glass artists in North America. Sea Program – giving glassblowing demonstrations

The series, Blown Away, premiered on Netflix on July on cruises – and other educational outreach

12. Produced by marblemedia for Blue Ant Media and initiatives.

Netflix, Blown Away features The pair participated in the

10 competing glass artists Museum’s Glass Barge program

from the United States and in the summer of 2018, giving

Canada. The competition glassblowing demonstrations on

was set in Toronto, in a barge outfitted with a hot glass

a glassblowing studio studio. The Glass Barge traveled

constructed specifically for along the Erie Canal as part of a

the series, which was filmed celebration commemorating the

last fall and originally aired in 150th anniversary of glassmaking

Canada. in Corning and the bicentennial

In each episode, contestants of the canal’s opening. The

had four hours to design, Glass Barge trip was meant to

create and present a piece replicate the Brooklyn Flint Glass

of glass art. Each week, one Company’s move to Corning in

competitor was eliminated 1868. The Brooklyn Flint Glass

until there were two left in Company was renamed Corning

the series finale. The winner Top photo: G. Brian Juk ’01. Flint Glass Works, which today is
earned prizes worth $60,000, Above: Tom Ryder ’09 Corning Incorporated.
which included cash as well G. Brian commented on

as two working sessions this summer and a five-day the role Alfred University played in his success as a

residency in October at the Corning Museum of Glass. glass artist and the diversity he’s had in his career.

The series was produced in partnership with the In addition to participating in rewarding outreach

Corning Museum of Glass. initiatives like the Glass Barge and Hot Glass at Sea

For the series finale, Eric Meek, senior manager of programs, Juk has his own glass art studio, Steuben

hot glass programs at the Museum, served as guest County Glass, in Corning.

evaluator. Alfred University alumni G. Brian Juk “When I began my glassblowing career at Alfred

’01 (B.F.A.) and Tom Ryder ’09 (B.F.A.) were among University, I never imagined all of the places it would

six glass artists from the Museum’s Hot Shop who take me or the people I’d meet,” he said. “Being part

assisted the final two competitors. of Blown Away was really special for me. I’m so happy I

made the decision to attend Alfred University.”

TESgiven by students, recognizes and the topology of disordered several glass compositions for
a faculty member for his or her networks. Prior to his appointment Corning, including Corning Gorilla
work in teaching, research and to the faculty at Penn State, John Glass products. A Fellow of the
service. John joined the faculty atspent nearly two decades at American Ceramic Society (ACerS),
Penn State in 2017 and is currentlyCorning Incorporated, where he John is the author of over 220 peer-
a world-recognized expert in served in multiple roles, including reviewed publications and is editor
fundamental and applied glass senior research manager of the of the Journal of the American

science, statistical mechanics, Glass Research Department. He Ceramic Society.

computational and condensed is the inventor or co-inventor of

matter physics, thermodynamics,

29

2004 Lauren S. Klepacki ’11 (B.F.A.) married Anthony “Tony” Andreassi on August
17, 2019 at a beautiful ceremony in Pittsford, New York. Bridesmaids and fellow
Matthew Washington (B.A., alumni from Alfred University, shown with Lauren in the photo (from left):
comparative cultures), the deputy Jaime (Wyzykowski) Hoag ’11 (B.A., English), Rosemarie Fraioli ‘12 (B.F.A.) and
borough president of Manhattan Sara Schwarz ’10 (B.F.A.).
and a member of the Alfred
University Board of Trustees, was from China “transplanted” to 2007-14, before moving to San
honored by the Barrow Group at
its annual Spring Benefit in May. virtual locations of bridges in Diego, CA, in 2014 and starting her
Matthew, along with actress Alison
Wright and theater producer Venice. By connecting bridges own business. Among the services
Andrew Hamingson, were
recognized for their support of the from two lands through similarity her business provides: creating
Barrow Group and commitment
and dedication to the arts. The of forms, “Re-Search” reveals the murals and commissioned
Barrow Group is a New York City
Theatre Company and performing commonalities between the paintings; “live painting” (at
arts training center committed
to combining unpredictable, two civilizations, as well as the weddings and fundraising events,
spontaneous acting with well-
crafted plays that address social, differences between the two for example); and giving personal
spiritual, and political issues to
create an immediate, authentic regions. painting lessons. Gretchen splits
connection between actors,
audiences, and the writing. On Oct. 2007 her time working and living in
12, Matthew married Sibi George. San Diego and Buffalo, where

2005 HONORED REUNIONYEAR Artwork by Gretchen Weidner her personal painting collections

Fei Jun (M.F.A.) is representing his (B.A., fine arts) was chosen for have been exhibited in numerous
native China at the 58th Venice
Biennale in Venice, Italy. The incorporation into a new wallpaper galleries and shops. Another Alfred
Venice Biennale, titled “May You design that was unveiled in August University alumna, Emilie Vicchio
Live in Interesting Times,” opened in Buffalo. Red Disk, a Buffalo, NY, ’06 (B.S. marketing, B.A. fine
May 11 and runs through Nov. 24, firm specializing in the production arts; ’08 MBA,) assisted Gretchen
2019. Fei Jun is one of four artists of artisan wallpapers, and in creating the “Balboa Roses”
chosen for the China Pavilion at Burchfield Penney Art Center in design. Emilie and Gretchen were
Venice Biennale, one of the world’s Buffalo, collaborated on a project teammates on the softball team
largest and most prestigious to create wall coverings with 1920s at Alfred University. Emilie, who
international art exhibitions. Fei era designs. Artists were invited to lives in San Diego, owns a private
Jun, who is director of the Media submit designs and Gretchen, a consulting business that provides
Lab at the Central Academy of Fine muralist, artist and educator living brand, design and marketing
Art in Beijing, China, has two major and working in California and New services to a variety of industries.
pieces exhibited at the Biennale.
One is a massive video wall titled NOTYork, had her design, titled “BalboaLi Hongwei (M.F.A.) had two
“Interesting Word” and the other Roses,” selected. A native of Eden,
is a mobile device application collections of his artwork exhibited
he created titled “Re-Search.” NY, Gretchen taught art in the
“Re-Search” is a location-based
application created for the 2019
Venice Biennale, which viewers
can download to their mobile
devices. On this app, viewers can
search and experience bridges

Dunkirk (NY) School District from this summer at the Art Institute

30 Gold class years indicate honored class at Reunion 2020 – June 12-14

of Chicago’s Ando Gallery. One, Cuomo. Nick, who was shot Museum in Toronto, in response
to “Ai Weiwei: Unbroken.”
titled “Allegory of Balance #6,” was and killed in the line of duty on Stern’s collaborative work with
Nicholas Crombach, Whale Fall,
acquired by the Art Institute of July 2, 2018, in Erwin, had been is currently at the Canadian Clay
and Glass Gallery and features
Chicago in 2016; the other, titled nominated for the New York State an assemblage of furniture and
ceramic components alluding to a
“Xuan,” a collection on loan, was Police Officer of the Year Award. A decaying whale carcass.

exhibited with “Allegory of Balance star football player at Alfred, Nick Deaths

#6.” was a two-time All-America and 1943

“Allegory of Balance #6” is the Empire 8 Conference Defensive Ailsa Johnstone Inglis, May 4, 2019
Art Institute of Chicago’s first Player of the Year honoree as
acquisition of contemporary well as a four-time Empire 8 all- 1949
Chinese ceramics and star, two-time ECAC All-Region
contemporary Chinese sculpture. selection, and ECAC Merit Award Archie Farr, March 11, 2019
It consists of three groupings winner. After graduation from Ralph Jordan, April 21, 2019
of wheel-thrown, crystal-glazed Alfred University in 2011, Nick
porcelains and industrial, reflective tried out for the Buffalo Bills 1950
stainless steel. The crystal glazes before settling on a career in law
used in “Allegory of Balance #6” are enforcement. He graduated from Joseph Markle, Dec. 24, 2004
Li’s creation and earned him the the New York State Police Basic Lavern Olson, Feb. 1, 2012
China National Invention Patents School in 2015. At the time of his Roy VanAlsten, April 24, 2019
Award. “Xuan” is a collection of nine death, he was stationed as a state Lockhart Harder, May 16, 2019
pieces crafted from porcelain and trooper at the Bath barracks.
1951
stainless steel. Li is recognized as 2014
one of China’s most accomplished Dr. Richard Johnson, May 8, 2019
and innovative ceramic artists, Nurielle Stern (M.F.A., ceramic Robert Dungan, Aug. 1, 2019
whose work has been shown in
art), won the 2019 Winifred Shantz 1952

international exhibitions in China, Award for Ceramics. The $10,000 Joseph Piccirillo, March 17, 2019
Europe and the United States and cash award, given by the Canadian Jerome Ackerman, March 30, 2019
is currently represented in several Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Armand Beaudoin, June 28, 2019
American museums. He holds a Ontario, recognizes early-career
1953
B.F.A. degree in sculpture (2005) ceramic artists in Canada. Nurielle
from the Central Academy of Fine was among several finalists from Rosemary Raymond Stoller, Feb.
Arts in Beijing, China, and currently across Canada considered for the 26, 2019
serves on the faculty at the College honor. The cash award is provided
of Fine Arts at the Capital Normal to allow early-career ceramic Joyce Dennison Simchick, Aug. 23,
2019
University in Beijing. artists to undertake a period of
independent research, or other 1954

Yasmin (Green) Mattox (B.A., activities to advance their artistic Donald “Arnie” Armstrong, July 19,
2019
political science) was featured and professional practice. A group
1955
in the Sept. 6 issue of Rochester exhibition of work by Nurielle
Dr. Robert Carman, June 8, 2019
Business Journal. RBJ profiled and the other Winifred Shantz
1956
Mattox and her new startup Award finalists will be on view
Robert Kennedy, July 8, 2019
business, Arkatecht, which at the Canadian Clay and Glass
1957
T2011ESprovides digital professional Gallery through Nov. 17. As part of
advancement tools tailored to theher project, Nurielle will produce Kevin Flemming, June 29, 2019
needs of working parents. large-scale ceramic sculptures,
beginning with her participation in 1958
The late Nicholas Clark (B.A., a residency at the California State
environmental studies), who University Long Beach Center for Victor Babu, April 17, 2019
died in July 2018 while serving Contemporary Ceramics. Nurielle, William Hoskyns, Jan. 11, 2019
as a New York State trooper, who is based in Toronto, is a Dr. Morris Kotick, June 13, 2019
ceramic sculpture and installation Richard Bauer, June 17, 2019
Alice Bogaskie Louy, May 12, 2019
was posthumously awarded a artist. Her most recent exhibition,

Certificate of Exceptional Valor “Unswept Floor (Tesserae),” was

by New York Governor Andrew commissioned by the Gardiner

31

1959 1981 Jerome “Jerry” Ackerman
Jerome “Jerry” Ackerman, ’52
George “Jed” Hoffner, May 15, 2016 William “Billy” Leverence, July 18, M.F.A., a pioneer in mid-20th
Janice Ewell Post, April 21, 2019 2019 Century California Modernism,
passed away March 30 at his home
1960 1983 in Culver City, CA. He was 99.
Jerry and his wife, Evelyn, were
Judith Alsberg Fredericks, May 22, Bruce Clark, Sept. 7, 2019 renowned for their work in a variety
2019 of media – including ceramics,
1984 weaving, wood carving, and
Dr. William J. McDonough, April 14, mosaics – in creating modernist
2018 Jon Kaufman, March 26, 2019 decorative art. After Jerry earned
Charlene Domoracki Prior, July 11, his M.F.A. from Alfred University,
1961 the couple moved to California and
2019 started Jenev Design Studio in Los
Lt. Col. C. Thomas Ferguson, Sept. Angeles.
10, 2015 1985
To honor her father, Laura
Barbara O’Conner Hargrove-Yee, Steven Murphy, Nov. 11, 2018 Ackerman-Shaw has generously
Aug. 25, 2019 created The Jerome Ackerman
1989 Endowed Internship at the
1962 Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. The
Dr. Michael Joseph Renzi, July 25, internship will offer students
Maj. Arthur Wood, USAF (Ret.), Feb. 2019 in-depth exposure to Museum
25, 2019 professional practices as well as
Glen Holt, March 19, 2019 insight into the creative processes.
Gerald Walker, Aug. 27, 2019 It is designed to further each
1990 interns’ professional goals while
1963 helping the Museum address its
Marcus Stornelli, March 12, 2019 multifaceted organizational goals.
Robert S. MacDonald, May 19, 2019 Laura VanHaelst Hogan, Aug. 22,
Joan F. Goodman, May 1, 2019 Brian Dodge
Ralph Schnell, June 23, 2019 2019 Brian Dodge, director of Alfred
University’s Physical Plant, passed
1964 1997 away on Aug. 25, at age 58
following a battle with cancer.
Paul A. Leipold, Sept. 3, 2019 Jarod Finlay, April 11, 2018
Tanya Babcock, June 1, 2019 Brian began his career at Alfred
1966 University in January 1999, when
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– he was hired as a boiler tender.
Mary Smyth Moore, March 30, 2019 He progressed through the ranks,
Walter Peterson, April 27, 2019 William F. Holly ’51 becoming senior boiler tender and
William F. “Bill” Holly ’51 a former heating plant supervisor before his
1968 member of the Alfred University August 2011 promotion to director
Board of Trustees, passed away of the Physical Plant.
James Barrow, Aug. 17, 2019 Oct. 4, 2019, at age 90.
John Lucadamo, April 14, 2019 Survivors include his wife,
Rebecca Barnum Tillotson, July 12, Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in Tammy, who works for AVI,
economics from Alfred University Alfred University’s campus food
2019 and was the owner of Sage, Rutty & service provider; brother, Kevin
Company in Rochester. He served Dodge, facilities leader in the
1969 on the Alfred University Board of Alfred University Maintenance
Trustees from 1980-97. Department, and his mother,
Rhondda Vazquez Little, April 6, Chrystal Dodge.
2019 Bill is survived by his daughters
Linda Nash (Mark), Susan Roy
Andrew Mowrer, April 20, 2019 and his son Wayne Holly (Judy),
Hon. Andrew “Drew” Mullen, May 13 grandchildren, nine great
grandchildren and special friend,
15, 2019 Gail McCue. He is also survived by
Audrey W. Holly, the mother of his
1970 children.

Terry Mee, Aug. 5, 2019

1972

Dwight Kreuter, June 30, 2019

1977

Jane Mihalich, March 27, 2017

1980

Carol Anne Weaver, June 19, 2019

32

ZFROMTO AU Why American Higher
Education Shines
By Mark Zupan, President

While the United States fares poorly in terms of global We are enhancing match quality at Alfred University with
rankings of elementary and secondary school our Applied Experiential (APEX) learning program. It provides
education, we lead the world at the post-secondary level. students financial grants in support of co-ops, internships,
The fact that we attract more international post-secondary study-abroad, research, and service learning opportunities.
students than any other country evidences this. Currently, APEX promotes experimentation. It instills confidence. And it
one out of four students globally who leave their own is generating demonstrable results.
countries to study abroad come to the United States, more
than double the number drawn by the second and third There’s more. American colleges and universities allow
most popular destinations (11 percent go to the United students to change their academic major. This is much
Kingdom and 10 percent to China). harder to do at many European and Asian schools that
are a confederacy of faculties rather than fully integrated
The two main reasons offered for American higher universities. Unfortunately, students in Shanghai or Berlin
education excellence are competition, due to having so many who begin an engineering program and later discover that
institutions, and a large number of private schools. they would prefer to study environmental science or business,
are unable to make the change.
With regard to the private sector, there are over 1,700
private (not-for-profit) colleges and universities in the Finally, the ability to pursue multiple cross-disciplinary
United States, including Alfred University. These colleges majors or minors is more limited outside of the United States.
and universities collectively account for one third of total That is why we excel in fields like behavioral economics,
undergraduate student enrollments. By contrast, private biomedical engineering, data analytics, and design thinking.
higher education elsewhere in the world is rare.
At Alfred University, students can combine work in fields as
Are private universities drivers of educational quality? diverse as ceramic engineering, glass science, and our top 10
Without question! According to the latest U.S. News and program in art and design. Such combinations would be next
World Report annual ranking, 19 of the top 20 national to impossible to pursue in Japan or France. In fact, we have
universities are private. long encouraged our students to be flexible in their studies
and engage in the wide variety of academic programs we
Beyond competitiveness and the role played by private offer. We advise them to go not where their degree program
schools, David Epstein’s brilliant book Range: Why Generalists says they should go but where their passions lead them, and
Triumph in a Specialized World suggests three other reasons then we support them fully.
why American higher education is so impressive. Specifically,
our colleges and universities allow students to sample from We also require our new undergraduate students to take
a broader array of educational programs, make it easier for a unique one-unit course called Common Ground. It involves
students to shift from one major to another, and offer much facilitated dialogue, in small-group settings, among students
greater opportunity for interdisciplinary work. scrambled by gender, major, nationality, geography, and race.

The American approach to higher education pays huge Common Ground exposes students to different cultures,
dividends. Epstein reminds us that the 1989 Challenger backgrounds, and perspectives and, as a result, broadens
disaster might have been prevented had engineers who their viewpoints. It also seeks to identify the central values by
had broad training in the sciences and humanities (and which our students are willing to commit to living as citizens
suspected that cold weather might threaten the mission’s of our University community.
success) not been ignored by those with narrower training.
He vividly describes how scientists with backgrounds in music Universities are ideal settings for students to learn from
and literature are more likely to make Nobel Prize-winning each other and thereby hone their understanding and
breakthroughs in fields like chemistry and economics. principles that will shape them for the remainder of their
lives. America’s post-secondary schools are primed to
And that helps to make my point. outcompete our global counterparts by capitalizing on the
In our colleges, we welcome “undecided” students while rich range at the core of our DNA. It’s also the reason why
students in many other countries are required to choose a America’s colleges and universities, such as Alfred University,
post-secondary academic specialization while they are still in will continue to lead the world in producing better prepared,
high school. That is the very definition of educational rigidity. balanced graduates.
Such rigidity hinders what economists call match quality—
the degree to which training is aligned with individuals’ Fiat Lux!
abilities and passions. Imagine the analogous negative – Mark
consequences associated with having to choose whom to
marry based on your dating experiences in high school!

33

APEX program continues to grow

APEX, Alfred University’s Cooper commented. “Having funding

experiential learning program for these experiences can make a real

enjoyed a very successful first year, difference in our students’ college

with $1,000 grants awarded to 187 careers.”

juniors and seniors. Cooper said one of her primary

Under the leadership of new goals is to continue marketing the

APEX Coordinator Krystal Cooper program on campus, making more

’12, the University hopes to enjoy students aware of the opportunity.

similar success in 2019-20. Early “We need to continue spreading

indications show the program is the word. This is our second year, so

on track to meet or even exceed we’ve been exploring new marketing

its goals. tools,” said Cooper, who earned a

“We were quite pleased with bachelor’s degree in theater (dance

the number and quality of minor) from Alfred University. Her

opportunities made possible for husband, Jared, is a 2013 graduate

our students through last year’s (B.S., accounting), who went on to

APEX grants,” noted Amanda earn an MBA from Alfred University

Baker, director of the Robert R. in 2014. He is currently assistant dean

McComsey Career Development in the College of Liberal Arts and

Center, which oversees the APEX Sciences.

program. Krystal Cooper ’12, APEX Coordinator Word of mouth remains a
APEX provides grants to significant vehicle for promoting

students to help them pursue a wide variety of co-op, APEX. “A lot of assistant deans are promoting APEX to faculty,”

internship, research, study-abroad, and service learning who in turn encourage students to explore the program. Now

possibilities. that the program has a year under its belt, there are other

As of Sept. 23, 15 APEX grants had been awarded for 2019 marketing opportunities.

fall semester projects. Baker noted there “As an alumna, it’s “We’d like to have panel discussions,
are several pending applications being bringing in students who have completed

reviewed, and other proposals awaiting heartwarming and APEX experiences,” Cooper said. She hopes to
final approval from project supervisors. organize the discussions for mid-semester, with

She is confident this fall’s numbers will encouraging to have this an eye on boosting spring funding applications.

compare favorably to last fall, when 54 program available for juniors The benefits of an APEX experience go
grants were awarded. beyond funding – which grant recipients use

A total of 200 grants are available for and seniors, at a time when to cover a variety of expenses ranging from
2019-20. Baker said some applications
have been submitted for projects to transportation and housing to work clothing,

students are finding what equipment, and materials. Baker said students

be completed during the Allen Term they’re passionate about” learn key skills like interviewing and resume-
(between the fall and spring semesters) writing that will help them in their pursuit of

and for the spring 2020 semester. Krystal Cooper ’12 careers. “It can help them get used to putting
Cooper began her duties as APEX together and managing a budget. For most

coordinator in July, succeeding Logan students, that’s a skill they will need in the

Gee ’18, who served as the program’s first coordinator in future,” she noted.

2018-19. Cooper, who worked for several years in the Athletics Cooper credits the staff at the Career Development Center

Department before taking over as APEX coordinator, enjoys for helping her transition into her new role.

being in a role that helps students pursue their goals. “It’s been enjoyable. It’s wonderful working with students,

“As an alumna, it’s heartwarming and encouraging to hearing about their ideas, and seeing how organized they

have this program available for juniors and seniors, at a time are,” said Cooper. “It’s exciting. It’s a great challenge and

when students are finding what they’re passionate about,” opportunity.”



34

APEX student profiles

Helena Opare Financial Literacy; acted as a liaison semiconductor products for power
to the Judson Leadership Academy,
Helena Opare ’19 graduated in May offering workshops to help students and radio-frequency applications, was
meet requirements for the leadership
with a bachelor’s degree in finance program certificate; and partnered co-founded in 1987 by John Edmond
with the Alliance Advisory Group to
and is currently pursuing an MBA from provide workshops on investing. ’83.
“This project was beneficial to me in
Alfred University. At Commencement, many ways, as I was able to learn more For his internship, Evan worked
about financial literacy,” Helena said.
the Bronx resident was one of two After earning her MBA, Helena hopes as a process engineer in the
to pursue a career in the field of
seniors recognized for having the corporate finance. Another possibility is photolithography group in Cree’s
working in the financial department of
highest cumulative GPA in the College a college or university. Radio Frequency and Power Device

of Business. Evan Merkey Division. He used his APEX funding
Evan Merkey is a senior ceramic
For her APEX project, during the engineering major from Webster, NY, to defray some of the costs of his
and plays for the men’s soccer team at
spring of 2019, Helena completed Alfred University. internship: travel, housing, food, and
For his APEX project, Evan completed
a financial literacy internship in the a summer internship at Cree Inc. clothing for work.
in Durham, NC. Cree, a worldwide
Division of Student Affairs at Alfred manufacturer and marketer of light- “This
emitting diode (LED) components,
University. commercial interior and exterior internship
LED lighting fixtures, LED bulbs, and
Helena gave me

promoted valuable

financial experience

literacy into what

to Alfred I want to

University Evan Merkey ’20 do after I
graduate and
students

Helena Opare ’19 through a where I want to live,” he explained.
number of
“This experience has made me want to

initiatives. She created and delivered pursue a career in electronic ceramics.”

educational workshops using Cash Evan said he was able to interview

Course, a non-profit system created for multiple full-time positions at Cree

by the National Endowment for with the hope of pursuing a career

with the company after graduation.

VISAEvery Alfred University alum is invited to become a VISA member!
Volunteers Give back to your alma mater
In in a number of ways & make a
Support of tremendous difference to a current
Alf red
and/or prospective student

1Refer a Student 2 Help us recruit interested students
Think someone you know would be a great match for • Attend a local reception/event in your area
Alfred? If they apply and are accepted, they will receive • Make career connections
a $1,000 alumni referral scholarship in your name each • Assist admissions with outreach from alums to
year they are enrolled. The deadline is February 1, 2020 prospective students
for students entering in the Fall of 2020. • Raise awareness of Alfred University in your community

For more information, contact Barb Condrate at [email protected] or Diana Dalton at [email protected]

35

STRONG TIES

Across the pond

Larry Eliot ’49 moved to France in the 1950’s, soon after graduating
from Alfred, but his alma mater has never been far from his
thoughts.

Inspired by Kurt ’51 and Ruth “Torj” Goodrich Wray ’51 (and a
postcard the University sent out describing the Wray’s charitable
remainder trust), Larry’s estate plans will provide lifetime income to
a family member and extraordinary support for the University.

Larry has not been able to visit Alfred in a number of years, but
welcomes all Alfred visitors who make their way to the South of
France!

So far, he’s enjoyed visits from Board Chair Greg Connors ’92
(pictured at right with Larry) while on vacation with his sons; Beryl
Torthe ’18, who was on her way to visit family in Monaco; and
President Mark Zupan.

Interested in making a planned gift to Alfred University?
Please contact:

Amy Jacobson
Director of Planned Giving, University Advancement
[email protected] (607) 871-2144

ENRICHING the student experience

S A XON Leo Pamphile, is a senior majoring in history

C I RCLE with a minor in education. A four-year member of the Saxon football team,
Leo is serving as a team captain this year. He has enjoyed success off the field
as well, twice earning a spot on the Empire 8 Conference President’s List,
which recognizes academic achievement.

“Alfred provided me an extended family away from home. My peers,
professors, and all of the other faculty members I’ve encountered have played
a significant role in my success here,” Leo says. “This community will always
have a special place in my heart and I hope to one day be able to give back to
others and provide the support I received here!”

The Alfred University Saxon Circle program is in its fourth year and has made
a significant difference in the lives of our students. We currently have 555
Saxon Circle members, including 54 faculty/staff and 65 students who have
collectively pledged $8.7 million over a five-year period.

To learn more about how you can be a part of the Saxon Circle, visit: alfred.edu/alumni/leadership-giving.cfm

36

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM Brian

Hello my friends, neighbors, and Saltzman Alfred University Director
fellow Saxons. This month I of Student Diversity and
was asked by Jason Amore and Inclusion
others in University Advancement if have need of adaptive technologies
I would be willing to write a piece on for sight, hearing, or mobility are The power of gaming, the community afterthoughts
our burgeoning e-sports team and our openly welcomed for the love of gamers, and the opportunities for
Alfred Saxon gaming community. of gaming, community, and both curricular and co-curricular
This opportunity touches both a shared pride. innovation with the presence of an
professional and personal passion This sentiment and e-sports team are only limited by the
of mine. I currently serve proudly as inclusive motivation imagination of those who are present
the Director of Student Diversity and strikes at the heart in the community in which the team is
Inclusion for the University, but I am of my professional built and sustained. Diversity is about
also an avid gamer (top one percent position here at Alfred. counting the people and inclusion
of gamers by time in 2018; a catalogue Our goals and vision is about making sure the people
of over 600 games; and a researcher are to empower and count. Here at Alfred we have artists,
of gaming curricular innovation and engender an inclusive and communications majors, influencers,
integration). transformative experience professionals, and scholars. When we
The world of Electronic Sports for all those who join and embrace the talents of our community
(e-sports) is one which embraces make up our community. E-sports we have the opportunity to transcend
and welcomes members of all is another portal and outlet to embrace our simple notions of what is possible.
communities. A participant’s ideology, and advance that noble cause. With a community behind our
ethnicity, education and gender make To that end, Alfred University is e-sports team we are bringing together
no difference to their ability to join. looking to join an increasing number of those talents for a common purpose.
Moreover, with current innovations colleges, universities, and educational The e-sports team will need shout-
and advancements initiated within institutions in fielding a competitive casters (commentators), players,
the broader gaming community even e-sports team. The Saxon Gaming coaches, moderators, fans, publicity
those individuals and groups who may Society is working with University and hype people, and so much more.
Advancement, Information Technology, Everyone who wants to take part
Our goals and vision the Center for Student Involvement, can and will have a place. For such
and a number of other constituents to a collective effort, the line between
are to empower and bring that dream to reality. The plan who is “the talent” and who is not is
this academic year is to build at least nearly indistinguishable and that is just
engender an inclusive three six-person teams around popular another reason why e-sports could
competitive and cooperative games and should have a natural place here
and transformative such as Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket at Alfred University now and for the
League, and League of Legends. foreseeable future.
experience for all those

who join and make up

our community.

37

AlfredUniversity NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
1 Saxon Drive PA I D
Alfred, NY 14802
Address Service Requested ROCHESTER, NY
PERMIT No. 944

Reunion2020

Friday, June 12 – Sunday, June 14

Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the 2020 Reunion, June 12-14. Everyone is welcome with
special invitations extended to Alfred’s Golden Saxons (anyone who graduated 1969 or earlier, with
Golden Saxon honored years being 1950, 1955, 1960 and 1965). We will also honor and celebrate
members from the classes of: 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015.

See the full Reunion schedule online at alfred.edu/alumni/reunion.cfm

Save the date for Reunion 2021, June 11-13