Tor echo 8 spring 2014
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Transcript of Tor echo 8 spring 2014
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103rd Commencement
Congratulations, Graduates!
Friends, families, and fellow students celebrated as approximately 900 Alfred State graduates participated in commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 18,
2014. Dr. Skip Sullivan, president, presided over the event held at Pioneer Stadium on the Alfred State campus. Welcoming the audience on behalf of the stu-
dents was Joshua Altemoos, of Buffalo, N.Y., president of the Alfred State Student Senate, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information technology:
network administration. This year’s student speaker was Tsu Zhu, of Flushing, NY. Zhu is a graduate of both the Culinary Arts Department, where she received
her associate degree, and — most recently — the technology management program, where she received her bachelor’s.
Keynote speaker for the ceremony was David Campbell, successful businessman and founder and chair of All Hands Volunteers. Campbell, a native of Buffalo
and resident of Carlisle, Massachusetts, has been President of BBN Technologies of Cambridge and CEO at Computer Task Group of Buffalo and Xpedior of
Chicago. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Tektronix, M&T Bank, MRO Software, and Gibraltar Industries; he has been a Trustee at
both Niagara University and the University at Buffalo; held the position of Chairman for Roswell Park Cancer Institute Council, the Buffalo United Way cam-
paign, the Erie County IDA, and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce; and he has served on the board of directors for numerous other organizations.
Following a tsunami in Thailand in 2005, Campbell became one of the founders of Hands onThailand.org, and helped to bring in more than 200 volunteers
and several hundred thousand dollars to assist in rebuilding. Inspired to continue the work of providing hands-on assistance to communities in need, Campbell
then incorporated All Hands Volunteers in 2006 and quickly brought 1,500 volunteers to Biloxi, Mississippi, in response to Hurricane Katrina. Under his leader-
ship over the next seven years, the organization managed more than 30 projects. To date, All Hands Volunteers has helped communities in Haiti, Peru, Thailand,
Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. US relief projects have taken place in Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Iowa.
President Sullivan also awarded an honorary degree during the ceremony, the Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), to William Goodrich, president and CEO
of Rochester’s LeChase Construction, Alfred State class of ’84. Goodrich has been an integral member of LeChase since 1985. He was named president in 2002
and CEO in 2007; has been involved with Rochester Careers in Construction, a program that connects high school faculty and students with construction in-
dustry experts, for more than a decade; has been a driving force behind continuing education and training for his company’s employees. More than 40 Alfred
State graduates have found careers at LeChase.
At Alfred State, Goodrich has been an essential supporter of the $4.1 million Construction Workforce Development Center at the School of Applied Tech-
nology in Wellsville and in the opening of the $33.5 million Student Leadership Center, where LeChase sponsored one of thirteen leadership suites awarded to
student organizations. LeChase also supports several institutional, charitable, and community-based organizations on an annual basis.
Goodrich maintains membership in many community and professional organizations; was the recipient of a President’s Medallion from Alfred State in 2010;
was the keynote speaker for Alfred State’s 99th Commencement ceremony; and was featured in the Transitions, the College’s magazine. He has a bachelor’s de-
gree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College and an associate degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Alfred State.
The presentation of the Paul B. Orvis Award for Excellence, awarded to outstanding two-year graduates from each of the college’s schools of study as well
as to one or more baccalaureate graduates, was a highlight of the ceremony. The award honors Paul B. Orvis, a former president of Alfred State and State Uni-
versity of New York dean for two-year colleges. Recipients must meet the criteria of service, leadership, character, and scholarship.
Honored at the ceremony were Nicole M. Agosta, Amsterdam, N.Y., (School of the Arts and Sciences baccalaureate recipient); Rachel A. Howard, Pittsford,
NY, School of Arts and Sciences associate degree recipient); Lisa J. Kowalewski, Akron, N.Y., (School of Architecture, Management, and Engineering Technology
associate degree recipient); Joshua D. Lenahan, Woodhull, N.Y., (School of Applied Technology recipient); and Kyle “Christian” J. Perry, Frewsburg, N.Y., (School of
Architecture, Management, and Engineering Technology baccalaureate recipient).
The Alfred State Men’s Quartet performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Alfred State alma mater during the ceremony. Students and faculty were led
out in recessional to the music of the Gates Keystone Police Pipes and Drums.
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Tor Echo / Spring 2014
Scenes from the 103rd Commencement of Alfred State SUNY College of Technology
Christian Kyle Perry (above, right) receiving the Orvis
Award from VPAA Craig Clark. Christian, an architec-
ture major, will be heading off to Honduras next, where
he is working on plans for a children’s hospital in the
capital city of Tegucigalpa. Christian is the co-founder of
“Little Angels of Honduras,” a not-for-profit foundation
whose mission is to reduce the infant mortality rate in
Honduras by providing optimal conditions for birth and
newborn care. This organization embodies the ideals of
civic engagement that Alfred State tries to imbue in its
students. Congratulations, Christian!
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Dr.
Aniko Constantine announcing the names of
more than 900 graduates at the 103rd Alfred
State Commencement on Sunday, May 18,
2014.
“Keep your eyes on the prize,” and, in this case, keep your
hands on the prize, too! Congratulations, Pioneer Graduates!
More than 900 students re-
ceived diplomas on a sunny but
cool day as thousands of family
members, friends, Alfred State
faculty, staff, and administrators
looked on.
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Tor Echo Staff Editor-in-Chief: Britteny L. Monahan (2013-14) - Editor-in-Chief: Matt Cooley (2014-15)
Associate Editor: Lynnette Lockwood (2014-15) Treasurer: Karla Chun (2013-14) - Treasurer: Daniel Davied (2014-15)
Advisor: Dr. Brian Quinn Copyright Tor Echo 2014
Editorial
Farewell, Alfred
After three and a half years as a student at Alfred State College it is time for
me to say goodbye – So much time has passed, and as I look back on every-
thing I have done, all of the people I have met, and all of the friends I have seen
come and go it is with a mixture of sadness and relief that I move forward into
the unknown and into the next chapter of my life. My time here has been an
amazing adventure of ups and downs, love and hate, education and new experi-
ences. I thrust myself into situations I otherwise would have never ventured, I
took chances and tried things I never thought I would. I met an array of inter-
esting individuals, some even became my greatest friends and companions. I
made many mistakes along the way, but everything happens for a reason and
while I do wish there were times I could go back and correct my mistakes, or
take the chances I never allowed myself to in the past, I am content with my life
and my time here in Alfred. I won’t be going far, but it still feels like I am saying
goodbye to a large piece of myself. It has been quite the adventure being the
editor of the newspaper, and I wish those following in my footsteps and taking
the reigns as the new editor and staff of Tor Echo the best of luck. Remember
to have fun, talk to people and keep an open mind to all possibilities that sur-
round you. The school newspaper was meant for the students to get their voic-
es out there and heard. I want to thank my small, yet dedicated and resourceful
staff and our advisor, Brian Quinn, for all of your hard work this past year as
members of the newspaper. I couldn’t have done any of it without you all. <3
Also, I want to wish all of my friends who are graduating the best of luck and
congratulations on all of your hard work! You’ve earned it!
Goodbye, Alfred State.
—Britteny Monahan, Editor-in-Chief
MEET THE NEW EDITORS AND
STAFF OF TOR ECHO 2014-15
Matt Cooley, who is planning to
become a high school teacher,
will be taking over as Editor-in-
Chief of Tor Echo, the online
Alfred State student publication
in Fall 2014. Matt has already
written articles for Tor Echo,
and he has been featured in a
“Spotlight on an RA” feature in
an issue this Spring.
Associate Editor Lynnette Lockwood
has been part of Tor Echo since the
Fall of 2012, when she served as the
newspaper’s Treasurer. She has been
a faithful contributor to Tor Echo, as
well. Lynnette’s reporting has been on
the cover of Tor Echo, most recently
when she wrote about the 2014 Tun-
nel of Oppression. She also reported
on her involvement with Superstorm
Sandy relief work on Long Island —
here she is (right) pictured in her vol-
unteer outfit from that trip.
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Tor Echo / Spring 2014
“A leader has the vision and conviction that a
dream can be achieved. He inspires the power
and energy to get it done.” This quote by Ralph
Lauren, demonstrates Josh Stellerecht’s leader-
ship and dedication to his fellow students, the
Department of Residential Life, and Alfred State
as a whole.
Josh has contributed to the betterment of
Residential Life in many ways. Josh has been a
Resident Assistant for two semesters and a
Head Resident Assistant for five semesters in
MacKenzie East. As a leader in Mackenzie East,
Josh started many notable initiatives such as
creating electronic rounds sheets, developing
the ‘Staff B’ model (RAs sharing responsibilities
in staff bonding events), starting the tradition of
the MacKenzie East Staff Yearbook, starting a
recycling campaign and encouraging Hall Coun-
cil to purchase recycling bins for every floor,
organizing a ‘Cleaners Appreciation Day’, and
creating an in-house OTM process. Josh has
done all this while also attending Hall Council every week and helping Hall Council Members develop a vision for what they can do with their budget. With his
Hall Council leadership, he has assisted in sponsoring a Wii, retuning the piano, refelting the pool table, a new cookware set and check-out system, a surround
sound system, new sports equipment, board games, and microwaves and TVs for floor lounges. Josh’s leadership extends to his involvement in Residential Life’s
Recruitment Committee, and he also served as the President of National Residence Hall Honorary and has helped to rebuild the group.
Outside of Residential Life, Josh also has a strong commitment to civic engagement and sustainability on campus, as well as other student groups. Josh has
led the ‘Rock the Vote’ Voting Campaigns. He is an active contributor on the Pioneer Cup Steering Committee and is a valued member of the Sustainability
Club. He provides helpful advice from a student perspective on the Pioneer Cup committee and designed a “bulletin board in a box” that Residence Life staff
could post in each hall to make the Pioneer Cup more visible. With the Sustainability Club, Josh has helped organize the annual MegaDrive collection of usable
goods at the end of spring semester and the associated MegaSale at the beginning of the school year. In the first year, the Sustainability Club was able to raise
around $800 through this program and donate a great deal to charity with Josh’s assistance.
Josh has served as a role model for his fellow staff members and his peers, through his academic achievements, his HRA role, and his extra-curricular activi-
ties. As a result of all of his hard work, Josh has previously won the Rising Star Award, the Pillar Award (twice), and the end-of the year monetary award
through Residential Services, the 2014 Spirit of Service Award, and was nominated for the Chancellor’s Award, and now is the recipient of the Buckman Award
for 2014. Josh has truly shown that he is humble in his confidence yet courageous in his character and therefore will continue to achieve greatness.
Bu
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BIG
Spotlight on
Josh Stellerecht