Alumni

��Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:59:40 +0000

��Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend valenzfr@morri… Mon, 08/25/2025 - 10:59

Stuffed animals, pillows and lucky gnomes! When it came to move-in day must-haves, incoming freshmen proved that comfort and a touch of home top the list. New students arrived with beloved keepsakes and plenty of excitement as they began a new chapter at ��Ƶ.

College faculty, staff and administration officially welcomed new and returning students and their families to campus during Welcome Weekend Aug. 21-24, providing abundant support to help newcomers settle in and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Classes start Monday, Aug. 25.

Orientation featured insightful sessions, campus activities and social events designed to spark excitement and foster connections.

Members of the college’s athletic teams pitched in with move-in, hauling mini-fridges and guiding carts packed with everything needed for residence hall living.

Beyond the heavy lifting, students also found helping hands and friendly faces ready to guide them in many ways through their first days on campus.

Jacob Works and Abigail Gracey were among a team of Mustang Mentors excitedly awaiting students’ arrival.

“I think it is important to help fellow students adjust to college life and to have a person they can rely on,” said Gracey, a human services major from Oneonta, who is also a mentor in the college’s Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program.

“It is important for both returning and new students to have a good experience. I have been both and I take pride in being able to help,” said Works, a journalism student from Syracuse.

The college offers a wide range of dedicated support programs to help new students at all stages of their academic journey, providing tailored academic and personal guidance to ensure success for both new and continuing students.

Support from the college’s Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) has been vital for equine science freshmen Isabella Berrios. “It’s been nice to have a community behind you,” she said of the program. “I tend to be a bit on the quiet side and I like having people to rely on and support me with classes going into something new.”

She brought along four stuffed animals from home to help her settle in, including a blue horse, a reflection of her lifelong love of riding.

“I love the equine program here,” she said. “I have been riding since I was 7 and I’m really passionate about pursuing this career path.”

Meanwhile, Isabelle Baker, from Rochester, was getting to know her roommate Delanie Pritchard, from Rome. Both freshmen are students in the college’s natural resources conservation program. Their families stood side-by-side, helping them through the check-in process and taking in the excitement of move-in day.

To make their space feel a little more like home, Baker brought along several gnomes, small reminders to ease her into residence hall life.

Ready to embrace college life, she shared a message to her fellow Mustang community — “remember, everything adds character.”

While Baker and Pritchard settled into their new space, they were just two of the many faces in this year’s incoming class.

Here is a look at the incoming class by the numbers
•    Total new students: 965
•    States represented: 16
•    Countries represented include: Canada, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, South Korea, Hungary, Vietnam
•    Student-athletes in the class: 205
•    First-generation college students: 526

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

August 25, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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��Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:11:45 +0000

��Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students valenzfr@morri… Wed, 08/13/2025 - 10:11

��Ƶ has been named to the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26, earning national recognition for its commitment to helping first-generation college students thrive.

FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, selected ��Ƶ as one of just 60 new members this year, citing the college’s dedication to improving experiences and advancing success for first-gen college students.

The Network offers a three-phase framework designed to help institutions expand holistic support for first-generation students, transforming the student experience, strengthening academic and co-curricular outcomes and creating inclusive campus structures.

“We are pleased to welcome ��Ƶ into the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Stephanie J. Bannister, vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Through the application process, it was clear that ��Ƶ is not only committed to supporting first-generation students, but also prepared to invest in long-term, strategic efforts that create environments where these students can truly thrive.”

��Ƶ President David Rogers praised the recognition as a reflection of the college’s culture and commitment.

“Being named to the FirstGen Forward Network affirms what we already know — ��Ƶ is a place where first-generation students are supported, celebrated and empowered to succeed. It strengthens our ability to provide them with the tools, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive,” Rogers said. “And I should know, as I am a first-generation student myself.”

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

August 13, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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Interns at ��Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:55:57 +0000

Interns at ��Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition valenzfr@morri… Wed, 07/30/2025 - 13:55

At sunrise, while most of the campus is still quiet, soft nickers echo through the ��Ƶ Equine Rehabilitation Center (ERC). Vegas and Jerry’s ears perk forward as they recognize the familiar sound of students’ voices and footsteps approaching the barn.

Jerry, a chestnut Quarter Horse, is always the first to greet them, letting out a cheerful whinny before standing patiently, ready for attention and his breakfast.

For equine science bachelor’s degree students Marisa Stetson, Kirsten Parhiala, Ashley Moncalieri and Danielle Crumb, early morning routines at the facility are among the most fulfilling moments of their day. Throughout the summer, all four are gaining experience through internships at the ERC.

“The horses get so excited when we walk in,” said Stetson, who is concentrating in equine rehabilitation & therapy, along with western breaking & training.

The enthusiasm is mutual as students immerse themselves in internships focused on equine care.

The center helps horses from across the region, offering rehabilitation techniques to keep healthy horses conditioned and to help injured equine athletes recover after injury or surgery.

From underwater treadmill sessions and cold saltwater therapy to laser treatments and therapeutic ultrasound, students are putting their classroom knowledge into action in real-world, clinical settings.

“I enjoy learning about the modalities more in-depth and understanding horse behavior,” Moncalieri said of her internship.

The experiences are an important part of the ERC, a facility equipped with tools rarely found at the undergraduate level, including an underwater treadmill, cold saltwater spa, laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, vibration plates, solariums and more.

For Stetson, the hands-on experience and facilities were key factors in choosing ��Ƶ.

“I came to ��Ƶ specifically for equine rehab,” said Stetson, who lives in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. “As soon as I toured the facility, I knew this was where I wanted to go.”

Her internship is deepening her understanding of equine rehabilitation and therapy before she heads to North Carolina for her capstone internship at 3H Equine Hospital & Mobile Veterinary Service.

“I decided to do my internship here to learn as much as possible,” she said. Her ultimate goal is to work in an equine rehabilitation clinic.

Crumb shares that same passion for conditioning horses and helping them heal.

“I love the daily hands-on experience and how no two days are the same,” said Crumb, who is concentrating in equine rehabilitation & therapy. “This internship gives me real-world experience with all kinds of horses and I learn something new every day.”

The interns’ dedication is already making a difference as they work one-on-one with a variety of horses.

Jerry, a college-owned western lesson horse, is showing notable progress in an injured tendon, thanks to a range of therapeutic treatments, including cold saltwater spa therapy. He also walks in the underwater treadmill and receives ultrasound therapy three times a week.

“He loves the underwater treadmill,” Stetson said. “He is grumpy at first, but when we put him on the treadmill, he gets super-focused, ears up and is always ready to go.”

Victoria Reichard brought her horse, Vegas, to the center to rehabilitate a torn meniscus and to condition her for a future in pleasure riding.

The best part for Vegas — “it is definitely the attention she gets,” said Reichard, a graduate of the college’s equine science bachelor’s degree program.

The extra care is paying off. “She was quite lame and now she plays outside and is more energetic,” Reichard said.

An instructional support assistant at the college’s ERC and in its breeding program, Reichard values the hands-on learning that defines the program — something today’s interns are experiencing firsthand under the guidance of LeeAnn Chesebro.

Chesebro, of Clinton, serves as an instructional support assistant and barn manager at the ERC, where she works with veterinarians to develop treatment plans.

A 2020 graduate of the college’s equine science program, with a concentration in equine rehabilitation & therapy, Chesebro was inspired to pursue a career in the equine industry by stories of her great-grandfather, who owned and raced horses at Vernon Downs Racetrack.

That passion ultimately brought her back to ��Ƶ to help shape future professionals while continuing her work with horses.

“I was excited to come back,” Chesebro said. “What we do here for horses is such an important part of their lives.”

That sense of purpose is matched by the hands-on experience students gain each day. As horses are brought in and out for care, students are exposed to working with a variety of horses, new challenges and learning opportunities.

Zein, one of Morrisville’s Hunt Seat horses, used the lap pool to strengthen his muscles and get back into shape after being on stall rest due to an injury. The pool is designed to build cardiovascular strength and allow horses the flexibility to use their full range of motion without putting weight on their extremities.

Along with hands-on treatment sessions, interns take on daily responsibilities like maintaining equipment, cleaning stalls and keeping the barn running smoothly.

Every bit of their work comes with meaningful lessons.

“You learn to be patient, too,” said Parhiala, of Canastota, who is concentrating in equine rehabilitation & therapy, as well as breeding management. “Horses can’t speak, so you have to figure out their body language and how to communicate with them in your own way.”

That deep level of understanding is what drives Parhiala’s future goals.

“My dream is to have a rehab facility where I bring in abused horses and rehab all of them,” she said.

For now, she and her fellow interns are living out that dream in small but meaningful ways each day at ��Ƶ’s ERC.

“It’s so rewarding to watch them heal and return to their playful selves,” Crumb said. “I can’t wait to do this for the rest of my life.”

The center has opened its doors, offering the community haul-in days — an opportunity to bring their horses to the ERC for exercise conditioning sessions, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through mid-fall.

For more information, or to schedule a session, call 315.684.6601 or email equine.rehab@morrisville.edu. The ERC also offers guided tours, by appointment, for groups of all ages.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

July 30, 2025

Gallery

2 p.m.

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Get a taste of the future during free Foodpreneur Forum at ��Ƶ’s new Shared-Use Kitchen

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:40:28 +0000

Get a taste of the future during free Foodpreneur Forum at ��Ƶ’s new Shared-Use Kitchen valenzfr@morri… Wed, 07/23/2025 - 13:40

Are you a food entrepreneur in Madison or surrounding counties? ��Ƶ invites you to a free Foodpreneur Forum, Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at its brand new Shared-Use Kitchen, located at 102 Eaton St., Morrisville.

Participants can tour the new space, connect with fellow food creators and explore how to help shape the future of local food innovation. They can also learn about upcoming resources designed to support their food business.

RSVP at: sharedkitchen@morrisville.edu.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

July 23, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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Alumni

Community

General

��Ƶ Educational Opportunity Program peer mentors prepare for Summer Academy

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:15:10 +0000

��Ƶ Educational Opportunity Program peer mentors prepare for Summer Academy valenzfr@morri… Thu, 07/10/2025 - 12:15

As the ��Ƶ campus prepares for an exciting new academic year, peer mentors in its Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) have been immersed in a week of team-building exercises and strategic planning as they welcome one of the largest incoming EOP Summer Academy cohorts in the college’s history.

The 15 peer mentors, experienced students who serve as guides, motivators and role models, are engaged in intensive training sessions designed to strengthen collaboration and leadership. Activities include group challenges and scenario-based learning to prepare them for mentoring first-year students.

“This week is all about building a strong foundation for our peer mentors to help new students adjust socially and emotionally to college life,” said Kayle Light-Curtin, executive director of ��Ƶ’s Opportunity and Access Programs.

EOP helps incoming students from historically underserved backgrounds transition successfully into college. This year’s large class, more than 120, is due to increased funding from SUNY System and New York State and is also a testament to ��Ƶ’s commitment to access and student success.

The four-week intensive summer academy, “College Looks Good on You,” runs from July 11 through Aug. 9.

“We want each scholar to see themselves not only as college students but also as capable, confident scholars with the potential to thrive academically, socially and personally,” Light-Curtin said. “Through programming, mentorship and engaging academic experiences, we aim to foster a strong sense of belonging, purpose and academic identity from day one.”

Peer mentors play a vital role in the success of the summer program.

Tamiea Lee is among peer mentors creating a supportive, engaging and empowering environment for the summer scholars.

“The program was so good that I wanted to come back to be a mentor,” said Lee, who participated in the academy last summer.

The EOP program has helped the individual studies student from Brooklyn thrive.

“EOP is a sense of community and provides a sense of belonging,” Lee said. “It helps you with so many things academically and financially and gave me so much confidence.”

That same spirit of support and connection is what motivated Michael Roberts to become an EOP peer mentor for the first time. “This is a pretty great,” he said of the training. “It’s a great idea to integrate the new students.”

The weeklong training builds a foundation of leadership, communication and trust. “We focus a lot on team-building and communicating effectively throughout the training,” Light-Curtin said.

Michael Duignan, director of the college’s Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program, led several interactive activities designed to strengthen those very skills through teamwork and peer-led activities.

“Think of creative ways to find solutions, to communicate ideas and work as a team,” he advised the peer mentors, who were tasked with multiple exercises that challenged their way of thinking and communicating.

In addition to team-building activities, peer mentors are also participating in mandated training.

“It is a bridge from high school to college, getting them prepared and acclimated to a new environment,” said Ashlee Duncan, an EOP counselor. “It is more than classes. There are elements we help guide and support them with before the fall.”

“For nearly 60 years, EOP has created a path to upward mobility for students and their families — making college a reality to pursue their dream careers,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. in a prepared statement. “This program, made possible thanks to the steadfast commitment of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature, supports thousands of SUNY students each year, and empowers them to unleash their full potential.”

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

July 10, 2025

Gallery

9 a.m.

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��Ƶ’s food forest takes root, project will nourish campus and community

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:24:55 +0000

��Ƶ’s food forest takes root, project will nourish campus and community valenzfr@morri… Wed, 07/02/2025 - 09:24

Two years ago, Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins, associate professor of agricultural science at ��Ƶ, envisioned transforming an old apple orchard into a thriving food forest, a regenerative agricultural system that mirrors the structure of a natural forest. Her vision: a self-sustaining ecosystem filled with edible plants, supporting biodiversity and long-term sustainability.

The idea quickly caught the attention of Elisa Livengood, associate professor of aquaculture & aquatic sciences and environmental & natural resources management, who eagerly joined the effort.

“At ��Ƶ, we try to practice all forms of agriculture,” Livengood said. “We already have aquaponics, an organic farm and traditional farming, but this was the missing piece.”

Signs of progress are everywhere on the one-acre plot. Amid the old apple trees, new life is taking root — clusters of rhubarb, blueberries, raspberries, elderberries, grapes, marigolds, garlic and much more. The space under an old apple tree will eventually thrive with mushrooms.

Everything is being thoughtfully planted — part of a larger plan to create a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem.

“We want to create as much diversity in the space as possible,” Gilbert Jenkins said. “Our goal is to establish a true polyculture, where multiple species coexist and support one another.”

Once fully established, the food forest will become a self-sustaining living laboratory, offering hands-on educational experiences for students, fresh food for the campus and local community and an essential habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

It represents a cornerstone of ��Ƶ’s long-term sustainability goals and is already coming to life as a dynamic classroom where students connect environmental stewardship with community impact.

Among those gaining experience is Jeffrey Monette, a horticulture business management and agricultural science – agronomy student from Oswego. As part of a 15-credit summer internship focused on sustainability initiatives, he’s helping establish the food forest.

Working closely with Gilbert Jenkins, Monette is assisting with planting and developing a GIS map of the food forest to help organize and coordinate future planting efforts.

“This is a powerful learning experience,” Monette said. “I’m learning and understanding the nutrient cycle and how each plant relies on another to benefit over time.”

Future classes will continue to shape the forest’s growth, including arboriculture and natural resources students, who will help prune the trees and plan the layout of the space.

“This project is really uniting all of our programs to work together,” Livengood said.

The food forest also serves as a space for experimentation, where students explore real-world solutions.

“We are doing a lot of experimenting as we go,” Gilbert Jenkins said. “Converting a grass field to a food forest, with an eye toward protecting and maintaining soil health, can be complicated. We are evaluating a variety of methods. It’s a collaborative effort that will continue to involve students from a variety of classes this coming academic year.”

One experiment is layering wool, compost and another layer of wool to suppress grass growth without disturbing the nutrient-rich soil below. Seeds are then planted directly into the compost, where they can take root and thrive.

Bringing the food forest to life is a complex endeavor, which requires time, strategic planning, innovative thinking and a fair share of creative problem-solving.

Steady progress is being made thanks to generous support and contributions from Lasnicki Landscaping & Nursery in Hastings, the college’s Student Government Organization, donors to Morrisville College Foundation and proceeds from trout sales through the aquaculture program.

Additional donations are welcome to help the food forest grow. To support this community-powered initiative, visit https://morrisville.edu/foodforest.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

July 2, 2025

Gallery

8:30 a.m.

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All roads lead back to Morrisville: Impressive number of automotive alumni return to the classroom to mentor and teach the next generation of students

salibalr — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

All roads lead back to Morrisville: Impressive number of automotive alumni return to the classroom to mentor and teach the next generation of students salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

Ask any automotive student at ��Ƶ about their most memorable experiences and they’ll likely point to the faculty at the heart of it all.

“Their devotion to seeing us succeed is what I love so much about them,” said Dan Betsinger, an automotive technology - Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) Program student from Cobleskill, New York.

That sentiment runs deep within the Automotive Department, where 12 alumni have come full circle —returning to ��Ƶ to teach and give back to the place that shaped their own careers. They share a common bond: a legacy of excellence built on expert instruction and a profound sense of pride, solidifying the college’s reputation for producing highly skilled graduates ready to take on the industry worldwide.

For these faculty members, the decision to return is fueled by both nostalgia and a deep commitment to mentoring the next wave of automotive professionals.

“The instructors made a lasting impression on me when I was a student,” said Ray Grabowski ’89, now a professor of automotive technology. “They taught trade-specific and life skills that have stayed with me throughout my career.”

After earning his degree in automotive technology, Grabowski built a career focused on technical training and workforce development through apprenticeship programs at a major production corporation. In 2006, he returned to Morrisville to continue that mission — this time as an instructor.

“Coming back to Morrisville allowed me to keep ‘building’ skilled individuals,” he said. “I’m proud to equip students with the expertise they need to thrive in this high-demand and ever-evolving industry.”

The strong presence of alumni among the faculty continues to shape ��Ƶ’s culture, fostering a deep sense of tradition, continuity and living up to the college’s mantra of Mustang Proud.

“Having such a large number of alumni as faculty speaks volumes,” said Nate Miller ’86, an instructional support associate in the automotive technology - Ford ASSET program. “There’s a strong focus on ensuring that students develop the skills needed for career success, allowing us to proudly present them to the industry as ��Ƶ automotive technology graduates.”

Setting these faculty members apart is their unique blend of real-world industry experience and firsthand understanding of the college’s teaching approach from “walking the same halls.”

Author

Franci Valenzano

Morrisville Auto Faculty in Action

Matt Polak ’06, ’07, assistant professor of automotive technology, first discovered ��Ƶ’s Automotive Department while playing junior hockey in Midland, Michigan. He enrolled in the automotive program during a highly successful era for its hockey team in the National Junior College Athletic Association, contributing to a couple of the team’s national titles.

“I knew when I was a student that eventually I wanted to go back and teach,” Polak said.

After spending a decade in the industry as a technician, service writer and service manager, he returned to Morrisville to fulfill that dream. His journey reflects a strong tradition within the program — one that resonates with students.

“You have a group of people who learned at Morrisville, went out and applied that knowledge successfully, and built careers from it,” said automotive technology student Liam Kosinski. “Now, they’re using that experience to give us real-life scenarios and examples that help us truly understand the field.”

This cycle of learning, experience and returning to teach is a hallmark of excellence in the Automotive Department.

For Dan Akers ’90, ’13, a second-generation Morrisville student, that excellence is reflected in mentoring and giving back. When the opportunity to return as an instructor arose in 2007, he didn’t need much convincing.

Before joining ��Ƶ, Akers spent 17 years working in dealerships, gaining invaluable industry experience. Now, as the head of the college’s Ford ASSET program, he brings that expertise into the classroom.

“I believe a good automotive educator not only holds the degrees, but also has real shop experience to back up the lessons,” Akers said.

Miller was driven by the hands-on learning approach that has long set ��Ƶ programs apart.

“I came back to Morrisville as an instructor because it gave me a great start in my career,” he said. “I wanted to be part of that ongoing legacy.”

That hands-on approach continues to shape students’ experiences today.

“I love that we have a lab every day in the ASSET program,” Betsinger said. “Because we’re doing hands-on work daily, we don’t forget what we’ve learned.”

“For me, a great thing about the auto programs is how faculty teach,” said Michael Wegener, of Massachusetts, a student in the automotive technology associate degree program. “It’s a very hands-on career and they demonstrate and go in depth. They teach so enthusiastically like they really want to be here.”

This emphasis on practical learning has been key to the automotive program’s growth, with faculty playing a pivotal role in its transformation.

Today, the college offers three associate degrees: automotive technology; automotive technology - Ford ASSET; and auto body technology. Graduates can continue their education through the Bachelor of Technology degree in automotive technology or the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in automotive management.

For many students, their connection to ��Ƶ begins long before they step on campus.

“I was at a BOCES event watching a presentation when a student approached me, repeatedly expressing his gratitude for a visit he had two years earlier as a high school sophomore,” said Alex Graf ’16, ’18, an instructional support associate in auto body technology. “Now he’s a freshman at Morrisville.”

Graf earned his associate degree in auto body technology and a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship & small business management, both from Morrisville, before going on to earn a master’s degree from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

His diverse background, which includes vintage Volkswagen restoration and early 1900s Cadillac restoration, brings a unique perspective to the classroom.

“Being able to come back and teach what I once learned has been an incredible experience,” Graf said.

That sense of pride and connection to ��Ƶ is something Stephen Mann ’13, ’18 knows well.

“I was walking through on my admissions tour and the Factory Five giveaway car for the Syracuse Nationals was being built,” Mann recalled. “Seeing students work on a project like that, in those great facilities, really sold me on the college.”

Seeing students graduate and build successful careers — knowing we played a role in their development — is incredibly rewarding. I want students to have that same life-changing experience I had.

Dan Akers

Morrisville’s hands-on approach struck a chord with Nathanel Alvarez, an automotive technology - Ford ASSET student from Goshen, New York. Alvarez entered the program with little knowledge of automobiles, but knew that the skills he would gain would ensure he was job-ready.

Thanks to multiple internships, he already has a job lined up and is well on his way to his goal of becoming a master technician. “The job security that comes with this is unmatched,” Alvarez said.

His success is a testament to the college’s strong record of equipping students with skills that consistently secure them positions with employers actively seeking Morrisville-trained professionals.

“Every one I know has walked out of Morrisville with a job,” said Anthony Traspaso, an automotive student from Canastota, New York. “All of the teachers have connections they have already established and that helps us get internships and jobs.”

“Mr. Akers has so much experience under his belt,” Alvarez said. “He treats us like family and has connections to every dealership in New York State to get us internships.”

This kind of mentorship and support is just one example of the strong relationships that faculty build with students, which endure long beyond the classroom.

“If you have any questions, it doesn’t matter when or where, he will always help,” Betsinger said of Akers. “He will always give you a plan to get you through it.”

This dedication to student support is a trademark of faculty who are deeply committed to their students’ success.

“Seeing students graduate and build successful careers — knowing we played a role in their development — is incredibly rewarding,” Akers said. “I want students to have that same life-changing experience I had.”

“I want to be that same positive and professional influence for the next generation of students, just as faculty were for me when I was starting out,” Mann said.

Returning is more than just a homecoming for these alumni — it’s a testament to the program’s lasting impact, a bridge between past and future and a commitment to driving education forward.

“At the end of the day, I teach because I enjoy the enthusiasm from my students and seeing their transformation from their first day on campus until they walk at graduation,” Polak said. “I am honored to now serve and teach at what I believe is the best automotive technology school in the country.”

Below is a list of the automotive alumni who returned to teach:

Dan Akers – associate professor, 1990 A.A.S. automotive technology, 2013 B.Tech. automotive technology
Ray Grabowski – professor, 1989 A.A.S. automotive technology
Alex Graf - instructional support associate, 2016 A.A.S. auto body technology, 2018 B.B.A. entrepreneurship & small business management
Matt Heckerman - associate professor, 1991 A.A.S. automotive technology, 2010 B.Tech. automotive technology
Doug Houck – assistant professor, 2006 A.A.S. automotive technology, 2008 B.Tech. automotive technology
Graham Jones – associate professor, 1993 A.A.S. automotive technology
Loren Maki – associate professor, 2000 A.A.S. automotive technology
Stephen Mann – instructional support associate, 2013 A.A.S. automotive technology, 2016 B.Tech. automotive technology
Nate Miller – instructional support associate, 1986 A.A.S. automotive technology
Matt Polak – assistant professor, 2006 A.A.S. automotive technology, 2007 B.Tech. automotive technology
John Scutt – associate professor, 1990 A.A.S. automotive technology
Robert Wise – instructional support associate, 1987 A.A.S. automotive technology

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Leaving their mark: Dedicated family of runners POWERS cross-country program

salibalr — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Leaving their mark: Dedicated family of runners POWERS cross-country program salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

When ��Ƶ cross-country head coach Derek Powers approached Nikko Recchio about joining his program four years ago, the high school senior from Waterville, New York, saw himself as a very mediocre athlete who had fallen out of love with running.

Author

Aaron Gifford

Still, Recchio was interested in the school’s exercise science bachelor’s degree program and, after a second call from Powers, agreed to check out the team’s summer workouts. He liked what he saw, enrolled at the school, and laced up his running shoes again.

Fast forward to late fall of 2024 — After difficult freshman and sophomore seasons, the college senior ended his collegiate cross-country career with a series of top 10 and top 15 finishes. Those led him to be named State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Runner of the Week in October 2024, when he registered his personal best time in the 8k at 27:33, ahead of 67 other runners at the Hamilton Invitational.

Recchio continued to blaze a trail throughout his four years, shaving nearly six minutes off his 8k time and nearly four minutes off of his 5k time.

“He saw some inkling of potential in me and was willing to take the risk,” Recchio said of Powers. “That spoke volumes to me. He’s been a father figure to us.”

The family environment that is ��Ƶ’s varsity running program spans generations.

Powers, Class of 1995, ran cross country and spring track when ��Ƶ was still a two-year school. At the start of his second year, the track program was on the chopping block due to staffing shortages, so the student-athlete talked his father, Roger, also an alumnus and a professor in the automotive technology program at the time, into coaching the team.

Now 80, Roger Powers enjoys chilly autumn Saturdays watching his son coach and his granddaughter run.

Derek’s daughter, Laura Powers, finished her freshman season at ��Ƶ this past fall.

“As a coach, he’s focused and fair to every kid,” said Laura, who majors in the healthcare office coordinator degree program. “It’s a good experience to see how he interacts with other student-athletes.”

He’s made his mark beyond, with accomplishments that include being named United East Coach of the Year in 2022, North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Coach of the Year in 2013 and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Coach of the Year in 2001.

Powers’ runners have claimed dozens of all-conference and championship banners, rookie of the year awards, an All-American in the women’s division and appearances at regional and national finals.

His dedication speaks volumes.

��Ƶ’s running program was discontinued for many years but returned in the fall of 1993, prompting the Morrisville-Eaton High School graduate to stay local and attend his father and grandfather’s (Richard Powers) alma mater instead of Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), which had a strong men’s cross-country team at the time. He enrolled in the School of Business.

“I wanted to be a guitar salesman,” Powers said. “I never imagined that I’d be able to make a living here. It’s been a joy.”

Powers returned to ��Ƶ as a coach in 1997, balancing the part-time gig with his full-time job at Stickley Furniture factory in Manlius. He also played guitar in country bands that opened for notable acts like Brad Paisley, Shenandoah and Blackhawk.

In 2018, former ��Ƶ Athletic Director Greg Carroll created a full-time position for Powers to oversee the men’s and women’s teams, which included starting the spring track teams back up. Powers hired Gary Parker to help, convincing the former MVCC coach whom he often competed against to come out of retirement.

“Our coaching philosophy matched quite a bit,” Parker said, adding that Powers’ accomplishments are quite remarkable given that the head coach was not a full-time employee for nearly 20 years and worked without an assistant.

“We both love the race within the race of developing the Division III athlete. You can shape even someone with moderate talent and get the best out of a kid. In the end, it’s just a bunch of nice kids running through the grass,” Parker said.

Not long after being named the NJCAA Coach of the Year, following a fourth-place finish by his men’s team at the national championship in Texas in 2001, Powers learned that ��Ƶ was leaving the junior college ranks to compete in NCAA Division III.

A decade later, the school elected to join the ultra-competitive SUNYAC athletic conference. Many invitationals combine all divisions, pitting teams of runners, mostly from New York state, against international competitors who come to the United States on athletic scholarships.

“We went from winning an invitational in the Finger Lakes, to running against Cornell and Roberts Wesleyan the following week,” he said. “It’s a thrill.”

Powers’ role as coach includes recruiting, one of the toughest parts of his job. Unlike some team sports, there are no travel clubs with showcase recruiting competitions that coaches can attend during their offseason. With soccer, for example, such recruiting events take place in the spring or summer and don’t conflict with the fall collegiate season.

Powers oversees a running program for both men and women that includes workouts between seasons and covers both semesters, so he’s also unable to scout prospects at their high school meets.

“It’s all word of mouth,” he said. “You have to fight for every athlete you get.”

Still, Powers said, ��Ƶ’s addition of so many great spectator sports like football, ice hockey and women’s volleyball — and its investment in top-notch athletics facilities — has made the school a sell during his nearly three decades of service there.

“Kids love watching the games. We all use each other’s sports to promote the school,” he said. “One-quarter of our student body is athletes. The growth is really something.”

Powers has witnessed significant change to his sport throughout the years, from improvements in sneakers and running surfaces to breakthroughs in nutrition and fitness that raised the performance bar for runners at all levels. Technology also helps, as well as school balance. The Starfish software, for example, allows Powers to monitor grades and class attendance.

But the coach also applies his own wisdom for maximum results, like working with professors to recognize star performers in the classroom and spotlight student-athletes of the week.

“I tell them, sit in the first three rows so they know you’re there,” Powers said.

He wears many other hats including mentor, counselor and sounding board — in an era when so many young adults are struggling with personal issues. These experiences working with student-athletes have motivated Powers to find potential in anyone interested in running for his program.

“You are also working on them to improve as a person,” he said. “Running stays with you long after college. It’s the toughest sport mentally. We’re the only sport where you cannot call a time out.”

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Walking the Red Carpet: Curtain rises on Emmy-award winning actor and producer Shadow LaValley

salibalr — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Walking the Red Carpet: Curtain rises on Emmy-award winning actor and producer Shadow LaValley salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

When Shadow LaValley ’14 was competing in the 2023 Amateur Players Golf Tour, he proudly sported a ��Ƶ baseball cap. Working on his golf swing is still a work in progress, he said, but he finds it a good distraction from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles city life.

The LA actor and filmmaker became a fan of the sport during his Hollywood downtime during union strikes. After completing his performance in Ben Stiller’s “Escape at Dannemora” in 2018, he moved to LA where he has been acting, producing, writing and working in a variety of roles in the entertainment industry, including set construction, directing and video editing.

He has amassed more than 125 nominations and 80 awards for his work. Among them are multiple awards for his short film, “The Can,” including Best Actor, Best Filmmaker and Best Director. Co-directed by Danielle Purdy, an American film, television and theatre actress and makeup artist, LaValley wrote, produced and acted in the film he describes as a loose take on his own struggles.

“From the very start, I wanted to create works that showcase a part of my life experience. To allow the audience to see that they are not alone in their struggles, whatever they may be,” he said in a statement after his film took numerous wins at the prestigious Las Vegas-based Film Festival, Vegas Movie Awards.™

Being on the red carpet, whether for one of his films at film festivals/award shows, or for award shows in general, is both a humbling and exhilarating experience for LaValley. “Seeing all the amazing people come together to celebrate and promote their amazing work in the industry is always a blessing for me.”

In addition to acting, LaValley is producing and shooting a short, live-action film called “Good Boy.” At just eight minutes long, the film will feature the story of two characters who find an unlikely friendship to show the powerful impact of the family-friend dynamic.

But it wasn’t always glitz and glimmer for the Emmy-award winning actor. The ��Ƶ baseball cap is a reminder of how the college played a role in his rise to fame in Hollywood.

Author

Katie Navarra

Chasing the NASCAR dream

LaValley describes himself as a scrawny, shy kid in school who was more into NASCAR than theater. In fact, his post-high school plans were to work in the stock car industry. Late in his senior year of high school, his mom asked him to play the role of Will in the musical, “Oklahoma.”

“The student who originally was cast in the role dropped out because he realized he had to kiss Ado Annie,” he reminisced. “My mom was a teacher at the school and approached me about doing it. She said I could end high school with a bang.”

It took some convincing, but he agreed, thinking it might be his only time on stage. After graduation, LaValley applied to multiple mechanical engineering programs and ultimately chose ��Ƶ.

He dropped out following his first semester then briefly lived in Ohio. After falling on some very difficult times and suffering devastating loss in his personal life, he later found himself struggling with alcoholism, depression and suicidal thoughts.

LaValley set out to change the trajectory of his life, packing up and moving to North Carolina in 2008 to work as part of a Driver Development Program for a NASCAR Truck Series team in North Carolina. Since childhood, he had been an avid fan — specifically of Dale Earnhardt.

“It finally hit me at the Martinsville Speedway how money played a big role in the success getting to where I wanted to be,” LaValley said. “I saw that was out of reach for someone who didn’t have that money aspect. I got discouraged, got out and moved back to New York.”

Moving home in 2009 also granted him the opportunity to help his mom care for his grandmother, until her passing. The trio watched countless episodes of the television series, “NCIS,” starring Mark Harmon as Special Agent Gibbs, whose character experienced tragedies and struggles. LaValley began studying Gibbs’ character and loosely incorporating certain traits into his own life to overcome the demons that were still chasing him.

“By watching this character trudge through these struggles and slowly turn them into positives, I was able to restructure my life into the positive it is today,” he powerfully states on his website.

At about the same time, his former high school choir teacher asked if he would accept the role of Jonathan Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” He readily agreed and fell in love with performing. He soon saw his purpose in life as helping audience members make positive changes in their lives, just as he experienced watching Harmon perform.

“I have met many people throughout all fields in the entertainment industry, but none who have had such a positive impact in my growth and development like Mark Harmon has had,” he said of the actor who he has never met in person.

Heading back to school

In 2012, LaValley re-enrolled at ��Ƶ’s Norwich Campus in the liberal arts program, with sights set on then transferring into the SUNY Oneonta Bachelor of Science in theatre program.

“With this ��Ƶ extension in Norwich, New York, I was able to learn, up my GPA, help my mom take care of my grandmother and also work a full-time factory job all at the same time,” he said.

He doubled up on classes during a four-week winter session completing night classes around work.

“Having those classes four weeks straight helped with the organizational aspect and being able to plan things out, get things done and refocus my mind,” LaValley said. “I still find myself doing that when I’m getting ready to produce a film. All of my ducks have to be in a row and all of my tasks have to be done before the lights go up. I make sure I do my due diligence and research the character I am performing to find out exactly who this person is within the story that is being told. I attribute that to my time at ��Ƶ.”

I make sure I do my due diligence and research the character I am performing to find out exactly who this person is within the story that is being told. I attribute that to my time at ��Ƶ.

Shadow LaValley ’14

LaValley graduated from Morrisville with honors, transferring to SUNY Oneonta, where he cemented his passion for acting. While there, he played Howie in “The Rabbit Hole,” a play in which the plot line centers around parents losing a child in a car accident.

“I was able to bring emotion to my character and, as a result, make the audience feel that same emotion as well, which is very inspiring for me as an actor,” he said. “It made me realize that I can actually help people get over something that my character is also getting over and have them find a way out of those situations as well.”

On the big stage

Being involved in the entertainment industry offers endless opportunities for LaValley to live his dream and create meaningful works of art for the screen and the stage. Living the dream of being an actor and filmmaker isn’t always easy, he admits, but if it hadn’t been for college — or Morrisville — his life would have been much different.

“At the end of the day, higher education elevated my thinking process and overall knowledge of life to a whole new level,” he said. “It has given me the power to perform the critical thinking that I need every day to accomplish my goals as an actor, a filmmaker and, most importantly, as a human.”

The short film, “The Can” (called “the little short film that could”), is the recipient of the Best Drama Award of Excellence at the prestigious Las Vegas-based Film Festival, Vegas Movie Awards.™ The Can won another nine awards at the Vegas Movie Awards™ and ended up with a total of more than 125 nominations and wins overall.

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

In a League of his Own: Alumnus turns past hardships into impassioned career helping others through Norwich Campus human services program

salibalr — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 +0000

In a League of his Own: Alumnus turns past hardships into impassioned career helping others through Norwich Campus human services program salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

If selflessness and giving turn coaches into champions, Jonathon Stockton is in a league of his own.

The 37-year-old ��Ƶ student and youth coach found his calling — a cause larger than life — helping others.

“I live to enrich the lives of others because that nourishes my life,” Stockton said with a radiant smile.

It’s an impassioned career emboldened in his own experiences he openly shares about struggles with depression, addiction and homelessness — and unwavering support that helped him persevere.

“I was able to turn my life around thanks to help and people who believed in me,” Stockton said. “There was something missing in my life and I didn’t know what it was. I needed to find something to give back.”

He found it in ��Ƶ’s human services program. After four failed college attempts and 11 years later, Stockton went back to the college’s Norwich Campus, graduating with an associate degree in human services in 2024. He’s continuing his philanthropic journey, pursuing a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in human services leadership at Morrisville.

His skills and knowledge are already opening doors. While searching for an internship, Stockton was offered a job at Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference (CHoWC), where he is a youth coach and the team lead for the Youth Empowerment and Support (YES) program in Chenango County.

“Jon was a great addition to our team,” said Terry Potter, county director for CHoWC. “He is an individual who puts all of his effort and heart into all that he does and this really comes through in his work. His life experiences and his knowledge and ability to connect with people and families and youth brings so much credibility to youth and families.”

“From my first client, I was hooked,” Stockton said of his gratifying work. “Even on the hard days working with clients, when I know progress has been made, it satisfies an intrinsic need I struggle to even put into words.”

But the actions and deeds of the Norwich, New York, resident flow with ease, speaking volumes of his heartfelt mission.

“My goal now is to help take the people who have been largely written off and help transform them into the assets of tomorrow, especially the kids.

“It’s all about paying it forward,” Stockton said. “I want to make a difference in Chenango County and Central New York.”

He already is.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Jonathon’s story

It’s Monday night and Stockton is winding down from a long day. In addition to working his full-time job at CHoWC, he took an online class toward his degree and worked on a podcast to empower youth.

Before the day ended, he took time out to sit on a park bench and talk to teenager Mason O’Neil. As the two engaged in a one-on-one game of basketball, their dynamic commanded the court.

“You got this” wasn’t just about the basket Stockton was encouraging O’Neil to make. It’s the mantra of his life — instilling hope and empowering others.

“He gets me. He just understands me,” said O’Neil, beaming as he dribbled the ball around the court.

O’Neil, a 16-year-old student at Norwich Central School, is one of the youths Stockton has empowered through his work at CHoWC.

In his role, Stockton helps youth find their way, empowering them and cultivating healthy relationships for positive futures. He helped O’Neil get on track to graduate and got him excited about school again.

There are countless others whose lives Stockton has touched, but he’s modest in saying so.

“I wanted to help the way I had been helped,” he said. “The community had given me a lot of chances, as well as teachers, a judge and counselors — people who helped me find my way. There was lots of compassion, lots of understanding and not a lot of judgment.”

Compassion came from many places, including a counselor, who later became his wife, and encouraged him to go back to college.

“Nicole is my constant companion, inspiration and main support,” Stockton said of his wife. “She has been the light of my life for more than six years. If I have been successful, it is because of her.”

The Norwich Campus also played a role in helping him thrive thanks to a flexible schedule that enabled the non-traditional student to juggle a job and family life. A strong sense of community, inherent in all aspects of the school, further ignited his motivation and growth.

He excelled academically, making the President’s List for three semesters, as well as the Dean’s List. He immersed himself in activities, including participating in the Norwich Campus Journal Author’s Celebration, where he was recognized for his article, “From Darkness to Dignity: A Profile of Preston Manor,” in the Chenango County Historical Society’s history journal. He continues to tutor at the college and for three school districts.

“The Norwich Campus has this great embracing of creativity,” Stockton said. “There is a genuine, heartfelt sense of community where ideas are encouraged.”

A source behind that sentiment is Julie Burton, associate professor of social science and coordinator of the human services program and the Human Services Institute, whose strong guidance and mentorship have manifested many graduates’ purpose.

“Dr. Burton has an aura of wisdom and experience that she exudes,” Stockton said. “The word inspirational just doesn’t do it justice.”

Burton has been instrumental in the human services program’s growth, developing a certificate program and forming the Human Services Institute, an ongoing partnership with the college’s human services program, faculty and staff, and human service professionals in Norwich and throughout Chenango and Madison counties.

She also developed the college’s first Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in human services leadership, which is offered online and in-person at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. The bachelor’s degree program expands on the associate degree and prepares students for leadership positions in human services agencies, graduate work in social work, business administration, or to start their own nonprofit or social entrepreneurial enterprise. It helped elevate Stockton to his current supervisory position.

Additionally, Burton has written three microcredentials for the college as part of a large grant project between SUNY and the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and through the Human Services Institute, formed a Leadership Academy offering training for new and aspiring nonprofit leaders in the community.

Her impact has spread to the community, where many of her graduates are making their mark.

“So many people who had Dr. Burton in their educational path — the face of what social work looks like in Chenango County is changing and Dr. Burton will be instrumental in that,” Stockton said. “She inspired these students who are making strides in the field because of what she instilled in them.

“My prediction is that five, 10 or 20 years from now, if there is one person who we look back and say they changed human services, in general, for Chenango County, it will be the influence of Dr. Burton,” he said.

As the demands for social workers increases, ��Ƶ is addressing critical community needs, producing graduates in the human services field prepared to address them.

“I believe the ��Ƶ human services degrees and certificate program have a responsibility to provide education and experiential learning opportunities so that our graduates can take a leadership role in providing services through counseling, advocacy, case management or creating new nonprofit agencies for the most vulnerable people in the community,” Burton said.

Internships play a vital role in students’ developing critical leadership and for Stockton — to pave new ground. During his internship with the Liberty Partnership Program, he helped devise a mentoring program between middle and high school students in the Norwich City School District.

A cause larger than life

The driving force behind Stockton’s career is using his own story as a tool. “It is integral to how I gain trust,” he said.

A tender-hearted nature and a voice filled with positive energy add to his allure.

“I don’t try to say I know what it is like, but I do have an idea,” Stockton said. “I know what it is like to grow up without a parent present, with having the lights shut off and to have no food in the house. And I know what it is like to be homeless and live in a car.”

He’s made a new life for himself and his 16-year-old daughter, Appollonia, never forgetting where he came from or who helped him along the way.

Making people believe in themselves, helping affirm value and giving them confidence and skills to flourish, is what it’s all about for Stockton today.

“Jonathon has broken new ground wherever he goes,” Burton said. “And now in his role at the Children’s Home and as a bachelor’s degree student, I know he will continue to make an enormous difference at the college and in the community."

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Alumni

������Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend

������Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students

Interns at ������Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition

Get a taste of the future during free Foodpreneur Forum at ������Ƶ’s new Shared-Use Kitchen

������Ƶ Educational Opportunity Program peer mentors prepare for Summer Academy

������Ƶ’s food forest takes root, project will nourish campus and community

All roads lead back to Morrisville: Impressive number of automotive alumni return to the classroom to mentor and teach the next generation of students

Leaving their mark: Dedicated family of runners POWERS cross-country program

Walking the Red Carpet: Curtain rises on Emmy-award winning actor and producer Shadow LaValley

Chasing the NASCAR dream

Heading back to school

On the big stage

In a League of his Own: Alumnus turns past hardships into impassioned career helping others through Norwich Campus human services program

Jonathon’s story

A cause larger than life

��Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend

��Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students

Interns at ��Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition

Get a taste of the future during free Foodpreneur Forum at ��Ƶ’s new Shared-Use Kitchen

��Ƶ Educational Opportunity Program peer mentors prepare for Summer Academy

��Ƶ’s food forest takes root, project will nourish campus and community