Momentum

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

Cultivating Success: Horticulture professor is among exemplary educators who receive top nursery and landscape award

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

Cultivating Success: Horticulture professor is among exemplary educators who receive top nursery and landscape award salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

Adam Olinski is planting big ideas and harvesting abundant success.

The ��Ƶ assistant professor of horticulture recently received the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association President’s Award, a top honor in his field. It recognizes three educators for outstanding work in advancing the Empire State’s green industry.

“I was really surprised,” he said in a recent interview, “and very honored.”

That career milestone has motivated Olinski to dig deeper and work even harder. Now, he’s focused on planting millions of trees in Madison County under another state green initiative. He wants to develop and promote horticulture therapy programs to help military veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He also hopes to create new courses and certifications within ��Ƶ’s School of Agriculture, Business & Technology.

“I’m thrilled to promote this industry,” he said. “The work never stops. We have to keep changing and keep pushing forward. We want kids to get into industries that they haven’t thought of yet.”

Olinski’s journey began in a small family garden in Orange County, near the Catskills.

Author

Aaron Gifford

As a toddler, he was drawn to the soil, helping his grandparent, a Polish/Ukrainian immigrant, cultivate vegetables for the Eastern European cuisine his family enjoyed so much. He learned about the fruits of labor early on. For his Eagle Scout project, he landscaped the town museum.

“That jumpstarted me,” he said.

Olinski balanced his passion for horticulture with soccer and baseball and, after graduating from high school, enrolled at SUNY Delhi, majoring in landscape construction. His fondness for the design side of growing and planting inspired him to further his education at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, New York, where he completed a master’s degree and studied abroad in Sicily. During his graduate work at ESF, Olinski became interested in teaching.

Olinski worked at a local landscape architecture firm on many building design projects, including the outdoor turf field at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, while gaining experience in academia.

At ��Ƶ, he worked as an instructional support assistant before his current position, where he has helped to grow a horticulture program that now goes beyond instruction on traditional cultivation, including hydroponics, CAD design and certified organic crop farming.

He also built a large greenhouse and played a key role in developing “stackable credentials” (microcredentials) specific to cannabis, specialty crops, pesticide applications and hydroponics that allow students to pinpoint their interests and gain additional experience while pursuing their degree.

He has a special interest in sustainability efforts, noting that before the COVID-19 pandemic, certified organic crops grown on the college’s Four Seasons Farm were provided to campus dining halls. Olinski’s students have been prepping wildflower seeds that will be planted this semester in a meadow near the Spader Horticulture Complex. The changed landscape will require less mowing, lower emissions and foster increased pollination.

I’m thrilled to promote this industry. The work never stops. We have to keep changing and keep pushing forward. We want kids to get into industries that they haven’t thought of yet.

Adam Olinski

Morrisville is eyeing becoming part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Reforestation Project, which aims to plant 25 million trees across the state by 2033. The school already has access to abundant rural woodlands and the people and programs available to access the developing forest as a learning lab. Olinski and his students have already started prepping the seeds, hopeful for a massive opportunity.

“They want an institution that has the infrastructure in place,” he said. “We would love to be one of their nurseries. We’re in the center of the state, there’s plenty of land, and it serves as a teaching tool with training possibilities.”

Olinski said an academic minor or certification program in horticulture therapy specific to military veterans would also be the first of its kind in New York State. He’s currently developing a draft for that curriculum.

“There’s something about plants that help with PTSD,” he said.

Adding to the program’s strength is a family atmosphere, where Olinski prefers that all students and coworkers refer to him as Adam. Whether the classes are cultivating poinsettia plants, holiday wreaths, hanging baskets or other floral arrangements to beautify campus events or sell to the community to help offset program costs, everyone – teachers and students – gets their hands dirty the same way.

“You have a better built-in working relationship with them,” he said. “There’s something to be said about that personal touch we give.”

Olinski’s enthusiasm and vision have been instrumental in leading the college to its 11th consecutive Tree Campus USA designation, by the Arbor Day Foundation, spiriting students to join in campus tree plantings.

Off campus, Olinski is involved with competitive youth soccer. He led the Syracuse Rush under-18 girl’s travel team to a New York West state championship last year. He’s helped coach ��Ƶ’s teams on a volunteer basis in the past and served as an assistant for the women’s team his wife, Mandy, coaches at SUNY ESF. Their daughter, Norah, was born on New Year’s Day in 2023.

“It’s a lot to juggle – teaching, family and soccer,” said Olinski, who also played baseball at Syracuse University when he was a student at ESF. “But I really enjoy it all. I’m competitive by nature, so sports are a great outlet.”

Olinski and his students have a strong partnership with the Morrisville-Eaton Central School District, where ��Ƶ alumna Rebecca Werbela ’04 heads the middle and high school horticulture program and advises the district’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. His work has included providing guidance, equipment and labor for raised garden beds and wreath-making projects.

“This is one of the many ways we are helping to promote agriculture in our local school and community,” he said of his tireless efforts.

Werbela, who is now in her sixth year of teaching, said approximately 200 to 400 students participate in her classes or FFA each year. One of the high school agriculture courses provides ��Ƶ credits should students want to continue their education at her alma mater.

“Adam has been fabulous,” she said. “If I have a question, he’s always there to answer it right away. My horticulture program wouldn’t be where it is today without Adam and ��Ƶ.”

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Academics

Community

Momentum

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

Night of Champions: Mustang football’s 2014 team inducted into ��Ƶ Athletics Wall of Fame

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

Night of Champions: Mustang football’s 2014 team inducted into ��Ƶ Athletics Wall of Fame salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

Back in 2014, the ��Ƶ football team came together for an unprecedented season, as the Mustangs rewrote the record books, captured the attention of national audiences and left an undeniable mark on the program’s and college’s athletics history.

A decade later, the Mustangs were able to huddle up once again, this time to cement their legacy as one of ��Ƶ’s all-time greats with their induction into the Athletics Wall of Fame.

Players and coaches from the 2014 team, accompanied by family, friends and members of the college community, were collectively recognized during the “Night of Champions – Class of 2024” ceremony as part of Mustang Weekend this past fall.

“As we sit gathered here tonight, we’re delighted to ensure the feats of those that aspired to greatness as Mustangs will always be remembered as part of our proud institution and athletics history,” said Associate Athletic Director Brandy Thurston while serving as MC of the event.

Led by an explosive, nationally ranked offense, the 2014 Mustangs established new statistical marks throughout the Mustang record books en route to a program-best 8-2 regular season record and a share of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title. That also secured the program’s first-ever bid to an NCAA DIII postseason bowl game, where they captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Central Bowl championship on Drake Field behind an MVP performance from quarterback Lemar Johnson, a Wall of Fame Class of 2023 inductee.

That memorable season also saw the Mustangs take home numerous regional and national accolades, including NJAC Offensive Player of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year, D3football.com All-Region honors, ECAC All-Star selections, preseason All-America recognitions and several all-conference and player of the week honorees.

To learn more about the Athletics Wall of Fame, please visit www.morrisvillemustangs.com.

Author

��Ƶ

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

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

Honoring the Legacy of Richard “Dick” McGuire ’42

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

Honoring the Legacy of Richard “Dick” McGuire ’42 salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

Richard “Dick” Trainor McGuire, a distinguished leader and lifelong advocate for agriculture, passed away on Jan. 2, 2025, at the age of 102. Born on Nov. 3, 1922, Dick grew up on his family farm in Cambridge, New York, known as Penope Farms, where his passion for agriculture developed. A 1942 graduate from what was then known as Morrisville Ag & Tech, Dick earned a degree in dairy science & rural engineering. He returned to Penope Farms and continued to contribute to the agriculture industry and community throughout his life.

Over time, Dick’s leadership extended beyond his own farm and touched many individuals in the agriculture industry nationwide. He served as president of the New York State Farm Bureau for 14 years, then served on the Board of Directors for 12 years. He represented the American Farm Bureau and the United States Department of Agriculture in several international affairs, such as the official U.S. delegation to the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations in 1978 and a strategic goodwill mission to Russia in 1979 to explore and discuss the best agricultural practices with the Soviet Union.

In 1980, Dick became president of the Farm Family Insurance Companies, which operated across 10 states. He later represented the American Farm Bureau and New York State on a trade mission to Japan in 1982. Dick continued his involvement in government affairs in 1984 when he was also appointed to the United States delegation by President Ronald Reagan for a European trade mission.

In 1989, Dick took on the culminating role of his career when he was named Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets for New York State under Governor Mario Cuomo. He served in this role from 1989 to 1995. His widespread accomplishments and advocacy earned him great respect and recognition from many.

During and after his extensive career, Dick served as the curator of “The Museums at Penope Farms,” which showcases farm life and agricultural history. ��Ƶ President David Rogers visited the museums a few years ago and described the experience as “a deeply moving and tactile tribute to life on the farm and family life in the 19th and 20th centuries.”

Dick’s lifelong commitment to agricultural advocacy, passion, leadership and community stands as a true testament to who he was. Many in the agricultural community will attest that he was considered one of the most influential people in New York agriculture during his time. In honor of his great service and leadership, ��Ƶ will be inducting him as the first-ever member of the Alumni Hall of Fame during Mustang Weekend, held Sept. 12-13, 2025.

Author

��Ƶ

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Alumni

Community

Momentum

More Than a Love Story: Len and Regina Montreal’s vision helps shape Central New York

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

More Than a Love Story: Len and Regina Montreal’s vision helps shape Central New York salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

When Len Montreal ’83 and Regina Riccardi Montreal ’83 think back about their time at ��Ƶ, they fondly remember the friendly, supportive environment, the small-town atmosphere, the close-knit community and the access to nature and the outdoors.

It’s easy for them to get sentimental and nostalgic.

“I remember the smallness and the quaintness of the beautiful campus surrounded by scenery,’’ Regina said. “And, of course, it’s the place where I met the love of my life.’’ (And her future business partner.)

More than 40 years after their time on campus, Len and Regina credit their education at ��Ƶ for giving them a solid foundation to build successful, multi-faceted careers in business.

Len, 62, is the founder and president of the Montreal Company, a commercial real estate development firm with more than $40 million in completed projects and a focus on the Lakefront/Inner Harbor area of Syracuse. Regina, 62, is the company’s chief operating officer. The company has headquarters on Plum Street in Syracuse, New York, about a mile from Destiny USA mall.

To say the Montreals have made their mark in Central New York — ever since meeting in an accounting class at Morrisville and earning degrees in business administration — is an understatement. To date, the Montreal Company has acquired about 50 former industrial and commercial buildings, many of them neglected or abandoned eyesores, and given them a new life as offices, apartments, restaurants and retail storefronts.

Take a drive through the Lakefront area and you’ll see their work and vision. There’s the old trucking terminal on North Geddes Street that’s now a sleek-looking office building. There’s the former factory building on Spencer Street that, after a $3.5 million transformation, is now home to retail space and more than a dozen upscale apartments.

When the owners of Syracuse Salt Co. were looking for a place to harvest brine from deep beneath the earth to produce their gourmet salts, they called Len Montreal. Their storefront and production facility are headquartered in a building on Pulaski Street owned by the Montreals. Well-known Montreal rehabilitation projects include The Gem Diner and The Preserve at 405, both on Spencer Street. The Montreals own the buildings and members of the LaLone family own and operate the restaurants.

“We recycle, remodel and repurpose,’’ Len said. “We know how to build; we know how to do the construction. We’re always eyeing the next project. There’s a couple more in this area we would love to get.’’

“We saw the potential in the area,’’ Len added, “and things grew from there.’’

Author

Margaret McCormick

I remember the smallness and the quaintness of the beautiful campus surrounded by scenery, and, of course, it’s the place where I met the love of my life.

Regina Montreal ’83

Both are from humble backgrounds and modest means: Len is from Solvay, near Syracuse, New York, and attended local schools. Regina is from Henrietta, near Rochester, New York. One of six children of Italian immigrants, she said her parents worked tirelessly to put her through college. She lived in Cayuga Hall and stays in touch with a roommate and some of her dorm mates. Len lived in Stuart Hall before moving off campus.

If you said Len looked like the actor Tony Danza (of “Who’s the Boss’’ and “Taxi’’ fame) back then, you wouldn’t be the first. He was a member of the wrestling team and worked nights at a now-defunct bar called The Theater.

The couple knew they wanted to work in business and entrepreneurship, but they didn’t know where their degrees would take them. After graduation, Regina returned to Rochester, where she worked in customer service for Bausch + Lomb. Len worked as a contractor for a window company, installing windows in schools and large commercial buildings. Around the same time, he bought a house on Catherine Street in Syracuse for $25,000 and rehabbed it, selling it three years later for $70,000 and getting his first taste of the potential for real estate to deliver a return on investment.

The Montreals married in 1985 and Regina moved to Syracuse, landing a job with computer company NYNEX Business Centers. She remained with the company until 1998 when their twin daughters were born.

By that time, Len had started his own business as an independent contractor. The Montreal Company was established around 1990. “We were small in the beginning, very small, and basically worked for a lot of general contractors,’’ Len recalled. “Now we are the general contractor.’’

Regina stayed at home with the girls, helping with the business and working on projects remotely. She joined the company full time in 2009. Flash forward more than a decade and the Montreal Company brings three businesses together under one roof.

In addition to projects in the Syracuse Lakefront area, Montreal Construction does ongoing design-build work for companies like Price Chopper, Tops and Kinney Drugs. The company has completed more than 150 retail construction and remodeling projects throughout Central New York and in the New England and mid-Atlantic states.

Salt City Enterprises is the real estate development arm and Allegiance Realty is their brokerage company. Both Len and Regina and their daughter, Mia, who works in the office with them, have expertise in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate development, including site selection, planning and design, construction, leasing and governmental relations. Regina and the couple’s three daughters all hold real estate licenses.

“It has always been a family affair,’’ Regina said.

The Montreals live in the Onondaga Hill area, just outside Syracuse. Their work life is rooted in Central New York, but they make time for travel and relaxation. They have a second home in Marco Island, Florida, and get there as often as possible, sometimes with their daughters (Marisa and twins Mia and Alana), the girls’ spouses and their grandchildren.

They also escape to Aruba in February, and this year decided to celebrate their 40th anniversary early, on Valentine’s Day, with renewal of their wedding vows. “Sixty of our family and friends joined us in the celebration that was unforgettable,’’ Regina said.

To stay connected to Morrisville, the couple hosts an event each summer for alumni attending The Great New York State Fair. The gathering, held at one of their favorite restaurants, Strada Mia, on Geddes Street in Syracuse, brings together alumni for food, drinks and conversation. They welcomed about 25 guests in 2024 and plan to host the meet-up again this year.

It’s a small gesture of their love for their alma mater and their desire to facilitate alumni networking. Not long ago, Len had a Price Chopper renovation job in Norwich, New York, to check out and took a drive through campus. He was reminded of his roots, got to thinking about his wrestling team (ranked No. 5 in the country at one point) and how you can start out “on a rough road,” work hard and build a successful business.

“What inspires us to give back is not coming from much, knowing what it takes to succeed and appreciating everything that we have,’’ Regina said.

Len said they would like to connect with Morrisville students who are interested in careers in business, construction and real estate development. “We’d love to put some of these guys and gals to work,’’ he said. “We haven’t been able to crack into that yet.’’

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Alumni

Community

Momentum

Honoring a Legacy: Frederick and Carol Woodward Early Education Center unveiled

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

Honoring a Legacy: Frederick and Carol Woodward Early Education Center unveiled salibalr Mon, 06/16/2025 - 00:00

The Children’s Center at ��Ƶ has been providing high-quality childcare and peace of mind to the families of students, faculty, staff and the local community ever since it first opened its doors in 1994.

Fittingly, the Center’s location within the college’s Bailey Hall will now be dedicated to the visionaries who made it possible.

The newly named Frederick and Carol Woodward Early Education Center, unveiled during Mustang Weekend this past fall, honors former ��Ƶ President Frederick Woodward and his late wife, Carol, who were instrumental in the creation of the Children’s Center and recognizing the need for daycare within the college and local community.

The ceremony, which also was part of the Center’s 30th anniversary celebration, welcomed Fred, his daughter, Lisa, son, Scot, grandson and other family and friends. The special guests were greeted by a capacity crowd filled with familiar faces from the Center’s past and present.

“Thirty years ago, the Center was but a dream to fill a need, but with persistency and exceptional planning by the Morrisville Committee, the idea was sold,” said Woodward, who served as ��Ƶ’s sixth president from 1988-1997. “It was a pleasure for Carol and I to play a part in the process of establishing the Center and, today, what was but a dream is a Center offering an early educational start to young people second to none.”

Author

Eugenio Mercurio

Following a welcome by current ��Ƶ President David Rogers, Children’s Center Director Jennifer Britton, center graduate Polly LePage and graduate and current parent Kathryn Merkle all shared remarks on the profound impact the Center has had on each of them.

“It was an honor to be part of the dedication ceremony,” said Britton, who recently retired after serving as director since 1998. “It is a true reflection of the passion that Carol Woodward had for the care of young children and the support that Fred showed for his students and faculty while president at the college. Together with staff, board members and families, we have carried out the vision that Fred and Carol had back in 1994, and I will forever be grateful for their leadership in such an important service to the campus and community.

Published date

June 16, 2025

News Type

Community

Momentum

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

Coach Whisperer: “Believe in them and what they can do” is the magic behind champion reiner and mentor RE Sears’ success

salibalr — Fri, 17 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Coach Whisperer: “Believe in them and what they can do” is the magic behind champion reiner and mentor RE Sears’ success salibalr Fri, 05/17/2024 - 00:00

Country music bounces non-stop off the concrete bleachers in the cavernous Syracuse Coliseum as the show ring gate swings open and the announcer crackles to life.

“Here’s draw number 20, back number 591, Holy Cannoli Katie and RE Sears.”

The chestnut mare jogs into the center of the ring and, with nearly invisible cues from Sears — a tap on the neck, a touch of the spur — spins four times to the left, four to the right.

Author

��Ƶ

A moment to settle and they shift as one into the rest of the pattern: circles at the gallop, flying lead changes, 180-degree pivots and sliding stops. The stops are reining’s signature move, a moment of rapid deceleration when the horse runs at top speed down the length of the arena then lowers its hindquarters to the ground as the front legs pedal for another 10 to 20 feet.

The mare sprays dirt in her wake as she comes to a complete stop. Sears pats her on the neck and scratches under her mane as they leave the arena. Job well done.

It’s a small gesture that’s part of his DNA as horseman, champion reiner, member of the ��Ƶ equine studies faculty, reining coach of the Western equestrian team and — in no small measure — fulfiller of dreams: School for excellence. Aim for perfection. Reward the try.

“All of these kids need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves,” Sears said as he finished a coaching session with two of his reining students. He’s trying to stay warm as a second group works in enclosed pens with young horses who aren’t completely convinced about this whole saddle up and be ridden thing.

“I try to point out their success,” he said. “I try to remind them that a few days ago they didn’t think they could do what they’re doing now. Show them the tools, hand them the tools and let them use the tools ... Believe in them and what they can do.”

Sears believed. And 2023 was the sort of year that believed back.

He rode his own Katie to solid placings, and Morrisville’s Hot Cocktail – aka Lola – to three Reserve Championships in the Central New York Reining Horse Association’s Open Division, the category for the most experienced exhibitors, trainers and professional horsemen. He coached Morrisville senior Maggie Herbert to four CNYRHA championships in the Green and Rookie Divisions aboard another college-owned horse, Kicks and Giggles, while junior Amelia Jaworski rode Hot Cocktail to High Point awards and a Reserve Championship in Green Reiner.

Don’t ask Sears to brag about his success in the show pen or on the coaching sidelines. It’s not going to happen. But watch him talking quietly to his riders before they enter the show ring, giving each the pep talk or the calming words they need, and understand completely the how and the why.

“He is the reason why we got as far as we did,” Jaworski said. She’s tacking up her horse for a lesson and nods to the barn and the indoor arena. “We have this great place to ride but it doesn’t work without a great coach ... I get anxious in the ring and he just looks at me and says, ‘Just breathe,’ and I am okay.”

As for Herbert, she said she’s dreamed since she was a child of competing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. She bonded with Kicks and Giggles as her equine partner — “he recognizes my footsteps when I come in the barn,” she said — and then Sears’ coaching made “my dreams as an 8-year-old” come true. Showing for the first time at the national level, she and Kicks placed third out of 151 horses in the National Reining Horse Association’s Green Level 2 division and 14th out of 107 horses in Rookie Level 2.

“He knows exactly what the horse needs and what we, as riders, need to do to get them to reach their full potential,” Herbert said of her coach and mentor. “He constantly has the answer no matter what you ask. He knows so much, but he doesn’t overwhelm you. He makes sure you are ready for the next step.”

It’s that experience, knowledge and understanding of how his students learn — and giving to each the guidance they need — that makes Sears so good at what he does, said Julie Corey, associate professor of equine studies and a coach with him on the Western intercollegiate team.

“He does it for every student, not just the top riders. Any student that walked in here and asked for his attention would get it — his undivided attention,” Corey said. “He builds their confidence and takes them to another level.”

For Jaworski, that meant teaching her to appreciate the art of taking it slow: “I expect a lot at the beginning, and he’s very good at telling me, ‘One step at a time.’”

For Morrisville junior Jenna Tyson, who Sears coached to the championship of the CNYRHA Green as Grass class, it was recognizing that champions are made in the hours and days they spend preparing. “He helped us to see the bigger picture,” she said. “Not to have to have a perfect run, but to see steady improvement.”

Sears said that approach is something he had to learn when he went from being a few-hours-a-week adjunct at Cazenovia College to full-time faculty at Morrisville.

“Here, I’m here 40 hours a week,” he said — although the kids maintain it’s more like he’s always at the barn — “and I can give them a little bit at a time and let them digest it because it will be there tomorrow if they don’t get it.”

The luxury of time. It’s there in the banter in the arena, the space he gives each horse and rider to find harmony, and the advice he shares as a spin wobbles like a top, the extended lope is perilously close to a cavalry charge, or a circle resembles a slowly deflating football.

“Ride the wall a little more. She’s anticipating,” he told one rider, whose horse has clearly memorized the pattern they’re riding. “Don’t let her make all the decisions completely unchecked on her own,” he told another when the mare in question decided she knows best.

The pride in his riders is so deep, Sears said he can’t even express it in words. The testament is in the trophy case: Five CNYRHA championships; four reserve championships; year-end high point award championships to Herbert and Jaworski; third place at Congress; the CNYRHA high point horse championship to Hot Cocktail and reserve to Kicks and Giggles; and enough belt buckles — the currency of reining — to anchor a pony in a stiff breeze.

He is the reason why we got as far as we did. We have this great place to ride but it doesn’t work without a great coach ... I get anxious in the ring and he just looks at me and says, ‘Just breathe,’ and I am okay.

Amelia Jaworski

In the end, it all comes down to three words, Sears said: “Get out there.” It’s his biggest piece of advice for riding, but listen to the rest and change a few words, and it’s a formula for life. “It might not go as well as you’d like it to go, but you’ll always learn something. You’ll certainly learn more than you will sitting at home and watching a video. Sitting in your saddle will always teach you more than sitting on your couch.”

Published date

May 14, 2024

News Type

Momentum

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

Cultivating Success: Horticulture professor is among exemplary educators who receive top nursery and landscape award

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

Night of Champions: Mustang football’s 2014 team inducted into ������Ƶ Athletics Wall of Fame

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

Honoring the Legacy of Richard “Dick” McGuire ’42

More Than a Love Story: Len and Regina Montreal’s vision helps shape Central New York

Honoring a Legacy: Frederick and Carol Woodward Early Education Center unveiled

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

Coach Whisperer: “Believe in them and what they can do” is the magic behind champion reiner and mentor RE Sears’ success

Night of Champions: Mustang football’s 2014 team inducted into ��Ƶ Athletics Wall of Fame