Spring 2018

Healing Hands

salibalr — Wed, 23 May 2018 17:31:47 +0000

Healing Hands salibalr Wed, 05/23/2018 - 13:31

The colorful clusters of red and yellow tulips outside of Mary Cleere’s kitchen window are more than a harbinger of summer.

They represent her new life.

Cleere planted the bulbs herself in the fall, a triumph for the 55-year-old Cazenovia resident whose mobility was once so severely limited by cancer and a spinal disorder, she had to give up her nursing career and green thumb.

Vegetable and flower beds that once dominated her backyard are now gone. Instead, a small flower and herb garden in front of the house now grants easy access when walking is difficult.

The chance to garden again was a dream come true for Cleere—one put in reach by Morrisville.

Cleere turned to the college’s massage program to help manage her pain. The program, which allows students to work hands-on with different pathologies in an on-campus center run much like a business, gave her a new perspective on massage therapy altogether.

“It isn’t just about relaxation. It involves so much more,” Cleere said. “It’s about quality of life.”

Recognition of massage by the medical community and the public as an integral part of health care is a growing trend, and Morrisville’s massage therapy program, now in its 15^th year, is proof in practice.

The medically based program starts out introducing students to the basics of massage as full relaxation, then transitions into working on certain areas of the body before advanced modalities like pre-natal and sports massage, Gua Sha (using a massage tool to improve circulation) cupping, myofacial release and Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian) massage.

“We service the community as much as we can and this allows our students to get real-world experience,” said Laurie Zbock, associate professor of massage therapy and department chair. “We teach massage as not just a degree, but as a way of life. It’s all about doing things to live a healthier life in general.”

Cleere’s enriched life came at the hands of Luke Marshall, a student seeking a challenging pathology project for a requirement in Zbock’s Western Medical Massage class. There, students are introduced to acute and chronic health conditions to treat with Western massage.

“I wanted someone with extensive structural issues,” Marshall said. “As massage therapy evolves, it is going to be recognized more for the role it plays in optimizing people’s health and enhancing their daily living. I’d like to be a pioneer in this area.”

Cleere was losing her quality of life. “The pain was so unbearable it affected my daily living and I didn’t want to take one more pill for the pain,” she said. “I kept saying, it’s too early for this, for me to give up my life.”

Marshall wasn’t ready to let that happen either.

Together, Zbock and Marshall devised a plan of treatment for Cleere, who has B-cell Lymphoma cancer and lumbarspondylosis, a deterioration in the lower spine which caused a physical lateral tilt in her body, forcing her to walk with a cane.

“I focused on the structural aspect of things—the way connective tissue dictates the shape of the body,” Marshall said. “First I had to organize her structurally so she could stand upright without a cane.”

The 31-year-old Hamilton resident has devoted his life to improving others’ lives.

“He had great ideas how to help her,” Zbock said. “Luke is a wonderful, dynamic student who always has a thirst for knowledge.”

Marshall, who already has a degree in human performance and health promotion from Morrisville, is the owner of Naturopathic Resources in Hamilton, New York, where he is a holistic health facilitator. He is also taking online courses toward a master’s degree in applied clinical nutrition from New York Chiropractic College.

His rich background was opportune for Cleere.

After working with Marshall for one week, Cleere noticed an immediate decline in her pain. “I was so grateful to have hours or even a day of manageable pain,” she said.

Her posture improved with every treatment.

“During our fifth session, she reported being able to plant flower bulbs in her garden,” Marshall said.

His confidence improved as well. “My work with her really allowed me to see what I could do—she has given us a glimpse into what we can do with soft tissue manipulation,” Marshall said.

Morrisville’s massage program is spreading the word about the benefits and positive outcomes of the healing power of touch.

“A lot of what we do here is community awareness and educating others. Massage makes a difference in people’s lives,” Zbock said. “The medical field is growing by 20 percent each year and there is a growing need for massage.”

Morrisville’s program is satisfying that niche.

“We offer a degree at Morrisville that is rare,” Zbock said. “Having two years to complete the degree allows students time for growth on a physical, emotional, spiritual and professional level that can’t be rushed. Opportunities for more in-depth instruction and enhanced learning are an integral part of our program.”

On top of its uniqueness, throughout four of the past five years, 100 percent of Morrisville students passed the statewide exam, far exceeding the statewide average of 70-75 percent, according Zbock.

Since working with Marshall, Cleere’s doctors have incorporated massage into her treatment plan. “You find joy again in everything when you don’t hurt all of the time.”

Her ability to garden again keeps her going.

“No matter what kind of day I am having, this makes it brighter,” she said. “I owe so much to the massage program and Luke. He has greatly enhanced my quality of life.”

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

May 14, 2018

News Type

Soul Fulfilling

salibalr — Wed, 23 May 2018 16:06:13 +0000

Soul Fulfilling salibalr Wed, 05/23/2018 - 12:06

Energy, enthusiasm and a desire to learn and give back are well ingrained in Morrisville graduate Luke Martin.

Since earning his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business development, Martin, 24, has been making his imprint with GROWMARK, Inc., a regional agricultural cooperative that operates in more than 40 states.

That’s no surprise to Dale Bartholomew, a manager with the company and mentor to Martin, who has witnessed the young man evolve from seasonal hire to management intern to dedicated professional.

“There are really only two things that we require of interns when they come spend time with us,’’ Bartholomew said. “One is desire to learn and another is enthusiasm. Those are the two key ingredients. We'll teach them the things they need to know. When you're done with your internship, you'll know how to do more than make coffee.’’

And maybe, like Martin, you’ll make the transition from intern to colleague. Martin currently serves as a crop specialist with GROWMARK, tapping his knowledge of different agricultural techniques, products and technological advancements to help farmers get the most benefit from the land.

Prior to that, he served as a university relations recruiter, based in Bloomington, Illinois, traveling extensively to organize on-campus hiring events and recruit top student talent and future leaders in the agriculture industry.

His growth with the company stemmed from knowledge gained at Morrisville.

“I continue to apply all I’ve learned through professors, classes and experiences at Morrisville State College,” Martin said.

Work-life balance might seem like an impossibility in today’s always-connected world, but Martin also has been able to nurture projects that satisfy his soul – with the encouragement and support of his employer. He combines his love for travel, sustainable agriculture and community service by participating in volunteer projects in Kenya organized by Goya Ministries.

His most recent trip was in March 2017. Volunteers raise their own funds for the trips, and, once there, plant crops, work on irrigation systems and erect buildings to house livestock. They also build relationships and work alongside high school students and teachers from the R.E.M. School in Ngong, Kenya.

“I owe a lot of my success to GROWMARK and my alma mater,’’ Martin said after his first trip to Kenya. “I am grateful to both for providing me the knowledge and skills necessary to teach students at a high school about basic agronomic practices and sustainability. While we worked to support a drainage project, landscaping updates, a chicken coop and spiritual formation workshops, a highlight for our team was partnering with Healing Hands International to conduct a two-day food security workshop. It was truly a life-changing experience.’’

Martin’s introduction to GROWMARK came via Bartholomew, a longtime family friend, who spoke enthusiastically of internship and job opportunities in the field of agri-business and the need for young talent.

Following graduation from Clarence High School, Martin worked a seasonal job with GROWMARK, conducting research, calling on farms and making deliveries, while studying criminal justice at Erie Community College and State University of New York College at Buffalo.

Martin transferred to Morrisville State College in 2013, changed his major and graduated in 2015, taking a full course load each semester and enjoying a well-rounded student life.

During his time on campus, Martin served as a resident assistant, logging 30 hours a week while maintaining full-time student status. He worked on a local dairy farm and participated in Collegiate FFA, the Livestock Club and the Dairy Club, while still carving out time to play lacrosse.

He also took advantage of the opportunity to work as a corporate agronomy intern in the summer of 2014 with GROWMARK FS, LLC in Caledonia, New York, which led to a full-time position and his successful career with the company.

“It was a great experience,’’ Martin said of his time at the college. “I didn't grow up on a farm. I didn't grow up in agriculture. That’s really why I chose Morrisville. The professors… they really understand the industry.’’

Sheila A. Marshman, associate professor of agricultural science, lauds Martin’s professional and personal growth, noting that GROWMARK has been a wonderful partner with Morrisville throughout the years, bringing students on board as interns in a structured program and sometimes hiring them after graduation.

“We want our young people to go through a formal training program, where they get to apply their class skills and their technical skills and interact with other students from around the world,’’ Marshman said. “It helps them to have that real-life experience. We’re honored that GROWMARK keeps coming back to us. It’s a win-win relationship.’’

Martin’s best advice for current Morrisville agribusiness students? ��Ƶ career options early, even in freshman year, and step outside your “comfort zone’’ to take advantage of new experiences and opportunities and learn from mistakes.

“It sounds like a cliché,’’ he said, “but don’t be afraid to fail.’’

Author

Margaret McCormick

Published date

May 14, 2018

News Type

Backstage Rock Stars

salibalr — Wed, 23 May 2018 16:01:18 +0000

Backstage Rock Stars salibalr Wed, 05/23/2018 - 12:01

In his classic song, Sir Duke, iconic musician Stevie Wonder sings:

“Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.

With an equal opportunity, for all to sing, dance and clap their hands.”

For Larry Droppa ’74 and William Cole ’77, their unique entry into the world of music came from the opportunities they discovered while at Morrisville. And though they ventured into different areas of the industry, they both march to the beat of the same drum with their beginnings.

“Morrisville was instrumental in getting me where I am today,” said Droppa, current owner and president of Automated Processes, Inc. (API) and former in-ear monitor engineer for Stevie Wonder.

“As the two years (at Morrisville) went on, I just knew that this was going to work out for me. It was an unbelievable experience,” said Cole, owner of Cole’s Woodwind Shop, a favorite stop for many of the nation’s top musicians.

Behind the Music

Droppa and Cole are currently at the center stage of their respective careers. Droppa oversees the music industry’s top audio console manufacturer in API, with more than 700 units used daily in recording studios around the world. His work was prominently on display during the 2018 GRAMMY Awards, where R&B singer Bruno Mars rocked the house with a live performance using API guitar and bass pedals. Mars went on to win numerous awards for his album, 24K Magic, which was recorded using API gear.

While some would prefer to bask in that limelight, Droppa, who has also worked with legendary artists such as Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Foo Fighters, loves being behind the scenes of a great performance.

“I’m not a very creative person,” Droppa said, “but I can make the equipment for artists who can put music in their creative form and give it to people to enjoy.”

Similarly, Cole’s work will indirectly be seen by more than 25,000 concert-goers on an almost nightly basis this summer at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located about three miles from his repair shop found in Saratoga Springs, New York. Members from returning acts such as Dave Matthews Band, Chicago and the Philadelphia Orchestra regularly stop in to see Cole for instrument repairs or tune-ups before taking the stage.

Those are some of the approximately 50,000 woodwind and bass instruments Cole has repaired for a variety of clientele during his 40 years in business. His motto: put the same care into each repair, regardless of the customer’s status.

“I love the fact that I can help anybody,” Cole said. “It’s just as much fun fixing an instrument for that young kid who may have his or her first concert coming up as it is for the pro player.”

He also enjoys playing each instrument following repair, though he knows “my calling is to fix them.”

Droppa feels the same. “I can’t sing into a mic, but I can mix your voice on the other end.”

For both, their sound check prep to become backstage rock stars took place at Morrisville.

Striking the Right Chord

Like the successful musicians they work with, both Droppa and Cole had to find their sound before making it big.

Cole, of Troy, New York, had plans to go right into carpentry work following high school graduation. But a push from an inspirational music teacher – who noticed his natural skill while playing in the school band – had him look into music instrument technology, a degree once offered at Morrisville.

On a whim – and without telling anyone outside of his then-girlfriend and now-wife, Mary Alice – he decided to ditch school, jump in his ’67 Plymouth Belvedere and head to Morrisville for a visit.

“I was hooked as soon as I got there,” Cole recalled.

As fate would have it, a spot in the program had just opened up, providing Cole the opportunity to apply late. After being accepted, his newfound passion energized him, excelling to the tune of three selections to the Dean’s List in four semesters.

“Those were the little signs that made me think, ‘boy, I’m on the right path,’” Cole said. “Music was keeping me in school.”

Droppa found his calling through mixing his passions.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do coming out of high school,” he said. “I enjoyed music but also liked to take things apart and put them back together. And I wanted to work with electronics.”

That led him to pursue what was then a degree in electrical technology at Morrisville, which helped “introduce me to the world of circuits.” This new interest also had Droppa switch gears while working at the college’s radio station, moving from disc jockey and sports play-by-play announcer to the off-air tech staff.

“I was very much more capable behind the scenes,” Droppa said.

Opening Act

Droppa and Cole quickly rose up the charts following graduation. Droppa gained experience working at a recording studio in Ithaca, New York, and a sound company in Syracuse, New York, getting his first touring experience through the latter. Now hooked to life on the road, Droppa moved to Baltimore to work for Maryland Sound Industries, where he received the opportunity to tour with superstar names like Pink Floyd, The Cure and Andy Gibb.

That also landed him a front-row seat next to his wife, Jane, who frequently worked with Droppa as a freelance audio engineer before the two tied the knot. His dream girl would get him his dream job, as Jane passed her gig on Stevie Wonder’s touring staff to Droppa prior to the birth of their first child.

“Here’s a kid from Skaneateles (New York) who went to Morrisville State College and is now mixing the sound into Stevie Wonder’s ears every night,” Droppa said. “I had to pinch myself more than once.”

He went on to tour exclusively with Wonder, working each of his live performances around the world over the next 12 years. During that same time, Droppa had the benefit of testing his own live-mixing consoles he was creating through Audio Toys, Inc. (ATI), which he founded in 1988 before acquiring API in 1999.

“Stevie was great about experimenting,” Droppa said. “He was willing to be a testbed for some of our ideas.”

Cole remained in contact with his Morrisville professors after graduation, including former woodwind instructor James Gebler, who helped him get his start through the sale of his old repair shop in Nassau, New York. It ended up being a package deal, as Gebler also provided Cole with high-profile contacts such as world-class saxophone players Nick Brignola and J.R. Monterose.

They would become Cole’s first customers. His work was so well-received that word spread quickly around the local and national musical scene, bringing in the likes of The Band’s Garth Hudson and Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson.

“That’s how I got my start. He had that much faith in me,” Cole said of his former professor.

He would quickly outgrow that shop’s capacity due to customer demand, relocating numerous times until finding a permanent home in Saratoga Springs in 2004.

He has since taken his son, William III, under his wing, hoping to have him ultimately take over the business along with the help of his three daughters, Jennifer, Meredith and Valerie.

Charity Show

Cole and Droppa each still incorporate lessons learned while at Morrisville as they give back to today’s youth.

Cole has his trainees volunteer at local schools to work on any instrument repairs needed, just as he and other Morrisville students did to receive hands-on training. That idea is also the basis behind his “Horns for Haiti” program he started along with his local church three years ago. Now an annual trip, Cole heads to Lascahobas, Haiti, to fix instruments donated through the church, while also holding a “teach the teacher” program for local students.

“It’s so inspiring to me,” Cole said, adding that his goal is to make repairs affordable throughout the country.

Droppa has a similar encore performance. Each year during Morrisville’s Phone-A-Thon fundraiser, he requests that a current student call him directly to discuss what it means to be a student at the college.

“Education is important, no matter what path you choose,” said Droppa, a long-time supporter of scholarships at Morrisville. “It’s worth it to support the school and help in any way to attract students. It’s my little way of saying thank you.”

Author

Eugenio Mercurio

Published date

May 14, 2018

Gallery

News Type

A Family AgFair

salibalr — Wed, 23 May 2018 15:55:25 +0000

A Family AgFair salibalr Wed, 05/23/2018 - 11:55

Morrisville freshman Jacob Ax has taken a chance meeting with a man injured in an accident and turned it into an opportunity to advocate for better accessibility in the farm workplace.

Back in 2010, Ax was new to the Stockbridge Valley Central School in Munnsville, New York, when he met a friendly custodian named Randy Mennig. Ax noticed Mennig’s limp, stemming from a motorcycle accident some years before in which he lost a leg. Menning’s dreams of working on a farm were challenged.

Inspired by Mennig, Ax researched accessible farming options, and presented his case in 2016 in a speech at the FFA state and national conventions, the Madison County Farm Bureau, the Center of Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare, and even at the American Farm Bureau Convention. He has traveled as far as Arizona and Indiana to present his speech.

“As technology grows, my dream is to see more adaptations for agricultural equipment become readily available to those in need,” Ax said in his speech. “GMOs, cloning of animals, GPS and precision farming… while all of these are hot topics in agriculture, I feel as though an important topic has never made the headlines: constructing accessible tractors.

“I anticipate that in the future, redesigned machinery can improve the lives of veterans who serve our country and for farmers like Randy who have a passion for serving the agricultural community.”

Ax’s research found that, even with existing accessibility plans, there was little actually in the field. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor, 13 million individuals are affected by accessibility challenges and 288,000 are unable to complete essential tasks.

“If we discovered a way to modify equipment already owned by farmers to meet their needs, they could keep farming for years after a tragic accident.”

He cited one-handed and prosthetic tools and a tractor hand clutch assembly as a few of the ideas that would greatly benefit farmers.

“Randy was unable to pursue his passion because there are currently no readily-available adaptations to assist him in his condition and turn his lifelong dream into a reality,” Ax said in his speech. “With new advances in agriculture, potentially, we will have fewer farm accidents than in the past, but for farmers already affected by an accident, there needs to be ways for them to continue living their dreams.”

The eight-minute speech earned Ax first place at the 2016 FFA State Convention and a bronze medal at the 2016 FFA National Convention.

Author

Mike Jaquays

Published date

May 14, 2018

News Type

Mustang Proud

salibalr — Wed, 23 May 2018 15:51:47 +0000

Mustang Proud salibalr Wed, 05/23/2018 - 11:51

Mollie Carter, ’14, remembers the first time she saw the steel sculpture of The Mustang, rearing back on its brick-and-mortar base in front of the Whipple Administration Building.

“It was one of the first symbols that grabbed my eye when I started at MSC in August of 2010,” she said. The sculpture made the small-town girl feel “a little bit more like, ‘Hey, I can do this.’"

For her last photo after commencement, the Oriskany Falls, NY, native joined a line of students in caps and gowns, waiting to pose with their diplomas in front of the mustang.

Jawann Haynes, ’10, was planning a memorial service for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings in April of 2007. There was really only one choice for the location.

“I knew I wanted to do something,” the Brooklyn native said, “but I didn't know what. Another RA and I decided on a memorial for the victims, but also to make it a place for us to grieve together.

“Picking a location was easy: The statue stood in the air as we spoke. It gave us hope. Comfort. It was a place to meet for a sense of normalcy.”

Since it was dedicated in the fall of 2004, the steel sculpture in the Administrative Quad is the first thing many visitors see. For many students, it has become integral to Morrisville pride.

The sculpture was donated to the college by Arnold Fisher, one of Morrisville’s most loyal supporters, who has served on the College Council and was a founding member of the Morrisville College Foundation in 1967. His dedication is such that the college’s Dairy Complex bears his name, and he has received many other citations for his service to Morrisville.

“I wanted to do something to honor this place,” Fisher said. “We’ve grown to offer so many special programs, done so many good things. When I thought about a sculpture, there was only one image: The Mustang.

“I talked with Esther, and she did a beautiful job.”

Esther Benedict of Esther Benedict Sculptures, Ltd. of Pipe Creek, Texas, is originally from New York, and her late father and Fisher were lifelong friends from the age of 5.

Benedict has a special link to Morrisville that made her eager to be a part of the sculpture project. “I had wanted to go to Morrisville out of high school,” the Newark High grad recalled. “I wanted to be in the horse program, but there just wasn’t space that year.” She went to SUNY Delhi instead, then decided to study to become a farrier.

“I learned to work with steel. I loved how pliable it was—the interesting colors that came out when you hot-rasp (use a metal file to remove burrs from the steel) it,” she said. In 1991, she started the transition to sculpture.

“Arnold called me in 2003 and asked me about doing the sculpture. He’s quite a tease, and he was always giving me grief; he knew I had always wanted to do something for Morrisville.”

Benedict and Fisher decided The Mustang would be 15 hands high, rearing up on its hind legs in a pose that communicates strength and independence.

“I calculated how long I wanted to make the hoof and the fetlock (the projection on the back of the leg above the hoof),” she said. “And then I built it from the hind legs up and forward.”

The sculpture was created from cold-rolled steel rods, quarter-inch (diameter) for the body and half-inch for the mane and hair. Benedict had it sand-blasted, then chemically rusted it to achieve a consistent coat. It took about eight weeks of steady work to complete it.

Benedict bent and curved each of the rods individually. “You want each line to flow next to the other one,” she said. “One of the things I have always loved about horses is the smoothness of their shape. I want my sculptures to be the same way when you run your hand along them.”

Benedict is thrilled that her longtime friend was able to leave something nearly permanent as tribute to the campus he loves. “There’s something about Morrisville that Arnold just loves supporting,” she said. “I think he felt this was something he could do that would be there for decades to come.”

She likes being part of that legacy. “As a sculptor, that’s one of the coolest things: it will be there long after I’m gone. I always find it amazing that students get their pictures taken with it. It’s an honor for me to be a part of it.”

Heather Foster, ’10, a member of the women’s soccer team, took inspiration from the sculpture. “For me, the statue was an encouragement on game day,” said the DeRuyter, NY native. “It was a quiet place to eat lunch when you wanted to escape the busy food areas. And it was a reminder that Morrisville was a strong community that stood up for you, even when you thought you'd never see the last midterm or final.

“It was there to say, ‘You can do this. Morrisville stands for you."

Author

Brian McDowell

Published date

May 14, 2018

Gallery

News Type

Emotionally Driven

salibalr — Wed, 23 May 2018 15:43:40 +0000

Emotionally Driven salibalr Wed, 05/23/2018 - 11:43

Phil Picard remembers the moment he caught the automotive racing bug.

It was 1975, and the 17-year-old was at Watkins Glen Motor Speedway with some friends for his first live Formula 1 race. The field for that U.S. Grand Prix included American Mario Andretti, Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, and the man who would become Picard’s idol, Austrian Niki Lauda. It was the last of 14 races in the worldwide open-wheel circuit that year, and Lauda clinched the first of his three Formula 1 championships by winning that day.

“That was my motivation to look at automotive work,” recalled Picard, a 1980 automotive technology graduate who now owns Momentum Motorsports IIC out of Montgomery, New York. “Racing is so emotionally driven. When you get someone who is bitten by the racing bug, there’s a level of passion you don’t encounter when you’re turning a wrench in a garage.”

Formula 1 was not Picard’s first encounter with racing: A varied and difficult high school career culminated in his attending an alternative high school program in his hometown of White Plains, New York, which allowed him to do his school work in the morning and then head for the track.

By the time he visited Watkins Glen, he had already established himself as a competitor in motocross, and motorcycle racing stayed with him throughout his tenure in the two-year automotive technology program at Morrisville.

Picard still calls on his Morrisville experience in his daily work as owner of Momentum, one of the premier Formula 4 teams in the country. “I am where I am because of what I learned at Morrisville,” he said. Momentum Motorsports also recently teamed up with DRT Racing, a top-level go-karting program out of New Hampshire. Go-karts are smaller open-wheel cars; Picard also hopes to move into Formula 3 and Formula 2 racing, so he may eventually be involved in all steps along the way from go-karts to the junior-driver development series (Formula 4, 3, and 2) that lead to the sport’s greatest series, Formula 1 racing.

A generation later, Tony Pisa came to Morrisville with a racing bug of his own. The Oswego, New York, native had a strong background in auto skills since his early teens and he had a specific interest in engineering. But it was his performance in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition, hosted at Morrisville during his junior year in high school that pushed him to continue his auto studies. He and his partner won the New York state portion and went on to finish 11th out of 50 teams in the country in 2004.

Pisa earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in automotive management in 2010. After years of working on various racing teams at several levels at Oswego Speedway—his specialization was body fabrication, but he had a hand in many areas of crew work—he bought and planned to race a 600cc microsprint car last year. However, he later was offered a full-time ride in a friend’s small-block supermodified car at Oswego. The move to the Greg O’Connor team was his first full-time ride on any racing circuit, and it signaled his move from dirt to asphalt racing as a driver.

It caught on, to say the least: Pisa finished 13th in the series and was named Small Block Super Rookie of the Year at Oswego Speedway for 2017.

“I have been involved in racing as a fan and crew member for most of my life,” he said, “and driving is something I have been wanting to do for a long time.”

Pisa is an example of how an automotive education can also lead graduates to unexpected careers. He currently works full-time as a mechanical maintenance technician at a manufacturer in Syracuse, New York, where his work is not related to the automotive industry. He wants current students to keep in mind that “while their training in school focuses on automotive, it can be applied to many different industries, and they should not be afraid to look around for other opportunities when they are trying to decide on an internship or looking for a job after graduation.”

It’s an idea that may have some merit, said current Automotive Department co-chair and assistant professor Ray Grabowski.

“There are tons of different ways you can go in this industry,” said Grabowski, himself a 1989 program graduate who returned to teach in his college program in 2006 along with former classmate Ron Alexander, Automotive Department co-chair and associate professor.

It was one of the underlying themes Picard and Pisa shared when they returned to Morrisville during Mustang Weekend last fall, making an appeal for students to consider careers in racing. Picard even went as far as to suggest a concentration in racing be added to the program’s curriculum. “Why not?” he said. “We can start with internships and see what we can do.”

Pisa also likes the idea of a racing concentration at his alma mater. “I think it would be very interesting. If a driver has a solid mechanical background, he or she is better able to understand what the car is doing on the track.” A mechanical background also helps a driver explain to crew members what he or she wants the vehicle to do and what changes might help to improve on-track performance, he added.

Is it realistic to think Morrisville can realize Picard’s dream of a racing concentration in a department already filled with so much diversity? “I think it can be done,” Alexander said, “if we can fill those positions for students with jobs after they graduate. If we can have regional facilities (a challenge, as a lot of racing operations are located in the South) where students can get entry-level positions. The precision measurements that are so important to racing are things we already teach. The jobs are very comparable.

“The key is getting those contacts in racing that match the ones we have in other parts of the auto industry. People like Phil can help make that happen.”

Picard is determined to help his alma mater see it through. He wants to offer students internships with his operation, and he is looking for students who share his passion for racing.

“If someone really wants to do something,” he said, “they figure out how to do something.”

Author

Brian McDowell

Published date

May 14, 2018

News Type