Alfred State reflects on top stories for 2016

This past year was certainly a memorable one for Alfred State. The college welcomed a $5 million manufacturing training facility to its Wellsville campus; hosted a major woodsmen’s competition, as well as visitors from Nigeria; and began renovating the largest residence hall on campus, the MacKenzie Complex.

“The success of our students and ways for us to further support their development, those are the sort of events that mean the most to me when looking back at the year,” stated President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “I want to congratulate the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who all made incredible contributions to the college in 2016.”

Reflecting upon its major highlights from 2016, the college has listed 10 of them below in chronological order:

• Success of equestrian-related clubs (February/May): Little more than a year after its inception, the polo club further distinguished itself with a win over Harvard in February. In May, the western equestrian club also succeeded with a trip to the national finals, and it was announced that western equestrian will become a varsity sport in 2017.
• Forensic science technology program now fully accredited (March): This major obtained full accreditation status from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), becoming one of only 20 FEPAC-accredited bachelor-level programs within the field nationwide.
• Webcam powered by Alfred State provides view of eagles hatching at US National Arboretum (March): People all around the world were able to watch the hatching and raising of baby eagles live via the Internet, thanks to a solar-powered video monitoring system designed and installed by students from the Electrical Trades Department.
• Alfred State hosts 70^th Annual Northeast Woodsmen’s Conclave and STIHL Northeast Collegiate Qualifier (April): The event featured hundreds of top competitors from more than a dozen schools within the region. The men’s team took first place and the Jack and Jill team came in second in their respective divisions in the conclave. Alfred State’s own Kara Stone, a surveying and geomatics engineering technology major from Lake View, split the women’s STIHL title with a competitor from SUNY Cobleskill. Sutton Carhart, a construction management engineering technology major from Stafford, took second place overall in the men’s division in the STIHL qualifier.
• Partnering for Allegany County Economic Development (April): Following the approval of a new economic development mission and vision document for Allegany County, Alfred State and Economic Development Vice President Dr. Craig Clark were tasked with implementing a new program, which has a goal of retaining, expanding, and attracting employers in the county.
• MacKenzie Makeover (May): At the end of the spring semester, the college announced its plans to renovate the largest residence hall on campus, the MacKenzie Complex, to turn it into a modern facility to meet the needs of students both today and tomorrow. Construction for the multi-phase project began in October.
• Nigerian college looks to Alfred State as model of excellence (May): Visitors from Nigeria’s Kwara State Government and the International Vocational Technical & Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC) in Ajasse Ipo came to discuss an international partnership with Alfred State as a source for best practices to follow, as Nigeria is building a new technical college.
• New Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Center opens (October): The $5 million, 16,000-square-foot facility is training welding technology and machine tool technology students for in-demand jobs, while learning state-of-the-art sustainable practices in advanced manufacturing through more efficient processes.
• Inaugural Day of Giving doubles goals (November): Thanks to the generosity of 680 donors, Alfred State’s first Day of Giving greatly exceeded expectations, raising $102, 249 to be used toward technology, new programs, athletics, scholarships, student clubs, organizations, and more.
• Anniversary milestones: This year has been cause for celebration, with the School of Applied Technology and the college’s first nursing program both marking their 50^th anniversaries, while Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services, Inc. (ACES), a not-for-profit company that supports the mission of the college, is turning 70.

Other notable highlights from this past year include the Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) team tying for first in a national race and manufacturing design competition with Purdue University (April), the dedication of the Bethesda Foundation Imaging Suite (April), and the announcements of new majors, including graphic and media design (Associate in Science), diagnostic medical sonography (Associate in Applied Science), health sciences (Bachelor of Science), and motorcycle and power sports technology (Associate in Occupational Studies).