Alumni & Friends Magazine Fall 2024
The fall 2024 semester is winding down and I am in awe of the amazing work being done by our students. From building a new house, to presenting innovative ideas to community members, to working in local hospitals and labs, our students are learning hands-on and preparing for their future careers.
This semester we have also had great opportunities to meet with alumni and friends to celebrate their connection to the college. We have held ribbon cuttings for new or renovated spaces, partnered with them to connect with our current students, and got together to tell stories and connect.
Remarkable things happen at Alfred State, and I am excited to see what happens next.
This edition of the Alumni Magazine features a story about Tim Harris and his family’s amazing connection to Alfred State. The magazine also features multiple stories about how alumni and friends are pitching in to support future Pioneers and a story about how you can get connected with alumni in your area or within an affinity group you were connected to.
The magazine also introduces you to Aric Bryant, Department Chair of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology Department, features class notes, and headlines from across all three schools and the athletic department.
If you are ever in the area I would love to show you around. Our campus continues to evolve and advance.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of our Alumni and Friends digital magazine and it encourages you to reach out to us and let us know what is going on in your life.
Steven Mauro, PhD
Featured Stories
Students & Young Alumni PROfiles
We proudly share the stories of three current Pioneers and three recent graduates. Each of these students has excelled in their respective fields and is on a path toward a bright and promising future. Join us as we share their inspiring stories and accomplishments.
Student & Faculty Success
At Alfred State College, we believe in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of our students and faculty. We want to highlight some of the standout achievements from the past school year, showcasing the dedication, creativity, and perseverance that define our community. We invite you to explore these inspiring stories and join us in recognizing the exceptional talents and hard work of those who make Alfred State a place where success thrives.
Class Notes
Welcome to Class Notes, a special space where we celebrate the milestones and memories of our alumni community. Here, you'll find heartwarming stories and updates in several sections: Achievements highlight the professional triumphs and accolades of our alumni; Weddings joyfully announce the unions and celebrations of marriage; Career showcases the career advancements and well-deserved retirements of our graduates; Remembrance pays tribute to the lives and legacies of alumni who have passed away; and Faculty, Staff, & Friends honor the cherished employees and friends of Alfred State who have left us.
Weddings
2017
Brooke Geibel, '17, nursing married Kobie Brinson on Oct. 5, 2024 in Low Gap, NC.
2018
Tyler Bruning, construction management engineering technology, Holland, and Carina Scalise, construction management engineering technology, Holland, joined in marriage on August 23, 2024. Congratulations!
Career
1997
Patricia Orsini Nilsen, court reporting, Franklin, TN, brought home a pair of gold medals at the Intersteno Congress in Katowice, Polan. Nilsen competed and took first place in both the speech-capturing and Realtime competitions.
Joshua Torrey, mechanical engineering technology, Olean, continuous improvement coordinator for Cutco Cutlery Corp., is celebrating 25 years with the company. Torrey joined Cutco on June 28, 1999, as a shear operator. He was promoted to production supervisor in January 2001 and oversaw various departments over the next several years. He assumed his current position on April 15, 2017.
2021
Josh Laurie, business administration, LeRoy, was hired as an assistant coach for the Yale baseball team in June of 2023. He spent the previous two seasons as the head assistant coach at his alma mater. In 2022 Laurie helped Alfred State set the school record for wins (26) and earn the program's first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference regular season championship. As hitting coach, he helped the team to its highest batting average as an NCAA team (.302).
Remembrance
1956
Robert Mizzoni, business administration, Watkins Glen, passed away Aug. 13, 2024.
Elizabeth "Betty" Werle, secretarial science, Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2024, surrounded by her family.
1965
Kathleen E. Holtz, medical laboratory technology, Hamburg, passed away on Sept. 27, 2024.
1966
David Kast, general agriculture, Albion, passed away July 10, 2024, at the Jewish Home in Rochester surrounded by his loving family.
1967
Thomas Coates, construction engineering technology, Fort Pierce, FL, passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2024.
William "Bill" Pring, business management, Strongsville, Ohio, passed peacefully at home with his family present on August 20, 2024.
1968
Andrew Kast, construction management technology, Clay, passed away on July 23, 2024, unexpectedly at his home.
1972
Dale Young, communications, Scio, passed away on May 23, 2024, with his family by his side.
1973
Kenneth DeLong, computer information systems, Franklinville, passed away on Oct. 10, 2024.
1974
Janet Haseley, human services, Mooresville, NC, passed away peacefully on Sept. 3, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Gary Schwarz, floriculture product, Hampstead, NC, passed away on April 29, 2024.
1980
Mary Ostrander, nursing, Port Allegany, passed away on Oct. 13, 2024, at Lakeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Smethport.
1981
Alan Percy, computer information systems, Orchard Park, passed away on Sept. 7, 2024.
1989
Sanders "Sandy" Grant, agriculture science, New South Berlin, passed away on May 14, 2024.
1994
Cale Snyder, automotive service technician, Alfred Station, passed away on Aug. 22, 2024.
2009
Edwin Stratton, human services, Canisteo, passed away on July 30, 2024, after an extended illness.
2011
Vincent Martinelli, technology management, Alfred, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2024.
2024
Parker Piasecki, welding technology -WTC, East Aurora, passed away on Sept. 13, 2024.
Faculty, Staff, & Friends
Joseph Petrick, staff member, Hornell, passed away on Oct. 22, 2024. He was the husband of Jane Valvala and the Library Director at SUNY Alfred State College where he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship 2006-07. Active in all aspects of university service, Joe served both on the Alfred State Campus Faculty Senate and as a representative to the SUNY University Faculty Senate. He enjoyed researching the histories of Alfred State and SUNY and had an article published in a book about SUNY in 2010.
Elizabeth "Betty" Aftuck, retired staff member, Almond, passed away peacefully on Aug. 13, 2024, surrounded by her family following a long illness.
David Dronsick, retired staff member, Alfred Station, passed away Sept. 4, 2024, at the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville following a brave five-year struggle with lymphoma.
Arthur P. "Art" McLaughlin, former civil engineering professor, passed away peacefully on Aug. 14, 2024, at the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville. Art served as a professor for over 20 years.
Donald Mulconery, a retired staff member, passed away on June 11, 2024, at Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Wellsville.