Picture Perfect Day for the Alfred State Open
In the spring 2024 Alumni and Friends Magazine we featured the story of the formation of the Alfred State Open. The 4th annual tournament had picture-perfect weather to raise funds for the college.
Gifts in Action
Alumni Magazine | Fall 2024
Alfred State College's “Gifts in Action” honors the incredible generosity of our benefactors and showcases the meaningful ways your contributions are utilized. Every gift helps create new opportunities, whether through innovative programs, scholarships, or enhanced facilities. Through these stories, you will see the direct and powerful impact of your support on our students' lives and futures. Thank you for being a vital part of the Alfred State family and for helping us build a brighter tomorrow for our future Pioneers.
Eighteen teams competed at the 4th annual Alfred State Open organized by the Class of 1978 at the Springville Country Club. The team of Mitch Shafer, TJ Klubek, Bryan Cybulski, and Christian Hollfeder took home the team honors with a score of 60.
“This all started from a group of alumni that love Alfred State and wanted to give back to the students,” commented Director of Alumni Relations Mary Perkins. “This is a group of alumni that started to raise money for their class endowment fund, and it has now branched to not only benefit The Class of ’78 Endowed Fund but also supports the Buffalo Alumni Chapter scholarship.”
The event raised over $4,000 for the Class of 1978 Endowment Fund and the Buffalo Alumni Chapter Scholarship. Brett Llewellyn, ’80, Patrick Stanchak, Mike McMaster, and John Schleyer, ’87, finished second while Bryan Price, Jim Irwin, Mike Cipolla, and Brad Arnone were third. Gary Bork was the winner of the raffle for a spot on the Mary Huntington Plaque.
“This is really special because we started this tournament just amongst us playing for a little cup” stated Gregory Haeseler, ’78. “We got the vision of expanding this and having an official Alfred State Open. My classmates totally supported the idea and having an event like this is a win for everybody. It's a win for Alfred State because attracts alumni and we're getting new alumni playing in this tournament each year.”
Cameron Howard, ’22, was the youngest alum that participated in the tournament. “It is really cool because I am here with three other Alfred State alumni that I work with. Just knowing that the money raised will go back to the school to help others. I enjoyed my time at Alfred, and it is nice to give back.”
The event started in 2021 with seven teams and continues to grow each year. Alums travel from near and far to compete including competitors from California and Colorado.
Haeseler continued “It's a win for Alfred State and it's a win for the students. It's also a win to continue our friendship that started in 1976 in MacKenzie North.”
Scooping up Knowledge
Brian Perry, ’85, returned to Alfred State to share his experiences, highlight his company, Perry’s Ice Cream, and take questions from students in the audience.
I think it's good to come back to your alma mater to support them,” commented Perry. “I think they (Alfred State) do a great job with teaching and giving us the credentials that we need to further our careers. I have always enjoyed coming back because I liked my experience here and it's just a way of giving back.”
Perry, speaking to a group of mainly current Culinary Arts students, detailed his education path and how he ended up at Alfred State. He then shared about the history of Perry’s and his role as EVP & Chairman.
He shifted the focus of the presentation and allowed Marisa Elgie, Product Development Manager, and Megan Mergler, Associate Product Manager, to speak on the New Product Development and Research and Development processes at Perry’s. The formal part of the presentation concluded with the education and career paths of employees who currently work at the company, outlined the career opportunities that are available at Perry’s, and answered dozens of questions.
“I wasn't quite sure where I'd go in the world after I finished college but from this seminar, I learned that you could start somewhere very small and end up somewhere very big,” commented Culinary Arts: Baking, Production, & Management student Katelynn Ruolo. “Manufacturing sounds very interesting, and a very possible career path. They need a lot of people.”
Debra Burch, the Chair of the Culinary Arts Department, was excited for her students to hear from Perry. “They learned that if you work hard, you can achieve anything you want. It was especially important to see an alum here and know how he went through the process to be where he is today.”
Perry continued, “We've had good success with hiring from Alfred. We had three engineers come out of the engineering school and we're challenging them every day. It's a challenge for us to keep them busy because they are so smart but that's what we need to do to see our business perpetuate into the future.”
Blondin Family Establishes an Endowed Scholarship
Leon, ’86, and Sue Blondin have established a new endowed scholarship to help future Pioneers. The scholarship is part of a $120,000 gift to the college that includes support to the unrestricted annual fund and a legacy gift.
Leon, a Civil Engineering major, enjoyed his time at Alfred State. “It was easy to navigate and make new friends. I wish it was a four-year school when I attended. I firmly believe Alfred State provided the skills and knowledge for me to succeed in the construction market.”
Blondin has spent over forty years working at Balfour Beatty. He currently is the Chief Executive Officer of the US Buildings Operations. “I always focused on doing my best at the position I attained and continued to raise my hand for opportunities to stretch myself.”
Nearing retirement, Leon and his wife were looking for ways to give back. “I have always had a special bond with Alfred State and many of Balfour Beaty’s Alfred State alumni are my great friends.”
Development Fund Board Members
- Mr. Richard Laudisi, '80 Chair | Retired Vice President, LeChase Construction Services, LLC, Rochester, NY
- Mr. James H. Helms, '93 Vice Chair | CEO, Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, NY
- Ms. Connie Caputo, '87 Secretary | Operations Manager, Wolf Agency, Inc., Orchard Park, NY
- Mrs. Amanda L. Herrick-Smith, '06 Treasury | Financial Planner, John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc., Bath, NY
- Mr. Douglas E. Acomb, '78 Owner of Battle Street Brewery, Livonia, NY
- Mr. Robert Forness, '85 President & Executive Director, Olean Business Development Corporation, Olean, NY
- Dr. J. Gregory Ferry, '63 The Stanley R. Person Professor of Molecular Biology Emeritus at Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
- Mr. James J. Grillo SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Retired, Alfred State, Hammondsport, NY
- Timothy Harris, '77 Retired Vice President & General Manager Compaq Computers Corporation, Houston, TX
- Mrs. Mary C. Huntington Former First Lady, Alfred Station, NY
- Mr. John J. Krueger, '81 President & General Manager, HEP Sales/North Main Lumber, Canandaigua, NY
- Mr. James Langdon, '80 Retired Vice President Zeller IMS, Elmira, NY
- Mr. Joseph Laraiso, '67 President M & C Utilities, LLC, Lancaster, NY
- Mr. William Snyder III, '01 Assistant Vice President at National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., East Concord, NY
- Madison Szpaicher, '17 Development Associate of Annual Giving, Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Mr. Dale Stell, '75 President, City Hill Excavating, Canandaigua, NY
- Mr. Brett Bodine, '79 Honorary Director of Competition, NASCAR Research & Development, Mooresville, NC
- Mr. Erland E. Kailbourne, '61 Honorary Corporate Director, Financial Institutions, Inc., Mendon, NY