26th Annual Honors Convocation

Alfred State College student academic achievement was celebrated last week during the 26^th annual Honors Convocation. ASC President Dr. John M. Anderson welcomed the gathered students, families, faculty, and friends and congratulated them on their achievements.

Keynote speaker James Bradbury, ASC class of 1967, and winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2009, who reminisced about his time at Alfred State, and told the gathered audience how instrumental Alfred State was in his success. Bradbury also advised students to find a mentor, surround themselves with really smart people, and take calculated risks. “Success is never final,” he said, “and failure is never fatal!”

Bradbury arrived in Alfred in 1966 (after attending West Virginia University for two years) from Dunbar, WV. He was drawn to Alfred by a degree program (measurement science) that would equip him with the knowledge and skills he would need to join his father in the family business. Paul Bradbury had founded Kanawha Valley Scale Services in 1954 to serve the chemical and coal industries in West Virginia.

However, before returning to West Virginia, Jim worked two years in Columbus, OH, for H. J. Fuller & Sons.

In 1969, Jim returned to West Virginia, where he took the small, two-person company and grew it into the world-class company it is today. Kanawha Scales and Systems employs over 220 people, has 14 offices in six states throughout the Eastern United States, as well as offices in Beijing, China, and Sao Paulo and Belem, Brazil. KS&S also serves clients in Australia, Canada, and South Africa. The home office is located in Rock Branch Industrial Park, Poca, WV, which is just outside Charleston.

Jim has won numerous awards including West Virginia Entrepreneur of the Year, 1994, for manufacturing and most recently the governor’s award for excellence in exporting. Kanawha Scales & Systems has grown to include numerous international markets, such as China, Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Mexico, and Columbia and the company is looking forward to expanding to others.

When Jim married Judy Freeman (Class of 1968), he moved her from Buffalo to West Virginia, where she, too, joined the company. They have been married for 40 years and have three children. She, their son Mark, and his wife Holley, accompanied Jim to the ceremony.

Additionally, several of Bradbury’s close friends whom he met during his years at Alfred State traveled from distant states to honor him as well. Lou Bloom and Gary Johnson, who nominated Bradbury for the award, gave brief accounts of their days at Alfred State.

Another facet of the ceremony was the presentation of the State University of New York (SUNY) 2010 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence to winners Elizabeth Brutsch and Nicholas Juhasz who were honored at a reception in Albany where they received commemorative certificates and medallions suitable to be worn at commencement and other special events.

Brutsch, who will earn a bachelor of science degree in Alfred State’s commencement in May.

During her time at ASC, Brutsch has been involved in the Architecture Club where, for the past two years, she has served as president. Additionally, Brutsch has served as president of the Alfred State College American Institute of Architecture Students. She is a student leader and lector at St. Jude’s Chapel and Student Center on campus; member of the Alfred State College Equestrian Club, where she has served as treasurer; member of WINS (Women in Nontraditional Studies) Club; editor-in-chief of the ASC yearbook, The Statonian; and a member of the Hornell Sportrifle Competition Team.

Brutsch, a familiar name on ASC’s Dean’s List, also received an honorable mention for Interior Design Excellence from the College.

Brutsch, a 2006 graduate of New Lebanon Junior-Senior High School, is the daughter of Michael and Dawn Brutsch, East Chatham.

Juhasz, also a graduating senior in the baccalaureate-level architectural technology program, boasts a 3.03 GPA. He was named to the Dean’s List for spring 2009.

During his time at Alfred State College, Juhasz has served his residence halls as a community assistant, resident assistant, and head resident assistant, where the degree of leadership and responsibility increased with each title change. He is the president and treasurer of Pioneer Taekwondo, is a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, Alfred State College chapter; and serves on the committee for staff recruitment, development, and training.

The 2006 graduate of Eden Junior-Senior High School is the son of Jeffrey and JoAnn Juhasz, Eden.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created 13 years ago to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, or career achievement.

Additionally, Tyrell presented the Automotive Trades Department, as the recipient of the Freshman Advocate Award.

In the nomination, Perry was characterized as a faculty member who takes extra time and care to explain his lessons; engages all of his students, regardless of academic level; and is well-prepared on knowledgeable in his discipline.

Finally, two faculty members were honored with the Computer and Information Technology, respectively.

Presented by Wren Keber, ’06, alumni board member and chair, Young Alumni Committee, the 2008-09 citation for Constantine noted that Constantine energizes and motivates students to do their best on a daily basis; is always accessible for help, and is willing to lend an ear and give advice.

Presented by 2010 Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NECCDC), an undergraduate student competition. The competition tests each student team’s ability to secure networked computer systems while maintaining standard business functionality, where he coached them, even into the wee hours!

Pictured here, members of the stage party prepare for the ceremony: l-r: Rev. Lawrence Burns, ASC class of 1965, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Mathematics and Physics Department, and ceremony grand marshal; James Bradbury, ’67, recipient, Distinguished Alumni Award for 2009 and keynote speaker; Dr. John M. Anderson, president, Alfred State College; and Patricia K. Fogarty, chair, Alfred State College Council.