Top stories from 2020

As 2020 comes to a close, Alfred State College (ASC) is taking a look back at some of its biggest stories from the year.

The following are some major moments, in no particular order, from this past year:

• Switch to online learning: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alfred State students began finishing out the spring semester in an online format on March 23. The college assisted students through hosting Online Learning Training Sessions, providing laptops, and accommodating those with financial or technological hardships by allowing them to remain on campus while practicing social distancing.
• Pioneers respond to COVID: Numerous Pioneers responded to the pandemic in a big way. Nursing faculty helped fill the need for local healthcare workers, alumnus Justin Recktenwald used his business’ resources to assist with local hand sanitizer production, several employees made face masks from home, and Instructional Support Associate Kevin Tucker helped produce face masks from 3D printers on campus. Also, Alfred State launched a pilot food pantry program, as well as the Support Our Students (SOS) emergency fundraiser for students with serious financial needs resulting from COVID-19.
• President Sullivan to retire: Dr. Skip Sullivan announced in November that he is retiring as president effective June 2021.
• 98 percent: For the 11th straight year, the employment and continuing education rate among Alfred State graduates reached 98 percent or higher.
• Virtual commencement: While no in-person ceremony was possible this year, the college was still able to honor its graduates through hosting a virtual commencement ceremony in June via Microsoft Teams Live.
• Welcome back: In August, Alfred State welcomed students and faculty back to campus to resume in-person instruction for the first time since March. To ensure a safe and successful semester, the college implemented a number of changes on campus, including installing plastic partitions at lecterns, requiring social distancing and mask-wearing in class, and implementing new technology to allow internet streaming of instruction as needed.
• Construction Continues: After a brief slow-down, various capital improvement projects have worked to regain schedules. The MacKenzie South project moved to punch list items, and the first phase of the MacKenzie North renovation is underway. The Hinkle Library received a new roof and curtain wall system and work is beginning again in the Pioneer Center lounge in preparation for a new eatery. Also, the long-awaited Agriculture Science Building renovation is approved to move into design.
• US News rankings: ASC continues to excel in US News & World Report’s Best Colleges list. Among all Northern Colleges in an 11-state region, Alfred State is ranked No. 9 overall, No. 6 for public schools, and No. 1 among all SUNY institutions in the category. US News also ranks Alfred State the No. 3 Best College for Veterans when listing public colleges in the North.
• Good Morning America recognition: The story of Instructor Sean Kelley losing weight in order to donate part of his liver to save his 1-year-old son’s life caught the attention of Good Morning America. The well-known national news program highlighted the story in an online article titled, “This dad lost 40 pounds to save his son’s life: ‘It was pretty overwhelming.’”
• Major Gifts Campaign launched: ASC launched a Major Gifts Campaign in September, with the goal of raising $8 million for athletics, new programs, scholarships, technology, and the greatest needs of the college.
• Successful fall semester: Alfred State was able to complete in-person instruction in late November. The college had among the very highest number of in-person classes offered across the entire SUNY system, with 87 percent of ASC’s sections delivered in person, compared to 16 percent for SUNY overall and 31 percent for colleges of technology.

Other notable stories from this past year include the police academy achieving a 100 percent employment rate, Dr. Melvin Chambliss being named the chief diversity officer of the police academy, the Esports team earning gold at the Empire State Winter Games, the accreditation of 10 business programs by IACBE, Day of Giving raising over $218,000, and the dedication of the new Shay Family Athletic Hall of Fame.