Danel Bowen, Jen Enke, Dr. Angela Graves, Larry Neuberger, Dr. David Ray, and Deena Smith were honored with SUNY Chancellor Awards at the annual Alfred State Employee Recognition Celebration.
Employee Recognition Photo Gallery
Danel Bowen, Associate Professor in the Electrical Machine Tool and Welding Technology department, and Dr. David Ray, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and an instructor in the Alfred State Police Academy, were honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate, or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.
Bowen exemplifies excellence in teaching through sustained professional growth, a deep commitment to students, and meaningful service to the college and broader educational community. He brings more than 20 years of professional experience into his instruction, ensuring coursework remains aligned with industry standards.
A graduate of Alfred State’s Construction Maintenance Electrician program, Bowen earned his associate degree and advanced from Instructional Support Assistant to faculty member in 2016. While teaching full time, he has continued his professional development and is on track to complete his bachelor’s degree in construction management in Fall 2026.
His teaching is distinguished by innovative, project-based learning. Students engage in authentic technical experiences, including real residential construction projects and electrical system troubleshooting using instructional tools he designed to enhance lab learning. Classroom observations consistently reflect a focused, respectful, and highly engaged environment characterized by active participation and applied problem solving.
Student feedback affirms his transformative impact, describing him as knowledgeable, approachable, compassionate, and motivating. His students frequently identify him as one of the most influential instructors they have encountered. His ability to challenge students while adapting to diverse learning needs is widely cited as central to their success. His dedication to students has also been recognized through nomination for the 2025 Student Advocate Advising Award.
Ray has over twenty years of teaching experience. He started at ASC as an adjunct before becoming a full-time lecturer and moved into a tenure-track position in January 2020. He has received consistently positive feedback from students.
A nomination from a student said the following “He goes above and beyond for his students and will stay to help students. He treats everyone fairly and makes classes fun and enjoyable while also having us learn a lot. He is the best professor this college has and in my opinion the SUNY system has.”
Ray has taught over a dozen different courses, including Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Investigations and Constitutional Law, to name just a few. He brings extensive experience in the field to his teaching. He holds a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate degree in Criminal Justice. He also worked for the Tonawanda Police Department in a multitude of capacities, including as a detective, lieutenant and training officer. He was also a Deputy Sheriff at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.
Outside the classroom, he is a member of Faculty Senate, is the Criminal Justice program coordinator, is an academic advisor to a fraternity and has served on many different college committees. He has also presented at national conferences and has completed many professional development certificates, including a SUNY Lumens Circle Fellowship Certificate on Evidence Based Teaching.
Jen Enke, Associate Director of Athletics, was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. The award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.
Since 2013, Enke has held key roles including Senior Woman Administrator, NCAA Compliance Coordinator, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Advisor, and Physical Education Chair and Instructor. She provides comprehensive leadership across athletic operations, compliance oversight, student welfare initiatives, strategic planning, and departmental policy development.
Her work has been instrumental in strengthening compliance systems, ensuring adherence to conference and NCAA regulations, and safeguarding student-athlete eligibility and academic progress. She was a central figure in Alfred State’s successful transition to NCAA Division III competition.
Enke developed the Pioneer Excellence Series, a leadership and enrichment program designed to expand student-athlete growth beyond competition. The initiative reflects her commitment to holistic student development and measurable program outcomes. She also serves on numerous institutional committees and has contributed to strategic planning initiatives.
Her leadership extends to community service, including advising SAAC-driven civic initiatives and contributing to the college’s nationally recognized Special Olympics Track and Field Spectacular.
Dr. Angela Graves, Associate Professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. The award recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of full-time teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.
Graves is a distinguished leader not only on campus but nationally through her work in civic engagement. Joining the faculty in 2017, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing DEI in teaching, advising, and assessment within public higher education. She has played a pivotal role in integrating civic engagement and learning into applied and technical programs, bridging the gap between SUNY General Education requirements and Alfred State’s workforce-oriented curricula. Her service portfolio reflects a deep dedication to translating institutional priorities into actionable practices that enhance student success and faculty collaboration.
Graves has focused on developing sustained civic engagement strategies through her student, faculty, campus, and SUNY system-level service work. She is engaged on campus as faculty advisor and mentor, CITE speaker, DEI committee chair, Global Studies and DEISJ assessment committee chair, search committee member, department rep at orientation and open house, co-advisor to a Sorority, Honors Convocation speaker, Commencement Marshal and reader, and EOP instructor.
She has supported the SUNY mission through her membership in the Multi-State Collaborative for College Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Participation and Proficiency Indicators Working Group, SUNY Council on Assessment, SUNY System search committees, and General Education Working Group.
In the past she has been honored with the Alfred State Student Advocate, Civic Engagement Program and Pioneer Impact Professional Awards, SUNY Chancellor’s Fellowship on Civil Education and Engagement and Civil Discourse, and Institute for Citizens & Scholars College Presidents for Civic Preparedness Faculty Fellow.
Larry Neuberger, Professor and Department Chair of the Digital Media and Animation Department, earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities supports the pursuits foundational to sustaining the intellectual growth of SUNY institutions by recognizing consistently outstanding scholarly and creative productivity, conducted in addition to teaching, by SUNY’s instructional/teaching faculty.
Neuberger has been a member of the faculty at ASC since 2001 in a full-time capacity and during his 24-year tenure, has served the college and SUNY in multiple roles including leadership roles such as chair of the Digital Media and Animation department, faculty and executive senate member and multiple school, campus and department committees.
As a respected faculty member and mentor for his students, he has taught a multitude of courses during his career including those at both introductory and advanced levels in his field. He consistently receives positive feedback from students who study under his guidance. Students appreciate his willingness to digitize his lectures to allow them to have access outside of the traditional classroom. His courses always incorporate a significant amount of hands-on learning as students are working with advanced software to develop projects in the field of digital animation.
Neuberger has presented both photography and animation projects at several community events and publications. His work has been featured in magazines and galleries at both the regional and national level. He has received awards and honors for his creative work as well as grants related to teaching with AI. Several of his works, including animated films, have been showcased at national and international festivals.
Deena Smith, Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Services recognizes classified employees for excellence and superior service to our students and to the community at large.
Smith exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, initiative, and service, consistently exceeding expectations in her role and contributing to the campus community. She manages the complex scheduling with foresight and precision, ensuring meetings are prepared with agendas and materials well in advance. Her meticulous attention to detail extends into budget oversight, where she has developed her own tracking system to maintain accuracy.
Her commitment goes above and beyond her job description. She actively seeks ways to contribute without being asked, extending her support to other offices such as Career Development, Residential Life, and Student Engagement.
Her creativity and initiative are evident in the systems she has developed to streamline workflows. She provides exemplary customer service, making every visitor feel welcome, resolves inquiries without unnecessary referrals, and provides personal handoffs when directing individuals to other offices.
She is credited as being the backbone of the Student Affairs Office and a campus wide asset.
Each honoree was presented with a certificate of achievement and a medallion.