Campus News

It’s never too early to start planning for retirement, as proven by a group of Alfred State business students who recently traveled to Rochester to learn about best practices, mistakes to avoid, and more.

Hosted by the Rochester chapter of the Financial Planning Association at the Locust Hill Country Club, the event was titled “Social Security Optimization and Retirement Income Planning.” The featured presenter was Joe Elsasser CFP®, RHU, REBC, president of Covisum, and co-author of “Social Security Essentials: Smart Ways to Help Boost Your Retirement Income.”

Buying war bonds, planting victory gardens, and joining scrap drives are just some of the many things that were encouraged by propaganda posters during World War II. While these pieces’ messages are no longer relevant today, they continue to serve as a reminder of the effort it took by all citizens to ensure freedom.

And from now through Nov. 25, the public may view 12 of these historic posters in an exhibit at the Alfred State Hinkle Memorial Library.

As the race to become the next leader of the United States wages on, Alfred State’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences joined with the college’s Honors Program recently to host the Khalid Ashraf Symposium on this very topic.

Titled “Presidential Election 2016,” the evening’s center point was a conversation with Alfred University Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Heineman, and Alfred State Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences Dr. Rex Olson regarding the prolonged, and often contentious political campaign between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Whether it’s making a donation, showing Pioneer Pride, or helping to spread the word, Alfred State’s inaugural Day of Giving is all about coming together as a college community to make a difference in the lives of its students.

Speaking to the importance of the event, Alfred State Director of Annual Giving Trish Haggerty noted that every gift, no matter the size, makes an everlasting impact on the college’s students, their education, and their Alfred State experience.

A new program that works to unite students, officers, and all community members is not only defusing potentially tense situations but could be a model that helps towns all across America struggling with the misunderstanding of authority figures. When the school year began, law enforcement leaders in Alfred decided to take a proactive approach by implementing this program, called Shared Space.

In recognition of her outstanding efforts as senior director of Human Resources at Alfred State, Wendy Dresser-Recktenwald was recently honored with the Excellence in Human Resources Practices Award.

Celebrate Service, Celebrate Allegany kicked off its fifth year this past Saturday and proved to be a huge success, as approximately 300 student volunteers from Alfred State, Alfred University, and Houghton College came together to engage in community service projects throughout Allegany County.

On a beautiful fall day, members of the Alfred State Honors Program took a break from the books to meet some fellow students who competed in The Great Race this summer. 

The Great Race, a controlled-speed endurance rally, challenged 109 teams to drive vintage vehicles from San Rafael, CA, to Moline, IL, crossing eight states. Driving a 1953 Dodge Power Wagon, the Alfred State team earned a third-place finish in the X-Cup division. The 6000-pound, 85-horse power tow truck climbed the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains and crossed the Mojave Desert on the nine-day trek. 

In an effort to build more trust, respect, and communication, Alfred law enforcement and safety officers want college students to meet with them and their families. While there are stories from across the nation regarding tension between officers and community members, local officers are taking a proactive approach to increase understanding.

When Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti in early October, the effects on Haitians’ livestock were devastating, causing a major blow to an important aspect of the residents’ livelihood. Looking to help with this problem are two groups of Alfred State veterinary technology students who will be traveling to the country in January and May.