At a glance
Alfred State recognized approximately 900 May 2015 graduates during commencement ceremonies on Sunday. Dr. Skip Sullivan, president, presided over the event, held at Pioneer Stadium on the Alfred campus.
Alfred State recognized approximately 900 May 2015 graduates during commencement ceremonies on Sunday. Dr. Skip Sullivan, president, presided over the event, held at Pioneer Stadium on the Alfred campus.
View photos of the day's events.
Offering some welcoming remarks was Eunice Lewin, State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees member. Lewin serves on several boards of directors, including as commissioner of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, founding member of Roswell Park Alliance, and member of Buffalo Urban League, Hispanic United of Buffalo, and Canisius College Board of Regents. She is also a member of the Erie County Chapter of Links, Hispanic Women’s League, and Buffalo Niagara Guitar Festival Originators.
The student speaker was Kory Shick, who earned his human services associate degree in December 2014 and is working toward his bachelor’s degree in human services management. Shick is also the student representative on the Alfred State College Council, past president of the Greek Senate, a brother of Pi Rho Zeta, executive vice president of the Student Senate, and president incumbent of the Commuter Council.
Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Dr. J. Gregory Ferry, chaired professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State. Ferry is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and past editor of the Journal of Bacteriology. He has served on numerous national committees and currently is co-chair of the Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science that advises the federal government on matters of space exploration.
A former member of Alfred State’s undefeated wrestling team, Ferry received his AAS degree in agronomy from Alfred State in 1963, followed by BS and MS degrees from the University of Georgia. He continued his education at the University of Illinois, where he earned a PhD in biochemistry in 1974.
Ferry was appointed assistant professor of microbiology at Virginia Tech in 1976 and rose to the rank of professor. In 1995, he moved to Penn State to accept an endowed chair in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications.
Ferry recently created the James G. and Marilyn A. Ferry Endowed Scholarship to assist students with a strong desire to learn and who have the need for financial assistance.
Specially recognized at the ceremony were Merrill B. Allen, of Gowanda, who earned his AAS degree in radio communications from Alfred State in 1943, and Donald M. Bergreen, of Olean, who attended the college from Oct. 5, 1942, until June 25, 1943, also majoring in radio communications.
Allen and Bergreen were two of several men who, in the years between 1942 and 1945, left their homes, families, friends, and the opportunity to finish their college career or attend graduation to serve in the military to help defend and preserve the American way of life. Many of these men were unable to attend graduation, even if they were fortunate enough to complete their course work, as they were swept away to serve in the military immediately upon or before fulfilling their degree requirements.
Allen was presented with a diploma recognizing his graduation from Alfred State, and Bergreen was given a certificate in recognition of his time spent studying at the college.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Paul B. Orvis Award for Excellence to five graduating students. The award honors Paul B. Orvis, a former president of Alfred State and State University of New York dean for two-year colleges. Recipients must meet the criteria of service, leadership, character, and scholarship.
Receiving the award were Jessica L. Baier, Rochester (School of Applied Technology associate degree recipient); Samantha J. Duquette, Churchville (School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology baccalaureate degree recipient); Sheyenne N. Hooker, Angelica (School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology associate degree recipient); McKenzie E. Mallaber, Livonia (School of Arts and Sciences baccalaureate degree recipient); and Emily A. Gilfert, Wellsville (School of Arts and Sciences associate degree recipient).
Near the end of the ceremony, Shawn Sanfilippo, electrical engineering technology, won a 2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition vehicle after his ticket was drawn in a raffle.
The Alfred State Men’s Quartet performed the national anthem and the college’s alma mater. Students were led out in recessional to the music of the Gates Keystone Police Pipes and Drums.