Alumni News
![Construction progress of the ACET center, as of July 2021](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/background-banners/acet-cover.jpg?h=5b8344af&itok=k_SKWlo-)
Aug 15, 2021
The future of agriculture, engineering and energy isn’t confined to traditional desks and lecture halls at SUNY Morrisville.
Students will begin taking classes this fall in the $16 million Agricultural and Clean Energy Technology (ACET) Center, a 30,000-square foot applied learning technology building that will bolster the renewable energy, agricultural engineering, and diesel technology programs.
![From left, Assistant Professor Ryan Quinn ’13 works with students Finneas Goodwin, Jason Crain ’21 and Eden Adler ’24 on a furnace they assembled and commissioned in a residential heating systems class.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/rescon-002.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=TsHUNsNn)
Aug 15, 2021
As a hot housing market and spike in home remodeling propel the need for skilled tradespeople in the residential construction industry, Mike Gridley ’04 is doing his part to ease the demand.
The assistant professor of residential construction at SUNY Morrisville has been teaching the tricks of his trade and molding skilled workers for more than two decades in the classroom and as proprietor of Gridley Construction, in Hamilton, New York.
![Danielle Bunting '21](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/skating-001.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=EgFxX8CZ)
Aug 15, 2021
“It’s worth it if you put in the effort,” said Danielle Bunting ’21 while reflecting on her time as a SUNY Morrisville Mustang.
![Dahmili Pierre Browne ’20](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/dahmili-001.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=WJWzKKgt)
Aug 15, 2021
A life once limited is now filled with opportunity and dreams for Dahmili (“Molly”) Pierre Browne ’20.
The SUNY Morrisville criminal justice graduate spent most of her childhood moving in and out of motels and living in shelters in a crime-ridden part of Bronx, New York, where sirens saturate neighborhoods and a quarter of all students drop out of high school.
So much changed for Browne when the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) offered her the chance to go to college.
![Participants enjoy miniature golf, one of many activities during Giving Day.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/giving-day-001.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=VJU5RFt-)
Campus community comes together for Giving Day: Event exceeds its goal, helps students stay on track
Aug 15, 2021
As a single mother, Rolanda Campbell ’22 has faced her share of financial burdens while pursuing her education at SUNY Morrisville.
But childcare costs, transportation worries and so many other financial burdens were alleviated thanks to the college’s Student Hardship Fund, which helped her stay on track.
The fund supports students who incur a sudden expense or change in circumstances they cannot overcome with financial aid or family support.
Aug 15, 2021
As the semester came to an end, three agribusiness students had something a little extra to celebrate. They won the top three prizes in the 2021 Cotton Family Business Idea Competition, a competition where students have the opportunity to win money and take their ideas to the next level.
![Students engage with a single-axis solar tracking system.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Ryan%20Quinn%27s%20class.jpg?h=ae8266a8&itok=JlUcHVpb)
Jul 30, 2021
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — As a student, John Derouchey benefited from myriad experiences in SUNY Morrisville’s renewable energy program.
The field work, hands-on learning, networking and faculty expertise packed his portfolio, giving him a full plate of opportunities when he graduated among the college’s first cohort of renewable energy bachelor of technology degree students in 2013.
![Anthony Contento](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Anthony%20Contento.jpg?h=0352b6fc&itok=RjkAlnWr)
Jul 21, 2021
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville welcomes Anthony “Tony” Contento as its new dean of the School of Agriculture, Business & Technology.
![Cow Tippin' Steak Sauce](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Cow%20Tippin%20Steak%20Sauce.jpg?h=3cd06fc8&itok=2d567FXE)
Apr 02, 2021
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Take a drive to Nelson Farms County Store, in Nelson, and pick up a bottle of Cow Tippin’ Steak Sauce. Students in Assistant Professor Scott Colby’s distribution & marketing of agricultural products class at SUNY Morrisville rebranded the tasty product and earned an award for their marketing plan.
![Automotive faculty and students stand in front of the completed car](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Cop%20car%20FINAL%20cropped_0.jpg?h=86cb45a0&itok=Pv_3V53o)
Mar 25, 2021
Thanks to SUNY Morrisville’s Automotive Department, the cruiser of a fallen police officer found its permanent home at the Discovery Center Story Garden, in Johnson City.
Faculty, staff and students prepared the car of Johnson City police officer David “DW” Smith, who was killed in the line of duty in March 2014.
![2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/MFS21_School_300x300.png?h=6c83441f&itok=jheJjfkA)
Feb 25, 2021
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville has once again been honored for its outstanding support of military service members, veterans and their families, receiving the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation.
The Military Friendly® Schools list sets the standard for higher education institutions to give the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses.
![Worm composting in Jen Gilbert Jenkins’ labs.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Worms%202%20smaller%20pic.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=tMkItIEZ)
Feb 17, 2021
There is always something going on in assistant professor Jen Gilbert Jenkins’ labs, even when the campus is quiet. For instance, in a purple box, miraculous transformations are taking place with worms! Gilbert Jenkins is using vermicompost (worm composting) to convert a combination of waste hemp material and food scraps into a biologically active planting medium. They may not be as cute as some of the other animals on campus, but these worms are hard workers.
![A piranha swims in a tank at the aquaponics greenhouse at SUNY Morrisville.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/_AJC1422.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&itok=0Dmrrbvy)
Jan 28, 2021
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — An abandoned piranha, found by a student on the doorstep of an aquarium store, has found a new home in SUNY Morrisville’s aquaponics greenhouse.
Assistant Professor Elisa Livengood obtained a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation and adopted the fish, which will augment lessons in her aquatic science & aquaculture classes and labs.
![Tim Gerken's photo, which is on display in Washington, D.C.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Tim%20Gerken%20Denniston%20Hills%20photo%20on%20billboard.jpg?h=508231ee&itok=hOy7mR3p)
Oct 26, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — A photograph by Timothy Gerken, professor of humanities at SUNY Morrisville, is on display in collaboration with Denniston Hill, as part of For Freedoms’ nationwide campaign “2020 Awakening.”
The artist-led collective campaign, which launched on Indigenous People’s Day (Columbus Day) Oct. 12, features billboards that appear in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many touch on pressing issues of the current political campaign process.
Oct 20, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — A new minor in agricultural human resources management is preparing SUNY Morrisville graduates to meet the growing demands of the modern farm business.
“The diverse nature of the agricultural industry, increased agricultural labor laws and rapid consolidation of the agricultural industry are all factors influencing and creating the demand for this academic minor,” said Sheila Marshman, associate professor of agricultural business at SUNY Morrisville.
Oct 02, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville, in collaboration with International Pathway Programs (IPP), has signed a transfer agreement with Beijing Foreign Studies University's School of English and International Studies (SEIS), one of China’s most prestigious universities.
SUNY Morrisville is the first college in the United States to partner with SEIS. Students who successfully complete their degree program receive a diploma from The State University of New York.
![Kerin Warner poses after taking top trainer at Vernon Downs racetrack](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Kerin%20Warner%20Award.jpg?h=dad68524&itok=dlxFJukV)
Oct 01, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Kerin Warner left Rutgers University with a degree in history, but circumstances and a lifetime of horses led him in a different direction.
Sep 16, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville has been recognized again for its excellence with numerous listings in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, a publication renowned for its higher education rankings.
Aug 14, 2020
MORRISVILLE, NY – The Morrisville College Foundation has elected three new directors to its 25-member board.
New members, Shirley Crawford, Nancy Roberts and Rita Scharman ’81, took office on July 1. Each will serve a three-year term.
![Horses who once relied on classes of students for their care, learned to rely on unheralded equine students and dedicated faculty and staff to keep them going during the COVID-19 quarantine, including Kaitlin Renschen, left, with Donald, and Kendalle Booth with Wilma.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Kaitlin%20Renschen%20and%20Kendalle%20Booth_0.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=jSBsBvhV)
Jul 20, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — She’s generally a jovial horse, but Lola is happier than ever these days. Poking her nose through a stall at the SUNY Morrisville Western barn, she nickers at two students on whose care she has come to rely the past few months.
Equine students Kaitlin Renschen and Kendalle Booth are equally excited to see their four-legged friend, having a natural conversation with her as they lead her to the Western riding ring.
Jul 16, 2020
NORWICH, N.Y. — The SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus is offering a new human services certificate, which is available online and on campus.
The 21-credit program provides education and training to individuals who are looking for a career helping others and for professionals already employed in the human services field who want to advance their careers. The campus also offers an A.A.S. degree in human services.
![SUNY Morrisville's Return-to-Campus Plan](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Fall%202020%20Update-3.png?h=57024e64&itok=4ZmgA60r)
Jul 07, 2020
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville has announced its plan to reopen campus this fall, after receiving approval from SUNY and meeting New York State Department of Health’s Reopening New York Higher Education Guidelines. Plans are subject to change due to new information, guidance and/or direction received from the State of New York and the Governor’s Office.
![Angela Marriott, right, poses with Hope Solo, former United States Women’s National Team (soccer) goalkeeper.](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/Marriott-soccer.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=mh_PWBGY)
May 22, 2020
For Angela Marriott ’17, it was a career-defining moment.
In the summer of 2015, she observed the daily work of police officers during a ride-along in her hometown of Peekskill, New York. Seeing firsthand how a female officer deftly handled the challenges of the job cemented her desire to pursue a career in law enforcement.
“The way she was connected and interacted with people and carried herself as a woman in law enforcement is who I aspired to be,” Marriott said.
![Sheneya Wilson](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/sheneya-Wilson.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=-IlIymbO)
May 22, 2020
Sheneya Wilson ’13 commanded the room. Wilson, a Ph.D. student, Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholar, author and business owner, visited campus to deliver the keynote lecture for Entrepreneurs’ Day, held February 27.
![Julio Torres Santana](/sites/default/files/styles/giant_square_650_x_650_/public/news/promotional-images/AP_0577.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=xcFoz6qy)
May 22, 2020
Julio Torres Santana ’07 didn’t speak English when he arrived in New York City as a teenager.
No one in his family had ever graduated from college, and his childhood in the Dominican Republic was marked with poverty and hardship.
But his drive to succeed and passion for architecture pushed him to complete an associate degree at SUNY Morrisville and become the school’s first architectural studies student to be accepted into the bachelor’s degree program at Cornell University.