Alumni News

As a SUNY Morrisville automotive technology A.A.S. student in the Mopar Career Automotive Program (MCAP), Zachery Ward '19 knew the skills he was learning would prepare him for a successful future as a certified service technician. Little did he know that we would set the standard for the next wave of aspiring technicians. 

Monday morning, the second week of classes, and in the Western barn, the nicker of horses and warmth of well-used leather replaces the starch of lectures and laptops.

Andy Lagoe ’92 and Gil Hodges ’92 wanted to come up with a way to show how proud they are to be Mustangs. The duo, owners of Gilligan’s Ice Cream along with partner Mike Lagoe, decided the best way was to do what they do best. So they churned up an ice cream flavor contest at SUNY Morrisville. “We thought, why not reach out to our alma mater to see if they would want to collaborate and create a flavor for Morrisville,” Andy Lagoe said.  

Alumni and students play a role in harnessing community solar energy In Tompkins County, 6,804 solar panels sit on a 13-acre plot of farmland in the town of Endfield. The 2.3-megawatt solar array helps power 373 households, reducing greenhouse gases by 1,430 metric tons annually, the equivalent of removing 306 cars from the road.

Unrelenting spirit of giving drives Volunteer of the Year Patricia “Patty” King ’77 is spirited by helping others. Whether it’s running, racing, volunteering, leading, hiring, mentoring or otherwise, she does all she can to support her career field, her alma mater and the people she serves through both.

Greg Carroll champions winning culture following 18-year career as athletics director Greg Carroll still remembers his wild first day on the job as director of athletics at SUNY Morrisville. Fresh off a successful 12-year run as the athletics director and director of communications for the Cazenovia (New York) school district, Carroll walked into football check-in day before the 2001 season. Nearly 150 student-athletes flooded campus looking for his assistance.

How Charles Okine is using inspiration to empower others Charles Okine ’18 has a personal brand that could be described as: always be inspired. “Everything around you is inspirational,” Okine said. “I try to take the best of everyone around me and try to use that to become a better me.” Thanks to his experience at SUNY Morrisville, Okine becoming a “better me” helped bring out the best in those around him, as well.

Seeds of popular landscaping & nursery dynasty were planted at SUNY Morrisville They started small, but their dreams grew big. Throughout the past three decades, Lasnicki Landscaping & Nursery’s comprehensive services and family atmosphere have grown to reap the admiration of the local community and far beyond the reaches of its physical location on County Route 32 in Hastings, New York.

Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center offers pathway to a new life

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — The SUNY Morrisville Theater Department and Student Government Organization present Tom Griffin’s “The Boys Next Door,” Thursday, Oct. 31, Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov.  3 at 2 p.m. in the theater of the college’s John W. Stewart Center for Student Activities (STUAC).  

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Learn about important issues, trends and career opportunities in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, architecture, tourism, hospitality and culinary, and network with leading professionals at SUNY Morrisville’s School of Agriculture, Business & Technology conference, Advancing Knowledge and Opportunities in Agriculture, Business and Technology Through Community Engagement, Education and Networking, on Saturday, Oct. 19. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Calling all Mustangs: SUNY Morrisville welcomes alumni, students, friends and family to campus for Mustang Weekend Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28. Highlights from the weekend’s event, which is open to the public and campus community, include a campus parade, campus tours, community picnic, carnival and rides, fireworks, and a variety of student activities and athletics contests. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — AQHA professional horseman Jonathan Meilleur will hold a clinic on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the SUNY Morrisville Western Barn on Swamp Road.  The clinic, which is open to all riders, breeds and disciplines, features trail, horsemanship or Western pleasure.  Meilleur, a renowned trainer and judge, has trained and shown several Congress and World Champions, as well as many Congress top 10 placers in multiple events.

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — The last time Jeff Cantine was on the SUNY Morrisville campus 42 years ago, he was participating in a Boys State government leadership conference. This time, he was there to buy a horse. Jeff and his wife, Jackie Cantine, were working with trainer Mickey McGivern, giving him their opinions on several horses he had his eye on during SUNY Morrisville’s Annual Yearling Sale. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Learn about the future of renewable energy during a clean energy and climate initiatives showcase, Navigating Policy and Future Opportunity, at SUNY Morrisville Thursday, Sept. 26, from 1-4 p.m. in the John W. Stewart Center for Student Activities (STUAC). The event brings industry leaders and policy makers together to discuss clean energy opportunities and recent climate change initiatives in New York State, and clean energy workforce trainings. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville presents its annual Fall Yearling Sale Sunday, Sept. 15 at noon at the college’s Nancy Sears Stowell Arena on Swamp Road in the town of Smithfield. Yearlings are available for inspection Saturday, Sept. 14, after 10 a.m.   The highly anticipated sale, which is free and open to the public, draws a crowd of potential buyers, sellers, trainers and owners from across the Northeast. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville will bring its innovation, animals, drag car, a cannabis display, a virtual reality experience with giveaway viewers and exciting hands-on approach to learning to the Great New York State Fair again this year. The fair runs Aug. 21-Sept. 2. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. —  The Morrisville College Foundation Board of Directors elected three new members to its 23-member board.  The new members, John DeVito, Brian Haugli ’06 and Mary Claire Helmer ’81, took office on July 1. They will serve three-year terms.  DeVito, of Averill Park, is senior vice president and director of government banking and cash management for Berkshire Bank, in Albany. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — Elijah Kozubal digs science. The 13-year-old ninth grader wants to be a marine biologist someday. He’s learning more about various careers in science and technology during a three-week summer Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at SUNY Morrisville through July 25. 

MORRISVILLE, N.Y.— Stevie Watson is the new dean of the School of Agriculture, Business & Technology at SUNY Morrisville, beginning July 1. 

MORRISVILLE, NY—Three SUNY Morrisville faculty and staff members were recently honored. Receiving the SUNY Morrisville Distinguished Faculty Award was Alfred P. Muss II, of Fayetteville, professor of business & entrepreneurship. Muss joined the Morrisville faculty in 2001, where he has been instrumental in the growth of programs, developing numerous courses and degrees, including the entrepreneurship & small business management B.B.A.

Tossing a lacrosse ball back and forth was a big part of Louie ’15 and Nick Geswaldo’s childhood. While others were playing video games, the brothers were shooting and catching, from dawn to dusk, in the backyard of their LaFayette, New York, home.   As they got older, their love for lacrosse deepened their brotherly camaraderie and spread to a college community.

Breaking into the upper echelons of professional horse training isn’t easy, especially for east coast riders who aren’t from horse families. Jeremy Gates ’99 is proving that hard work and determination can overcome geographical boundaries and a later introduction to the horse industry. His career boasts one of the highest scores in a National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) event, as well as world and reserve world championship titles.

After playing a major role in the revitalization of industrial hemp in New York State, SUNY Morrisville is rolling out a new minor in cannabis studies that will prepare students for the rapidly growing medicinal and recreational marijuana industry.

This semester has been anything but ordinary for SUNY Morrisville student Emilee Niejadlik.  Through an internship as an aquarium fellow at the world-class Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), she interacted with octopuses, helped heal a wolf eel, and saw firsthand the magnificence of a sunflower sea star, the largest many-rayed sea star in the world.