The Alfred Community Garden is currently requesting materials to build a storage shed for its garden tools, and members of the college’s Emerging Pioneer Leadership Program (EPLP) are leading the hunt for donations. The garden, now in its fourth planting year, is located on State Route 21 in Alfred on land belonging to Alfred State and is open to members of the campus community, members of the local community, and not-for-profits who wish to learn about and grow produce. Part of its mission is focused on combating local food insecurity through a community-based gardening and nutritional literacy campaign in conjunction with Alfred State and Literacy West NY, Inc.

The EPLP is calling this initiative the Community Garden Gold Project, and they’re currently asking for any donations. “The garden is a great asset to the community, and they really need storage space, so Allana Havernick and I decided that we’d try to find building materials that could be useful,” said EPLP member Danielle Thone, a native of Wappingers Falls and student in the interior design program. Allana Havernick, also an EPLP member, hails from Arcade and is currently studying environmental technology.

“Since the garden does not have the money to buy a shed from scratch, Danielle and I thought we would ask the community for spare building materials that might no longer be needed. We have friends lined up who are willing to pick up materials and build the shed out of the repurposed items,” Allana said. Both girls have reached the gold level in the EPLP program—the second level of a four-tier group advocating student leadership and civic engagement. EPLP members also attend workshops, experience mentor relationships, and participate in meaningful community service as part of the program.

The students are asking members of the community to support their project by donating materials—anything from old or torn down shacks to chicken coops to extra wood or materials already slated for the recycle pile.

Contact Danielle Thone at Thonedl@alfredstate.edu or Sandra Dennison at DennisSJ@alfredstate.edu for more information.

The Alfred Community Garden and students from Alfred State’s Emerging Pioneer Leadership Program are asking the community to donate building materials for their garden toolshed project.

As part of last month’s National Court Reporting and Captioning Week, students in Alfred State’s court reporting curriculum put a personal twist on the typical military care package, taking the time to prepare items exclusively for Alfred State alumni serving overseas.

“We were originally going to send our packages to the larger Operation Gratitude non-profit group; however, Sgt. 1st Class William Ernest, who works as a recruiter with the Army National Guard on campus and as a military science instructor for the ROTC, came up with this idea of sending our gifts straight to our own alumni,” said group advisor and court reporting instructor Danielle Green, an Alfred State alumna who hails from Wellsville. “We knew the men and women serving overseas would really appreciate that personal touch.”

“We have so many alumni who stay connected to the campus, so when Danielle brought the idea to us, it sounded like a great way to show our support and build our resumes,” said Emily Sallome, a senior court reporting student from Batavia.

Danielle and seven of her students worked long hours on this this Operation Gratitude-inspired project, which included soliciting funds for non-perishable food items, toiletries, warm clothes, and personalized thank-you cards. They were able to secure more than $160 worth of donated items from the community, the Alfred State Campus Store, and the Civic Engagement Office in time for National Court Reporting and Captioning Week, which ran Feb. 16 to 22, 2014.

Students were even able to purchase parachute paracord material with the funds and make their own version of the popular survival paracord bracelets to include in the packages. “Our students worked very hard on this project and they did a great job with the bracelets. It’s a complicated method. They tried to teach me how to do it, but I don’t quite have the hang of it yet,” Danielle said.

The students also gave out paracord bracelets and thank-you cards to former military and veterans on campus, including SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor James Grillo, a Marine combat veteran of Vietnam, the chairman of the Veteran’s Task Force at Alfred State, and an Alfred resident. Danielle says he was touched by the gift and wears his bracelet every day.

“It’s important for our overseas military to know people are thinking of them and care about the work they are doing,” Emily said. “These gifts are just a small ‘thank you’ for all they do for us.”

The Alfred State Admissions Office showed their pioneer spirit last month, entering into College Fair Registry’s national 2014 Admissions Staff Photo Contest and walking away with a first place win. “This contest was a good opportunity for the office staff to be creative and to engage the campus community in supporting Alfred State in a fun way,” said Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Deborah Goodrich. “It was an honor to receive recognition for the college on the national ‘stage.’ In addition, as the admissions office seeks to explore new recruitment territories, access to the College Fair Registry will be a valuable tool we can employ.”

College Fair Registry is an online, integrative scheduling community for college admissions departments looking to take their recruitment efforts to the next level by facilitating communication between admissions counselors and high school counselors as they plan and schedule upcoming school visits and college fairs across the nation. “Our service allows colleges to expand their recruitment schedule when traveling around the country,” said Membership & Fair Registry Coordinator Jenna Schebell, of College Fair Registry.

College Fair Registry’s annual Admission Staff Photo Contest is one more way colleges can increase their exposure and spark engagement with high school counselors, potential students, and the public—primarily through social media. “This is a week-long contest where the photo with the most votes wins,” Jenna said. The prize, other than bragging rights, was a free subscription to College Fair Registry’s service. At the end of the voting period, Alfred State took home the gold with 111 votes. This winning photo was taken by Alfred State digital media and animation student Elliot Maddox, of Islip.

“Votes were tabulated on Facebook with each person allowed one vote per day. This year we had eight colleges enter the contest to vie for a free membership. After five days of voting, in a last minute dash to the finish line, Alfred State prevailed as the winner of the 2014 Best Admission Staff Photo Contest. Their 2014 Sochi Olympics theme, ‘Alfred State Shoots for the Gold,’ was perfect timing for the contest and demonstrated the unique creativity of the staff.”

The 2014 SkillsUSA New York State Leadership and Skills Conference Postsecondary Championship held on Alfred State’s Wellsville Campus pitted 60 students from three schools against each other in one of the nation’s most prestigious showcases of career and technical aptitude. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. Alfred State students nearly swept this statewide competition with 25 wins in each of the 10 categories.

Front row (left-right): Ethan Livernash (Rochester), Knakita Harris (Whitesboro), Jessica Baier (Rochester), Kareena Dennis (Springville), Evan Engelbrecht (Rochester), Josh Blakeslee (Farmersville), Jacob Passalugo (Cortland)
2nd row (left-right): Brittany Hedgepeth (Buffalo), Kody Wolfer (Wellsville), Tim Alvarez (Tampa, Fla.), Joe Kurch (Buffalo), Christopher Buddell (Buffalo), Joe Livecchi (Webster), Dylan Davis (Naples)
Back row (left-right): James Haviland (Patterson), Zachary Catherman (Coudersport, Pa.), Jacob Greene (Friendship), David Crosby (Hornell), Patrick Kelly (Caledonia), Travis Goodspeed (Fort Ann)

Winners by Competition

AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Christopher Buddell, Buffalo (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Travis Goodspeed, Fort Ann (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Patrick Kelly, Caledonia (Alfred State)

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE–

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Dylan Davis, Naples (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Nolan Wangelin, Holland (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Evan Engelbrecht, Rochester (Alfred State)

CARPENTRY –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Logan Pondolfino, Oneonta (SUNY Delhi)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Travis Harvey, Almond (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Kevin Kiefer, Greenville (SUNY Delhi)

COMMERCIAL BAKING –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Knakita Harris, Whitesboro (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Jessica Baier, Rochester (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Kareena Dennis, Springville (Alfred State)

CULINARY ARTS –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Brittany Hedgepeth, Buffalo (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Josh Blakeslee, Farmersville (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Tim Alvarez, Tampa, Fla. (Culinary Institute of America)

ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WIRING –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Jacob Passalugo, Cortland (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Joseph Livecchi, Webster (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Joseph Kurch, Buffalo (Alfred State)

MASONRY –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: James Haviland, Patterson (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Ethan Livernash, Rochester (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: David Crosby, Hornell (Alfred State)

PRECISION MACHINING –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Nicholas Farnsworth, Dorchester, N.H. (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: John Martina, South Wales (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Xavier Smith, Olean (Alfred State)

TECHNICAL DRAFTING –

• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Lisa Cornish, Dundee (Alfred State)

WELDING –

• THIRD PLACE winning the BRONZE MEDAL: Zachary Catherman, Coudersport, Pa. (Alfred State)
• SECOND PLACE winning the SILVER MEDAL: Kody Wolfer, Wellsville (Alfred State)
• FIRST PLACE winning the GOLD MEDAL: Jacob Greene, Friendship (Alfred State)

The Hinkle Library at Alfred State is pleased to present a collection of student artwork from Haverling High School in Bath. Students completed their work under the guidance of art teacher Steven Randall. The work exhibited will run throughout April and includes an array of projects from Randall’s drawing, painting, photography, and studio in art classes. Some of the projects on display include portraits drawn in charcoal, still life drawings, painted self-portraits, pastel drawings, scratchboard drawings of landscapes and animals, paper icosahedrons, and a variety of photographs. According to Mr. Randall, “This small sampling of work is a tiny sliver of what will be on display for our Spring Art Show scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2014, in the Bath Haverling High School gymnasium.”

The Hinkle Library Gallery is open during regular library hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fridays, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 1-7 p.m.; and Sundays, 1- 11 p.m.

To inquire about exhibiting your work in the Hinkle Gallery, email library@alfredstate.edu or call 607-587-4313.

The Board of Trustees of the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) announces the renewal of accreditation of the construction management program at Alfred State. The program has maintained the stringent standards of the ACCE and has proven to the board, through a visiting team of its peer and industry practitioners, that the program is worthy of accreditation.

The construction management engineering technology (BS) program at Alfred State includes a series of technical courses designed to familiarize the graduate with all aspects of construction management, as well as a series of related courses in math, science, and several business courses, which give the graduate a broad-based education that provides the skills needed in a leadership role in today's construction business.

The ACCE was established in 1974 to be a leading global advocate of quality construction education and to promote, support, and accredit quality construction education programs around the world. The ACCE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the accrediting agency for four-year baccalaureate degree programs in construction, construction science, construction management, and construction technology and is the accrediting agency for two-year associate degree programs of a similar nature.

SUNY officials approved William Goodrich, president and CEO of Rochester’s LeChase Construction and a 1984 graduate of Alfred State, as the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree last month. Alfred State President Skip Sullivan will present the award at the College’s 2014 Commencement ceremony this May.

“Over the years, Bill has guided his company with a set of values that we at Alfred State cherish—things like quality, integrity, and social responsibility. That’s why he is one of Western New York’s most effective and successful business leaders and why he is such a wonderful role model and mentor for our students,” Sullivan said.

Goodrich has been an integral member of LeChase since 1985. He was named President in 2002 and CEO in 2007. Among his many accomplishments, he has also been instrumental in the ongoing geographic expansion of the organization, its advocacy for sustainable construction, and the development of safety programs to propel the company into becoming a world-class safety organization. LeChase’s commitment to the community on global, national, regional, and local levels is a key element of the company’s corporate ethics and philosophy. Goodrich has also integrated sustainable building practices into the corporation’s daily business operations.

A strong supporter of education, Goodrich has worked with Alfred State for many years to ensure that his employees and Alfred State graduates are leaders in the construction industry. To date, more than 40 Alfred State graduates have found careers at LeChase. Goodrich has also been involved with Rochester Careers in Construction, a program that connects high school faculty and students with construction industry experts, for more than a decade. He has been a driving force behind continuing education and training being available for the company’s employees, allowing for internal growth and a high retention rate. Currently, he is behind the development of a dedicated learning environment within LeChase.

At Alfred State, Goodrich’s work has been instrumental in the successful completion of the $4.1 million Construction Workforce Development Center at the School of Applied Technology in Wellsville, which is now in its final stages, and in the opening of the $33.5 million Student Leadership Center, where LeChase sponsored one of thirteen leadership suites awarded to community-focused student organizations. LeChase supports several institutional, charitable, and community-based organizations on an annual basis. This practice has been a cultural foundation for many years.

In his personal life, Goodrich maintains active membership in many community and professional organizations that work to improve lives, including the Hillside Children’s Center, Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Boy Scouts of America, NYS Trooper Foundation, Junior Achievements, and the United Way to name a few. His free time is spent with his family, relaxing, traveling, and participating in a variety of activities with his wife Rhonda and both his children who are currently in college. “Family values, both inside and outside of LeChase, are critical components to growing personally and professionally. I am truly blessed to have a caring and supportive family at home and at work,” Bill said.

Goodrich was the recipient of a President’s Medallion from Alfred State in 2010; was the keynote speaker for Alfred State’s 99th Commencement ceremony; and was featured in the Transitions, the College’s alumni magazine, in spring 2013. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College and an associate degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Alfred State.

“We are delighted to present Bill Goodrich with this award,” Sullivan said. “The College is proud to call such a civically engaged, innovative leader one of its own.”

Student displays from nine local school districts (Addison, Andover, Canaseraga, Hammondsport, Hinsdale, Portville, Prattsburgh, St. Anne’s Academy, and Tuscarora) were judged at Alfred State’s 15th Annual Regional Science and Technology Fair on April 4. Sixty-three science and technology projects were on display for judging and public viewing. Participants were divided into senior (grades 10-12), junior (grades 7-9), and novice grade categories. A total of 77 students presented their projects to the judges for a chance at $1,590 in prize money.

The grand prize of $500 was awarded to Ryan Kent, of Portville, for his “Benefits of air power” project. Hinsdale and Portville school districts won best junior and senior division schools respectively. (Pictured here, Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan congratulates grand prize winner Ryan Kent.)

Winners in the senior division included Lydia Lukomski, of Portville, who earned a $250 first place prize for her “physics of volleyball” project; Ryan Thierman and Darienne Slocum, both of Portville, who won a $150 second place prize for their “Breaking bad battery;” and Nicholai Dowdy, of Hinsdale, who won a $100 third place prize for his “Visual agent best camouflage” project.

Winners in the junior division included Grace Lenhard, of Prattsburgh, who won first place and $250 for her “Likes and dislikes of smells” project; Kristin Chapman, of Hinsdale, who won second place and $150 for “Crank it to power it,” and Tyler Vroman, of Addison, who won third place and $100 for “Mushroom ethanol.”

Winners in the novice division included first place and $50 to Brenden Everdyke, of Prattsburgh, with “Marble Race”; second place and $25 to David Mcintosh and Ryan Reynolds, of Canaseraga, with “Fracking;” and a $15 third place win to Nolan Randall, of Prattsburgh, with “Bess Beetle.”

Each participant received a certificate of participation, and individual ribbons were presented to first-, second-, and third-place prize winners in all divisions. Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan stopped by the event to congratulate the winners and view the projects. The prizes were sponsored by Alstom Transportation, Alfred State Student Senate, Alfred State Physical and Health Sciences Department, Wards Scientific, Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad laboratories.

Back row (left to right): Ryan Kent, grand prize winner (Portville); Nicholai Dowdy, third place senior division (Hinsdale); Ryan Thierman, second place senior division (Portville); Lydia Lukomski, first place senior division (Portville); Tyler Vroman, third place junior division (Addison); Ryan Reynolds, second place novice division (Canaseraga); Grace Lenhard, first place junior division (Prattsburgh)
First row (left to right): Darienne Slocum, second place senior division (Portville); Brenden Everdyke, first place novice division (Prattsburgh); Nolan Randall, third place novice (Prattsburgh); David Mcintosh, second place novice (Canaseraga); Kristin Chapman, second place junior division (Hinsdale)

Alfred State student Kayla Franchina, of Gerry, has recently been named a 2014 recipient of the Newman Civic Fellows Award from Campus Compact for her role in launching Project Prom Dress at Alfred State. Kayla is one of less than 200 students in the country being honored this year and the only Alfred State student to ever receive the award. The Newman Civic Fellows Award is given to those student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in enacting positive and lasting change in their communities through service, research, and advocacy.

Project Prom Dress, of which Kayla is the founder, focuses on collecting donated prom dresses, accessories, and cash donations for underprivileged teenage women. The group also hosts dress drives and sponsors proms at low-income schools. “For me, it isn’t just about getting dresses for these girls; it’s about helping them have the night of their lives,” Kayla says. “This project helps these women feel great about themselves, even if they can’t afford to go into a store and pick out something new to wear.”

Kayla started her prom dress drive after experiencing the sticker shock of looking for her own prom dress on a tight budget. “I was with my mom and we were in a prom dress store—the only one within hours of our town—and there wasn’t a single dress under $100. I knew it would be hard for me to get one, and I knew a lot of my friends wouldn’t be able to get a dress at all. I had to do something about it, so I started my first dress drive, and it just snowballed from there.”

This prom dress project has since attracted a lot of attention—from local media to businesses to local government, even earning significant support from Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon. After transitioning the project to Alfred State and helping to form it into a highly regarded club, Kayla began acting as a mentor to new club members. She now helps form connections between club members and members of the community in order to facilitate donations and keep the project moving forward.

“Today, I’m teaching the young men and women who will be taking the project over and getting them ready to take the wheel. This experience has really taught me a lot about networking and the importance of reaching out to people at all levels. That’s the only way you can really make a difference,” Kayla says.

To date, Kayla and project prom dress have collected hundreds of dresses, accessories, and shoes from generous local businesses and passed them on to dozens of young women. And this year, thanks to their efforts and local fundraising, Whitesville Central School will be able to host its own prom.

“I’ve learned that people love helping other people if you give them the chance. It’s one of the best learning experiences of this project. You get to see how generous these small communities are and how easily they come together.”

The SUNY Alfred State University Police Department has been honored with two Best Practices Awards from Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). This initiative is designed to build a database of valuable programs from which NASPA members can adopt and adapt for their own campuses. The awards were presented at the annual NASPA Campus Safety Knowledge Community meeting in Baltimore, Md.

The University Police Department received the Campus Safety Knowledge Community Award for Best Practices in General Categories for implementing the Values-Oriented Ten-Minute Training endeavor as part of an overall paradigm-shift within the department to a learning organization.

The department also received the Campus Safety Knowledge Community Award for Best Practices in Preparation for improving the use of force continuum by integrating it with the DRRM.

Law enforcement is coordinated on the Alfred State campus by the University Police Department, a fully accredited law enforcement agency. The department at Alfred State consists of a chief of police, department secretary, three lieutenants, four full-time dispatchers, and eight sworn police officers. All officers in this department are certified police officers in New York State.

Twenty-one students from Alfred State’s electrical construction and maintenance electrician program braved the wintry weather last month to honor friend and fellow student, Trevor Randall, who died in a recent car accident, by completing one of Trevor’s unfinished service projects in their spare time—spending two Saturdays wiring the new Bolivar town highway barn. Professors Steve Kielar, Calvin O’Dell, and Dan Noyes were also involved in the project.

“Mr. Kielar came to me and told me Trevor had been working on a project near his hometown and they needed someone to finish it,” said student Daniel Napolionello, of Valley Stream. For Daniel and many of the other students in his class, Trevor was both a friend and an inspiration—a young man who worked hard and went out of his way to help others. ”Pretty much everyone in the class wanted to be in on it from the beginning. It wasn’t hard saying we’d give up two Saturdays for him because of the impact he had on all of us.”

Trevor started the project after hearing about it from his instructors, who’d been approached by town officials with the opportunity for a service project. Although unable to fit the project into the curricula, faculty in the electrical construction and maintenance electrician program knew of one student who’d be willing to put in the time and effort—Trevor Randall, a native of the Bolivar area.

“Trevor was already an incredibly hard-working, dedicated professional and he hadn’t even graduated yet,” said Steve Kielar, an instructor in the program and a resident of Olean. “We knew he’d get the work done and do a great job.”

“It was pretty amazing how, throughout the whole job, we knew Trevor had taken it all on by himself. It might have taken him a full month going five days a week, but he would have done it,” Daniel said.

Trevor was only able to work on the project for three days before a car accident claimed his life, but his fellow students were more than willing to step in and finish the project in memory of their friend. These 21 young people completed wiring the entire structure, from inside and outside lights to the electrical panel, all in just two 10-hour days.

The students also created and sold bracelets, the proceeds from which will go toward a memorial bench outside Bolivar-Richburg Central School in Trevor’s honor.

When asked, the students say they simply hope the project helps keep Trevor’s memory alive. “I hope people realize how good of a guy he was and how much of an impact he had on the whole class and the program,” Daniel said. “This wasn’t a job we were hoping to be recognized for. It was just for Trevor.”

Back row (from left to right): Brad Schiralli, superintendent of highways town of Bolivar; Dylan Loney, Massapequa; Tyler Vanderbilt, Williamson; Brandon Hayes, Freeville; Joshua Lenahan, Woodhull; Evan Sutterby, Sterling; Dalton MacMyne, Binghamton; Nathan Kulak, Grand Island; Nathan Andres, Sandusky; Michael Drago, Brooklyn; Alex Ortiz, Bolivar; Shane Kehlenbeck, Shortsville; Robert Park, Depew. Front row (from left to right): Steve Kielar, instructor electrical construction and maintenance electrician program, Olean; Timothy Monahan, Fairport; Daniel Napolionello, Valley Stream.

Not pictured: Conner Fox, Phelps; Mathew Henkel, Clarence; Dylan Snyder, Penn Yan; Kevin Morsman, Bolivar; Joseph Kurch, Buffalo; Candice Westmorland, Lockport; Danel Bowen, Bolivar.

The Alfred State Alumni Choir will present the 63rd Annual Spring Concert on Sunday, April 27, 2014, at 2 p.m. The concert will be performed in the Anthony C. Cappadonia Auditorium in the Orvis Activities Center on the Alfred State campus and will be dedicated to former director, Anthony C. Cappadonia, who passed away on Feb. 7, 2014.

Groups performing will include Alfred State Voices, the student choral group directed by Linda Staiger; the Alumni Jazz Singers; ’87 Quartet; ’57 Varieties Instrumental group; and the Alumni Choir consisting of those who performed as students under the direction of Mr. Cappadonia from 1951 to 2007 and in alumni concerts through 2013.

Selections by the groups will include arrangements by Mr. Cappadonia such as “If Ever I Would Leave You” and “Somewhere” from West Side Story. A special tribute to Anthony Cappadonia has been written by Alfred State alumnus Bob Scott and will be performed by an instrumental group. The concert is free and open to the public.

Dr. Richard Kellogg, professor emeritus of psychology at Alfred State, is the author of a new book titled Barry Baskerville Returns. This children’s story, intended for an audience of young readers between the ages of seven and 10, is beautifully illustrated in color by noted Hawaiian artist Gary Kato.

The book is about a precocious youngster named Barry Baskerville who lives in Watsonville. Barry aspires to become a famous detective like his role model Sherlock Holmes. As expected, Barry irritates his friends and teachers by wearing a deerstalker hat, peering at everything through a magnifying glass, and flaunting his astounding powers of observation and deduction. During a family vacation at the beach, Barry impresses his parents by investigating the case of the missing car keys. The Baskervilles conclude that it really is nice to have a detective in the family.

Barry Baskerville Returns shows school-age children the importance of making accurate observations and then making logical deductions from their observations. The lessons taught in the story are designed to enhance problem-solving abilities. The book is published by Airship 27 of Fort Collins, Colo., and is available in both print and Kindle formats through Amazon.

Dr. Kellogg is the author of four previous books dealing with Sherlock Holmes; the most recent is titled Barry Baskerville Solves a Case (Airship 27, 2013). He has received grants from the SUNY Research Foundation to develop instructional materials on the problem-solving strategies of “The Great Detective.” A frequent contributor to The Baker Street Journal and The Serpentine Muse, Kellogg enjoys introducing young readers to Baker Street and the magical world of Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion, Dr. John Watson.

On April 2, 2014, SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher honored more than 300 college students from campuses throughout the state, presenting 274 SUNY students with the 2014 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, and congratulating 68 SUNY and CUNY students who received awards from Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society. Three Alfred State students received a 2014 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence—Joshua R. Altemoos, of Buffalo; Rachel Howard, of Pittsford; and Carley S. Youngman, of Spencerport.

“Students honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence, and those recognized by Phi Theta Kappa, truly embody the power of SUNY,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “As proven leaders and role models, scholar athletes, creative artists, and civic volunteers, each student is recognized not just for academic achievement, but also for the profound impact they have on college campuses and local communities across New York State. Congratulations to all of the students being recognized today.”

“When I learned that I would be a recipient, I was shocked and humbled. All of the work that I have done for the Alfred community I have not done to be recognized or rewarded for; I did it for the students of this campus,” said Josh Altemoos. Josh is a student in the Computer Information Technology Department and serves as president of the Student Senate, student director of the Auxiliary Campus Enterprise Services Board of Directors, and as director of information services & technology for the SUNY Student Assembly.

Rachel, a student in the Agriculture and Veterinary Technology Department, served as president of the Veterinary Technology Club and was a supplemental instructor for Anatomy & Physiology of Large & Small Animals. Rachel volunteered weekly at the Hornell Humane Society.

Carley, a student of both architectural technology and construction management engineering technology, served as team captain of the Design Build Team at the American Schools of Construction Region 1 Student Competition, where the team placed second. Carley was also a project intern at LeChase and served as captain of the volleyball team.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, or career achievement.

Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office and are subject to a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award. Each recipient receives a framed certificate and medallion, which is traditionally worn at commencement.

Dozens of Alfred State employees once again participated in the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day. This event was open to employees' children and grandchildren between the ages of 8 and 15. Participants enjoyed interactive learning activities such as visiting the University Police Department; taking a residence hall tour; and building raised beds for the Alfred Community Garden.

Eleven-year-old Carolyn, daughter of Andover resident and Coordinator of International Student Services Tricia Herritt, attended the event for the second year and said she especially enjoyed visiting the University Police Department and getting to participate in things like fingerprinting. Other activities included terrarium planting; demonstrations in machine tool, CAD, and forensics; cookie decorating; and backhoe games.

“It is beneficial for the children to see and learn about what academic and social opportunities are on a college campus,” said Dawn Butts, also of Andover. Dawn is an academic support specialist in the Student Success Center. Her 12-year-old daughter, Sarah, and 8-year-old son, Eric, also attended; the forensics and CAD demonstrations ended up being their favorites—that and the excellent meal prepared by Auxiliary Campus Enterprises and Services (ACES). “Of course, eating lunch at the Central Dining Hall is always a big hit,” Dawn said.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day is designed to expand opportunities for girls and boys, expose them to what adults in their lives do during the work day, show them the value of their education, and give them an opportunity to share how they envision their future. It is intended to be more than a career day. Each year, workplaces and adults around the country recognize its benefits and participate in the program to support our nation's daughters and sons. The Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day program was founded by the Ms. Foundation for Women to create an opportunity for girls and boys to share and communicate their expectations for the future.

In photo above, Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan speaks to local children during the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day at Alfred State.

The Psi Delta Omega fraternity has been a part of the Alfred community for 75 years, celebrating its anniversary this winter in Buffalo, N.Y. However, in the fall of 1998, Psi Delta Omega lost recognition with Alfred State. Now, after a 13-year hiatus, the Psi-D alumni have formed Psi Delta Omega Alumni Association, Inc., and have negotiated terms of re-entry on a probationary status with Alfred State.

This agreement allowed Psi Delta Omega to be recognized as part of the Greek community, but it was a trial run. They were allowed to put pledge classes through and attend Greek senate but had to earn back voting rights and their place in the Greek community through group efforts in community service, involvement in leadership development programs, and by managing their educational performance.

Over the past two-plus years, Psi-D has logged hundreds of hours in community service, focusing their efforts at the Hornell animal shelter. As a group they have immersed themselves in the programs that are the focus of Greek life and, as a group, have consistently earned a cumulative GPA north of 3.0.

After a lot of work set forth by the solid leadership from their initial two presidents, Andre Coulter-Frett and Ryan Dontoh, as well as by the active brothers and hundreds of alumni, the Psi Delta Omega Fraternity proved to Alfred State and the Greek Community that they deserve to be fully recognized.

March 27, 2014, marked a day in history for Psi Delta Omega at Alfred State. Current Greek Senate president, Kory Shick, gave the news to the fraternity. Because of the group’s commitment to the pillars of Greek life at Alfred, the Greek community voted to grant the organization full recognition even before the probationary period officially ended. The news spread quickly through social media and through campus. Psi Delta Omega was congratulated over and over for all their efforts and welcomed back with open arms.

Senior students in the Digital Media and Animation Department will be screening their best work for the public on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at noon in room 215, and an exhibit of more work will be displayed in the Llewellyn Gallery after the screening. Both room 215 and The Llewellyn Gallery are in the School of Engineering Technology building located on the Alfred State Campus. The displays will cover a range of disciplines—from 3D animation, to 2D animation, to gallery installations, and more. These works will show currently enrolled students, prospective students, and the public the level and range of technical and artistic skills individuals can reach in this program.

The Digital Media and Animation Department at Alfred State prepares graduates for immediate employment or continued educational opportunities in a range of design- and technology-related disciplines. The department provides quality technical education that integrates theory and practice with a foundation in the arts and sciences.

Alfred State’s Center for Community Education and Training (CCET) is offering a summer camp for career exploration and summer training in machining, welding, heavy equipment, and more.

233 - Hour CNC Precision Machining & Basic Welding Certificate Program
Location: Alfred State – Wellsville /Dresser-Rand Machine Shop Location
Dates: May 27– August 1; Computer Numerical Control (CNC) runs first eight weeks (Tues. – Thurs.); Welding runs final two weeks (Mon. – Fri.)
Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. with 1/2 hour lunch; CNC = 168 hours; Welding = 65 hours
Cost: $2,700 per person
This training prepares you for entry-level jobs in a variety of machining occupations. Learn blue print reading, basic shop math, measurement tools, manual and CNC lathes and mills, and safety and programming of machines. The final two weeks will provide hands-on welding training. Learn the basic skill sets of welding in stick, oxy-fuel, MIG, and TIG using the tools, equipment, and consumables of the welding trade in a fast-paced learning environment. Learn all the tools you’ll need on the job today. A mini job fair will be held at the end of the training.

Heavy Equipment Maintenance and CDL Training
Location: Alfred State – Wellsville
Dates: Heavy Equipment runs June 16 – July 10 (Mon. – Thurs.); CDL Training runs June 20 – July 25 (Fri. only); One-on-one drive time will be scheduled with each student and an instructor
Time: Heavy Equipment runs 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. with ½ hour lunch = 128 hours; CDL Training runs 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Fridays) with ½ hour lunch = 24 hours (in classroom)
Cost: CDL license with maintenance training: $3300 per student; Just CDL training: $2800
Students will receive onsite, hands-on training with wheel loaders, backhoes, excavators, and bulldozers. They will gain simulator training with excavators and bulldozers in state-of-the-art simulator technology—a CAT 320-size excavator and a bulldozer simulator based on the John Deere 700 series.
The simulator offers industry standard joystick controls and heavy equipment load and lash training. The CDL Class A or B training allows the student to have one-on-one drive with the instructor in order to receive the driving hours required for the road test (up to 40 hours). The road test is included at the end of the training no later than July 25 as the students are ready.
The preventive maintenance training option will educate both operators and supervisors on proper maintenance practices for equipment. Training will cover backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, wheel loaders, trucks, and trailers.

Career Exploration Institute
Dates: Mon., July 21 – Thurs., July 24
Times: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily
Cost: $50 (per student)
Age Range: Grades 8-12
Not sure what you want to be when you grow up? We can help! Join us at Alfred State for a four-day career exploration. You’ll enjoy four fun-packed days of exploration as well as college information that can help you make the right choice. You’ll explore everything from Culinary Arts to Heavy Equipment and even visit the College Farm. This educational, hands-on experience is promised to be fun for all.

Registration Information: call 607-587-4015 or email ccet@alfredstate.edu. Enrollment is limited, so please register early!

David Campbell, successful businessman and founder and chair of All Hands Volunteers, will be the speaker for Alfred State’s 103rd Commencement on May 18, 2014.

Campbell, a native of Buffalo and resident of Carlisle, Massachusetts, has truly done it all over his 50 years in business—he’s been President of BBN Technologies of Cambridge and CEO at Computer Task Group of Buffalo and Xpedior of Chicago. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Tektronix, M&T Bank, MRO Software, and Gibraltar Industries; he has been a Trustee at both Niagara University and the University at Buffalo; held the position of Chairman for Roswell Park Cancer Institute Council, the Buffalo United Way campaign, the Erie County IDA, and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce; and he has served on the board of directors for numerous other corporate and nonprofit entities.

But it wasn’t until 2005—after learning about the devastation caused by a tsunami in Thailand and traveling to that Southeast Asian country to help—that he embarked on some his greatest humanitarian endeavors, becoming one of the founders of HandsonThailand.org, which brought in more than 200 volunteers and several hundred thousand dollars to assist in rebuilding five Phuket fishing villages.

Inspired to continue the work of providing hands-on assistance to communities in need, Campbell then incorporated All Hands Volunteers (previously known as Hands on USA and Hands on Disaster Response, respectively) in 2006 and quickly brought 1,500 volunteers to Biloxi, Mississippi, in response to Hurricane Katrina. Under his leadership over the next seven years, the organization managed more than 30 projects.

Today, All Hands Volunteers is a model of civic engagement. This U.S.-based nonprofit does its work with maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy. And each program is directed by the needs of the community in which the volunteers work, ensuring a timely, relevant, and culturally sensitive response. To date, All Hands Volunteers has helped communities in Haiti, Peru, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. U.S. relief projects have taken place in Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Iowa.

Campbell has received numerous awards and recognitions during his career. He was named Citizen of the Year by The Buffalo News, received an honorary doctorate from Niagara University, and earned inclusion as a Fellow in the first year awards of the Purpose Prize.

Lucas Bayus, of Alfred Station, a business administration (BBA) major at Alfred State, has been named the 2013-14 Alfred State Student Employee of the Year. Bayus works in the Marketing Communications Office and was nominated by his supervisors, Deb Root, senior director of Marketing Communications, and Molly Andrus, graphic designer. Students are nominated on the basis of reliability, initiative, quality of work, disposition, and contribution to employer.

Bayus’s duties included photographing events and activities on campus which require excellent technical and photographic skills; good communication and people skills; a good eye for a picture; and being proficient in uploading photos to Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.

In the nomination for the award, Bayus is characterized as someone who “clearly exemplifies the leadership skills, initiative, reliability, attitude, professionalism, and attention to detail that is required in his position of student photographer.”

Root and Andrus also wrote: “Luke has achieved a reputation on campus for producing quality work and being reliable. He pays the utmost attention to detail and accuracy, while going the extra mile to make the projects assigned to him successful.”

Students at Alfred State who were nominated for Student Employee of the Year by their respective offices were honored at a reception in April. Pictured here, front row, left to right: Kaitlin Anderson, Poughkeepsie, mathematics/English department; Lydia Rola, West Seneca, Office of Institutional Advancement; Heather Steadman, Whitesville, Office of the Executive Vice President.

Back row, left to right: Student Employee of the Year Lucas Bayus, Alfred Station, Office of Marketing Communications; Emily Stella, Geneva, Box of Books; Dr. Skip Sullivan, college president; Olivia Ciesla, Angola, Office of Student Engagement; Tyler Ribble, Elmira, Office of Student Engagement.