Alumni Stories
Chris Dattoria
Developing Lifelong Skills Through Physical Education
When Chris Dattoria walks past the cafeteria at Glenwood Elementary, the room erupts in cheers. Celebrity-level status with the primary school demographic is a job perk that Dattoria initially hadn’t expected when he first decided to become a physical education teacher...
Dr. James Distin
Emergency Medicine Physician
No one enjoys a trip to the emergency room. Yet for many in this community, that message of comfort is delivered by a familiar face, Johnson City native James Distin (LAAA ’08), DO, an Emergency Medicine physician at United Health Services...
Amber Hontz
Flight Paramedic
When "Take Your Child to Work Day" rolls around every April, Oggy Hontz will win the award for "mom with the coolest job." While the rest of his friends will spend their day in mundane offices, Oggy will tag along with his mom, Amber Hontz, to the LifeNet 7-8 base...
Michelle Hroncich
School Nurse
There is a common misconception that school nurses simply check temperatures and pass out band-aids. Michelle Hroncich (RN ’00, EMT ’03), the resident school nurse at Vestal Middle School, is the perfect example to dispel this myth...
Stephanie Daub Kuzio
Inspiring the Next Generation Of Women in STEM
When Stephanie Daub Kuzio (CT ’83) traveled to campus last spring to celebrate the dedication of the Edwin C. Daub Baseball Field in honor of her late father, Professor Emeritus and Coach Edwin Daub, she could not help but reflect on her own SUNY Broome experiences...
Nichole McMillen
Embracing the Magic of Early Childhood
Life has indeed come full circle for Nichole McMillen (EC ’10). In 2009, when McMillen transferred to SUNY Broome to study Early Childhood: A.A.S., she never imagined that one day she would return to campus to assume the position of Director of the B.C. Center...
The Stewart Family
Educating Three Generations at SUNY Broome
As Stephen Stewart (ELME ’03) poured over the black and white photos in his father's College yearbooks, he couldn’t help but compare his father, Dr. William D. Stewart’s (BT ’58) traditional college experience at Broome Tech...
Dr. Harold Trimm
Bonding SUNY Broome Through Chemistry
For over four decades, Dr. Harold Trimm (CH ’02) has remained synonymous with chemistry at SUNY Broome. A champion of both the College and the universality of chemistry, Dr. Trimm has devoted his life to making science engaging and accessible for two generations of students...
Fred Akshar
Broome County Sheriff
Taking one step into Sheriff Frederick J. Akshar II’s (CJPO ‘99) office explains it all. Each wall is covered with reminders of the three guiding factors in his life - God, family, and community. The combination of family photos, mementos, and verses about hope, can make someone forget they're in a correctional facility...
Sharon Exley
Town of Dickinson Councilwoman
Sharon Exley was born in Johnson City, NY, and lived on Harry L. Drive when the commercial street of today was purely homes and farmland. Exley, her parents, and her younger sister made their little neighborhood in Johnson City the central point of their lives. Her father, a machinist in WWII...
Jason Garnar
Broome County Executive
Broome County Executive Jason T. Garnar (ISED ‘97) never hesitates to share his status as a SUNY Broome alum. While most know that he is a graduate of SUNY Broome, they may not be aware that Garnar’s SUNY Broome story began when he was just a toddler. Garnar was born in Binghamton, NY, but spent his formative...
Lea Webb
New York State Senator
Senator Lea Webb’s (LA ’01) favorite photo of herself incredibly foreshadows her life as a public official. In the photo, two-and-a-half-year-old Webb's shirt proclaims “Kids Are People Too!” The little girl, looking straight into the camera, with her hands on her hips, looks as though she is saying, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” And she does...
Jacob Kumpon:
Converting Trash into a Sustainable Treasure
When most cousins connect at family events, they share stories, play games, and lovingly tease their older relatives. When Jacob Kumpon (BA ’18 & ES ’20) and his cousin, Jack Lamuraglia, gather at a family event, they find a quiet corner of the room and build an empire...
Scott Sasina:
Delivering the News to the Community that Raised Him
For thousands of Southern Tier residents, an evening at home is not complete without Scott Sasina (LACM ’13), co-anchor of 12 News, and his nightly broadcast. While most viewers know that Sasina deeply enjoys reporting...
Tim Doolittle:
In the Stage of Life to Matter More
Tim Doolittle is a fount of knowledge, wisdom, and advice. Longing for advice on what to do when you face the uncertainty that follows being laid off after decades in industry? That might be Tim’s best story of all....
Matt Ebbers:
Documenting Our Days At SUNY Broome
Last year was a big year for Matt Ebbers (MUSS ’15). He was honored with the 2022 Young Professional HYPE Award in the Creative Industry by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce...
Dani Bryan:
Airborne Bound
One of Cadet Fourth Class Dani Bryan’s first childhood memories is of the power and beauty of aviation. She distinctly remembers tagging along with her dad to the Greater Binghamton Airshow. Clinging to her noise-canceling head-phones, she gazed up at the sky...
Peter Vallese Sr.:
Celebrating SUNY Broome’s History
Peter Vallese Sr. (MT ’49) had no idea that his RSVP to SUNY Broome’s 2022 Alumni Reunion would cause such a stir. It had been a rough couple of years for Vallese. He lost his beloved wife of almost seventy years, Waneta, in March of 2020...
Emily Zielewicz:
Balancing Public Servant & Civilian Life One Day at a Time
For Emily Zielewicz, maintaining a distinct balance between her professional life and personal life is a daily activity. Professionally, Zielewicz wears many hats, most notably the trademark Sheriff’s Stetson. As a Deputy with the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Zielewicz ensures the overall welfare of the community members of Broome County...
Colleen Cashman:
Volleyball Champ Returns to her Alma Mater as Interim Athletic Director
Interim Director of Athletics, Colleen Cashman, has one hope for the students of SUNY Broome. “I just want our students to have a college experience that is as wonderful as the experience that I had when I was a student at SUNY Broome. Some of the happiest memories of my life are on this campus,” said Cashman...
An Encouraging Sign Leads To A Welcoming Kitchen:
Evan & Soojung Find the Heart of Life in Broome County in the Kitchen
Lee grew up on a farm in South Korea. Her mother made a great effort to teach her from an early age about the nutritional value of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers that grew on their land. Lee eventually left the countryside and moved to Seoul...
Adventures in Sports Broadcasting:
Rob Lippolis announces his first NHL game
"Doing the first game was awesome. It was a lot to soak in,” Rob Lippolis said, recalling his excitement at doing the radio play-by-play for his first NHL game of the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the New Jersey Devils, the affiliate team of the Binghamton Devils...
From Building Computers to Cleaning Smiles
Nick looks back at two unique careers launched by a SUNY Broome education
As it has for so many, SUNY Broome provided a young Nick Timko an educational pathway despite financial limitations. “Mom and Dad were not wealthy,” Nick notes. “They never had a lot, but they were hard workers. Financially, Broome Tech was the only way..."
The Human Factor:
Kindness, investment & hard work fuel Cassandra Domingo's dreams of helping others through research
"Dr. Altman needs you in his office right away,” a student said, disrupting Cassandra Domingo’s chess match. She headed to his office and found Dr. William Altman and Counselor Joseph Spence waiting. “That’s how I got the news..."
Maria Bajwa:
Supporting a Small Program, with Big Education
Maria Bajwa was born to be in healthcare. As the daughter of a physician in rural Pakistan, Bajwa’s childhood home often doubled as a clinic. Maria’s mother graciously welcomed infirm members of the community into their home, where her father treated their needs...
Engineered to Inspire:
Diana LaBelle models career possibility as an engineer and professor
Diana LaBelle was only 17 years old when she enlisted in the Marine Corps during her senior year at Binghamton High School. She graduated early to join the military, but she still needed her father's written consent because she didn't meet the age requirement...
Stacy Marrow:
Solving the Problems of Practice in Higher Education Through Holistic Student Support
After working for years in unsatisfying jobs, Stacy decided to come to SUNY Broome to add a new skill-set: web design. “I was first hired by BU in the Department of Public Administration, and what got me the job was my ability to work on websites..."
Pressing On…
Jesse balances a challenging regimen of studying, work and martial arts
In a sense, Jesse Greene was living three lives simultaneously. In one, he was a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant program and preparing to graduate in May 2020. In the overnight hours, he works as a security guard. And then there is his third identity...
256 Years & Counting…
Celebrating Committed Professors with a Half-Century in the Profession
When Suzanne Maier was in high school, dental hygienists came into the school to provide fluoride treatments. She became interested in becoming a dental hygienist and chose Broome Technical Community College's well-respected program....
High fidelity:
A SUNY Broome alum heads famed audio company
McIntosh Labs manufactures all of its audio wonders in Binghamton, which it has called home for 70 years. At the head is President and CEO Charlie Randall, a SUNY Broome’s Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program graduate..."
A Hornet & Yellow Bird:
A retired nurse looks back and gives back to Broome
Lynda Brown Bass knew she wanted a career in serving others and saw two options at Broome Community College — the dental hygienist program or nursing. She chose nursing. "Personally, I just couldn’t picture myself being in people’s mouths all day long..."
Lifesaver:
Ivy League Hornet earns a second degree from SUNY Broome while preparing for med school
You really don’t want to run into Adam Hatala during one of his 24-hour shifts. As a flight paramedic for Air Methods – an emergency air transportation company that facilitates life flights...
Marketing Success:
Proud Hornets Take Flight at Key Branding Labs
Don’t believe the naysayers: There are plenty of exciting opportunities in the Southern Tier. “There’s so much optimism and so much progress, and so many people making it happen. Positivity is kind of cool again,” said SUNY Broome alumnus Adam Sabol, founder of Key Branding Labs...
The Greatest Reward:
A Civil Engineering Tech Alumnus Gives Back In The Classroom
One of the greatest gifts for professors is seeing their students succeed in their chosen field. SUNY Broome Civil Engineering Technology Professor Joe DeAngelo sees SUNY Broome alumni hard at work whenever he drives through local or state road construction...
Student, mom & future CPA:
Junelle transfers to her dream school
Junelle first attended SUNY Broome at the age of 19, but left college after having her son and adjusting to motherhood. She tried again a few years later, but left again after having her daughter and instead became a stay-at-home mom...
Homecoming:
Dr. Haynes Returns To The Hive As Vice President Of Academic Affairs
At a PHS reception, Dr. Penny Haynes introduced herself to one recipient in particular - a graduate from a high school that is located near her childhood home. A SUNY Broome alumna herself, she knows what it’s like to hail from a small place...
King of the Mountain:
SUNY Broome Grad Oversees Upstate New York’s Biggest Road Project
With a $300 million price tag, the Prospect Mountain construction project is a massive undertaking. At the pinnacle is Engineer In Charge Tom Phillips, an Engineering Technologies alumnus, who has watched construction unfold since 2011...
Lights, Camera, Action:
Nick Pursues A Career In Film
Plenty of people dream of careers in the film industry, but Nick Venuti is hustling to frame his shot. After earning his associate degree through SUNY Broome’s Communications and Media Arts program in 2017, he transferred to the New York Film Academy...
Serving her country:
Shadiyah secures her future in Homeland Security
After graduating with a Health Studies degree and phlebotomy certificate from SUNY Broome, Shadiyah spent three years in the workforce. But soon another dream called. Now studying Homeland Security, she plans on a career with the TSA...
Planting seeds and fighting pests:
Scientist and SUNY Broome alum travels the world
Albania, Zambia, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua and Rwanda: Alan Schroeder has lost count of the countries he has visited as an agricultural scientist and consultant. As a Liberal Arts and Sciences major at SUNY Broome – then called BCC, he discovered a love for science...
A Family Affair:
A SUNY Broome education is a Hempstead tradition
At SUNY Broome, “everyone knows a Hempstead,” Susanna joked. That may not be precisely true; to date, no members of the Deposit family have opted to major in a STEM field, at least not yet. But SUNY Broome has become a family tradition for the Hempsteads...
Persistence Personified:
Dottie returns to SUNY Broome to finish her Accounting degree
When it comes to earning a degree, the journey is different for everyone. For Dottie Curyto, that journey took more than 40 years – juggling the joys and obligations of family and career along the way. She started at Broome Community College – as the name was then – back in 1978...
The Leader:
Gregory works to build a better campus and a more vibrant community
Until a few years ago, Gregory Thurston walked the SUNY Broome campus as a recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps. He struck up conversations with students and faculty members and enjoyed the interactions. The Fort Lauderdale native...
Final Frontier:
Engineering Science alum works on projects for the ISS
At 220 miles above the Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) relies on a complex web of systems to keep astronauts safe and healthy in the void of space. Repairing equipment in space proves difficult, which is why teams of engineers — including Phuc Vo...
The Legacy:
Dr. Battisti leaves a lasting impact on the college he loves
The very first time Francis Battisti (BT ’68) set foot on campus, it involved — of all things — a cow’s eye. It was eighth grade and the future Dr. Battisti was, he admitted, a somewhat indifferent student. Hoping to spark his interest, his Union-Endicott teachers had him dissect a cow’s eye for a science competition. He qualified for regionals at Broome Technical Community College....
The Franchise:
A proud Hornet stays connected and pursues a future in radio
Just call him The Franchise. “I’m like a franchise of SUNY Broome!” explained William Mason (LACM '16). A proud Hornet, Mason visits campus every year to connect with the faculty and staff who made such a difference in his life...
Learning To Learn:
Rebeccah Masters Problem-Solving Through Engineering Science
A typical job interview question for new graduates is this: What did you learn in college? Many managers are seeking a particular answer: “I learned how to learn.” That’s certainly true for Rebeccah Bates, a 2016 Engineering Science graduate who landed a job as a software engineer at Lockheed Martin...
Distilling life’s priorities:
Engineer finds solace & success producing world-class spirits in Colorado
Throughout the course of our lives, our roles and identities can shift, boiling with our ideas and passions and condensing into a new, truer version of ourselves — utterly changed from what came before. You can see that process on a terrestrial scale at Woody Creek Distillery...
The Storyteller:
SUNY Broome alum Roger Brooks goes deep on ‘American Real’
Everyone has a story, a unique human experience aching for expression. Roger Brooks’ mission is to draw it out question by question for the world to see. A Binghamton native, Brooks is the founder and host of American Real...
History of a State Tech hornet:
86-year-old alumnus remembers fire of 1951 and the rise of a new community college
Louis Cane didn’t attend SUNY Broome, Broome Community College or even Broome Tech. He was a proud member of The Electricals, as electrical technology students were called in the days of the Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Binghamton, the college’s very first moniker ...
Ivy League Hornet:
Keith Returns To His Alma Mater To Tutor And To Prepare For His Future In Pharmacy
If you need a little extra help in science class, Keith Hughes will offer his guidance and expertise as a professional tutor in the college’s Learning Assistance Department. He has some impressive credentials...
Brewing Success:
SUNY Broome alumnus founds an award-winning brewery
Hours before opening, The North Brewery is quietly busy, with silver vats in the back turning hops and other ingredients into the Endicott establishment’s award-winning beer. Come nightfall, however, the small Washington Avenue business...