BROOME Spring 2026
Accessible Version
Welcome to the spring 2026 edition!
Dear SUNY Broome alumni & friends,
In last edition’s President’s Message, I excitedly shared details about the launch of SUNY Reconnect, New York’s free community college initiative for adults between the ages of 25-55 who do not yet hold a college degree, which ushered hundreds of new students to campus in the fall. SUNY Reconnect has presented an amazing opportunity, but also, a significant challenge, as every department on campus worked to accommodate many more students than we’d originally anticipated in the 2025-2026 academic year. It’s with great pride that I report that this institution rose to the occasion, welcoming, supporting, and sustaining these new students, with 83% returning for the spring semester!
Within these pages, you’ll meet adult learners like Frank Crouch, a veteran taking the transformative opportunity of SUNY Reconnect, and Elena Benjamin, who is retooling for a new career after a life-altering health journey. And, of course, our husband-and-wife Paramedic: A.A.S. duo, Ari and Chris Vanderweyde, featured on this edition’s cover! Thanks to SUNY Reconnect, the couple is embarking on their academic journey side by side.
You’ll also read about exceptional faculty from three of our 23 SUNY Reconnecteligible programs. Two are alumni of the very programs in which they now instruct. Like many of their students, Dental Hygiene professor Kristin Hofer and Health Information Technology instructor Andrew Robertshaw came to SUNY Broome as adult learners to train for their second acts. Little did they know then that third acts in higher education would follow!
Our enrollment of recent high school graduates also continues to climb, with many top-performing students choosing Broome as the venue to begin their college careers. This issue highlights two of our ‘Best of Broome’ scholars, Anthony Mazzatti, of Johnson City, and Alexandra Lisio, of Binghamton. Both ranked within the top five of their respective graduating classes, and made the savvy decision to pursue their associate degrees at their community’s college, and later transfer to a four-year institution. Their appreciation for all the opportunities the Southern Tier has to offer serves as a welcome reminder of the promise and future that exists in our region.
Now is truly a time of great growth and positive progress for SUNY Broome. The SUNY Broome News pages feature a recap of Governor Kathy Hochul’s visit to campus and a landmark transfer agreement with Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. And that’s only a small sampling of all the incredible things happening at the College this spring. We look forward to many joyful end-of-year celebrations, and hope you will join us for as many as possible!
Happy reading, and as always, be well.
With Hornet Pride
Tony D. Hawkins, Ph.D
Dr. Hawkins and Binghamton University President Anne D’Alleva sign a new engineering transfer agreement with Binghamton’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science.
From Salutatorian to SUNY Broome
Anthony Mazzatti’s first kindergarten homework assignment was to answer the quintessential childhood question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Without hesitating, he confidently described his goals and proudly posed for a photo proclaiming his future: “When I grow up, I want to be a teacher and a bus driver!” More than a decade later, he is still firmly on the path toward his dream.
Find things that you’re intrinsically interested in and go from there. Don’t study something in college that doesn’t naturally interest you. Instead, discover what you’re passionate about and let that drive you.
— Anthony Mazzatti
Five-year-old Mazzatti sharing his “When I grow up” goals.
Five-year-old Mazzatti sharing his “When I grow up” goals.
As Johnson City High School’s (JCHS) 2025 salutatorian, Mazzatti was accepted to every school on his list. But when he excitedly announced that he was bound for Broome to study Adolescence Education Studies: A.S., many questioned why he was ‘just’ going to his community’s college. Since then, Mazzatti has made it his mission to debunk the myth that the word ‘just’ belongs in front of SUNY Broome. He is eager to share that SUNY Broome is a place where all students, regardless of class rank, age, or life experiences, are supported, challenged, and prepared for their future educational and professional pursuits.
Born and bred in Johnson City, NY, Mazzatti was the definition of a jack-of-all-trades. The name ‘Anthony Mazzatti’ was always in the air at JCHS, as he bounced between his wide-ranging extracurricular activities. He served as class president, captain of the men’s soccer and tennis teams, and treasurer of the Spanish club and the National Honor Society (NHS). On stage, he earned featured roles in every school musical, performed with the award-winning Sophisticats, and served as president of JCHS’s chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Mazzatti’s work ethic inside in the classroom was fueled by his childhood dream to become a teacher. Always thinking two steps ahead, he filled his schedule with SUNY Broome Fast Forward classes, amassing almost two semesters’ worth of transferable credits.
As Mazzatti reviewed his eight college acceptance packages, he kept circling back to SUNY Broome. Known for his maturity, practicality, and financial-saviness, those closest to the salutatorian had no doubt about where he would enroll. Others, however, were quick to share their concerns that he was ‘settling’ for a community college education.
“I definitely got comments like, ‘You’re so smart! Why are you wasting your potential?’ But I always felt that coming to SUNY Broome was the best and most welcoming option,” Mazzatti explained. “Thanks to my Fast Forward credits, I was already a year ahead of schedule, so I could spend a year at SUNY Broome, transfer directly to another college in the SUNY system, and earn my education degree in three years, instead of four. That was too good an opportunity to pass up.”
Another opportunity too good to pass up? The Presidential Honors Scholarship (PHS)! As a PHS recipient, Mazzatti was among 13 of the Southern Tier’s fellow top students to receive the College’s highest distinction, complete with a full-tuition scholarship.
Keeping the naysayers at bay, he proudly swapped his status as ‘Mr. Johnson City’ for ‘Mr. SUNY Broome.’ With the goal of making the most of his year at Broome, Mazzatti jumped into campus life. He is an active PHS volunteer, works as a Student Ambassador in Admissions, and starred as Michael Darling in the A to Z Players fall production of “Peter Pan & Wendy.” (His natural comedic timing stole every scene!) Just as successful inside the classroom, Mazzatti rounded out his first collegiate semester with a stellar 4.0 GPA.
While many believe that students only receive the true college experience by going away, Mazzatti admitted that he’s in no rush to leave the region.
“By staying in the area, I have been able to maintain my relationships in the community,” Mazzatti reflected. “Spending this extra year in Broome County meant that I could keep my part-time jobs with the Rumble Ponies and as a youth soccer referee, and still participate in local community theater productions.”
Five-year-old Mazzatti would certainly be proud of his future self. While most children’s goals shift over time, he has always held teaching in the highest regard. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and mother, the soon-to-be third-generation educator wants nothing more than to help students gain knowledge, build confidence, and feel supported. And thanks to a start at SUNY Broome, his long-awaited teaching career can start a little sooner!
Students in costume as the Darling siblings in the play, “Peter Pan and Wendy”: Lizzy Harley as Wendy, Rose Plummer as John, and Anthony Mazzatti as Michael.
“I made a bold choice that many others dismissed,” Mazzatti reflected. “I am so pleased with my decision and strongly encourage others to consider it.”
Presidential Honors Scholarship (PHS)
The application for PHS — which fully covers two years of tuition — opens in January for local high school seniors. Learn more about scholarships.
Adolescence Education Studies
The Adolescence Education Studies program, which can be completed 50% online, provides students with the knowledge, skills, and classroom experiences to set them on a path to having a profound impact on adolescent students and on our society’s future. This program is a Reconnect eligible program. Read the Reconnect Feature in this edition or visit the SUNY Broome website.
Feeding Her Community and Her Future
It’s common for SUNY Broome students to supplement their studies with full and part-time jobs. Most students, however, aren’t employed by a third-generation family-owned business – much less, one that’s been a Binghamton staple for eight decades. When Business Administration: A.S. student Alexandra (Alex) Lisio isn’t busy earning her degree at her community’s college, she’s working alongside her close-knit family in one of the area’s most beloved eateries, Little Venice Restaurant. How does she balance it all? Excellent time-management skills, a supportive family, and an appreciation for the region that raised her.
Lisio is as Parlor City as they come. A proud product of the Binghamton City School District, she flourished both in the classroom, and on the soccer and lacrosse fields. When she wasn’t shining as a Patriot, she could undoubtedly be found downtown at her second home, Little Venice. There, surrounded by fellow Lisios, she learned the art of the family business: to feed generations of friends and neighbors, and feed them well!
“I officially started working at Little Venice when I was 14, but I basically grew up at the restaurant,” Lisio laughed. “My great uncles opened the restaurant in 1946. Since then, my grandparents, my parents, my aunt and uncle, and now my brothers and I, have all worked together. It’s definitely special to have three generations of family working towards something we all love and believe in.”
With entrepreneurial spirit in her blood, Lisio devoted her senior year at Binghamton High School (BHS) to Broome-Tioga BOCES’ New Visions Business Academy. After completing rotations at five very different local employers (including SUNY Broome’s Office of Marketing & Communications), she was pleased to discover the wide range of opportunities in the Southern Tier for young professionals.
Between her New Visions placements, and regular shifts as a server in the restaurant’s main dining room, Lisio managed to tour several SUNY campuses. But at each visit, she left asking the same question: “Could I transfer from SUNY Broome?”
For Lisio, SUNY Broome checked all of her boxes. She could explore her academic options freely, and not worry about the ramifications of changing her program. She could study affordably, thanks to t he more than 300 internal scholarships available to students. Most importantly, she could spend two more years in the region she loved, building connections with peers from all throughout the community.
Alex stands outside of the Little Venice Restaurant.
“I think a lot of people assume that students study at SUNY Broome because it’s their only option, but that’s not the reality,” Lisio explained. “I was accepted to five other SUNY schools, but none of them called my name like SUNY Broome did.”
Not only did SUNY Broome call her name, it also warmly welcomed her as a Presidential Honors Scholar. The combination of her academic excellence (ranked #4 in BHS’s Class of 2025) and extracurricular engagement made her a well-deserving beneficiary of a full-tuition scholarship.
Lisio arrived at SUNY Broome with a cautious plan to focus her first semester purely on her studies… that, and clock 30 hours a week at Little Venice and a new, related endeavor, the Little Venice Sauce Plant. Interestingly, as the semester progressed, Lisio realized that her classroom theory and real-world practice consistently aligned.
“I really enjoyed finding the connections between what I learned in class, and what I experienced at the restaurant and the sauce plant,” Lisio said. “My Financial Accounting I class reminded me that quality accounting is at the core of every business, and I definitely learned as much as I could about the importance of contracts from my Business Law I class. Contracts are a huge component of our work in the sauce plant.”
A typical day for Lisio during the fall semester consisted of classes from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., with breaks in between lectures to study in the library and seek support at the Math Lab. From there, she’d zip downtown to serve mouthwatering dishes of pizza, pasta, and chicken cutlets to masses of hungry locals. Thursday, her lightest academic day, brought her to campus for one class, after which she’d devote hours to cooking, bottling, and packaging Little Venice’s signature sweet, chunky marinara, and tomato basil sauces. The result? A nearly perfect first semester GPA, a spot on the President’s List, and a community well-fed.
Though technically just in her first year, Lisio knows that it’s never too early to develop a transfer plan. Thanks to the Business Administration program’s extensive articulation agreements, she has her pick of guaranteed transfer admission to top business schools across the state.
“I have a really great academic advisor, Jessica Pionteck, who knew from our first meeting that my goal was to transfer to earn my bachelor’s degree,” Lisio explained. “She’s kept that in mind during all of our subsequent meetings, and that’s shaped how we’ve picked my classes for future semesters. She also helped me to make the most of all of my transfer credits that I earned in high school.”
All students should definitely apply for scholarships through the SUNY Broome Foundation! Not all of them are based on academic performance, so there’s something available for everyone. Every penny counts when it comes to paying for college!
— Alexandra Lisio
Lisio doesn’t know what her academic and professional future will hold, but for now, she’s excited to build a foundation at the college in her beloved backyard.
“You could give me 100 options of what my future would look like, and I would believe you,” Lisio said. “I’m just thankful for these two extra years in Binghamton at SUNY Broome to help me find my way.”
Alex’s Favorite Campus Resource:
“Math is not my strong suit, but I had to take a math course during my first semester. I spent a lot of time in the Math Lab before and after class, and it made the semester so much more successful!”
Business Administration
The Business Administration program prepares students to head into the workforce, but also is designed for easy transfer so students can continue on for a bachelor’s degree. In fact, with college partnerships with Binghamton University, Baruch College, the University at Buffalo, and more, it is the most transferable business program in the SUNY system.
Audrey Horton (BUBA ’22) has always believed in the power of a good match. As a rising star in the human resources (HR) world, Horton spends her days connecting people with professions, and building enthusiasm in the workplace. Her own career has been a series of perfect fits, but she’s quick to credit the first — and best — match that started it all: Horton and SUNY Broome.
As a Southern Tier native, SUNY Broome was always on Horton’s radar. Her first brush with the community’s college came by way of Johnson City High School’s partnership with the Fast Forward program. Horton was happy to bank college credits as a high school student, but admittedly had a different vision for her college years. She always hoped to leave the area to pursue her degree, but her plans changed with the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One perk of going to college in her backyard? She could keep her part-time job at Wegmans. It was at Wegmans, while bouncing between her duties in floral, Meals2Go, and the front end, that Horton got her first exposure to the inner workings of an organization’s human resources department. She had a front row seat to experiencing the employee lifecycle in action at a company that consistently lands on the top of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list.
Horton enrolled in the Business Administration: A.S. program and kicked off her degree with Financial Accounting I at 8 a.m. In the midst of early-morning lectures on asset, liability, and equity accounting, she bonded with three fellow classmates. Together, they joined SUNY Broome’s Business Club.
Coming to SUNY Broome was a last-minute blessing in disguise. Though it was technically my plan B, it would have been crazy not to earn my degree at SUNY Broome. Tuition was affordable, I could live at home, and I graduated early with minimal debt.
— Audrey Horton
A beloved campus organization with a long and vibrant legacy, the Business Club is open to any student with an interest in entrepreneurship, networking, and leadership. Led by business faculty Joanna Burd, Dr. Lee Heron, and Colleen Regan, the club hosts a workshop series, engages in community service, and plans educational excursions across the country. Elected as club secretary, Horton assumed her role with consummate professionalism, managing the minutes, coordinating a rotation of guest speakers, leading fundraising initiatives, and reigniting the group’s social media presence.
What Horton didn’t know then was that joining the Business Club would spark a series of interconnected opportunities and networks that would propel the next five years of her professional and personal life. An internship with Modern Marketing Concepts, Inc. (now Linqd), advertised in a club meeting, led her to a community event, where she met her future mentor, Sandy Jones, owner of Express Employment Professionals.
“During my internship, I met Sandy at a high school business plan competition where she was a student advisor, and I was a volunteer,” Horton explained. “We instantly connected over our shared interest in HR and recruiting. When the Business Club reconvened in the fall semester, Sandy was the first person I called to be a featured speaker. I had no idea that one day she would be my future boss!”
Horton graduated from SUNY Broome with high honors and continued her business studies at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Her status as a transfer student didn’t deter her from getting involved. She was a Student Ambassador in the Admissions Office, served as a student assistant for the College’s HR team, and even created a carbon copy of a SUNY Broome-esque Business Club.
Post-graduation, Audrey has made several appearances at our current Business Club meetings. She has given presentations about her SUNY Broome experience to SUNY Poly to her current job here in the Southern Tier.
— Dr. Lee Heron, Professor, Coordinator of Business Programs
Horton secured internships with the Binghamton and Utica branches of Express Employment Professionals. While finishing her degree, she worked as a recruiting and employment specialist intern, learning the art of recruiting, interviewing, and matching job seekers to their ideal employers. When Horton returned to Binghamton for her senior year spring break, she was officially offered a job with Express Employment Professionals upon graduation.
What’s the best way to celebrate earning a bachelor’s degree and immediately landing a dream job in your field? Obviously, tour Italy with your SUNY Broome Business Club besties!
“I made so many life-long friendships at SUNY Broome with both my classmates and my professors.” Horton beamed. “Going to Italy has always been on my bucket list, especially with friends. I was so excited to join some of my former clubmates and faculty to tour Rome, Florence, Naples, Tuscany, and all of the Amalfi Coast. It was the trip of a lifetime.”
After two years as a Senior Employment Specialist at Express, Horton recently embarked on a new professional journey at United Health Services (UHS) as a Provider Recruitment Coordinator. In this role, she supports the recruitment and hiring of physicians and medical students to join the UHS team, who, in turn, will supply the region with quality medical care. When not at UHS, the proud young alum never hesitates to return to her alma mater, and specifically to her cherished Business Club, to mentor the next wave of rising talent.
Business Administration
The Business Administration program prepares students to head into the workforce, but also is designed for easy transfer so students can continue on for a bachelor’s degree. In fact, with college partnerships with Binghamton University, Baruch College, the University at Buffalo, and more, it is the most transferable business program in the SUNY system.
Rhoda Neal (OTAA ’99) passed away on October 17, 2025, at 63. She served as SUNY Broome’s Secretary to the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for 25 years. Rhoda was well-known on campus for her generous spirit; she regularly participated in the Giving of the Toys and frequently organized donations to the Hornet Hope Center. Her family remembers her as “always putting others’ needs ahead of hers.” Rhoda will be deeply missed by her husband, Fred Neal; her four children; her grandchildren; her great-grandchildren; and other loved ones.
Leanne Coolbaugh Morehart worked in the College’s finance department. She passed away at the age of 65 after a long illness on November 15, 2025. Leanne is survived by her son, Matthew, and her two grandchildren.
Paul St. Clair passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. He had a deep passion for history and music. Paul played banjo, harmonica, guitar, and pedal steel guitar in multiple bands. He was a longtime member of SUNY Broome’s History, Philosophy, and Social Science Department, where he taught from 1996 to 2022. His family remembers him as a true Renaissance man, with a legacy of being a devoted family man and a creative soul.
Patricia Caciola died unexpectedly on January 12, 2026. She was 88. Patricia was a dedicated SUNY Broome employee, working on campus for 30 years. Her family remembers her as a loving mother and grandmother.
Many of our scholarships are created to honor someone special or remember a loved one.
If you would like to recognize someone by establishing a scholarship, please contact Lisa Schappert at schappertl@sunybroome.edu or (607) 778-5179.
Rebooting Careers in Computer Science and Beyond
As SUNY laid the framework of the SUNY Reconnect initiative, it earmarked a list of Reconnect-eligible academic programs that train students for professions in high-demand industries. In a world navigating Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements, cybersecurity breaches, and interconnected digital communications, skills in computing and information technology are more critical than ever. Preparing SUNY Broome students for careers in computers is the chairperson for Computer Science, Assistant Professor Rich Zwolinski. Though relatively new to the College, his fresh eyes and passion for training the newest wave of programmers, technicians, and cybersecurity analysts are already making an impact.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Zwolinski’s affinity for computers emerged later in life. His boyhood, however, was filled with the foundation of creative problem-solving. Admittedly better at taking things apart than putting them back together, he loved the challenge of finding innovative solutions. Embracing his knack for numbers, Zwolinski studied mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). In between classes in calculus, analytic geometry, and mathematical analysis, Zwolinski sampled a selection of programming courses. While he found writing and testing code interesting, the soon-to-be college grad initially had a more outdoorsy vision for his career. He briefly worked as a golf instructor, but soon realized that teaching high school math was a more practical option.
Early into his first role as a high school math teacher, Zwolinski was tasked with instructing courses in AP Computer Science, Visual Basic, and Introduction to Java. Guiding young minds through the concepts of variables, data types, and conditional statements sparked Zwolinski’s return to college. He earned his master’s degree in computer science from Loyola University Maryland.
“I took a whole array of computer science courses in networking, security, programming, and web design, so that I could pass that knowledge along to my high schoolers,” Zwolinski explained. “I realized early on that sitting in a cubicle by myself programming is not entertaining or fulfilling for me, but getting out there, working directly with students to grasp concepts, and seeing the light bulb click, is the best thing.”
While he loved teaching, he also embraced new challenges, taking a seven-year hiatus from education to coach collegiate volleyball. He found a similar gratification in coaching, but the non-stop schedule of long practices and weekends on the road took its toll. Seeking a calmer work-life balance, he returned to the comfort of the classroom to teach a hybrid of his favorite math and computer science courses.
In 2015, Zwolinski moved to the Southern Tier and accepted a position at Vestal High School not long after. Much to his delight, his course load included a variety of SUNY Broome Fast Forward classes. Concurrent enrollment courses through the College’s Fast Forward program allowed Zwolinski to share college-level material with a roomful of bright and eager students. A firm believer in the power of a pathway, he felt that the opportunity to teach skills like app development, HTML webpage design, and graphics editing, bolstered the next generation of programmers, designers, and technicians.
Zwolinski made the official jump from K-12 to higher education in Fall 2024. He arrived during a period of transition for SUNY Broome’s Computer Science Department, due to faculty retirements, but quickly rose to the challenge as the new Chair. Just as he was getting acclimated, SUNY Reconnect drove more than 70 new adult learners to the department’s three programs.
Students with an interest in computers and technology can choose from three unique academic pathways (see sidebar below).
While some prospective students may worry that they are ‘too old’ to embark on a career in information technology and computing, Zwolinski is quick to dismiss those concerns.
“The beauty of technology is that whether our students are 20 or 55, our graduates leave with the same knowledge, the same preparation to pass certification exams, and the same skillset for immediate employment,” Zwolinski shared.
“Some of our students are Gen Z children of the digital age, while others remember the days of punched cards. But in a world where technology is constantly changing, we can all learn together.”
Professor Zwolinski joined the College two years ago as a Department Chair in Computer Science, during a period of significant industry change both nationally and globally.
Through effective leadership and support of faculty, he has guided the department through program improvement and growth, increased student retention, and overall student success across the Computer Science programs.
— Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola, Associate Vice President and Dean of STEM & Workforce Development
Zwolinski’s pride in his department is equally evident and infectious. Understanding the complexities of their curriculum, the computer science faculty is committed to shepherding their students with individualized support.
“We aren’t a department that just sends students out with instructions and hope for the best; we believe in personally helping students get from one point to the next,” Zwolinski said. “My high school teaching experiences have made a big impact on how I see our community college students, regardless of age. All are students seeking knowledge, and it’s my job and responsibility to provide them with a pathway – I can’t walk it for them, but I can open up all the different avenues for them to explore.”
Computer Science A.S.
Drawn to programming and software development? You may be best suited for the Computer Science A.S. program, which will prepare you for careers in AI, game design, and more.
Computer Technology A.A.S.
Love troubleshooting? You’re built for the Computer Technology A.A.S. program. These graduates are trained for immediate employment, wiring networks, providing tech support, and more.
Computer Security & Forensics A.A.S.
Committed to protecting information? Computer Security and Forensics A.A.S. graduates uphold high standards for information security while assessing and developing recovery plans.
Logan Brown, SUNY Broome Assistant Sports Information Director
Baseball
Head Coach Seve Kowalski returns for his third season directing the Hornets, with the program at its best in recent memory. In 2025, the program achieved heights that had not been reached in more than a decade, with 18 wins (a 10-win improvement from 2024), and the most in a season for the Hornets since 2001.
Additionally, SUNY Broome qualified for the Region III Championship tournament for the first time in more than 15 seasons.
Players Kaiden Cannistra and Jason Kithcart Jr. received All-Conference Honorable Mention by the Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC), while Jacob McTigue and Santino Michitti were named both All-Conference by MSAC and All-Region by NJCAA Region 3.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team ended its 2025-26 season with a 9-15 record.
Dejon Williams, the lead scorer, averaged 15.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 43% from the field. Ponce Williams averaged 9.0 points per game. Dejon Williams and Ponce Williams also received MSAC All-Conference honors.
Tyrell Davender contributed 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 46% shooting from the field. Christopher Zielewicz averaged 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team ended its 2025-26 season with a 4-16 record.
Adrianna Finta led the team, scoring 12.9 points and averaging 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Nnyala Stark was the team’s second leader with 8.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Finta and Stark received MSAC All-Conference honors.
Zephora Brouillette joined Finta in averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.
Competitive Cheer
The co-ed competitive cheer team is an emerging program at SUNY Broome in its second season of existence. This season, the team has and will participate in competitions and showcases to share its various routines and put them to the test against other programs.
On February 16, the program hosted its Cheerleading Showcase where multiple youth, high school, and collegiate cheer teams from the area performed in front of their friends and family. Several SUNY Broome Cheer alumni attended to support the current cheer team (read more on page 28).
Men’s Cross Country
The 2025 men’s cross country team had a successful season with multiple runners setting personal records. Additionally, Alexander “Sasha” Asinovsky was recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa outstanding scholar on the All New York Academic Team.
The team’s top runner, Zavien Rouhana, delivered multiple top-5 or top-10 finishes on the season. He placed 2nd overall at the Conference Championship meet, 3rd overall at the Regional Championship meet, and was the fourth-best runner from NJCAA Region 3 at the NJCAA National Championship meet, where he finished inside the top 45 runners.
Women’s Cross Country
Sage Tifft represented the women’s cross country team excellently in 2025. She made her collegiate debut in August and improved as the season went on, winning the MSAC Championship race and being named the conference’s Female Runner of the Year.
She placed seventh overall at the Regional Championship meet, which qualified her for the NJCAA National Championship. In that race, Tifft achieved a personal record time, placed 45th overall, and finished as the sixth-best runner from NJCAA Region 3.
Men’s Soccer
In their debut season as Head Coach and Assistant Coach, Michael Carmody and Carlos Contreras Somoza put together a comprehensive roster for 2025, which kept several core contributors from 2024 and added a mix of talented local players and international recruits. The team carried approximately 20 players for the majority of the season, providing depth and stability.
The team challenged several opponents that were nationally ranked in the NJCAA Division 3 Men’s Soccer polls throughout the season. At the end of the year, four Hornets were selected as All-Conference Honorable Mentions by the MSAC: Aiden Argento, Corey Cottrell, Oratile Moroka, and Mario Moretin.
Women’s Soccer
In 2025, several players on the women’s soccer team earned recognition. Adrianna Finta was named to the MSAC All-Conference Team, while Paisley Jeziorski, Paige Weaver, and Madeline Hyzer were selected as All-Conference Honorable Mention. Finta, Jeziorski, and Emelinne Corrington were also named to the NJCAA Region 3 All-Region 3rd Team.
Finta led the Hornets’ in goals (11), assists (8), and total points (30). She scored a hat trick in three games. By the season’s end, she ranked fourth in the MSAC and tied for seventh in NJCAA Region 3 in goals, and third in the conference and tied for ninth in the region in total points. Hyzer logged 108 saves in goal, placing her third in the conference and fourth in the region for saves.
Softball
While the College’s softball program will not compete in the 2025-26 season, the program is committed to recruiting an exciting next class of players for the 2026-27 season.
The team’s home facility is the new Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park, which features an all turf field, batting cages, and an LED lighting system for night games.
Men’s Track & Field
Following an impressive 2024 season, the 2025 men’s track & field team outdid itself, tying a previous school record or setting a new school record on 15 occasions throughout the season. The team routinely had top-10 individual and team finishes, including the NJCAA National Championship meet where David Akulis placed 7th overall in the high jump, the 4×400 meter relay team placed 8th overall, and Zavien Rouhana placed 10th overall in the 10K.
Akulis and the four members of the relay team all received All-American nods. The team was also awarded the All-Academic Team award by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), and several individuals were deemed All-Academic Athletes.
Women’s Track & Field
(l to r) Schiff, Gray-Motto, Hein & Vazquez.
The women’s track and field team had an exceptional season. The team was the NJCAA Region 3 Runner-Up at the Regional Championship meet and possesses multiple Region 3 Champions and a National Champion. At the Regional Championship, five student-athletes won and/or finished in the top-5 of multiple events.
Three of our students were Region 3 Champions: Ava Schiff (100 meter hurdles and the heptathlon), Khala Gray-Motto (200 meter dash), and Carley Hein (triple jump and long jump). Gabriella Vazquez and Hannah Sanford took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in the discus event. In just four seasons as an established program, the team earned its third Region 3 plaque. Following the meet, Schiff, Hein, Gray-Motto, and Vazquez were named All-Region, with Schiff also recognized as the Region 3 Women’s Field Athlete of the Year.
At the NJCAA National Championship meet, Gray-Motto was the National Champion in the 200 meter dash and an All-American in three events. Schiff was 3rd overall in the heptathlon. Schiff and Hein both earned two All-American nods. The team finished 8th overall out of 22 teams at this meet. The team set a new school record on six occasions throughout the season.
Volleyball
Three women’s volleyball players received All-Conference recognition for the 2025 season. Amariah Argro, who was also an All-Region Honorable Mention, and Kendra Terrell were All-Conference Honorable Mentions. Nevaeh Masso was a 1st Team All-Conference selection and was also named to the NJCAA Region 3 All-Region 2nd Team. Additionally, she was an NJCAA Volleyball Division 3 Offensive Player of the Week in September.
Masso finished the season with a .312 hitting percentage, 268 total kills, 3.03 digs per set across 18 matches, and 197 total digs. In the MSAC, she ranked second for 315 total points and for total kills and third for hitting percentage. In the NJCAA Region 3, she ranked third for total kills and hitting percentage, and her 4.12 kills per set average and 4.8 points per set led the region.
Learn about SUNY Broome athletics and upcoming games at: www.broomehornets.com
SUNY Broome was all the buzz on Wednesday, Feb. 4, with Governor Kathy Hochul visiting our on-campus childcare facility, The B.C. Center, to announce that Broome County will receive $20M to expand local childcare.
Joined by Governor Hochul for this exciting announcement were SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr, SUNY Broome President Tony D. Hawkins, and Broome County Executive Jason Garnar (ISED ’97).
During her visit, Hochul also spent time engaging with student parents who rely on The B.C. Center to care for their children while they attend classes and labs. With the rise of adult learners through SUNY’s new Reconnect program, SUNY Broome has seen an enrollment increase of more than 20%, emphasizing the growing demand for higher educational opportunities paired with childcare services.
While on the campus, Hochul, New York State’s first female governor, described facilities like The B.C. Center as ‘life-changing’ for student parents, saying “they will have the opportunity to do both their jobs: be a full-time student, but also be a full-time parent.”
Broome County is one of three counties selected for the pilot program, and will receive $20 million to increase the scale of services and close the childcare gaps for local families.
During Governor Hochul’s visit, Chancellor King took the opportunity to check on the progress and experiences of several current SUNY Broome Reconnect students.
President D’Alleva Visits SUNY Broome
On Dec. 9, we welcomed Binghamton University’s new president, Anne D’Alleva, to SUNY Broome. Dr. Hawkins gifted Dr. D’Alleva a framed photo of the two college’s mascots, and greeted her with a hot cocoa bar and baked treats provided by the Hospitality Programs Department. Campus members were encouraged to stop by to meet her.
Broome & Binghamton celebrate new engineering transfer agreement
Future engineers need not look further than Broome County for college. A new transfer agreement between SUNY Broome and Binghamton University ensures that engineering science students have a clear pathway from their community’s college to Binghamton’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science.
On Thursday, Feb. 12, SUNY Broome President Tony D. Hawkins and Binghamton University President Anne D’Alleva gathered on Binghamton’s campus to sign and celebrate the exciting agreement.
2025 SUNY Broome engineering science graduates celebrate the agreement.
Per the agreement, SUNY Broome alumni with a GPA of at least 3.0 and who meet other academic requirements will be guaranteed admission to Binghamton’s Watson College, where they will have the option to pursue paths in computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, or mechanical engineering.
“Watson College will be fortunate to welcome talented and capable graduates from SUNY Broome,” said Dr. D’Alleva. “As Binghamton University’s top transfer partner, SUNY Broome is always eager to expand ways for students to start at our community’s college, and continue on to one of the nation’s premier public universities,” Dr. Hawkins said. He also celebrated the fact that future engineers could get the education “they need without leaving the Southern Tier.”
Notably, SUNY Broome’s Engineering Science program is part of SUNY Reconnect, making it possible for eligible adults to earn their associate degree at no cost, before transferring to Watson College.
Celebrating the Huggler Hornet Era
Retiring women’s basketball Head Coach Mike Huggler holds his plaque and stands with the women’s basketball team.
Family, friends, and Hornets from the past and present poured into the Baldwin Gym on Feb. 15, 2026, to celebrate the final home game of women’s basketball Head Coach Mike Huggler. After 25 seasons, Coach Huggler cut down the nets on a long and successful coaching career at SUNY Broome.
Throughout his tenure with the Hornets, he amassed an impressive 280 total wins. He was the Mid-State Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region 3 Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2008, as well as the Mid-State Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year for the 2010-2011 season. Under Huggler, SUNY Broome won the Mid-State Athletic Conference Championship four times.
Huggler’s influence extended beyond the court, shaping character and instilling values that will last a lifetime. In addition to coaching women’s basketball, he stepped forward to assume the role of Head Coach of softball and men’s soccer.
We thank and congratulate Coach Huggler for his unwavering 25-year commitment, dedication, passion, and leadership to SUNY Broome athletics.
In the world of New York State higher education, no initiative has been more exciting or life-changing than SUNY Reconnect.
Unveiled in May 2025, SUNY Reconnect is the product of Governor Kathy Hochul and SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King Jr.’s vision for a free, statewide community college program for adult students. Rooted in the belief in the transformative power of a college education, SUNY Reconnect is designed specifically for New Yorkers ages 25-55 who do not yet hold a college degree. Through the program, adult learners have the opportunity to complete an associate degree in dozens of high-demand fields, without the stress and burden of self-funding tuition, fees, books, and required supplies.
The State University of New York (SUNY) enthusiastically accepted the charge to launch SUNY Reconnect across the system’s 30 community colleges for the Fall 2025 semester. With that, offices across campus sprang into action, promoting eligible degree programs, designing specialized recruitment efforts, and developing a student support plan from the point of admission, to graduation, and beyond.
During the genesis of SUNY Reconnect, SUNY Broome zeroed in on the unique needs of adult students, creating full-time and part-time degree plans, with flexible scheduling for working students. Thanks to the College’s wide variety of programs and instructional modalities, SUNY Reconnect students can complete their courses traditionally through face-to-face lectures, online asynchronously at their own pace, or through a hybrid of both.
As SUNY Broome spread the good tidings of free community college, students arrived — in droves. In the fall, more than 550 students enrolled in the College’s 23 SUNY Reconnect programs, making SUNY Broome one of the SUNY system’s top-performing Reconnect campuses.
We are proud to say that adult learners aren’t just finding their way to SUNY Broome — they’re finding success, and sticking around. In fact, 83% of SUNY Broome’s Fall 2025 SUNY Reconnect students registered for Spring 2026.
Maureen Breck (ISAS ’13)
Coordinator for Student Success and Enrollment (SUNY Reconnect)
Maureen’s Advice for Reconnect Students:
“Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the SUNY Reconnect team and use us as a central point of contact throughout your time as a student. I’ve been at SUNY Broome for more than a decade, and I pride myself on being able to connect students to the right people and resources that they need. I may not know the answers to all of your questions, but I definitely know the people who do.”
Connect with Maureen Breck:
607-778-5734 | breckmk@sunybroome.edu
Arthur Oakley
Senior Staff Assistant – Admissions (SUNY Reconnect)
Arthur’s Advice for Reconnect Students:
“The beauty of SUNY Reconnect is that it is not punitive in any way. There are intentional on-ramps and off-ramps built into the program. If you need to lighten your academic load, there are options. If you need to take a break, there are options. If you decide that it’s not for you, there are options. Understanding that, I think all students should give it a chance! It’s too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
Connect with Arthur Oakley:
607-778-5299 | oakleyaj@sunybroome.edu
SUNY Broome Reconnect Programs
- Adolescence Education Studies
- Business Information Management
- Chemical Dependency Counseling
- Civil Technology
- Clinical Laboratory Technician∗
- Computer Science
- Computer Security and Forensics
- Computer Technology
- Dental Hygiene∗
- Early Childhood/Childhood Education Studies
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Science
- Environmental Science
- Health Information Technology
- Health Science
- Health Studies
- Manufacturing Technology
- Mechanical Technology
- Nursing∗
- Paramedic
- Physical Therapist Assistant∗
- Radiologic Technology∗
- Web Development and Management
∗ This is a competitive health science program. Learn more about competitive health science programs.
Learn more about SUNY Reconnect.
In Sickness, in Health, and in the SUNY Broome Paramedic Program
Kathryn Salamida, Marketing & Communications PT Staff Assistant
Marriage means having a partner in life — for Ari and Chris Vanderweyde’s careers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were never part of the plan, but it’s become their purpose. Together the husband and wife duo are taking on SUNY Broome’s Paramedic: A.A.S. program.
It’s not every day you meet the love of your life in aisle eight at Lowe’s, but that’s exactly how it happened for Ari and Chris. Both were Long Island natives who found their way to the Southern Tier in search of new opportunities. Ari initially planned to pursue engineering, but ended up in retail customer service, while Chris found his footing in retail management. They married in 2021, and while EMS was never on their radar, that would soon change.
[SUNY Reconnect] saved us financially. The weight of not having to work so many hours a week to make student loan payments was life-changing for us.– Chris Vanderweyde
Not long into their marriage, Ari’s father suffered a near-fatal Grade 5 brain aneurysm. As newcomers to the area, the couple felt isolated and overwhelmed. What they didn’t expect was the overflowing support from their neighbors in the community, especially from their local EMS squad.
“They gave us the shirt off their back,” Ari recalled. “They checked in on us even after the call was over.”
Receiving so much compassion and support from the community inspired Chris to leap into the unknown territory of EMS.
Chris joined the volunteer fire service with South New Berlin Fire, and later transitioned into EMT. Seeing the joy this new career brought Chris piqued Ari’s interest, and shortly after, she followed suit. With a resume that included retail and cosmetology, Ari admitted she had little to no knowledge of the medical world, but with hard work and time, things began to click.
The gratification and pride they felt made all the challenges worth it — in Ari’s words, “knowing you were the best part of someone’s worst day.”
After receiving their EMT certifications the couple embarked on a new journey together. They enrolled in SUNY Broome’s paramedic program in hopes of furthering their careers. The excitement they had for continuing their education quickly dwindled as returning to school full-time became financially overwhelming. Chris recalls falling behind on payments, putting them at risk of losing their home. With heavy hearts, they stepped away from the program, admitting the realities that they could not continue their passion while juggling working full-time, going to class, and paying student loans.
Then, SUNY Reconnect entered the picture. The state’s new free community college program became their lifesaver, as they learn to save the lives of others.
“It saved us financially,” Chris shared. “The weight of not having to work so many hours a week to make student loan payments was life-changing for us.”
SUNY Reconnect allowed the Vanderweydes to devote their time to continuing their education, tuitionfree. While the couple was nervous to return to the classroom after their hiatus, they were welcomed back. to the paramedic program with supportive, open arms. Though returning to the classroom was fulfilling, the highlight was having a best friend (and built-in study partner) to share the journey.
At home, the couple spends their evenings chatting about what they learned on their different rotations in class, and how they would respond to situations differently. Having someone who understands the trials and tribulations of working in EMS makes all the difference.
“Our motivation stems from the fact that we have been on the other side. We’ve been the people waiting for the ambulance,” Ari reflects. “We know what it’s like to hope and pray for someone to come and help.”
While duty still calls outside of the classroom, home life is a bit calmer for the happy couple. From spending outdoor time with their two furry companions, Milo and Millie, going to the gym, and cutting the grass (or plowing the driveway in the midst of winter), Ari and Chris enjoy the simple pleasures of life. To some, running errands and grocery shopping might feel like a burden; to them, it’s the highlight of their day.
At home, they’re partners in life, but on the ambulance, they’re simply doing their jobs. “Most patients don’t even know we’re husband and wife,” Ari jokes, “In the program and at work, we’re treated as individuals, not as a couple.”
Paramedic
The Paramedic program’s mission is to provide the community with outstanding paramedics in a timely and affordable manner. The associate degree prepares students to administer the highest level of pre-hospital care to patients in emergency situations. Graduates are prepared for careers as emergency medical technicians. Learn more.
When prospective students first hear about SUNY Reconnect, their response to the offer of an all-expenses-paid education is overwhelmingly positive. But for many, initial excitement is closely followed by self-doubt. Fears of being too old, too busy, or too far removed from the classroom inevitably surface, but inspiration cures hesitation. Don’t take our word for it — ask Elena Benjamin.
Benjamin, a full-time SUNY Broome student, is leveraging the Reconnect opportunity to retool for a new career as a health information management professional. On top of her academics, she’s a full-time phlebotomist at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital, a wife, and mother of four, somehow balancing it all while creating a new normal after a brutal battle with breast cancer. Simply put: if Elena Benjamin can find the time to embrace SUNY Reconnect, anyone can.
Benjamin hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and spent her teen years in northern Florida. After graduating from high school, she planned on taking a gap year and then proceeding to college, but plans changed when she discovered she was expecting her first child. Instead of heading off to higher ed, the new, young mother moved to the Southern Tier to be near her husband’s family.
As a working mom, Benjamin ventured into retail and commercial housekeeping. Her professional and personal priorities began to blend when her eldest daughter developed a kidney disorder known as Nephrotic Syndrome. Tasked with managing her daughter’s home care, Benjamin found herself administering treatments and transfusions. In doing so, she perfected venipuncture and dermal puncture with the gentleness of a mother’s touch.
“When I would take my daughter to her doctor’s appointments, she would say, ‘Mommy, I don’t like the way they stick me. I like the way you stick me,’” Benjamin recalled. “Her compliment inspired me to become a phlebotomist.”
Seeking official training, Benjamin enrolled in the Phlebotomy: Certificate program offered at her community’s college. In the midst of earning her certification, she was hired by the American Red Cross, which expedited her instruction through on-the-job experiences. Before long, Guthrie Lourdes Hospital was calling her name.
While balancing full-time hours at the hospital, a full load of phlebotomy courses at SUNY Broome, and caring for her family, Benjamin realized that what she brushed off as just a rash was, in fact, Triple Negative (TNBC), Stage 3C, Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). Determined to maintain normalcy, she continued to work and pursue her certificate while undergoing chemotherapy. Four months into her treatment, however, she became too weak to continue. She “rested” for three months, bravely opted for a bilateral mastectomy, and began rounds of radiation and immunotherapy.
When she returned to work, she was met with the realities that her body’s fragile immune system could no longer sustain constant, direct-patient interaction.
Encouraged by her supervisor, Benjamin scrolled SUNY Broome’s list of Reconnect-eligible healthcare programs. There, she stumbled upon the Health Information Technology: A.A.S. degree, a fully online health sciences program designed to train specialists in health information systems, medical records management, and medical coding and billing.
Benjamin was delighted to find a way to stay in the world of healthcare, but in a role that’s less physically taxing on her body. Not only did Benjamin find an answer to her career crossroads, but that answer included a free degree.
SUNY Reconnect changed my life. Without it, I’d be lost, wondering what to do next. With it, I have a future.
– Elena Benjamin
“I made a list of pros and cons in my head, but soon my list turned to mostly pros as I considered my health, my family, and my recovery schedule,” Benjamin explained. “It’s comforting to know that even though I won’t be physically with my patients, getting to know them as I do as a phlebotomist, I can still get to know them through their charts, and support them that way.”
Juggling a full-time job, the schedules of her husband and children, and many medical appointments made academic flexibility a nonnegotiable. Thankfully, the health information technology program is designed to be completed in a format tailored to each student’s unique timetable.
Benjamin enrolled at SUNY Broome in the Fall 2025 semester, and breezed through HIT 101 – Introduction to Health Information Systems, thanks to her many years of healthcare experience. Medical terms were familiar, not foreign, and her pre-existing knowledge boosted her confidence as a returning student.
College life for Benjamin is all about having an intentional schedule, mixed with a bit of patience and grace. As the first one awake in her house, Benjamin helps her kids get ready for school, and heads to work for her 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. shift. She then runs home, makes dinner, helps her kids with their homework, and devotes the next three to four hours to tackling her own studies, leaving just enough time to watch a little TV, sleep, and do it all over again.
A key to Benjamin’s academic accomplishments is the supportive community of champions cheering her on: from SUNY Broome faculty and staff, to her family, to her employer.
“My managers have been super supportive of my going back to college,” Benjamin explained. “When it’s time for me to do my HIT clinical rotations, they will work with me so that I can do them at Guthrie Lourdes around my current schedule. When I complete the program, they have offered to help me transition to a position within our system.”
Benjamin recently hit a major milestone — three months in remission! Though her care still includes regular preemptive CTs, MRIs, and bloodwork, for now, the worst is behind her. She can just focus on her bright future. “SUNY Reconnect changed my life. Without it, I’d be lost, wondering what to do next,” Benjamin shared. “With it, I have a future.”
SUNY Reconnect HIT Enrollment
Spring 2025 | 42 Students (Pre-Reconnect)
Spring 2026 | 273 Students
A 90.5% Enrollment Increase
From the Evening News to SUNY Broome
When Frank Crouch tuned into the 6 p.m. news one evening last spring, he had no idea that a life-changing update was ahead. The broadcast’s top story announced the launch of SUNY Reconnect, the new state-wide initiative offering free associate degrees to New Yorkers between the ages of 25 – 55.
Crouch couldn’t believe his ears. After decades of quietly longing to be college-educated, opportunity met desire, and at age 55, there was no time to waste! With a carpe diem spirit, the Business Information Management: A.A.S. student has a successful first semester under his belt and is eager for more.
SUNY Reconnect BIM Enrollment
Spring 2025 | 24 students (Pre-Reconnect)
Fall 2025| 250+ students
Spring 2026 | 273 students
A 1037.5% Enrollment Increase
Crouch spent his early years in Clifton, New Jersey. At just 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving for four years as an Administrative Specialist, Lance Corporal Crouch felt called to return to civilian life. While he always intended to go to college via his Montgomery GI Bill, he entered the workforce and never left.
“I would run into friends and family who finished college, and I was always a little envious,” Crouch explained. “Not truly envious, but I really respected people with degrees, because it was something that I always wanted. I was just never able to pursue an education either due to lack of finances, lack of time, or just life getting in the way.”
Post-Marines, Crouch launched his career in the communications sales industry at the height of the technological evolution from dial-up, to DSL, to fiber optics. While thriving in the communications data boom in N.J., he took a vacation to Saratoga Springs, New York, and fell in love with the resort community. He packed his bags, headed north, and traded in sales for service, with a new role guiding Medicare beneficiaries through their healthcare options.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Crouch, like many others, to engage in the act of soul-searching. Seeking a change of scenery, he relocated to Broome County with concrete goals to strengthen his faith, fitness, and mind. He became an active member of Fairview United Methodist Church, hit the gym six days a week, and rebuilt his confidence. Feeling like a new man at more than 100 lbs. lighter, Crouch’s fresh start in Binghamton was already going well when a fateful broadcast delivered unimaginably good news.
Crouch listened in awe as the reporter relayed the details of SUNY Reconnect. As a 55-year-old New Yorker with no college degree, he met all of the eligibility criteria. In a matter of days, he’d attended a SUNY Broome informational session and completed his application for the Fall 2025 semester.
I could study part-time around my work schedule, & complete my courses fully online as a distance learner — for free!
– Frank Crouch
“For most of my life, I was under the impression that going to college meant being a traditional, on-campus, in-person, full-time student,” Crouch reflected. “But then I learned that SUNY Reconnect was designed to be flexible to support the lifestyles of adult students. I could study part-time around my work schedule, and complete my courses fully online as a distance learner — for free!”
Based on his career history, skill set, and interests, Crouch enrolled in the Business Information Management: A.A.S. (BIM) program, which offers a balanced blend of business, information technology, and marketing courses. BIM students develop the tools and techniques to acquire, process, and manage information and can complete their degree in person, online, or a hybrid of both. Working in tandem with his academic advisor, Crouch developed a plan to pursue his BIM degree online at a steady part-time pace of two classes per semester.
After spending the first few weeks of the semester acclimating to college life, Crouch developed a structured study routine around his work schedule and exercise regimen. Channelling his military instilled discipline, he planned his days a week in advance, based on his syllabi, and carved out his evening hours for schoolwork.
Though Binghamton is his home base, Crouch is an avid traveler, who appreciates the flexibility of distance learning. This year alone, he’s ridden a mule in the Grand Canyon, parasailed over Key West, and escaped the frigid Southern Tier winter in Miami Beach — all with his laptop and textbooks in tow, and without negatively impacting his grades. He finished his first semester in top academic standing, affirming that his decision to enroll as a Reconnect student at his community’s college was meant to be.
“I’m super excited about the way I live my life today. My health is strong, all my bills are paid, and I’m earning my associate degree,” Crouch beamed. “At 55, I can learn and retain college-level business material! I knew I had potential, but it’s exciting to find out that I have even more than I thought. So stay tuned!”
Business Information Management
One of the College’s first fully online programs, BIM teaches the skills and knowledge required for employment with flexibility to also considers the students’ interests. Students will be trained to acquire, process, and manage information as it relates to specialized areas such as business analytics, social media management, and more. Learn more.
Since SUNY Reconnect swept the College by storm, its Health Information Technology: A.A.S. (HIT) program has nearly doubled in size.
As adult learners flock to this high-demand field, HIT alum and instructor Andrew Robertshaw (HT ’17) can’t help but be catapulted back to 2015, when he too was an adult student at SUNY Broome, in search of a meaningful future. Emulating the dedicated faculty who shaped his HIT journey, Robertshaw is devoted to ushering the newest cadre of health information management professionals through the program and into their uniquely essential roles within the healthcare field.
Robertshaw’s story begins in Breesport, New York. After graduating from Horseheads High School, he headed off to college, but with an unconventional approach. Over the course of a few years, he attended a series of SUNYs, private colleges, and online universities, bouncing between schools every semester or so, changing his major along the way. Though he spent a lot of time in the classroom, his collection of miscellaneous credits did not equal a degree.
Like his educational pursuits, Robertshaw’s career trajectory was equally varied. He worked as a server at a few chain restaurants, sold cell phones, and was a buyer for a convenience retail distributor.
I’m thankful to have had a really dynamic HIT career… [Many of my roles] I didn’t even consider when I started my career as a coder.
– Andrew Robertshaw
In 2014, his life came to a crossroads. Robertshaw’s husband passed away, and he was forced to navigate grief while working in a job that conjured nothing but dissatisfaction. As an exercise in self-discovery, Robertshaw researched “work-from-home careers” and stumbled upon medical billing and coding, which brought him to SUNY Broome for a life-changing conversation with Jane Hlopko, the then Chair of the HIT department.
“Jane spent an hour and a half, guiding me through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) career map, ” Robertshaw reflected. “By the end of our meeting, I was 100% sure that I was entering the right field. I later became the first recipient of The Jane A. Hlopko Scholarship for Health Information Technology, which I am very proud of.”
Through his discussions with the Chair, he learned that health information technology is one of the most comprehensive facets of healthcare, supporting patients from birth to end of life. Health information technicians are frontline professionals who manage and protect a patient’s medical record. Thanks to HIPAA mandates, all code sets are the same, meaning that technicians can work in all clinical and healthcare settings, including in hospitals, dental practices, veterinary clinics, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, and for insurance companies, law firms, or third-party contractors. One of the biggest perks is the field’s flexibility. Even pre-pandemic, HIT was an industry that adopted remote employment. He was hooked!
With new focus and goals, Robertshaw enrolled in the HIT program, where he threw himself into mastering new languages in medical terminology and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM). He studied the nuances of human anatomy and physiology with the same rigor as hands-on clinicians, all the while understanding he would be helping patients from afar.
While still in the program, he was recruited to work as a coder for United Health Services (UHS). He remained with UHS after earning his HIT degree and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification in 2017, and amassed extensive expertise in coding every specialty, with emphasis in the musculoskeletal and genitourinary systems. Flourishing as a coder, Robertshaw’s proficiency was noticed again and again by recruiters. Talent recruitment is a common practice in the high-demand field of health information management, and professional opportunities at UHS and beyond were constantly being presented.
“I’m thankful to have had a really dynamic HIT career. I’ve worked in compliance education, served as an EPIC credential trainer, and led a team as the Director of Medical Records for an inpatient psychiatric facility. ” Robertshaw said. “I was recruited by a hospital in New Hampshire, where I served as the Compliance and Privacy Officer and Manager for Coding and Clinical Documentation Improvement. These were all roles that I didn’t even consider when I started my career as a coder.”
Not only was Robertshaw growing professionally, but he continued to grow academically as well, earning his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Southern New Hampshire University and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Administration from Franklin Pierce University.
Though he never imagined working in higher education, Robertshaw was intrigued by a posting for a faculty position in the department that gave him his start. Excited to mentor future technicians, Robertshaw officially joined the HIT department just as SUNY Reconnect became a reality. The new wave of adult learners was natural for the HIT program, which has a long history of attracting more seasoned students – including Robertshaw himself.
Careers in HIT are often second acts. Some students join the program with no healthcare experience; others are practitioners nearing the end of their clinical careers, wanting to remain in the field. Regardless of professional or educational background, all prospective HIT students can be successful if they are detail-oriented and willing to learn.
“Students just need to be able to turn on a computer, and we’ll teach you the rest,” Robertshaw shared. “Thanks to the growth of technology, most medical records have become so intuitive that even true technophobes are able to work in this field. There are a ton of resources available to support our industry.”
Faculty in the HIT program work to engage their students, even in a fully online format. Online courses have video lectures and numerous opportunities for students to engage with one another and the instructor.
“We specifically make an effort to present live, recorded lectures, so that students still have access to the traditional, real-world classroom experiences,” Robertshaw said. “We purposely do not edit our lecture videos, so it’s as if you’re in our classroom. We’re a technology program, so we’re going to use all of the technological resources available to ensure our students are successful.”
When Robertshaw nervously visited campus a decade ago, he was simply in search of a change. Little did he know that ‘change’ would one day lead him right back to SUNY Broome to repay the transformative education he once received.
Health Information Technology
HIT technicians steward the medical record and patient information. Their scope of practice spans all health information management, encompassing everything from registration, to medical coding, to back-end billing. Students can complete this program entirely online. Learn more about the Health Information Technology program.
Service, Smiles, and Second Acts at SUNY Broome
Exactly eight decades ago, the New York State Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences at Binghamton was founded as a post-World War II, state-funded experiment in higher education. The purpose was simple: to offer veterans an opportunity to retool in high-demand fields in gratitude for their service. Since then, thousands of U.S. veterans have proudly come to SUNY Broome to do just that, including veteran, alumna, and Dental Hygiene: A.A.S. professor, Kristin Hofer (née Pretty) (DH ’02).
After serving for eight years as a Petty Officer Second Class in the U.S. Navy, Hofer earned her dental hygiene degree at the College via her GI Bill benefits. Equally passionate about her military service and dental career, she returned to her alma mater to train the next generation of oral health practitioners.
Hofer spent her early childhood in Brooklyn, New York, before trading city living for country life in the Poconos. As a young girl, she was profoundly inspired by films involving the military, which set her sights on a potential career. Despite her family’s rich history of service in the armed forces, her parents were initially unenthusiastic about their daughter’s naval ambitions. After graduating from Honesdale High School, Hofer spent a year drifting through the workforce, all the while knowing she was best-suited for the Navy. In 1988, against her parents’ wishes, she enlisted. After seeing how she excelled in the military, their reservations quickly transitioned from fear to pride.
Though she admittedly didn’t enjoy school, Hofer (then Pretty) performed strongly on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Selected as an Operations Specialist, her duties included a combination of intelligence, radar, and communications. As she awaited an official posting, Hofer was based in San Diego, California, supporting the Navy Seabees, when orders to report to the USS Acadia (AD-42) arrived. The timing wasn’t ideal, as she had just given birth to her first daughter. Leaving her two-month-old to her family’s care, she boarded the maintenance support ship destroyer tender for an eight-month deployment. Throughout her four years with the USS Acadia (AD-42), she was mobilized to the Persian Gulf twice during the height of Operation Desert Storm.
Following the decommissioning of USS Acadia (AD-42), Petty Officer Second Class Pretty became part of the historic first group of women assigned to the destroyer USS John Young (DD-973); a combatant ship. Seeking proximity to family ahead of a potential deployment, she requested an East Coast duty station, finishing her service at the Military Entrance Processing (MEPS) station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
After eight years of active duty, it was time for Hofer to embrace her post-Naval second act. As she contemplated following her sister into nursing, her mother jumped in to offer her two cents: “You’re obsessed with teeth! Go be a dentist or a dental assistant!”
“I did love teeth, but I didn’t think that I could raise my child on a dental assistant’s salary, and I didn’t have the means to go to college for eight years to become a dentist,” Hofer explained. “A Navy friend’s wife was a dental assistant, and she told me about the cool, professional auxiliary role of a dental hygienist. I was all ears!”
Since Google had yet to enter the world, Hofer researched dental hygiene programs the good old-fashioned way — by asking local dentists. Her findings boiled down to two schools: Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and SUNY Broome, then known as BCC. She completed her prerequisites, applied to both programs, and waited by the mailbox. SUNY Broome’s acceptance letter was the first to arrive. Just days later, more exciting news followed — Hofer and her husband were expecting a baby!
“Classes started the last Monday in August, and I delivered my daughter that Thursday. Luckily, it was a long weekend, so I was back in class that Tuesday,” Hofer reflected. “I was offered the option to complete the first year of the program in two years, as part of a medical leave accommodation. I had a brand new baby, a seven-year-old, and an hour and a half commute to campus each way — but if there’s a will, there’s a way.”
I had a brand new baby, a seven-year-old, and an hour and a half commute to campus each way — but if there’s a will, there’s a way.
– Kristin Hofer
As clinical licensure board exams and graduation approached, Dr. Robert Haray, DDS, a general dentist in Damascus, PA, reached out to the dental hygiene program to see if any soon-to-be graduates would be willing to work in Pennsylvania. Hofer met with Dr. Haray, and graduated with a job offer in hand.
“I saw patients three days a week, in ten-hour days,” Hofer explained. “That part-time schedule gave me the flexibility to be the classroom mom for my daughters, while still being able to contribute to our household. There are so many benefits to a career as a dental hygienist. The profession is high-paying, family-friendly, and so rewarding.”
Still guided by the growth mindset instilled during her military service, Hofer set her sights on her next professional goal. Encouraged by her husband, she pursued advanced education in her current field, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Dental Hygiene from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Hofer then launched her third act as professor of dental hygiene, teaching online for the University of Bridgeport, serving as a clinical instructor at New York University (NYU), and as a faculty member at SUNY Orange. Though she appreciated each institution, she couldn’t help but compare them to the gold standard set by her alma mater. In 2016, she leapt at the chance to return to the hallowed halls of the Decker Health Science Center’s Dental Hygiene Clinic as a clinical instructor. The following year, after going through a national search process, she was offered a full-time faculty position, and with that, many of the talented women who had first trained her, became her peers. (It did take her a while to stop calling her fellow faculty members “Mrs. Hankin and Mrs. Maier.”)
Kristin Hofer adjusts a photo on her office wall. The photo is of a US Naval vessel she previously served on while in the Navy.
Proving that you can’t take the Navy out of the girl, Hofer mentors her hygiene students with the same level of attention and preparedness that she would as if they were junior sailors. Though the specifics of their service differ, they are equally vital.
“People often don’t realize how clinically deep and medically connected the role truly is, doing far more than just cleaning teeth.
Dental hygiene students complete prerequisite coursework comparable to that of nursing programs, and serve as a vital part of the healthcare team,” Hofer explained. “Preparing for this level of responsibility requires significant academic rigor, but it is absolutely worth it.”
Locally Trained, Locally Retained
New alum Niaz Hussain (CSAS ’25) is the picture of SUNY Broome success: he graduated with his Computer Science: A.S. degree on a Thursday, and by Friday afternoon, he was already moving into his first office downtown. But the best part of Hussain’s story is that it is not unique. He’s one of the thousands of students who followed the college-to-career path, which starts at SUNY Broome, and ends with a job offer from one of the area’s top employers. As the community’s college, SUNY Broome’s mission is to attract, train, and retain local talent — and the results speak for themselves.
Born and raised in Broome County, Hussain grew up surrounded by a large community of extended family and friends. The oldest of five children, he paved the way as the first Binghamton Patriot in his family.
Naturally drawn to technology, his affinity for all things hardware and software started early. When he wasn’t taking apart phones, tablets, and computers, he was solving complex equations as a Binghamton High School mathlete. Bitten by the cybersecurity bug, Hussain dabbled in coding with C++ in his free time. Hoping to turn his part-time hobby into a full-time career, he felt the logical next step would be to earn a degree in computer science with additional certifications in cybersecurity.
Initially interested in private universities upstate, Hussain reconsidered his options upon realizing that everything he was looking for was in his backyard.
“SUNY Broome had the computer science program that I wanted, which is the gold standard for tech people, and the College had a really welcoming learning environment,” Hussain explained. “I immediately felt at home on campus.”
As Hussain became immersed in the world of data structures, discrete mathematics, and object-oriented programming, he discovered a vital network of support from his fellow soon-to-be coders and technologists.
A significant portion of our staff, myself included, are proud SUNY Broome alumni. We are thrilled that Niaz, as a recent graduate, has become an integral and valued member of our team.
— Mark Lane, William H. Lane Incorporated President & Chief Executive Officer
“Though we weren’t officially a club, the computer science students essentially acted like one out of necessity,” Hussain laughed. “I would spend 20 hours on an assignment, and not know how to solve it, so I’d meet my friends in the AT Lab to work on it together. We’d finally figure it out after lots of collaboration and a little bit of intentional avoidance to clear our minds.”
Innately industrious, Hussain never shied away from hard work. Throughout his life, he’s repaired cell phones, fixed roofs, entered data, and worked in food service. Hussain spent his second year on campus employed by the College’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Department. There, he manned the help desk, reset passwords, guided his classmates through the portal, and troubleshot hardware issues.
As graduation neared, Hussain was browsing local jobs when a listing for an Operations Support Specialist at William H. Lane Incorporated caught his eye. Within an hour of applying, he was invited to interview, and by the end of the week, he was officially on the payroll.
William H. Lane Incorporated, a local leader in construction management, general construction, and design services, has been a long-time champion of the community’s college. As a Bronze Circle annual donor, the company is instrumental in funding the Presidential Honors Scholarship, SUNY Broome’s full-tuition scholarship awarded to top-performing high school seniors from across the Southern Tier. As a firm believer in the quality of a SUNY Broome education, it’s no wonder the company leapt at the chance to hire a recent graduate.
“In general, I think employers really respect computer science students, because they understand that our world is driven by technology and that we are trained to solve the technological problems that inevitably arise,” Hussain shared. “Locally, I think employers also really respect SUNY Broome graduates. They know that our degrees really prepare us for our fields.”
Hussain’s role at Lane is twofold. On the operations side, he manages the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, supporting project managers as they prepare for new jobs. As the primary on-site IT professional, Hussain balances systems administration with cybersecurity management. One minute, he’s fixing a blueprint printer three times his size, and the next, he’s writing a script to optimize workflow. He combats phishing attempts and repairs on-site and off-site hardware. Instead of outsourcing their IT needs to vendors across the country, the team can now just pop down the hall for help from Hussain.
“I feel like I’m definitely making a contribution to the office, but I am also learning so much,” Hussain beamed. “The construction industry is so interesting. Every day I learn more about construction management and design.”
Always hungry to learn more, Hussain juggles working full-time with completing his bachelor’s degree in computer science. When he’s not solving problems, he likes to relax with friends and focus on his faith.
“A few weeks ago, I was driving home from the grocery store and needed to pray. I was right by the campus, so I pulled in and went to the Meditation Room in the Commons,” Hussain shared. “It was the first time that I had been on campus since I graduated, and it felt so nice to be back at Broome as a new alum.”
1960s
Peter M. Mueller (BT ‘61) shared that his wife, Mary E. Mueller, passed away on August 7, 2025. They enjoyed over 61 years of marriage. His six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, Peter says, “are keeping me busy.”
Esther Tiel (LA ’67) graduated from SUNY Cortland with a teaching degree and became an elementary teacher at African Road Elementary in Vestal, NY. Esther remarked, “I was offered an annual salary of $6,500. That seemed like a lot of money at the time.” However, she was soon to be a little disoriented because she arrived at her new job during a teachers’ strike! Esther loved teaching. While she can’t remember the names of every student, she still recalls their faces. After moving to Florida, she primarily worked in the food service industry before retiring in 2004.
1970s
Sandra Sawka Kostun (MO ’79) married her husband, Sergius Kostun, on May 18, 2008. She worked in Medicare for 29 years before accepting a position at Good Shepherd Village in Endwell, NY, where she has been employed for the past 16 years. Sandy shared, “Throughout my years working at Medicare, I was a member of Toastmasters International. I was the area governor for Toastmasters and participated in speaking contests.”
1980s
William H. Slawson (LAAA ’88) has published a second novel, “In Devils Country,” about an idyllic and affluent New Hampshire town harboring a dark secret, and a third novel, “Twelve Past Dead,” in the summer of 2025. He resides in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife, three children, and a large dog.
Reunited Cheer Alumni
A group of former Hornet cheerleaders hold up their custom t-shirts at the Cheer Showcase.
On Feb. 16, 2026, SUNY Broome Cheer alumni returned to the hive for the Cheerleading Showcase. After the showcase, they had the chance to be recognized during a brief ceremony, receive a custom Broome Cheer Alumni T-Shirt, and connect with the current cheer team.
1990s
Bernadette Gibson (ISMH ’98) is active in the community with organizations such as the Indian Culture Club, the Indian Cultural Center, the American Legion, the board of elections, and school board elections.
2000s
Nicole Alfarano Hallett (BUMT ’07; ISAS ’10) married Raymond Hallett, Jr. (BUMM ’96) in the fall of 2025. Several months ago, she accepted two promotions, becoming Operations and Finance Manager for Binghamton University’s Philosophy Department and Liaison for Binghamton University’s School of the Arts.
2020s
Sidney Stanley (CHDC ’24; ISAS ’21) has decided to retire. He plans to stay active in the community.
Leslie Cason Woodward (CHDC ’20; HSCD ’20) is employed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor at New Seasons.
Class Notes Major Key
BT | Business Technology
BUBA | Business Administration
BUMM | BMMM | Business Marketing Management & Sales
BUMT | Business Management
CHDC | Chemical Dependency Counseling
CT | Civil Engineering Technology
DH | Dental Hygiene
ES | Engineering Science
HSCD | Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate
ISAS | Liberal Arts Individual Studies – AS
ISMH | Individual Studies in Mental Health
LA | Liberal Arts
LAAA | Liberal Arts: Associate in Arts
MO | Medical Office Assistant
MT | Mechanical Engineering Technology
Bruce Dancesia (BT ’73) attended SUNY Broome (1971-73) on the GI Bill after serving in the Army for two years. His tour began in March 1969 at Fort Dix, NJ, and then onto Vietnam (1969-1970) as an Infantry soldier serving with Bravo Company 3/506 & 1/502 in the 101 Airborne Division. He would end his tour at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. He shared, “I enjoyed going to Broome and the folks I met while going there!”
Marilyn Kostick Walther (CT ’77) enlisted in the Army after graduation. She served on active duty as a Medical Laboratory Technician from November 1977 to July 1981. Marilyn was outprocessed from the Army in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she finished her degree in Environmental Studies as she was “trying to piggyback on the Civil Tech background.” She met her future husband, Marty, and they moved to Washington state, where they married in 1988. They then relocated to Olympia, WA, so that Marilyn could enroll in The Evergreen State College’s two-year teacher education program. She taught at a private, non-profit alternative high school for 10 years. Marilyn notes, “In 1993, our son Michael was born and we pretty much lived happily ever after! We traveled when we could. In 2014, we bought an RV and drove up to Alaska after Michael graduated from nursing school. I’m so glad to have my start at BCC, but my adventures started in the Army and especially in Alaska!”
Gregg Baumann (ES ’85) earned an Engineering Science associate degree at BCC before transferring to Clarkson University for Chemical Engineering. He remembers, “It was my chemistry professor at BCC who encouraged me to go down the path I did in engineering, which then led to my joining the Navy in 1986 as a naval engineer. Between 1986 and when I retired in 2016, the military took me all over the world. It provided me with professional challenges I never would have had elsewhere in the private sector.” He started out as a shipboard propulsion plant engineer, but later specialized in Diving & Salvage engineering. Eventually, he led the Navy’s Diving & Salvage, Director of Ocean Engineering command in Washington, DC. “I now work for Resolve Marine, the largest marine salvage company in the US and one of the few leading salvage companies across the globe. I loved my professional career! Had it not been for BCC, my career path more than likely would have taken me elsewhere. Lastly, a special shout-out to the current SUNY Broome Foundation staff for their continued outreach to Vets and for providing opportunities for us to give back!” Read more of Gregg’s story.
Filippo Muggeo (MT ’94) served in the US Navy from November 1988 to October 1992. He was assigned to the USS Nassau LHA 4, and he served during the Persian Gulf War, where he was at sea for nine months. Filippo’s last title was MM3 (Machinist Mate Petty Officer Third Class), and he was the first person at his rank to get a warfare pin.
Peter Vallese Sr. (MT ’49)
Peter Vallese Sr. (MT ’49), in his custom basketball jersey, stands shoulder to shoulder with members of the 2025 men’s basketball team.
Peter Vallese Sr. (MT ’49) passed away on Oct. 19, 2025, at age 97. A farm boy from Vestal, he pursued higher education to put his mechanical mind to work. Out of his eight siblings, Peter was the only one to earn a college degree. One of his great regrets occurred during his time as a student — after making it through all the trial practices, he was unexpectedly cut from the College’s basketball team. SUNY Broome addressed this on January 22, 2025, by presenting him with a basketball jersey and making him an honorary member of the basketball team (read more).
He worked at Link Aviation and IBM (retiring as a senior designer) and farmed. In retirement, he remained busy as a volunteer and church member. Peter was introduced to farm girl Waneta Skinner by a “matchmaker” — the local milk tester who knew both families. They married in 1951 and had three children: Janice Cornell (DH ’73), Peter Vallese Jr., and Robert Vallese. He lovingly cared for Waneta later in her life after her Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Peter will be fondly remembered for his kindness, community involvement, and family focus.
Throughout the years, the BROOME magazine staff has had the privilege of knowing and featuring many outstanding alumni. However, the 2022 interview with Peter and our interactions with him are special and treasured memories. We were truly honored to know this member of the College’s first graduating class.
Hockey Fans for Life
Former BCC hockey players with their former hockey coach, Dr. George Higginbottom (center with hat), at a Harvard Men’s Ice Hockey Game.
Former Broome Men’s Hockey teammates, Gary Gillette, “Fran” Witkowski (BMMM ’81), Ron Kurtz, Michael Rusnak (LA ’80) & Steve Griffith (ES ’80), enjoy dinner with their former coach.
Higginbottom on the Harvard Hockey Team.
Francis “Fran” Witkowski (BMMM ’81) recently shared that, in late January 2026, a group of former BCC hockey players took their former hockey coach, Dr. George Higginbottom, to attend a Harvard Men’s Ice Hockey Game.
“George was Harvard’s leading scorer for the 1958-59 Men’s Ice Hockey team,” Fran explained. “Additionally George was selected to tryouts for the 1960 USA Olympic Hockey team, which won a Gold medal that year.”
Dr. Higginbottom founded the BCC Hockey Team, which began as a club team, and served as its head coach from 1975 to 1986. Dr. Higginbottom served as the dean of liberal arts from 1975 to 2002 and as the Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1979 to 1980. In his over 30-year career at the College, Dr. Higginbottom taught history, government, and philosophy courses under various titles. He retired as an assistant professor in 2005, but later returned as an adjunct for a time. Fran remarked, “George has been not only a great coach, mentor, but, above all, a true friend.”
Hornet Histories, classic or retro SUNY Broome photos and trivia, are posted regularly on the Alumni Affairs social media.
On Aug. 27, 1981, the College held a freshman picnic to welcome new students to campus.
The picnic provided them with the opportunity to meet advisors, professors, staff, administration, and their fellow students. Afterwards, according to the 1981 yearbook, “the remainder of the day was reserved for a picnic and beer, balloon rides, Simon Sez, and music by Nexus.”
Alumni Reunion
April 17 | 5:30 p.m. & April 18 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Alumni Night at the Binghamton Rumble Ponies
August 21 | 7:00 p.m.
Alumni Night at Tioga Downs
September 19 | 5:00 p.m.
24 Hours of Giving
December 1 | 12:01 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Learn about all of SUNY Broome’s alumni events at sunybroome.edu/alumni.
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