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2022 Class Notes
1970s
Edward Burghard 鈥�74, Liberal Arts and Sciences, published his first book on branding, Building Brands: What Really Matters. His second book, Building Brands: Making It Personal, was published this past November. Both are available on Amazon.
1980s
Mark Cushman 鈥�81, Mechanical Engineering Technology, is serving as vice president of organizational development with Fiber Instrument Sales/Giotto Enterprises in Oriskany, N.Y. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in public administration from Syracuse University, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. He also holds an executive education certificate in Employment Law from Cornell University, is a Certified Organizational Development Coach, and is a member of Giotto Enterprises鈥� Corporate Board of Directors in Oriskany, N.Y.
Thomas J. Barnes 鈥�82, Advertising and Design Production, joined with Ricoh USA, Inc. as a field service technician working at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield in Rochester, N.Y. Barnes has 40 years working in offset printing, die cutting, plate making, and digital printing since graduating from 911吃瓜.
Anthony Retrosi 鈥�86, Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned a degree in history from the University of New Hampshire and has since worked with world champion and olympic gymnasts in Italy, Iceland, Switzerland, and the U.S. He has also lectured on gymnastics training and coach education throughout the U.S., Canada, Central America, Europe, and Australia.
Monica Famolaro Welpe 鈥�87 鈥�89, Liberal Arts/Respiratory Care, has been working with Oneida Health in the ventilator unit for over 23 years and as a consultant therapist with Upstate Respiratory Consultants for over four years.
2000s
Heather Beebe 鈥�03, Human Services, was accepted to Albany Law School. Beebe is an international best-selling author, retreat host, public speaker, humanitarian, and advocate. She is a certified coach with online interactive classes in emotional intelligence. In addition to her degree from 911吃瓜, Beebe holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in interdisciplinary studies with a triple concentration in history, technology, and globalization.
Durell Cull 鈥�09 was named 911吃瓜鈥檚 track and field coach/athletic specialist and will recruit and coach student athletes for the 911吃瓜 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 track and field teams. He enters this role with more than eight years of successful coaching experience with the Hawks including for the men鈥檚 team: six NJCAA National Champions, more than 25 All-Region Athletes, 15 Regional Champions and 16 All-Americans. The women鈥檚 team won the 2015 NJCAA National Championship and 2019 Region III Championship and has named 20 All-Region athletes, seven Regional Champions, and two All-Americans.
2010s
Hermin Garic 鈥�13, Human Services, was invited to participate in the 2022 Boston Marathon as an elite athlete and finished eighth overall. This was his fourth time competing in the Marathon, but his first time invited as an elite athlete. Prior to the Boston Marathon, Garic competed and broke the course record at the Cooper River Bridge Run in South Carolina. These are just a couple of his many highlights in racing this past year.
Craig Cammarata 鈥�15, School Facilities Management, has been named the new director of facilities for the Levittown Public School District.
Cesar Figueroa 鈥�15, Welding Technology, is working as a high school welding instructor in Salinas, Calif. Figueroa first earned a certificate in English as a Second Language before completing his 911吃瓜 degree. After graduation, he transferred to SUNY Oswego, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in technical education.
Brandon Pugh 鈥�15, Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences, has been named Rome Health鈥檚 Preparedness Coordinator. He will coordinate and implement emergency preparedness and safety standards to provide a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
McLane Tyoe 鈥�15, Engineering Science, went on to Clarkson University to earn a civil engineering degree with concentrations in structural engineering and construction engineering management. Tyoe has been with Kiewit, a large construction and engineering company for five years and is now the site superintendent for their wastewater concentrated subsidiary, Jett Industries in New York City.
Erich Luther 鈥�16, Engineering Science, has been employed as a lead manufacturing engineer for GE Aviation/Unison in Norwich, N.Y.
Hannah Wasco 鈥�17, Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies, obtained her bachelor鈥檚 degree in forensic psychology from SNHU and is the risk management specialist at The Arc, Oneida-Lewis.
Garrett Lesher 鈥�18, Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies, continued his education at Utica College, where he earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree. Lesher is employed as an information security analyst in Utica.
Brittany Leo 鈥�19, Cybersecurity, is pursuing her bachelor鈥檚 degree in information technology from SUNY Empire State College.
Catherine H. Lester 鈥�19, Administrative Assistant, graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business management with a concentration in human resources in December. She plans to go on for her master鈥檚 degree in business management.
2020s
Sophie Garner 鈥�20, International Studies, was selected to deliver the student address at the University of Maine鈥檚 Commencement ceremony on May 7, during which she graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science.
Kathryn LaPaglia 鈥�20, Liberal Arts & Sciences General Studies, has been awarded the top scholarship offered by Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Currently a senior accounting major at Le Moyne College, LaPaglia received one of 71 scholarships awarded nationwide. Tau Sigma鈥檚 primary objective is 鈥渞ecognizing and promoting the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students.鈥�
Alexandria LoGiudice 鈥�21, Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies, graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health and science studies from Quinnipiac University and is attending SUNY Broome Community College for an associate degree as a clinical laboratory technician.
Stephen Becker 鈥�22, Air Conditioning Technology - Refrigeration, is employed at Comfort Systems USA.
Abby Coston 鈥�22, Photography and Fine Arts, completed her second summer as a hired photographer for the Levitt AMP Utica Music Series and is a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
Samuil Kislyuk 鈥�22, Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies, has been accepted to the mechanical engineering program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Patrick Peckham 鈥�22, Airframe and Powerplant Technician Certificate, joined the aviation maintenance team at Piedmont Airlines.