Advancement Updates

Give Day 2019: A ‘Super’ Success

Superheroes were everywhere on campus and on social media April 10, when the UC community came together to celebrate inspiring people and raise funds to support the College. A total of 336 donors contributed more than $72,000 during the 24-hour event, and social media was buzzing with touching tales from alumni, students, faculty, and staff about the people who made a difference in their lives at UC. Among the superheroes: Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Mark Kovacs and Geology Professor Sharon Kanfoush (pictured).

Mark believed in me and encouraged me through some really difficult times. I am grateful every day for the efforts he put in, and I know I was one of thousands of students who benefitted from his guidance.”

—Natalie Haig ’02

I have used what Dr. Kanfoush taught me each and every day in the classes I have taught over the past 13 years ... even her rock jokes.”

—Kevin Ford G’07

Thurston Hall Receives Two Grants

Utica College has been awarded a combined $325,000 in grants for the new construction management building, Thurston Hall.

The Fred L. Emerson Foundation awarded UC with $200,000 in December 2018. Located in Auburn, New York, the Emerson Foundation is family-owned and provides support to core community organizations in Central New York.

A $125,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust will help fund technology upgrades in Thurston Hall, including new computers for 3-D rendering, flat-screen televisions, technology-enabled equipment for labs, and building infrastructure technology.

The Trust has a long-standing relationship with the College. Since 1998, the Trust has awarded grants to UC for upgrades to its science facilities, including the Gordon Science Center microbiology laboratory and, most recently, a grant for nursing-simulation equipment in 2015.

Thanks, ALOT

Alumni Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT)

Utica College’s second cohort of Alumni Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) celebrated graduation with a ceremony on April 23. Over the course of the spring semester, the members attended various networking events and workshops designed to educate the group about staying connected to Utica College as alumni.

Notable Alumni Deliver Commencement Addresses

Linda Bramblett '89

Linda Bramblett ’89 and Joseph Martino ’08, G’10 served as the commencement speakers for Utica College’s undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, respectively, on Saturday, May 11.

Bramblett is the director of North American transportation for International Paper, one of the world’s leading producers of fiberbased products. She graduated from Utica College in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts/pre-engineering and went on to earn a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech. Over 25 years, she has served in numerous roles with International Paper. She has been in her current position since June 2018.

Martino is a supervising gaming operations inspector for the New York State Gaming Commission. He received his bachelor’s degree in economic crime investigation with a minor in economics, and a master’s of business administration in economic crime and fraud management from Utica College. Martino was previously a criminal investigator for Washington State Office of Fraud and Accountability assigned to detect social media trafficking of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Martino was also a state-licensed private investigator from 2010 to 2014.

John Costello ’66 Awarded Honorary Degree

John Costello was the 2019 recipient of Utica College’s Honorary Degree, awarded at commencement on May 11.

Costello ’66 began his career in marketing and management with the Eastman Kodak Corporation. He continued in the field of international development in a number of senior project management and executive positions. In 1985, he co-founded the international non-profit organization Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) and served as its president for 29 years before retiring in 2014.

Costello has also served as a consultant to government and international organizations, including as Chairman of the United States Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA) from 1988-1991, where he played a critical role in the development of U.S. international public policy. In the early 1990s, he served as a member of the Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy for the U.S. Department of State.