Locals: People and Businesses in the News
WRITERS READ: The Springfield Library hosted Suzanne Goodrich and Nancy Einreinhofer of the Springfield Historical Society for an author reading of their newly published book, “Around Springfield.” According to Library Manager Hanna Conbeer, the event was attended by 40 people interested in local history. “The authors gave an overview of the chapters they included. They highlighted specific moments of interest in the history of Springfield, including the Gilded Age and the picture selection of Bill’s Garage. A rousing discussion of various local buildings followed, with questions being fielded from the audience,” wrote Conbeer. Books were made available for purchase and signing following the presentation. “Around Springfield” is still available for purchase at the Springfield Historical Society, 129 County Road 29A, Springfield Center on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Folks are invited to stop by the historical society to chat with Suzanne and Nancy, purchase a book, or learn more about Springfield’s history. (Photo provided)
WORDS FROM WIGHTMAN: Oneonta Dollars for Scholars presented 67 outstanding students with scholarships on Tuesday, May 30 at an event held at the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Field House. Scholarships were awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and work experience, said Penny Wightman, treasurer for the Oneonta organization. Selection in the open application process was also based on student essays submitted, she said. Wightman, who served as master of ceremonies, greeted more than 200 students, parents and friends. She noted that Oneonta Dollars for Scholars has presented scholarships since the organization’s inception in 1991. It is a not-for-profit affiliated with Scholarship America, a nationwide group. “With the addition of two new scholarships this year, we have hit the million dollar mark,” Wightman said. “Perhaps most deserving of thanks are our family scholarship donors. You have linked our present with our past in a way that makes Oneonta a vibrant and thriving community,” she told the many donors scattered throughout the audience. Leighton Eastman, a student representative for Oneonta Dollars for Scholars program, said, “It is rare to have a scholarship ceremony like this. It recognizes students and local donors.” Tiffany Gardner, a student representative last year, said without scholarships “some of these kids may not have the financial option to go to college. It allows them to pursue their interests. It may help them buy computers for their dorms and other things like that.”
HAMILTON HEROES: Aben Carrington of Oneonta and Wriley Nelson of Cooperstown received Bachelor of Arts degrees from Hamilton College on Sunday, May 21, in a commencement ceremony concluding the college’s 211th year. Carrington and Nelson majored in physics and government, respectively.
MARVELOUS MARSZAL: SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran has recognized Lauren Marszal of Unadilla for earning high marks during the spring 2023 semester. Marszal is a SUNY Canton funeral services administration major. “Congratulations to all the exceptional SUNY Canton students who have earned a well-deserved spot on the President’s List,” Szafran said. “Your remarkable achievement is a testament to your dedication, perseverance and outstanding academic abilities.” President’s List recognizes full-time students who achieve a 3.75 or greater grade point average.
HARTWICK HONORS: Victoria Spina of Worcester, majoring in art and business administration and minoring in anthropology, and Madilynne Smith of Morris, majoring in history and Spanish and minoring in museum studies, were named to the spring 2023 Dean’s List at Hartwick College. To be included on the Dean’s List is an indication of excellence in academic work. To qualify, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours during the term. Also making the list were Christian Holoquist, Avery Piefer and Angeline McGraw, all of Oneonta.
BUSINESS BOUND: Brendan Lohan of Cooperstown earned his degree from the University of Mississippi in May 2023. Lohan, who majored in management, received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the School of Business Administration. “Our May 2023 class of graduates are distinguished by incredible achievements, character and resilience,” said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. “They accomplished so much during their years at Ole Miss, and we can’t wait to see all the ways they will pursue their passions and reach their full potential on their paths to a bright future.”
DEAN’S DUO: Garrett Beckwith of Sidney and Carter Mackey of West Oneonta were named to the Castleton University Dean’s List for the spring semester of the 2022-23 academic year. To qualify for this academic honor, the student must maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of 3.5. Castleton University, in Castleton, Vermont, offers more than 75 programs of study for undergraduate and graduate students, 28 varsity sports, and more than 50 clubs and organizations.
PRESIDENT’S PICKS: The following local students were named to the Siena College President’s List for the spring 2023 semester: Alyssa Blanco, Otego; Victor Gelfuso, Richfield Springs; Isaiah Johnson, Cooperstown; Lindsay Perrillo, Worcester; and Alexandria Tsamis, Richmondville. Founded in 1937, Siena College is a private, Catholic Franciscan, residential, liberal arts college with a student body of about 3,000. The President’s List requires a 3.9 grade point average or higher.
WINNING WINES: The Otesaga Resort Hotel has been honored by “Wine Spectator” magazine for the extensive wine program at its fine-dining restaurant, 1909. “Wine Spectator” announced its 2023 Restaurant Award recipients on Monday, June 26. The awards celebrate the world’s best restaurants for wine, including establishments from all 50 states and more than 75 countries and territories. “It’s an honor to be recognized by ‘Wine Spectator’ for our commitment to delivering an incredible wine experience for our guests at 1909,” said Jacob Staffin, director of food and beverage at The Otesaga. “The prestigious designation symbolizes the quality experience guests have with our wine program.” 1909 was the recipient of the Award of Excellence, which is bestowed upon restaurants that offer thoughtfully chosen wine lists featuring high-quality and diverse selections that are compatible with the menu’s style and pricing. 1909’s wine list features more than 275 wine selections from both domestic and international wine-producing regions, including a curated mix of varietals and vintages. “Wine Spectator” reviews a restaurant’s wine list compared to its cuisine to ensure proper pairings, while also making sure the offerings appeal to a wide range of wine aficionados. 1909’s menu features a diverse selection of cuisine for every palate, using fresh, local ingredients. Diners can choose from the finest cuts of meat, fresh seafood and shareable sides. “We’re proud of Jacob and his team for their dedication not only to 1909’s wine list, but also to the restaurant’s outstanding service,” said Marty Rosenthal, general manager at The Otesaga. “It’s a privilege to earn this award and it is an incredible testament to the culinary experience guests receive at our resort.”
OUTSTANDING OTEGAN: Madison Couperthwait of Otego has been named to the Emory & Henry College spring 2023 Dean’s List. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must be full-time students and receive a 3.6 grade point average for the semester. Consistently ranked among the nation’s best private liberal arts institutions, Emory & Henry has more than 80 academic majors and tracks, including the new Schools of Nursing and Business, and an average class size of 15 students making individualized education a priority.
ACADEMIC ACCOLADES: John Wolfert of Oneonta was recently recognized with a silver-level leadership milestone through SUNY Oneonta’s LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program. Wolfert, who is studying professional accounting at SUNY Oneonta, earned this distinction through a commitment to improving oneself and enhancing knowledge by exploring leadership opportunities, participating in campus organizations, and serving the campus community by taking on recognized leadership roles. Completion of this level requires attending 19 events designated with a learning outcome (three must be diversity events), actively participating in four recognized organizations, completing three online courses (Foundations of Leadership, Personal Development, Organizational Development), and serving as an officer in a club or organization for at least two semesters (average of 219 hours to complete).
CLEAVELAND CELEBRATED: SUNY Canton has recognized Kelly C. Cleaveland of Oneonta for earning Part-Time Honors during the spring 2023 semester. Cleaveland is a SUNY Canton health care management major. The college created this award to recognize students who earned at least a 3.25 GPA in six to eleven credit hours of coursework. It stands alongside the college’s Dean’s List and President’s List as one of the top awards given for academic success during a single semester.
SUPER STUDIERS: The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 716 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the spring 2023 semester. Among the local students to make the list are: Andrew Bowen, Hartwick, art education; Theresa Cerosaletti, Oneonta, environmental studies; Jason Donovan, Cooperstown, exploratory/undeclared; Kaylee Hovick, Otego, music business; and Caroline Whitaker, Hartwick, art education. To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
LOCALS LAUDED: SUNY New Paltz has announced its Dean’s List for the spring 2023 semester, recognizing students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average in a semester with a full-time course load. Local students named include: Ashley Clareen, Richmondville; Adell Coe, Oneonta; Hart Frable, Oneonta; Hannah Gray, Sidney; Olivia Hansen, Oneonta; Morgan Keuhn, Gilbertsville; Logan Parmerter, Oneonta; Sonja Reyda, Otego; Stephanie Rudloff-Rico, Cooperstown; and Vincent Santini, New Berlin.
BACHELOR’S EARNED: The following SUNY Oneonta graduates with ties to Otsego County earning bachelor’s degrees in May are: Aliyah Abdelsalam, Oneonta; Jacob Aubrey, Oneonta; Leah Aubrey, Whitehall; Christopher Baldino, Nanuet; Madison Bancroft, Schuyler Lake; Zachary Brown, Fly Creek; Haleigh Burton, Unadilla; Ethan Chichester, Richmondville; Christine Finch, Cooperstown; Reilly Francisco, Maryland; Amethyst Gardner, Oneonta; Ghulam Ghous, Unadilla; Felicia Gonzalez, Oneonta; Sylvia Hernandez, Maryland; David Lincoln, Oneonta; Montana Munoz, Oswego; Aidan Neer, Otego; Christopher Robbins, Unadilla; Jillian Segina, Mount Vision; Molly Seidl, Cochecton; Tanner Sorbera, Burlington Flats; Samantha Spina, Davenport; Elizabeth Thompson, Morris; Abigail Thorsland, Oneonta; Angela Wayman, Rouses Point; Bethanie Weand, Oneonta; Nicholas Zamelis, Cooperstown; Fenghua Zhao, Oneonta; and Dominick Zupo, Milford.
AYOUCH APPOINTED: Herkimer College announced that Karen Ayouch of Whitesboro has been selected for the position of dean of academic affairs for assessment, institutional effectiveness, and research. Ayouch will be responsible for campus-wide institutional assessment and effectiveness. She will also provide data reports to state, federal, and accrediting agencies and conduct internal institution-wide research. Ayouch has been employed by Herkimer College since 2003 in several capacities, most recently as the director of institutional research. She also has served as a systems programmer analyst and a financial aid assistant. Ayouch holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in information design and technology from SUNY Institute of Technology.
STUDENT ATHLETE SUCCESS: Avery Leonard of Maryland was named to the Middle Atlantic Conference Academic Honor Roll at Alvernia University on Thursday, July 6. Leonard is one of 202 Alvernia student-athletes who maintained a grade point average greater than 3.20 for the entire academic year. Alvernia University is a Catholic liberal arts university with more than 3,000 students.
MICHIGAN BOUND: Lennon Rose Gelbsman, daughter of Jeff and Nicole, granddaughter of Howard and Joyce, graduated from the University of Michigan with honors. She received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology, health and society and a minor in Judaic studies. After her trip to Israel, Gelbsman will attend the Masters in Management program at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!