Distinguished Alumni

Distinguished Alumni Award

A wall filled with photos honoring distinguished alumni from SUNY Niagara
A wall filled with photos honoring distinguished alumni from SUNY Niagara

SUNY Niagara Distinguished Alumni Award

Established in 1988, the NCCC Distinguished Alumni Award is the College’s highest honor, recognizing graduates for outstanding achievements in career, volunteer work, and personal life. Selection considers professional accomplishments, community service, and unique backgrounds.

Recipients are inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Wall and celebrated at the annual Scholarship Soirée. These esteemed alumni contribute significantly to SUNY Niagara’s future by donating to scholarships, mentoring students, and participating in events.

A wall filled with photos honoring distinguished alumni from SUNY Niagara
A wall filled with photos honoring distinguished alumni from SUNY Niagara

2024 Distinguished Alumni Recipients

Michael Garner

Class of 1980

Pamela Walck

Class of 1985

Richard L Andres Jr

Class of 1999

Nominate a Distinguished Alumni

  • SUNY Niagara Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who are positive role models, involved in their community and exhibited accomplishments in their field.  Selection is based on achievement after leaving SUNY Niagara/NCCC and shall include a worthy record of more than one exemplary achievement.
  • Nominee must have completed 50 or more credit hours at SUNY Niagara/NCCC; yet it is strongly recommended that nominee is a graduate.
  • Nominee must have graduated or transferred from SUNY Niagara/NCCC ten (10) or more years ago.
  • Nominee cannot be current SUNY Niagara employee, NCCC Foundation Board Member, SUNY Niagara Alumni Association Committee Member, College Association employee, Housing Board Member, or member of the Board of Trustees. Retirees from these entities must be retired for one year prior to May 31 of the nominating year to be considered.
  • Persons running for political office will not be considered during their campaign cycle.
  • Applications may not be submitted by the nominee or current employees of the NCCC Foundation office.

Based on the desired qualifications, please answer the following questions in a narrative form. The narrative should be a minimum of two pages with a maximum of three pages in length.

  • What achievements or contributions from this nominee make them deserving of this honor? How has their work positively impacted their field, community, or the lives of others?
  • List business & professional achievements. Describe how nominee has demonstrated significant, measurable achievement in their chosen field. If applicable, list any additional degrees or certifications the nominee has obtained and explain how these credentials have contributed to their success.
  • List professional honors and awards, professional affiliations, and publications. Explain the significance of these recognitions and how they highlight their achievements.
  • List civic and community involvement. Describe how the nominee has contributed leadership service to the community, state, nation or world.
  • List past and/or present volunteer service to SUNY Niagara.
  • Describe the nominee’s involvement, leadership and/or financial support to the Alumni Association, the NCCC Foundation and/or the College.
  • List any other appropriate qualifications which merits consideration.
  • A resume and narrative must be included with the nomination form.  A resume is not considered a replacement for the narrative.
  • Nominations will be kept on file for consideration for three (3) years.  If not selected within the three-year period, we welcome a new nomination.

This award will be presented at the Annual NCCC Foundation Scholarship Soirée in October. The award recipient will be required to attend and is a guest of the SUNY Niagara Alumni Association. The deadline for all submissions is Monday, June 16, 2025.

Mailing Address for Printed Applications:
SUNY Niagara Alumni Office, 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn, NY 14132

Previous Distinguished Alumni Recipients

Award YearNameGraduation Year
2023Mark Cye1993
2023Michael Filicetti2010
2022Lee Wallace1972
2021Elizabeth Corieri1983
2021Angelo (Zig) Fracassi1985
2020JoAnn Pellegrino1997
2020Muriel Anderson1983
2019Deborah Burns1978
2019**Peter I. Certo1973
2019Rebecca Cuddahee1995
2019Richard Frizzell1965
2018Paul Lamont1986
2018Ellen Latham1977
2018Michael Messina1983
2017Phyllis Floro1988
2017Jennifer Pitarresi1983
2015James Toellner1978
2014Patrick J. Sorge1985
2013Dr. Paul Churder1975
2013Peter Robinson1991
2012Joanne Stanton1980
2011Deborah Karp Coder1977, 1988
2010Eric L. Gansworth1986
2009Susan J. Geissler1974
2008William M. Paterson1965
2008Ronald F. Zito1972, 1978
2007Tammy Austin-Ketch1990
2007Carmen Presti1985
2006Richard Avdoian1971
2006Ellen L. Swan1983
2006Louise Volpe1968
2005Stephen F. Brady1975
2005Nancy Babis1984
2005Richard P. Winter1974
2003Christopher J. Carlin1981
2003A. Joseph Catalano1990
2003**Angelo DelSignore1970
2003Ronald R. Winkley1978
2002Les Kachurek1983
2002Melanie Collins Tisdale1975
2002Lizabeth M. Weiss1972
2001Penny Cacioppo1995
2001Rebecca M. Cindric1996
2001James A. Mezhir1968
2001Robert J. Travis1975
2001Ronald J. Winter1974
2000Gene Carella1970
2000Jamie Marcolini1981
2000Patricia Siola1973
1999Ernest Palmer1985
1999Ginger Tucker-Lamb1987
1998Domenico Cavaiuolo1974
1998Dr. Anthony DeLuke1973
1998Michael LaFever1970
1997Dr. Anne Martin-Staple1966
1997Dr. Richard Sawicki1973
1996Senator George Maziarz1974
1996Joseph A. Ruffolo1976
1995Robert Bradley1973
1995Geraldine Cindric1992
1995Clifton Gibson1989
1995David Nemi1978
1995Lynne Shuster1967
1994Patricia Evans1977
1994Lessie Hamilton-Rose1970
1994Michael S. Sloma1987
1993Richard Mullaney1974
1993Salvatore Passanese1973
1993Frances Sorge-Dotton1970
1992*Lily Campbell Taddeo1973
1992Gail L. Tylec1980
1991Jean Adjemian1967
1991George Helfrich1972
1990Teresa McEvoy1972
1990Paul Raczkiewicz1965
1990Theresa M. Silvestre1982
1990Virginia M. Taylor1976
1989Floyd F. Amann, Jr.1966
1989Kay Brayley1975
1989*Estelle Pavlock Jurasz1975
1989Randy W. Schultz1975
1989John Turner1969
1988Renae Kimble1974
1988Carol Henschel1971
1988* Duane Schielke1974
1988Leon Smith1965
1988*Charles P. Steiner1970

Contact

Barbara DeSimone

Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement


  • Phone: 716-614-5904

Courtney Helinski

Interim Director of Development

  • Phone: 716-614-6231