

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.


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 Year | Name | Graduation Year |
---|---|---|
2023 | Mark Cye | 1993 |
2023 | Michael Filicetti | 2010 |
2022 | Lee Wallace | 1972 |
2021 | Elizabeth Corieri | 1983 |
2021 | Angelo (Zig) Fracassi | 1985 |
2020 | JoAnn Pellegrino | 1997 |
2020 | Muriel Anderson | 1983 |
2019 | Deborah Burns | 1978 |
2019 | **Peter I. Certo | 1973 |
2019 | Rebecca Cuddahee | 1995 |
2019 | Richard Frizzell | 1965 |
2018 | Paul Lamont | 1986 |
2018 | Ellen Latham | 1977 |
2018 | Michael Messina | 1983 |
2017 | Phyllis Floro | 1988 |
2017 | Jennifer Pitarresi | 1983 |
2015 | James Toellner | 1978 |
2014 | Patrick J. Sorge | 1985 |
2013 | Dr. Paul Churder | 1975 |
2013 | Peter Robinson | 1991 |
2012 | Joanne Stanton | 1980 |
2011 | Deborah Karp Coder | 1977, 1988 |
2010 | Eric L. Gansworth | 1986 |
2009 | Susan J. Geissler | 1974 |
2008 | William M. Paterson | 1965 |
2008 | Ronald F. Zito | 1972, 1978 |
2007 | Tammy Austin-Ketch | 1990 |
2007 | Carmen Presti | 1985 |
2006 | Richard Avdoian | 1971 |
2006 | Ellen L. Swan | 1983 |
2006 | Louise Volpe | 1968 |
2005 | Stephen F. Brady | 1975 |
2005 | Nancy Babis | 1984 |
2005 | Richard P. Winter | 1974 |
2003 | Christopher J. Carlin | 1981 |
2003 | A. Joseph Catalano | 1990 |
2003 | **Angelo DelSignore | 1970 |
2003 | Ronald R. Winkley | 1978 |
2002 | Les Kachurek | 1983 |
2002 | Melanie Collins Tisdale | 1975 |
2002 | Lizabeth M. Weiss | 1972 |
2001 | Penny Cacioppo | 1995 |
2001 | Rebecca M. Cindric | 1996 |
2001 | James A. Mezhir | 1968 |
2001 | Robert J. Travis | 1975 |
2001 | Ronald J. Winter | 1974 |
2000 | Gene Carella | 1970 |
2000 | Jamie Marcolini | 1981 |
2000 | Patricia Siola | 1973 |
1999 | Ernest Palmer | 1985 |
1999 | Ginger Tucker-Lamb | 1987 |
1998 | Domenico Cavaiuolo | 1974 |
1998 | Dr. Anthony DeLuke | 1973 |
1998 | Michael LaFever | 1970 |
1997 | Dr. Anne Martin-Staple | 1966 |
1997 | Dr. Richard Sawicki | 1973 |
1996 | Senator George Maziarz | 1974 |
1996 | Joseph A. Ruffolo | 1976 |
1995 | Robert Bradley | 1973 |
1995 | Geraldine Cindric | 1992 |
1995 | Clifton Gibson | 1989 |
1995 | David Nemi | 1978 |
1995 | Lynne Shuster | 1967 |
1994 | Patricia Evans | 1977 |
1994 | Lessie Hamilton-Rose | 1970 |
1994 | Michael S. Sloma | 1987 |
1993 | Richard Mullaney | 1974 |
1993 | Salvatore Passanese | 1973 |
1993 | Frances Sorge-Dotton | 1970 |
1992 | *Lily Campbell Taddeo | 1973 |
1992 | Gail L. Tylec | 1980 |
1991 | Jean Adjemian | 1967 |
1991 | George Helfrich | 1972 |
1990 | Teresa McEvoy | 1972 |
1990 | Paul Raczkiewicz | 1965 |
1990 | Theresa M. Silvestre | 1982 |
1990 | Virginia M. Taylor | 1976 |
1989 | Floyd F. Amann, Jr. | 1966 |
1989 | Kay Brayley | 1975 |
1989 | *Estelle Pavlock Jurasz | 1975 |
1989 | Randy W. Schultz | 1975 |
1989 | John Turner | 1969 |
1988 | Renae Kimble | 1974 |
1988 | Carol Henschel | 1971 |
1988 | * Duane Schielke | 1974 |
1988 | Leon Smith | 1965 |
1988 | *Charles P. Steiner | 1970 |
Contact

Barbara DeSimone
Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement
- Phone: 716-614-5904

Courtney Helinski
Interim Director of Development
- Phone: 716-614-6231