Connections Magazine

SUNY Niagara Alumni Association

Class Notes

Mark Bridges

Mark Bridges was awarded best costume design at the 2018 Oscars. He was also presented with a jet ski that night for shortest acceptance speech. Bridges attended SUNY Niagara before transferring to Stony Brook University in Long Island.

Margaret Chang

Margaret Chang, who attended NFCI for Baking & Pastry Arts, opened a new bakery in Canton, NY called Sweet Margaret. Her bakery specializes in small runs of gourmet baked goods and custom work, but offers the unique flavors of Asian style breads from Chang’s native Taiwan and boba tea.

Murisa Printup

Murisa Printup and her husband Robert D’Ailmonte opened their own store called Tuscarora Woodworks in Lewiston, NY. It features planks of fragrant wood that are cut, engraved, carved or printed with images that evoke traditional Haudenosaunee culture.

Rita Voss Kramer

Rita Voss Kramer and her family celebrated 50 years of business at Voss Manufacturing in Sanborn, NY. After her father passed away, Rita returned to SUNY Niagara where she received her degree in Mechanics before taking over the company with her husband, sons, and employees.

Lucas Gravelle

Lucas Gravelle, who attended a summer program in 2014, was signed to the NFL team the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.

1960’s

Bruce Sutherland ‘66

Bruce Sutherland was inducted into Lewiston Porter High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Sutherland received his Mathematics and Science degree in 1966 and is currently the Village of Lewiston’s Deputy Mayor.

1970’s

Mike LaFever ‘70

Mike LaFever has been named the Diocese of Buffalo’s new school Superintendent. Mike graduated from SUNY Niagara in 1970, received our Distinguished Alumni award in 1998, and has been an active and valued member of our SUNY Niagara Alumni Association Committee ever since.

John Swick ‘78

John Swick, 1978 Criminal Justice graduate, celebrated his 40 years of service with the Middleport Police Department. Swick was hired by the MPD in 1978 and was appointed to the Chief’s post in 1987 at the age of 27.

1980’s

Carolyn Welch ‘80

Carolyn Welch has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Manager at Chelsea Groton Bank. She graduated from SUNY Niagara in 1980 with her degree in Secretarial Science.

Gail Tylec ‘80

Gail Tylec has been appointed as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Niagara. She received her degree from SUNY Niagara in Humanities & Social Science in 1980.

Daniel Grace ‘81

Daniel Grace is the Vice President of Defense Operations & Sustainment for Textron Aviation Defense in Kansas. He graduated from SUNY Niagara 1981 where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology: Mechanical Design. His fondest memories of SUNY Niagara include using the Engineering and Science labs and also playing club hockey.

Stephen Zurenda ‘84

1984 Liberal Arts & Science graduate Stephen Zurenda is currently retired after serving in the military as Master Sergeant Air Reserve Technician where he traveled to over 40 different states and 24 countries. His fondest memories of SUNY Niagara include going to the Library and the Fitness Center.

Suzanne Jordan-Williams ‘86 & ‘10

Suzanne Jordan-Williams was named Budget/Reimbursement Director in the Finance Department at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Suzanne graduated from SUNY Niagara in 1986 and 2010 with her most recent degree in Accounting.

1990’s

Mark Carl ‘97

Mark Carl, 1997 Nursing graduate, has been named Director of Critical Care and Medical Surgical at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center.

2000’s

Stephanie Leathers ‘01

Stephanie Leathers joined the team at Plymouth Harbor as Administrator of Assisted Living and Memory Care. She graduated from SUNY Niagara in 2001 with her Nursing degree.

Phillip Jackson ‘03

Phillip Jackson, 2003 Audio Engineering and Protools Recording graduate, has opened up SongMaster Records on the third floor of the Harrison Place in Lockport, NY. He said his goal is to sign one artist in each genre from the local WNY area!

William Krayss ‘04

William Krayss, 2004 graduate, is currently working as the Director of Community Housing for Empower, formerly known as Niagara Cerebral Palsy. He is also married with two kids and his fondest memory of SUNY Niagara is graduation day when Tom Toles gave the Keynote Address.

Jeremy Stopa ’08

Newfane native and SUNY Niagara ’08 Humanities & Social Science Alum, Jeremy Stopa, defeated Tyler Coleman of Ontario, Canada, at the Main Street Armory to claim the Full Contact Promotions Lightweight (155-pound) championship. Stopa, a nationally-ranked wrestler while attending SUNY Niagara, said he’s hoping his MMA victory can lead to a professional fight contract.

2010 & up

Shaneka Hilson ’10

Shaneka Hilson has been appointed to Director of the fifth floor medical-surgical unit at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital. Hilson began her career at Mount St. Mary’s in 2008 and most recently served in the position of nursing supervisor. She is a 2010 graduate of the SUNY Niagara Nursing program and is currently completing her BSN at Niagara University.

Justin Maurer ’12

Justin Maurer joined the United Way of Greater Niagara Board of Directors. Justin graduated from SUNY Niagara in 2012 his with degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working at the Goodyear Plant in Niagara Falls, NY. He is also president of the union there at the Local 277 USW.

Jeanna Vanille ‘12

Jeanna Vanille celebrated her 4 year anniversary with Stone Hollow Farm and Carriage House Bakery in Middleport, NY. Vanille graduated from the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute in 2012 with her degree in Baking & Pastry Arts.

Elizabeth Dashnaw ‘15

Niagara Falls Culinary Institute Alum, Elizabeth Dashnaw ’15, played a primary role in the opening of the café Breadhive located in Buffalo, NY and designing their menu. She has said that the worker cooperative model plays to her strengths, allowing her to come up with her own style of doing things and excelling at what she does best.

Zack Klug ‘15

Zack Klug graduated from the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute in 2015 with his degree in Winery Operations. He has now opened his own winery called Liten Buffel in Middleport, NY after working for Freedom Run Winery.

Danielle Dirks ‘17

This year’s Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition featured a piece “Untitled” by SUNY Niagara graduate Danielle Dirks ’17. The art exhibition showcases work by student artists from across the 64 State University of New York Campuses, allowing for a year-round display to be seen by wider audiences at the State University Plaza in Albany, the SUNY Global Center in New York City, and Governor Cuomo’s office in Washington, D.C. Danielle’s piece was selected to receive an Honorable Mention award and a prize of $500.

Matt Cross ‘18

Matt Cross has been drafted by the MLB’s Oakland Athletics. The University of Pittsburgh commit was selected with the 563^rd overall pick in the 19^th round. Matt is the fourth SUNY Niagara player to be drafted.