Alumni Accomplishments
Varick Chittenden ’63, founder in 1986 and former executive director of Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY), was named heritage center project director at TAUNY. Varick is a retired English professor at SUNY Canton and will have plenty of time to devote to TAUNY as it completes the move to a big new facility on Main Street in Canton.
Jim Berkman ’82, head coach of the 2008 men's lacrosse NCAA Division III undefeated national champion Salisbury (Md.) University Sea Gulls, has named the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III National Coach of the Year after becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA men's lacrosse history during the season. It was the Sea Gulls’ eighth national championship and fifth in the past six seasons under Berkman, whose career record is 330-35 (321-30 in 20 seasons at SU). The Sea Gulls have won 45 straight games and are 124-2 in the past six seasons, and are 100-0 in CAC conference play over 13 seasons. Berkman was an All-American midfielder at St. Lawrence as a senior.
The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) has inducted Stephen C. Butler ’79 of Seattle, Wash., and Christopher Silver ’73 of Gainesville, Fla., into the elite membership of AICP’s College of Fellows. “The AICP College of Fellows recognizes individuals who've made exceptional contributions to the planning profession,” said AICP President Graham Billingsley. “The Fellows have devoted their careers to excellence in planning and they set the highest standards for professional planners today.” Butler, director of planning and community development for the City of SeaTac, Wash., was honored in part for his plans for pedestrian-friendly station areas on the Seattle-SeaTac International Airport light rail line and a greenbelt plan for Cape Elizabeth, Me. Silver is dean of the College of Design, Construction, and Planning at the University of Florida; an internationally recognized scholar, teacher, and consultant, his expertise on the history of urban and regional planning and international development planning has been exercised through editorships, consultancies and various leadership roles at nonprofit organizations.
Two Laurentians nominated by the Canton Rotary Club for prestigious Ambassadorial Scholarships have been awarded them. It is highly unusual for two to be awarded from the same club, according to Rotary International.
Katie Gauthier ’04, a trip leader for Putney Student Travel and a master's degree candidate in international studies at the University of Oregon, and Brooke James ’06, coordinator of student activities and leadership at St. Lawrence, were awarded the $24,000 scholarships, which fund international travel and study. The purpose of the program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. Scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homeland to Rotary clubs and other groups, and upon returning home share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country. Host countries are chosen by the Rotary Foundation. James says her top choices are South Africa and Barbardos; she plans to study for a master's degree in culture and heritage tourism in 2009-2010. Gauthier indicates that her top picks are Egypt and Uganda.
Mark Russell ’90 is the new president of Wunderman Team Detroit office, primarily supporting all of the digital and direct marketing efforts for Ford Motor Company. He manages 400 people. Wunderman is a communication services group. Previously, Russell was senior vice president and managing director of the Boston and Dallas offices of Carat Fusion, where he was responsible for 22 national and global clients including John Deere, Wachovia, AOL, Reebok, Motorola and Radio Shack. With a JD in corporate law from Western New England College, Russell was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1996. He lives in Grosse Point, Mich., with his wife, Amy Saunders Russell ’90, and their three children.
Sandra Boynton ’69, professor in the humanities and social sciences department at Schenectady (N.Y.) County Community College, received the 2008 SCCC Foundation Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. Her accomplishments include being named the only community college recipient of the 2004 NEH Institute’s Summer Workshop “Shakespeare’s Playhouses Inside and Out,” developing the Theatre in London course/program at SCCC and producing and directing many productions
on campus. An English major at St. Lawrence, she holds an M.A. in theater from the University at Albany.
Karen Murray Cady ’72 was recently promoted to associate vice president of marketing communications at Salem State College in Salem, Mass. She will provide leadership for the centralization of all marketing initiatives for the 10,000-student campus, including advertising, media relations, communications, publications and interactive marketing; and generate support for the college as it moves towards university status, cultivate interest among prospective students, and build a foundation upon which the college's fundraising and alumni efforts are strengthened. She was previously the college’s director of college relations.
Brian Akley ’87 has been elected vice president for business development of MLB Construction Services, LLC of Malta, N.Y. He has primary responsibility for the firm’s business acquisition activities in the Northeast as well as in North Carolina and Florida, where MLB has satellite operations. He joined the company in 2007 after a 20-year career in public service; he worked with the Empire State Development Corporation and was deputy commissioner of the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. A history major and wrestler at St. Lawrence, he is an adjunct professor of tourism and resort development at Hudson Valley Community College.
First Niagara Risk Management, Inc., of Buffalo, N.Y., announces the appointment of Joseph Teresi ’89 as chief executive officer. He had been the company’s executive vice president and director of field operations. He joined FNRM, the wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of First Niagara Bank and its parent, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., in 2006 after 17 years at Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. The holder of an MBA from Columbia University, he received the designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) in 1993.
Franco Bari ’98 is the new women’s soccer coach at St. Lawrence. He had spent the last two years as head coach of the Greensboro College women’s soccer, and prior to that has coached at Elmira College, where he was named Empire 8 Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002. A stellar player for the Saints, he won all-conference recognition four times and was Upstate Collegiate Athletic conference Player of the Year in 1997.
