Immerse yourself in a campus culture that's as eclectic as you are.
Sportscaster Dreams
A lifelong dream has become a reality for Caramia Carista ’26. The SUNY Potsdam junior was recently hired to be an on-air broadcaster for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Division I Swimming & Diving Championships on ESPN+. From overcoming a career-ending injury to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, Carista has turned resilience into opportunity, building her voice behind the mic and advocating for greater coverage of women’s sports along the way.
From classical guitar at The Crane School of Music to leading AI and Siri innovation at Apple, Marc Schonbrun’s journey is anything but predictable. An unexpected call to write his first guitar book sparked a prolific literary career, opened doors into music software, and ultimately led to shaping products like Apple Watch and now Health Software at Apple.
Nearly 40 years after first enrolling at SUNY Potsdam, Jeff Yette ’26 is getting ready to cross the finish line. What began in the late 1980s as a studio art degree paused for career opportunity—and evolved into decades of leadership in IT, audio engineering and technology management. Now, just one course shy of completing his interdisciplinary studies degree, Yette is proving it’s never too late to check off a lifelong goal.
A 13-year partnership between SUNY Potsdam and the New York State DEC has helped return endangered spruce grouse to the Adirondacks—strengthening ecosystems, launching careers, and leaving a lasting legacy of research, mentorship and applied learning. Dr. Glenn Johnson and alumna Angie Ross ’02 have completed the Spruce Grouse Translocation Program, a landmark effort to increase population numbers and improve genetic diversity by relocating birds from remote regions of Ontario and Maine to New York’s boreal forests.
SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey player Elise Clifford ’26 is making a difference in the North Country—reading to local elementary students, hosting community skating events, and showing young learners what it means to be a good human. Discover how Potsdam student-athletes are giving back to the community.
SUNY Potsdam alumnus Fire Captain William F. Burke Jr. ’77 is remembered not only for his heroism on Sept. 11, 2001, but for a life rooted in compassion, learning, and community. From the friendships he formed at Potsdam to the scholarship created in his name, Billy’s impact continues to shape lives.
From milestone celebrations to everyday moments, join us for a look back at some of our favorite photos from 2025! Read more
Her Big Break
Crane School of Music alumna Emma Marhefka ’21 took center stage at the Metropolitan Opera, winning the Laffont Competition and experiencing a full-circle moment shaped by talent, perseverance, and powerful Crane connections.
From classroom to career, SUNY Potsdam geology grads hit the ground running. Ty Paddock ’25 and Jesse Bullock ’25 used the hands-on training and mentorship of Dr. Mike Rygel to pass the NY State Fundamentals of Geology exam—and landed jobs right out of school in the North Country.
What does it take to paddle 90 miles through the heart of the Adirondacks? For SUNY Potsdam students, it’s more than a race—it’s an immersive learning experience in leadership, endurance, and community. Joined by alumni and staff, this year’s crew took on the Adirondack Canoe Classic with grit, teamwork, and support from a dedicated student-led Pit Crew.
