Alumni & Friends

The SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association is proud to welcome new members into the alumni family each year as our students graduate. Shared experiences at SUNY Potsdam and during the years following graduation keep our community strong, throughout generations and no matter the distance. We love connecting with our alumni and friends-check out the links below and contact the Office of Alumni Relations with any questions.

Alumni & Friends Connection Form

Keep the Potsdam Family connected by updating your contact information, sharing exciting life updates and learning about volunteer opportunities! Complete the Alumni & Friends Connection form.

Crane School of Music Livestream

Don’t miss a performance by any of our talented students, faculty members or guest artists! Many Crane School of Music concerts and recitals are streamed live on YouTube and Facebook. View the current livestream schedule.

Impact the Next Generation of the Potsdam Family

SUNY Potsdam alumni and friends play a role in both SUNY Potsdam's history and future. Ensure that our current students have access to opportunities and experiences, like the ones that positively impacted you as a student, by making a gift today.

Refer-a-Student Program

You can help the Potsdam family grow by sharing your love for the College with a prospective student. The Admissions Office will connect with the student, and you can receive a Potsdam Proud Package, including resources for students you know and a gift for you. Complete the online form today!

Stay connected with alumni and friends all year long!

Social media allows us to share nostalgic memories, exciting news and relevant stories with our growing network of alumni and friends. Follow our public pages on Facebook and Instagram, or request to join our private alumni groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.

View Active Alumni by State

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.

Nourishing the North

From lifelong friends to moms and entrepreneurs, Murphy (Newman) Liggio ’17 and McKaylee (Boak) Knight ’19—former members of the College’s women’s lacrosse team—have launched Harvest House, a new juice and smoothie shop in Canton, N.Y.

Rock Solid Careers

Rooted in the North Country, powered by a Potsdam education. Our geology alumni—Ty Paddock ’25 and George Frisco ’16, and Jesse Bullock ’25—are carving out exciting careers in the region and driving innovation, exploration, and new discoveries.

From Potsdam to Pulitzer

Stephan Savoia ’75, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, first caught the photojournalism bug at SUNY Potsdam in 1974. From capturing historic moments like the aftermath of 9/11 to numerous presidential campaigns, his career has spanned decades as he shaped history through his lens. Now retired, Savoia reflects on his extraordinary journey and will return to his alma mater this summer to share his stories and showcase his remarkable work.

Crane to the World: Vallejo’s Journey

Jessie Vallejo ’07, a SUNY Potsdam alumna, has taken her passion for mariachi music from the Crane School of Music to global stages, performing at venues like Dodger Stadium and the Latin Grammy Awards. After earning her Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, she now teaches at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, while also returning to Potsdam to support the college’s mariachi program, Los Osos del Norte.

Radical Honesty with Chuck Lorre ’74

Chuck Lorre’s return to SUNY Potsdam in the Fall of 2024 was candid and heartfelt. The legendary TV producer reflected on his journey, from humble beginnings to creating iconic sitcoms, while sharing lessons learned and an inspiring $1 million donation to support future students. Don’t miss this glimpse into the mind of the man behind “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.”