We are excited to celebrate the 2024 Alumni Association Award Recipients during Reunion 2024. We continue to honor these members of our SUNY Potsdam community who demonstrate excellence in their professional achievements and loyal service to the College.
Presented to alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the Alumni Association and/or the College.
Carol Dumka
Carol Dumka ’75 is a person who is always willing to share her time, talents and service to her alma mater. During her 8 years as President of the Crane School of Music Alumni Board, Carol has dedicated herself to strengthen the board by increasing its presence and outreach activities and by helping Crane and its students in any way possible. Carol has the unique ability to find the right people to do each job by identifying their strengths and passions. As one who values the importance of face-to-face meetings, Carol frequents the trip from Syracuse to Potsdam to attend board meetings, concerts and events in person.
Presented to non-alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the Alumni Association and/or College.
Katie Logan
Through her work in the Office of College Advancement, Katie Logan’s time with SUNY Potsdam can be summed up as such “Our team, quite literally, would not be able to do our work if she wasn’t so capable and proficient at her job.” When Katie is not driving through campus on her trusty golf cart during Reunion Weekend, assisting alumni, students and friends throughout the year, and ensuring that the Prometheus Alumni Food Pantry is well stocked for our students, her kindness and professionalism helps instill confidence and the great pride she takes in being a member of the campus community and SUNY Potsdam Family.
Bill Mitchell (Mitch)
Dedicating almost 40 years to SUNY Potsdam, Bill Mitchell (Mitch) has worked his way up the ranks through the College’s Athletic Department. He has been a key player assisting the men’s basketball team to D-III Championship in 1985, working alongside Coach Jerry Welsh, and he led the team to the SUNYAC regular season title in 2002. Mitch was the visionary creating our annual campus and North Country Community’s Bear Pride Night. He has facilitated sports programs on and off campus and has made sure our Potsdam’s Bears are supported however they need it. His sacrifice of time has paid off immensely as the campus celebrates its dedicated athletes and teams.
Presented to alumni who have demonstrated outstanding lifetime professional achievement.
Michael Deane
Michael Deane ’74 has led a long and decorated coaching career, having spent 44 years as a college basketball coach. Deane spent thirty-one seasons as a head coach, three “March Madness” Tournament appearances, and a 437-332 head coaching record in NCAA D-1. He has been honored with inductions into eight basketball Hall of Fames, including SUNY Potsdam’s. His time as coach was beneficial to the colleges he worked with and all his players and teammates that have found great success because of Mike’s dedication and commitment to basketball.
Rick Reagan
Rick Reagan ’90 has established himself as an extremely successful and trusted investment manager. Rick has shared that SUNY Potsdam provided him with the tools and confidence he needed to achieve this success, which created his desire to give back and support SUNY Potsdam students and faculty. Rick philanthropically supports the College as a testament and belief in its mission and is someone who wants to help make Potsdam stronger. He is truly invested in ensuring Potsdam’s present and future will be a successful one.
Presented to alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in their first decade as SUNY Potsdam graduates.
Kris McCarthy
Although it has only been a few short years since Kris McCarthy ’14 graduated, he has not wasted a bit of time. After spending seven years playing professional hockey for four different teams, he has used his skills, determination, and experience to build FanSaves, a mobile app that allows sports fans to save money at businesses that sponsor their favorite teams. As FanSaves Co-Founder and COO, Kris continues to use his skills as the business expands into partnerships with many leagues.
Cecilia Snow
A triple threat performer and third generation Crane School of Music graduate, Cecilia Snow ’14 is a talented vocalist, dancer, and actor. Even before graduating with her BM in Vocal Performance, Cecilia was a rising start with her many, and astounding, talents. Since graduating, Cecilia’s accomplishments include touring in Japan with Disney on Classic, singing in a masterclass for Tony Award Winner, Kelli O’Hara and most recently she has spent the last thirteenth months as a performer in the national tour of Six: The Musical, which only casts triple threats!
Presented to alumni who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in their workplace and/or community.
Kyle Parker
Since their days at SUNY Potsdam, Kyle Parker ’08 has always fought to embrace and elevate underserved people, especially the LGBTQ+ community. Gifted with the ability to make everyone feel accepted, loved and appreciated, Kyle has dedicated their life to service to others. A full-time live-in volunteer at the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center, in Sydney, NY, Kyle works to bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ people and the underrepresentation in faith practices. As Kyle prepares to become a mental health counselor, love, compassion and advocacy will remain at the forefront of their daily life.
Presented to alumni in public school music education who demonstrate exemplary service in music education.
Christine Vallas
A music educator of 30 years, Christine Vallas ’93 has had a profound impact in the Western New York education community. Making the best of every situation, Christine has taught in the basement of an elementary school to on a stage, always with resilience and great empathy for her students. She works tirelessly to ensure the very best for her students, ensuring they know they have a safe space when they are with her. Christine’s students look forward to participating in all her classes, ensembles, and performances. She is also an active soloist and has been featured in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, along with Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua, which won the GRAMMY for Best Choral Performance in 2021.
Presented to alumni who have made significant contributions to the field of professional education or related disciplines.
Harry Brooks
A dedicated leader of education for over 50 years, Harry Brooks ’68 distinguished professional career has been one dedicated to outstanding educational practice, high quality learning and service. From classroom teacher, to researcher, to consultant, to serving as a superintendent at several school districts, Brooks has earned the highest levels of respect and admiration of educators throughout NYS and beyond. He is a dedicated supporter of his alma mater to ensure our students become the best educators they can be. Education has been and continues to be at the forefront of Harry’s life and is his greatest passion.