Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Appoints Jeff Cole & Alex Hammond as Newest Members of SUNY Potsdam College Council
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has appointed two new members to the SUNY Potsdam College Council, Jeffery L. Cole of Watertown, N.Y., and Alex V. Hammond of Waddington, N.Y. The Governor also reappointed Harold B. Johnson II of Watertown to the council for another four-year term.
“As chair, I am extremely pleased that the Governor is continuing his support of SUNY Potsdam by his most recent appointments to our College Council. I have served with Harold for quite a few years and welcome his reappointment for another term. Jeff and Alex are welcome additions to our strong Council and I look forward to working with them,” said College Council Chair June F. O’Neill (Hon. ’99).
The new and returning members will be present at the first College Council meeting of the year, to be held on Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m., in the Raymond Hall seventh floor boardroom. This meeting is open to the public, and will also stream live online.
“I am proud to welcome Jeff Cole and Alex Hammond as the newest members of the SUNY Potsdam College Council, and thankful to see Harold Johnson return for another term. They have all demonstrated a profound dedication to the North Country through their engaged service, and we are fortunate to have them as part of our campus community,” said President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg.
Jeffery L. Cole is the news anchor and managing editor for “7 News This Evening” on WWNY-TV/WNYF-TV, the flagship newscast for the CBS affiliate in Watertown, N.Y. Under his leadership, the show has received awards for best newscast from the New York State Broadcasters Association, the Syracuse Press Club and the Associated Press of New York State. Cole began working at WWNY in 1999 as a reporter, before serving as the morning news anchor for 14 years. In addition to his work in broadcast journalism, Cole is an adjunct professor of public speaking at Jefferson Community College, and has served as the Miss New York State Pageant emcee for seven years. Cole currently is on the board of directors for the Foundation of Hospice of Jefferson County. He also has served as the president of the Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity, and was on the board of the Jefferson County Victims Assistance Center. Cole earned his bachelor’s degree in mass media and speech communications from SUNY Plattsburgh.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve on SUNY Potsdam's College Council. The College is a remarkable institution with rich history and deep roots in the community. I look forward to joining the Bear family, playing a role in the future of SUNY Potsdam and becoming more connected to the campus and greater community,” Cole said.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Alex V. Hammond is the town supervisor in Waddington, N.Y., and a strength manager in the New York Army National Guard. When he was elected in 2018, Hammond tied as being the younger town supervisor in New York State history, at the age of 21. He graduated from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, after completing the ROTC Early Commissioning Program at Valley Forge Military College. In addition to his work in local government and as a commissioned officer, Hammond is the Waddington Democratic Chair. In accepting his appointment, he remarked on his family ties to the College. His grandfather, Raymond C. Hammond Jr., worked as a security officer for 20 years before retiring in 1986, while his mother, Holly R. Hammond, is the secretary for the psychology department, and his sister, Brianna G. Hammond ’22, is majoring in childhood/early childhood education.
“I am so honored and excited to be appointed to the SUNY Potsdam College Council. As a community leader, I have seen how this great university has had such a great impact on this region and state. My family is no stranger to its historic halls. My grandfather, mother and now sister have all benefited from its opportunities and transformative practices. Potsdam’s rich and long history is what we build on, and I’m proud to be part of the next step forward,” Hammond said.
Harold B. Johnson II is the chief executive officer of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers. He has served on the SUNY Potsdam College Council since 2004.
In addition to the seven members appointed by the Governor, the elected Student Government Association president serves as a voting member of the SUNY Potsdam College Council. This year, SGA President Kalis Nunes ’20 is the student representative on the council.
The next College Council meeting will be held on April 24. For more information about the SUNY Potsdam College Council, visit https://www.potsdam.edu/about/administration/council.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.