Campus Champion

Kevin Pristash ’85, M ’91 has devoted his entire 40-year career to improving student life at SUNY Cortland. The longtime director of campus activities and Corey Union has worked in many roles since he arrived on campus in 1980, from resident assistant to laundry room worker to student bartender at The Tannery, the university’s former hub for nightlife. Kevin’s institutional knowledge spans many topics, especially SUNY Cortland’s rich concert history. He’s an integral member of the Musical Legacy Committee and a go-to person when it comes to learning more about student interests across decades.

Major League Baseball’s biggest rivalry hosted a preview of college football’s “biggest little game in the nation” as part of a 2026 Cortaca Jug promotion at Yankee Stadium on June 7, officially kicking off the countdown to the big game.

SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College were featured guests at the Sunday afternoon game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The 67th Cortaca Jug game will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, at Yankee Stadium, providing an iconic backdrop for one of the most famous rivalries in Division III athletics.

Cortland’s Tom Blumenauer and Ithaca’s Brandon Maguire, the head coaches for both football programs, delivered strikes with the game’s ceremonial first pitch. They also joined multiple TV interviews on the YES Network highlighting the November game. 

The 67th Cortaca Jug game’s official promo video also premiered on Yanke Stadium’s big screen prior to the first pitch.

With Cortland as this year’s home team, the video relied on the creative talents of several Red Dragons: Andy Fauvelle ’21, director of production and co-founder at Diam Media Group, and Eli Buck ’04, a highly regarded voiceover artist based in Los Angeles.

A photo gallery of Red Dragon fans and the first pitch from the June 7 Yankees-Red Sox game is available online. 

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster for the 67th Cortaca Jug game in November, with additional weekend details available online.

The rivalry was hosted at Yankee Stadium in 2022 and MetLife Stadium in 2019, with each drawing more than 40,000 fans. Those games rank first and second all-time in NCAA Division III football game attendance.

SUNY Cortland’s latest online master’s program makes earning teacher certification easier than ever. For those with a bachelor’s degree in a content area, it’s designed to be an accessible career path to teach at the middle or high school levels. 

The online M.S.T. in Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12, provides a centralized path to earn initial New York state certification in four different tracks: English, math, science and social studies. Within the science track, students can pursue certification in one of four areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics. In addition,  the M.S.T.  fulfills one of the requirements for professional certification. 

The program should appeal to two groups, according to Bruce Mattingly, dean of the school of arts and sciences: 

• Undergraduate students nearing graduation who hadn’t initially considered a career in education. 
• Adults past the traditional college age that are considering a career change. 

Partial funding to create the new master’s was obtained by Carol Van Der Karr, vice provost for academic affairs, and Andrea Lachance, dean of the school of education, provided through SUNY’s Transformation Fund, which is designed to improve student success, support innovation and help meet future workforce needs. 

While there are multiple paths within adolescence education, the program was designed so that about 80% of the coursework is common to all certification areas. Mattingly believes the math and science paths may have extra appeal to future educators, as New York state has listed STEM as a high-needs area in teaching. 

Fall semester applications are due by July 1, with spring semester applications due Dec. 1. There are 27 credit hours of required coursework, along with a 13-credit full-semester student teaching experience. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis as long as space remains available. 

All coursework is offered fully online, with required field experience and student teaching offered in a New York state school district within driving distance of an enrollee’s residence. 

“We’re excited about the interest we’ve seen so far and are looking forward to welcoming even more students here,” Mattingly said. 

• Applicants must earn a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in the program and submit the following materials: 
• A completed online Graduate School Application. 
• Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. 
• A personal writing sample that describes background experience and career goals. 
• Resume.  
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the candidate’s suitability for a career in teaching. 

Each track of the program has slightly different admissions criteria, so applicants are encouraged to check with the Graduate Admissions Office or program coordinators for content areas: 

• English: Geoff Bender 
• Mathematics: David Dickerson and Jolie Roat  
• Science: Sean Nolan and Katie Laux 
• Social Studies: Tyson Luneau 

Applicants who do not meet all stated requirements will be considered on an individual basis. 

“I know they’re going to get a great education from our faculty,” Mattingly said. “I hope they see the possibilities for their own career when they experience this program.”

Business ideas are flourishing at SUNY Cortland, thanks to a generous philanthropist who sees potential in the school’s student entrepreneurs. 

Adam Weitsman, owner and chief executive officer of Upstate Shredding - Weitsman Recycling, the largest privately held scrap metal processing and recycling company on the East Coast, recently served as a judge during the university’s Innovation Day. 

As part of the event, students pitch business ideas developed over the academic year in two courses within the entrepreneurship minor. 

After hearing their pitches in early May, Weitsman funded a total of $45,000 to six startups. 

“He (Weitsman) walked over to me and said, ‘I'd like to do something nice for your students.’” recalled James Wilson, lecturer of economics who emceed the event. 

At the end of the student pitch competition, after judges deliberated on winners, Weitsman consulted with Wilson and whispered in his ear. He showed Wilson the judges’ scoring card and said that he’d like to donate $10,000 to the top three groups and $5,000 each for the remaining three. 

The reaction from the Cortland business students was, as could be guessed, ecstatic.  

“They were amazed,” Wilson said. “I’m personally amazed.” 

The funding Weitsman provided will allows the students to get started on their businesses in real, meaningful ways, he explained. 

“That level of support is enough to truly propel these businesses further,” Wilson said. “I’m impressed and thankful for that experience and the students were beyond impressed and excited about it. It was something I think rarely happens in these types of situations and it truly elevated the experience.” 

The startup teams getting funding are: 

Next Life Junk Removal - sophomore Ryan Craig — $10,000 

Built off Craig’s experience with a junk removal business, his own startup is a junk culling service that picks up loads of recyclable materials and sorts the refuse for donation, recycling or scrap. The business also placed first in the regional contest of the New York Business Plan Competition, advancing to the state level. 

Rockwood by Vinci - senior Dominic Vinci — $10,000 

A business idea that combines quality woodcraft with stone elements for the high-end luxury furniture market. Vinci plans to create custom pieces like tabletops and countertops for clients, using 3D modeling and laser cutting technology. With the new funding from Weitsman, he plans to launch this summer. 

Shred Air - sophomore Bryan Sredniawski, junior Nicholas Bliss, senior Lyndsey Hillenbrandt, senior Esteban Mitchell and senior Morgan Shelvin — $10,000 

Sredniawski came up with the idea for a personal use fan with an automated cleaning system that removes dust and bacteria from its blade. He developed the idea into a viable concept with his team this spring. Wilson noted they would further grow the concept at SUNY Cortland’s new Entrepreneurship Center. 

Throwing Shade: senior Jayden Lont — $5,000 

Lont runs an established business that he started last year and developed further in Wilson’s classes. A beach service business on Topsail Island, in North Carolina, Throwing Shade rents chairs, tents and other items to visitors. Lont hopes to franchise the concept nationwide. 

Scrap Fit: junior Luka Kvizhinadze, junior Thomas Wheeler, senior Justin Womeldorph and senior Christopher Youngs — $5,000 

Workout equipment crafted out of junkyard leftovers, Scrap Fit creates exercise items that offer a unique style and environmental approach. The new funding has encouraged the team to continue to pursue the idea. Like Next Life Junk Removal, Scrap Fit also advanced to compete at the state level of the New York Business Plan Competition. 

Motion: senior Jonathan Finewood — $5,000 

This app developed by Finewood allows users to bet on themselves to accomplish a goal. Wilson said idea was inspired by behavioral economics and people’s fear of losing money. First, a user sets a goal, such as consistent exercise. If they don’t succeed, they lose the bet. A percent of that money is paid to the app while the rest would support users who were successful. 

The judging panel for the startups featured Weitsman, SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum; and Diana Lawson ’76, dean of the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University and a Cortland College Foundation board member. 

This year’s Innovation Day marked the second year of a new format that connects students more closely with area businesses. 

Other class participants presented business plans during a showcase held in the morning and afternoon.  

In addition to the presentations, five projects were delivered to local community partners. Those efforts were led by students in the ECO 365 Community Innovation Lab taught by Kathleen Burke, SUNY distinguished teaching professor of economics.  

The projects gave students experience in coordination with local businesses and organizations. They included a website update for the City of Cortland Police Department and strategy development for area businesses. 

Wilson believes that Weitsman’s added surprise will inspire students to grow in the ways they have throughout the school year. On the first day of class, students often do not realize just how far they can take their ideas, he said. But that soon changes. 

“I’m always impressed when that light bulb goes off, they get to this phase of actually accomplishing it and they’re excited about it,” Wilson said. “It becomes part of their identity.  

“They kind of live with this stuff throughout the semester, and they finally get a chance to be on stage and deliver it. I’m impressed by what the students have done.”

SUNY Cortland presented its 40th College-Community Appreciation Award to Marie Lord Walsh ’74 on May 22 during a ceremony in the Corey Union Function Room.

Awarded by the university’s College Council, the honor recognizes local citizens whose efforts have directly benefitted SUNY Cortland.

Carol Clarke, past president of the board of directors at Catholic Charities of Cortland County, offered remarks with SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum during the evening’s celebration. Thomas Gallagher, chair of SUNY Cortland’s College Council, gave a welcome and co-presented the award with Bitterbaum.

Walsh, of Cortland, was recognized for building strong connections with SUNY Cortland faculty, staff and students throughout her roughly three decades of service to Catholic Charities of Cortland County (CCOCC).

The non-profit organization serves a crucial role in improving the lives of Cortland County residents, supplying vital resources for youth and adults living with their private struggles of poverty, mental illness and addiction. 

“Marie Walsh stands out as an extraordinary advocate for people in need,” Bitterbaum said. “She dedicated her career to improving the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable, and our community is a better place because of her work.

“We are fortunate that Marie made her home in Cortland following her graduation, and the university is proud to count her among its own.”

Walsh’s partnership with her alma mater provided countless learning opportunities for SUNY Cortland students.

Walsh joined CCOCC’s staff in 1985 to coordinate its Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Services (APPS) Project, eventually rising to be the agency’s executive director in 2006 until her retirement in 2021. During her career, Walsh helped lead growth from just a food pantry and a teen pregnancy program with a half dozen staff members to a sizeable agency with more than 50 employees.

She gave many SUNY Cortland students volunteer opportunities that helped prepare them for professional life while engaging them with the local community. Students worked with CCOCC on a regular basis, leading community service efforts such as food, school supply and clothing drives.

Students also helped the APPS Project provide case management support to pregnant and parenting teens through their participation in community engagement projects in local schools and agencies. Relatively early in Walsh’s career, the university’s Sociology Department collaborated with the APPS expansion created by new support from New York state that enabled the college students to work with at-risk youth cases and collect valuable data that drove service development.

“This laid the groundwork for the various community collaborations that followed in my career at CCOCC,” Walsh said recently.

Walsh’s role evolved significantly over time. Her position as director of case management and administrative services focused on key areas such as policy and grant writing, staff development and compliance. Just before she was named executive director, the Cortland Area Communities that Care Coalition (CACTC) was formed with grant funding through Catholic Charities to support the Drug Free Communities and STOP projects focused on teen substance abuse. The coalition, which recently became the Rural Health Institute of New York, had a far-reaching community impact.

SUNY Cortland officials maintained representation on CACTC for several years, joining expanded peer support services that involved hiring individuals with lived experience with mental health issues, addiction and other disorders. The coalition also offered clients a physical location called the Peer Support Center, with its peer support specialists becoming the first to be certified in Cortland County.

Early successes inspired greater ambition in Walsh, who added Community Reentry Services, a project that supported people as they were returning to the community from incarceration. She was inspired by a community forum at SUNY Cortland, which motivated her to apply for funding to start a successful local support program. Along with other community partners, Walsh supported the development of Crisis Intervention Training for local police officers, advancing their skills dealing with mentally ill and other challenged people in the community.

During her tenure, Walsh also focused on the lack of affordable housing locally, particularly for special populations. Catholic Charities worked to expand housing capacity and support services. She said her most significant project as executive director led to the construction of Riverview Apartments, which included 40 units of mixed-use housing.

Walsh pushed back her retirement by several years after the COVID-19 pandemic and instead helped her agency navigate new requirements and changes.

She also engaged in many other community affiliations during her career, including the Cortland County Adolescent Pregnancy Consortium, the Cortland County Youth Board, the Cortland County Board of Health, the Cortland County Community Services Board, the Community Reentry Task Force, the Seven Valleys Health Coalition and the Family Health Network.

Walsh is married to former Cortland mayor Ronald Walsh, owner of the Walsh Law Firm. The couple has a daughter, Emily and a son, Colin.

“I enjoyed helping people feel better or helping them find their way,” Walsh said. “It’s been an honor and pleasure to work with them all these years.”

Three recent SUNY Cortland graduates followed up Commencement with special recognition of their service to the country as they were honored at a May 21 commissioning ceremony for new members of the U.S. armed forces.

The ceremony hosted at Cornell University saw the trio take oaths of office and exchange their first salutes as newly commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. 

The university’s recent Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates include:

• 2nd Lt. Mamadou “Saliou” Diallo ’26, a biomedical sciences major from Brooklyn, N.Y.

• 2nd Lt. Aaron Henry ’26, a physical education major from Warnerville, N.Y.

• 2nd Lt. Conor Keating ’26, a selected studies major from Montour Falls, N.Y.

As students, they were members of the Army ROTC Excelsior Battalion housed at Cornell. In addition to regular college coursework and commitments, ROTC members devote several hours each week to ROTC activities, from physical training to military science lectures to field training exercises, as well as other experiences during university breaks.

The recent ceremony followed a formal military tradition where candidates officially are recognized as commissioned officers. Diallo will join the New York Army National Guard while Henry and Keating will enter active duty.

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From left in above photo: Conor Keating, Saliou Diallo, Aaron Henry

At one time, 15 minutes of fame was Andy Warhol’s standard. But Meghan Wehner ’26 and Jacey Wolfe ’26 proved you only need 26 seconds.  

That’s the length of a TikTok clip from SUNY Cortland Memorial Library that recently earned a national award from the American Library Association (ALA). 

The award-winning TikTok detailed watercolor bookmarks available at the library’s Makerspace Maker Cart, winning first in the Virtual Exhibits category for libraries with an annual budget under $1 million. 

“I think that it stands out because the Maker Cart is so unique to our campus’ library,” said the video’s creator Wehner.  

She credited Karen Dafoe, the university’s emerging technologies librarian, with developing fun and creative activities. 

“I think my enjoyment was visible through the video,” Wehner said. 

Wolfe and Wehner interned at the library and worked as student assistants at its Help Desk beginning in 2024. Wolfe came up with the ideas for a TikTok account and for internships that could earn them credit for their work. 

When their supervisor, Jim Fitzgerald, coordinator for circulation help, heard about the ideas, he connected them with Assistant Librarian Jenifer Phelan to make them a reality. By the start of the Spring 2025 semester, Wolfe and Wehner began building engagement on the library’s newest social media platform. 

Last March, Phelan entered some of their posts in the ALA’s 2026 PR Xchange Awards Competition, seeing it as a chance to highlight the pair’s work. 

“I thought our posts were fantastic and so I wanted to share them,” she said. 

The annual PR Xchange Awards Competition recognizes the best public relations materials produced by libraries. A panel of judges is made up of 10 in-person judges and 10 virtual judges. The panel represents experts in the areas of marketing, communications, public relations and graphic design. 

Materials are judged on the quality of their content, originality, design and format. Judges consider the creativity of an approach, audience appeal, presentation of information in a clear and informative way, an attractive appearance, appropriateness and uniqueness. 

This past semester, the Cortland pair’s social media work helped establish a new social media and student engagement internship. With the original interns now graduated, Phelan believes that the opportunity may be offered again in the future. 

“They made very creative content for our library social media accounts and generated a lot of student engagement with our platforms,” Phelan said. 

For students who step into a similar role in the future, Wehner stressed creating content they love for it to resonate with an audience. 

“Make the informational TikToks, but you also must make sure that you have fun,” she said. “Some of the best performing TikToks on the library’s page are ones where Jacey and I were creative.” 

Student move-out at SUNY Cortland continues to promote sustainability in the local community.

Red Dragon Reuse, a joint effort between the university and local nonprofit partner Cortland ReUse, has reached new heights again 2026, helping to rehome roughly 4,000 pounds of dorm supplies and five acres of clothing donations.

That’s a record amount for the award-winning initiative. Now in its fourth year, the shared effort reduces waste by collecting gently used items as SUNY Cortland students move out of residence halls and reselling them at modest prices at Cortland ReUse’s storefront.

Early results in 2026 have been bolstered by a permanent location for Cortland ReUse. Now located at 113 Port Watson Street in Cortland, the nonprofit added a clothing sale featuring student donations this spring. Some of the other most popular donated items were area rugs, storage containers, trash cans, cooling fans, desk lamps and mirrors.

In 2025, the community partner won a nonprofit sector award from the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3).

“Our Red Dragon Reuse project has quickly become one of SUNY Cortland’s signature sustainability events and a wonderful success story related to landfill diversion in our community,” said Megan Swing, the university’s energy and sustainability engagement coordinator. “As the saying goes, it takes a village and we are grateful for all of the support that we receive, from students on our campus to the leadership at Cortland ReUse to supporters in the larger community.” 

The collective effort was assisted by 47 community members and  who volunteered their time in the semester’s final weeks to collect, transport and sort residence hall essentials.

In addition to collecting gently used items for recirculation, the university also donates to campus and local partners. For instance, foam bed toppers are provided to the university’s Performing Arts Department for future stage props and to Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO) for people in need. The Rescue Mission  in Syracuse also receives rugs, pillows and bedding essentials.

Carrie Narrow, executive director for Cortland ReUse, said the nonprofit counted more than 2,500 foam pads, donating many to shelters and community members who are unhoused.

“This year, we have focused on the detrimental effects of foam pads impacting our local landfill — with a decomposition rate of 50 of 100 years,” Narrow said, stressing the importance of reusing them or upcycling them in creative ways.

SUNY Cortland will again look to host a campus pop-up s ale with collected items for students arriving for move-in on Aug. 26 and 27 in the Student Life Center’s Outdoor Pursuits garage from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to reducing waste, Red Dragon Reuse helps educate students and the local community about the benefits of a circular economy. SUNY Cortland’s partnership with Cortland ReUse also includes crafting workshops, site visits and other outreach aimed at finding sustainable solutions throughout the year.

The recognition of a historic American moment will bring the communities of the Cortland area together with the return of the Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19, from noon to 3 p.m. at Courthouse Park. 

The annual family-friendly event is free to attend and open to the public. 

It will once again be hosted by C4, the Cortland County Community of Color — a collaborative initiative between SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3).  

Bernice Cooper, co-chair of C4 and a SUNY Cortland administrative assistant for Campus Technology Services, noted it’s inspiring to see participants come together in one space to celebrate, connect and learn. 

“The importance of putting on a celebration like this is that Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but also a reminder of history, resilience, culture and community,” she said. 

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, officially freeing the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy.  

Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the proclamation over two years earlier, enforcement had not reached many areas still under Confederate control. 

Recognized as the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. 

Live music will entertain audiences at the Cortland event. Three food trucks also are confirmed, with Latin and barbecue dishes and dessert available for purchase. 

Kid-friendly attractions and activities are also planned for families who attend. 

“My hope is that participants leave feeling connected, informed, welcomed and proud to be part of a community that recognizes and celebrates this important day,” Cooper said.

On June 1 an annual event let lecturer Eileen Gilroy and her Communication Disorders and Sciences grad students join with local aphasia support group Friends of Aphasia and hear their stories of struggle and recovery. 

It's the fourth time that the gathering has been held at Super Cream Dairy Bar in Homer, N.Y, and lets the students and group members interact in a more casual setting outside a lab or classroom.

"The event helped the students to understand how individuals live with aphasia in our community," Gilroy said.

Also during the get-to-together, Doug Bentley, a member of the Cortland County Council, issued a proclamation for National Aphasia Awareness Month. The ceremony has been a tradition since 2017, when Gilroy and her students first advocated to the council for its recognition.

Gilroy and friend Michele Chisholm Clukey ’14, M ’16, a speech pathologist at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, help lead Friends of Aphasia, which meets quarterly and welcomes people with aphasia, their caregivers, and anyone with an interest in the condition.