Campus Champion

Bernice Cooper, administrative assistant for Campus Technology Services, helps create community. As co-chair of the Cortland County Community of Color, a collaboration between SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community College, Bernice leads the coordination of area’s Juneteenth Celebration by bringing together local partners to celebrate an important day in American history. Bernice also advises SUNY Cortland’s Gospel Choir and serves as secretary for the NAACP Ithaca/Cortland Branch Executive Committee. Earlier this year, in recognition of her volunteer work, Bernice earned the New York State Senate’s Commendation Award for her community-building efforts.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been described as colossal by almost any measure.

And from medicine to marketing to media relations, SUNY Cortland students and alumni are contributing to the six-week spectacle.

The most high-profile example is Dr. Bert Mandelbaum ’75, a former biological sciences major who serves as the chief medical officer for U.S. Soccer and one of the world’s most respected orthopedic surgeons. Mandelbaum plays a pivotal role in overseeing medical support for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Several other Red Dragons, representing academic programs from sport management to graphic design and digital media, are among the hundreds of thousands of workers contributing to logistics behind the scenes.

More than six million fans are expected to attend 104 soccer matches taking place across three countries, with more than a billion fans following worldwide. For comparison, this year’s Super Bowl was watched by 125.6 million people in the U.S., while the 2022 World Cup final reached an estimated 1.42 billion people, according to The Athletic.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has likened the 2026 World Cup to “104 Super Bowls,” which speaks to the size and the magnitude of the event.

Julia Kito, a sport management major from Voorheesville, N.Y., is volunteering in a media operations and services role in Boston, where she had the opportunity to be on the field for a group stage game between Scotland and Morocco.

Scottish fans — called the Tartan Army — have earned a reputation for passionate support of their team at this year’s tournament. Kito witnessed it firsthand during the playing of Scotland’s national anthem.

“It was such a surreal moment and honestly a dream come true to be at the World Cup gaining career experience at this stage in my life,” said Kito, who will enter her junior year in the fall.

From Boston to the San Francisco Bay Area, there are Cortland connections, with several of them highlighted below.

Greg Abdallah ’11, M ’16
Deputy Venue and Inside Venue Operations Manager (Boston)

If you had to describe your work at the World Cup, what would you say?

In my role as deputy venue manager and inside venue operations manager, I help oversee the day-to-day execution of hospitality operations within the stadium. That includes coordinating with FIFA, stadium staff, vendors and stakeholders; ensuring hospitality spaces are event-ready; monitoring guest experiences; and resolving operational challenges in real time. 

On a match day, I work closely with venue leadership to manage venue flows, support guest services, coordinate staffing and catering operations, and ensure that FIFA’s high standards are consistently met. My goal is to help create a seamless, world-class experience for every hospitality guest while keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes.

My most rewarding World Cup experience so far has been:

One of my most rewarding World Cup experiences was having the opportunity to stand next to the player tunnel as the teams made their entrance onto the field before our first match. After months of planning and working through challenges once operations began, it was a full-circle moment that made all the hard work worthwhile.

The atmosphere has been incredible. Everywhere you look, there are bagpipes, passionate fans and visitors from around the world who feel honored to be part of the event. Whether it’s a son thanking his father for providing this once-in-a-lifetime experience or two friends from Scotland attending their first World Cup since their country last qualified 28 years ago, there is simply no atmosphere in sports quite like it.

I also had the chance to take an evening off and visit the local fan fest in downtown Boston. On the train ride home, a group of Scottish fans sat with us and thanked us for being such a welcoming and hospitable city. They spoke about what an honor it was to see their country return to the World Cup after so many years, and moments like that reinforce the global impact and significance of this event.

One thing that the casual soccer fan may not realize about the World Cup is:

What many casual soccer fans may not realize is the tremendous amount of planning and coordination required to host a World Cup. Years of preparation go into every aspect of the tournament, from venue operations and hospitality to transportation, security, marketing and government protocols.

Every detail is carefully discussed and evaluated, from furniture selection and stadium layouts to diplomatic procedures and cultural considerations. The level of collaboration across numerous functional areas and organizations is remarkable, and it takes an enormous effort behind the scenes to bring an event of this scale to life. 

How did your Cortland education help you?

As a student, I took advantage of every opportunity available to gain hands-on experience in the sports industry. From completing a summer internship with the New York Jets’ video team during training camp to serving as an event manager for the Athletics Department, each experience helped me develop valuable skills and expand my professional network.

Favorite sport-related memory:

As a member of the MLS (Major League Soccer) league office events department, kicking off the first game in the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament during the COVID-19 pandemic was a pretty proud moment. It showed that despite a worldwide pandemic taking place, we were able to unite people through sport.

As a fan, attending the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. We had standing-row tickets and were hanging out in the upper deck. It was the end of the 7th inning and they started launching T-shirts from the field. Next thing you know, I am leaning down on the ground protecting the T-shirt I caught out of thin air.

Kellie Cavalier M ’13
Director, Host City (San Francisco Bay Area)

If you had to describe your work at the World Cup, what would you say?

My role is to serve as the FIFA representative in my city working directly with the local organizers, or host committee. I work to support FIFA in their communication with the host committee … and generally problem solve across FIFA and local partners.

My most rewarding World Cup experience so far has been:

Having incredibly supportive colleagues as part of my team. Prior to this, I have mostly worked in smaller organizations as opposed to large corporations and it has been wonderful to have colleagues with my same role across each host city. We collaborate, offer support and help each other through tricky situations and it’s a really special group,

One thing that the casual soccer fan may not realize about the World Cup is:

As compared to prior World Cups where all the games were held in one nation, the 2026 edition is kind of like 16 small World Cups — happening across three countries — and the level of coordination is extreme. Each city, state and country operates differently and it’s a big puzzle to figure out how to make it all function as one tournament. 

How did your Cortland education help you? 

During my program at Cortland, I was able to work on the 2012 London Olympics which was my first time working on a mega event (a large-scale event with a global reach). This allowed me to build my resume from that point to being a good candidate to work on another mega event now in 2026.

After the World Cup is over, what will your work look like?

Our team will be focused on recording results and metrics from each of the host cities, and wrapping up with reporting efforts. For me, following this summer, I’m not sure what comes next. I’m looking for a new role in sports strategy that will leverage my experience and allow me to do my favorite things: build teams and projects.

Favorite sport-related memory: 

The first big sporting event that I ever attend was the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. I was a young soccer player at the time growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my mom got us tickets to go see the tournament locally. It’s really been an honor, and a full circle moment, to be able to return to the region to be part of delivering the 2026 FIFA World Cup here. It’s not something that many folks will get to accomplish in their professional lives and I’m excited I get to bring the same joy to fans that I once experienced myself.

Zachary Goodman ’23
Assistant On-Site Operations Manager (On Location)

If you had to describe what you’ll be doing at the World Cup, what would you say?

As an assistant on-site operations manager with On Location, I’ll be helping coordinate hospitality and event operations for VIP guests and corporate partners. My role will focus on ensuring a seamless experience by managing logistics, guest services and behind-the-scenes event execution. 

What’s the one thing that you are most looking forward to?

I’m mostly looking forward to being part of an event that brings together people from so many different cultures and backgrounds. The FIFA World Cup showcases some of the strongest emotion, passion and national pride in sports. Soccer has been a major part of my life since I was a young kid, both as a player and a fan, so it’s exciting to experience the sport on its biggest stage from a professional perspective. 

How did your Cortland education help you?

SUNY Cortland gave me both the educational foundation and the hands-on experience needed to succeed in a sporting event environment. The event practicum coursework was especially impactful, as it provided real-world, behind-the-scenes experience supporting events and showed me how much goes into making them successful. Those experiences ultimately led me toward a career in event operations.

After the World Cup is over, what will your work look like? 

Immediately afterward, I’ll be joining the USTA (U.S. Tennis Association) at the U.S. Open as a credential operator. In that role, I’ll help manage the credentialing process for players, staff, vendors and guests by verifying information, issuing credentials and supporting access control operations throughout the tournament. It’s another opportunity to work behind the scenes at a world-class sporting event and continue building my experience in event operations.

Favorite sport-related memory:

One of my favorite sport-related memories comes from working with the NHL on fan events for both the Winter Classic in Miami and the Stadium Series in Tampa. Being part of the pregame activations and then seeing the games and fan energy come to life in person was an incredible experience. In Tampa especially, we saw record attendance for a pregame fan event with over 25,000 fans. Getting to experience the game atmosphere firsthand — including even a moment with the Stanley Cup — really showed me the scale and impact of live sports events.

Julia Kito
Media Operations and Services Volunteer (Boston)

If you had to describe what you’re doing at the World Cup in simple terms, what would you say?

My role consists of assisting the media representatives coming to the stadium to make their job easier. I am stationed in locations including the stadium media center, press box and on the pitch.

What’s the one thing that you are most looking forward to at the World Cup?

I’m looking forward to experiencing the soccer industry on a global stage, which is a career pathway I would love to follow. 

How has your Cortland education helped you?

I’ve learned the importance of finding key lessons from my hands-on experiences that enhance the content we learn in our classes. There is only so much our classes can teach us, and the rest comes from getting that experience through internships or jobs.

I’ve also been able to increase my confidence through the department by getting involved more on campus, which has helped me have the courage to go after new experiences and challenge myself to grow and learn from a professional perspective. 

What are you looking forward to during the rest of your Cortland career?

As the president of the newly formed Women in Sport Club on campus, I hope to continue through the next two years to broaden our members, plan events for students to consistently get hands-on experience throughout the school year and promote and empower women in the sports industry.

What’s your dream job? 

My dream job is to work in women’s professional soccer in sport media operations.

Favorite sport-related memory:

My favorite sports memory is a recent one from the FIFA World Cup, when I was pitch side at the group stage game between Scotland between Morocco, hearing the Scottish national anthem in a packed stadium full of Scottish fans. It was such a surreal moment and honestly a dream come true to be at the World Cup gaining career experience at this stage in my life. 

Craig Valentino ’08
Senior Brand Designer

If you had to describe what you’re doing at the World Cup in simple terms, what would you say?

I help lead the design team for On Location, the official provider of the FIFA hospitality program. I define, manage and execute enterprise-level brand experiences and creative, scalable to all participating host city venues and ensure consistency to a unified FIFA brand standard.

Specifically, my focus is on art direction, creative development and brand design for the full hospitality brand experience, such as the program-wide brand look and feel for all 16 host city venues, small format and large format graphic applications, experiential design and creative development for photo ops and activations. I also provide creative leadership to both internal and external designers and design partners.

What’s the one thing that you have enjoyed the most at the World Cup?

I have enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the largest sporting event in world history. In nearly two decades of being a designer, I have yet to be part of something to this scale, so it has been fun to take on the challenge of working in a new way and interacting with many different people to reach goals and make this program happen. It’s been such a privilege to apply my experiences and passion for the work that I do to something that hopefully has a large impact on someone’s experience.

How did your Cortland education help you?

Looking back, if it wasn’t for the professors and mentors who inspired my passion for design and creativity during my time at Cortland, I’m not sure I would still be on this career path. I chose to major in new media design relatively late in my college experience, with little understanding of the work, the skills required or the industry itself. Not only did I gain a strong foundation in design, but I also quickly developed a genuine passion for it thanks to the guidance and influence of the faculty — particularly Martine Barnaby, professor of art and art history.

After the World Cup is over, what will your work look like?

After the FIFA World Cup, I hope to continue forward in brand design and creative leadership with On Location, who also take part in many other large sporting events associated with the NFL, MLB, WWE, UFC and the Olympics. I also have a new love for experiential design and an interest in returning to agency work where those skills can be applied.

Favorite sport-related memory:

Every year since I was a kid, my dad and I have attended New York Giants Training Camp. Watching the team practice and meeting the players was always an unforgettable experience growing up. Today, one of the most rewarding parts of being a parent is passing that tradition on to my 5-year-old son, who has enjoyed it just as much over the last few years.

A love of science is now forever written in the stars.

SUNY Cortland’s newly named Margaret Baerthlein Davis, Ralph L. Davis and Syzman Family Planetarium will honor those who encouraged a career in the sciences for Dr. William C. Baerthlein ’76.

The Cortland College Foundation board member, trustee of the Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House and honors chemistry major has recognized several influential friends and family with namings during the past year. In October, Baerthlein surprised Joe Cooper ’76, his friend and former Cortland lab partner, with the dedication of the Joseph H. Cooper ’76 Advanced Lab.

The Baerthlein Planetarium name pays tribute to Baerthlein’s Aunt Margaret and Uncle Ralph, who encouraged him, and the Syzmans on the maternal side of his family. All had immense influence on his life and emphasized the value of education, he said, especially his aunt who was a teacher for 35 years.

That family legacy can now inspire others, as summed up through part of the planetarium’s commemorative plaque:

“Their influence on his journey now extends to future students, who will explore, question and discover new possibilities within these walls.”

Baerthlein, a retired U.S. Navy obstetrician/gynecologist and physician administrator whose expertise on methods for delivering babies contributed to the progress of medicine, made the gifts to the Cortland College Foundation on behalf of SUNY Cortland.

They recognize his family and Cooper in perpetuity and support SUNY Cortland scholarships for students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

“I’m all for Cortland students,” said Baerthlein, who in 2018 was inducted in SUNY Cortland’s prestigious Academic Hall of Fame. “They’re like family to me and I want to see them do well.”

The recent gifts follow Baerthlein’s continued support for the Michael J. Bond ’75, M.D. Alumni/Undergraduate Research Science Symposium. His motivation is to raise the “visibility of the sciences” at Cortland for all.

Cooper, who enjoyed a successful, 30-year career as a physician assistant in cardiac surgery, was surrounded by friends and family when he was surprised by fellow first-year Clark Hall resident Baerthlein with the naming announcement during a ceremony at this year’s Bond Symposium.

“It was an incredible surprise and I’m most grateful,” Cooper said. “This was nothing that I had anticipated nor anything that I would think I ever deserved, so I’m most honored.”

Cooper credited Baerthlein, a natural extrovert who balanced him as an introvert.

“This would not have happened without him,” Cooper said of Baerthlein, who returned the praise to his longtime friend.

Baerthlein recalled advice from famed investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett to surround yourself with people who are better than you are.

“That’s true,” Baerthlein said. “And Joe is one of those people.”

Cooper also expressed gratitude for a career made possible by his preparation and guidance from faculty, including Alexander Spence. The late biological sciences professor had encouraged Cooper to take part before his senior year in a summer work and volunteer independent study at a rural hospital in Missouri.

Baerthlein discovered the same belief in the power of learning from the faculty he met as a student.

“The professors were just so good,” Baerthlein said. “They encouraged you and they were there for you. Many of them became lifelong friends.”

Now he hopes to have a similar positive effect on the careers of future graduates.

“(Cortland) helped set me on the right path,” Baerthlein said. “If it hadn’t been for Cortland, I don’t know if I would have made it to medical school.”

A SUNY Cortland faculty member will join a major national effort examining how AI-driven hiring technology affects employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Erblin Shehu, an assistant professor who specializes in healthcare management, will serve as a co-principal investigator for the multiyear research project. A subaward worth approximately $180,000 is part of a larger $4.6 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Syracuse University’s Burton Blatt Institute.

The funding is administered by HHS’ National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, the U.S. government’s primary federal research organization for disability. In addition to Syracuse and SUNY Cortland, the collaborative research team includes representatives from universities such as Harvard, Cornell and Rutgers as well as the data analytics firm Mathematica.

Shehu will consider how AI-assisted algorithms interpret the resumes of people with disabilities and how the technology impacts factors such as employer responses and call-back rates. This project is part of a larger five-year research agenda of coordinated projects at the Burton Blatt Institute designed to understand the conditions under which people with disabilities can enter, succeed and remain in the labor force. The research shares a commitment to policy solutions and the employment potential of people with disabilities. 

“AI is reshaping how people get hired, and we need to make sure it doesn’t leave people with disabilities behind,” said Shehu, who has worked as an affiliated researcher at Syracuse University’s Burton Blatt Institute and taught at SUNY Cortland since 2025. “That’s why this project brings together researchers, practitioners and data scientists to tackle a question that affects millions of Americans. This research will help us identify where the gaps are and how to close them.”

Shehu’s work focuses primarily on healthcare policy, disability and aging and the social and community factors that shape health outcomes, with emphasis on care coordination and value-based care models. He studies quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate how healthcare programs and policies affect access, cost and quality of care.

More generally, his research on disability-related issues looks to inform workplace accommodations, inclusive practices and important national conversations.

In the upcoming project, Shehu’s role will contribute to data management and the assessment of differences in call-back rates. He also will help develop employer interview protocols, analyze employer practices related to algorithmic decision-making in hiring and share the eventual findings with wider audiences.

Shehu has published in Health Services Research, Population Health Management and the Journal of Applied Gerontology while conducting additional research on international health and humanitarian response. He has presented at leading conferences including AcademyHealth, American Public Health Association and the Gerontological Society of America. Prior to working in higher education, he held roles in public health workforce development and healthcare management in the U.S. and abroad.

He came to SUNY Cortland from the University of Iowa, where he earned a Ph.D. in health services and policy in 2025.

SUNY Cortland has named Renee Wells as the university’s new chief diversity and inclusion officer.

As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, she will work with campus partners to implement best practices related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and help ensure policies reflect the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

Wells brings more than 20 years of higher education experience to the role, which she begins on Thursday, July 2. She most recently served Queens University of Charlotte as its assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. 

“Renee brings a unique skillset to Cortland, having started her higher education career in 2006 as an instructor of creative writing before taking on leadership roles focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging,” said SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum. “In all of her work, across multiple institutions, Renee has helped develop inclusive policies and practices while addressing barriers to access, equity and participation in campus life.”

As a collaborator, Wells has worked closely with hiring teams on equitable and inclusive search practices; supported the development of culturally responsive teaching, advising and mentoring practices; provided mediation to address conflicts in the workplace; facilitated restorative justice processes in response to power- and identity-based challenges; and advocated for disability access and inclusion.

Prior to Queens, she worked in progressive roles at Middlebury College from 2018 to 2024, eventually ascending to the role of assistant vice president of education for equity and inclusion. She also served as the director of the LGBTQ Pride Center at North Carolina State University and as the assistant director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Michigan Technological University.

A frequent presenter, workshop facilitator and published author, Wells previously chaired the Accessibility in the Academy National Advisory Council for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) from 2023 to 2025. She earned a B.S. in education and B.A. in English from Auburn University; an M.A. in English from Miami University; and M.F.A. in creative writing from Southern Illinois University.

Lorraine Lopez-Janove, who served as the university’s chief diversity and inclusion officer for the past six years, will retire in July.

“Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging remain central to our mission at SUNY Cortland,” Bitterbaum said. “I am grateful that Renee will provide leadership and vision in these areas, and I hope you will join me in welcoming her to campus.”

Hundreds of SUNY Cortland graduates will return to campus from July 17 to 19 to celebrate the university’s flagship alumni event of the summer. 

Alumni Reunion 2026 will recognize more than a dozen featured groups. In addition to milestone class years and clusters, the organizations to welcome back alumni will include: 

• SUNY Cortland Emergency Medical Services; 

• The Communication and Media Studies Department and their affiliated clubs; 

• Kente Ceremony graduates; and 

• Arethusa and Sigma Delta Phi sororities. 

Festivities kick off Friday, July 17, at 10:30 a.m. with the Red and White Golf Classic. Three days of events will let alumni connect with old friends and make new ones while seeing updates on campus and in the community. 

A full schedule is included below. 

The Campus Store, located in Neubig Hall, will be open extended hours on Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with special discounts for alumni. 

Guests will also have free access to campus recreation facilities if they show a Reunion nametag. Signing a waiver is required to use the Student Life Center. 

Alumni can share their favorite moments through Facebook and on Instagram at @sunycortlandalumni. 

Directions to campus are available online. 

Alumni and guests can contact Alumni Engagement or call 607-753-2516 with questions about Reunion events. 

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Alumni Reunion 2026 Schedule 

Friday, July 17 

• 10:30 a.m. — Red and White Golf Classic, Cortland Country Club, 4514 NY-281 

• 10:45 a.m. — Skaneateles Lake boat cruise and lunch, Skaneateles, N.Y. 

• 1 to 6 p.m. — Registration and Check-in, Brockway Hall Curry lobby 

• 1 to 3 p.m. — Memorabilia Display (1960-1990), hosted by Musical Legacy Committee, Brockway Hall Curry Lobby 

• 1 to 8 p.m. — Remembrance, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House 

• 3 to 3:50 p.m. — Margaret Baerthlein Davis, Ralph L. Davis and Szyman Family Planetarium show, Bowers Hall main lobby 

• 4 to 5:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception with President Bitterbaum and Ellen Howard Burton, sponsored by the Cortland College Foundation, Parks Alumni House, back gardens 

• 5 to 7 p.m. — Arethusa Dinner, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House, Judy Wright '64 and Max Levine Living Room 

• 5:30 p.m. — SCEMS House Tour, 29 Broadway Ave. 

• 6 p.m.  — “Remember When”: Cortland Concerts (1960-90) from Judy Collins to the Eagles to the Ramones, hosted by Musical Legacy Committee, Corey Union First Floor 

• 7 to 10 p.m. — All-Reunion dinner, Corey Union Function Room 

• 7:30 p.m. — Arethusa sister bonfire, 1793 Mountainview Drive on Little York Lake Homer, NY 

• 10 p.m. — Class of 1976 late night gathering, Fairfield Inn and Suites, main lobby, 3707 NY-281 

Saturday, July 18 

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Registration and Check-in, Brockway Hall Curry lobby   

• 8:30 to 10 a.m. — President’s Circle Breakfast (invitation only), Park Center, C-Club Hall of Fame Room 

• 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. — Class of 1966 Breakfast and Coffee gathering, Corey Union First Floor  

• 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Memorabilia Display (1960-1990) hosted by Musical Legacy Committee, Brockway Hall Curry Lobby 

• 10 to 11:15 a.m.  — “Cortland Concert Time Machine” hosted by the Musical Legacy Committee, Corey Union First Floor 

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Remembrance, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House 

• 10:15 a.m. — Penny Seltzman Springer ’74 Radio Studio naming ceremony, Cornish-Van Hoesen Hall, Springer Radio Studio, Room C103 

• 10:30 a.m. to noon — 2026 Alumni Awards Ceremony, Old Main Brown Auditorium  

• 10:30 a.m. to noon — Nu Sigma Chi sorority alumnae tea, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House, Alumni Association Board of Directors Solarium 

• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — WSUC-FM/WCSU-AM 50th Anniversary presentation, hosted by Michael Flaster ’78, Cornish-Van Hoesen Hall, Cinema Screening Room, Room C105 

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — “My Extraordinary Life: Rock and Roll College Years” by Dr. Jack Samuels ’73, Corey Union First Floor 

• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — America’s Semiquincentennial: Celebrating America’s 250th birthday, “Celebrating alumni veterans and active service members,” Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge 

• 12:30 to 2 p.m. — Reunion Lunch with incoming EOP students, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House back gardens 

• 1 to 5 p.m.  — Gathering at the home of Bob Russell ’78, C.A.S. ’91, Homer, NY 

• 1 p.m. — Arethusa minigolf, Shipwreck Amusements, 759 Route 13, Cortland, NY 

• 2 p.m. — Afternoon guided walking campus tour, Corey Union front steps 

• 3 to 5 p.m. — All Greek Reception, sponsored by the Nu Sigma Chi Legacy fund, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House Main Floor 

• 3 to 6 p.m. — Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field gathering, Cortland Beer Company, 16 Court St., Cortland, NY 

• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Kente graduates social, BRU 64, 64 Main St., Cortland, NY 

• 5 p.m. — SUNY Cortland Alumni Association Board and SUNY Cortland Foundation Board Social, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House, Jean M. Dunlavey ’64 Pub 

• 6 p.m. — Brews and Barbecue Bash, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House back gardens 

• 9 to 11 p.m. — Dark Horse Tavern Takeover, 96 Main St., Cortland, NY 

Sunday, July 19 

• 9 a.m. — Arethusa brunch, Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House, Judy Wright ’64 and Max Levine Living Room 

SUNY Cortland student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom and in competition, with the academic honors to prove it.

A pair of student-athletes — women’s soccer and women’s ice hockey player Katie Diem and men’s track and field athlete Isaiah Brunache — recently claimed the highest annual honors for academic and athletic achievement from the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in 2025-26.

Diem, a biology major, was chosen as the Dr. Dolores Bogard Award winner — SUNY Cortland’s first recipient since 2014-15 — and Brunache, an exercise science major, was named the Dr. Sam Molnar Award winner — the university’s first recipient since 2005-06 — for their excellence.

More information about the two major conference honors is available online.

Additionally, five spring competitors earned statewide accolades in their respective sports for their success as scholar athletes:

• Men’s lacrosse: Sean Kavanagh, SUNY Spring Scholar Athlete of the Year, physical education major

• Women’s golf: Gina Milazzo, SUNY Spring Scholar Athlete of the Year, sport management major

• Baseball: Nolan Smith, SUNYAC Spring Scholar Athlete of the Year, psychology major

• Women’s outdoor track and field: Reilly Quinn, SUNYAC Spring Scholar Athlete of the Year, sport management major

• Men’s outdoor track and field: Brunache, both the SUNY and SUNYAC Spring Scholar Athlete of the Year

The SUNY Scholar Athlete Awards recognize student-athletes from SUNY institutions sponsoring intercollegiate athletics at the four-year and two-year levels, while the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete Award winners are selected from each of the SUNYAC’s sponsored sports.

In total, SUNY Cortland student-athletes earned 16 SUNY or SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards in 2025-26.

More information about the five spring honorees is available online.

The SUNY Cortland men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic program finished in 26^th place in the 2025-26 Learfield Directors’ Cup competition, placing the university in the top 6% among more than 420 eligible NCAA Division III programs competing nationally for the prestigious honor. 

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), sports marketing company Learfield and USA Today present the award to recognize overall excellence among collegiate athletic programs. 

The Red Dragons finished with a score of 593 points, making it the top scorer among State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) schools and the second-highest scoring school from New York state, behind only seventh-place New York University. 

The Red Dragons have now earned 26 finishes in the top 30 since the competition began in the 1995-96 school year. Its highest ever finish was a tie for second in 1997-98.

Cortland had 16 teams earn points, led by the men’s soccer team, which tied for ninth place nationally; the men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and softball teams, which each tied for 17th place; and the men’s indoor track and field team, which tied for 18th place. 

Points are awarded based on NCAA postseason finishes and the size of each postseason field. 

The Red Dragon scorers were: 

• Men’s Soccer - tied for 9th place (64 points) 

• Men’s Indoor Track and Field - tied for 18th place (55.5 points) 

• Men’s Basketball - tied for 17th place (50 points) 

• Men’s Lacrosse - tied for 17th place (50 points) 

• Women’s Lacrosse - tied for 17th place (50 points) 

• Softball - tied for 17th place (50 points) 

• Women’s Golf – 33rd place (40 points) 

• Wrestling – 36th place (38 points) 

• Baseball - tied for 33rd place (37.5 points) 

• Women’s Cross Country - top-5 NCAA regional finish (32.5 points) 

• Women’s Basketball - tied for 33rd place (25 points) 

• Football - tied for 33rd place (25 points) 

• Women’s Soccer - tied for 33rd place (25 points) 

• Women’s Volleyball - tied for 33rd place (25 points) 

• Women’s Outdoor Track and Field - tied for 53rd place (20.5 points) 

• Men’s Outdoor Track and Field - tied for 68th place (5 points) 

Women’s gymnastics finished sixth nationally at the NCGA Division III Championships, but that finish is not counted in the Directors’ Cup standings since it is not an NCAA championship. 

There are four Directors’ Cup Awards, one to honor overall champions in each of the NCAA’s divisions (I, II and III) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). It is the first-ever cross-sectional all-sports national recognition award for both men and women.

Greg Diller ’07, coordinator for transition programs in Advisement and Transition, earned the Joan Austin Distinguished Service Award at the New York State Transfer and Articulation Association’s (NYSTAA) annual conference.

The award recognizes individuals who have made long-term commitments of time and energy to NYSTAA, a professional organization geared toward college transfer student success.

Diller was honored for establishing strong connections with fellow transfer professionals since joining the group in 2018, chairing numerous NYSTAA committees and demonstrating leadership qualities that led to his election as NYSTAA president in 2021.