Pictured: An Alfred State student receives his degree from President Steven Mauro
From Alfred State College,
Families and friends celebrated as approximately 1,000 Alfred State students crossed the stage at the college’s 115th Commencement Ceremony at Pioneer Stadium.
“Each of you has navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and persevered to reach this milestone,” stated Alfred State President Dr. Steven Mauro. “The journey speaks not only to your determination, but to a growing sense of purpose that will guide you well beyond today.”
Mauro continued his tradition of presenting a video that allowed graduating students to thank those who were influential in their journey at the college (View the video). He also presented Walter Sass, ’78, with an honorary degree. The Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, bestowed by the State University of New York, honors Sass for his impact to Alfred State, to his industry, and to his community.
Student Speaker Gabriella Thurmond (Ithaca, NY) challenged her fellow graduates. “Look for the garden you want to build. Look for the wall you are going to scale. When it gets cold, colder than any morning, remember that your legacy isn’t built in the moments of comfort. It’s built in the climb: the laughs, the smiles, the stress, the pressure, the cries, the seasonal blues, all of it.”
Levi Peterson (New Paltz, NY) added this advice, “As we continue down our separate paths, we will face many different and unforeseen challenges. It is always important to remember that the challenges we face are not what defines us, but instead it is the actions we take to overcome them that do.”
“As we all sit here together, we think about what’s next,” commented Allison Bateson (Brewerton, NY) in her speech. “We are all going to drive through Alfred State’s one traffic light, one last time. Some of us know exactly where we’re going, others not so much and both are okay. If there is one thing we can all do in our future endeavors, it is to do everything with maximum effort.”
A major component of the ceremony was the presentation of the Paul B. Orvis Award for Excellence to six graduating students. The award honors Paul B. Orvis, a former president of Alfred State and State University of New York executive dean for all two-year colleges. Recipients meet the criteria of service, leadership, character, and scholarship.
Receiving the award were Levi Peterson and Janiesha Dureny (Sussex, NJ) from the School of Applied Technology, Karlee Hargather (Rochester, NY) and MacKenzie Lada (Canandaigua, NY) from the School of Arts and Sciences, and Nicholas Bonham (Westfield, PA) and Jessica Ficarra (Williamson, NY) from the School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology.
The commencement ceremonies featured student speakers from each of the three schools at the college.
- Representing the School of Applied Technology, Peterson embodies Alfred State’s commitment to hands-on experience, career readiness, and applied learning. Studying Electrical Construction and Maintenance as the Joseph & Carmella Saccone Memorial Endowed Scholarship recipient, he is also the 2026 Paul B. Orvis award recipient, winner of the Outstanding Student Award for his program, and a two-time Skills USA state champion in electrical wiring. He has also served as a tutor for the electrical program and as a student ambassador for SAT, a role allowing him to share his enthusiasm for Alfred State and hands-on, applied learning with new generations of students. He plans to continue his career in the electrical field at DS Home Services as a Junior Lead Electrician.
- Bateson continued the School of Arts and Science’s tradition of well-rounded excellence. Graduating from the Criminal Justice program with minors in both psychology and business she is a Dean’s List honoree, a Merit scholarship recipient, and nominee for the Chancellor’s Award while carrying a 3.82 GPA. She has capably represented Alfred State in athletics, playing on the lacrosse team and serving as captain for the women’s soccer team while earning All-District academic honors. Her talent for leadership is not confined to the playing field, having served as the women’s soccer representative on the campus Student Athletic Advisory Committee and one of Alfred State’s Alleghany Mountain Collegiate Conference representatives. Bateson also finds the time to give back to the campus community, serving as a peer mentor in the Criminal Justice department and meeting with prospective students for the program.
- Thurmond, a business administration major with a minor in psychology, exemplifies the School of Architecture, Management, and Engineering Technology’s dedication to cultivating a career-ready student body. She has earned an impressive 3.96 GPA, has held a continued spot on the Dean’s List, and has won multiple awards during her time at Alfred State, including the Barbara Becker Memorial Endowed Scholarship, the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration, and the Residential Services Excellence Scholarship (Specialty Impact). She has shown dedication to the college outside the classroom, working with the ACES office and as a member of the volleyball team. She has mentored many students during her time as an Academic Peer Mentor (APM) and Housing Assistant, continuing to show maturity and striving to be the best version of herself, inspiring others with her “can-do” attitude.
The Alfred State faculty quartet performed the national anthem and the college’s alma mater.
