At Tuesday’s annual Holiday Luncheon, Alfred University recognized recipients of the university’s Fiat Lux! Awards. The awards were established in 2016 by Mark Zupan, university president, to honor people who bring distinction to Alfred University. The 2025 Fiat Lux! winners—Garret Eldridge, head men’s soccer coach; Andy Eklund, professor of chemistry; and Paul May, regional associate director of admissions, Albany/New England—exemplify Alfred University’s three core strengths: mentorship, intersections, and inclusivity.
Mark Zupan, Alfred University president, read a letter from the mother of a student who will be enrolling at Alfred next fall, majoring in engineering and playing for the men’s soccer team. In the letter, the mother related how she and her son came on a visit to Alfred University, where they watched a men’s soccer game. Eklund was at the game and spent time talking with the student and his parents, answering any questions they had about Alfred University.
May attended one of the student’s high school games, visiting with his parents and staying for the entire contest. After the game ended, May presented the student with a letter of acceptance and an official offer to play at Alfred for Coach Eldridge.
Zupan also gave a slide show presentation highlighting a number of key accomplishments from the last year. They included the AU Scholars Breakfast on Oct. 18 (the university welcomed a record 74 AU Scholars this fall); the Nevins Math Competition, which drew nearly 150 students and mathematics teachers from schools across western New York; the Performing Arts Division’s production of Macbeth, which brought more than 400 high school students to the university; the continued development of pre-college programming, which will be offered during the summer; the Second Annual Mentorship Day; the Night of Science and Arts, which attracted more than 500 families from the region to campus for demonstrations and performances related to science and engineering and the visual and performing arts; the 125th anniversary celebration for the New York State College of Ceramics; and the university-hosted AUEnergy Conference, during which the new Edibon Power Systems Simulation Lad was unveiled.
The university Also highlighted were updates on the Saxon Hill Sports Complex, set to open in the spring, and the Cohen National Casting Center Foundry, which will be completed next fall.
Zupan welcomed two new vice presidents: Kimberly Harvey, vice president for Student Experience, and Christie Smith, vice president for Enrollment Management. Both will begin their duties in January. Zupan also expressed appreciation to Tom Orrange, dean of Student Experience, and Kyle Whannell, admissions director, for serving in interim roles as vice presidents for Student Experience and Enrollment management, respectively.
The luncheon featured a basket auction, with items donated by various offices and departments, which raised more than $250 for the Alfred University Food Pantry.
The winner of the holiday sweater contest, held during Tuesday’s annual holiday party, was the School of Art & Design and Performing Arts Division, represented in photo above, from left: Carole Volpe, director of communications and outreach, NYSCC; Jessie Thoman, associate dean and professor of music, Performing Arts Division; Lauren Lake, dean of the School of Art & Design and Performing Arts Division; Monica Reginio, secretary, Performing Arts Division; and Faith Houy, administrative manager and coordinator of operations to the dean of the School of Art & Design and Performing Arts Division.
There were seven entries to the Holiday Sweater Competition, which was won by faculty and staff from the School of Art & Design and Performing Arts Division, who dressed as balls of yarn with knitting-associated puns attached to their attire. Other departments and offices that participated included: Enrollment Management/Admissions, University Advancement, Human Resources/Payroll, Division of Psychology, the President’s Office, and Residence Life.
