Alfred University held its 9th Annual All Employee Recognition Event on Tuesday, May 12. The event—which honored retirees and employees for years of service—was held in Ade Hall and included lunch and refreshments.
The University also recognized the following recipients of three awards:
Cathy Johnson Service Award, which recognizes high standards of professionalism; proactive engagement with tasks; and attention to detail and the utmost care for quality in presentation while completing tasks. The award is named for the late Cathy Johnson, assistant to the Dean of the School of Art and Design, who passed away in November 2017 at the age of 53.
The 2026 winner is Lisa Sexsmith, Administrative Manager.
“Lisa consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism in all aspects of her role,” wrote one employee who nominated Sexsmith for the award. “Colleagues frequently turn to her for management-level questions and concerns because she provides clear, dependable guidance. She maintains a consistently positive and respectful demeanor, and she approaches her work without complaint or negativity.”
Said another, “Lisa has exceptional dedication, integrity, and impact on the entire University. She contributes to a positive and productive environment. She’s always seeking opportunities to support others and improve processes. She is kind, caring and very generous to others.”
Other nominees for the 2026 Cathy Johnson Service Award were Maggie Alsworth, Donor Relations Coordinator; Billie Burns, Administrative Assistant for Graduate Programs; Nicholas Carlos, Audio Visual Technician; Kevin Dodge, Manager, Motorpool Services; Marty Fuller, Database & Gift Processing Specialist; Bill Giese, Preparator, NYSCC Galleries & Museum; Dan Hausman, Senior Learning Spaces Technical Specialist; Janet Lynch, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Enrollment Management; Ria Yiannakos, Public Services Librarian.
The Saxon Service Award, which honors employees who foster a positive attitude, demonstrate initiative, stand out among the Alfred University community, and exemplify the purple and gold Saxon spirit. The 2026 winner is Janet McClain, Division & Programs Secretary, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Janet McClain is the quintessential ‘welcoming face’ of the six academic divisions and programs she serves within CLAS. As a proud Alfred University alumna and a gifted artist with a degree in Art & Design, she brings a unique sense of ‘life aesthetics’ and poetic inspiration into the administrative environment,” wrote one nominator. “Her dedication to the well-being of her colleagues is truly personal; she takes the time to prepare thoughtful, hand-picked birthday gifts for every faculty member in her department, transforming a standard workplace into a nurturing community where everyone feels seen and celebrated.”
“Janet embodies the Saxon spirit through her lifelong commitment to Alfred University and her "outside of ordinary" career path. As an artist who has successfully exhibited her work internationally, including solo exhibitions in China, she brings a global perspective back to her alma mater,” wrote another. “She treats Alfred University not just as a workplace, but as her home, approaching every task with a profound sense of ownership and pride.”
The other nominees for the Saxon Service Award were Nicholas Carlo, Audio Visual Technician; Mari Hammond, Audiovisual & Instructional Technician; Robin Mazejka, Associate Vice President of University Advancement; Garrett McGowan, Professor of Chemistry; Herbert Schmidt, Custodian; Timothy Steffey, Custodian; Shannon Yocum, Secretary for Biology/Environmental Studies & Geology/Physics & Astronomy.
The Cathy Johnson Service Award and Saxon Service Award are supported by alumnus Wayne F. Holly ’78.
Bob Condrate Lifelong Learner Award, which recognizes employees who continually seek further education/professional development to enhance his/her growth; demonstrate a passion for gaining knowledge over a sustained period of time; and proactively share their knowledge and/or expertise with campus community. The award is named for the late Bob Condrate, retired professor of spectroscopy in the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Condrate exemplified lifelong learning by continuing his education, having taken more than 250 credit hours of coursework after his retirement from the University. The award is supported by alumnus Jay Yedvab ’56.
The 2026 winner is Laura Johnson, Director of Education Abroad.
“Laura continually seeks out professional development because her work demands mastery across international law, visa logistics, global mobility trends, risk management, intercultural education, and compliance,” wrote an employee who nominated Johnson for the award, noting she completed NAFSA training this year to serve as the University’s Responsible Officer for incoming visas, a role requiring precise understanding of federal regulations. “Her professional growth is deliberate, continual, and woven into every aspect of her role.”
“Nothing about Laura’s position as the Director of Education Abroad is static,” stated another. “As our sole study abroad advisor, Laura has to keep up with global events, travel regulations and requirements, visa and immigration statutes, and understand all of Alfred’s academic programs so that she can advise students on programs that will align with their major.”
Other nominees for the Bob Condrate Lifelong Learner Award were Amis Crawford, Sculpture Glass Studio Technician; Robin Mazejka, Associate Vice President of University Advancement; Thomas Orrange, Dean of Student Experience; Halil Zaim, Associate Professor Management.
The following employees were recognized for years of service:
One year: Kilauren Avery Guthrie, Quinlan Bailey, Caio Bragatto, Chris Brown, Charlene Burdick, Kimberly Cady, Marlin Carlin, Nicholas Carlo, Aiden Clair, Tremaine Clemons, Zachary Cornell, Em Cronin, Tina Denning, Julie Dick, Jadde DiDonato-White, Shawna Earle, Garret Eldridge, Andrea Fagon, Bonnie Gold, Christy Gowdy, Leah Graziano, Lane Griffith, Hannah Gruner, Devin Henry BFA '08, MFA '19, Allison Hogue, Beth Hults, Nafiul Islam, Gabe Iturbides, Nichole Johnson BA '19, MSEd '21, Adv Cert '21, Rowan Klingensmith BFA '12, Zach Knepp, Miriam Komuhendo, Chandan Kumar, Dakota Lowery, James Marchak III, Briar Marsh Pine, John Matalevich, Paul May, Jacob Mickle, Orion Moore, Andrew Morling BS '25, Bill O'Dell, Sarah Olbrantz, Rafael Outland, Cassie Reed MBA '23, Jamie Roe, Abigail Shick, Rachel Silverbloom, Hae Won Sohn, Mason St. Pierre, Liz Stearns, Tara Stern, Jeni Stone, Magan Straight BA '09, MSEd '11, Adv Cert '11, Kelly Tabbutt, Brittany Thierman, Jolie Ward, LisaAnn Warren, Caitlyn Weaver, Simon Whitney, Bolla Zaky MSEd '25, Adv Cert '25.
Five years: Rebecca Arday, Thomas Boyle, Bethany Carian, Ashley Carl, Brielle Gavin, Jennifer Gordon, Letti Hibbard, Jason Honeck BS '98, MSEd '00, Nicholas Hyland, Erich Kaempffe, Nickcole Klesa, Maria Planansky, Kyle Reynolds, Kelly Stephens, Erin Taylor, James Tingey, Katlyn Yocum.
Ten years: Amanda Azzi, Maria Bentley BFA '15, MSEd '20 and '25, Adv Cert '25, Brady Bonacquisti BA '12, MSEd '16, Adv Cert '16, David DeLany, Kyle Dray, Adam DuPree, Vicki Fenti, Dan Hausman, Tammy Jursza Williams, Tim Keenan BS '10, MS '12, PhD '16, Alec MacCrea, Tim McKee, Mechele Romanchock BA '02, Nick Schlegel, Lisa Sexsmith, Rebecca Stewart, Kathryn Vajda, Collen Wahl, Luke Wesneski, Shannon Yocum BA '25, Mark Zupan.
Fifteen years: Frederic Beaudry, Steve Byrne, Brock Reynolds, Jason Smith, S. K. Sundaram.
Twenty years: Ellen Bahr, Kimberly Baker, Amanda Criss, Kevin Gagne, Juliana Gray, Jason Lockner, Angus Powers BFA '00, Mike Stone.
Twenty-five years: Andrew Eklund, Lynn O'Connell MA '00, PsyD '02, Robert Rankl MSEd '01.
Thirty years: Xiaowen Chen, Jeffrey Houy, Susan Kowalczyk BFA '76, Jeffery Nisbet.
Forty years: Mary Coleman, Kevin Dodge.
Fifty-five years: Louis Lichtman.
Lou Lichtman, professor of psychology, was recognized for 55 years of service to Alfred University during the annual All Employee Recognition Event held Tuesday.
Mark Lewis (right), dean of the College of Business at Alfred University, one of three retiring employees recognized during the annual All Employee Recognition Event held Tuesday, is shown here with Mark Zupan, Alfred University president. Missing from the photo are fellow 2026 retirees Cori Carlin, Research Grants Analyst, and G. Doug Clark, Environmental Health and Safety Manager.
The following three retirees, with a combined 53 years of service—an average of more than 27 years—were recognized: Cori Carlin, Research Grants Analyst, 24 Years of Service; G. Doug Clark, Environmental Health and Safety Manager, 14 Years of Service; Mark Lewis, Dean, College of Business, 15 Years of Service.
At the beginning of the program, Mark Zupan, Alfred University president, listed several campus highlights from the spring 2026 semester. They included the first-ever TEDx Alfred University event, organized by students; the process for choosing the recipient of the new dining services contract; the Unity Day celebration; the DC Purple City event in Washington, D.C.; new articulation and transfer agreements signed with North East College of Health Sciences, the Golisano Institute of Business and Entrepreneurship, and Tompkins-Cortland Community College; Honors Convocation; the Undergraduate Research Forum; and Alfred University having two finalists for Fulbright Awards—Michele Seo M.F.A. ’25 and Lily Janik ’26.
Accomplishments related to athletics included the first pitch being thrown out for the first-ever baseball game played on the field at Saxon Hill Sports Complex; the equestrian team competing at the national championships; the softball team winning the Empire 8 tournament title and qualifying for the NCAA Division III championships; and the annual ALFYs Award for student-athletes.
