Nancy Furlong, emeritus professor of psychology at Alfred University, was recognized recently as a recipient of U.S. Congressman Nick Langworthy’s New York’s 23rd Congressional District America 250 Community Heroes Award.
Furlong, who was recognized with fellow award recipients at a ceremony August 14 in Olean, was nominated for the honor by Mark Zupan, Alfred University president, and James Ninos, mayor of the village of Alfred.
The America 250 Community Heroes Award is a district-wide initiative launched by Langworthy to honor everyday residents in New York's 23rd Congressional District who display extraordinary service, sacrifice, and community leadership in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In his nomination, Zupan referred to Furlong’s 38-year teaching career at Alfred University, which began in 1988. “As a teacher, mentor, advisor, and director of the university Honors Program, she led by example, teaching generations of students not only the science of the mind, but the art of showing up for others—of making community service a way of life,” Zupan wrote.
Furlong served many years as an active emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter for the A.E. Crandall Hook & Ladder Company in Alfred. When she was chosen to lead A.E. Crandall, she became just the second female fire chief ever in New York State. Last December, she was honored by Ninos and Becky Prophet, former Alfred mayor and emeritus professor of theater at Alfred University, with the prestigious Alfredian Award, given for outstanding service to the Alfred community, Alfred University, and in particular to A.E. Crandall Hook & Ladder.
In his nomination, Zupan referred to Furlong’s service with the local volunteer fire company, which she joined in 1988—the same year she began her Alfred University teaching career—at the urging of a fellow faculty member.
“Thanks to involvement from both Alfred University and Alfred State College, the A.E. Hook & Ladder Company boasts the highest percentage of PhDs of any volunteer fire-fighting company in the country,” Zupan wrote.
“Little did our village know in 1988 just how much Nancy would leave her mark. Nancy became the second female fire chief in the fire-fighting company’s history (as well as in the State of New York), paving the way for others through her leadership, humility, open-mindedness, and deep sense of duty,” Zupan said in his nomination. “When you saw Nancy step off the fire truck you knew the situation was under control. And she did all of this while mentoring the next generation of leaders, handing the chief’s baton to another Alfred University professor when her leadership service was done.”
