Accolades & Professional News
Accolades & Professional News
1970
Dennis Parent (FRM) writes, "I finally did it! Retired on 12/31/2024 after more than 50 years in industrial and consulting forestry. It has been a bittersweet experience, but my aging body got the better of me. What to do now? Some volunteer work, a little writing, and maybe some mentoring of young foresters. Am thinking of joining everyone at the reunion in September. I have never returned to ESF since I left in 1970."
1971
Douglas Wilcox (CHE) was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society of Wetland Scientists, the premier professional organization in wetland science. He retired from the U.S. Geological Survey-Great Lakes Science Center in 2008 following 30 years of federal service and accepted a position as the Empire Innovation Professor of Wetland Science at SUNY Brockport. He had also retired from his role as Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Wetlands after a 20-year tenure. He was one of three initial SWS Fellows and became a certified Professional Wetland Scientist in the first year of the program. His research on wetlands spanned the Great Lakes basin and focused on interactions of wetland plant communities and hydrology, including the roles of climate change, groundwater, and lake-level regulation. He also provided scientific support for restoration of Great Lakes wetlands. Following twelve years of research at Brockport, where he also taught Wetland Ecology, Northern Wetlands, Restoration Ecology, and Scientific Technical Writing, he retired again in 2020 and now lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
1972
Justin Culkowski ’73 (FRM) writes, “John Litzenberger ’72 (CHE) and I attended the Syracuse University Letterwinner of Distinction ceremony. Colonel Litzenberger, a member of the SU Wrestling team, was honored for his distinguished service as a pilot in the Air Force and for his actions in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He currently operates an aviation accident investigation business. In addition, he has served in many civic posts in his community supporting youth sports, affordable housing, education, and environmental policies. The ceremony was held at Drumlins Country Club in September.”
1977
Jill Azadian Herendeen (ES) writes, "3 years ago I started Scottish Cultural Center 501(c)(3)—currently teaching Scottish Country Dancing in Houlton, Maine twice per week, come join us! Looking to start a pipes & drums band, too—Scottish Cultural Center.
Jeff Morrell (’77 EFB) and Tisha Morrell ('78 EFB) have had a whirlwind 18 months. They moved back to Oregon from Australia after they retired, but decided to move back to Australia again in January of this year to a small town, Mt. Gambier, where Jeff became the Director of the Forestry Centre of Excellence at the University of South Australia. They are looking forward to a September trip back to the US to attend the Cranberry Lake reunion and hope to see other Stumpies there.
1979
Thomas Martin (FRM) writes, "I was recently elected to the Society of American Foresters national board of directors for district 6 covering N.Y. and New England. Also I currently serve as the President of the Ranger School Alumni Association."
1994
Roy Green (ES) is the new Director of the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) working out of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY. He will be working to advance pollution prevention efforts across New York State and helping industries drive more sustainable, innovative practices.
1995
Brendan Kelly (FRM) received the Forestry Communications & Education Award from the New York State Society of American Foresters (NYSAF). The award recognizes outstanding efforts to promote understanding and appreciation of forest resources, management and stewardship through communications and education. Nominated by his own students at SUNY Morrisville, Kelly was presented with the honor during the annual NYSAF awards program.
1997
Leigh Jones P.L.A. (LA) has been promoted to Associate Landscape Architect. Jones is a member of Barton & Loguidice's Sustainable Planning & Design Practice Area in their Somers, NY office.
2000
Adam Novak (FRM) writes, “Retired from the US Army in 2021.”
2004
Rese (Emily Therese) Cloyd (EB) writes, “I am deeply honored to serve as President of the Ecological Society of America, an organization that has been pivotal in advancing ecological science and its applications to critical societal challenges. Together with ESA’s members, I look forward to promoting ecological research, communication and education, while growing the Society and ensuring it can be a professional home for all ecologists.”
2006
Scott Swayze (ENSC), Chief of Police & Emergency Manager with SUNY Oswego, has been appointed to the Central New York Gender-Based Violence Coalition for 2025-26
2009
Casie Case (Paper Engineering) writes, “After spending the first 14 years of my career in various operations management roles across the paper industry, I made a career pivot into corporate HR two years ago. I am now the Early Talent Program Manager for the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), where I lead developmental programs for young engineers and other recruits who have recently graduated from college. I also volunteer as a board member and committee chair for the Syracuse Pulp & Paper Foundation, where I enjoy supporting current students at SUNY ESF with scholarships, internships, co-ops, and full-time opportunities!”
2013
Kimberly Slodden (FOR) writes, "I earned my Professional Engineering License in the VI and NC, and now work for the US Department of Energy in Hydropower Incentives and started my Masters in Environmental Studies at Antioch University."
2015
Benjamin Boisclair (LA) writes, "A year ago I joined Walt Disney Imagineering, entering a space where imagination has no ceiling and collaboration knows no ego. I am honored to have been promoted to Sr. Landscape Architect (especially amongst some of the most talented people in the world!!!)... we’re cooking up some of the most ambitious projects Disney’s ever attempted… so buckle up—the best is yet to come! I’m honored!"
2020
Jordan Jessamy (ES) writes, "I’m happy to share that I've started a new position as a Consultant at Ramboll! I look forward to continuing to expand my knowledge base while supporting Ramboll's clients with their environmental remediation and compliance needs."
2024
Kyle Koprevich (Forest Health) writes, "I am now a Forest Technician in Pennsylvania after 4 years at ESF."
Weddings/Celebrations
2017
William Bentley (Professor Emeritus) writes, “Last June, Ann and I attended the wedding of our niece, Lauren Lynn (Bioprocessing Engineering) to Ian Newcomb (EB), both 2017 ESF graduates. The setting was 8,200 feet above the Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village. Several recent ESF alumni attended: from L to R Bryony Striffler ‘15, Adriana Palucci ‘17, Elle Palmer ‘16, Karl Palmer ‘16, Mark Frazier ‘18, Uncle Bill Bentley (ESF professor Emeritus), Lauren and Ian, Kaela Natwora ‘18, Haley Canham ‘16, Allison Cronk ‘17, Tyler Rose ‘17, and Andy Brunner ’17. Aside from the wonderful family pride, this gathering was a fine testimony to recent ESF graduates and their early successes.”
2019
Will Saunders (FNRM) and Vaishanvi Ramesh (ES) ‘18 were married on August 24, 2024 in Massachusetts. They met during grad school and were lucky to have their ESF friends with them to celebrate. Ryan Quinn ‘19 officiated the ceremony, with Maid of Honor Megan Quinn ‘18, Groomsman Wayne Wang ’18, Jenny Frank ‘15, Obste Therasme ‘19, Abishek Poudel ‘25, and Laura Hansen ‘20 in attendance.
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