Notable Alumni of Jefferson Community College
Jefferson Community College (SUNY Jefferson) is a public community college located in Watertown, New York. Established on November 7, 1961, it was the area's first institution of higher education and remains the only college with a campus in a 50 miles (80 km) radius. Over the years, Jefferson has seen many of its graduates go on to achieve great things in their respective fields. The college takes pride in the accomplishments of its alumni, honoring outstanding graduates for their contributions to Jefferson athletics or for distinguishing themselves through professional achievement and service to their community. This article highlights some of Jefferson Community College's most notable alumni.
Alumni Honorees
Jefferson Community College (JCC) alumni are invited to a party on the river! Reconnect with fellow alums and share your college memories on Thursday, July 11, 2019 while enjoying a wine cruise on the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Distinguished alumni were honored at the Jefferson Community College (JCC) Foundation's Annual Scholars Reception held on November 5, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Two distinguished alumni were recognized for their professional achievement and exemplary commitment to their community and Jefferson Community College. The 2019 Distinguished Alumni honorees are Toya M. Webb, Class of 2002, and Brian S. Jun.
These honors are bestowed annually to outstanding Jefferson graduates for their contribution to Jefferson athletics or have distinguished themselves through professional achievement, service to their community. Three distinguished alumni will be recognized for their professional achievement and exemplary commitment to their community and Jefferson Community College. This year marks the 50th reunion of the Jefferson Community College Class of 1968 and the 25th reunion of the Class of 1993. Along with the Class of 1968 and Class of 1993, alumni of the College's Criminal Justice Program will be honored during Cannon Blast Weekend to be held September 21-23, 2018.
Notable Alumni in Various Fields
Jefferson Community College has produced successful alumni in a variety of fields, including medicine, sports, law, and science. Here are some examples:
Medicine
- Dr. Dennis Slamon ’70: Best known for the research he conducted that led to the development of Herceptin, a breast cancer drug that targets a specific genetic alteration found in about 30 percent of breast cancer patients.
- Dr. Lyn Dyster ’80: Has devoted her life to fighting cancer and other debilitating disorders through ground-breaking research and drug discovery.
- Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky ’10: With over million Instagram followers, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky ’10, a.k.a. The Derm Guru, gives skincare advice through her social media videos to fans around the world, recently earning All Laundry Detergent’s title of Chief Dermatology Advisor.
- Dr. Amy Hartman ’98: In 2005, Dr. Amy Hartman ’98 was a member of the outbreak response team sent to Angola during the largest recorded outbreak of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever, due to her work on viral virulence factors contributing to severe disease induced by infection with the Ebola virus.
- Dr. E. E. Ronald Salvitti ’59: Has become a world-wide innovator in the field of ophthalmic surgery, designing intraocular lenses for cataract surgery that have been widely used, since they gained widespread acceptance in the 1970s. E. Ronald Salvitti, M.D. has been in the practice of ophthalmology since 1973.
Sports
- Dr. Charles Pruner West ’24: In 1922, Dr. Charles Pruner West ’24 became the first African-American quarterback to play in the Rose Bowl. Also a track and field star, he earned the title of a two-time National Collegiate Pentathlon Champion and was named to the 1924 Olympic team, though he did not participate due to injury.
- Daniel Lee “Deacon” Towler ’50: Played fullback in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams from 1950-55. He was the NFL’s leading rusher and an All-Pro in 1952.
Law
- Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy ’84: Has served on the state of Pennsylvania Supreme Court since January. Mundy was born in Elmira, New York and was raised in Tioga, Pennsylvania. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Washington & Jefferson College and with a Juris Doctor from University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Science and Aviation
- Joseph A. Walker ’42: American World War II pilot, experimental physicist, NASA test pilot, and astronaut, Joseph A. Walker ’42 was the first person to fly an airplane to space. He was also the first person to enter space twice! Born in Washington, Pennsylvania, Walker graduated from Trinity High School.
Alumni Award Recipients
Jefferson Community College recognizes alumni achievements through various awards. Here's a list of some of the alumni and the awards they have received:
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- Michael Alteri ’85: 2004 Distinguished Service Award
- Paul A. Alteri: 2008 Honorary Graduate
- Ian Thomas Ash ’97: 2007 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Courtney D. Battista ’99: 2008 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Eric A. Bonney ’93: 2004 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Robert J. Bookser ’74: 1996 Distinguished Service Award
- William J. Brigham ’75: Distinguished Service Award
- Nicholas J. Buduson ’73: 1998 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Mel Busler ’07: 2007 Honorary Graduate
- Stephen H. Can ’80: 2004 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- James Cannon ’93: 2003 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Michelle Capone ’95: 2017 Jeffersonian Award
- Michael Carbone ’77: 1999 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Karen A. Carr `00: 2011 Jeffersonian Award
- Nathaniel J. Chapin ‘03: 2012 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Susan Charley '67: 2016 Professional Achievement Award
- Dr. John P. Clark '86: 2013 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Jeff Cole: 2017 Community Service Award
- Sonya Comins ’93: 2017 Professional Achievement Award
- Joanne C. Conlon ’71: 2008 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Timothy M. Connor ’75: Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Delos “Toby” Cosgrove ’03: 2003 Honorary Graduate
- James H. Cox ’04: 2004 Honorary Graduate
- Steven F. Cumoletti ’80: 2010 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- John W. Deans '11: 2011 Honorary Graduate
- Mary Jo Deans ’81: 2003 Distinguished Service Award
- Nancy W. Del Borgo ’01: 2001 Honorary Graduate
- Linda S. Dening ’86: 2004 Jeffersonian Award
- Katharine Dickson-Johnson ’83: 1993 Distinguished Service Award
- William J. Doe '06: 2006 Honorary Graduate
- Rhonda V. Dwyer ’92: 2002 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Warren Fargo '01: 2016 Jeffersonian Award
- Margaret E. Farone ’91: 2001 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Katherine F. Fenlon ’08: 2008 Honorary Graduate
- Donna M. Fish ’78: 1998 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Richard O. Flechtner ’00: 2000 Honorary Graduate
- Rose E. Frattali ’01: 2001 Honorary Graduate/Distinguished Service Award
- Mark E. Frechette ’85: 2006 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Cathy L. Gallagher ’00: 2004 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Peter N. Gaskin ’98: 1998 Honorary Graduate
- Jane G. Gendron ’73: 2001 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Judith G. Goodman ’97: 1999 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Erin M. Greene ’74: 2007 Distinguished Service Award
- Lisa R. Hall ’89: 1999 SUNY Honor Roll
- Allen C. Hallett ’85: 2000 SUNY Honor Roll
- Amy Ruth Hallett ’84: 2006 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Richard E. Halpin ’02: 2002 Honorary Graduate
- Barbara E. Harter ’01: 2001 Honorary Graduate
- Dr. Nicole A. Heldt, '89: 2014 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- John T. Henderson ’06: 2006 Honorary Graduate
- Marie A. Hess ’74: 1995 SUNY Honor Roll/2012 Jeffersonian Award
- Richard C. Howland: 1997 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Nathan Hunter, '01: 2014 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Cindy F. Intschert ’79: 2000 SUNY Honor Roll
- Timothy R. Keohane '84: 2018 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Robert A. King ’98: 1998 Honorary Graduate
- Dale A. Klock '88: 2018 Jeffersonian Award
- David M. Kohl ’72: 2004 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Evelyn (Beattie) Kormanik '68: 2013 Jeffersonian Award
- Jody R. LaLone ’89: 1999 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award/Jeffersonian Award
- Joel F. LaLone ’81: 2010 Jeffersonian Award
- Jeanne C. Lees ’73: 1997 Distinguished Service Award
- Tracy L. Leonard ’06: 2010 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Marianne B. Malatino ’67: 1997 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Debra Marsala ’77: 2003 Jeffersonian Award
- Kim H. Martusewicz ’72: 1994 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Karl F. McGrann ’76: 1994 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- James E. McVean ’98: 1998 Honorary Graduate
- Joseph F. Medwick ’75: 2007 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Mary Lu Moriarty `81: 2011 Distinguished Service Award
- Robert A. Myers ’80: 2011 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Thomas W. Myers ’68: 1995 Distinguished Service Award
- William H. Myers ’75: 2003 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Kate L. Newtown ’01: 2007 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Judith S. Pearson ’76: 1993 Distinguished Service Award
- John D. Peck '03: 2014 Jeffersonian Award
- Brian S. Peck '98: 2019 Jeffersonian Award
- Jeff D. Perrine '08: 2011 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Genny E. Pond ’94: 2006 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Claudia J. Quinn ’79: 2000 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award/Distinguished Service Award
- Dennis Quinn '75: 2016 Jeffersonian Award
- Rande S. Richardson ’90: 2001 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Nancy M. Robbins ’77: 2010 Distinguished Service Award
- Martin P. Schatz ’67: 1995 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award/Jeffersonian Award
- David Shampine ’68: 2007 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Craig P. Sirianni ’82: 1996 SUNY Honor Roll
- Patrick B. Smith ’92: 2000 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Penny R. Sweredoski ’82: 2001 Distinguished Service Award
- Joseph L. Thesier ’81: 2006 Distinguished Service Award
- Robert J. Thomas ’75: 2001 SUNY Honor Roll
- G. Nicholas Verne ‘83: 2012 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Mabel B. Walker ’99: 1999 Honorary Graduate
- T. Urling Walker ’99: 1999 Honorary Graduate
- Marcia E. Walton ’65: 1994 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Shelby L. Wearne ’95: 2008 Alumni Rising Star Award
- Carol J. McKeever Weaver ’88: 2002 SUNY Honor Roll
- Toya M. Webb '02: 2019 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Stephen C. Williamson ’69: 2002 Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Kerry A. Young '93 and '06: Jefferson Professional Achievement Award
- Richard F. Young ’68: 1989 SUNY Honor Roll/Distinguished Service Award
- Dr. Dennis Slamon ’70
- Brian S. Jun
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