2026 Legacy Celebration
The SUNY Geneseo Legacy Celebration highlights legacy families with two or more family members who graduated from or are currently attending Geneseo. The families on this page took part in our 2025 celebration.
2026 First-Year Legacy Celebration Families
📸 = Camera emoji next to name indicated photo(s) in gallery
Cousin: Tim Ellis ’08
Mother: Mary Lee Huber Compitello ’00
Submitted by Marina Compitello ’30 (student): My Mom and cousin are both math teachers. We love the family feel of Geneseo, the campus, the high-quality education, and reputation it holds.
Aunt: Cynthia Dake-Fauler ’82
Father: Timothy Davis ’01
Mother: Melissa Heisley Davis ’01
Great Grandmother: Elizabeth Morrison Vosler ’62
Submitted by Melissa Heisley Davis ’01 (mother): My grandmother was one of the most influential people in my life. She was ahead of her time in family values and unassumingly broke down gender walls around career and raising a family. She was on the basketball team, student leadership, as well as a proud Arethusa. I didn’t fully absorb the legacy when I attended, but I met my husband (and Owen’s dad there – and my grandmother loved him). However, it wasn’t until Owen decided to attend Geneseo that I really started to feel that legacy pull from the middle and am so excited to see him grow here!
Mother: Marnie Thomas DeJohn ’96
Father: James DeJohn ’94
Brother: Devon DiMatteo ’23
Sister: Kaitlyn Geary ’28
Father: Todd Geary ’00
Submitted by Maria Geary ’30 (student): My family’s Geneseo legacy means a lot to me because it connects my own experience as a cross country runner with my family’s history in swimming. Both my sister and my dad swam, so sports have always been an important part of our family and a way for us to connect. While I chose cross country instead of swimming, I feel like I am continuing that same tradition of being part of a team, working hard, and creating lasting memories through athletics. Coming to Geneseo has given me the opportunity to create my own path while still sharing something meaningful with my family. Even though we compete in different sports, I think we understand each other through the commitment, dedication, and experiences that come with being a student-athlete. It is special to know that I am adding my own chapter to our family’s connection through sports and Geneseo.
Brother: Timothy Giblin ’24
Submitted by Chloe Giblin ’30 (student): My brother being an alumnus definitely encouraged me to attend SUNY Geneseo. We both chose Geneseo for its strong academics and welcoming community, so I think we shared similar reasons for selecting the school. While it’s not yet a long-standing family tradition, having siblings attend has made it feel special and meaningful. We’ve also shared involvement in student organizations and being a part of a sports team which has deepened our connection to the campus. For my family, the Geneseo legacy represents opportunity, and a strong sense of community that we hope to continue in the future.
Father: Kevin Greene ’94
Submitted by Kaelyn Greene ’30 (student): I hope that I enjoy my college experience as much as my father did. I fell in love with the campus and the town when I visited it.
Mother: Jenny Jamison Hartman ’03
Mother: Renee Hornberger Henry ’96
Submitted by Riley Henry ’30 (student): When deciding what college would be best for me, I remembered how much my mom loved her time at Geneseo and knew I could too. Knowing she walked the same campus and had her own experiences makes me want to make the most of my time here. To me, our shared college shows a connection between our generations and how far we have come.
Submitted by Renee Hornberger Henry ’96 (mother): I am thrilled that Riley has chosen Geneseo for her college education. The welcoming and supportive environment that shaped my own undergraduate experience gives me confidence that she will grow, learn, and prepare for a successful future. Geneseo holds many of my fondest memories and provided an education I deeply value. It is especially meaningful to know that we will share the unique bond of being Geneseo alumni and creating memories connected to the same institution.
Aunt: Diane Kaffka ’98
Father: John Holt ’94
Mother: Teresa Davis-Holt ’93
Father: John Horner ’88
Submitted by Jillian Horner ’30 (student): My Father and I both experienced the same feeling of belonging when walking onto the campus for the first time. Growing up I always heard stories and amazing things about Geneseo but was never pressured to go there. Somehow Geneseo was the place both my dad and I felt like we belonged.
Mother: Deborah Snyder Hutton ’97
Mother: Lindsay Slojkowski Jones ’03
Submitted by Campbell Jones ’30 (student): My family’s Geneseo legacy means everything to me! My mother inspired me to attend Geneseo, but always encouraged me to keep my options open. For as long as I can remember, I had it in my head that I wanted to go to Geneseo, whether it was to become a teacher, physical therapist, or business woman. As I got older and began my college journey, I realized that Geneseo was truly the right place for me. It’s so incredibly special; I have my biggest inspiration to guide me throughout my Geneseo journey.
Aunt: Krisit Kane DiTucci ’09
Mother: Kara DiTucci Juszczak ’03
Father: Jason Juszczak ’02
Submitted by Riley Juszczak ’30 (student): I have heard so many stories from my parents and aunt about their time at Geneseo. They have talked about classes and coursework, Mama Mia’s, broomball, sunsets, life in the dorms, etc. I’ve heard so many stories! What I always take away from those stories are the life long connections that they made, how much they grew as people, and how prepared they felt they were for life after college as a result of attending Geneseo. My family’s Geneseo legacy represents connection and growth and I am excited to be able to experience these things for myself.
Aunt: Lindsay Swenson ’05
Mother: Carly Swensen-Liebenow ’03
Father: Brian Liebenow ’01
Submitted by Miles Liebenow ’30 (student): Everyone who attended loved their experience at Geneseo.
Brother: Liam McAneney ’28
Mother: Jodi Ives McAneney ’91
Grandmother: Kay Bossard Ives ’62
Submitted by Aidan McAneney ’30 (student): I know Geneseo is a safe campus with a welcoming community.
Aunt: Margaret Zambon ’03
Uncle: Brian Meyer ’03
Aunt: Bevin Tiger Jackett ’96
Mother: Wendy Stock ’96
Uncle: Mark Jackette ’85
Submitted by Phoebe Meyer ’30 (student): My mother was the biggest influence for my commitment to Geneseo. Three of my family members who went to Geneseo were also education majors and that also influenced me to major in elementary and special education. I grew up hearing about their experiences and how they loved the small town charm of Geneseo. I ultimately chose Geneseo because of its welcoming environment, excellent academics, and outstanding School of Education. I’m excited to continue my family’s legacy while creating my own memories and experiences as a Geneseo student.
Father: Joshua Muldner ’99
Grandmother: June Muldner ’75
Uncle: Sean Mulvehille ’09
Aunt: Jennifer Conroy ’08
Mother: Kelly Wagner ’00
Aunt: Jennifer Fincik ’94
Submitted by Jack Mulvehill ’30 (student): It is important that I’m part of my family’s Geneseo legacy. My family encouraged me to attend Geneseo. It’s a great school and my family has amazing memories from their time at Geneseo. I have a similar major to my aunt and uncle. I am majoring in business administration and they majored in accounting. They both went on to have successful careers. Their studies at Geneseo prepared them for this. I look forward to attending and studying at Geneseo.
Brother: David Murray ’10
Mother: Leah Hoffman Murray ’03
Submitted by Leah Murray ’03 (mother): Hadley and her brother Dave will live in the same residence hall by chance. My (mom’s) positive experiences with Geneseo were a great motivator for Hadley to attend.
Father David Oddy ’00
Cousin: Lydia Butterfield ’28
Mother: Barbara Seifried Rogers ’01
Cousin: Jason Butterfield ’01
Cousin: Erin Butterfield Weston ’97
Aunt: Brenda Seifried Levine ’94
Cousin: Gail Schindler Butterfield ’73
Cousin: Donald Butterfield ’72
Submitted by Gregory Rogers ’30 (student): My family legacy at Geneseo means quite a lot starting with the deep roots of knowing this is where so many in my family have gone to obtain a higher education. Knowing that I will be following in their footsteps is highly motivating. We all picked Geneseo not just because of how gorgeous the area and campus are but more importantly what it offers–a phenomenal education and a community that can’t be matched. Being a legacy student at Geneseo and representing my family is truly an honor.
Mother: Allyson Pucci Ryan ’00
Grandmother: Francene Carter McCarthy ’73
Submitted by Lily Ryan ’30 (student): My legacy connections mean that I have a forever connection (besides family) to my mom and grandmother. It means that other people can see the connection between us and it shows how similar family can be.
Mother: Julie Daniels Salisbury ’00
Submitted by Hannah Salisbury ’30 (student): My mom had a wonderful experience both socially and professionally at Geneseo. It set her up for a great career that has supported our family. I wanted that same experience, a balance between college life and preparing me for the “real world.”
Great Grandmother: Betty Jean Semmler Clark ’68
Submitted by James Santonastaso ’30 (student): This means a lot to my mom. Her mother attended Geneseo, graduating in 1968. I was never afforded the pleasure of getting to know my grandmother, but she means a great deal to my mom, so I can only assume she was an amazing and brilliant person. I believe that I may honor her by graduating from Geneseo; and potentially begin a legacy of my own.
Mother: Molly Hayden Saper ’03
Submitted by Mary Saper ’30 (student): The legacy connection means Geneseo already feels like home because I have seen how the institution builds lifelong friendships. I am proud to be able to follow in my mom’s footsteps!
Submitted by Molly Hayden Saper ’03 (mother): I am so very proud of Mary Rose!
Aunt: Jessica Hickman Savage ’98
Uncle: Tyler Savage ’95
Father: Michael Savage ’95
Uncle: Tyger Foster ’95
Submitted by Sienna Savage ’30 (student): Being part of my family’s Geneseo legacy means a lot to me because it’s something we’ve shared across generations. Hearing about my family’s experiences and seeing how much Geneseo meant to them definitely influenced my decision to attend. We were all drawn to Geneseo because of its strong academics, welcoming community, and the opportunities it offers, even though we’ve each had our own unique experiences here. It’s really special to continue a family tradition while making my own memories, and I’m proud to be part of a community that has meant so much to my family.
Father: Jason Smith ’94
Submitted by Jason Smith ’94 (father): Both my daughter Madeline and I are and were education majors, so we share a common major, but more important, we both share a genuine love and affection for all that is Geneseo!
Cousin: Jillian Quay ’22
Aunt: Karyn Magnanti Stockmaster ’98
Mother: Julie Beckwith Tumbelekis ’98
Father: Matthew Tumbelekis ’98
Brother: Matthew Werner ’28
Submitted by Walter Werner (father): Having both Matthew and Caitlin at Geneseo is a legacy that means more to our family than simply sharing a college name. Born just sixteen months apart, they’ve grown up as best friends—different personalities, different majors, yet always moving through life side‑by‑side. Now they get to continue that journey together at Geneseo. Watching them choose the same school for their own individual reasons, but ultimately finding comfort and excitement in attending together, feels like a family tradition being created in real time. Their shared experience—living on the same campus, supporting each other academically, and building memories that will last long after graduation—has become an important part of our family story and a legacy we’re proud to celebrate.
Cousin: Max Nelson ’06
Cousin: Kerry Nelson Steinagle ’99
Cousin: Paul Nelson ’98
Cousin: Erik Nelson ’95
Cousin: Joan Scmidt Olsen ’88
Cousin: Debbie Nelson ’88
Great Uncle: Mike Nelson ’69
Great Aunt: Janet Goette Nelson ’69
Submitted by Debbie Nelson ’88 (cousin): Most of us are proud, successful NYS teachers. Our family loves tradition. We have appreciated all the opportunities to learn and grow in a safe and caring community. We all have made life long friends connected by our memories of attending SUNY Geneseo.
Mother: Shannon Fitzpatrick-Wood ’97
Grandmother: Gay Norton Fitzpatrick ’73
Submitted by Shannon Fitzpatrick-Wood ’97 (mother): I am so excited that Skye will be a third generation Knight!
Mother: Lynn Winters Woodruff ’94
Submitted by Brennan Woodruff ’30 (student): My mom encouraged me to attend SUNY Geneseo. I will work hard to ensure that the values Geneseo instilled in her are also fostered within me.
2026 Additional Legacy Submissions
Mother: Cistin Rene Moore Benz ’03
Great Grandmother: Mary Eleanor Walsh Benz ’51
Submitted by Lilian Benz ’29 (student): When I decided that I wanted to transfer to a four year school, I considered many different options. I could tell my mom didn’t want to force her alma mater and allowed me to make the decision on my own. I knew I would be so very lucky to be accepted and attend Geneseo. I never had the chance to talk to my grandma about her college experience, but my mom had great success at Geneseo. She was a transfer student like me, pursuing a career in education, and she says that when applying for her first job they were impressed that she had graduated from Geneseo. My grandmother also graduated with an education degree at Geneseo. Although all three of us have/had desires to teach different subjects, we all wanted to inspire new generations through an impressive SUNY Geneseo program.
Mother: Cathleen Renner Engle ’96
Submitted by Elizabeth Enble ’28 (student): It means a lot to me to be able to follow in my mom’s footsteps. She was a first-generation college student who has paved the way for me at every avenue. Now being able to create a family legacy at Geneseo is so special.
Father: Tim Pellman ’88
Submitted by James Pellman ’28 (student): Our college paths have been nearly identical. We are even pursuing the same degree in Business Management.