Retiree Recognition 2020

Congratulations to our retirees! Although circumstances prevent us from getting together in person for our annual retiree luncheon, we would like to recognize and honor our retirees' service to the College and campus community with this online tribute, which includes photos and memories from our retirees. Thank you all, and best wishes for a happy and fun-filled retirement!

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Retiree Profiles

Some of our 2019-2020 retirees chose to submit profiles and thoughts about their time at Geneseo. Those who indicated we could share this information on our recognition page are featured below.

Teresa Sexton, Office of the President

In what other departments have you worked?

Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration

What plans do you have in retirement?

Spending time with family.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

I feel very fortunate to have had the pleasure of working for some wonderful people who have taught me so much.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

I couldn't have asked for better colleagues to work with and couldn't pick just one. I have developed so many lifelong friendships.

Teresa Sexton Teresa Sexton

Christopher Cappon, Chemistry Department

In what other departments have you worked?

Just Chemistry

What plans do you have in retirement?

Golfing, gardening, traveling, adjunct teaching, consulting.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Two achievements: (1) updating the content and enhancing the popularity of CHEM 216 (Organic Chemistry Laboratory); (2) design and implementation of a comprehensive laboratory safety program for the Chemistry department.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Professor Barnabas Gikonyo: has a very positive approach to teaching and to life.

Christopher Cappon Christopher Cappon

Yanxiang Gu, School of Business

In what other departments have you worked?

None

What plans do you have in retirement?

Travel, own business.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Fulbright Scholar 2005-2006, Chancellor's Award for research.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

N/A

Anthony Gu Anthony Gu

Joanna Kirk, Sociology and Political Science & International Relations

In what other departments have you worked?

Division of Advancement (Communications & Publications and Alumni Relations)

What plans do you have in retirement?

More yoga, hiking, travel, cooking, leisure reading and yard work; less (but still some) academic teaching and research.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Taking the plunge back into teaching in 2008.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

So many - can't choose one over the others.

Joanna Kirk Joanna Kirk

Olympia Nicodemi, Mathematics Department

In what other departments have you worked?

None

What plans do you have in retirement?

To continue to write and to travel.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Of course, my greatest achievement is seeing how many wonderful students that I helped to reach their goals. Each provides a special memory.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Yes, Dr. Stephen West. He was (and is) my colleague and, for a while, my chair. His endless joy in his teaching and his mathematics translated into his endless support to get me where I wanted to go. Thanks, Steve!

Olympia Nicodemi Olympia Nicodemi

Amy Stanley, Department of Music

In what other departments have you worked?

NA

What plans do you have in retirement?

I plan to spend more time with my family in travel and adventures, and teaching my daughter the piano. I especially look forward to having time just to read the paper with a hot cup of coffee!

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

One of my most favorite memories is performing (a selection for two pianos and orchestra) with my student, Louis Lohraseb, with the GSO. Just as the conductor raised the baton, my 18 month old daughter "cheered us on" and put a smile on the performer's faces. It reminded us that the purpose of music is to bring joy.
As for my greatest achievement, only time will tell. I'm hoping I will be remembered as someone who fought for the underdog.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

 Pat Baird, our former secretary, was someone who inspired me to be my best. She always had something positive to say for the day and a joke to share. She was constantly rallying the faculty and staff to help out the community. She brought joy each and everyday to the music department.

Amy Stanley Amy Stanley

Lynda VanDurme, Office of International Programs

In what other departments have you worked?

Purchasing, Financial Aid and School of Education

What plans do you have in retirement?

Spending more time with my grandchildren, home projects, gardening, some travel and just relaxing.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

All of the people I've met and relationships forged.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

The younger colleagues, they inspired me to learn more and changed my thinking at times.

Lynda VanDurme Lynda VanDurme

James Coburn, Heating Plant - Facilities Services

In what other departments have you worked?

Zone Maintenance and prior to that custodial when I first came to Geneseo in Oct 1988

What plans do you have in retirement?

Spend more time with family, friends and grandkids. Work on home projects and upgrades. Hobbies include woodworking and carving (ducks, birds, birds of prey and song birds), hiking, digging for antique bottles, and events with my classic car.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Having the opportunity to meet so many great people during the years at Geneseo of which so many will remain friends after retirement.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

It's hard to list just one person, as I have met so many people that have inspired me over the years. I especially enjoyed my time at the Heating Plant and the people who made the experience a pleasure.

James Coburn James Coburn

Claudia Forrester, Facilities Services

In what other departments have you worked?

Facility Services

What plans do you have in retirement?

Spend time with my 16 grand children. 

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Working my way from Cleaner up to Supervising Janitor and all the great people I worked with.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Jackie Love.

Claudia Forrester Claudia Forrester

Donald Thompson, Facilities Services

In what other departments have you worked?

No others.

What plans do you have in retirement?

To travel the country.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Becoming a Supervisor.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Kirk Spangler

Donald Thompson Donald Thompson

Paul Simmons, Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation

In what other departments have you worked?

NA

What plans do you have in retirement?

Travel and search for a warm weather location for the colder months.
Long motorcycle tours including the Trans American Trail and the Trans Labrador Highway.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

As the Head Athletic Trainer, my contributions to our athletic successes.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Marilyn Moore.

Paul Simmons Paul Simmons

Victoria Amidon, Philosophy Department

In what other departments have you worked?

Milne Library, Office of the Registrar, Campus Scheduling, Biology Dept., Student Health Center, Foundation, School of the Arts (Art/Music), Facilities Planning, School of Education

What plans do you have in retirement?

I will be spending more time outside gardening, walking, swimming, camping, and spending more time with family; especially my two granddaughters before they reach the age when they no longer think it's FUN to come to our house! In the winters, I plan on subbing a few days per week at the elementary schools to help support my beach vacations, doing some much overdue reading of romantic novels, and organizing years and years of family photos. My long range plans are to learn Spanish, learn how to scrapbook, and dabble in sewing. Oh, and I'll DEFINITELY be snow-birding down South with my husband when he retires!

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

My greatest achievement is knowing that I saved a student from taking her own life when I was a receptionist in the Student Health Center. She was in a bad place, and when she came up to the counter, I knew it. I grabbed her hand, and I told her I'd get her some help. Although the Counseling Center was closed at the time she came in, I made sure she saw someone from the Health Center. When she came in for her follow-up appointment, she called me aside and she thanked me. She told me that I had saved her that evening. :-)

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Too many to mention.

Victoria Amidon Victoria Amidon

Kathleen Gibson-Moore, Dean of Academic Planning & Advising

In what other departments have you worked?

Accounting; Office of the Registrar

What plans do you have in retirement?

Helping the College transition, household projects, spending time with family.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Achievements: Figuring out my current job with no one to show me how (and believing I mastered it); feeling I contributed to the Geneseo community through my involvement with CSEA, SUNY Geneseo FCU, and EAP. Memory: The many great people I worked with throughout my 30 years here.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Anna Kline (retired from Admissions) inspired me with her involvement, honesty, and integrity.

Kathleen Gibson-Moore

Kelly Hoag, Dean of Academic Planning & Advising

In what other departments have you worked?

I started in the Special Education Department, moved up the hall to Blake C to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (which was what it was called back then) and then moved to the Dean's Office in Erwin from there.

What plans do you have in retirement?

Travel.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Many wonderful memories in my 35 years!

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

I've been fortunate to work with many great people!

Kelly Hoag Kelly Hoag

Susan Marie, Office of the Provost

In what other departments have you worked?

Student and Campus Life VP, College Union, Office of the Registrar

What plans do you have in retirement?

Spend time with my husband, kids and grandchildren; travel a bit; practice my piano more often, write a memoir!

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

The day I made a delivery to the Library without realizing I was walking into wet cement. I was oblivious to the yellow tape. I ended up knee-deep in wet cement with construction guys screaming at me. They had to pull me out. This is likely my greatest achievement.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

There are many, but Rico Johnson has been my rock for the past eleven years serving as a wonderful co-worker and close friend in the Provost's Office. We are the last remaining Provost Office staff from the Dahl era, and have been through much together, both personally and professionally.

Susan Marie Susan Marie

Barbara Rex-McKinney, History Department

In what other departments have you worked?

Office of the Registrar

What plans do you have in retirement?

Relax, travel, reading, volunteer work, spending quality time with my family.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

N/A

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

The majority of faculty of the History Department (current and retired) are an every day inspiration with their caring support for myself, the students and each other. Also, Joe Cope, who is the absolute best there is. From my time in the Registrar's Office it was the Steve Almekinder and the late Kay Follett Ash.

Barb Rex-McKinney Barb Rex-McKinney

Gary Towsley, Mathematics Department

In what other departments have you worked?

N/A

What plans do you have in retirement?

Travel and Research.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Winning the National Teaching Award in Mathematics.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Bill Edgar (for one among many).

Gary Towsley Gary Towsley

Barbara Welker, Department of Anthropology

In what other departments have you worked?

N/A

What plans do you have in retirement?

Write, travel.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Writing/publishing my book on human evolution and our extinct ape relatives: The history of our tribe: Hominini.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Carol Long.

Barb Welker Barb Welker

William Cox, Heating Plant - Facilities Services

In what other departments have you worked?

N/A

What plans do you have in retirement?

Being with Grandchildren.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

N/A

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

N/A

William Cox William Cox

Roy Franchi, Maintenance - Facilities Services

In what other departments have you worked?

Cleaning, grounds, core shop and zone shop

What plans do you have in retirement?

Travel.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

There has been many great achievement but the one which stands out the most would be when todd white and me went to the partnership program together. It took three years to finish but the course was fantastic. The memories would be of all the great friends i made over the years.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

There were many that inspired me. the one person who stands out the most would be my mentor Roy Smith [smitty] he was the machinist and a great friend.

Roy Franchi Roy Franchi

Laura Lee Waden, Facilities Services

In what other departments have you worked?

3rd. shift academics for 9 years (Facilities Services)

What plans do you have in retirement?

Just doing work at home at my own pace.

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

Getting to know a lot of good people that have become friends.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

Everyone that I worked with.

Laura Lee Waden

Beth Standish, Center for Community

In what other departments have you worked?

Facilities Services

What plans do you have in retirement?

Spend more time with family and friends and travel more; stay up late and sleep in!

What is your greatest achievement or memory at SUNY Geneseo?

My greatest memory will be all the great co-workers and students I have met over the years.

Is there a colleague from Geneseo that has inspired you?

N/A

Beth Standish

Other Honored Retirees

Please note that this list includes SUNY Geneseo employees who retired between 2019 and 2020.

  • Stephen Almekinder, Office of the Registrar 
  • Paul Anderson, Computing & Information Technology 
  • Donna Ayers, Milne Library
  • Stacey Edgar, Philosophy Department
  • Richard Gifford, School of Business
  • Russell Judkins, Anthropology Department
  • Cheryl Kreutter, School of Education
  • Susan Norman, School of Education
  • Terry Peck, Mathematics Department
  • Elias Savellos, Philosophy Department
  • Steven Stubblefield, Theatre & Dance
  • Kathleen Sugarman, School of Education
  • Mary Burger, Student Accounts
  • Charles Drum, Facilities Services
  • Brenda Harrington, Facilities Services
  • Donald Reed, Facilities Services
  • Lawrence Roby, Facilities Services
  • Karen Rockhill, Facilities Services
  • Felice Rogers, Facilities Services
  • Dawn Rowe, Facilities Services
  • Kirk Spangler, Facilities Services
  • Mary Weaver, Facilities Services
  • Julie Wolfer, Human Resources & Payroll Services
  • Cynthia Wood, Mail Services
  • Gene Griffing, Student Health & Counseling
  • Thomas Kilcullen, University Police