Community

When SUNY Morrisville cross-country head coach Derek Powers approached Nikko Recchio about joining his program four years ago, the high school senior from Waterville, New York, saw himself as a very mediocre athlete who had fallen out of love with running.

Ask any automotive student at SUNY Morrisville about their most memorable experiences and they’ll likely point to the faculty at the heart of it all. “Their devotion to seeing us succeed is what I love so much about them,” said Dan Betsinger, an automotive technology - Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) Program student from Cobleskill, New York.

Back in 2014, the SUNY Morrisville football team came together for an unprecedented season, as the Mustangs rewrote the record books, captured the attention of national audiences and left an undeniable mark on the program’s and college’s athletics history.  A decade later, the Mustangs were able to huddle up once again, this time to cement their legacy as one of SUNY Morrisville’s all-time greats with their induction into the Athletics Wall of Fame. 

The Children’s Center at SUNY Morrisville has been providing high-quality childcare and peace of mind to the families of students, faculty, staff and the local community ever since it first opened its doors in 1994.  Fittingly, the Center’s location within the college’s Bailey Hall will now be dedicated to the visionaries who made it possible.

If selflessness and giving turn coaches into champions, Jonathon Stockton is in a league of his own.  The 37-year-old SUNY Morrisville student and youth coach found his calling — a cause larger than life — helping others. “I live to enrich the lives of others because that nourishes my life,” Stockton said with a radiant smile.        It’s an impassioned career emboldened in his own experiences he openly shares about struggles with depression, addiction and homelessness — and unwavering support that helped him persevere.   

Carrie Wafler’s dreams started small. She loved riding horses, gardening and spending time outdoors. And she had an entrepreneurial spark that set her apart. When those passions came together at SUNY Morrisville, something extraordinary blossomed — quite literally. Today, Wafler owns Barn Blooms Flower Farm, in Wolcott, a thriving floral business that blends artistry, horticulture and agriculture. A proud two-time graduate of SUNY Morrisville, she now gives back as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses in equine science, agricultural business and horticulture.  

Three SUNY Morrisville faculty and staff members were recently honored with Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence by the State University of New York and SUNY Chancellor John B. King.   Receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service is: Laura Pierie, of Morrisville, associate professor of humanities The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of full-time teaching faculty.

Step into SUNY Morrisville professor Elisa Livengood’s classroom and you’ll find yourself surrounded by oversized tanks teeming with vibrant fish, anemones, clownfish, seahorses and a world of aquatic wonder. Here, hands-on projects and cutting-edge research aren’t just part of the curriculum — they’re the foundation of an immersive learning experience that brings marine science to life. This engaging approach has earned Livengood the admiration of students, colleagues and industry professionals and, most recently, the 2024-25 SUNY Morrisville Distinguished Faculty Award.

SUNY Morrisville graduates Laura Bedell, of New Hartford, and Vidya Jawahir, of Oxford, have been recognized with the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE), the highest honor bestowed by the State University of New York (SUNY). The award celebrates students who have successfully integrated academic excellence with leadership, campus involvement, athletics, community service, the arts, or career achievement.

Each spring, the SUNY Morrisville greenhouse comes to life, overflowing with vibrant blooms in all shades imaginable. Students move with purpose — trimming, watering, transplanting and caring for flowers and plants in preparation for the college’s annual spring plant sale, a tradition that has become a favorite for the campus and local community. This year’s sale will be held at the Spader Horticulture Complex, May 8-9, from noon-5 p.m.; May 10, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; May 15-16, from noon-5 p.m.; and May 17, from 8 a.m.-noon. It is open to the public.