Community

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.

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.

Adam Olinski is planting big ideas and harvesting abundant success. The SUNY Morrisville assistant professor of horticulture recently received the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association President’s Award, a top honor in his field. It recognizes three educators for outstanding work in advancing the Empire State’s green industry.  “I was really surprised,” he said in a recent interview, “and very honored.” 

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.

When Len Montreal ’83 and Regina Riccardi Montreal ’83 think back about their time at SUNY Morrisville, they fondly remember the friendly, supportive environment, the small-town atmosphere, the close-knit community and the access to nature and the outdoors. It’s easy for them to get sentimental and nostalgic. “I remember the smallness and the quaintness of the beautiful campus surrounded by scenery,’’ Regina said. “And, of course, it’s the place where I met the love of my life.’’ (And her future business partner.)

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. 

When Shadow LaValley ’14 was competing in the 2023 Amateur Players Golf Tour, he proudly sported a SUNY Morrisville baseball cap. Working on his golf swing is still a work in progress, he said, but he finds it a good distraction from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles city life.

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.