Notable Alumni of Herkimer College: A Legacy of Achievement
Herkimer County Community College, now known as Herkimer College since 2014, stands as a public community college in Herkimer, New York. Approved by the State University of New York in 1965 and authorized by the County Board of Supervisors in 1966, the college opened its doors to its first class of 221 freshmen in the fall of 1967. The initial campus was temporarily located in the upper floors of the Remington Arms Company in the Village of Ilion. Over the years, Herkimer College has fostered a diverse range of talented individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. This article highlights some of the college's notable alumni, showcasing their achievements in areas ranging from athletics and education to business, public service, and the arts.
Hall of Fame Inductees
The Herkimer County Community College Alumni Hall of Honor recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or in service to their communities. The Hall of Fame honors graduates of Central Valley School District and the former Ilion and Mohawk districts for their accomplishments in school, community and career. Anyone can nominate an individual.
In a ceremony held Friday, September 30, Herkimer County Community College inducted two notable alumni to the Alumni Hall of Honor: Donald J. Snyder ’04 and Dartray Belk ’06. Eleven members of the Herkimer County Community College Alumni Hall of Honor attended the induction of two new honorees, Donald J. Snyder ‘04 and Dartray Belk ‘06, on Friday, September 30. Pictured from left: President Cathleen McColgin, Daniel J. Burling, Dr. Frederick Douglass Opie, Margaret E. (Mootz) Beck, Carolyn Bergeron, Dr. Anne E. Dorrance, Martin Babinec, Robert Brenchley, Robert E. Baber, Randolph J. Collins, Jeffrey Carpenter J.D., Snyder, Belk, Chair of the Board Isabella Crandall, and Harrison J.
Dartray Belk ’06, of New York City, earned an associate in science degree in Criminal Justice and continued his education at Hartford University in Hartford, Conn. He is a New York City police officer and a community affairs liaison officer with the 26th precinct in Harlem. Recognized for his volunteerism, Belk has played an integral role in volunteer projects aimed at weeding out negative actions in communities and replacing them with positive, productive action. In his acceptance speech, Belk said, “Herkimer was the college that gave me an opportunity."
Accomplishments in Education
Amy Getman, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Herkimer College, was recognized with an Outstanding Educator award by The Genesis Group. Amy joined the college in 2003 as a tutor and math instructor, and was promoted through the ranks to associate professor of accounting.
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Joe Collea, IHS 1965, has just written a new book titled New York and the Lincoln Specials: The Presidents Pre-Inaugural and Funeral Trains Cross New York. Available from Amazon, Barnes & NobleMcFarland Publishing, the volume is based on Lincoln's two five-day excursions across the stateone in life and one in deathit is the story of how people, from all walks of life and locations in New York, joyously welcomed their president-elect in 1861 and mournfully marked his passing 1865. This work is a continued manifestation of Joe's long interest American history, particularly the Civil War years, that was sparked by his parents and nurtured by teachers at West Hill Elementary and the Ilion Junior-Senior High. Recently retired as principal from Hartford High School in Vermont, Joe now devotes his time to further research and writing. He is currently working on a book of collected stories about the history of Ilion.
Carrie (Lenarcic) Firestone, IHS 1988 alumnus, now has a second book, "The Unlikelies". The novel is centered around the lives of teenagers, during an eventful summer, who deal with issues, such as cyberbullying. Her novel was featured in the The Times Telegram news story. "The plot revolves around Sadie, a rising high school senior, who steps in to rescue a baby in distress and a video of her good deed goes viral, according to Google Book Review. Carrie (Lenarcic) Firestone's (IHS 1988) latest book, The First Rule of Climate Club, received the Louisiana Book Award-Middle School Category Award. Carrie's novel can be ordered on-line at Amazon. Carrie (Lenarcic) Firestone (IHS 1988) had her latest book, The First Rule of Climate Club, nominated for the prestigious Nutmeg Book Award. Students voted for their favorite books. Firestone's book, The First Rule of Climate Club, is in the Middle School (grades 7-8) Division. Carrie's novel can be ordered on-line at Amazon. IHS 1988 alumnus, Carrie (Lenarcic) Firestone, joins the list of Ilion graduate authors with her debut, young adult, novel "The Loose Ends List". Carrie's novel was released in June 2016. Her novel was featured in the Utica Observer Dispatch news story. "The story is about 17-year-old Maddie O'Neill Levine, whose grandmother is also her go-to confidante. Carrie graduated from William Smith College with a bachelors degree in English and anthropology. She earned a masters degree from Columbia University Teacher's College. She is the daughter of retired HCCC professors Ray and Faye Lenarcic. Carrie co-founded The Ilion Project in 2010. The group was started after she began with a grass-roots movement to collect information on illnesses and gather environmental data on potential pollution in the Village of Ilion. Carrie began investingaing contamination after her sister, Jennifer (Lenarcic) Snyder of New Hartford, was diagnosed in 2008 with a brain tumor. Carrie asked her IHS 1988 classmates if they had any health problems.
Contributions to Healthcare
Donna (Thibault) Flesher IHS 1997 - Biogen acquired HI-Bio in 2024, and as HI-Bio became Biogen's West Coast Hub, Donna (Thibault) Flesher became the Head of Biomarker and Bioanalytical Sciences. Donna credits her high school teachers for providing individual resources to help enrich her learning experiences. Donna shared where her curiosity for science began and how it shaped her career.
Dr. Bridget Sweeney, East Amherst, New York, was selected by Incisal Edge magazine for its 2022 "40 Under 40" list of dentist honorees. Why She Was Nominated: Founder of The Ivory Dental Co., Dr. Sweeney is also a clinical faculty and accredited member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics who travels around the country teaching health care professionals the ins and outs of Botox, dermal fillers, TMJ and orofacial pain treatment protocols. Tool She Can't Live Without: "iTero 5D with NIRI technology. Having the capability to diagnose cavities through infrared technology before they even show up on X-ray has been career changing. Most Memorable Patient: "My first Hybridge [implant] patient. He was a recently retired gentleman who was traveling to all 50 state capitals with his wife and just wanted to be able to enjoy a steak on his trips. Meet Dr. Bridget Sweeney. Dr. Bridget Sweeney founded The Ivory Dental Co.
Thomas Manion, New Hampshire, was honored by the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper in their 2023 feature articles - "40 Under 40" list of business leaders. Tom's degrees include a B.S. in Biology from Saint Lawrence University and an M.P.A. in Health Policy and Management from New York University. He is the President and CEO of New London Hospital, in New London, New Hampshire. He is married and the father of four children.
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John David Kerr, IHS 1964, Veterans Hall of Fame 2023 nomination…. Navy, Hospital Corpsman, Second Class, was nominated by Celine-Marie Pascal and Barbara Stahl to the Veterans Hall of Fame for 2023. John served from 1966-1970. "John's former colleagues at the Canadaigua VA praised his compassion and dedication as a staff member and volunteer supporting veterans having touched many lives.
Success in Athletics
Brian Angelichio IHS 1991 has reached a deal to become the new offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Contributions to the Community
Mike Patrei IHS 1992 alumnus, Mike Patrei was one of the three founders of the film festival, UNSPOKEN. The festival is an annual human rights forum that combines film, art, and a conference into one festival. The festival is held annually, in Utica, NY in October. It is a multi-faceted forum which seeks not only to give a voice to human rights violations from around the globe, but also to offer practical solutions in order to shape a better tomorrow and give hope to the future. This year marks the 6th Annual Festival in 2016. Michaels feature length documentary film, Ballou has been in both national and international film festivals, screened at the White House, and premiered on the BET Network. He is also the founder and puppeteer with The Guild of Thespian Puppets. Mike Patrei lives in Ilion and shows his hometown support on his web site, Ilion Film Company. Michael also serves the region as a member of the Board of Directors for the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees.
Mary Fitzer Morse, was featured in FuzeHub - Faces of Manufacturing in New York State. Mary is the owner of Kwik-Kut Manufacturing of Mohawk, New York which produces high-quality, Made-in-the-USA kitchen gadgets like the Tooth Edge Food Chopper. The article provides the history of the 80 year old company. In 1989, Mary bought the business from her father. Mary Morse was named a New York State Woman of Distinction in 2011. The honor is bestowed by the New York State Senate.
Timothy Seymour, Commissioner of Social Services, "Herkimer County, is the 2016 Community Visionary winner. Commissioner Seymour was selected for his dedication to helping low-income families throughout Herkimer County. He has worked to create a strong partnership with MVCAA, as well as other service organizations, to insure that the help families need is easily available. His leadership was instrumental in assisting numerous Herkimer County Residents during the floods of 2006 and 2013 who suffered the loss of their homes and property. He acted quickly and worked with MVCAA and families to insure that people got the immediate and long-term help that they needed. Commissioner Seymour has been one of the first to address homelessness in Herkimer County. We applaud his tenacity and compassion towards those who do not have this most basic necessity.
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IHS 1973, Bill Richards, received the go-ahead from the Ilion village board to work on the project to repair the Armory Hill Stairs. Bill was joined by volunteers for work sessions at the stairs. Richards said there has been some discussion among residents interested in setting up a fund to raise money for the restoration project. The Herkimer Times Telegram featured Ilion Alumnus, Bill Richard's plan to save the stairs. Bill Richards and Charles Walz, of Walz Engineering, offered to donate their time to repair the stairs. The plans call for repairing one side of the stairway so it can be safely used again. The plan would also call for fencing off the other side because the stairs are completely dilapidated on one side. Walz estimated the cost of the concrete could range from $6,000 to $10,000. The board voted early in December 2015 to close the stairs for safety reasons. Village crews then installed barricades and fencing to discourage use of the stairs. A public hearing was held in February of 2016. The general consensus of those who attended the public session was that the village should repair or replace the stairway.
Legacy of Giving
On November 18, 2005, Carleta Sterling Mixer-Cox died at the age of 95. In her last will and testament, Carleta had nearly a $1 million bequest for the Ilion Free Public Library to be used for programming, improvements, and other benefits for patrons. As a result of this bequest, the director and staff of the Ilion Free Public Library held a reception on November 13, 2008 to posthumously honor Carleta Sterling Mixer-Cox for her generosity.
Ilion Alumni raised funds, in one day, for the The Don Taylor Headstone Fund. Coach Donald J. Taylor was a lifelong resident of Ilion and a true Ilion Golden Bomber. He passed on May 19, 2012. He was laid to rest next to his parents in the Oak View Cemetery in Frankfort on May 26, 2012 and does not have a proper headstone. Anyone who would be interested in attending the Run they will be taking donations to buy Mr. Taylor a headstone at the event. Or if you are unable to attend I would be more than willing to deliver donations myself. Mr. Taylor had a huge impact on a lot of our lives and it would be nice to give back.
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