Alfred State students took top honors at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) annual Speech Contest, sponsored by the Olean section of ASME and Dresser-Rand. Six Alfred State seniors attended the competition, which involved three representatives each from Alfred State and Alfred University who report on their senior project/internship experiences.

Kyle Blackstone (Canandaigua, NY), Chelsea Kamrowski (Scio, NY), Justin Snell (Sanborn, NY), and Cory Tharnish (Delevan, NY) won the $500 first prize for their presentation of their work at Dresser-Rand in Olean, NY, where they conducted finite element analysis on a brazed component for naval ship impellers. The team designed test fixtures and performed tensile, impact, and vibration tests to verify the results. The project was sponsored by Dresser-Rand as part of an ongoing partnership with Alfred State.

Chris Graham (Elmira, NY), who interned at Hardinge Inc. in Elmira, NY, took the $250 second prize for his description of his dynamic stiffness analysis and testing of the company’s Super-Precision lathes. Using a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm, he mathematically analyzed his results, allowing the designers at Hardinge to improve the reliability of bearing placement in the spindles.

Colby Austin (Olean, NY) received Honorable Mention and a $50 prize for his portrayal of his accomplishments at Napoleon Engineering Services in Olean, NY, a company that offers bearing testing services and manufactures custom bearings. By improving the results and reporting of bearing performance data, comparing bearing performance to competitors in a clear manner, Austin’s efforts led to improved customer relations and a profit increase for the company.

“As faculty members we are always concerned that we are providing the tools for our students to succeed when they leave Alfred State,” remarked Edward Tezak, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and chair, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology department. “The work they do in these internships and their ability to confidently describe their achievements is outstanding and proves they are ready to assume their role in the workforce. It reflects great credit on themselves and on Alfred State.”

Haley Witchella (Oxford Academy) of the Alfred State women's basketball team and Keegan Phelan (East Aurora) who played on both the football and lacrosse teams were honored as the athletic department's Freshman Athletes of the Year.

Witchella was named 2nd team NJCAA Division II All-American, the Region III Division II player of the year, 1st team All-Region, and 1st team All-WNYAC following a freshman campaign that saw her average 16.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. She scored more than 10 points in 18 of her 20 games and scored 20 or more points in five games. She also registered 71 blocks, 35 steals and 20 assists.

Phelan was a starter on both the lacrosse and football teams. He recorded 35 tackles and three pass break-ups on the football field and the registered five goals and seven goals from his defensive midfield position in lacrosse. He was named the Unsung Hero Award for the lacrosse team and was counted on to defend the opponent's top offensive midfielder. He was also credited with doing the dirty work and creating offense out of defense.

Witchella and Phelan were honored at the end of the year athletic awards presentation held in the newly renovated Cappadonia Auditorium.

Other Nominees Included: Diana Burley: Cross Country, Kayla Franchina: Track & Field, Megan Miskell: Track & Field, Kay Pfleghardt: Volleyball, Kristen Potter: Softball, and Maura Tuffey: Soccer

Brian Edwards: Track & Field, Robert Howard: Track & Field, Alonzo Joyner: Football, Frankie Martin: Lacrosse, Travis Nagle: Track & Field, Mark Pendleton: Swimming, Nick Peraino: Soccer, Keegan Phelan: Lacrosse/Football, and Brian Tubbs: Track & Field

Alfred State softball player Shelby Freligh (Auburn/Union Springs), women's basketball player Carriola Chambers (Manhattan/Facing History), and football player Colter Johnson (Warren, PA) were named the recipients of the Daniel J. Neverett Sportsmanship at the athletic department's annual award ceremony.

Freligh was a two-year starter at catcher for the softball team.  She hit .284 this season with seven doubles and 11 RBI.  She is credited by her coaching staff as being a hard worker with a great attitude.  She is also credited for being the first one to arrive for anything softball related, for doing whatever needs to be done without complaint, and taking criticism and using it to become better.  Freligh is also a member of the Intercollegiate Athletic Board.

Chambers started at point guard the past two seasons for the Lady Pioneers.  She averaged 4.6 points and 4 assists per game this year en route to being named the team's most improved player.  She is credited for being a silent leader that never complained to the coaching staff, teammates, or officials.

Johnson was the Region III special teams player of the year after capping a stellar career for the Pioneers.  He averaged 38.9 yards per punt with a long of 66 yards this year and also connected on 6 of 12 field goal attempts including four field goals in the football team's Region III Championship victory.  He was named All-Region this year and was a NJCAA All-American last year.  He is credited by his coaching staff as being a quiet leader, a tireless worker, a great teammate, and the all-around definition of a student-athlete.  Johnson has signed with UMASS to continue his athletic and academic career.

Freligh, Chambers, and Johnson were honored at the end of the year athletic awards presentation held in the newly renovated Cappadonia Auditorium.

Other Nominees Included: Amie Brooks: Basketball, Danielle Henry: Soccer, Maggie McBurney: Swimming, Mo Parks: Basketball, and Renee Stanford: Softball

Rasheem Creech: Basketball, Jordan Friedman: Cross Country/Track & Field, Will Houlihan: Track & Field, Josh McDowell: Swimming, Jordan Napierala: Lacrosse, Josh Simons: Wrestling, Josh Stellrecht: Swimming, Cody Williams: Lacrosse

Alfred State is pleased to announce that Dr. Ron Rhoades, JD, CFP, assistant professor of business and curriculum coordinator for the college’s financial planning program, has been elected to serve as the National Chair of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) for 2012-2013. His term with the nation’s leading professional association of fee-only financial advisers begins on September 1, 2012.

Rhoades outlined his vision for NAPFA in a position paper, remarking that, building on the work undertaken by outgoing chair Susan John and the efforts of numerous NAPFA members and staff, “I intend to continue the organization’s focus on the accomplishment of NAPFA’s vision, namely that ‘the public recognizes that NAPFA advocates the highest standards for personal financial planning and that NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisors are the most trusted advisors of choice.’” He believes that NAPFA will continue to be the leader in its profession through enhanced educational offerings to members, expanding communications in order to educate the public on the benefits of NAPFA advice, advocating for a quality fiduciary standard, and opposing the oversight of registered investment advisers being in the hands of organizations dominated by large broker-dealer firms and investment banks. [www.napfa.org]

With over 25 years of experience as an attorney and over a decade as a personal financial adviser, Rhoades was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential persons associated with the investment advisory profession in 2011 by Investment Advisor magazine. He is involved with several financial planning organizations, including his own investment advisory firm called ScholarFi Inc., is the author of numerous articles in financial industry publications, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences in the financial planning and investment advisory professions. His teaching subjects include investment and retirement planning, insurance and risk management, business law, and employee benefits.

The Chapel Hill, NC, native earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida Southern College and his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Florida College of Law. He and his wife, Catherine, have two children.

About NAPFA

Since 1983, The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) has provided fee-only financial planners across the country with some of the strictest guidelines possible for professional competency, comprehensive financial planning, and fee-only compensation. With more than 2,400 members across the country, NAPFA has become the leading professional association in the United States dedicated to the advancement of fee-only financial planning.

The Mohawk Valley CC women's team and the Harper College men's team clinched NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship titles on Saturday during day three of competition at Pioneer Stadium on the campus of Alfred State.  MVCC ran away with the title while Harper edged up SUNY Delhi by five points.

On a beautiful spring day meet records continued to fall.  After two records were broken on Friday, seven more were broken on Saturday.  Jasmine Bien-Aime of Roxbury CC broke both the 100 m (12.11) and the 200 m (24.49) in winning each event.  Ashley Armand of Bronx CC broke the 800 m record with a winning time of 2:17.13, Savannah Boucher of Mohawk Valley broke her second record of the meet by winning the 3,000 steeplechase in 11:25.18, and Tiyi Boone of Delhi broke the high jump record with a leap of 1.69 m.  On the men's side Robert Allen of CC of Rhode Island broke the meet record in winning the 1500 in 3:55.99 and Pablo Ramirez of Harper set a new standard in the 5,000 with a winning time of 15:04.42.

Mohawk Valley earned 150 points in the 22 events and finished with 43 more points than National Runnner-up SUNY Delhi.  Gloucester County College was 3rd with 87, Alfred State was 4th with 59.5, Herkimer CCC was 5th with 58, Prince George's CC was 6th with 55, Suffolk CC was 7th with 50, and Montgomery College was 8th with 48.  Harper had 41.

Harper scored 132 points in the competition followed by Delhi's 127 and Alfred State's 93.  Howard CC was 4th with 91, Gloucester 5th with 49, Queensborough 6th with 48, Herkimer CCC 7th with 44, and Kingsborough CC 8th with 34.

Mohawk Valley CC's Boucher was named the women's track athlete of the meet for the second year in a row while Ramirez was the men's track athlete of the meet.  Delhi's Boone was named female field athlete of the meet while Tyler Foulds of Delhi was named male field athlete of the meet.

Gary Parker of Mohawk Valley was named the women's coach of the meet while Renee Zellner was named the men's coach of the meet.

Gary Moore of Alfred State was honored by the coaches association as the women's coach of the year while Gregg Cornell of CC of Rhode Island took the men's honors.  Lauren Biscardi of Suffolk and Nathaniel Williams of Harper College were honored as assistant coaches of the year.

Alfred State brought home four National Titles on the final day.  Shawn Charles (Rochester/Greece Olympia) and Alex Hewlett (Wellsville) won individual titles.  Charles won the 100 m in 10.79 while Hewlett won the javelin with a 2nd best in school history toss of 51.46 m.  They also teamed with Rawle Crawford (Mt. Vernon) and Brian Tubbs (Waverly) to win the 4x100 relay in 42.77.  The women's 4x400 relay team of Shea McKee (Canisteo Greenwood), Caitlyn Hotchkiss (Springville), Briana Dorsey (Rochester/School of the Arts), and Tara Murphy (Rochester/Wilson) broke the school record and nearly broke the meet record with a blazing 4:04.39.

Dorsey set a new school record by finishing 3rd in the 200 in 25.55, Murphy was 4th in the 400 (59.92), Megan Votava (Alfred Almond) was 4th in the 100 hurdles (16.87), Corrie Mulligan (Alfred Almond) was 7th in the 400 hurdles (1:15.05), and McKee tied for 7th in the high jump (1.50 m).

On the men's side Robert Howard (Syracuse/Nottingham) was 4th in the shot put (13.54 m) and Brian Edwards was 5th (13.47 m).  Edwards also picked up points with a 8th place finish in the javelin (41.95 m).

Alfred State was hosting the National Championships for the third time in the past four years.

The Mohawk Valley CC women's team continues to lead while the SUNY Delhi men's team leads after day two of the 2012 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Pioneer Stadium on the campus of Alfred State.  MVCC has a 13 points lead over Gloucester County College after nine events scored while Delhi has a four point lead over Harper College after ten events.

In a day that featured mostly preliminary heats on the track, nine titles were claimed.  Two of the National Championship peformances established new meet records.  Savannah Boucher of MVCC set a new standard in the 5000 m with a winning time of 18:12.81.  Her time was 36 seconds faster than the previous record.  Christina Lees of Gloucester CC broke her own meet record in the pole vault with a winning height of 3.20 m.

Tiyi Boone of Delhi picked up her second national title of the event in the triple jump with a leap of 11.43 m.  Asja Mayo of Suffolk CC won the discus with a toss of 33.45 m while Jackie Bakken of Mohawk Valley claimed the heptathlon title with 2,038 points.

Mohawk Valley leads the women's competition, MVCC has 72 points, Gloucester 59, Delhi 56, Herkimer 34, Alfred State 25, Harper College 20, Suffolk CC 18, Montgomery College 14, Fashion Institute of Technology 13, and Prince George's CC 9.

On the men's side, Andre Adkins of Delhi won the decathlon with a ten-event total of 5,796 points.  Harper's Chris Spudic won the 3,000 m steeplechase with a run of 9:58.17, Isaac Jean-Paul of Harper won the high jump with a leap of 2.02 m, Bronx CC's Pierre Francios won the triple jump with a leap of 14.10 m, and Tyler Foulds of Delhi won the discus with a toss of 44.82 m.

Delhi leads the men's competition with 71 followed by Haper's 67 and Alfred State's 52.  Gloucester has 25, Suffolk, Howard, Herkimer, and MVCC have 22, while Kingsborough and Nassau CC have 16.

Alfred State athletes had multiple athletes score points in day two.  Kayla Franchina (Cassadaga Valley) was 2nd in the heptathlon with 2,740 points while Travis Nagle (Randolph) was 2nd in the decathlon with 5,474 points.  Megan Votava (Alfred Almond) was 5th in the pole vault (2.50 m) while teammate Meghann Miskell (Livonia) was 6th (2.35 m).  Votava was also 7th in the discus (28.27 m).  In the discus, Robert Howard (Syracuse/Nottingham) was 5th (42.33 m) and Brian Edwards (Tri-Valley) was 6th (41.97 m).

Day three action starts at 10 a.m. with the National Champions crowned at 4 p.m.

Dr. Ron Rhoades, CFP, curriculum coordinator for the Financial Planning Program at Alfred State, was recently featured as a notable speaker at the Fi360 2012 National Conference in Chicago, IL. His presentation addressed the distinctions between investment adviser and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) fiduciary environments, examining the distinctions between ERISA’s “sole interests” fiduciary standard and the Investment Advisers Act’s “best interests” standard, which governs the general proceedings of investment advisers.

Other related discussions included the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission’s likely extension of fiduciary requirements upon broker-dealer firms, and a broad range of techniques and practices which firms can adopt to still meet their obligations under these standards. He also presented the Tamar Frankel Fiduciary of the Year Award (which he was awarded last year) to this year's recipient, Scott Simon, a frequent writer on fiduciary conduct. Rhoades is a member of the steering board of the Committee for the Fiduciary Standard, which presents the award.

Rhoades returns to Chicago in early May to attend the 2012 National Conference of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, for whom he serves on its national board of directors.

With over 25 years of experience as an attorney and over a decade as a personal financial adviser, Rhoades was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential persons associated with the investment advisory profession in 2011 by Investment Advisor magazine. He is involved with several financial planning organizations, is the author of numerous articles in financial industry publications, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences in the financial planning and investment advisory professions.

The Chapel Hill, NC, native earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida Southern College and his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Florida College of Law. He and his wife, Catherine, have two children.

Project-based learning is a cornerstone of our Alfred State culture. When students work on real-world problems, they learn how to think, not what to think. As a result, Alfred State has a 99 percent employment and transfer rate.

The Alfred State softball team got solid pitching and defense in a doubleheader sweep of Finger Lakes CC.  The Pioneers won 6-0 and 6-1 to improve to 5-24 on the season.

In the opener, Kristen Potter (N. Potter) tossed a complete game two-hit shutout.  She struck out three to pick up the victory.  Kaela Koerner (Greenville) was 1 for 3 with a RBI while Mo Parks (Avoca) and Renee Stanford (Canisteo Greenwood) each drove in runs.  The Lady Pioneers used a four-run 2nd to propel themselves to the victory.

Reagan Ball (Hammondsport) was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI in the nightcap while Shelby Freligh (Auburn/Union Springs) was 2 for 4 to pace the offense.  Athena Scavo (Hornell) drove in two while Stanford drove in one.  Potter earned her second win of the day with three innings of one-run relief.  Taylor McCarthy (Watkins Glen) didn't allow a run in the first four innings on the mound.

The blue & gold close out their season on Saturday when they travel to Tompkins Cortland CC for a 1 p.m. doubleheader with the Lady Panthers.

The Mohawk Valley CC women's team and the Harper (IL) College men's team lead after day one of the 2012 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  MVCC has scored 42 points after four events while Harper holds a slight one point lead with 32 points after five events.

Mohawk Valley CC's women were led by Savannah Boucher winning the 10,000 m in 43:53.57.  The 4x800 relay team (Stephanie Peck, Sara Rifendifer, Jackie Bakken, and Boucher) of MVCC also took home the national championship with a run of 10:03.27.  Jenna Hoefer won the hammer throw of 37.29 for the Hawks as well to claim a title.

Tiyi Boone of Delhi won the other women's event with a jump of 5.74 in the long jump.

Mohawk Valley scored 42 points followed by SUNY Delhi's 28.  Gloucester (NJ) County has 22, Herkimer CCC and Harper College both have 11, and Alfred State and Suffolk CC both have 8 points.

Pablo Ramirez of Harper College led the Hawks with a 1st place finish in the 10,000 (34:33.76).  In the 10,000 Harper racked up 21 points.  Delhi's 4x800 relay team of Ohure Sam, Ian Kowalchuk, Dylan Lowry, and Joelsen Resimo won the national title with a 7:52.61, Blake Evans from Suffolk CC won the long jump (6.95 m), and Ralph Molu from Mohawk Valley CC won the hammer throw with a toss of 49.52 m.  Alfred State took the top three spots in the pole vault with David Miller (Elmira Southside) winning with a vault of 4.70 m.  Jordan Friedman (West Nyack) was 2nd with a 4.25 m and Travis Nagle (Randolph) was 3rd with a leap of 4.25 m.

Haper leads with 32 points followed by Delhi and Alfred at 31 points.  Suffolk CC is 4th with 17, MVCC is 5th with 14, Gloucester County is 6th with 12, and Howard (MD) CC is 7th with 10.

In other action today Alfred State featuring Alfred State athletes: Adam Kellogg (Wellsville) was 5th in the hammer throw (42.74 m) and Will Houlihan (Mohonasen) was 7th (42.17 m).  The Alfred State 4x800 relay team of Tyler Lehman (Wellsville), Garrison Koehler (Bath), Brian Tubbs (Waverly), and Friedman finished 8th in 8:26.29.  Nagle currently sits in 2nd place after day one of the decathlon.

On the women's side the women 4x800 relay team of Corrie Mulligan (Alfred Almond), Claire Holleran (Penfield), Kayla Franchina (Cassadaga Valley), and Tara Murphy (Rochester/Wilson) was 4th in 10:56.26 while Shea McKee (Canisteo Greenwood) was 6th in the long jump (5.06 m).  Franchina sits in 3rd place after day one of the heptathlon.

The second day of the decathlon and heptathlon begin tomorrow at 9 a.m. while the rest of the action is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

Read about our Study Abroad students' projects in this NAFSA: Association of International Educators publication. We can be found on page 48: http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/ie_mayjun12_sustainability.pdf

The 2012 Alfred State baseball team closed out the season on Wednesday with a home doubleheader vs. Jamestown CC.  The Pioneers were held to eight hits and were swept, 10-0 and 11-0, by the Jayhawks.

In the opener, JCC scored multiple runs in four of the five innings.  Kiele Wilson (Bath Haverling) collected a double and finished 1 for 2 for Alfred State.

Brett Rapan (Bolivar Richburg) was 2 for 3 in the nightcap for the Pioneers.  JCC scored four in the 2nd and 3rd to put the game out of reach.  Jordan Wheaton (Wayland Cohocton) and Ryan Hierlwimmer (Livonia) both collected doubles.

The Pioneers wrap up the season with a 6-35 mark and a 5-24 record in Region III Division III play.

Alfred State running back Kevin Wilkes (Frederick, MD/Urbana) became the 5th Pioneer to sign a National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and athletic at a NCAA school.  Wilkes recently signed with Division II West Virginia Wesleyan University.

After just getting three carries as a freshman, Wilkes was an impact player for the Pioneer Region III Championship team this fall.  He carried the ball 52 times for 203 yards on the season.  He found the end zone four times.  He finished his Alfred State career with 209 yards rushing and five scores. 

Mick Caba is very happy to see Wilkes sign with WVWU.  “Kevin has developed into a solid RB in our spread offense during his two seasons with us. He ran the ball well and became a sound blocker and greatly improved his receiving skills. He will definitely going to be an impact player for the WVWU offense”.

"In conversations with the WVWU coaching staff, they are happy to add Kevin to his roster as he brings experience, maturity and confidence that comes with having played for two seasons at Alfred State, including starting at RB on the 2011 Region III Championship team."

Wilkes joins a Bobcat team that was 9-2 last year and has won 11 straight home games over the past two years under coach Jonas Jackson.  WVWU opens up the 2012 season on September 1 when they travel to Millersville (PA) University.

Alfred State is ready to host the 2012 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  The three-day event begins on Thursday morning and runs until Saturday afternoon when the National Champion is crowned.  In total 22 teams and 335 athletes are slated to compete in the competition held at Pioneer Stadium.

The host Pioneers enter the National Championships with the men ranked #3 in the country and the women ranked #5.  Pole vaulter David Miller (Elmira Southside) is ranked #1 in the country with a 4.55 m seed mark while Alex Hewlett (Wellsville) is ranked #1 in the javelin throw with a seed mark of 49.20 m.

Other top Pioneers include; Travis Nagle (Randolph) is ranked 2nd in the decathlon (5,227 points), Briana Dorsey (Rochester/School of the Arts), is ranked 3rd in the 200 (26.27), Tara Murphy (Rochester/Wilson) is ranked 3rd in the 400 (59.18), Kayla Franchina (Cassadaga Valley) is ranked 3rd in the heptathlon (2,520 points), Jayvon Larkin (Rochester/Wilson) is ranked 3rd in the triple jump (13.85 m), Brian Edwards (Tri-Valley) is ranked 3rd in the shot put (14.17 m), and Megan Votava (Alfred Almond) is ranked 4th in the pole vault (2.72 m) and 4th in the 100 hurdles (17.05).

The Pioneer relays teams will also be in contention for All-American status.  The women's 4x100 (51.63) and the 4x800 (10:24.39) relay teams are ranked 3rd while the men's 4x100 relay team is ranked 4th (43.48).

Harper (IL) College returns to the competition as the defending national champions on both the men's and women's side. 

In the final poll prior to the championships, Mohawk Valley CC sits on top of the women's poll followed by SUNY Delhi, Suffolk CC, Gloucester (NJ) CC, and Alfred State. Harper, Prince George's (MD) CC, Fashion Institute of Technology, Roxbury, and Herkimer round out the top ten.

The Alfred State baseball team couldn't get much going as they fell 12-2 and 6-0 to Niagara CCC in a Region III Division III doubleheader on Tuesday.

In the opener, NCCC scored five in the 1st and never looked back.  The Pioneers scored their lone runs of the contest in the 3rd on a RBI single by Greg Koller (Chesterland, OH) and a RBI walk to Jordan Wheaton (Wayland Cohocton).

In the nightcap, Thunderwolves pitcher Richard Kawalski tossed a perfect game.  He struck out two in retiring all 21 batters he faced.

The Pioneers wrap up the season on Wednesday when they host Jamestown CC at 2 p.m. in a doubleheader.

The Alfred State baseball team couldn't get much going as they fell 12-2 and 6-0 to Niagara CCC in a Region III Division III doubleheader on Tuesday.

In the opener, NCCC scored five in the 1st and never looked back.  The Pioneers scored their lone runs of the contest in the 3rd on a RBI single by Greg Koller (Chesterland, OH) and a RBI walk to Jordan Wheaton (Wayland Cohocton).

In the nightcap, Thunderwolves pitcher Richard Kawalski tossed a perfect game.  He struck out two in retiring all 21 batters he faced.

The Pioneers wrap up the season on Wednesday when they host Jamestown CC at 2 p.m. in a doubleheader.

The Alfred State offense struggled to get going in a doubleheader vs. Corning CC.  The Red Barons swept the pair of Region III Division III contests 10-1 and 7-0.  The Lady Pioneers were held to just five singles on the day.

In the opener, Alfred's lone hit was a single by Tara Scholla (Genesee Valley) in the 1st inning.  Scholla came around to score on a perfectly executed double steal with Shelby Freligh (Auburn/Union Springs).  CCC took advantage of multiple errors in the first two innings and led 3-1 before putting the game out of reach with four runs in the 5th.

The nightcap featured a pitcher's duel until the 5th inning when Corning took advantage of a couple Pioneer miscues and scored five runs.  They added two more in the 6th to earn the sweep.  Scholla was the lone Pioneer with multiple hits with a 2 for 3 day.  Regan Ball (Hammondsport) and Renee Stanford (Canisteo Greenwood) had singles and Kristen Potter (N. Potter, PA) allowed just three earned runs in seven innings of work on the mound.

The blue & gold close out the season with two road doubleheaders this week.  They first travel to Finger Lakes CC for a 3 p.m. double-dip with the Lakers on Thursday.

The Alfred State offense struggled to get going in a doubleheader vs. Corning CC.  The Red Barons swept the pair of Region III Division III contests 10-1 and 7-0.  The Lady Pioneers were held to just five singles on the day.

In the opener, Alfred's lone hit was a single by Tara Scholla (Genesee Valley) in the 1st inning.  Scholla came around to score on a perfectly executed double steal with Shelby Freligh (Auburn/Union Springs).  CCC took advantage of multiple errors in the first two innings and led 3-1 before putting the game out of reach with four runs in the 5th.

The nightcap featured a pitcher's duel until the 5th inning when Corning took advantage of a couple Pioneer miscues and scored five runs.  They added two more in the 6th to earn the sweep.  Scholla was the lone Pioneer with multiple hits with a 2 for 3 day.  Regan Ball (Hammondsport) and Renee Stanford (Canisteo Greenwood) had singles and Kristen Potter (N. Potter, PA) allowed just three earned runs in seven innings of work on the mound.

The blue & gold close out the season with two road doubleheaders this week.  They first travel to Finger Lakes CC for a 3 p.m. double-dip with the Lakers on Thursday.

Earlier this semester, Craig Clark, dean of Alfred State’s School of Applied Technology, served as a guest panelist at the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), presented by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

In “Green Credentials Matter,” Clark and three others discussed the foundational standards for renewable energy and energy efficiency training, and how national assessment and goal attainments can demonstrate a college’s commitment to green initiatives. Alfred State was highlighted as a national model at this session.

“The Green Genome” examined the association’s Green Genome Project, which aims to identify institutions with effective green workforce education programs and determine their structures and the institutional competencies necessary for preparing this workforce. By identifying the practices and policies that are effective, implementation of similar programs may be possible for other organizations.

According to the institute’s Web site, the Workforce Development Institute is “an annual three-day conference that aims to educate, invigorate, and motivate those who are new to workforce development as well as seasoned practitioners” and “a comprehensive program for community college-based workforce service providers.” The AACC is the voice of community colleges, advocating on behalf of its members and supporting initiatives in policy, innovative programming, research, and strategic outreach to business, industry, and the media. [www.aacc.nche.edu]

The College’s efforts in green credentialing and the implementation of green workforce education programs reflect its commitment to integrating sustainability education into its programs, and further the mission of reducing its carbon footprint and training students to succeed in a global green economy. Alfred State will also serve as host of the "Innovations in Technical Education to Advance Sustainability" conference from June 14-16, 2012, focusing on networking with a diverse range of education and sustainability professionals. Learn more about the conference and register.

Alfred State is pleased to announce that it is now an official training facility for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), and the only facility in New York State. The College joins 45 locations nationwide to have this distinction.

A longtime leader in technical education in the region, Alfred State was able to join the NAFTC in part due to a $149,909 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission that enabled the College to integrate alternative fuels technology into the Automotive Trades program. The development of a resulting alternative fuels laboratory, centered on the Wellsville campus, provides the program and the students with the opportunity to learn about and investigate these fuels for use in autobody, diesel, and more traditional automotive settings. Students are not only trained on the details of using these fuels, but also research how to maximize their efficiency with the intention of discovering ways to make them more accessible. This knowledge is invaluable for their work after graduation, as alternative fuel vehicle usage is on the rise. The training has also led the college to victories at the Green Grand Prix, the only road rally designated for fuel efficient, alternative fuel, and hybrid vehicles in the U.S.

Alfred State’s relationship with NAFTC has also allowed the program to network at the national level, including a visit to Teslar Motors, a leader in electric vehicle development and construction, in California. In addition to networking with motor companies, representatives from the college have presented at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council Clean Energy Workforce Education Workshop, the American Association of Community Colleges Workforce Development Institute, and at the 2011 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education conference.

The alternative fuels laboratory fleet now includes: two first-generation Honda Insights (including the 2003 Insight that won at the Green Grand Prix in 2011), a 2011 Honda Insight, a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (modified to run on compressed natural gas), a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a 2009 Toyota Prius (modified to be a plug-in hybrid), and the extended range, electric 2012 Chevrolet Volt.

Both the alternative fuels laboratory and the Automotive Trades program reflect the College’s commitment to integrating sustainability education into its programs, and further the mission of reducing its carbon footprint and training students to succeed in a global green economy. Alfred State will also serve as host of the "Innovations in Technical Education to Advance Sustainability" conference from June 14-16, 2012, focusing on networking with a diverse range of education and sustainability professionals. Learn more about the conference and register.

Determined to beat their record from last year, 60 students and four faculty/staff members returned to Watkins Glen International Raceway in April for the 2012 Toyota Green Grand Prix. They brought home another win in fuel economy, second place overall for the Saturday road rally around Seneca Lake, and were awarded the Auto Career Development Center Excellence in Innovation Award.

After bringing home a best-in-class distinction last year with the Alfred State 2003 Honda Insight, winning best in fuel economy for its class with 89 mpg, they were ready to try to outperform not only others in the class but their own achievements from 2011. The team also took the College’s plug-in hybrid 2009 Toyota Prius, a 2009 Chevy Malibu converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), and a 2012 extended range, electric Chevy Volt at the event.

The only road rally designated for fuel efficient, alternative fuel, and hybrid vehicles in the U.S., the Green Grand Prix holds races for fuel mileage on the Watkins Glen track - a three-hour task where competitors must maintain a set speed of at least 45 mph - and road rallies that take local roads around Seneca Lake. The Alfred State gas-powered Honda Insight reached a stunning 95.1 mpg in fuel economy on the Glen’s track, capturing first in its class for 51-65 mpg vehicles. Comparatively, it had better mileage than some plug-in hybrids, trucks, and biodiesel cars.

The other entries from the Alfred State fleet did not remain idle for the weekend while the Insight was winning: Kent Johnson, associate professor and chair of the Automotive Trades department, took the Chevy Malibu to a second-place finish overall in the Saturday time-speed-distance road rally around the lake; Craig Clark, dean of the School of Applied Technology, ran the same Chevrolet Malibu in Friday’s rally; and William Weaver, an instructor in Automotive Trades department, managed a 78 mpg average with the Prius on the Glen track race. The brand new Chevrolet Volt, acquired as part of a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, was driven by Barb Davis from the dean’s office of the School of Applied Technology, and held its own with an average of 82 mpg on the Glen track.

In addition to these outstanding numbers, the representatives of the College also received the inaugural Auto Career Development Center Excellence in Innovation Award and its $1,000 prize. Those funds will be used by the department in preparation for its upcoming land speed record attempt in August at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Competitors included Corning Community College, St. Clair Community College in Michigan, West Philadelphia High School in Pennsylvania, Rochester Institute of Technology, Elmira College, Clean Communities of Central New York, and the County of Schuyler. The 2012 Toyota Green Grand Prix was sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Corning Inc., Doris Bovee Memorial Foundation, Sports Car Club of America, Auto Career Development Center, Clean Cities Coalition of Central New York, and the International Motor Racing Research Center.

Alfred State is presented with the Auto Career Development Center Excellence in Innovation Award. Pictured here are (left to right): Craig Van Batenburg, CEO of ACDC; Bob Gillespie, Green Grand Prix representative; and Kent Johnson, associate professor and chair, Automotive Trades, at Alfred State.