Alumni Wall 2018

The State University of New York at New Paltz Athletics Alumni Wall of Distinction recognizes alumni/ae who have made and continue to make significant contributions since their graduation from New Paltz. This small sample of alumni/ae represent the impressive array of talent, skill, and commitment of students who not only have attended the college, but have gone on to make a difference in their chosen fields. The Alumni Wall of Distinction highlights individuals who are worthy of our recognition as examples for others to emulate and the power of athletics in the pursuit of a New Paltz education and degree.

2017 Alumni Wall of Distinction

Jonathan Amoia '03
Partner, Director at Sandhill Investment Management; Co-Founder, OneTen Capital; Principal, Aurora Machine
"Many coaches, administrators, and professors went above and beyond to help me succeed at New Paltz. Their support and encouragement left me grateful and influenced my results as a student, a swimmer, and now as a professional. The level of care and commitment across the school makes New Paltz a very special place."

Brittany Bennett '11
Eighth Grade Science Teacher
"New Paltz helped me create the foundation of my career, and the athletic department helped me establish values I couldn't have learned anywhere else - respect, leadership, and responsibility. Not only did I learn so much about myself as a professional, but I met my chosen family, a group of friends that are still just as close today as we were on the first day of preseason. It's these experiences that led me to teaching and made me determined to coach soccer in my district. I wouldn't be the teacher (or human) that I am today without everything I learned at New Paltz."

Maggie Farrell '10
Elementary School Teacher
As a student-athlete at New Paltz, I learned that the most significant personal growth comes from taking risks and seeking opportunities outside of your comfort zone. This lesson has resonated with me in my professional and personal life as I continue to find ways to challenge myself and others to reach their full potential."

Maggie Fenton '05
Associate Athletics Director, Facilities, Operations & Capital Projects at University of California, Davis.
"Being a student-athlete helped me learn valuable skills that translate to life after college - teamwork, time management, leadership and determination."

Cristina Lukas '95
Assistant Director of Athletics/SWA, Head Softball Coach
"Participation as a collegiate student-athlete is both an honor and a privilege. My time at SUNY New Paltz taught me the values of teamwork, leadership and dedication. As a coach and administrator, it is an honor to pass these values down to my current student-athletes in hopes that they will one day be the leaders of tomorrow."

Ed Mainland '98
Executive Director of Home Lending at JP Morgan Chase
"I truly cherish the time I spent at New Paltz on and off the court. Juggling my time on the court, in the classroom, and working in the athletic department prepared me with the disciplines and management skills I use in my career today. Team work is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results."

Oliver Petrovic '02
Managing Director at Savills Studley
"To this day, I speak about the New Paltz family like an extension of my own and often reflect upon the small Hudson Valley town that has given me so many incredible memories during such a pivotal time in my life. Stuart Robinson took a chance on me knowing very little other than I had a desire to pursue soccer and an education in the U.S. All these years later, I can say that it has immeasurably broadened my perspective, supported by the relationships I built through athletics and campus life. New Paltz will forever hold a special place in my heart."

Sean Riley '02
VP of Information Technology at NY Cancer and Blood Specialists
"Give 100 percent and you will never cease to grow. Mistakes will happen, but that is the course we must all take to meet our successes."

Franchesca Rodriguez-Ruiz '06
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at the VA/Vet Center, and current doctorate candidate
"SUNY New Paltz and NPVB enabled me to experience working toward, growing from, and achieving milestones, personally and as a team. Having been a part of something bigger than myself has helped define my choices ever since."

Sarah Schloss '11
Regional Speech-Language Pathologist with Integra Rehabilitation
"I credit my time as a member of SUNY NPFH with much of who I am today. Although many experiences shaped me, the single most important lesson I carry would undoubtedly be that leadership by example is fundamental and invaluable."

Scoreboard

SUNY New Paltz Athletics