2006 Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumni AwardArt Moore ’66
James J. Whalen Meritorious Service Award
David Dresser
Sharon Policello
Professional Achievement Award
Donald Alhart ’66
Janathin Miller ’71
Lifetime Achievement Award
Donald Culligan ’48, M.S. ’51
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Kate Aldrich ’96
Jennifer Barefoot ’96
2006 Distinguished Alumni Award
Art Moore ’66Currently Vice President of Programming at WABC-TV, Art Moore began his career in television over 30 years ago. Art helped launch Live with Regis and Kelly at ABC’s flagship station in New York City and serves as the executive in charge of production for the nationally syndicated show. Outside the studio, Moore has been involved in a variety of organizations, including the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Big Brothers of America, and the Leukemia Society of America, as well as serving on the national board of directors of the Broadcast Pioneers in New York City. As a dedicated alumnus, Art’s continued service to Ithaca College includes his role as chair of the New York Communications Alumni Advisory Committee and, since 1994, chair of the New York Communications Alumni Internship Campaign, which established the Big Apple Award. Art has also returned to campus on several occasions as a distinguished alumni speaker to share his experiences and knowledge with our current students.
2006 James J. Whalen Meritorious Service Award
David DresserAfter 35 years as a college administrator, Dr. David Dresser, retired from Ithaca College as associate dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in science education and a master’s degree in secondary education from Cornell University, as well as his Ph.D. in higher education from Syracuse University. David has served Ithaca College in a number of capacities, including assistant dean for the School of Business, director of the Office of International Programs, assistant and later, associate dean for the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, and his final position as coordinator of Academic Achievement and Advising Services. Under David’s direction, the occupational therapy program was established in Fall 1995 and received accreditation in 1999. In November, 2004, David was elected Ovid Town Supervisor, his hometown for the past 30 years. He has been active within his local community since he settled there. He spent 10 years working on the South Seneca school board, serving three years as its president, and has been active on his church board, local hospital boards and the Red Cross board for a number of years.
2006 James J. Whalen Meritorious Service Award
Sharon PolicelloUntil her retirement in 2005, Sharon Policello impacted the lives of first-year students from the moment they arrived at Ithaca College. In her 26 years of dedicated service in the areas of Campus Activities, Orientation and First Year Programs, Sharon touched the lives of so many students – as an adviser, teacher, mentor and friend – through messages of leadership, personal integrity, honesty, and professionalism. Sharon earned her master’s and doctorate of education degrees from Indiana University.
2006 Professional Achievement Award
Donald Alhart ’66Don Alhart began his career in broadcasting at WORK-TV in 1966 and almost 40 years later, as Associate News Director, is still reporting the news every night. It is that kind of commitment that makes Don one of Rochester’s most respected journalists. As an undergraduate, Don was a member of Alpha Epsilon Rho and was a member of the College’s radio station and WTKO in Ithaca. In 1963, he co-anchored election night coverage with the late Jessica Savitch ’68. Don has been a volunteer with the Association for Retarded Citizens for more than 20 years and received their Community Partner Award in 1982. He and his wife, Mary, hosted the annual Weekend with the Stars for Cerebral Palsy” from 1980 to 1990 and he received the Community Service award from the New York State United Cerebral Palsy Association in 1986. Don has been an active member of the Rochester Rotary Club for over 20 years, serving as president from 1987-1988. He was also honored with the 60th Annual Rochester Rotary Award, the oldest major civic award in the community.
2006 Professional Achievement Award
Janathin MillerJanathin Miller, Ph.D. is founder, president, and chief executive officer of Antin Engineering, Inc., the only woman-owned and operated automatic test equipment engineering firm in the U.S. Jan began her technical career by becoming the first woman broadcast engineer at WFAS, White Plains, New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in 1970, master’s degree from Boston University in 1971, post-graduate accreditation from Syracuse University in 1972, and doctorate from Cornell University in 1975. Jan was selected to chair the national security Industrial Association’s ad-hoc advisory committee and reported findings of this committee to the Joint Logistics Commanders, who make recommendations directly to Congress. She has provided formal testimony to the House of Representatives’ Committee for Small Business regarding the new economic realities of women and minorities in business ownership, and starting in 1992, participated as a member of President Clinton’s summit on economic recovery. In 1987, Jan received national recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year, by Arthur Young/Venture Magazine and has won achievement awards for Women in Technology, successful California Women-Owned Business, and other entrepreneurial honors. Jan founded the non-profit Minnow Lake Foundation in San Marcos, California, to assist and educate at-risk families in the community. She serves on the President’s Council of Cornell Women, University Council, Alumni Council of San Diego, and Women’s Issues in Entrepreneurship Task Force.
2006 Lifetime Achievement Award
Donald Culligan ’48, M.S. ’51A native Ithacan, Donald Culligan’s roots in Ithaca run deep. After graduating from Ithaca High in 1941, Donald served in the Marines during World War II and was awarded the Presidential Citation as a member of a fighter squadron. He returned to Ithaca after the war and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1948 and his master’s degree in 1951 from Ithaca College. His illustrious teaching and coaching career began in 1948 and he remained active in local athletics until his retirement from Ithaca High School in 1978, where he served as athletic director for nine years. Donald shared the Ithaca Journal Coach of the Year award in 1969 with local coaching legend Joe Moresco – the first time since the award’s inception in 1962 that this award was given to high school coaches. He was named to the Section IV Hall of Fame in 1981 as the most-winning high school basketball coach in the region. In recognition of his dedication and service, center court at the Ithaca High School Gymnasium was dedicated as “Culligan Court” in 2004. In addition to his involvement in local athletics, Donald was equally as active in local politics since 1957. In 1993, he was given a sincere commendation by the Tompkins County Board of Representatives as the longest serving member in the history of the Board, serving from 1957-1993. He was also recognized for his service on several other standing and special committees and advisory boards and for being instrumental in the development and growth of Tompkins County. During his tenure on the Board of Representatives, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport was built, and Culligan Drive, near the terminal, was named in his honor. He has been a member of the Ithaca Teachers Association, New York State Teachers Association, County Officers Association, and the Ithaca Lodge 636, BPO Elks, and was chairman of the Site Committee for Tompkins-Cortland Community College.
2006 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Kate Aldrich ’96Based on the multitude of rave reviews, internationally renowned mezzo-soprano, Kate Aldrich is destined for operatic stardom. Kate earned her bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in 1996 and was awarded her master’s in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. She followed that with a two year residence in the Pittsburgh Opera Center for Young Artists and since that time her career has grown to mounting national and international success. Kate made her New York City Opera debut in La Traviata in 2000, and among many other notable performances, began her 2003-2004 season singing opposite Placido Doningo in Los Angeles. Kate is a two-time National Semi-Finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, and a prize winner at the Placido Domingo International Operalia in Paris in 2002. She was a recipient of the John Mariarty Artist Award from Central City Opera, a First Place Winner of the Palm Beach Opera Competition and a recipient of the Sullivan Award.
2006 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Jennifer Barefoot ’96After earning her bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in 1996, Jennifer went on to complete her master’s degree at New York University and has since dedicated her career to helping organizations think strategically about the message they convey. Through her work with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, Jen helped to ensure the stories that the media presented about reproductive rights were accurate. Jen left the ACLU when she relocated to Arizona, but is still very much engaged in social justice and human rights issues. She continues to serve on the national board of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and is one of the youngest people on the national board. She has recently been chosen to represent the United States national board on the International Planned Parenthood board, which she considers a huge professional achievement. Jen is currently working in communications for the Sonoran Institute – a conservation organization that works with diverse interests in the Western United States to meet community conservation goals.
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