2021 Legacy Celebration

The ʹڲַ Legacy Celebration highlights and honors our legacy families with two or more family members who graduated from or are currently attending ʹڲַ. The families on this page took part in our 2021 celebration (in-person and virtual).

Photos and quotes from our 2021 legacy families are below.

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Photo collage of legacy family members together

 

2021 Legacy Celebration Families

Heather Ashton '25

Parent - Jennifer Randhare Ashton '93

"When my daughter decided to pursue education as a career and also participate in college athletics, I knew that ʹڲַ would be a great option for her. I told her about the beautiful setting, great education, and the wonderful memories of being a part of an athletic team at ʹڲַ, but I also knew that she needed to determine in her own way if ʹڲַ was right for her. As I stepped back from the college selection process, she stepped forward and learned about the ways that ʹڲַ was right for her in her own way. I am thrilled that she made this decision, for many of the same reasons that I did 32 years ago. ʹڲַ provided me with the foundations that have lead me to my career as a teacher educator today. My daughter sees a similar path for herself, but one that she will carve out on her own terms in the ʹڲַ of today." -- Jennifer Randhare Ashton '93

*No photo available

Kesley Baker '25

Parent - Beverly Thompson-Baker '93

*Photo in gallery

Andre Bianchi '25

Parent - Jennifer Baker Bianchi '87
Uncle - Jeffrey Baker '88

*Photo not available

Matthew Briars '14

Sibling - Victoria Gebel Briars '08

"I followed Vicky to ʹڲַ, though we took different educational paths. However both Vicky and I worked for Residence Life, both as RAs and professionally as Residence Directors. Vicky was the GRD of Livingston Hall in 2008, the RD of Onondaga Hall from 2009-2011, and the Area Coordinator of Ontario and Seneca Halls from 2011-2014. Vicky was briefly my AC in Seneca for a semester until I became an RA in an other building. I was the RD of Livingston Hall in Spring 2015 before I left to pursue my master’s degree." -- Matthew Briars '14

*Photos in gallery

Caden Brunken '25

Parent - James Brunken '95
Parent - Kristen Grammatico Brunken '95
Uncle - Michael Brunken '90

"My parents met at ʹڲַ and my dad played soccer there. I wanted to go to a great academic school that was close to home and not too big. Being able to walk the same halls and paths my parents did almost 30 years ago is really cool to think about. They always talk about how much fun college was and how close they still are with their friends from that time; I want the same thing. I cannot wait to get started!" -- Caden Brunken '25

*Photos in gallery

Jack Carnes '25

Parent - Martha Leib Carnes '91
Uncle - Michael Leib '94

*Photo in gallery

Ian Caskie '25

Parent - James Caskie '95
Parent - Erin Robinson '95

*Photo in gallery

Gianna Chairmonte '25

Parent - Antonietta Zingaro Chairmonte '96

*Photo not available

Maya Crane '20

Parent - Steven Scott Crane '93

"It means everything to me. Attending ʹڲַ is something that my dad and I can forever bond over and share. Hopefully future generations will continue this practice and attend the institution as well." -- Maya Crane '20

*No photo available

Lauren DeWeese '25

Parent - Charles DeWeese '91
Aunt - Molly DeWeese Clune '87

*Photo in gallery

Emma Dugan '25

Parent - Dave "Dugs" Dugan '88
Aunt - Jean McNulty Bonin '86
Uncle - David Bonin '85
Aunt - Debra Dugan Cross '74
Cousin - Alison Markey Gallo '05

"I am proud to be following in my father's footsteps (Dave '84). He has maintained close relationships with his college friends and alumni. I hope to recreate the special bond of friendships that seems to occur at ʹڲַ." -- Emma Dugan '25

*Photo in gallery

Caitlyn Dupont '25

Parent - Joelle George Dupont '06

*No photo in gallery

Johnny Durkee '25

Parent - John Durkee '88

*Photo in gallery

Camden Falkner '25

Parent - Jolene Gervase Falkner '98

*Photo in gallery

Julia Farrance '25

Parent - Pamela Graham Farrance '90'

*Photo not available

Andrew Farrell '25

Parent - Josh Farrell '97

*Photo not available

 

Meghan Gerstner '25

Parent - Michelle Grestner '93

Ethan Harris '25

Parent - Jenine Feltman Harris '95

"My mother and I attended ʹڲַ exactly 30 years apart. When I visited ʹڲַ, her enthusiasm for her time here was contagious and was a large part of my desire to attend ʹڲַ. Although she was a math/secondary education major and I will be studying history/secondary education, we share a passion for teaching. There is no better place than ʹڲַ to prepare future teachers!" - Ethan Harris '25

*Photo in gallery

Matthew Humbert '25

Parent - Jason Humbert '93

*Photo in gallery

Ian Janas '25

Parent - Teresa Kliss-Janas '95

*Photo in gallery

Gianna Lauciello '25

Parent - Maria Minear Lauciello '94
Parent - Michael Lauciello '95
Sibling - Janelle Lauciello '16
Cousin - Madelyn Rupp '18

*Photo not available

Kieran Nanavati '23

Sibling - Erina Nanavati '21

I think my sister and I shared similar reasons for choosing ʹڲַ, including the strong academics and close knit community. It has been a great bonding experience for both of us to be at ʹڲַ together for the past 2 years. -- Erina Nanavati '21

*No photo available

Samantha Pundt '22

Parent - Amanda Jackson Pundt '97
Parent - Aaron Pundt '97
Aunt - Alicia Jackson '92

My husband,  Aaron, and I met at ʹڲַ and married a month after graduating.  It was an amazing time. To have our oldest daughter graduating from ʹڲַ in May 2022, is a full circle moment. We are incredibly proud. -- Amanda Jackson Pundt '97

*No photo available

Sean Ryan '19

Sibling - Kylie Ryan '16
Parent - Michelle Gillette Ryan '88
Parent - Mark Ryan '86

My mom, dad, brother, and I all went to ʹڲַ and to all of us it is our second home! Hearing how much my parents loved their time there made ʹڲַ feel like home from the day I stepped on campus the first time. I was lucky enough to share time at ʹڲַ with my brother for a year and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! -- Kylie Ryan '16

*Photo in gallery

Laura Sanagursky '88

Aunt - Andrea Kilmer '76
Uncle - Thomas Mann '68
Uncle - Peter Mann '76
Great-Grandparent - Edith Benjamin '23

I chose ʹڲַ partly because my grandmother graduated from the Normal School in 1923, but never dreamed the connection would continue into my future in-law family. My husband graduated five years before I showed up on campus and my future brother-in-law was there at the same time I was. I'm sure our paths literally crossed. Years later, my niece would also make the wonderful decision to attend ʹڲַ. I have lived in Colorado for 41 years, but it is not uncommon for me to meet someone on a hiking trail or in a restaurant who attended ʹڲַ. All I have to do is wear my cap or a tee shirt and a conversation happens. When we discover we share the same alma mater it is just like encountering a family member. There are lots of hugs and smiles. It has been a very long time since I sat in the gazebo and watched a western New York sunset, but i still consider it home. -- Andre Kilmer '76

*No photo available

Joshua Stachelski '25

Sibling - Jordan Stachelski '20

"My family's legacy at ʹڲַ played an important role in my ultimate decision to come to this university." -- Joshua Stachelski '25

*Photo in gallery

Tyler Steinberg '25

Parent - Alissa Kideckel Steinberg '90

"My mother is my legacy connection and I hope to have as good of a time as she had at ʹڲַ, and to continue her academic success as well. My mom has shared with me her fondness and affection for ʹڲַ throughout my life, and during my college search it definitely helped me choose ʹڲַ." -- Tyler Steinberg '25

*Photo in gallery

Marissa Weaver '25

Parent - Melissa DeWald Weaver '92
Grandparent - Gary Weaver '90
Cousins - Kathy and Linda Theresa (class years unknown)

*Photo in gallery

Ethan Whitehead '25

Parent - Scott Whitehead '91

*Photo in gallery

Rachel Williams '25

Parent - Kathleen Waters Williams '79

*Not photo available

Victoria Zah '25

Parent - Greg Zah '91
Parent - Amy Long Zah '92

*Photo not available

Faith Zatlukal '25

Parent - Amy Conner Zatlukal '96

Over the years my husband and I have visited ʹڲַ for day trips or as a stop along on other road trips.  We have brought our children with us many times and my daughter always used to say “I’m going to go to college here” when she was a little girl. She applied to several colleges and universities and was accepted at all that she applied to. The pandemic made it difficult to make an “official” visit to collrges but we did our best and got to a few for the tours.  Every time we visited a college, she would list the pros and cons but she continually came back to a ʹڲַ. It was her comparison reference. Naturally I was thrilled when she made her final decision to attend ʹڲַ and the thought of my first born leaving the nest has been eased knowing that she will be in such a welcoming and nurturing place! -- Amy Conner Zatlukal '96

*No photo available

 

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