theLAKER | 19 Prashanta "Sam" Samanta, Ph.D. Alumni Association Exceptional Service Award Following a decade of research in nanoscience, Sam has dedicated more than 30 years to FLCC students as a professor of physics. Since 2009, he has played a key role in founding and coordinating the Smart Systems Technologies (SST) program. Sam has worked closely with the Ontario County Economic Development Office and regional tech leaders to address the workforce needs of over 50 businesses in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region. He has developed eight new courses integral to the SST program and works tirelessly to help his students find co-op experiences that often lead to rewarding full-time work. The Children of Mary Porcari Brady Benefactor Award The children of Mary Porcari Brady – Jinny Keough, James Porcari, III, John Porcari, and Charles Porcari – were inspired by the life of their mother, to support future health care professionals. After the loss of her youngest child to a rare genetic disorder, Mary earned a degree in nursing and dedicated over two decades of service as a registered nurse. After Mary’s passing in 2001, her children established a memorial fund in her honor. The fund has distributed more than $1 million over the past 20 years to support community college nursing students at six upstate New York community colleges and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Stephen R. Martin Foundation Award Stephen Martin’s volunteer work on behalf of the College and its students is a testament to dedication, leadership, and community spirit. He served on the Foundation Board of Directors from 2006 to 2013 and has been an FLCC trustee since 2013, including two years as chairman. Steve also chaired the search committee that recommended the hiring of current President Robert Nye. Steve is a retired senior vice president of Canandaigua National Bank and Trust Co. His contributions to the College include the areas of risk management, finance, and human resources, where his expertise and calm demeanor have been invaluable. Karen Luong ’17 Outstanding Horticulture Alumni Achievement Award • A.A.S. Horticulture • B.S. Plant Pathology, Cornell University • Ph.D. Plant Science, Penn State University Karen is an assistant professor of biology at Grove City College, where she teaches general biology and environmental science. Karen is also developing a plant science curriculum. Her research interests include sustainable disease management and the evolution of plant pathogens. “My time at FLCC was so meaningful,” she said. “I was inspired to pursue a career in teaching … because I really appreciated the interactions I had in and out of the class with my professors.” Sam, right, with Ethan Fogg ’00, emcee for the awards ceremony Charles and Jenn Porcari Stephen Martin and his wife, Ann
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