20 | theLAKER Andrew Biernat ’09 (Business Administration) released a book, “The Team That Loves Mondays,” in which he shares how he brings joy and productivity to the workplace through autonomy, belonging, and competence. the ’10s Melissa Mandurano joined Thompson Health Gastroenterology in 2025 and works in the Marilyn Sands Outpatient Clinic in Canandaigua. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan University and has been part of Thompson since 2016. Naomi Smith ’11 (Graphic Design, Natural Resource Conservation) graduated from Paul Smith’s College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in natural resource sustainability and was part of the program’s first graduating class. She also earned a minor in geographic information systems (GIS). As a student, she created the first downtown map for the village of Saranac Lake, applying graphic design skills developed at FLCC. After nearly a decade in nonprofit management, she was named the first executive director of ReUse Systems, Inc., a Geneva-based nonprofit focused on waste reduction and sustainable resource management. Marc Peterson ’11, ’19 (Environmental Studies, Viticulture and Wine Technology) earned his bachelor’s degree in ecology in 2014 and worked in the Adirondacks before transitioning to the Finger Lakes wine industry. He served as a winemaker from 2017 to 2022 and now works as the viticulture and wine technician at FLCC. Newest nursing alumni The College celebrated 16 mid-year graduates of its registered nursing program in December. Members of this class have accepted positions at hospitals and medical practices across the region, including Rochester General Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Thompson Hospital, Strong Memorial Hospital, Upstate Hospital, and Seneca Ridge Dialysis Center. First row, from left, Katelyn Northrup, Melissa Meister, Christionia Tull, and Nataly Chacon; second row, from left, Ella Fox, Grace DeWitt, Ember Brown, Hope Fromm, and Erica Dean; third row, from left, MacKenzie Bates, Gabrielle Watson, Lindsey McGill, Tristen Simons, William Barrett, and A.J. Ortiz. PHOTO BY KRIS DREESSEN
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