2 | THELAKER President Robert K. Nye Chief Advancement Officer Brie Chupalio Director of Development Michelle M. Robbins Editor/Chief Writer Lenore Friend Director of Public Relations and Communications Contributors Laura Alishauskas Nicholas Julien Margaret Lorenzetti Design and Layout Sarah R. Butler Photography Rikki Van Camp The Laker is produced by the Advancement and Communications offices at Finger Lakes Community College. Views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or official College policies. Finger Lakes Community College does not discriminate based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Connect with us Finger Lakes Community College 3325 Marvin Sands Drive Canandaigua, NY 14424 Email: alumni@flcc.edu (585) 785-1454 www.facebook.com/fingerlakescommunitycollege @flcc_connects @flcc_connects FLCC celebrates achievement, service is edition of the Laker features 2012 alumna Jade Myers (see page 12), who credits Professor Sam Samanta for changing the course of her life. Many others had the same experience with the founder of the innovative FLCC Smart Systems Technologies (SST) program. For this, he was honored with the CCFL/FLCC Alumni Association Exceptional Service Award in September. Sam works tirelessly to help students nd meaningful co-op experiences that o en lead to full-time positions. Many of his students are older and seeking a transition to a new career eld. e photo above shows Sam in his doctorate academic regalia with 2022 SST graduate Sudeep “Kumar” Soni and much of his extended family, including Vishal “Bobby” Datta, a 2016 SST graduate standing behind them. Earlier this year, Sam reunited with the family when he attended Kumar’s graduation from Alfred State College. “ is was the rst time I had met with the extended family,” Sam said of the 2022 photo. He noted that Kumar’s family members, in particular his wife, were instrumental in helping him go back to school for a new career. “Graduation was an accomplishment for the whole family. I was happy to come to that realization in a ‘communal’ setting.” In addition to Sam, FLCC also celebrated these alumni and friends of the College: Distinguished Alumni Award: Kiki Wilson ’06 Young Alumni Achievement Award: Sarah M. Goodman ’10 Foundation Award: Stephen R. Martin, former chair of the Board of Trustees Benefactor Award: e Children of Mary Porcari Brady Outstanding Art Alumni Achievement Award: Andrea Cornett ’87 Outstanding Nursing Alumni Achievement Award: Nikima Perovich Glatt ’11 Outstanding Horticulture Alumni Achievement Award: Karen Luong ’17 Outstanding Conservation Alumni Achievement Award: Nicholas J. Dietschler ’14 Outstanding Humanities Alumni Achievement Award: Amanda Stack ’15 Outstanding Computing Sciences Alumni Achievement Award: Christopher Sirianni ’08 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee: Max Franzone ’15 Professor Prashanta “Sam” G. Samanta with Sudeep “Kumar” Soni and his family at commencement in 2022. PHOTO BY JAN REGAN The FLCC Alumni and Foundation Awards Ceremony took place while this edition was being printed. See photos and more information on the FLCC Facebook page. Christopher Sirianni '08 is the founder of IT Insights. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HANLON
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