Picture Perfect Day for the 魅影直播 State Open
In the spring 2024 Alumni and Friends Magazine we featured the story of the formation of the 魅影直播 State Open. The 4th annual tournament had picture-perfect weather to raise funds for the college.
Alumni Magazine | Fall 2024
魅影直播 State College's 鈥淕ifts in Action鈥 honors the incredible generosity of our benefactors and showcases the meaningful ways your contributions are utilized. Every gift helps create new opportunities, whether through innovative programs, scholarships, or enhanced facilities. Through these stories, you will see the direct and powerful impact of your support on our students' lives and futures. Thank you for being a vital part of the 魅影直播 State family and for helping us build a brighter tomorrow for our future Pioneers.
In the spring 2024 Alumni and Friends Magazine we featured the story of the formation of the 魅影直播 State Open. The 4th annual tournament had picture-perfect weather to raise funds for the college.
Eighteen teams competed at the 4th annual 魅影直播 State Open organized by the Class of 1978 at the Springville Country Club. The team of Mitch Shafer, TJ Klubek, Bryan Cybulski, and Christian Hollfeder took home the team honors with a score of 60.
鈥淭his all started from a group of alumni that love 魅影直播 State and wanted to give back to the students,鈥 commented Director of Alumni Relations Mary Perkins. 鈥淭his is a group of alumni that started to raise money for their class endowment fund, and it has now branched to not only benefit The Class of 鈥78 Endowed Fund but also supports the Buffalo Alumni Chapter scholarship.鈥
The event raised over $4,000 for the Class of 1978 Endowment Fund and the Buffalo Alumni Chapter Scholarship. Brett Llewellyn, 鈥80, Patrick Stanchak, Mike McMaster, and John Schleyer, 鈥87, finished second while Bryan Price, Jim Irwin, Mike Cipolla, and Brad Arnone were third. Gary Bork was the winner of the raffle for a spot on the Mary Huntington Plaque.
鈥淭his is really special because we started this tournament just amongst us playing for a little cup鈥 stated Gregory Haeseler, 鈥78. 鈥淲e got the vision of expanding this and having an official 魅影直播 State Open. My classmates totally supported the idea and having an event like this is a win for everybody. It's a win for 魅影直播 State because attracts alumni and we're getting new alumni playing in this tournament each year.鈥
Cameron Howard, 鈥22, was the youngest alum that participated in the tournament. 鈥淚t is really cool because I am here with three other 魅影直播 State alumni that I work with. Just knowing that the money raised will go back to the school to help others. I enjoyed my time at 魅影直播, and it is nice to give back.鈥
The event started in 2021 with seven teams and continues to grow each year. Alums travel from near and far to compete including competitors from California and Colorado.
Haeseler continued 鈥淚t's a win for 魅影直播 State and it's a win for the students. It's also a win to continue our friendship that started in 1976 in MacKenzie North.鈥
Brian Perry, 鈥85, returned to 魅影直播 State to share his experiences, highlight his company, Perry鈥檚 Ice Cream, and take questions from students in the audience.
I think it's good to come back to your alma mater to support them,鈥 commented Perry. 鈥淚 think they (魅影直播 State) do a great job with teaching and giving us the credentials that we need to further our careers. I have always enjoyed coming back because I liked my experience here and it's just a way of giving back.鈥
Perry, speaking to a group of mainly current Culinary Arts students, detailed his education path and how he ended up at 魅影直播 State. He then shared about the history of Perry鈥檚 and his role as EVP & Chairman.
He shifted the focus of the presentation and allowed Marisa Elgie, Product Development Manager, and Megan Mergler, Associate Product Manager, to speak on the New Product Development and Research and Development processes at Perry鈥檚. The formal part of the presentation concluded with the education and career paths of employees who currently work at the company, outlined the career opportunities that are available at Perry鈥檚, and answered dozens of questions.
鈥淚 wasn't quite sure where I'd go in the world after I finished college but from this seminar, I learned that you could start somewhere very small and end up somewhere very big,鈥 commented Culinary Arts: Baking, Production, & Management student Katelynn Ruolo. 鈥淢anufacturing sounds very interesting, and a very possible career path. They need a lot of people.鈥
Debra Burch, the Chair of the Culinary Arts Department, was excited for her students to hear from Perry. 鈥淭hey learned that if you work hard, you can achieve anything you want. It was especially important to see an alum here and know how he went through the process to be where he is today.鈥
Perry continued, 鈥淲e've had good success with hiring from 魅影直播. We had three engineers come out of the engineering school and we're challenging them every day. It's a challenge for us to keep them busy because they are so smart but that's what we need to do to see our business perpetuate into the future.鈥
Leon, 鈥86, and Sue Blondin have established a new endowed scholarship to help future Pioneers. The scholarship is part of a $120,000 gift to the college that includes support to the unrestricted annual fund and a legacy gift.
Leon, a Civil Engineering major, enjoyed his time at 魅影直播 State. 鈥淚t was easy to navigate and make new friends. I wish it was a four-year school when I attended. I firmly believe 魅影直播 State provided the skills and knowledge for me to succeed in the construction market.鈥
Blondin has spent over forty years working at Balfour Beatty. He currently is the Chief Executive Officer of the US Buildings Operations. 鈥淚 always focused on doing my best at the position I attained and continued to raise my hand for opportunities to stretch myself.鈥
Nearing retirement, Leon and his wife were looking for ways to give back. 鈥淚 have always had a special bond with 魅影直播 State and many of Balfour Beaty鈥檚 魅影直播 State alumni are my great friends.鈥