Immerse yourself in a campus culture that's as eclectic as you are.
Classroom Calling
Through immersive field experiences—from the Bears Literacy Program to full-time student teaching—Emily Jordan ’26 is gaining the skills, confidence and compassion to help young learners grow, one lesson at a time as she prepares for a career in early childhood education.
Music education major Ryan Godfrey ’28 has already composed more than 30 works—and this semester, the Crane Wind Ensemble premiered his original piece, "More Than This.” Blending creativity, teaching, and performance, he’s building a future where composing and music education go hand in hand.
Art became both an outlet and a calling for MJ Rowe ’26. Through painting and photography, she found ways to process complex emotions—and now, as she completes her studio art degree, she’s preparing for graduate school in art therapy to help others discover the same healing power of creative expression.
From classical guitar at Crane to AI and Siri innovation at Apple, Marc Schonbrun’s journey is anything but predictable. An unexpected call to write his first guitar book sparked a prolific literary career, opened doors into music software, and ultimately led to shaping products like Apple Watch and now Health Software at Apple.
A lifelong dream has become a reality for Caramia Carista ’26. The SUNY Potsdam junior was recently hired to be an on-air broadcaster for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Division I Swimming & Diving Championships on ESPN+. From overcoming a career-ending injury to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, Carista has turned resilience into opportunity, building her voice behind the mic and advocating for greater coverage of women’s sports along the way.
Nearly 40 years after first enrolling at SUNY Potsdam, Jeff Yette ’26 is getting ready to cross the finish line. What began in the late 1980s as a studio art degree paused for career opportunity—and evolved into decades of leadership in IT, audio engineering and technology management. Now, just one course shy of completing his interdisciplinary studies degree, Yette is proving it’s never too late to check off a lifelong goal.
A 13-year partnership between SUNY Potsdam and the New York State DEC has helped return endangered spruce grouse to the Adirondacks—strengthening ecosystems, launching careers, and leaving a lasting legacy of research, mentorship and applied learning. Dr. Glenn Johnson and alumna Angie Ross ’02 have completed the Spruce Grouse Translocation Program, a landmark effort to increase population numbers and improve genetic diversity by relocating birds from remote regions of Ontario and Maine to New York’s boreal forests.
SUNY Potsdam alumnus Fire Captain William F. Burke Jr. ’77 is remembered not only for his heroism on Sept. 11, 2001, but for a life rooted in compassion, learning, and community. From the friendships he formed at Potsdam to the scholarship created in his name, Billy’s impact continues to shape lives.
From milestone celebrations to everyday moments, join us for a look back at some of our favorite photos from 2025! Read more
Her Big Break
Crane School of Music alumna Emma Marhefka ’21 took center stage at the Metropolitan Opera, winning the Laffont Competition and experiencing a full-circle moment shaped by talent, perseverance, and powerful Crane connections.
From classroom to career, SUNY Potsdam geology grads hit the ground running. Ty Paddock ’25 and Jesse Bullock ’25 used the hands-on training and mentorship of Dr. Mike Rygel to pass the NY State Fundamentals of Geology exam—and landed jobs right out of school in the North Country.
