The Reporter is SUNY Potsdam's news portal for faculty and staff. It features important information and announcements including campus policies, upcoming events, benefits information, grant information and updates about colleagues’ accomplishments.
From Potsdam to Pulitzer
Stephan Savoia ’75, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, first caught the photojournalism bug at SUNY Potsdam in 1974. From capturing historic moments like the aftermath of 9/11 to numerous presidential campaigns, his career has spanned decades as he shaped history through his lens. Now retired, Savoia reflects on his extraordinary journey and will return to his alma mater this summer to share his stories and showcase his remarkable work.
Chuck Lorre’s return to SUNY Potsdam in the Fall of 2024 was candid and heartfelt. The legendary TV producer reflected on his journey, from humble beginnings to creating iconic sitcoms, while sharing lessons learned and an inspiring $1 million donation to support future students. Don’t miss this glimpse into the mind of the man behind “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.”
Jessie Vallejo ’07, a SUNY Potsdam alumna, has taken her passion for mariachi music from the Crane School of Music to global stages, performing at venues like Dodger Stadium and the Latin Grammy Awards. After earning her Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, she now teaches at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, while also returning to Potsdam to support the college’s mariachi program, Los Osos del Norte.
From mentoring young hawks to shaping the next generation of musicians, Sasha Truax’s journey blends hands-on experience with a deep commitment to both her studies and her community. Check out her story and see how the SUNY Potsdam senior is flying toward a bright future.
Dr. Page Quinton is bringing paleontology to life in the brand-new Environmental Science Lab, where students are getting hands-on experience learning how fossils are formed, studying mass extinction events, and examining evolutionary patterns based on the fossil record.
Kate Favaro ’13 is turning her personal experiences with grief into a career dedicated to supporting others who are dealing with loss. Discover how her journey from a sociology student at SUNY Potsdam to a Grief Services Coordinator is helping normalize the grieving process and make a real difference in her community.
From pitching innovative business ideas in class to preparing for an MBA, Lyvia Chambers ’25 is making her mark as an aspiring entrepreneur. Learn how SUNY Potsdam's hands-on business courses and inspiring mentors are shaping her future.
Emma Matusovich ’22 found that the prestige, practical opportunities and hands-on learning at The Crane School of Music were invaluable to her landing a promising role with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Anthropology meets law enforcement in a unique hands-on training session at SUNY Potsdam, where students dive into the world of forensic anthropology to solve mock crime scenes. Led by Katelin Babbitt '26, this immersive experience with the Law Enforcement Training Institute highlights the power of applied learning in criminal justice education.
From childhood fishing trips to running his own charter business, Joe Sicherman '17—who received his degree in environmental studies from SUNY Potsdam—has found his calling on the waters of Central New York. Now an in-demand fishing guide, he connects others to the natural world, teaching guests the art of angling while navigating the beautiful yet challenging conditions of rivers like the Salmon.
From classrooms and performance halls at Crane to the stage of the Lake George Music Festival, Alexander Lombard '07 & '09 is connecting the next generation of musicians with real-world opportunities. After more than a decade of festival success, he's giving back to his roots, offering music business students an exclusive internship to experience the magic behind the scenes.
Dakota Villiere, the Urban Farmer at the WISER Center, was busy last semester gaining invaluable applied learning experiences with Ray Bowdish. From planting seeds to growing food for the campus in the Tower Gardens, the internship expanded Dakota’s knowledge of sustainable practices and real-world biology.
