Dr. Lonel Woods Peace and Love Award Presented to Crane School of Music Alumna Jacqueline McLean ’06 of East Bethany, N.Y.
Jacqueline McLean ’06 (left) of East Bethany, N.Y., was honored with the Dr. Lonel Woods Peace and Love Award from the Julia E. Crane Alumni Association at SUNY Potsdam’s Reunion 2023. She is pictured here receiving the honor from SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne Smith (right).
The Julia E. Crane Alumni Association at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music recently honored Jacqueline McLean ’06 of East Bethany, N.Y., with the Dr. Lonel Woods Peace and Love Award during Reunion 2023.
Named after Crane School of Music Dean Emeritus Dr. Lonel Woods (Hon. ’21), who passed away in 2021, this award is presented to alumni who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in their workplace and/or community. McLean was honored for her dedication to serving, loving and advocating for the marginalized in every sphere of her life.
About the recipient:
Nicknamed “Super Ally” by her students, music educator Jacqueline McLean ’06 is known throughout the LeRoy (NY) Central School District and Genesee County as an advocate for diversity, acceptance and allyship.
Regarding Jacqueline’s presence in the school district, her colleague and friend Joseph Kusmierczak shared, “She is a safe space for students and adults alike. She is a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen for all, but most notably for those who feel marginalized, such as members of the LGBTQIA community. Jackie truly embraces the idea of what it means to be an ally in the greater sense of the word.”
Jacqueline serves as a founding co-advisor for her school’s gay-straight alliance, known as Pride and Allies. This group was the first of its kind in Genesee County, and Jacqueline worked with other local schools and prospective advisors to establish more branches in the area.
She is also a pioneering member of GLOW Out, a community organization that supports and provides opportunities for the previously underserved LGBTQIA communities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Among this group’s achievements was the establishment of the first ever Pride Parade and Festival in Batavia, N.Y.
Jacqueline has served as a vocal music and musical theatre teacher at the LeRoy Central School District for 13 years. In addition to serving Pride and Allies, she is the musical artistic director and serves as an advisor for the National Junior Honor Society.
About The Crane School of Music:
Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York’s only All-Steinway institution. For more information, please visit www.potsdam.edu/crane.
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