David Vroman ’83 & ’91 of Massena, N.Y., Honored with 2024 Donald L. Tompkins Distinguished Service Award from SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association
David Vroman ’83 & ’91 (right) of Massena, N.Y., seen here with SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne Smith, is the recipient of the 2024 Donald L. Tompkins Distinguished Service Award from SUNY Potsdam’s Alumni Association.
The SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association recently honored David Vroman ’83 & ’91 of Massena, N.Y., with the Donald L. Tompkins Distinguished Service Award during Reunion 2024.
The Donald L. Tompkins Distinguished Service Award is presented to alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the Alumni Association and/or the College. It was renamed in 2022 in honor of former Alumni Board Trustee Donald Tompkins ’68. Vroman was recognized for his multifaceted contributions to education, alumni engagement and community service, which exemplify the values cherished at SUNY Potsdam.
About the recipient:
Coming from an extended family with connections to SUNY Potsdam going back nearly 75 years, David Vroman ’83 & ’91 has served the College and the entire North Country in a multitude of ways. David joins his sisters, Susan Vroman Cavanagh ’77 and Lisa Vroman ’79, as alumni honorees: Susan received the Helen Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award in 2018, and Lisa received the Minerva Award in 1999.
For the past 11 years, Vroman has been the president and a driving force behind the School of Education Alumni Association. He has dedicated more than 30 years to public education, with an impressive 28-year tenure at the A.A. Kingston Middle School in Potsdam. His role in teaching math and science to sixth grade students for two decades has positively impacted countless young minds. His commitment to excellence is evident in A.A.K.'s three successful designations as an Essential Elements: School to Watch in 2009, 2012 and 2015.
Vroman is not done yet, and is currently the New York State co-director of the National Forum Schools to Watch Program, and has been a member of the New York State Middle School Association since 2014. Beyond his day job as a public school teacher, he continues to share his experience and knowledge with aspiring teachers, while supervising student teachers and teaching elementary science methods classes for SUNY Potsdam’s School of Education and Professional Studies.
Beyond his classroom contributions, Vroman has displayed exemplary leadership in the realm of sports officiating. A 30-plus-year member and the president for five years of International Association Approved Basketball Officials Board 47, Vroman has also contributed significantly to the athletic community in the North Country.
To find out more about SUNY Potsdam’s committed alumni, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.