Zoom North America CEO Scott E. Goodman ’79 Recognized with 2019 Minerva Award, Highest Honor Bestowed by SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association
The SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association recently presented the 2019 Minerva Award to Scott E. Goodman ’79 of Glen Head, N.Y., during the College’s Reunion Weekend, held from July 12 to 14.
The Minerva Award is presented annually to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in his or her field. It is the highest honor that a SUNY Potsdam graduate can receive from the association. Goodman was recognized for his outstanding professional achievements, and stewardship of his alma mater.
“On behalf of SUNY Potsdam and the Alumni Association, I am pleased to recognize Scott Goodman, Class of 1979, with the 2019 Minerva Award. As he has built a successful career in the music industry, Scott has always stretched out a hand to help the next generation of Crane School of Music students find their own path in the field. Scott’s leadership and generosity are truly commendable,” said College President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg.
A longtime donor to the College, Goodman surprised attendees during Reunion Weekend by announcing a major gift in honor of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor James Petercsak, who has led the percussion program at Crane for 51 years.
At the awards dinner, Goodman stated, “Sometimes you forget that Crane was the first institution in the United States to offer training courses for music educators, dating back to 1886. It’s really incredible, knowing how responsible Crane has been for graduating so many of the country’s great music teachers, and their places in our public school system.”
Goodman went on to say in his remarks, “More than anything, I want to thank my percussion instructor, Jim Petercsak, for taking me, and all his other students, under his wing. He always encouraged us to be the best we could be. Jim knows how to uncover his students’ talents…and then he helps drive them to success. It’s an incredibly rare talent, and something you only hope to encounter after you’ve chosen your college or university. Tonight, my wife Margo and I would like to make an endowment to The Crane School of Music to have Jim’s office remain forever the James ‘JP’ Petercsak Studio of Percussion, commemorating Jim’s incredible dedication to the hundreds of drummers and percussionists who have studied at the School.”
Petercsak, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony, said, “It is an honor to receive the gift to name the percussion studio the James ‘JP’ Petercsak Studio of Percussion. Scott Goodman is an esteemed graduate and a great example of how far a Crane education can take you, and I am humbled and grateful to him and Margo for honoring my career in this way.”
About the recipient:
From his days as a music education major at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, to his success as a music industry executive and principal, Scott Goodman ’79 has been a proponent of music education his entire life.
Goodman is the CEO of Zoom North America, a company which offers innovative audio equipment to creators around the world, supported by the highest level of service. Headquartered in Japan, Zoom produces a wide array of recording devices, including a line of portable recorders, multi-effects processors, effects pedals, drum machines and samplers.
Goodman has distinguished himself as a leader in the music industry, having served on the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Board of Directors, as well as receiving numerous awards in recognition of his professional accomplishments.
SUNY Potsdam has been a fortunate beneficiary of Scott’s success. He was instrumental in developing the Crane Institute for Music Business and Entrepreneurship, and has contributed countless hours of his time, in addition to his financial contributions to the College. Crane students have served as interns at Zoom, some of who have gone on to full employment with the company. Goodman has also assisted with the Sandy Feldstein Roundtable, which is an annual event where music business students can learn firsthand from executives like himself. Earlier this year, Goodman hosted a gathering at the Zoom North America headquarters in Hauppage, N.Y., which was attended by more than 100 SUNY Potsdam alumni and music business leaders, helping the College to forge stronger relationships with music industry executives.
To find out more about how SUNY Potsdam connects with its devoted alumni, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni.
About The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam:
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.