Outstanding UAlbany Alumni Honored with Excellence Awards

Seven smiling men pose, six of them hold glass awards and wear purple or gold pendants.
Joe Bonilla ’11 presented the Whittlesey Excellence in Alumni Service Award to Evan Zahn ’82, Arnold Fischler ’82, Seth Sahr ’82, Glen Titan ’82, Walt Tice ’81 and Ted Anderson ’82, represented by a life-size cutout. (Photos by Patrick Dodson)

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 12, 2026) — Seventeen members of the University at Albany community were honored at the Alumni Association’s annual Excellence Awards Gala, held April 25 at Crown Plaza Albany-The Desmond Hotel in Albany. 

Two men and two women stand, arm in arm, smiling at the camera.
From left, UAlbany Alumni Association Executive Director Lee Serravillo, past Alumni Association Board President Jill Delaney ’96, Collins Citizen of the University Brian Straughter and his wife, Heather Straughter, connect before the awards dinner.

The honorees received awards for their outstanding achievements in education, business, technology and the arts, as well as service to the University. The Marching Great Danes opened the evening with a scene-setting performance and award recipients delivered heart-felt, humorous and humble acceptance remarks with one common theme: UAlbany pride. Current students Angel Luangaphay ’25, ’26 and Sethri Asamoah-Nani ’27 joined Alumni Association President Joe Bonilla ’11 as emcees for the evening.

New this year, the Alumni Association introduced the GOLD Awards to celebrate Great Danes who graduated from the University within the last 10 years and are already achieving greatness in their careers, the community or through volunteerism, mentorship or advocacy. 

Rashan Brown, a 2017 graduate and founder of poetry me, please co-hosted an event with student group Passionate Voices prior to Saturday’s festivities. He, along with nine fellow grads of the last decade, make up the inaugural class of GOLD Award recipients. Learn more about this impressive group of recent graduates.

Nominations for both the 2027 Excellence Awards and the 2027 GOLD Awards will open in late summer. For more information, contact Holly Barker-Flynn, director of Alumni Programs.

Excellence Award recipients

A smiling woman speaks at a lectern
Cochrane Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award recipient Catherine Ma ’92 reflected on her days as a UAlbany student, which included "lots of podiating" and getting to know her future husband.

You can read bios of all the recipients on the Alumni webpage.

  • Ye Wu, PhD ’00, Stoneman Distinguished Alumni
  • Brian Straughter, Collins Citizen of the University
  • Ericka Leslie ’92, Excellence in Business
  • Taya Owens, PhD ’15, Excellence in Education
  • Roberty Lowry, MPA ’82, Excellence in Education
  • The Legends: Evan Zahn ’82, Ted Anderson ’82, Arnold Fischler ’82, Seth Sahr ’82, Walt Tice ’81, Glen Titan ’82, Whittlesey Excellence in Alumni Service
  • Liza Colón-Zayas ’89, Maguire Excellence in Arts & Letters
  • Stephan Grunow, MS ’97, PhD ’03, Excellence in Science & Technology
  • Catherine Ma ’92, Cochrane Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion
  • Mary McCarthy, MS ’82, Milk Excellence in Public Service
  • Ambassador Evangelos Savva ’93, MA ’95, Milk Excellence in Public Service
  • Jennifer Steil, MS ’99, Bertha Brimmer Medal
a group of smiling. dressed-up people hold awards
The inaugural class of GOLD Award recipients were recognized during the awards program.

GOLD Award recipients

  • Rashan Brown ’17: Founder and CEO, poetry me, please; product manager II, ESPN
  • Cassandra Diorio ’14, MS ’16: Marketing manager, CDPHP; Leadership Capital Region (2026 Cohort)
  • Jerlisa "Juju" Fontaine ’18: Founder and CEO, HuCapital; VHNYC Founder Fellowship (2026 Cohort)
  • Reid Kisselback ’17: Meteorologist, Spectrum National News
  • Jeremy Oles ’14, MA ’16: Founder and COO, MobileMap, LLC
  • Danielle Florentin ’17: Director, College & Career Counseling, Thurgood Marshall Academy; director, college coaching, Peer Forward
  • Peter Rodrigues ’16: Managing director, Clipway
  • Erin Byrne Rousseau ’16: Senior engineer II, NeuroBionics; contributor of the FARAWAVE system
  • Ashley Scott ’16: Data and AI product management, PepsiCo; Founder of Data Girl Ash
  • Musa Urena ’20: Teacher, KIPP College Prep High School