The Last Word

"If it weren't for UAlbany, I wouldn't have been able to ..."

Editor’s Note: In this space, we usually publish first-person reflections on a graduate’s University at Albany experience and its impact on his/her life. This time around, however, we’d like to share with you excerpts from a few more Last Alum Standing submissions. Other entries, including the winning essay by Greta Petry, M.A.’01, appear in print version of Fall 2010 UAlbany.

“ … prepare for the journey of a lifetime. I came from humble beginnings; I was the only child of immigrant parents, and the first generation of my family to attend college. Accepted to UAlbany through the Equal Opportunity Program, I took full advantage of the privileges of EOP, understanding that I had a goal to accomplish (graduate) and a dream to fulfill (pursue higher education). UAlbany gave me a phenomenal education, prepared me for the most competitive institutions of higher learning, and gave me the chance to meet the most amazing and talented people ever to cross my path. I continue to rely on the support of my mentors from UAlbany and the unbelievable social network established during my four years there.”

– Maysa Akbar ’96, New Haven, Conn.
Faculty, Yale Child Study Center

“ … transfer in from a Division III school and have an opportunity to win championships while getting a great education … [Head Coach] Bob Ford and [Defensive Coordinator] Mike Simpson made it possible. Since graduating with a bachelor’s in rhetoric and communication, I have worked in six different industries. All along the way, I was constantly involved with other UAlbany alums and am still in touch with my football coaches to this day.”

– Davon B. Jones ’00, Tampa, Fla.
Director of Admissions,
Everest University Online

“ … have a successful career in photography. At SUNY Albany, I became very active with the Albany Student Press; The Torch; and Photo Service, a group of student photographers who took photos for both. I ended up with 24/7 access to a great darkroom and studio on the third floor of the Campus Center. … [Thanks to] the student Photo Service, my first job as photographer in the Office of Community Relations, and my studio art major, I became a real working photographer. My first teaching job [was] adjunct instructor at The College of Saint Rose. I have exhibited work in the U.S., Europe, China, Cuba and Vietnam; last spring, I had an exhibition in conjunction with my new book, Atomic Age, at the prestigious Ikona Gallery in Venice, Italy. I also own and operate Rock Shots®, a stock photography agency featuring music- performance photographs I have made – which started with photographing performances by Pete Seeger, John Sebastian, Eric Clapton and others while I was at SUNYA.”

– Martin Benjamin ’72, Schenectady, N.Y.
Professor of Photography, Union College