With the start of classes just days away, Keuka College faculty and staff came together on Tuesday, Jan. 20, to spotlight individual achievements and institutional resilience during Community Day.
President Amy Storey led the pre-semester gathering, providing an overview of College operations, announcing award recipients, and welcoming new employees.
Despite a challenging regulatory landscape, President Storey told the approximately 150 attendees gathered in the Geiser Dining Commons that the College’s financial position remains “rock solid.” Deposits from online and graduate students for the Spring 2026 semester are approximately 20% ahead of where they were a year ago, as are deposits for Fall 2026 students.
The College’s growing focus on conference services is also paying dividends.
Some 150 faculty and staff attended the Community Day presentation, including College Chaplain Eric Detar, show at center.
“One of the ways that we are continuing to remake our finances and depend less on public money is by capitalizing on our lakeside real estate,” President Storey said. “That’s already happening. Our hospitality/conference services area has a revenue goal every year, and that goal needs to be hit by June 30. They’ve already hit it.”
The president also shared updates on the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning conference the College hosted last month in Vietnam, the arrival of 24 students from partner institutions in Vietnam this semester, and national recognition earned by men’s basketball player Lamar Lovelace, who recently became the first athlete in program history to be named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Player of the Week.
President Storey also recognized standout faculty and staff.
Milestone Anniversary
- Kristen Bray, director of the Health & Counseling Center, was recognized for five years of service.
Acorn Awards
(Recognizing noteworthy accomplishments beyond job expectations)
- Jenn Doan, Admissions Office Assistant
- David Gosper, Area Coordinator
- Tracy Leet, Assistant Professor of Social Work
- Breezlyn Massie, Financial Aid Counselor, On Campus
- Holly McClow, Assistant Director of Admissions
- Carrie Roberts, Associate Vice President for Experiential Education and Wellness
- Beth Russo, Nursing Division Chair
- Jessica Sayers, Enrollment Communications Manager
- Kristie Seager, Financial Aid Counselor, Online
- Brandi Sears, Mental Health Counselor
- Abby Watson, Mental Health Coordinator
OAK (Outstanding Achievement at Keuka) Awards
(Honoring sustained achievement with cross-departmental collaboration)
- Dawn Beckley, Associate Director of Institutional Research
- Ashley Burke, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
- Anfaal Faisal, Systems Development Administrator
Legacy Award
(Celebrating long-term achievement involving collaboration across multiple divisions)
- Sandy Teague, Executive Assistant to the Provost’s Office
The event concluded with more than a dozen employees recognizing colleagues for their support and accomplishments by presenting them with symbolic glass acorns.
