Sarah Caputi isn’t sure what she’ll do after college, except for one thing: It will benefit others.
After her first-hand experience traveling to the Dominican Republic, Caputi uncovered a deep-rooted desire to help disadvantaged women and children in Third World countries. It was her dad—a former bargaining committee chair at Bryant & Stratton—who taught her how one person can have a considerable impact on the lives of others, and how injustices can happen when people in power try to stifle those less fortunate.
“Sarah is deeply compassionate and committed to the ideal of fairness. She is greatly troubled by injustices, vast disparities of wealth, and other social challenges,” said UUPer Jason Grinnell, an assistant professor of philosophy.
“She is precisely the sort of person UUP?expects its own members to be.”
Caputi has a 3.95 GPA.
Sara Cooper believes unionism and volunteerism go hand-in-hand. That’s why she’s actively involved in the Jewish Student Union, on the Peer Judicial Board and Student Conduct Committee, as a tutor and with the Adopt-A-Grandparent program. It’s also why she understands a union’s role in American workplaces, and why she aspires to be a social worker. In Cooper’s words, unionists and volunteers are there to help others, without gender, race or religious bias.
“Sara is a compassionate person, and she always displays concern and courtesy toward her classmates,” sad UUPer and English instructor Charles Itzin.
Cooper has a 3.83 GPA.
Allaire “AJay” DaleyKeyser learned from an early age to “be ever mindful of the needs of others.” Both of her parents have ties to UUP, and have taught DaleyKeyser to respect the dignity of others—and she has taken their words to heart.
DaleyKeyser volunteers as a campus tour guide, on student panels and at the local hospital. But it’s DaleyKeyser’s scientific research and subsequent presentation of her findings at national conferences that set her apart from most undergraduates, and reinforced her desire to work in the health care profession.
“AJay can make a difference in many lives,” said UUPer and chemistry professor Linda Luck. “Her dynamic personality will help her go far in the medical field.”
DaleyKeyser has a 3.8 GPA.
Annmarie McGonagle has two passions in life: mathematics and helping others.
So it seems only natural that she wants to teach high school math.
McGonagle is enrolled in the combined BA/MST program in adolescent math education, and has presented a research poster at a National Science Foundation conference. She is a member of the Math Club, a tutor and co-chair of the Student Committee on Teaching Excellence.
“Annmarie is a truly exceptional young woman,” said UUPer and math professor David Kenoyer. “She is completely devoted to teaching young people.”
She has a 4.0 GPA.
Daniel Pitcher has SUNY in his blood. His father is a UUPer and adjunct lecturer at Cortland—where Pitcher and a sibling are students—and both of his parents earned their degrees from SUNY?Geneseo. Perhaps that’s why Pitcher has a keen understanding of UUP and why he wants to help young people. As Cortland’s star quarterback, Pitcher plans to use his leadership ability to coach football.
To Pitcher, coaching is one of the best ways to impact the athletic, social and academic lives of others. Like union leaders, coaches teach fairness, dedication and the power of working together, he said.
Pitcher has underscored these tenets in inspirational speeches to high school and college students around the country.
“Dan is a genuine, consummate student athlete and a super ambassador for family, team and University,” said UUPer and head football coach Dan MacNeill.
Pitcher has a 4.0 GPA.