Each year, the Binghamton City School District honors alumni who have excelled in their profession and/or made significant contributions to their community and, in doing so, exemplify the tradition of excellence and service fostered in the Binghamton schools.
Honorees are chosen by the Distinguished Graduates Selection Committee, comprised of former honorees and school district supporters committed to maintaining the standards we value in the Binghamton schools.
Since the program began in 1994, the individuals honored belong to an elite group whose outstanding character, accomplishments and service bring honor and distinction to our school district. Their achievements provide an inspirational example and motivate us all to be lifelong learners, caring individuals and responsible citizens.
2022 Honorees
William Atkin
BNHS 1965
Senior Vice President, CFO, Treasurer & Secretary,
Annuity & Life Re Holdings, Ltd.
Former Executive Vice President, CFO & Board Member,
Security Mutual Life Insurance
Barbara Ganim
BCHS 1965
Director of the Institute for the Expressive Arts
Salve Regina University
Newport, Rhode Island
Edward Tallon
BHS 1989
Assistant Chief, Foreign Operations Division
United States Border Protection (Retired)
Safety & Security Consultant
Dr. Jillian Kearing Wanik
BCHS 1982
Professor of Clinical Nutrition, University of Connecticut
Sports Nutritionist for the
United States Olympic Committee
Justin Zell
BHS 1995
Actor, Comedian & Educator
Co-Founder & Outreach Director of
The Steel City Improv Theater
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2019 honorees
The Binghamton City School District is proud to announce the 2019 Distinguished Graduates. This year there are seven amazing alumni who have made distinct contributions in their fields and have made us Patriot Proud. We look forward to recognizing these distinguished graduates in person during the 27th annual dinner on Oct. 17, 2019.
The list of this year’s honorees includes:
Tim Chaffee – BHS 2004
Filmmaker
Formerly with Blue Man Group and the New York Times
Dr. Colleen M. Crandell – BHS 1987
Dermatologist – Owner, Southern Tier Dermatology and Aesthetics
Dr. John Di Menna – BCHS 1974
Cardiologist – Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
Barry Goldstein – BCHS 1979
Nationally recognized Golf Instructor and Author
Maureen E. Lane Ph.D., CPM – BNHS 1978
Translational Scientific Lead at Bristol-Myers Squibb
Mark Yonaty – BHS 1988
Real Estate Developer, Restaurateur
Owner, M.B. Yonaty Development, LLC, Greater Binghamton Development LLC
Karwan Zebari – BHS 2001
Director of Policy and Advocacy at Kurdistan Regional Government in Washington, DC
2018
Sandy Ferrante – BNHS 1960
Binghamton City School District Advocate
Binghamton Alumni Association
Ralph M. Garruto, PhD – BNHS 1962
Honorary SUNY Distinguished Professor
Graduate Program in Biomedical Anthrpology, Binghamton University
Andy Hall – BHS 1993
Grammy Award Winning Musician
Member of the acclaimed band – The Infamous Stringdusters
Frank Lovoulo – BNHS 1942
Educator, Coach - WWII Veteran
Walter J. Relihan Jr. (posthumously) – BCHS 1948
Justice, New York State Supreme Court
Cornell Law School (J.D. 1959)
Sheldon Jay Walker Jr., MBA – BHS 1985
Senior Wealth Manager, ESL Wealth Management Services, LLC
2017
Jenni Bank – BHS 2002
Nationally and internationally known Opera Singer - Mezzo-Soprano
His Eminence Archbishop Michael Dahulich – BCHS 1967
Professor of New Testament and Rector of St. Tikhon’s Seminary Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey
Shareeka Epps – BHS 2007
Actress, Film and Television Independent Spirit Awards winner - Best Female Lead
Dr. Charles Patrick Ewing – BNHS 1967
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Past President, American Board of Forensic Psychology
Gen. Mark McCormack – BHS 1984
Brigadier General, Pennsylvania National Guard
Dr. Alfonso Perna – BCHS 1955
Dentist, Past President of the NYS Dental Association
King Rice – BHS 1987
Head Basketball Coach, Monmouth College
2016
Mary Ann Callahan- BCHS 1972
Humanitarian/ Author
Abraham Ceesay- BHS 1996
Chief Operating Officer, scPharmaceuticals
Keith Chadwick- BNHS 1971
COE and President of United Methodist Homes (Ret.)
Sheriff David E. Harder- BNHS 1962
Sheriff, Broome County, New York
John Conroy Libous- BNSH 1982
Professional photographer/ International Model
Julia Motyka- BHS 1997
Actor/ Producer/ Educator
Dr. Dino Pedrone- BNHS 1964
President, Davis College/ Author
2015
John Battaglino- BCHS 1981
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach- University of Albany
C.J. Chivers- BHS 1983
Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist- New York Times
Dr. Kelly Dickerson- BHS 2002
Cognitive Psychologist, US Army Research Laboratory
Dr. Amber E. Emory- BHS 2000
Research Meteorologist- NASA Gooddard Space Flight Center
Stanly J. Orzel- BCHS 1975
Writer Director, Independent Filmmaker
Dr. Domenico Prato- BNHS 1966
Physicial Clinical Associate Professor- Upstate Medical University Syracuse
Michael Stark- BCHS 1974
Captain Delta Airlines, Founder and CEO- American Financial Investments
Author and Radio Show Host
Lt. Col. - United States Marine Corps (Ret.)
2014
Mark Cody - BNHS 1980
Head Wrestling Coach, University of Oklahoma
Steven Deinhardt - BNHS 1971
Marketing Manager, Hulbert Engineering and Land Surveying, DPC
Assistant Superintendent, Binghamton City School District (retired)
Angel Desai - BHS 1990
Actress – Stage, Film and Television
Founding Member - Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC)
Bruce L. Fields, PhD - BCHS 1969
Chair of the Biblical and Systematic Theology Department
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity International University
Michael Gouldin -BHS 1987
Founder and CEO, Gouldin & McCarthy, LLC
Sgt. Lawrence D. Peters (posthumously)- BNHS 1964
United States Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Irene S. Snow, MD - BNHS 1972
Medical Director, Buffalo Medical Group
2013
Anthony F. Caletka
Civil Engineer, Author, Mega-Projects Expert
PricewaterhouseCoopers
The Honorable Rita Connerton
Broome County Family Court Judge
Alan Crabb (posthumously)
Music Educator, Vocalist (Tenor)
Joyce Gilroy
Flight Management, Trans World Airlines (retired)
Bridgette Hobart Janeczko
President, Paradigm Technology Consulting
Greg Lesko
CEO of Lesko Financial Services, Inc.
2012
Dr. Jeffrey King
Physician
Kim Myers
Vestal School Board Member, Founding Family Member of Dick's Sporting Goods
Daniel Pratt
Director of Equity Research for IHS Herold
Avis Richards
Award Winning Producer/Director
Stephen Roessner
Grammy Award-Winning Recording Engineer
Jerome B. Simandle
Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
2011
Paul Adams
Vice President, Student Affairs - Wilkes University
Commander John Callaway
Commanding Officer - United States Navy/USS Elrod
Thomas Cawley (posthumously)
Veteran Columnist - Binghamton Press
Thomas Hoke
Deputy Broome County Executive for Human Resources (retired)
Hon. Ferris Lebous
NY Supreme Court Justice
Shirley Keller
Longtime Community Volunteer/Activist
2010
Henry Melchor
Construction Law Attorney
Andrew Polak
Pharmacist; President-Rod Serling Memorial Foundation
Paul Ridley
Founder, Row for Hope; Youngest to Row Any Ocean Solo & Unsupported
Ron Sall
Businessman; President-Downtown Binghamton Business Association
Carrie Rosefsky Wickham
Assoc. Prof., Emory University; Author; U.S. Security Consultant
Joseph Wickham
Vice President - Corporate Human Resources
2009
Mark Harris
President, Berlitz International
Joseph Hogan, DPM
Director, United Health Services Dept. of Podiatry
Andy Horowitz
International Performer/Choreographer, Second Hand Dance & Galumpha
Matt Hranek
International Photographer and Artist
2008
Brian Frey
Director of Television Programming & Production, WSKG Public TV
Major William Grady
United States Naval Academy; Community Advocate
James Orband
Managing Partner, Hinman, Howard & Kattell; EIT Founder
Richard "Dick" Stack (posthumously)
Founder, Dick's Clothing & Sporting Goods
Diane Stento
Founder & Executive Director, Danielle House
Max Yurenda
Executive Director, Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch, Associated w/Paul Newman
2007
Dena DeRose
Jazz Pianist/Vocalist/Recording Artist; International Performer
Bobby Gonzalez
Head Coach, Seton Hall Men's Basketball; MAAC Coach of the Year
Erik Edward Joh
Attorney, Trustee, Albany Law School & FL Institute of Technology
Robert Keller
Professor Emeritus, Art & Design - BCC (retired)
Jeffrey D. Lake
Binghamton Regional President, NBT Bank
James Whiting
Chief, Division of Transplant Surgery, Maine Medical Center
2006
Steve Davis
Musician, Faculty, Hartt School's Jackie McLean institute of Jazz
Lt. Col. Glen Graham
U.S. Marine Corps (retired); Pilot, Presidential Helicopter
Dr. Heather Hurley
Clinical Specialist, Transplant Dept. Univ. of Maryland
Ara Kradjian
Local Real Estate Developer, Wharton School Graduate
David Mack
Senior Vice President, Corp. Relations - Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Charles McGill
Artist, Graduate- Maryland Institute of Art; Exhibit Creator
James Charles Mollen (posthumously)
Sr. Consultant, US Embassy to the Iraqi Ministers of Education; Killed in 2004 while working for State Dept. in Iraq
2005
Bridget Baxter-Orchard
Head Softball Coach, Fordham University; Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
Armand DeRitis (posthumously)
IBM Corp.; BCSD Supporter
Stephen M. Gardner
President & CEO, GHS Credit Union
Tony Kadleck
Musician, Composer, Arranger; Toured with Sinatra, Streisand
Theodore E. Mulford
V.P. Community Affairs, Singer/Link Flight Simulation (retired)
Georgia D. Tomaras
Assistant Professor, Dept of Surgery - Duke University
2004
Barbara Fiala
Broome County Clerk
Sandra Guy
Real Estate Broker, Greater Binghamton Area
Frank W. Miller
Attorney
J.J. Penna
Vocal Accompanist; Educator
Dr. Israel Rosefsky
Pediatrician, Author & Artist
David Wintergrass
Executive, National Football League
2003
Dr. Leslie Wilk Braksick
Co-Founder, President & CEO - Continuous Learning Group
John Butler Cummings
Architect, Designs include MacArthur Elementary, BC Forum
Kevin Maney
Journalist & Author, Nat'l Business Consultant, USA Today Reporter
Eilene Oldwine
Deputy Director, US Agency for International Development Mission, S. Africa
Robert R. Taylor
VP-HR, Reebok Int'l; Former HR Executive - Emerson Halll, Snapple
David Whalen
Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, Time Warner Cable
Helene Yelverton
Dance Educator, Choreographer & Adjudicator
2002
Pepe Aragon, Jr.
Soccer Coach, National Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year
Peter Cronk
Managing Partner, PR Director - Riger Advertising
Callie Demtrak
Founder & First Coordinator - LYCEUM of Binghamton University
Mary Haust
Early Childhood & Parent Educator Advocate Program Director, BCSD
Patrick Hollenbeck
Percussionist, Boston Pops & Symphony; Percussion Studies Chair
Fritz Loewenstein, MD
Former Chief, Hematology/Oncology - United Health Services; Yale Instructor
2001
Anthony Brunelli
Artist Represented by Meisel Gallery, NYC; International Art Exhibitor
Fred Eydt
Founder & President, CEO - Medallion Hotels; Former President Rockresorts
Hon. Mary Anne Lehmann
Binghamton City Court Judge, Former District Attorney
Albert Penna
Principal, Binghamton High School; Member International Baccalaureate Governing Board
Dr Harold Shulman
Physician; Former Chief, Dept of Anesthesia, Lourdes & Binghamton General Hospital
2000
Harvey Bullock
Television Writer & Producer - The Andy Griffith Show, Dick VanDyke
Richard Couper
Former CEO - New York Public Library; Hamilton College Trustee
Frank Denniston
Chief Engineer, FLAG Telecom & Bell Atlantic; Inte'l Consultant
Eunice Goundry Frederick
Former Rockette; National Dance Educator
John Grady
Architect, Principal Designer - Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Museums
William Haskins
Vice President, National Urban League; Dept. of Labor Consultant
Suzanne Hester
Arts Educator; Executive Director - Southern Tier Institute for Arts in Education
1999
Ambassador Tom McDonald
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe; Attorney
Marc Newman
Local Developer, Newman Development Group
Lillian Nezelek
Educator and Guidance Counselor, BCSD (retired)
David G. Rossie
Associate Editor, Press & Sun-Bulletin; Pulitzer Prize Finalist
Dwayne Taylor
Former USAF Captain; Recipient of Kuwait Liberation Medal; Pilot
Darwin R. Wales
Attorney; Trustee for BCC & SUNY-Binghamton
1998
Juanita M. Crabb
Former Mayor of Binghamton; Executive Director - Sister Cities International
Margaret Crocker
Executive Director, Discovery Center; Recipient of Kennedy Center Award
Beverly R. Dorsey, M.D.
Retired Physician & Former Chair, Lourdes Medical Department
Hon. Joseph P. Hester, Jr.
NYS Supreme Court Justice
William H. Lane
CEO, William H. Lane, Inc.
Raymond Stanton III
Founder, Dine-A-Mate; Owner-Coach, BC Jets Football Team
Dr. Charles R. Westgate
Interim Dean, Chair of Electrical Engineering - Johns Hopkins University
1997
Denise Savas Calamari
Global Manager, Procter & Gamble
David Gouldin
Managing Partner, Levene, Gouldin & Thompson, LLP
Al Libous
Former Mayor, City of Binghamton
Dr. Rosemarie Maddi
Director of Cardiac Anesthesia, Brigham & Women's Hospital
Sister Mary Reap, IHM
President, Marywood College
Rod Serling (posthumously)
Writer & Creator of The Twilight Zone
Fred Seymour
Corporate Spokesperson, Boston Red Sox
Doug Stento
Teacher & Substance Abuse Coordinator, BCSD
1996
John Burns
Former Chairman of NYS Democratic Committee; former Binghamton Mayor
Dr. Allan Cave
Teacher, Counselor, Administrator, Coach
Ted Davis
Athlete
William Dexheimer
Entrepreneur/Businessman
Patrick Norton
Attorney
Barbara Oldwine
Writer & Hostess for Public Service Television Programs
1995
James Carrigg
Businessman, Community Volunteer
Helen Foley
Teacher, Drama/Musical Director
Rob Gardner
Firefighter, Athlete
Albert Nocciolino
Entertainment Promoter & Theatrical Producer
Ellis Rubin
Attorney
James Tallon
Former Majority Leader, NYS Assembly
1994
Warren Anderson
Attorney, Former Majority Leader, NYS Senate
John Conboy
Television Producer, Writer & Director
Gary Farneti
Attorney, Athlete
Dr. Joseph Gold
Physician, Cancer Research Specialist
Irene McNulty
Teacher, Administrator & Board Member
Ken Wilson
Businessman, Athlete