QUEENSBURY, New York (Nov. 17, 2020) — SUNY Adirondack will induct three new members to its Trailblazer Society, a program that honors the exceptional personal and professional achievements of SUNY Adirondack alumni.
Trailblazers were selected from a pool of applicants by a committee of distinguished faculty and foundation board members.
This year’s inductees will be honored for their professional achievements, personal contributions and service to their communities in a virtual recognition ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Inductees include:
J. Buckley Bryan Jr., Class of ’87, ’94
Buck Bryan is a longtime resident of Bolton Landing and a two-time graduate of SUNY Adirondack, earning degrees in Business Administration and Psychology. As a retired commercial airline pilot and U.S. Navy Officer, as well as an entrepreneur and retired SUNY Adirondack adjunct faculty member, Bryan has been a driving force and pillar of the community.
As the college’s largest donor, Bryan is an advocate for education and philanthropy. He has served as member and president of the Foundation Board of Directors and played a key role in the development of the college’s entrepreneurship program.
Bryan has also served as a member and former president of Lake George Association, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Warren and Washington Advocacy, Bolton Landing planning board, Bolton Landing Volunteer Fire Department and National Ski Patrol.
Jennifer Pettis, Class of ’91
Jennifer has more than 25 years of health care experience and has dedicated her career to improving health care for older adults. She graduated from SUNY Adirondack’s Nursing program in 1991 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management and a master’s degree in Nursing Education from SUNY Empire.
Pettis is an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Empire, a member of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York Board of Directors, the New York State Auxiliary Board for Nursing, the Foundation of New York State Nurses Board of Directors, and the Alumni Student Federation Board of Governors of ESC.
Pettis was named an Alzheimer’s Association Ambassador to U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer in 2019 and recognized by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence as a Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing in 2020.
Capt. Evan Love, Class of ’83
Capt. Evan Love enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1975 at the age of 17. He was assigned to the ballistic missile submarine USS Francis Scott Key, SSBN 657, where he completed five deterrent patrols as a reactor operator during the Cold War.
After his honorable discharge in 1981, Love relocated to Fort Edward and completed a degree in Engineering Science at SUNY Adirondack. He later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from RPI.
Love worked for the Naval Laboratory for 34 years as a licensed professional engineer. He also remained in the Navy Reserve until his retirement in October 2017, achieving the rank of captain.
Love continues to serve his community and fellow veterans in his retirement as an active member of the Red Cross, St. Stephen’s Church and the Employer’s Veterans Organization.
The SUNY Adirondack Trailblazers Society is in its third year and has a total of 11 members, including 2018 and 2019 inductees Stephen Conigliaro, Sarah Ghent, Dennis Harris, Rich Johns, Brett Lange, Drew Schiavi, Jason Carusone and Timothy Badger.
For more information regarding SUNY Adirondack’s Trailblazer Society for Distinguished Alumni, contact Danielle Brown, director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, at alumni@sunyacc.edu.
