Alfred University hosts faculty, staff for annual Holiday Luncheon

On a lighter side, those in attendance were treated to a display of outlandish holiday apparel in the first-ever Ugly Sweater Contest. Faculty and staff from several offices and educational departments participated, with the top three winning teams being awarded prizes of  much more visually appealing Alfred University swag.

Zupan thanked faculty and staff for their contributions to the success of the university and listed a number of projects and initiatives undertaken over the last year. They included:

• The AU Scholars Brunch in October, which brought 78 high school students (and potential Alfred University students) and their families to campus. The students were recipients of AU Scholar Awards, which provide scholarships of up to $30,000 per year for four years.
• Alfred Summers, which in 2025 will welcome the public to Alfred University’s beautiful campus to participate in unique and engaging academic institutes, workshops, and sports clinics.
• Academic innovation initiatives, including a new art minor, five new interdisciplinary performing arts BFA degrees, and a growing double major program.
• The first annual Mentorship Day, held in November. Approximately 400 current students participated in the day-long event, connecting with alumni who participated in a variety of panel discussions and networking activities.
• The annual Night of Arts and Science, which attracted students and families from the area to campus to engage in activities and demonstrations focused on art, engineering, and science.
• The unveiling of the Space Materials Institute, which through research initiatives advances the science and technology of materials in support of aerospace and outer space exploration.
• Celebration of research grants to Alfred University, which span all academic units and total nearly $40 million.
• The groundbreaking at Saxon Hill, the sports and recreational facility atop Jericho Hill in the town of Alfred. Once completed in December 2025, the $30 million project will be home to an outdoor track and field facility, a rugby field, a baseball field, and a turf field that will be used by the field hockey team. The facility is expected to increase enrollment by approximately 170 students over the first six years of its opening.
• The new foundry project, which will transform the former central heating plant into a state-of-the-art foundry facility, creating exciting new intersections of art and engineering. Bids on the $10 million project were recently awarded for construction, which will begin in January.
• The new facilities building on South Main Street. The project, set for completion in February 2025, creates a new home for the custodial, building and grounds, and mechanical services departments as well as the motor pool.
• The launch of “Realizing Our Promise,” the university’s $200 million comprehensive campaign.
• The All in For Alfred Day of Giving event, which raised nearly $240,000.
• Plans underway for the New York State College of Ceramics 125^th anniversary celebration in 2025.

Ten offices, academic units, and departments took part in the Ugly Sweater Contest: the College of Business, University Advancement, Center for Advising, Education, Human Resources, Enrollment Management and Admissions, Procurement and Mail Services, Center for Student Involvement, Biology and Biochemistry, and Center for Academic Success.

The winners of the contest (with prizes) were: first place (jackets), Center for Academic Success, in which staffers dressed in a sweater for three adorned with gaudy holiday lights; second place (sweatshirts), University Advancement, in which participants dressed up in green sweaters and formed a pyramid to create a holiday tree with gift-wrapped presents; and third place (t-shirts), Center for Advising, in which staff members dressed as a warm, cozy fireplace and mantle, from which holiday stockings were hung.