The SUNY New Paltz School of Business established its Hall of Fame in 2001 to honor professional and educational merit demonstrated by students, alumni and other members of the local business community. In the spring of the following year, awards were bestowed in four categories (Alumni of the Year; Business Person of the Year; Student Leader of the Year; Dean’s Award of Excellence), thus inaugurating a tradition that continues to this day.
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On May 14, the School inducted its 14th class of Hall of Fame honorees with a dinner and ceremony at the Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston, N.Y.
“Each new Hall of Fame member possesses the values that are most important to the School of Business: a strong work ethic, a drive to succeed, integrity and a strong emphasis placed on building and sustaining relationships,” said School of Business Dean Kristin Backhaus. “As we educate tomorrow’s business leaders, we demonstrate to our students that these values really do matter. Our students can look to these five individuals as role models and inspiration.”
The Student of the Year award went to Richard Guido ’15 (Business Administration). Guido, who celebrated the completion of his studies at the May 17 Commencement ceremony, earned a reputation as a model student leader and student athlete while enrolled at New Paltz. He has been a core member of the SUNY New Paltz chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) throughout his time in the School of Business and graduates as outgoing president. He also served on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and as captain of the College’s baseball team.
Leonard Boccia ’89 (Business Administration) has achieved remarkable success in his work as a wealth management advisor with Wells Fargo, and has now earned induction in the Alumnus of the Year category. Boccia, who is regularly reviewed as one of the top advisors in the industry regularly returns to campus to speak with students and has maintained an active membership with the SUNY New Paltz Foundation.
The award for Business Person of the Year was given to Mary Etta Schneider, president and board chair of Historic Huguenot Street (HHS) in downtown New Paltz. After a long and successful career in the banking and finance industries, Schneider has transitioned to a role as advisor and fundraiser for an array of non-profit organizations benefitting education, history, the arts and other charitable causes. During her time with HHS she has expanded existing partnerships with the College through support of student internships and educational programming in New Paltz’s historic district.
The Dean’s Award for Excellence is a special mark of distinction reserved for community business people who simultaneously achieve professional success and make a meaningful philanthropic impact. Robert Siracusano, owner of Sawyer Motors and founder of the Sawyer Motors Foundation, is the 2015 recipient. Siracusano is credited with organizing and sponsoring numerous fundraising events and activities, including the for-charity Sawyer Motors’ Car Show and an annual toy giveaway during the Saugerties Holiday in the Village festival.
In addition to the four traditional awards, this year’s function saw the induction of a fifth honoree, retiring Professor Ted Clark, whose 30 years of service to the School of Business and its students were hailed with a special Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a past recipient of the School of Business Distinguished Service Award, the SUNY New Paltz Alumni Association’s Teacher of the Year Award and the Provost’s Outstanding Faculty Service Award. Clark has overseen steady growth during his tenure as AMA chapter advisor – in 2015, the group earned its highest overall ranking to date at the AMA International Collegiate Conference.
The 2015 Hall of Fame induction ceremony was supported by the following sponsors:
Presenting Sponsors: M&T Bank, Naccarato Insurance, Capital Group and Sawyer Chevrolet.
Business Sponsor: Sawyer Motors.
Company Sponsors: The Boccia & Quinn Wealth Management Corporation, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Alfandre Architecture, P.C., Rhinebeck Bank, Ulster Savings Bank, Ward Backhaus Collision and Saugerties Athletic Association.
More information about the School of Business Hall of Fame tradition, including information about nominating future recipients, is available online.
