2012 Alumni Award Winners

Elaine Elizabeth Gray Beetow '63/'89 was an exceptional teacher and mentor in the Greece Central School District for 29 years. She is respected and recognized as a leader in the field of education by her fellow teachers, superiors, community, and mentees. Beetow has served the Greece Central Schools by serving as a Sponsor Teacher for students from Brockport and other area colleges. She served on many committees and boards for the school as well and was honored in many ways through the district. She was a major player in the connection between the College at Brockport and the Greece Central Schools through the Collaborative Internship Master Program. She has also served her community by developing and teaching in the first preschool program at Greece Branch of Rochester YMCA, creating a radio show geared towards women, and developed a preschool safety program at Greece Town Mall. In her college years, she was an active member of many committees and clubs. She continues her dedication to Brockport by attending many events, making yearly donations, serving as an Adjunct Professor, and works with the College at Brockport Alumni Association planning the class of 1963's 40th, 45th, and 50th reunions. From Brockport, she received the Roy L. Budd Award for Outstanding Contributions as a Teacher Mentor to Perspective Teachers, the Gerald L. Browne Award for Outstanding Supervising Teacher, and was a member of Kappa Delta PI Member Zeta Pi. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the College at Brockport in 1963 and her Master's of Science in Education in 1989, again from the College at Brockport.

Jeffrey B. Crane '74/'85 is one of the most respected and longest tenured superintendent in Monroe Country, serving as the Superintendent of Schools for the West Irondequoit Central School district since 2003. He has served as a principal for three different schools, was a Director of Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation, and has also taught Health and Physical Education. Crane has received many awards such as the NYSMA Ross M. Burkhardt Educator Award, NYS School Boards Assoc. Education Award, and the Genesee Valley Region PTSA Administrator Award. He is a member of the NYS Council of School Superintendents, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, International and has represented School Superintendents on the Monroe County Council of Governments. He also is a faculty member for the SUNY Oswego Superintendent Development program and has done research for the University of Rochester Ed.D program. Crane has spoken at many events, including his lecture as the Featured Speaker for the 16th Gerry D'Agostino Memorial Lecture at the College at Brockport. He played football for D'Agostino during his college years and later served as an assistant coach at the College at Brockport. He continues to support Brockport financially and also supports student teacher training in the West Irondequoit Central School District. Crane received his Bachelors of Science in Physical Education in 1974 and in Health Education in 1975 from the College at Brockport. He then received his Masters of Science in Education Administration in 1985, his School Administrator and Supervisor Certification in 1991, and his School District Administration Certification in 1996 all from the College at Brockport.

Elmer J. Cuthbertson '62 worked for a thirty year tenure at the Western Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) where he served as a Principal, Assistant Director, and Acting Director of Special Education. He also was the President/Vice President and Negotiator for BOCES Administrators and Supervisors Association. Cuthbertson has also served as an Adjunct Instructor and Intern Supervisor at Adelphi University and Dowling College. He has led various professional conferences. Cuthbertson also hosts and is a cooperating administrator for numerous Federal grants and projects. He continues to serve his community volunteering on his church's committees, coaching a boy's club soccer program, and is an active member of the Port Royal Plantation Club. He has received many awards such as the SEPTA Advocates for Children Award, the PTA Distinguished Service Award, the PTA Honorary Life Award, and received commendation from the Association of NYS Educators of the Emotionally Disturbed. While he attended the College at Brockport he was a Resident Assistant, the Newman Club President, Vice President of the Senior Class, a part of the John Henry Newman Honor Society, elected Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges, and a part of Kappa Delta Pi National Education Honor Society. He continues to support the College at Brockport financially, acting as a member of the Class of '62 steering committee that set up the Class of '62 Scholarship, and also served on the selection committee to choose the annual recipient. Cuthbertson received his Bachelors of Science in Education from the College at Brockport in 1962.

David Dimbleby '82 is the well respected Superintendent of Schools for the Hilton School District. He is highly committed to the Hilton district where he has served as a High School Principal, Elementary School of Choice Principal, Primary School Principal, an Interim Director of Pupil Personnel Services, an Administrative Intern, and a Middle School and High School Special Education Teacher. He also has served as the Assistant Principal, a Special Education Teacher, and a LTS Teacher in three other districts. While at Hilton, he co-authored Hilton's Cognitive Strategy Instruction in Special Education and initiated the College at Brockport CIMP Teacher Internship Program. Dimbleby has received an overwhelming amount of praise, to his character and commitment to his students and schools, from his co-workers, parents of students, and community. He has presented on various topics, serves on multiple Task Forces, and is a current member of ASCD, NASSP, and Monroe County Principal's Association. His achievements have awarded him the Genesee Valley ASCD Supervision Award Winner, the SED Best Practices Award for School Pre-Referral Process, and Hilton Central School District's Teacher of the Year. He has utilized his Brockport education and used it for not only his own career development and advancement, but for the betterment of education for all children. Dimbleby received his Bachelors of Arts from the College at Brockport in 1982, his Masters of Education in Special Education from Nazareth College, and then returned to the College at Brockport in 1993 for his certification in Educational Administration.

William Fichtner '78 pursued a career in acting after leaving Brockport. His started on As the World Turns where he played Josh Snyder and also appeared on the sitcom Grace Under Fire. He has appeared in numerous movies such as, Black Hawk Down, The Perfect Storm, Date Night, Night and Day, Crash, Empire Falls, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and recently in The Dark Knight and Date Night.  He will play Butch Cavendish in the 2013 release of The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp. He has also acted in television shows such as Prison Break, Entourage and Invasion. Fichtner reconnected back to the College at Brockport in 2011, returning to campus to serve on a panel of alumni who presented on the field of entertainment to students, faculty, staff, and guests. He has also joined our alumni and staff at various events in California.  He received his Bachelor's of Science in Political Science in 1978 from The College at Brockport.

Anthony DiPonzio '06 has loyally served the Rochester Police Department as a Police Officer since 2007. Early in his career he received the Rochester Police Department's Life Saving Award for preventing the death of an attempted suicide. In January of 2009, DiPonzio was victim to gun violence while on patrol. He suffered a near fatal gunshot wound to the head. He recovered with great pride and diligence, eager to get back to work. He is greatly respected for his triumphant and demanding recovery. DiPonzio received the Rochester Police Department's Purple Heart Award. Throughout his time at the College at Brockport, he built a distinguished academic record, made Dean's List each semester, was inducted into Alpha Chi, served as a peer counselor to younger students in high school, was a resident assistant, and maintained very positive relationships with his mentors. DiPonzio received his Bachelors of Science, Magna Cum Laude, in both History and Political Science in 2006 from the College at Brockport.