Five OCC graduates. Five remarkable journeys. One message for the students walking campus today: Your story can start here.
Onondaga Community College celebrated five distinguished alumni October 8 during its annual Alumni Faces ceremony in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall in Academic II. Recognized for their professional achievements and contributions to OCC and the community, the honorees now have a permanent place on the college’s Alumni Faces display, where their likenesses and stories will inspire future generations of students. The newest class of Alumni Faces is:
Jack Conger ‘74
• Before OCC: Fayetteville-Manlius High School
• OCC degree: Business Administration
• His story: Jack built a distinguished career as a Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) professional, instructor, business owner, and member of the Central New York PGA Hall of Fame. Along the way, he encouraged, coached, and inspired thousands of golfers through decades of teaching as owner and managing director of the CNY Golf Academy.
David Johnson Jr. ‘08
• Before OCC: Mexico High School
• OCC degree: Nursing
• His story: David has dedicated his career to helping others as a firefighter, EMT, and Licensed Practical Nurse. He currently serves with HonorBridge in North Carolina, where he manages organ utilization and helps connect life-saving donor organs with recipients.
Sam Rowser ‘86
• Before OCC: Corcoran High School
• OCC degree: Business Administration
• His story: Sam is a United States Marine Corps veteran who helps first-generation college students access higher education, earn degrees, and build successful careers as Executive Director of On Point for College.
Dr. Cynthia E. Bruton-Thomas ‘06
• Before OCC: Rochester School of the Arts
• OCC degree: Business Administration
• Her story: Cynthia is a professor and Work-Based Learning Program Coordinator at SUNY Oswego, and founder of CTE Consultants LLC, paying forward the encouragement that changed her life by helping non-traditional and underserved learners recognize their potential and succeed.
Anthony “Tony” Vadala ‘83
• Before OCC: LaFayette High School
• OCC degree: Radio & TV
• His story: For more than four decades, Tony has inspired generations of students as a professor in the Broadcast Media Communications program while building an acclaimed career as an audio engineer for television sports productions at ESPN, CBS, and NBC, and as a multi-award-winning theatrical sound designer for The Redhouse Arts Center, The Covey Theater Company, and The Talent Company.
