Annual Gala
Honorees 2021
Honorees:
Drew Andrews & The Center for Creative Education
Bryant “Drew” Andrews is the longtime Executive Director of the Kingston, NY-based
Center for Creative Education (CCE), a non-profit organization whose mission is to
enrich the social and cultural awareness of children, youth and community through
arts, wellness, and education. Drew has dedicated his life to working and mentoring
in the community through arts education and wellness, strongly believing that these
can both strengthen family bonds and nurture legacies of personal confidence, strength,
integrity, and intelligence.
His leadership style motivates young people, parents, and the community to embrace a healthy lifestyle, and his mentorship promotes discipline, accountability, compassion, inclusivity, and support for our youth and community. Drew has a passion for dance, self-expression through all forms of art and the importance of being the best version of yourself. Bringing over 30 years of Human Services experience working with youth and advocating for the welfare of children and young adults, Drew joined the Board of Directors for the Foundation in March 2020.
CCE Programs are provided with a special emphasis on serving low-income, minority, and at-risk children and youth. CCE envisions every child having access to affordable, equitable, and innovative programs. Students are mentored from early childhood through high school and beyond, building a legacy of confidence, integrity, intelligence, and creativity, developing their own voice, and propelling them into the future leaders of tomorrow.
Your Promise~Their Future Award
Rich and Donna Croce
The Your Promise ~ Their Future Award recognizes donors who, by substantial planned gifts or generous contributions, provide funding deemed to be transformative. Rich and Donna Croce have shown through their generous philanthropic giving to the Paul C. Croce Memorial Scholarship, the annual gala, Lights for Learning Emergency Funding, and their unmatched sponsorship of the President’s Challenge Scholarships, that they are committed to our students and the transformation of the Foundation and SUNY Ulster. Rich and Donna were recognized as Top 40 in 40 donors in 2016 and that same year as pilot year sponsors of the inaugural class of PCS students. Since that time, Rich and Donna have sponsored a total of 15 PCS students! They were among the first PCS Ambassadors, introducing the program to donors across Ulster County and securing the success and growth of the endeavor. Rich Croce is a former Chairman of the Foundation Board and became Board Director Emeritus after 21 years of service to the Foundation as a champion to support our students.
Recipients of The Anne R. Donovan Award for Faculty & Staff
Goretti Benca & SUNY Ulster Health Service Team
The Anne R. Donovan Award is given to members of the campus community who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to SUNY Ulster by undertaking initiatives above and beyond the scope of their work in support of the mission of the College. Goretti Benca, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the College’s Center for Teaching & Learning, has provided excellent service in training faculty both technically and pedagogically during this pandemic. Through SUNY Ulster’s Center for Teaching and Learning, she has coordinated, prepared, and presented critical training for faculty that has enabled them to provide a vastly improved level of service to students.
SUNY Ulster’s Health Services Team: Patricia Vincent, Coordinator; Amy Mann, College Nurse; and Griffith Liewa, Part-time College Nurse, have gone above and beyond during COVID and have navigated the ever-changing course with us to ensure that SUNY Ulster remains compliant with all of the SUNY mandates for immunization, testing, and screening and contact tracing to keep our students and College community safe.
Recipient of the #belikeanita Award
Darlene L. Pfeiffer
The #BeLikeAnita Award award recognizes members of the community who work tirelessly on behalf of others, lead by example, dedicate personal time to make the world a better place, and live in a manner worthy of notice.
Darlene L. Pfeiffer is a visionary donor and incredible champion of SUNY Ulster students. She has made a commitment to changing lives through scholarship support to access higher education while making a difference within our community for so many.
As SUNY Ulster’s top donor, recognized this past June 2021, she has pledged her commitment to SUNY Ulster’s President’s Challenge Scholarship through a $1M endowment to support the program. Her mantra, “Giving is Living,” provides inspiration to motivate others to do the same.
