Alfred University honors Alumni Award winners at Reunion 2024
Alfred University presented its annual Alumni Awards during the 2024 Reunion Weekend, June 5-8. Five award winners were recognized for their contributions to Alfred University, their workplace and society in general.
The following awards were announced by Alumni Council President Danielle Johnson-Kutch ’03, and presented by Mark Zupan, Alfred University president:
Alumni Award for Distinguished Service — Dr. Richard Gross ’61 and Dr. Richard R. Terry ’84. The award is given to honor alumni whose achievements in their profession, career, avocational pursuits, or service to society bring honor and distinction to the University.
Dr. Gross earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1961 from Alfred University and went on to earn his medical degree from Duke University. He served in the U.S. Army during and following his doctoral education, and resigned as a Major while Chief of Orthopaedics at the Moncrief Army Hospital in Fort Jackson, SC. With specialties in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and scoliosis, Dr. Gross has traveled internationally as a speaker and surgeon. He is currently a tenured faculty of the Department of Orthopaedics at the Medical University of South Carolina. He serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics and received several awards for his career achievements. Beyond his work in orthopaedics and education, Dr. Gross spent 25 years coaching soccer for Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He has two sons, John and James, and resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC with his wife, Valerie.
Dr. Terry earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Alfred University in 1984 and his medical degree from NYIT College Of Osteopathic Medicine. He has been in medical practice for more than 30 years and is currently the assistant dean of Regional Clinical Education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). He also serves as chief academic officer on the Board of Directors at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Training (LECOMT). At LECOM, Dr. Terry develops regional campuses and training sites that combine undergraduate medical education with graduate medical education training and is intimately involved in the teaching of the osteopathic philosophy to students and graduate physicians. The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) named Richard as the 2017 recipient of its W. Douglas Ward, Ph.D., Educator of the Year Award, one of the organization's highest honors. Dr. Terry and his wife, Maria, live in Elmira.
Award for Distinguished Service — Michelle De Ritter ’74. The award is given to alumni in recognition of loyalty and commitment in service to the University.
De Ritter earned a bachelor’s in music from Alfred University in 1974. She was employed with the Olean (NY) City School District as an instrumental music instructor and band director until her retirement and has been a member of various performing organizations in the Western New York area. She and her husband of more than 40 years, Paul, reside in Eustis, FL, and own De Ritter Antiques. De Ritter is a former member of the Alfred University Alumni Council, serving from 2003-14, including second vice president for three years (2008-11). During her tenure on the Council, she served on numerous committees, including chair of Alumni Events, when she coordinated several Performing Arts reunions and alumni wine-tasting events.
Rising Alumni Award — Jeffrey Klossner ’19. This award is given to alumni in recognition of demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, commitment to their community, or service to Alfred University. To be eligible for this award, the recipient must have graduated within the last decade. Klossner graduated from Alfred University in 2019 with a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and is the owner of the award-winning Hop Notch Brewing Company in Montour Falls, NY, which he opened in 2022. The Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce named the brewery “Best New Business” for 2022. Klossner’s business is community service-oriented, sponsoring youth sports teams in the area as well as other programs aimed at helping disadvantaged youth and hosting events supporting the SPCA of Schuyler County, including a pet adoption clinic. The brewery collects donations for veterans organizations and throughout the week offers discounts to workers in industry and in the health care, emergency services, and law enforcement professions.
Lillian T. Nevins Award for Lifetime Service to Alfred University—Mark O’Meara ’74. The award is given to honor alumni who have rendered outstanding service to Alfred University. It is reserved for those who, throughout a period of many years, have worked with interest, intelligence, and success to promote the highest interests of Alfred University and alumni.
O’Meara earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Alfred University in 1974 and in 1978 earned a Master of Science in Education, also from Alfred. While an undergraduate, O’Meara and Eric Vaughn ’73 co-founded the popular annual Hot Dog Day celebration. He served as Director of Annual Giving at Alfred University and was the inaugural coach of the Saxons’ varsity women's soccer team. O’Meara, who has regularly attended Homecoming over the last 50-plus years and is known for leading cheers during football games, is a past recipient of the Award for Distinction, given by the Athletics Department at Alfred University. He is currently the owner of University Mall Theatres, Inc., and Cinema Arts Theatres in Fairfax, VA. O’Meara and his wife, fellow Alfred University alum Loretta A. (Brawley) O'Meara '75 (B.S., nursing), live in Fairfax, VA, and have three children.