Recognizing Retirements, Excellence, and Milestones of Russell Sage Employees

Russell Sage prioritizes celebrating employees and their contributions to the college community. On May 21, 2026, the college held its annual Employee Recognition event, to recognize retirees and thank current employees for exceptional service to Russell Sage.

Frank Baumgartner, Jr., electrician

Lisa Edwards, nursing department simulation administrative staff coordinator 

Kathleen “Kay” Gormley, Ph.D., professor of literacy education

Thomas Keane, Ph.D., professor of chemistry

Sharon Murray, associate vice president of student life and dean of students in Albany

Patricia “Pat” O’Connor, Ph.D., professor and Lorraine Walker chair of psychology

Andrea Rehn, Ph.D., undergraduate dean and dean of arts and sciences

Maryjo Valentine, CPA, associate vice president of finance

The President’s Community Award: Kelly Smith, assistant professor of education

The President’s Community Award is given to an employee for their outstanding contributions and extraordinary generosity to the Russell Sage Community. Kelly Smith was this year’s recipient. Her nomination stated:“Kelly is a remarkable visionary and someone that staff and students alike admire. She has shown grit and determination this year by overcoming tremendous personal obstacles with grace and panache. She has modeled how to care for oneself with grace and optimism, while still celebrating all that Sage offers to students. She goes above and beyond with her work in Positive Education! She leads lectures on and off campus. She is an asset to this institution and to the community.”

The Terry M. Cannizzaro ’11, ’14 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award: Rachael Paige, associate professor of nursing

Administrator: Jessica Houbre, salesforce analyst and administrator

Staff: Harry Harbour, painter

Faculty: MaryEllen Tedesco, assistant professor of practice of management, undergraduate program director for business administration, and department chair

Pat O’Connor

Frank Baumgartner, Jr.

Jim Brennan

Nancy Michela

Tom Keane

David Parker

Susan Jenks

John Robert

Kathy Scoville

Kim Taylor

Betty Whalen

Lori Maki

Tonya Moutray

Jermaine Privott

Kelley Robinson

Sara Carlson

Katie Danico

Lori Finn

Infinee’ Jacobs

Elizabethe Kelley

Chantal Baril

Sarah Brockway

Garrett Cobb

Karen Conway

Rodney Davis

William Fillmore

Lindsay Fitzpatrick

Andrew Gaetano

Wendy Gaughan

Kim Gendron

Elizabeth Heller

Laurie Helper

Pam Ko

Carleen Pallante

Jane Roodenburg

Sarah Russell

Katie Smith

Tiffany Stone

Maryjo Valentine

Patrick Bywater

Emilie Deck

Cathron Donaldson

Tracy Egan Lasek

Marcella Falquez

Alexander Gilbert

Jeff Golden

Josh Herter

Jim Lyons

Luke Martin

Mary McLaren Brown

Joe Michaud

JT Murray

Tasha Pringle

Ray Rodriguez

Sarah Salvatore

Alyssa Sands

Don Simmons

Laura Stolfi

Kyle Young

– Article by Olivia Penna/Russell Sage College Marketing and Communications Intern