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- Category: Hall of Fame
- Hits: 1864
Susan Garrigan is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for her extensive, varied career in business, finance and education and for her community volunteerism.
Susan is a member of the class of 1975. In high school she was a basketball player, a cheerleader, student council representative, was a member of the Ski Club, Future Teachers of America and a History honoree. She started working at Key Bank in ’74 before graduating and stayed there until 1988.
She started her higher education path at the Junior College of Albany, graduating with an Associates in Applied Science degree concentrating on business administration and marketing, in 1980. She completed her Bachelor of Science at Russell Sage College in 1983, majoring in economics, finance and management. She worked a year at SEFCU as an Accounting Manager, leaving in 1989 to take a position as Financial Manager at Five Rivers Limited. While working that job she finished her Master’s in Business Administration at the College of St. Rose in 1993. Following, Susan became Director of Operations until 2000 at the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society in Albany and taught finance courses as a part-time Adjunct Professor at Siena College. In 2001 Susan began her career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a Portfolio Business Manager and Director of Operations & Finance until 2012 at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, being recognized with an award. Susan worked for the next 3 years at SUNY System Administration as a Financial Analyst /Budget Manager and currently works for the Division of Military and Naval Affairs as Chief Budget Analyst. In 2015, Susan became an Adjunct Instructor at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and at Hudson Valley Community College which she holds presently. She continues her course work to achieve her Ph.D. in Education at RPI.
Susan was nominated by her long-time friend and former neighbor and Alumni Association Vice President, Deborah Reimann. Her outside activities include supporting her two sons’ activities where she was recognized by Columbia High School. She also has received an award by the NYS Association of High School Sports as a Ski Instructor. In her spare time Susan enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking and gardening to name a few and resides in East Greenbush.
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- Category: Hall of Fame
- Hits: 1831
Arthur Felt is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his service in the military and for volunteering in veterans’ programs.
Arthur is an alumnus of the class of 1967. Art was drafted into the army in 1968 serving during the Viet Nam Era until 1970. After training, he received a diploma with the Army Engineer School, as a Powerman and continued in Engineer School receiving another diploma in Precise Power Generation, both in 1968. He finished out his active duty in Mannheim Germany, did two years active reserve service and another two of inactive reserve. He studied at Hudson Valley Community College and received an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Marketing in 1972. In 2011 he received a diploma from the American Legion College of New York, and graduated from the American Legion College, Department of New York, SUNY Morrisville for completion of the American Legion Extension Institute course. Art is a past Legion Post Commander at the Gerald O’Neil Post in Rensselaer and is currently their board President. Part of those duties included participating in services for deceased veterans, helping to organize the Memorial Day Parade and was part of the parade color guard. He was Grand Marshall in last year’s parade. Art also volunteers for veterans at the post and at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital in Albany. On the county level, Art attends functions and conventions for veterans and is a past Vice Commander and POW/MIA coordinator.
Aside from his work with the army and veterans, Art also had a 30 yr. Career with the U.S. Postal Service. His civilian volunteer work includes a lifetime membership in the J.N. Ring Fire company in the city, holding the offices of past President, past Captain and past Financial Secretary. He also belongs to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Rensselaer.
Arthur was nominated by his wife Patricia. They live in Eastland Park.
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- Category: Hall of Fame
- Hits: 1946
Tracy Cooney Farley is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for her dedication and humanitarianism to the students, faculty and staff of the School District and the city.
Tracy graduated from Rensselaer Jr-Sr High School in 1983. In high school she belonged to Theta Sigma Nu, Yearbook Club and took typing and industrial arts courses like wood and metal working, electronics and how to manage electricity. After high school Tracy got a job in the maintenance department of school. In that role her job duties are far-reaching from snow plowing to cleaning. While at school, Tracy volunteered to be Key Club Advisor, as she belonged to the city’s Kiwanis Club for many years and was the first woman president elected. She has been doing this since the 1990’s. As Key Club Advisor, she provides community service opportunities for the students, like helping with “Christmas in the City” and planting trees. In 2016 Tracy was honored by the Kiwanis “in recognition of her dedication and commitment to Key Club for over 20 yrs.” Tracy has volunteered at school functions too numerous to list and is widely known by students, earning her the New York State Center for School Safety “Unsung Hero Award” for the “No Child Left Behind" initiative in 2003.
In addition to her advisory role, Tracy is President of CSEA unit 8268 for the school district and Vice President of CSEA local 871 Rensselaer County Educational Unions. Outside of school, Tracy also has volunteered may hours helping with activities at the First Baptist Church in Rensselaer.
Tracy was nominated by her friend and classmate Bonnie E. Smith. She lives in East Greenbush and enjoys gardening, garage sales, reading and entertaining.
Tracy Cooney Farley at Birch Hall for her induction into the Hall of Fame.