Melissa (Missy) Cannistra is the new accounting clerk in the business office. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome. She comes to us from a local Credit Union where she was a senior accounting assistant. She enjoys going for walks with her husband and three children. (mcannist, ext.4306)
Joni Chizzonite is a new assistant director of annual giving. She is a graduate of Mary Washington College and has many years of experience working in large law firm administration. Joni and her husband, Don (Hamilton ?77), relocated from Washington, DC., and currently reside in Newport. (jchizzon, ext.4664)
Suzanne Cristo ?91 returned to the Hill as associate director of annual giving. Suzanne earned her bachelor?s degree in history from Hamilton and her law degree from the University of Buffalo. For the past five years she was a court attorney in the criminal courts system in New York City. Suzanne spent this past spring and early summer visiting relatives in Rome, Italy, and traveling to Cairo, London and Oslo. (scristo, ext.4609)
Jon Hysell ?72 has taken on the responsibilities of director of alumni programs. Jon is a native Minnesotan. Moving east when he was 11 years old, he went to high school in Allendale, N.J., prior to attending Hamilton. He worked for Cargill, Incorporated for many years, most recently as assistant vice president. He is married to Barbara Britt-Hysell and has three children, Joe, Julia and Nora. (jahysell, ext.4606)
Rosanne Kupiec joins the Communications and Development team as an assistant in the leadership gifts program. Rosanne brings with her many years of administrative support experience with AFSA Data Corporation and US Airways. She is a certified professional virtual assistant (CPVA) after completing a five-month training program on-line though AssistU. Rosanne?s blended family includes six children and 16 grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, sewing, creative home decorating and do-it-yourself projects. She also belongs to several organizations through which she celebrates her Italian-American heritage. (rkupiec, ext.4604)
Cassandra Moyer joined the Career Center as office coordinator. She brings several years of administrative support experience to this position. Cassandra and her husband, Eric, are the new resident directors for the ABC Program. They are joyfully awaiting the arrival of their first child who is due in December.
Karen Prentice-Duprey joins the Dean of Students Office as staff assistant working closely with Chris Willemsen, associate dean of students, and with Edith Toegel, coordinator of study abroad programs. Karen was most recently employed as a senior claim service assistant with State Farm Insurance in Utica. Karen received her associate?s degree from the Utica School of Commerce and served as secretary to the president and vice president/dean of students of the school for two years. Karen has one son, Ben, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. (kprentice, ext.4634)
Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport comes to Hamilton this fall as the Jewish Chaplain. Rabbi Rapoport has more than 20 years of experience working with students at Syracuse University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the Syracuse University Medical School and SUNY Oswego. He lives in Syracuse, and he and his wife, Chanie, are the proud parents of eight children. (yrapopor, ext. 4026)
Kathleen (Kate) Rasmussen has joined us as a part-time training room assistant. She earned a bachelor? s degree in athletic training from Alfred University. She previously worked at Colgate University where she was an athletic trainer intern. She enjoys downhill skiing, ski racing, camping, traveling and loves the outdoors. (krasmuss)
Sarah Smith joined the ACCESS Project to provide office support and supervise the resource center in the evening and Saturday morning. Sarah currently attends Mohawk Valley Community College in the liberal arts program with a concentration in public relations. In addition to her responsibilities at Hamilton and attending school, Sarah works part time at MVCC?s library. She lives with her parents and sister in Rome and her favorite special interest is hockey. (ssmith, ext. 4292)
Jacquelyn (Jackie) Thompson joins the Communications and Development team as an assistant in alumni programs. Jackie comes to us from Allied American Abstract Corporation where she was an administrative assistant and office manager. Jackie is planning a trip to Arizona in the future to visit her brother who recently relocated there. (jdthomps, ext.4818)
Mark Tillson recently joined the library staff as media library assistant to oversee the operation of the branch library. Mark brings with him several years of media library experience with Madison Oneida BOCES. Mark lives in a large Victorian home in Utica that he enjoys filling with antiques and Titanic memorabilia. Mark?s other interests include enjoying his dogs and cats, reading, movies, music of all kinds and study of the Bible. (mtillson, ext. 4923)
Sharon Topi ?02 returns to the Hill as science library assistant. Sharon received a bachelor?s degree in anthropology from Hamilton last May. While a student, Sharon worked as a student grader in physics and as an Emerson Grant researcher. Sharon lives in Clinton with her husband, Jason, and her children, Andrew, 8, and Caitlin, 6. She enjoys painting, science fiction and hiking with her family and their dog, Tigger. (stopi, ext.4714)
