Former Soccer Players Inducted into the Alumni Hall of Achievement

Chancellor Sr. Kathleen Sullivan and President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien toasted the honorees before the ceremony.

Three former 窪蹋勛圖厙 College soccer players were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Achievement on Sunday, April 29 during a ceremony in the Granito Center.泭 The new inductees are:泭 Donald Briggs Jr., 83, for Excellence; Michael Hagopian, 02, for Leadership; and Alice OHara, 99, for Service. A photo of the three inductees will hang in the lobby of the Prusmack Center with other honorees.

Donald Briggs, Jr., 83, for Excellence

Former soccer and basketball player Donald Briggs said the person he is today has a lot to do with 窪蹋勛圖厙 College.泭 The person who walked in the doors at 窪蹋勛圖厙 College was not the same person who left four years later, he said. 泭He credits the College with developing his business sense and teaching him to be an independent thinker.

Briggs has had a successful career in the credit union industry. He worked for more than 30 years with the NEA Federal Credit Union, which merged with Affinity FCU one year ago.泭 Briggs is a Vice President of Administration.

Sr. Kathleen Sullivan, O.P., 泭Chancellor of External Affairs, said, Don and his wife Sonja have contributed their time, their talent, and their treasure to serving the community and to serving 窪蹋勛圖厙 College in countless ways

In addition to having served on a number of professional boards, Briggs volunteers as treasurer of the Cornwall Girls Basketball Youth League and a board member of the Cornwall United Soccer Club.泭 Since 2008, he has been a member of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 College Presidents Advisory Council.

Briggs and his wife Sonja have three daughters.泭 Their eldest, Renee, graduated from 窪蹋勛圖厙 College in May and his daughter Erin is a junior at the College.

Michael Hagopian, 02, for Leadership

As a student at 窪蹋勛圖厙 College, it was clear that Michael Hagopian was a leader.泭 He was president of the Student Government Association, captain of the mens soccer team, a member of the Aquin Players, a student ambassador and a recipient of the Founders Award. After 窪蹋勛圖厙 College, he earned two masters degrees — in education and educational leadership.

Hagopian is now an Assistant Principal in the Oradell Public School District in New Jersey. 泭泭Dr. AnnMarie DiSiena, Coordinator of the Communication Studies Program, was Hagopians former professor and said he was always a role model to others. He is making a difference today supporting students who struggle academically, socially, and emotionally by organizing interventions and being a support for the teachers, as well as the parents of the students, she said.

Hagopian said he was humbled and honored to be inducted into the Hall of Achievement. I share this award with all those who were my mentors, my supporters, my cheerleaders, my friends, and would like to recognize each of you today.

Among his volunteer activities, Hagopian serves as a board member of Loeb House, a nonprofit organization that provides housing for those with special needs.泭 He is also on the executive board of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 College Alumni Association and is a coach for the Orangetown Mighty Midgets Soccer Association.

Hagopian lives in Orangeburg, NY with his wife Amy and his young son.

Alice Kivlehan OHara, 99, for Service

At 窪蹋勛圖厙 College, Alice Kivlehan OHara studied psychology and was competitive on the soccer field earning the Most Valuable Player award her senior year. She came to 窪蹋勛圖厙 College as a transfer student, but has a strong allegiance to the College.

I would really like to thank all the teachers and staff who made 窪蹋勛圖厙 College what it is today, said OHara. I received such a personal and individualized education at the College and thats the reason why I am where I am today, she said.

After earning a bachelors degree in psychology at 窪蹋勛圖厙 College, Alice earned a masters degree in education technology and then began her teaching career.泭 For the past 18 years she has worked at the Bardonia Elementary School in New York.泭 Dr. Mike Kelly, her former professor and Director of the Graduate Programs in Education, said OHara has grown in her expertise in general and special education at Bardonia Elementary.泭 She has touched the lives of hundreds of fifth grade students, who have had the privilege of experiencing her care for their academic, physical, social, and emotional needs as she prepares them for the next transition in their lives middle school, he said.

O Hara has spearheaded a program at her school to promote health and fitness.泭 On Move It Mondays students design a workout and give healthy-eating advice to younger students. The students also voluntarily agree to use recess to run laps and participate in workouts. OHara practices what she preaches.泭 She participates in numerous community triathlons and races for local charities and families in need.泭 She also volunteers with various local youth recreational leagues.

Alice lives in Tappan, NY, with her five children.泭 .