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Alumni eUpdates
May-June 2025
| | Purchase welcomes 771 new graduates to the Alumni Association. | | |
Held on May 16 at the Westchester County Center, Purchase College’s 53rd annual Commencement Ceremony featured several memorable highlights. These included the presentation of an honorary doctorate to acclaimed New York Times journalist Adam Nagourney ’77 (Economics) (pictured left with Purchase College President Milagros “Milly” Peña and Associate Provost Gregory Taylor), and the President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni to higher education leader Jeffrey Putman, Ed.D. ’96 (Political Science) (pictured right with President Peña and PCAA President Emerita Paula Middleman Cancro '79).
“I was proud to honor our students and welcome their friends and families who have supported them throughout their academic careers,” said President Peña. This year’s commencement marked her final ceremony before retiring later this summer.
More | View Commencement Photo Album | Scroll for more Class of 2025 celebration photos
| | Alumni Weekend: Coming Home to Purchase | | More than two hundred alumni, joined by over eighty friends and family members, came home to Purchase for AW25—and the energy was unmistakable! | | |
From the moment the Night of Reunions kicked off on Friday, May 2, the campus buzzed with fun, laughter, and memories. Friday's festivities included the presentation of the PCAA Alumni Awards followed by Legacy Fest featuring alumni musicians performing at The Stood.
Despite forecasts of storms, Saturday brought sunshine and a picture-perfect day. The morning started with an alumni stretch beneath the glowing Proscenium installation in the Neuberger. Purchase Perspectives began with reflections from emeritus faculty member Lee Schlesinger, whose remarks set the stage for an open conversation among alumni about their time at Purchase and the ways it continues to shape their lives.
From campus tours and conservatory performances to cheering on the Panthers during baseball and softball doubleheaders, and reconnecting with friends at the inaugural Alumni Showcase, the weekend offered something for everyone. It was a joyful celebration of creativity, connection, and the enduring spirit of Purchase.
Mark your calendars!
Alumni Weekend 2026 will take place the first weekend of May.
| | Bring Your Experience to the PCAA Board | | Self-nominations for the PCAA Board (2025-2028) are due by June 30. | | The Purchase College Alumni Association (PCAA) is seeking nominations for dedicated, dynamic, and forward-thinking alumni to serve on its Board of Directors for the 2025-2028 term of office. This is a rewarding leadership opportunity to help shape the future of the College’s alumni programs, support current students, and build lasting, meaningful connections with fellow alumni. | | #ProofofPurchase Alumni News | | Geoff Loftus ’78 (Literature) has released The Devil's Vacation, the tenth novel in his Jack Tyrrell thriller series. A former Forbes.com contributor, Geoff’s career includes freelance and on-staff assignments as a business journalist and in corporate communications. More | | Kathleen (Kat) Callo ’81 (Political Science) recently ghostwrote The World According to Stoopball: A Bronx Childhood, a memoir based on interviews with her 95-year-old father, retired Rear Admiral Joe Callo. It reflects on his Bronx childhood and the legacy of his immigrant roots. More | | James P. (J.P.) Kiernan ’90 (Music) and his band Three Normal Humans are finalists in the International Songwriters Competition. Formed at Purchase in 1986 as Being Don and Nothingness, the band has a new album slated for release this summer. | | Lily Bruder-Zal ’04 (Visual Arts: Printmaking and Sculpture) is cultivating the art of flower farming at Vanishing Point, her 35-acre farm in the Hudson Valley. She and her husband, Isaac Zal '04, live on the farm with their two children. More | | IIsaac (Zal) Sprachman '04 (Visual Arts) co-founded 4th State Metals after graduating from Purchase. The industrial fabrication firm brings large-scale metal artworks to life for major artists. He and his wife, Lily Bruder-Zal '04, live in the Hudson Valley with their two children. More | | Karen (Dr. K.) Baptiste ’07 (Sociology) directed the award-winning documentary, Preschool to Prison, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. She also leads a coaching and consulting firm focused on leadership, workshops, and mentoring. More | | Zoë Winters ’07 (Acting) is cast alongside Elizabeth Olsen and fellow alumna Carolyn Kettig ’17 in FX’s upcoming drama Seven Sisters. Zoë is known for her standout role as Kerry in Succession; she also stars in Materialists, opening this Friday, with Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal. More | | Allison Jones ’09 (Dance) was Lead Intimacy Coordinator for the final season of Netflix’s YOU, which premiered April 24, 2025. Allison has built a career advocating for consent and safety in vulnerable scenes across film and television. More | | James Czerniawski ’16 (Economics) is a senior policy analyst at Americans for Prosperity. James recently testified before Congress on government surveillance of U.S. citizens. Hear his remarks. More | | Carolyn Kettig ’17 (Acting) will appear in FX’s Seven Sisters, costarring with Elizabeth Olsen and fellow alumna Zoë Winters ’07. Her theater credits include performances with The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit and new works at New York Theater Workshop. More | | Blake Pfeil ’19 (MA, Arts Entrepreneurship) received a 2025 Ambie Award for excellence in audio storytelling for abandoned: The All-American Ruins Podcast! Blake also works as Operations & Digital Programs Manager at TMI Project and co-hosts Cinema Kingston! on Radio Kingston. More | | Mathew Louis Reyes ’20 (Liberal Studies: New Media) served as 1st Assistant Director on the Sundance Film Festival award-winning feature, Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo). The film premiered globally and is earning honors across the circuit. Review. More | | Three generations of Purchase actors appear in Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning | | Ving Rhames ’78–’80 (Acting) and Shea Whigham ’93 (Acting) reprise their iconic roles, while Sydney Cole Alexander ’15 (Acting) makes her franchise debut. Sydney also stars in the highly acclaimed second season of Severance, now streaming on AppleTV+. | | Save the Date: Alumni Summer Meet-Up | | |
Join fellow alumni for great conversation, good vibes, and a toast to summer!
We’re bringing the fun back to District Tap House on W38th Street in NYC for the 2025 #ForeverPurchase Summer Alumni Meet Up—hosted by the PCAA and the Office of Alumni Engagement. Complimentary appetizers will be available for all guests with one free drink ticket for each alumni attendee. A cash bar will be available for guests and additional drinks for alumni.
We’re still locking in the early- to mid-August date, so keep an eye on your inbox and follow us on social @purchasealumni for all the details.
| | Our Scholarship campaign has seen a record number of new alumni giving back. If you’ve already made your gift — thank you! Your support is opening doors for deserving students. If you haven’t given yet, there’s still time to be part of this incredible moment. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Click the button above to make your gift by June 30 and help us finish strong! | |
If a financial gift isn’t possible right now, consider becoming a mentor. Giving of your time, resources, and expertise also makes a difference.
| | Congratulations to the Class of 2025! | | |
To see larger versions of these photos, visit purchase.edu/alumni
Images from top: Presenting seniors at the 6th Annual Humanities Symposium. Chemistry/Visual Arts dual major and Chancellor’s Award winner Medha Chandwani presenting her research on the development of an environmentally friendly paint at the 43rd Annual James Utter Natural and Social Sciences Research Symposium. Opening reception for What Now?, the School of Art+Design Senior Showcase (Photo by Jay Edokpayi, @through_jay_lens). Latinx Graduation Celebration. Lavender Graduation Celebration. Black Graduation Celebration. Graduating seniors from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Commencement 2025.
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