SUNY Potsdam Alumni Honored with Distinguished Awards from Educational Opportunity Program

SUNY Potsdam Alumni Brian DeWitt '79 and DeShawn McGarrity '98 Presented with Awards at 50th Anniversary Celebration of SUNY EOP

Potsdam, NY (05/01/2018) — Two accomplished SUNY Potsdam alumni were among those singled out for special distinction during the 50th anniversary celebration of the System's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).

Brian DeWitt '79 and Dr. DeShawn McGarrity '98 were both honored with Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Awards from SUNY EOP at a special reception on April 14 in Buffalo. The event honored the 50th anniversary of the program, which promotes access, excellence and success to make higher education possible for underprivileged New Yorkers.

DeWitt and McGarrity were among 38 alumni from the past 50 years who were selected to be honored at the event, showcasing the deep impact that EOP has had on its graduates, who have gone on to remarkable lives and careers.

SUNY Potsdam has hosted an Educational Opportunity Program since 1969, assisting thousands of students with their educational goals. For more information about EOP at SUNY Potsdam, visit https://www.potsdam.edu/admissions/apply/special/EOP.

About the recipients:

Brian DeWitt '79 has more than 30 years of experience as a Silicon Valley technology professional, early stage investor and start-up company co-founder. DeWitt received his bachelor's degree in biology from SUNY Potsdam, where he was in the Educational Opportunity Program. He also went on to earn a certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program. DeWitt began his career in wafer fabrication for Texas Instruments and National Semiconductor, before moving into technical sales for Canon's Semiconductor Equipment Division and becoming applications manager for XMR, an excimer laser manufacturer. He spent 13 years at Nikon Corp. in its chip equipment division, where he managed strategic accounts for major customers such as Intel. In 2009, DeWitt co-founded a start-up company, Xeralux (recently relaunched as Sensity Systems) that pioneered the use of LED lighting and networking technology for the emerging smart city and Internet of Things (IoT) space. He is currently an investor and business development advisor to Swim, a software company that has developed a platform for real-time, streaming data analysis. DeWitt is a member of the Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees, where he supports his alma mater as a member of the advancement committee.

Dr. DeShawn McGarrity '98 earned her bachelor's degree in speech communication at SUNY Potsdam, where she also completed the Educational Opportunity Program. She later went on to complete her master's degree in women's studies from the University at Albany and her doctorate in community college policy and administration at the University of Maryland University College. McGarrity is also a graduate of the SUNY Leadership Academy. She has more than 20 years of experience working in both public and private post-secondary education, and has spent more than half of her career as the director of college opportunity programs in New York State. McGarrity began her career as the director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program at Clarkson University, before joining Schenectady County Community College as its director of multicultural and Educational Opportunity Programs. She then moved on to serve as a coordinator of residence life at the University at Albany, before begin appointed as the executive director of the SUNY College and Career Counseling Center at Schenectady Community College, where she also teaches courses as an adjunct instructor. In her current position, McGarrity oversees programs and services for underresourced residents who are looking to connect to pathways for education, employment, and career and technical training. Additionally, she serves on the YWCA Board of Directors, of which she is the treasurer, and is a member of the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association Board of Trustees.

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