Celebrating the passion and purpose of the creative and entrepreneurial Purchase alumni community
Alumni Weekend 2025 May 3 | 1:30-7:30pm Upper Lobby of The PAC
Art Aisle … Browse the work of talented artists, makers, and creatives
Author Annex and the Books/Publishing Aisle … Hear authors read from their publications and share their journeys.
Business Aisle … Meet and mingle with alumni business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
End Caps … Explore these unique exhibits celebrating alumni connections, history, and storytelling.
The Resource Hub – A table where you can explore materials, guides, and information from alumni who couldn’t be at the Showcase in person but still want to support and inspire your creative journey.
See the floorplan (.pdf) Booths in green are confirmed. Booths in yellow are pending. Booths in white are open.
Exhibitors
Click the name for more detail and samples of the work that will be shown
Kim V. Do presents a collection of landscape paintings created on-site, outdoors. His work captures the beauty of nature in the moment, with a focus on light, atmosphere, and movement.
Tom Bisogno creates mesmerizing phosphorescent works on canvas, exploring the interplay of light and traditional mediums. Each piece serves as a conduit for introspection and connection, transforming quiet spaces into sanctuaries for meditation.
Paula Kelly’s photographs showcase nocturnal imagery, including celestial time exposures, landscapes, and urban gardens. Her work explores the interplay of light and shadow, capturing ethereal scenes that evoke a sense of wonder.
Allison Murphy processes personal experiences through the use of repurposed décor and craft supplies. Her large-scale pieces are quilt-like creations using second-hand fabric, heavy-weight yarn, and embroidery techniques, mounted on reclaimed frames to reduce environmental impact.
Jackson Gautreau presents a collection of expressive paintings that explore bold color, movement, and form. His work captures emotions and narratives through dynamic brushwork and a vivid palette.
Dane Kranjac’s mixed-media work focuses on people and places close to him, using a vibrant blend of ink, acrylic, gel pen, and spray paint. His work is inspired by Caravaggio’s masterful light, contemporary graffiti, and street culture.
Corinne Basabe is inspired by the dynamic flow of communication found in street art. Her current work includes a series of vibrant canvases that explore her adoration for the powerful forces of nature.
Nicole Maffei, a freelance digital photographer based in Westchester County, NY, captures the beauty of nature, animals, and landscapes through her lens. At her exhibit booth, she will showcase a stunning collection of photographs that reflect her passion for the natural world, storytelling through imagery, and creative digital editing.
Loaded with good food and fueled by the importance of good friendships, Elisa Gabrielle Donahue’s first novel, A Shopgirl’s Tale, is like Sex and the City for a generation that could never afford the extravagance Carrie and Co. promised.
Hear Elisa read from her novel on Saturday afternoon (time to be confirmed).
Katie Lamar’s Doing Things Is Dumb is a semi-autobiographical novel inspired by her first semester at SUNY Purchase. Self-published in 2024, the book captures the highs and lows of college life with humor and heart. The cover art is by alumnus Evan Liu, her partner and former Stood Coordinator—who may or may not make an appearance in the story!
Hear Katie read from her book on Saturday afternoon (time to be confirmed).
Maria-Cristina Necula’s latest book, The Voice Beneath the Quince Tree: A Memoir of Growing Up in Communist Romania, is a moving memoir that tells the story of a girl growing up in a communist country, where her father’s defection reshapes her world. Alongside her mother, she discovers in opera not only magic but also a refuge—an act of quiet defiance against the oppression of a totalitarian regime.
Hear Maria-Cristina read from her book on Saturday afternoon (time to be confirmed).
Discover the essence of being human through mindfulness, art, and storytelling. Featuring the award-winning Be Human, Be Happy, Be YOU! (Non-fiction) and The Bunny, the Bear, and the Eagle (Children’s Book), our booth invites you to explore how reading, writing, and creative expression can inspire clarity, purpose, and deeper meaning in everyday life.
Alyssa Pfingst is the founder of Amplify Book Coaching, dedicated to guiding authors of novels and graphic novels through every stage of development on their path to publishing. With a keen editorial eye and expert insights, they provide clarity and direction, specializing in LGBTQ+ literature while offering expertise across multiple genres and writing styles.
Rebecca Bruckenstein will showcase her poetry collection, Finding Poetry, Finding Me, published in December 2023. In addition to sharing her poetry, Rebecca offers editing services, believing that everyone has at least one book or project within them—and she loves helping bring those projects to life.
Hear Rebecca read from her book on Saturday afternoon (time to be confirmed).
Stephen Singer ’90 considers himself a conceptualist above all else, unbound by a single medium, tool, or style. His current work explores the intersection of image, object, and text through pseudo-product action figures. At the showcase, he will present The 100 Jennys Project, a two-year exploration into the use of generative AI in creative expression. Alongside a curated selection of “Jennys,” he will feature his new book, The 100 Jennys Project: The Book, a 484-page record of his findings.
The $500 billion beauty industry is booming, with 50 million professionals worldwide—but traditional education hasn’t kept up. Pomp Academy is revolutionizing beauty education with an interactive online platform that offers hands-on training, real-time feedback, and business education tailored for modern beauty professionals.
Stop by our booth to experience AI-powered learning, interactive demos, and expert-led training designed to shape the next generation of beauty pros.
Partners in both life and business, Aaron Kass and Geoffrey Weiss know how stressful real estate transactions can be in New York. That’s why they’ve made it their mission to make the process as clear, focused, and easy as possible for their clients. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling your home of 30 years, renting an apartment or finding the perfect investment property, Aaron & Geoff will be with you every step of the way.
DID YOU KNOW? Geoff and Aaron met at Purchase in their first day of class freshman year and are now happily married and run their business together!
Scott Walters is the founder of Walters Wanderings Travel, which has been curating exceptional vacation packages since 2014. Dedicated to making every journey unique and unforgettable, Scott offers a wide range of travel experiences tailored to dream destinations around the world.
Unique Exhibits Celebrating Alumni Connections, History, and Storytelling
Decades ago, Associate Professor Ted T. Kivitt of the Purchase College Conservatory of Dance embarked on a passion project: capturing striking photographs of the Company’s ballet students to create a stunning visual archive chronicling the evolution of dance. Now, in 2025, these timeless images are being shared publicly, offering alumni a nostalgic journey and a captivating tribute to the artistry and grace that have defined generations of dancers at Purchase.
Discover how alumni participation shapes the culture, momentum, and success of Purchase College. Chat with members of the PCAA Board and the Office of Alumni Engagement to explore ways to stay connected and make an impact.
First Gen 101 is a podcast where first-generation graduates share their journeys, career insights, and lessons learned along the way. Stop by to meet the producer ... and possibly share your story! (Recordings will be underway during the Showcase.)
Ms. SherylKaye,recognized for her outstanding Black Americana library, now offers lectures and workshops designed for universities, museums, organizations, and customized diversity training for businesses. Through these programs, she delivers powerful messages that inspire us to remember the past, and compel us to build a better future.
Thea Lanzisero is a polymedia artist from Huntington, NY, who creates public art and interactive sculptural installations that foster community engagement. Her work spans museums, art parks, galleries, fairs, and unconventional spaces across the U.S. and abroad. She also showcases her diverse series of sculptures and installations in beautifully curated coffee table books.