11/20/2002
SUNY Cortland and Walden Place Win Chamber Awards
The State University of New York College at Cortland and Walden Place have been named businesses of the year by the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce. College president Judson H. Taylor and Walden Place operations director Ed Weeks accepted the awards during a November 20 program at the Holiday Inn Cortland. Also receiving awards were Kellyann O’Mara, the Chamber’s volunteer of the year, and four people recognized for their volunteer work at area schools. Mary Cotter, division president for Time Warner Cable, offered keynote remarks.
Cortland State, which won in the large business category, was recognized both for the work it’s doing on campus as well as in the community. “The employment numbers are important – more than 1000 people work there – but they don’t tell the whole story of the College’s impact on this community,” said chamber executive director Garry VanGorder. “Imagine the Cortland landscape without SUNY Cortland – it would be a far different place.” VanGorder said that under Taylor’s leadership the College has not only solidified its standing as one of the SUNY system’s top institutions, but has also embraced a philosophy that has led it to become a valued community and business partner. With more than 7,200 graduate and undergraduate students, the College’s enrollment is at its highest level in its 134-year history.
Walden Place won its award in the service/retail/small business category. The company first opened its doors last January and has been on a steady growth track ever since. Walden Place offers a program comprising three components:

• an enriched housing program with 60 apartments, which provides a unique combination of attractive, affordable apartment homes, support services, recreation and personal assistance that allows the residents to remain as active and independent as possible;

• A Memory Care Community for those with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s and related memory loss. This secure community is specifically designed with extended activities, increased staffing with special training, and family style surroundings to mirror the residents’ homes, and;

• A short-term stay option that is a great way for families who provide continuous care to schedule a vacation or holiday while Walden Place takes care of guests’ needs as if they are also on vacation.

Residents live in a Walden Place Suite for as little as 3 days or as long as 6 weeks. VanGorder said Walden place was being recognized not only for its commitment to its residents, but also to the Cortland Community. In just the last year, it has been involved with the American Cancer Society "Kick off Rally," a blood drive with the American Red Cross, the 5th Annual Memory Walk "Kick off Breakfast," a Spaghetti Dinner for the 5th Annual Memory Walk, a Chamber Business After Hours and a care giving forum. The Walden Place staff even participated with residents in the Memory Walk, raising the second greatest amount of money at the event.
School volunteer awards went to Mary Kay and Casey Marks, Cortland Enlarged City School District; Eleanor Harvey, Cincinnatus Central School District; Nancy Gustafson, Homer Central School District; and Linette Welsh, McGraw Central School District. Chamber president Robert Ferris, who will finish his one-year term in December, and board members Cindy Eberhart and Hugh Keegan were also recognized for their contributions to the Chamber.

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