SUNY Delhi Honors Exceptional Alumni and Staff with Awards

01/14/2025 — The SUNY Delhi Alumni Association recently honored five distinguished alums, faculty, and staff for exceptional professional achievements and community service. The 2024 recipients were Hayley Murphy (nee Weston), Steven Whipple, Corin Zimmer, Barbara Sturdevant, and Robert Backus.

Dr. Hayley Murphy '84 received the Distinguished Alumna Award for her trailblazing work and leadership in the field of veterinary science. As the executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society in Royal Oak, MI, Dr. Murphy is the first female in the society's 96-year history to serve in this role. Appointed in 2021, she oversees the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center. She has over three decades of experience in animal welfare, conservation, and zoo management. After graduating from SUNY Delhi with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology in 1984, Murphy worked as a veterinary technician and later earned a bachelor's degree and a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from Cornell University. Dr. Murphy is recognized as one of the nation's leading experts in gorilla cardiac health. She founded and serves as Director Emeritus of the Great Ape Heart Project and the Veterinary Advisor to the Gorilla Species Survival Plan and the Great Ape Taxonomic Advisory Group. Beyond her work with great apes, she has chaired the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Ethics Board and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians for the North American Veterinary Conference. Dr. Murphy currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund and Visit Detroit. She lives with her family in Farmington Hills, MI.

Steven Whipple '98 was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his advocacy for SUNY Delhi's academic programs while excelling in his career in the golf course industry. A native of Davenport, NY, Whipple received an associate degree in Golf Course Operations from SUNY Delhi in 1998 and a bachelor's degree in Turfgrass Science from the Pennsylvania State University in 2000. Since 2003, Mr. Whipple has served as the Golf Program Manager and Golf Course Superintendent at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He manages the military facility, an 18-hole course, a $2.1 million annual budget, and all facets of the golf course operations and agronomic practices. He has helped West Point achieve the rank of the second-highest profit-generating Army golf course in the continental United States. Whipple has been involved with and managed multiple multi-million-dollar projects involving the design and construction of a clubhouse, irrigation installation, and turf maintenance facility construction. He has received many commendations from West Point, including the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. He is the President of the New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA) and serves on the SUNY Delhi Golf/Sports Field Turf Management Program Advisory Council. Mr. Whipple resides in Rock Tavern, NY, with his young family.

Corin Zimmer '19 received the Alumnus of Merit Award. After earning a bachelor's degree in Business and Technology Management from SUNY Delhi, Zimmer joined Luck Grove, a Syracuse-based company specializing in telecom services for enterprise, government, and nonprofit clients nationwide. As Senior Vice President of Business Development, he has guided the company's meteoric rise. He is also the founder of All Things Adrenaline, a clothing line for extreme sports enthusiasts, and Arboxy LLC, a web design company. Zimmer is deeply committed to giving back to his community and has led initiatives to create the Telecommunications Lab at The Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse. He is also actively involved in charitable efforts through organizations like Toys for Tots and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The Exemplary Service Awards were given to Professor Emeritus Barbara Sturdevant and Director of Athletics Robert Backus, both retired from SUNY Delhi with over 60 years of service combined.

Barbara Sturdevant began her tenure at SUNY Delhi in 1991 as an assistant professor and advanced to the role of full professor and department chair of Delhi's business programs. During her 32 years at Delhi, she facilitated numerous student experiences and networking events, chaired the curriculum committee, and helped plan the NJCAA National Championship Basketball Tournament held at Delhi for many years. She was known for her dedication to her students, providing them with the guidance and expertise to achieve their career goals. Sturdevant received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2005. She retired in 2023.

Robert 'Bob' Backus started his career at SUNY Delhi as an adjunct instructor in 1992 and became an athletic coach in 1993. Credited with building a track and field dynasty at Delhi, his squads won 15 NJCAA National Championships in men's and women's track and field and cross country. He received numerous 'Coach of the Year' titles at regional and national levels. An athletic director since 2008, Backus successfully oversaw Delhi's transition to NCAA Division III, elevating the college's athletic profile. Backus also played a pivotal role in establishing SUNY Delhi's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. He received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in 2005. Throughout his career at Delhi, he has tirelessly advocated for student-athletes and coined the well-known slogan, "It's a great day to be a Bronco!" Backus retired in 2024 after 31 years of dedicated service.

The SUNY Delhi Alumni Association has recognized graduates, faculty, and staff with the Alumni Awards for 47 years. Please visit www.delhi.edu/alumni for more information.