The Racquette

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy: ODK Joe Sarnoff shows his support at the ODK leaf-raking event.

On February 3, the SUNY Potsdam community learned about the passing of Joe Sarnoff in an e-mail delivered by Carol Rourke, executive assistant for the office of the president.

In his forty year tenure as a member of SUNY Potsdam's family, Joe filled a variety of positions: beginning as the Assistant Director of the Student Union in 1970, he later became the Director of Student Activities, progressed as the Director of the College Union and then became the Director of Retention.

Joe's assistance with on-campus events was widespread, ranging from helping the College Radio Station get off the ground to being an integral part of the commencement ceremony planning team. Joe's list of contributions to the campus is innumerable, and the ways in which he personally affected members of the faculty and the student body are even more limitless.

"Joe has been the SGA Adviser for well over ten years. In this time, he has been there whenever there was a question or issue the students needed help with," said Josh Rich, SGA vice president. "He was always willing to go the extra mile for his students and never expected anything in return."

Known as a wealth of information, Joe knew how to gently guide people with words of well-spoken kindness. Danielle McMullen, SGA president cites Joe as a "great help when [she] started [her] tenure as SGA Vice President."

Joe was also an activist for sustainability issues on campus and promoted green living. Nicole Feml, member of ODK, one of the many groups that Joe belonged to, shared a story about Joe's assistance with an ODK and Knowles 4th Floor leaf-raking project.

"He was there, helping out. He was a green activist and lover of the environment," said Feml.

Rourke also shared a touching story about Joe's love for his children. Joe received a call from the doctor while he and Rourke were visiting one another in the Barrington Student Union lobby. His wife had gone into labor, and Rourke remembers him running out of the union to be with his wife so that he could be present for their child's birth.

Joe was a wonderful story-teller, and everyone who knew him will remember that his stories were nearly as innumerable as his various positive additions to campus life. Furthermore, everyone who shared their stories here noted Joe's boundless love for this campus.

"Joe Sarnoff is irreplaceable. Not just as a person, but as a mentor and a friend," said Rich.



Additional information:

Details about memorial services will be forthcoming. Be mindful of your SUNY Potsdam email inbox for further information.

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