Main content

SUNY UPD Annual Awards for Professional Service

SUNY Police Chief’s Annual Awards for Professional Service

On November 19, 2021, a number of employees were recognized by the SUNY Police Chief’s Association at a statewide award ceremony in addition a recent Purchase graduate was presented with a $750 scholarship. The annual awards honor lieutenants, officers, students, and staff who played a key role in life-saving events over the past year, as well as others on the New York State University Police force for their outstanding professional service.

Harris Family Student Personal Safety Achievement Scholarship - Alumni Rosie Lynn Marasigan Rosie Lynn Marasigan has received the Harris Family Student Personal Safety Award from the New York State University Police Chief’s Association, an annual award given to a student who demonstrates a strong commitment to public safety on campus. Rosie, a Spring 2021 graduate of Purchase College, obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a 3.4 GPA and is currently attending Capella University where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

While at Purchase, Rosie dedicated her time to enhancing personal safety for all students. Rosie’s accomplishments include serving as a RAD teaching assistant, Covid Care Greeter intern, UPD Community Service intern, Leadership and Bystander Intervention intern, and a One Love Facilitator Intern. Additionally, Rosie served on both the Personal Safety Committee and as a Title IX Student Appeals Board member. In her spare time, Rosie volunteers for a Bronx food pantry.

Professional Service Award – Officer Kevin Racioppo and Officer Sean McKenna Early September of 2021, NYS University Police Officers Kevin Racioppo and McKenna, responded to the Phase 2 Apartments where there was an active fire in the kitchen area of the apartment. The officers found the apartment was full of smoke and had difficulty making their way around the furniture and other items in the space. Officer Racioppo directed Officer McKenna to retrieve a fire extinguisher and simultaneously moved to evacuate adjoining apartments on the floor of any residents who were present at the time. The apartment was full of smoke and a small blaze illuminated through the cloud as Officer Racioppo deployed a fire extinguisher to put out the fire that had engulfed the top of the stove before the Purchase Fire Department units arrived on scene. Officers Racioppo and McKenna acted quickly and selflessly in order to preserve life and property. For acts that greatly enhanced the operation of the University Police, Officer Racioppo and McKenna are recognized with the Professional Service Award.

Professional Service Award – Lt. Roberto Caban, Officer Fred Vanzillotta, Officer Adrienne Jordan, UPCSS Bruce Butler Early March of 2021, Officers Fred Vanzillotta, Adrienne Jordan, and Police Lieutenant Roberto Caban responded to the Outback residence hall for a fire alarm activation. When the Officers entered the building, they found the area was full of smoke and there was a strong odor of burning rubber indicating the presence of an active electrical fire in the basement of the building. Officer Vanzillotta assisted the Purchase Fire Department in locating the fire as well as taking the initiative to assist firefighters by pulling a firehose into the building.

The officers responded in a professional, methodical manner that allowed for the safe extrication of building occupants and allowed the responding firefighting units to enter and extinguish an active fire with minimal damage to the residence and no reported injuries.

UPCSS Bruce Butler distinguished himself during this emergency by coordinating the department’s response to the scene, acting as a liaison with outside agencies. UPCSS Butler remained professional and unwavering as he responded to the seemingly unending stream of radio transmissions and phone calls. All officers involved acted professionally and bravely in order to preserve life and property. For acts that greatly enhance the operation of the University Police, Lt. Caban, Officers Vanzillotta and Jordan, and UPCSS Butler are recognized with the Professional Service Award.

Professional Service Award – Lt. Timothy Ludden NYS University Police Lieutenant Timothy Ludden has distinguished himself as a true professional and leader through his unwavering tenacity to support the New York State University Police at Purchase College’s mission to protect and serve the Purchase College community and the public at large. Lt. Ludden’s attention to detail and dynamic thinking has been instrumental in the training of well-trained officers and sets a standard for others to emulate and respect. As a Patrol Supervisor, Lt. Ludden’s service was influential in promoting the positive image of the New York State University Police at Purchase College through active collaboration with Office of Community Engagement at Purchase College which resulted in education and training of student leaders. For acts that greatly enhance the operation of the University Police, Lieutenant Ludden is recognized with the Professional Service Award.

Professional Service Award – CSS2 Andujar NYS University Police Communications Security Specialist 2 Mercedes Andujar has distinguished herself as a true professional through steadfast resolve to support the New York State University Police at Purchase College’s mission to protect and serve the Purchase College community and the public at large. As an active communications officer, UPCSS2 Andujar is usually the first person the public hears when calling the department for assistance and can be considered the “voice of the NYS University Police at Purchase College.” Officer Andujar’s service was influential in promoting the positive image of the New York State University Police at Purchase College. For acts that greatly enhance the operation of the University Police, UPCSS2 Andujar is recognized with the Professional Service Award.