SUNY Schenectady Foundation Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Hotel Van Curler and Rising Together Campaign During 33rd Annual Food for Thought & All That Jazz

Celebrating during Food for Thought & All That Jazz are: Tiombé Tatum, Chief of Staff; Dr. Steady Moono, College President; George Goldhoff ’84, President of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., and his wife Justina Goldhoff; Nasilele Brian Nasilele, Esq., Registrar and Board Secretary of the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA); and Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature and College Trustee.

4/02/2025

Guests were treated to a fabulous evening of music and gourmet cuisine during SUNY Schenectady’s 33rd Annual Food for Thought & All That Jazz, presented by KeyBank, on April 1. The festive evening paid homage to the Hotel Van Curler’s 100^th anniversary with special remarks by College officials and a commemorative photo display. The Hotel Van Curler opened in 1925, closed on Feb. 2, 1968, and was chosen as the site for the College. Guests toured the newly redesigned Elston Hall lobby and renovated Lally Mohawk Room, open to the public for the first time during the event. The gala also celebrated the SUNY Schenectady Foundation’s Rising Together Campaign which aims to elevate education, create opportunities, and drive positive change.

Dr. Steady Moono, Angelo Santabarbara, Gary Hughes standing in event room, smiling

Four event attendees, standing, smiling in front of College backdrop

Three event attendees, smiling and standing in front of College backdrop

Crowd of people in Lally Mohawk Room looking at auction items

Student chefs preparing food on display table

Group of four students, in formal attire, standing and smiling

Group of students and staff in formal attire, standing and smilin

Two happy event attendees, in formal attire, standing and smiling

Three event attendees, standing at table, smiling

For more than three decades, proceeds from Food for Thought & All That Jazz have supported innovation and growth at the College, driving the development of cutting-edge academic and career programs designed to meet the demands of a changing workforce. Support helps create life-changing opportunities for students. This year’s event was no exception, raising more than $90.000.

Dr. Steady Moono, speaking at podium, smiling

Four event attendees, dressed up, standing and smiling

Group of event attendees, standing near table, smiling

Table with different desserts on it

Group of smiling event attendees, standing in front of SUNY Schenectady backdrop

Student playing the saxophone and others playing instruments on stag

This exciting event featured the exceptional talents of students and faculty from the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts, and Tourism and the School of Music. Honorary Chair was Fran O’Rourke, Market President and Regional Executive, KeyBank.

The School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism celebrated the following 23 chefs and alumni who shaped the Hotel Van Curler and SUNY Schenectady’s Culinary Arts program with signature dishes in their honor:

Tommy Alicandro
Jackie Baldwin ’83
Dr. David Brough ’81
Gary Brenenstuhl
Matteo Casola
Lisa Goldstock Cohn ’79
Mark Delos ’85
Joan Dembinski ’09
George Goldhoff ’84
Sue Hatalsky ’92
Ellen Heekin ’98
Paul Hiatt ’74
Paul Krebs
Sue Larkin ’79
Angelo Mazzone ’74
Jaime Ortiz ’05
Robert Payne ’85
Yono Purnomo
Ron Ragucci ’85
Arnold Skogstrand
Anthony “Toby” Strianese
Rocco Verrigni
David Wixted

PHOTO GALLERY