25th Celebration of Technology Awards Banquet
TACNY is pleased to announce the 2025 Celebration of Technology Award winners for outstanding STEAM individuals, projects, activities, and achievements during 2024!
The winners, award categories, and criteria:
- Senem Velipasalar, PhD (Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science University): TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR – A resident of Central New York who has made recent outstanding contributions to advances and improvements in a STEAM field, not limited to engineering.
- Alexander Chambers (SRC, Inc.): YOUNG TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR – A resident of Central New York, 35 years old or less, who has made recent outstanding contributions to advances and improvements in a STEAM field, not limited to engineering.
- Generic Multi-Function Array (GMFA) (SRC, Inc.): STEAM PROJECT OF THE YEAR – A current outstanding technology project, invention, or process designed, invented, or constructed in Central New York.
- Jonathan French, PhD (Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences): COLLEGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR – An educator who has made outstanding contributions in STEAM Education at the college level in Central New York.
- Yiyang Sun, PhD (Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science University): STEAM OUTREACH, INDIVIDUAL – A resident of Central New York who has increased interest in science or technology or expanded opportunities for people with limited access to science or technology.
- Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo: STEAM OUTREACH, ORGANIZATION – An organization in Central New York that has increased interest in science or technology or expanded opportunities for people with limited access to science or technology.
- Edward A. Bogucz, Jr., PhD: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The winners and their guest will be TACNY’s guest at the Banquet to be held at Drumlins on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Please join us as we honor these outstanding achievements! Information and registration is now available at the link above.
Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth “Betsy” Parmley, P.E., director of the transformative I-81 Viaduct Project.
At $2.25 billion, the I-81 Viaduct Project is the largest infrastructure project in the New York State Department of Transportation history. Betsy, a Bucknell University alumnus, first joined the I-81 Viaduct Project team as a project manager in 2021, but she began her career with NYSDOT in 2005, as a junior engineer. She has held positions in Design, Maintenance, and Traffic Safety & Mobility in the Central New York Region.
During her tenure at NYSDOT, Betsy has played a key role in several high-priority regional projects, building connections that extend beyond infrastructure. Her working relationships with community partners and elected officials exemplify her care, commitment, and willingness to address project-related issues and concerns head-on. Betsy’s depth of experience and demonstrated leadership skills will be instrumental in the successful completion of this historic project.
Questions, etc. should be sent to celebration@tacny.org.