The SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association recently presented the 2019 Minerva Award to ZOOM North America CEO Scott Goodman (’79) during the College’s Reunion Weekend, July 12 to 14. The Minerva Award is presented annually to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in his or her field.
At the event Goodman stated, “Sometimes you forget that Crane was the first institution in the United States to offer training courses for music educators, dating back to 1886. It’s really incredible, knowing how responsible Crane has been for graduating so many of the country’s great music teachers, and their places in our public school system.”
Goodman added: “More than anything I want to thank my percussion instructor, Jim Petercsak, for taking me, and all his other students, under his wing. He always encouraged us to be the best we could be. Jim knows how to uncover his students’ talents…and then he helps drive them to success. It’s an incredibly rare talent, and something you only hope to encounter after you’ve chosen your college or university. Tonight, my wife Margo and I would like to make an endowment to the Crane School of Music to have Jim’s office remain forever the “James ‘JP’ Petercsak Studio of Percussion” commemorating Jim’s incredible dedication to the hundreds of drummers and percussionists who have studied at the school.”
“It is an honor to receive the gift to name the percussion studio the James ‘JP’ Petercsak Studio of Percussion,” expressed Jim Petercsak. “Scott Goodman is an esteemed graduate and a great example of how far a Crane education can take you. I am humbled and grateful to him and Margo for honoring my career in this way.”
College president Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg commented, “As he has built a successful career in the music industry, Scott has always stretched out a hand to help the next generation of Crane School of Music students find their own path in the field. Scott’s leadership and generosity are truly commendable.”
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