Actor William Sadler '72, who has played in motion pictures such as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Die Hard 2” and “Iron Man 3” among numerous other roles in show business, will receive the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association (SGAA) Professional Achievement Award during the college’s Alumni Reunion June 2-3 on campus. Sadler is among several alumni to receive awards during the weekend, when an estimated 550 Geneseo alumni and friends return for activities and entertainment on campus and in the village.
“We are beyond thrilled that William Sadler will be with us to celebrate with his fellow alumni this year and be recognized with the others receiving SGAA accolades,” said Ronna Bosko Gillam, director of alumni relations at Geneseo. “As usual, there is a high level of enthusiasm building for the weekend, which is packed with activities for alumni of all ages. The weekend is always special because it brings together alumni who typically attended Geneseo at the same time, some of whom are returning for the first time since graduation."
The college will present its Excellence in Education Award to retired educators Timothy ’67 and Linda Hurd ’67 Richter during the 50-Year-Club luncheon. Additional awards the SGAA is presenting include the Outstanding Young Alum Award to acclaimed cabaret vocalist Marissa Mulder ’07; the Distinguished Service Award to Michael ’87 and Sarah ’88 Grammatico, a financial adviser and elementary school teacher, respectively; and the Excellence in Education Award to retired educational administrator Valarie Scott ’82. The SGAA is also granting an Honorary Lifetime Membership to Geneseo English Professor Thomas Greenfield.
Sadler is a Buffalo native. He also has had roles in the movies “The Green Mile,” “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey,” “August Rush,” “The Mist,” “Eagle Eye,” and “Kinsey.”
His TV performances include such notable roles as Chuck Cooper in the ABC’s “When We Rise,” “Chesty” Puller in the award winning HBO mini-series “The Pacific,” William Clay in the upcoming Epix series “Berlin Station,” and John McGarrett in “Hawaii Five-O.” He is currently playing Tony Teresi in the series “Power” for the Starz network.
Sadler started his career on the stage in New York and frequently returns to those theater roots. He most recently appeared opposite Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon in the Tony award-winning “Exit the King.”
The entire reunion schedule is available on the college's website. Additional information is available by calling the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association at 585-245-5154 or by emailing gagniert@geneseo.edu.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
College Communications and Marketing
(585) 245-5516
Irwin@geneseo.edu