Mark J. Ashley ’77 (left) and Joseph Carr
(Photos provided)
SUNY Geneseo alumni Mark J. Ashley ’77 and Joseph Carr will receive honorary degrees at this year’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18. Ashley's honorary degree will be presented during the morning ceremony and Carr's will be presented during the afternoon celebration.
Mark J. Ashley, Sc.D., is the co-founder and president/CEO of the Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS). His work in traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and rehabilitation has helped countless individuals in their recovery from acquired brain injuries. CNS was established in 1980 to assist patients in achieving their highest level of independence through intensive speech, physical, occupational, and cognitive therapies.
Ashley earned a B.S. from Geneseo in secondary education and speech pathology and audiology, and went on to earn a master’s degree in speech pathology and a Doctor of Science from Southern Illinois University. Named a Geneseo Distinguished Alumni in 1995, he currently teaches in Southern Illinois University’s Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences.
Ashley has authored several books on the comprehensive rehabilitation approach to patients with acquired brain injuries, and he’s authored or co-authored more than a dozen scholarly articles. He has served on the boards of directors for numerous brain injury and rehabilitation associations and testified before a congressional subcommittee in 2012 to advocate for increased TBI funding.
He will receive an honorary Doctor of Science for his contributions to TBI research and rehabilitation.
Joseph Carr is a highly regarded fine wine producer, proprietor, and vintner. He has founded Joseph Carr Wines, Josh Cellars, and Dylan’s Ghost Winery, all based in Napa Valley, CA.
Ten years of serving as a world-class sommelier, followed by another decade as an international industry executive at wineries in Europe, Australia, and Napa Valley, gave Carr the expertise to establish a family-owned wine company. Since then, both Joseph Carr Wines and Josh Cellars have received numerous awards.
Carr attended SUNY Geneseo from 1978 through 1982 as a fine arts major. He is a longstanding supporter of the College, serving as a board member of the Geneseo Foundation (2008–15) and co-chair of the Albany Alumni Regional Committee, and establishing a scholarship in honor of Geneseo’s late English professor John Hoey.
Carr will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his contributions to the wine industry and his longstanding support of SUNY Geneseo.
Geneseo’s commencement ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Both are in the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena.