Keynote Speaker Bios & Pics

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe is founder and current Executive Director of the Student African American Brotherhood Organization (SAAB)—a national organization with 250 chapters in 40 states that endeavors to instill a “spirit of care” in, and enhance the experiences of, African American males in high schools, colleges, and universities. Before transitioning to his current position with SAAB, Dr. Bledsoe served as Vice President for Student Life and Special Assistant to the President at the University of Toledo.

He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Mississippi State University, and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Affairs Administration at the University of Georgia. Dr. Bledsoe’s academic and professional
prowess is underscored by his recognition as Outstanding Doctoral Student in the State of Georgia, and most recently, Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus by the University of Georgia.

Dr. Bledsoe is a contributing author to the book African American Men in College, and his scholarly contributions were further solidified through his appearance on Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s talk show “Perfect Union, ” where he discussed issues pertaining to African American and Latino males. Further, his expertise was requested for an international research team that addressed issues affecting men of color in Europe, Trinidad, Barbados, and the Bahamas. In 1999, he was invited to serve as guest lecturer at the Oxford University Roundtable Institute in Oxford, England to discuss his work with the latter. Dr. Bledsoe is highly recognized by several professional associations for his research, publication, presentation, and scholarly work. Because of his many contributions to Student Affairs in higher education, his membership with the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) is distinguished as Diamond Honoree. His international work has earned him notoriety with Ashoka, a global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, which recently selected him as one of the most outstanding social innovators in the world.

Dr. Bledsoe was born and reared in Grenada, Mississippi and currently resides in Toledo, Ohio. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. recognizes him as a life member. The thousands who have heard him speak have deemed him one of the most gifted and dynamic motivational speakers. He is a very spiritual, thought-provoking lecturer, but most importantly, a father to 24-year old Tyrone Jr.

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros is a Professor of Nanoscience, and Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY Albany). He also serves as SUNY Albany Vice President and Special Advisor to the President for University-Wide Economic Innovation and Outreach.

Dr. Kaloyeros received his Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1987. He has authored and co-authored over 150 articles, and contributed to eight books on topics pertaining to the science and technology of nanoelectronics and nano-optoelectronics ultrathin film materials, atomic layer vapor phase deposition processes, nanoscale x-ray, electron and photon-based characterization, and metrology.

Dr. Kaloyeros holds 13 U.S. patents, and is a past recipient of numerous national awards in his discipline for academic scholarship, invention and innovation, and entrepreneurship. He was selected for the 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008 “Tech Valley’s Hot 10,” an annual list of the “top 10 movers and shakers” in New York’s Capital Region. He is listed among the Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Higher Education Administration, and Sciences Higher Education. He has been actively involved in the development and implementation of New York’s high-tech strategy to become a global leader in the nanotechnology-driven economy of the 21st Century. A critical cornerstone of New York’s high-technology strategy is the establishment of the SUNY Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering as a global resource for research and development (R&D), technology deployment, education, and commercialization for the international nanotechnology industry.

CNSE has generated over $7 billion in public and private investments. The CNSE Albany NanoTech Complex spreads from Albany to Rochester, and houses major R&D centers involving corporate giants that include IBM, GlobalFoundries, Intel, Toshiba, Tokyo Electron, Applied Materials, ASML, LAM, Ebara, and International SEMATECH. The CNSE Albany NanoTech Complex consists of over 800,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities, including 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms that house the only 300mm wafer integrated R&D line in the academic world. Over 2,500 corporate and
university researchers and scientists from more than 250 global corporate partners and leading research universities currently work on site. CNSE is undergoing expansion, and once completed the CNSE Albany NanoTech Complex is expected to house over 3,750 scientists, researchers, and engineers from CNSE and global corporations.

Honoree Bios & Pics

Patricia E. Clark

Patricia E. Clark has devoted 24 years of loyal service to the students of New York State as the Director for the University at Buffalo Science and Technology Entry
Program (STEP). She was a resolute voice for STEP statewide programs, and campaigned annually at state and local legislative offices in support of, and advocacy for, STEP’s sustained existence. Mrs. Clark’s service to others was further demonstrated through her desire to ensure the continued development and excellence of each statewide program by sharing her knowledge and insight as an
enthusiastic member of the Association for Program Administrators of CSTEP
and STEP, Inc. (APACS).

STEP is engrained in the heart of Mrs. Clark, an averment that is most notable in her tireless determination to provide students with exemplary completion in STEP. This tenacious allegiance is evidenced in UB STEP’s ability to maintain an ongoing 100% graduation rate over twenty years, along with a 98.5% college attendance rate, both which began under her direction. Some of UB STEP alums are practicing medicine (e.g., surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, microbiology, forensic science, physical therapy), are in the field of engineering (e.g., computer, civil, electrical, industrial, microelectronics, mechanical), and provide service in law, social work, science education, and library science, to name a few. Mrs. Clark has been regularly recognized for her service, and has received numerous statewide awards and proclamations for her work with STEP.

She is eternally grateful and thankful to have had the pleasure to impact the lives of over 3,000 first and second generation STEP participants during her tenure.

Uriel G. Reid

Uriel Reid was born in New York City, the third of ten children. He grew up in Harlem, Chelsea, and the South Bronx, and was educated in the New York City Public School System. He is married to Lorraine Reid and they have three loving children Courtney, Matthew, and Lauren. He has also been blessed with two wonderful grandchildren, Hunter and Iona Pearl.

Uriel attended the Academy of Aeronautics in Flushing, Queens and earned a diploma as a licensed Aircraft Mechanic/Designer. He also attended the City College of New York and earned a B.S. degree from the School of Engineering.

He was employed by Republic Aviation four years as an Experimental Aircraft
Mechanic/Designer and completed his military obligation under the Reserved Forces Act. He was then employed by IBM and served 32 years before retiring in 1991 as a Senior Systems Analyst.

Uriel was first introduced to Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at
Manhattanville College in 1988 when asked to serve as a volunteer teacher, tutor, and mentor to the initial students recruited to participate in the program.

He then accepted the responsibilities of STEP and the Collegiate Science and
Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Director after his retirement from IBM in 1991, and continues in that same capacity as a dedicated advocate for affirmative action through programs such as CSTEP, STEP, and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). He actively supports the continued guidance, encouragement, and mentoring of our students to study for careers in the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professions. Uriel received a Community Service Award at the Westchester Region NAACP ACT-SO Twenty Fifth Annual Awards Ceremony in 2008 and was named Motivating Teacher by the Urban League of Westchester Black Scholars Community
Partnership Initiative in 2009.

Uriel is an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains, New York where his “Ministry to Youth” continues as a teacher in the Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood Program. He is also an acolyte and Lay Eucharistic Minister with responsibilities to take communion to the sick and shut-in parishioners.