Alumni News Fall 07F.P65 - Morrisville State College

alumninews
On Saturday, July 21, 2007, the Journalism emeriti, faculty, alumni and students hosted approximately 150 alumni at the 40th reunion of the Journalism Program here
at Morrisville. It was an incredibly emotional event as Jerry Leone, Neil Bandlow, past and present faculty, alumni, and our current Journalism students shared
powerful and heart-felt memories and visions of the program. To all Journalism Majors: Journalism Alumni are looking for stories for a book about the 40 years of
the program. Please contact Jim Johnson at jjohnson@optonline.net or at Jimmy Johnson, P.O. Box 768, Huntington, NY 11743 for details on submissions.
Alumnus Starts Own Business & Places First Spec Home For Sale
Franci Rosinski ‘86, Public Relations Associate
2
The sign gracing the front yard of the newly
constructed ranch on Skyhigh Road in Lafayette is more
than an indicator the home is for sale—it’s a sign that it is
never too late to do what you want in life. John “Jack”
Leva knows that firsthand. Leva built the house through
his new business, Leva Homes, a dream he envisioned
more than 20 years ago and set on a back burner while
working corporate jobs. But when the Lafayette resident
lost his job at Carrier Corporation in Syracuse due to
company downsizing, he decided to make a new
investment in life—to go to college—at age 50. Leva
enrolled at Morrisville State College, earning an associate
degree in residential construction. Shortly after he
graduated in May 2006, he started his own business in
Lafayette.
The house on Skyhigh Road is a colossal
contemporary-style ranch he constructed mostly himself,
painting every wall of the 2,400-square-foot structure in
warm hues and finishing it off in intricate details down to
the molding, lighting and trim. The four-bedroom, two and
one-half bath, cedar-sided home is situated on a 5.1
country-acre lot a short distance from downtown Syracuse
and minutes from the New York State Thruway. Featuring
nine-foot ceilings throughout and a 30 foot-by-10-foot
concrete front porch with a pine ceiling and elegant
columns, the house also boasts a toffee-stained kitchen
with granite countertops, dovetail drawers, eight feet of
pantry cupboards and oak floors. Sitting amid a horizon
of sky, the house, capsulated between trees and
picturesque views, is a feat driven with hard work and determination. “I always wanted to do this—to go out on my own and start my own business, but I needed that
extra push,” Leva said. “Morrisville gave me the courage and confidence to do all of this.”
Leva already had a hand in building houses part-time while he worked full-time at Carrier Corporation, but didn’t know much about the business end
of the trade.
At MSC, he learned about business management practices, business law, accounting and public speaking—things that helped him start up his own business.
And he learned about plumbing and carpentry, completing hands-on projects that further enhanced his learning. Greater lessons came in the form of gaining confidence
in his work and the classroom too. Leva, who described himself as a student who once struggled through high school, excelled academically at Morrisville State
College, earning a spot on the Dean’s List and receiving a Mohawk Valley Home Builders Association Scholarship. “Jack’s study and work ethics were outstanding,”
Bruce Revette, assistant professor of residential construction, said. “Jack not only gave real value to our program, but taught me several things along the way. He was
not here to simply secure a degree, but to get an education.” “We teach our students to do quality work,” Wayne Hausknecht, assistant professor of wood products
technology, said. “When I look at the mechanicals and the fit and finish of Jack’s house, I am very impressed.”
Leva worked more than 10-hour days, six days a week completing the home, doing most of the work himself with the exception of some contracted work. His
wife, Laurella, helped design the house and embellished the interior with modern fixtures and lighting. His father, who turned 84 this year, also had a hand in some
of the work. Leva, who’s been busy showing his new home to prospective buyers, enjoys being an entrepreneur. “It’s hard work, but I like being my own boss,” he said.
“I like the flexibility which allows me to put my daughter on the school bus every morning.” As soon as he sells this house, Leva has more big plans. He is going to build
another one. To schedule an appointment or to view the home on Skyhigh Road, call 315-696-8015.