Annual event celebrates prestigious alumni, community leaders and educational partnerships
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — MARCH 14, 2025 — The Dutchess Community College Foundation’s annual Our Community’s Bridge to the Future gala will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 6 p.m. at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie. The event will honor the 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of two awards for outstanding service to the College and community. The Foundation provides more than $1 million annually to DCC to support student scholarships, emergency grant needs, student technology and other educational initiatives.
Mayor Yvonne D. Flowers and Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk A. Imperati, both lifelong residents of Dutchess County, will be inducted into the DCC Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Dutchess BOCES, Poughkeepsie City School District and Wappingers Central School District will receive the College’s Bridge to the Future Award, and Eleanor (“Ellie”) Charwat will receive the Bernard Handel Community Leadership Award.
Flowers ’90 made history in 2024 as Poughkeepsie’s first African American mayor after four terms as Fifth Ward councilwoman. She completed her bookkeeping certificate in 1990 and Accounting A.A.S. in 1995 at DCC, dedicating 33 years to the College before retiring in 2023 as grants and contracts finance officer. Inspired by her father, John Flowers, she continues his legacy of community engagement and advocacy.
Imperati ’89 became sheriff of Dutchess County in 2023, building on a 30-year law enforcement career. His leadership has garnered numerous awards, including the Lifetime Service Award from the Child Advocacy Center and the Community Service Award from the John Flowers Organization. A graduate of DCC’s Criminal Justice A.A.S. program, he earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Marist University, completed the FBI National Academy, and is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration.
Dutchess BOCES serves more than 1,200 students across 60 school districts, including all 13 in Dutchess County. It offers career and technical education, special education and literacy programs while providing business, technology and professional development services to schools.
Poughkeepsie City School District serves approximately 4,000 students annually. In 2020, it designated all seven schools as Community Schools, strengthening school and community partnerships. In 2023-24, all elementary schools achieved "Good Standing" status from the New York State Education Department for the first time in 13 years, demonstrating the positive impact of its school, home and community approach.
Wappingers Central School District is one of the largest in New York state, serving 10,500 students across 120 square miles. Formed in 1938, it now includes 10 elementary schools, two junior high schools, two senior high schools and one alternative high school. Located within commuting distance of New York City, the district emphasizes academic excellence, career readiness and community partnerships.
Eleanor “Ellie” Charwat has dedicated her life to education, civic engagement and public service. She served as executive director of the Marist College School of Adult Education and has held leadership roles with the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, the Dutchess County League of Women Voters and the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. A longtime advocate for literacy and civic engagement, she remains active in multiple local organizations.
Lead gala sponsors include Bonura Hospitality Group, iHeart Media, Michael Dupree & Michael Fleischer, Pepsi-Cola of the Hudson Valley, Royal Carting Service Co., Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Hudson Valley Credit Union and Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law.
Tickets are $225 per person. For more information, visit www.sunydutchess.edu/gala or contact Stefani Timpano at (845) 431-8407 or gala@sunydutchess.edu.
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Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding education and offers one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. The College currently has four locations including its main campus in Poughkeepsie, DCC @ Fishkill, DCC @ HVR Airport, and DCC @ the Family Partnership Center. For more information visit www.sunydutchess.edu.