D'Youville University Celebrates 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees

Seven honorees to be recognized September 16 for professional achievement, service, leadership and commitment to D’Youville

D’Youville University will celebrate the accomplishments and service of seven distinguished members of its community during the university’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration on September 16, 2026, on the D’Youville campus.

This year’s honorees represent excellence in healthcare, science, education, leadership, and community service. The 2026 recipients include: 

• Dr. Andrew Belden ’07, ’10, ’20, ’22, ’26, Anne Lum Award
• Andrew Blidy ’76, Career Achievement Award
• Dr. Genevieve Chandler ’71, Career Achievement Award
• Dr. Daphne Blue ’14, Delta Sigma Award
• Dr. Dorette “Dee” Sugg Welk ’71, Delta Sigma Award 
• Dr. Matthew Smith ’14, ’17, Young Alum Award
• Dr. David Kelly, Spirit of D’Youville Award.

“These remarkable individuals demonstrate the many ways a D’Youville education can influence lives, professions, and communities,” said D’Youville President Lorrie Clemo. “Their accomplishments are impressive, but equally important are their commitments to serving others, developing future leaders, and remaining connected to the D’Youville community. We are proud to recognize them among our university’s most distinguished alumni and friends.”

Anne Lum Award – Dr. Andrew Belden ’07, ’10, ’20, ’22, ’26

A five-time D’Youville graduate, Dr. Andrew Belden, PT, DPT, MBA, LNHA, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to lifelong learning and service to his alma mater. His D’Youville education includes a Doctor of Physical Therapy, credentials in Health Services Administration and Long-Term Care Administration, and, most recently, an MBA completed in December 2025.

Belden has served on the D’Youville Alumni Board since 2019, including as its president from 2023 to 2026, and has represented alumni on the University’s Board of Trustees. Through these roles, he has helped strengthen alumni engagement, mentorship and connections between D’Youville students and alumni professionals.

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Career Achievement Award – Andrew Blidy ’76

Andrew Blidy has built a career spanning five decades in biotechnology, immunology, and molecular biology, contributing to important advances in diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health. His early career included lymphocyte research at Roswell Park Memorial Institute and cytokine research at Tufts Medical School before he moved into pioneering work in flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies.

Blidy later worked at Applied Biosystems during the Human Genome Project, where his work included the development of gene-expression and SNP assays using TaqMan technology. His subsequent career included advanced diagnostics and digital pathology work with Roche, Novartis, and Ventana/Roche. Today, as Chief Scientific Officer at SaltusBiotech, he is involved in the development of 8K imaging technology for real-time digital pathology.

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Career Achievement Award – Dr. Genevieve Chandler ’71

Genevieve E. Chandler, PhD, RN, traces her leadership journey to D’Youville, where the then all-women’s college encouraged her to step forward as a class senator. That early experience helped develop skills in research, policy, collaboration and coalition building that would become foundations of her career as a nurse leader and entrepreneur.

Chandler’s research into the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on adult health led her to develop Changing Minds, Changing Lives, an internationally recognized resilience-to-wellbeing program designed to help individuals and organizations create cultures in which wellbeing can thrive.

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Delta Sigma Award – Dr. Daphne Blue ’14

Daphne C. Blue, EdD, is an accomplished educator, instructional leader, and advocate for equity with more than two decades of service in urban education. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence and to serving students, families, and communities.

Blue considers her greatest accomplishment to be her family and the educational achievements of her three sons, Kenneth G. Williams, Emanuel J. Williams, and David C. Williams. Their academic journeys at institutions including Oberlin College, Alfred University, St. John’s University, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and Pace University reflect the values of education, faith, perseverance and hard work that have shaped Blue’s own life and career.

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Delta Sigma Award – Dr. Dorette “Dee” Sugg Welk ’71

Dorette “Dee” Sugg Welk, PhD, RN, graduated from D’Youville in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Nurse in a graduating class of approximately 150 nurses. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD from Penn State.

During a 35-year career in higher education, Welk held teaching and administrative positions at Bloomsburg in Pennsylvania and other universities. Mentorship has remained a defining theme throughout her career as a nurse, educator, and administrator, including her leadership of Bloomsburg’s Teaching and Learning Enhancement Center and her mentoring and elected leadership roles with Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing.

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Young Alum Award – Dr. Matthew Smith ’14, ’17

Matthew Smith, PT, DPT, earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Health Services Management and Exercise & Sports Science from D’Youville in 2014 before completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017.

As Lead Therapist with Associated Physical & Occupational Therapy, Smith provides clinical leadership in school-based pediatric physical therapy, serving students with complex medical and developmental needs throughout Western New York. He serves on the APTA New York Board of Directors as Western District Director, co-chairs its Membership & Communications Committee, and contributes nationally through the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and as a CAPTE On-Site Accreditation Reviewer.

Smith also serves D’Youville as an adjunct professor and clinical instructor, mentoring future physical therapists while advancing pediatric care and the physical therapy profession.

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Spirit of D’Youville Award – Dr. David Kelly

The University will posthumously recognize longtime D’Youville faculty member Dr. David Kelly with the Spirit of D’Youville Award. Kelly, who passed away August 14, 2026, devoted his career to scholarship, teaching, and international education.

Kelly compiled, edited or co-authored eight books and five monographs in history and international education and traveled for educational purposes to China, Nigeria, Russia, France, Brazil, and Ireland. At D’Youville, he taught courses spanning modern American, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European history as well as Global Studies.

His impact in the classroom was recognized by D’Youville students when he was named Faculty of the Year in 1994–95, an honor determined by members of the senior class. He also received the D’Youville chapter of the American Association of University Professors’ Scholar of the Year Award in 1993.

“Dr. Kelly dedicated his life to expanding knowledge, inspiring students, and fostering a deeper understanding of the world,” Clemo said. “His passion for teaching, scholarship, and global education left a lasting mark on generations of students and colleagues. We are honored to recognize his extraordinary legacy and the enduring impact he made on D’Youville University.”

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The Distinguished Alumni Awards program recognize graduates and members of the D’Youville community whose professional accomplishments, leadership, service, and commitment exemplify the values of the university. The 2026 honorees will be recognized during a special celebration in the Health Professions Hub on the D’Youville University campus on September 16.

Join us during Alumni Weekend as we celebrate this year's honorees, reconnect with classmates, and experience all that's happening at D'Youville. View the full schedule and register today.