UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) today announced that Henry Cialone, Ph.D., former President and CEO of EWI, and Robert Esche, President of Mohawk Valley Garden, will serve as speakers for the university’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies on May 9.
Dr. Cialone will address graduates at the 10 a.m. ceremony for the College of Engineering, while Esche will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Health Sciences. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Henry Cialone and Robert Esche as speakers for this year’s Commencement,” said SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “Both leaders have demonstrated remarkable impact in their respective fields, from advancing manufacturing innovation to strengthening communities through visionary leadership.
Their experiences and insights will provide meaningful inspiration for our graduates as they embark on their professional journeys.” Dr. Cialone is a nationally respected engineering executive and innovation leader. Serving as President and CEO of EWI for the past two decades, he led efforts to develop advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies that strengthened U.S. industrial competitiveness.
Since joining EWI in 2005 and every day until his retirement in March 2026, Cialone expanded the organization’s capabilities, established new operations in Buffalo, New York, and helped advance public-private partnerships including the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (LIFT). Prior to EWI, he served as an executive at Battelle Memorial Institute. Dr. Cialone holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral
degrees in materials science from Brown University.
Esche is a nationally recognized sports executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Following a professional hockey career in the National Hockey League, he returned to his hometown of Utica and helped lead the development of the Adirondack Bank Center, the Utica Comets, and the Utica University Nexus Center through his leadership at Mohawk Valley Garden. These initiatives have helped position the Mohawk Valley as a regional destination for sports, entertainment, and major events. Esche is also founder of the Save of the Day Foundation, which supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Both leaders are widely recognized for their impact in industry, innovation, and community development. SUNY Poly looks forward to welcoming them to campus to share their experiences and advice with the Class of 2026.
For more information, visit the SUNY Poly Commencement webpage.
####################
About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly):
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts &
Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and humanitarian solutions— locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
