NYS Concrete Masonry Association Donates to Alfred State Masonry Program

Words: Dan Kamys

NYS Concrete Masonry Association Donates to Alfred State Masonry Program

Alfred State College student masons and instructor Stephen Richard were busy late last semester, unloading and unpacking two truckloads of paver bricks, fire bricks, fireplace and pizza oven parts, refractory mortars, blocks, bricks and cavity wall flashing components. All of these masonry materials will be used as students build mock ups of masonry wall systems, fireplaces and working pizza ovens. All of the donated masonry products are green and recyclable. When used in building projects, they add to the LEED credits, which many builders and owners strive to achieve for more efficient energy use and low maintenance over the building’s life. The materials were donated by: Southern Tier Concrete Products of Alfred; CMS Industries, Superior Clay Corp., Whitacre Greer, Brick Corp., (Alliance, Ohio); Glen Gery Brick, (Reading, Pa.); Sandell Inc., (Schenectady, N.Y.); and Hohmann & Barnard Inc., (Hauppauge, N.Y.).

Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing

Masonry as the Standard: Delivering Strength, Durability, and Permanence at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs
July 2026

The replacement of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs serves as a clear example of masonry’s ability to deliver long-term durability, structural integrity, and architectural permanence in worship facility construction. Following the tragic events

Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin

Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an