SUNY Plattsburgh Graduate Dave Annable Is Awarded Plattsburgh Alumni Association's Off To A Good Start Award

---

August 18, 2009

Dave Annable was honored with the Plattsburgh Alumni Association's Off to a Good Start Award for a reason. He has come a long way from his humble beginnings on SUNY Plattsburgh's own PSTV (Plattsburgh State Television)."I've been very lucky and fortunate, but it really comes back to Plattsburgh" - Dave AnnableCurrently on the cast of the ABC series "Brothers & Sisters," Annable acts opposite Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, Rachel Griffiths and Matthew Rhys. Produced by "thirtysomething" star and "Alias" producer-director Ken Olin, the drama follows the interconnected lives of the Walker family. "Brothers & Sisters" is entering its fourth season.He also recently completed shooting the romantic-comedy film "You May Not Kiss the Bride," in which he co-stars with Katharine McPhee, Mena Suvari, Rob Schneider and Vinnie Jones. He was also seen as "Bean" in director Nick Hurran's film "Little Black Book" with Brittany Murphy, Kathy Bates and Holly Hunter.

Coming Back to Plattsburgh

Nearly finished with his degree, Annable left SUNY Plattsburgh in 2000 in order to pursue his acting career. He promised his mother, however, that he would one day return and finish what he started. Despite his success in Hollywood, Annable is doing just that. Through distance learning and online classes, he is completing all requirements to graduate with a bachelor's in communication this August.According to Annable, the long hours on the set have made this difficult, but he still makes a go of it."It's a good thing Sally's smart," he joked. He said he would squeeze in homework whenever he could. "You just make it work, and, on days off, you do the papers or bring it to work, and, you know, like I said, have Sally Field help you. That rocks," Annable said.

Annable Credits SUNY Plattsburgh for Success

"I've been very lucky and fortunate, but it really comes back to Plattsburgh," said Annable.On a tour of his old haunts, Annable said, "I got teary eyed coming to the TV studio. Because that's where it all started, and that's where I sort of figured out what I wanted to do, and the staff here is amazing and has taken such good care of me. You know, Peter Ensel, Deb Desilva, Pete Primo, Dr. Jin Kim, Dr. Shakuntala Rao and everybody."

Cold Pizza, Warm Clothes and True Friendships

During his award speech, Annable discussed why he came back to Plattsburgh."You see I've had some of the best years of my life here at Plattsburgh," he said. "I've learned so much. I've learned how cold cheese on pizza at 2 a.m. is really good. I've learned the importance of layering your clothes in the winter because it's freezing here. Thank God this graduation is in May rather than December because I think I'd be getting the congratulations phone call from my parents."But seriously, I've learned and made some of the best friends of my life here. I tell you my 10 best friends in the world are my rookie class in rugby and my fantasy football league. You stick with these people for the rest of your life. My very best friend in the world who's actually here with me today, to support me, I met right outside of the Stafford Ice Arena," he added.

The Plattsburgh Experience

Annable thanked the faculty and staff from SUNY Plattsburgh for helping him be here today."But that's what Plattsburgh does, and that's what it taught me," he said. "It gave me the tools and experiences to go out into the real world."Now I know some of you guys are sitting here and are maybe a bit scared that you're entering the real world and you're not ready to be. But let me tell you something: You are. And you are because of Plattsburgh. You are because of your experience here."

Contact Information

For more information about the communication program at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact: Richard Higgins, Director of Admissions
Phone: 518-564-2040
Toll-Free: (888) 673-0012
Fax: 518-564-2045
E-mail: [email protected]