An Alfred State student critically injured in an attack at the college last fall made an inspiring return to the Allegany County campus near the end of the spring semester.
First-year student Derek Correa recently reconnected with his classmates at the CNC Manufacturing and Machining lab and met with professor Jeff Hellwig and Alfred State administration during a stop to thank them for supporting his recovery.
Authorities said Correa sustained severe head injuries when he was assaulted by four men as he returned to the Alfred State campus in the early morning hours of Oct. 15, 2023.
The attack, which Alfred State President Steven A. Mauro called “a senseless act of violence,” left the Bradford (Pa.) Area High School graduate in a coma at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and the college community in shock.
Later in October, an Allegany County Grand Jury indicted four suspects — all from Elmira — with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree gang assault in connection to the incident. They have pleaded not guilty.
Correa has faced and continues to look ahead to months of recovery. He also remains committed to continuing his education at the college that has embraced him, according to his mom, Alysia Zandy.
“They are trying to get his left side stronger," she said. "His left side is still weak, and his balance is still slightly off. He still needs to be supervised and once he can walk and stand better by himself, he can come back to school. He wants to come back and finish his degree.”
Correa is currently living at home and receiving physical, speech and occupational therapy.
“Occupational therapy is helping him do daily tasks like making food, doing laundry, and playing games," Zandy said.
The college and the greater Alfred community rallied to Derek and the Correa family in the weeks and months following the incident with fundraisers, large banners and cards signed by students and residence hall neighbors and video recognition on the Pioneer Stadium scoreboard. The CNC machining class made a candelabra for Derek's mom.
The backing did not go unnoticed by Derek and his family.
“I truly appreciate everybody’s support. All the thoughts and prayers have helped, and they have paid off because Derek is a walking, living miracle," Zandy said. "Alfred State and our hometown of Bradford, Pa. has been amazing through all of this, and I thank you all for it.”
During the visit, Correa posed for photos with classmates and college leaders. He also thanked the Alfred State community in a video that was played during commencement.
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