As a system, SUNY has contributed a lot to the world of acting and performing arts. We’ve had alumni who have become Emmy and Oscar winners from both behind and in front of the camera along with countless other success stories. Yesterday, a new first was reached as Fredonia student Steve Moses became the first ever reality show contest winner in SUNY history when he became winner of the 17th season of CBS’s Big Brother.
A lifelong fan of the series, Steve jumped at the chance to be a participant on the show. He knew he would need to take a semester off from school to participate, but that decision turned out OK with his grand prize earnings of $500,000. He can now take some time to soak it all in before preparing to finish off his major in Sound Recording Technology with a concentration in Music Performance (Brass).
Originally a student at Cornell’s College of Engineering, Steve transferred over to Fredonia because he missed having music in his life. “I love listening to, playing, mixing, and recording music. Some of my happiest moments [at Fredonia] are when I’m playing in trombone choir and we make this solid wall of sound after building up lots of tension over the course of the piece,” Moses said in his online contestant profile at the start of the show. “I get these goose bumps down my spine that I don’t get from anything except for music. Music, when played right, can be a really deep and fulfilling emotional adventure.”
The Fredonia campus, and the SUNY community as a whole, had quite a buzz around it leading to the show’s finale as Steve had shown his connection off well throughout his run on TV. There were nearly 7 million viewers that tuned in to the show’s finale. With all the hype and celebrity surrounding the television series coming to an end, we wish Steve the best of luck in continuing his lifelong journey to becoming a performing arts superstar.
Read more from:
- Variety – ‘Big Brother’ Finale: Season 17 Winner Crowned
- Entertainment Weekly – The Tale of the Trombonist and the Twin
Here’s a video of the final vote:
Some Twitter activity in reaction to Steve being named winner of #BB17:
Congrats to SUNY @FredoniaU‘s own @geeksquadmcgee1 in winning the #BB17 final! He’s truly part of SOMETHING BIGGER. pic.twitter.com/Ac13sQbIIM
— State U of New York (@SUNY) September 24, 2015
A belated congratulations to Steve! He was #BB17‘s best player and his win was deserved! It is an honor having him in the winner’s circle! — Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) September 24, 2015
@JulieChen We are so proud of our own Steve Moses! @CBSBigBrother #bb17 #trombonists #Fredfamily
— Fredonia (@FredoniaU) September 24, 2015
Steve and all his winning keys #BB17 CONGRATS! ?????? #BB17Finale pic.twitter.com/p7NoJxqLwc — Julie Chen (@JulieChen) September 24, 2015
So proud of Steve. Such a genuinely nice kid who deserves it so much. Good things happen to good people. #BB17 🙂
— Adam (@AdamBongo) September 24, 2015
From all of us around SUNY, congrats Steve!
