Milestones

Press  release:

Le Roy, NY resident, Ellie Dambra, has enrolled at James Madison University for the fall 2021 semester. Dambra selected major is political science.

Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. JMU is one of the nation's leading lights in higher education, where students enjoy engaging relationships with world-class faculty who drive education innovation and support advanced research. With state-of-the-art amenities and facilities, students have access to NCAA Division 1 athletics. JMU also has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges.

Press release:

Buffalo State is pleased to welcome the Class of 2025 to campus. The new Bengals started class on August 30, 2021.

Talidy Blijden of Batavia (14020)

Madeline Marino of Buffalo (14422)

Isaiah Merrell of Bergen (14416)

Shelby Nicholson of Corfu (14036)

Buffalo State is a State University of New York (SUNY) college located in Buffalo, New York. The college offers more than 160 undergraduate programs, including business administration, education, forensic chemistry, psychology, and television and film arts. Every year, thousands of students benefit from Buffalo State's community engagement, hands-on learning opportunities, and affordable SUNY tuition. Buffalo State also offers more than 60 graduate programs.

Press release:

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Angela Davidson from Stafford, N.Y., and assigned to the Charlie Company (Air Ambulance), 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation received a promotion to the rank of the specialist on August 2, 2021.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best-qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state's executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York's Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.

Press release:

Kylie Britt of Byron, NY, graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Master of Science in Education in Educational Technol Specialist .

More than 1,000 graduates completed the requirements for bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and certificates of advanced study.

SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor's degree programs and several graduate certificate and degree programs. The college is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/

Press release:

Jeffrey Maskell of Byron (14422) has been named to Southern New Hampshire University's summer 2021 President's List. Eligibility for the President's List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the term.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 150,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the "Most Innovative" regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Press release:

In August, Batavia resident Margaret Cecere was among hundreds of first-year New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) students who received their first white coat and began medical school training as members of NYITCOM's Class of 2025. Cecere will study at the NYITCOM-Long Island location. 

Learn more about the White Coat ceremonies for the medical school's two locations: NYITCOM-Long Island (Old Westbury, N.Y.) and NYITCOM-Arkansas (Jonesboro, Ark.).

Press release:

Elmira College recently announced this year's recipients of its annual Key Award. This year's award was given to 790 students in 14 states. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. Recepients included:

Alaina Every of Batavia, NY 

Kayleigh Mayeu of Batavia, NY 

Allyson Austin of Le Roy, NY 

Megan Fuchs of Le Roy, NY 

Lindsey Weidman of East Bethany, NY 

Sophia Johnston of Oakfield, NY 

Evelyn Rebert of Oakfield, NY 

Jordyn Tobolski of Oakfield, NY 

Shea Amberger of Pavilion, NY 

R Maxwell Whalen of Pavilion, NY 

"This award is given to students with the potential to excel academically, serve as leaders, and go on to enjoy success in life," said Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "We hope they will choose to make Elmira College their place."

Speaking to students during the ceremony, Patrick Gillette, director of admissions said, "We know you are someone who would thrive as a member of the Elmira College campus community, and we want to invest in your success at Elmira College."

Sponsored by the EC Alumni Association, the Key Award recognizes students for high scholastic achievement, leadership, citizenship, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 25-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 18 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries. Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the U.S., which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

Press release:

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Christopher Haskins from Oakfield, N.Y., and assigned to the Company E, 427th Brigade Support Battalion received a promotion to the rank of private on July 21, 2021.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best-qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state's executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York's Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.

Press release:

Communications students from Canisius College, St. Bonaventure University, Syracuse University and the University at Albany have won awards for the upcoming academic year from the Greater Buffalo Society of Professional Journalists College Scholarship Fund.

Meghan Brink of Allegany, N.Y. attends the University at Albany where as editor-in-chief of the Albany Student Press, she played a key role in reviving the independent student newspaper. She has also been an intern with New York StateWatch. 

Griffin Della Penna of Batavia attends Canisius College where he has been focusing on sports journalism. He served as the team broadcaster and director of media relations for the Batavia Muckdogs this past summer and has accepted a position to be a ESPN 3 broadcaster at Canisius for its soccer programs. 

Meghan Hall of Amherst attends St. Bonaventure University and has contributed to TAPinto Greater Olean, an online newspaper. She has also worked part-time at the Olean Times Herald and served as a fellow at the Carnegie-Knight News21 Program at Arizona State University.

Jenna Wirth of Williamsville attends Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications where she has contributed more than 150 articles to print and digital publications. She was a fellow for Popsugar, a digital lifestyle publication, as well as Health magazine. 

“These four talented individuals have distinguished themselves as exceptional student journalists,” said Fund Chair Brian Meyer. “We believe they possess enormous potential and will achieve great things in their professions.”

This marks the 43^rd year that the local organization has awarded annual scholarships to aspiring and professional journalists. Since the late 1970s, the group has awarded 155 scholarships totaling more than $135,000. Winners have attended about 30 different colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

The program helps future and current journalists in Western New York, Northwest Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario. Five trustees, chosen for staggered five-year terms, serve without remuneration. Nearly 100 percent of all fund revenues are awarded as scholarships. 

Press release:

Samantha Call, a Senior Biology major from Stafford, NY, has been named to the Le Moyne College Spring 2021 Dean's List. To make the list, students must achieve a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Located in a suburban setting on a picturesque 160-acre campus in Syracuse, N.Y., Le Moyne College is one of only 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. Offering more than 30 majors, Le Moyne provides a values-based education that helps students explore their potential through academics, experience and service. In 2020, for the eighth consecutive year, Le Moyne was ranked by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education, an honor achieved by only 15 percent of the colleges and universities in the nation. A Le Moyne education provides students with the intellectual skills necessary to succeed in the world and the will to use their abilities to promote a more just society.

Press release:

Sarah Herman of East Bethany, NY has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Business. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their coursework.

About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 133,000 students nationwide and has more than 210,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 24 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

Haylee Thornley of Batavia, NY, who has been accepted into the Physical Therapy Program at Daemen College, has been named a Trustee Scholar.

About the award:

Trustee Scholarships are awarded to select first-year students of the highest caliber. Students must be nominated for this award.

Selection is based on academic achievement, vision for self and society, enthusiasm, and inspiration, academic and personal discipline, and leadership ability. Both intellect and character are considered, and selected scholars are those who have the potential to make a difference in their careers and in the Daemen and external communities.

SUNY Oswego recently recognized Genesee County residents as high academic achievers on its President’s List and dean's list for the Spring 2021 semester.

President's List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. Students on the President’s List include:

• Alexis N. Begin, of Corfu, Communication

• Collin J. Knapp, of Byron, Journalism, History 

• Chase N. Monachino, of Batavia, History 

Dean's list students are those attaining semester grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying required academic credits. Students on the dean's list include:

• Charles T. Burton, of Batavia, Creative Writing

• Kelsey Kasmarek, of Stafford, Criminal Justice

SUNY Oswego enrolls nearly 8,000 students in more than 110 academic majors across its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education. For more information, visit oswego.edu.

 Buffalo State College is pleased to congratulate the students from Genesee County who completed the requirements to earn their baccalaureate degrees in Spring 2021.

• Carli Bogue, of Elba

• Jenna Huntington, of Elba

• Michelle McEwen, of Stafford

• Angelina Miconi, of Batavia

• Miranda Schiller, of Alexander

• Samantha Tatarski, of Corfu 

• Alysa Urbanczyk, of Oakfield

Buffalo State is a State University of New York (SUNY) college located in Buffalo. It offers 79 undergraduate majors as well as many minors and certificate programs. Every year, thousands of students benefit from Buffalo State's community engagement, hands-on learning opportunities, and affordable SUNY tuition. Buffalo State also offers more than 60 graduate programs.

• John Bruggman, of Batavia, is studying Illustration.
• Briana Janes, of Batavia, is studying Physical Therapy.

Maria Fontaine, of Darien Center, was named to the Cazenovia College dean's lst for the Spring 2021 semester. Those named to the dean's list have achieved a 3.5 or better grade-point average.

Cazenovia College is an independent, coeducational college near Syracuse offering graduate and bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional studies in an exceptional community environment, with academic and cocurricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their fields.

Cazenovia has been named a "Best College" by U.S. News & World Report for 17 consecutive years and has also been recognized by Money and Washington Monthly as a best value institution. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.

 Rochester Institute of Technology conferred more than 4,000 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2020-2021 academic year. Due to New York state COVID-19 occupancy restrictions, commencement was celebrated May 14-15 in smaller ceremonies by college and were livestreamed for graduates' family and friends.

• Thomas Berggren, of Bergen, received a BS in physics.
• Tiffani Bragg, of Pavilion, received an ACT in engineering psychology.
• Jordan D'Alba, of Oakfield, received a BS in mechanical engineering.
• Mikayla Johnson, of Le Roy, received a BS in biology.
• Patricia Lane, of Batavia, received an MS in health systems management.
• David Lapierre, of Oakfield, received a BS in mechanical engineering technology.
• Melissa Mountain, of Batavia, received a BFA in interior design.
• Celia Mercovich, of Bergen, received a BS in physics.
• Don Pangrazio, of Le Roy, received an MS in product development.
• Alex Rosse, of Byron, received a BS in computing security.
• Chase Roth, of Alexander, received an AAS in mobile app development.
• Bailey Russo, of Batavia, received a BS in game design and development.
• Charlie Stevens, of Le Roy, received a BS in mechanical engineering technology.
• Cassidy Territo, of Corfu, received an MS in secondary education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 18,600 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

For news, photos and videos, go to www.rit.edu/news.

Kyley Pascarella, of Elba, earned their Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from SUNY Canton. Pascarella was among the graduates recognized as part of the Class of 2021.

President Zvi Szafran urged graduates to use their knowledge to help their communities rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic at the college's in-person Commencement Ceremony held May 15.

"Think about your strengths and how they can be used to enact positive change in your communities as we heal from the past year," he said. "You have a once in a generation chance to have a seat at the table as the country continues to implement its collective reset, breaking out from old thinking patterns and seeking new ideas.

"As a SUNY Canton graduate, you've been taught to analyze and to problem solve. These skills won't just be helpful to you in your career but to society as a whole."

Nearly 800 students were eligible to graduate from the college. The top three bachelor's degrees awarded, in order of popularity, were Health Care Management, Criminal Investigation and Management. The top three associate degrees awarded were Nursing, Veterinary Science Technology and Criminal Justice.

The college captured a video of the 2021 Commencement Ceremony and also created a special virtual commencement video. A complete list of all graduates also runs on www.canton.edu.

About SUNY Canton

As Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs, SUNY Canton delivers quality hands-on programs in digital design, engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials.

As SUNY's leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 22 online degree programs. The college placed first in 14 categories in a SUNY-Wide Student Opinion Survey, most notably in career services, tutoring, library resources, and classroom facilities.

The SUNY Canton Kangaroos 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity esports and cheerleading.

A year after surpassing 200 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes for the first time, Kutztown University student-athletes produced their most impressive academic performance yet in 2020-21.

The Golden Bears obliterated their former record of 206 honorees with 252 this year, helping the PSAC establish a new conference-record with 4,162 scholar-athletes, including Margaret Cecere, of Batavia.

Kutztown increased its scholar-athlete rate by nearly 8 percent from last year with 56.1 percent of its 449 eligible student-athletes recognized. In terms of overall honorees, the Golden Bears ranked 10th of the PSAC's 18 institutions, though the number of sports sponsored is not similar from institution-to-institution.

Kutztown has produced triple-figure PSAC Scholar-Athlete totals 15 years running.

To be named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must have finished the 2020-21 academic year with a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher.

As a conference, the PSAC honored a record number of student-athletes for the 15th straight year. The league's member schools combined to break the 4,000 scholar-athlete threshold for the first time, breaking the previous record of 3,763, set in 2019-20, by 399. The PSAC also set a new record with 55 percent of the conference's student-athlete population earning scholar-athlete accolades.

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.