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GC assistant athletic director named Distinguished Person of the Year by WNY peers

By Billie Owens

For the second year in a row, Genesee Community College Assistant to the Athletic Director Ron Spiotta has been named the Western New York Athletic Conference Distinguished Person of the Year Award recipient. The award is given to an individual who has outstanding accomplishments or has made significant contributions to a sport or athletics in general.

"Ron has been a great asset to the Genesee Athletic department for the last 28 years," said GCC Athletic Director Kristen Schuth. "He does a great job communicating with the community as well as his peers. This award is very well deserved for the second year in a row."

Spiotta has been with the College since 1981. He currently coordinates athletic eligibility, scheduling, charter traveling and assists the athletics director on day-to-day operations. In addition to his duties as a staff member, Spiotta was the head coach of the baseball program at Genesee from 1986-1999 and currently sits on the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee at the College.

Spiotta is a 1978 graduate of SUNY Brockport with a degree in Recreation and Leisure. He resides in Batavia with his wife, Deborah, and has two children, Lauren and Michael.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

Adult students encouraged to try GCC, new ad features Batavia mother of three

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Over the past 35 years, Ann Watts raised three sons as a single mother, worked as a waitress to pay the bills and thought about going back to college. When her youngest son reached adulthood, she did it. In December, Ann will earn her associates in science degree from Genesee Community College. Her experience at GCC is featured in a new television ad now being aired on cable and network stations. It can also be viewed on YouTube or GCC's new Adult Learner's Web page:

http://www.genesee.edu/home/adult-learners/

"Everyone I have encountered at GCC every step of the way has made me feel like my success matters to them," she says in the commercial. "GCC is so much more than I expected."

The new television commercial complements GCC's recently conducted survey focusing on the needs and interests of adult students.

"After the survey, we asked our faculty if they had any students in their classes who might be interested in helping with our new adult learners' TV ad. Ann was recommended by Dr. Thomas Priester, our professor of Transitional Studies," said Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing and Communications said.

"Ann's story personifies the experience of so many of GCC's adult students. We hope she will inspire other adults who've long thought about returning to college and have hesitated for many reasons."

Ann last took a college class at age 17. At that time, she was a high school student in Junction City, Kan., and enrolled in a course through Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.. Her father, retired Major General Ronald Watts, was the commanding officer at Fort Riley Army Base near Junction City.

After high school Ann, now 56, did not pursue further college classwork. She began working as a waitress and started a family. She has three sons, Zach Watts, 29, of Batavia; Taylor Tompkins, 25, of Macon, Ga; and Nicholas Gaudy, 22, of Batavia. She worked for 10 years at Alex's Place Restaurant and now works at Larry's Steakhouse, both in Batavia.

When she returned to school, Ann initially thought she'd pursue a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management as she'd worked in that industry for so many years. A year into the program she changed her mind.

"I went back to school to get OUT of that business," she said.

She's now pursuing a General Studies degree with an emphasis on Human Services and hopes to work with soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

At GCC, Ann ended up in Career Education Planning (CEP) class with her son Zach.

"It was actually pretty fun," she said. "Once everyone knew I was his mom, all the kids in class starting calling me mom, which was a lot of fun for me and made it a lot easier."

Zach is pursuing a business degree and anticipates graduating in May 2015. Ann's dad, now 80, plans to be in the audience at Commencement. Coincidentally, Zach's fiancée, Sarah Sanchez-Anderson is also attending GCC and was in the same CEP class as well. Ironically, the couple's 2-year old son Carson, Ann's grandson, attends GCC's Daycare Center.

"Attending GCC is almost a family affair for Ann! When Dr. Priester welcomed us into his class for the TV photo shoot, it was truly a live, teaching-learning experience," Sutherland added. "But even without family members in the same class, we learned through our survey that the vast majority of our adult students -- 92 percent in fact, are satisfied with their college experience here."

Once she completes her degree, Ann hopes to land a job at Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley. That's not the only reason she wants to move back to Kansas. Three years ago she went to her Junction City High School reunion and reconnected with Hal Wilson, with whom she'd had a close friendship in high school. They've been seeing each other ever since.

"Ann's story proves it's never too late to go back to school and pursue your dreams," Sutherland said. "We're ready and waiting here at GCC to help adult students turn those dreams into a reality."

Company that made financial aid info video for GCC wins Bronze Telly Award

By Billie Owens

Press release:

A video providing information to prospective students about financial aid at Genesee Community College has earned a prestigious Telly Award. Forest Productions & Photography, Inc., of Buffalo, with whom the College worked on the project, was recognized as a Bronze Winner in the 35th annual contest.

Nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries competed for Tellys, the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs; the finest video and film productions; and online commercial video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.

The two-minute financial aid video utilizes animation and clever graphics to guide students through all the possible sources of financial assistance and how to pursue them. Michael Mandolfo of Forest Productions & Photography, Inc., began discussing ideas for the video with the College in December 2012. The video, created through a computer and audio recorder, was completed in May 2013.

"GCC challenged us with creating a nontraditional video that would appeal to young people," Mandolfo said. "They wanted a hip and attractive way to get this information across. We thought the animation would help the viewer navigate through the information using techniques like graphics, symbols, color, texture and music."

Working with director of Student Financial Assistance Joe Bailey and admissions staff, Mandolfo crafted a script, narrated by GCC graduate Samantha Vogt ('13), that takes a direct, yet playful, approach to sharing the information.

For example, in one section, the narrator states, "The Federal Pell Grant is free money that you don't have to repay. That's the best kind!" The video advises students on applying for everything from grants to loans, filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student AID) and TAP (NY Tuition Assistance Program), "It's really easy," the narrator offers in a supportive tone.

"Everyone dreads filling out these forms," Bailey said. "We wanted to reduce the intimidation factor through this video." Bailey's name is featured on a "Hello, my name is Joe" name tag in the video as the narrator describes "friendly staff ready to help answer your financial aid questions."

The complete video can be seen here: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/.

GCC has worked with Mandolfo's Forest Productions & Photography, Inc., on numerous projects through the past 10 years. "GCC allows me to be creative and explore new ways to convey information," Mandolfo said. "I am proud to share this award with GCC."

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards are judged by more than 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work. Entries do not compete against each other but are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10 percent of entries are chosen as winners of the Silver Telly, the highest honor. Approximately 25 percent of entries are chosen as Bronze Telly winners.

"The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video," said Linda Day, executive director of the Telly Awards. "Forest Productions' accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production."

College board elects new officers, welcomes two new members

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This week, Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees elected Diane D. Torcello as chair for the 2014-2015 year. The Board also elected Laura J. Bohm as vice chair and Donna M. Ferry as secretary.

Torcello, of Pavilion, is a Bank of Castile executive. Bohm, of Batavia, is a retired housing administrator. Ferry, of Darien, is secretary/treasurer of S.J.F. Construction, Inc.

In other business, the Board of Trustees:

•    Approved a technical amendment to the College's 2014-2015 operating budget, reducing anticipated sponsor support by $250,000 and increasing fund balance support by the same amount.
•    Welcomed two new members of the Board of Trustees: Robert L. Boyce and Jacalyn F. Whiting, both of Le Roy. Boyce was appointed by the Genesee County Legislature and Whiting was appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Both members will serve seven-year terms. The 10-member volunteer Board of Trustees is the governing body of Genesee Community College.

Turbo Thursdays at all GCC campuses offer a one-stop registration opportunity for fall classes

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Need a boost to reach your education goals? Here's your chance to rev things up: Turbo Thursdays at Genesee Community College! Every Thursday through Aug. 21 Genesee Community College gives you a chance to register for fall classes in just one stop. GCC's Fall Semester begins Aug. 25.

Turbo Thursdays will be held at GCC's main campus in Batavia, as well as all six of its campus centers in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw. Turbo Thursdays offer extended hours at each campus location from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: July 17*, July 24, July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21.

Thursday, July 17* is also Food Processing Technology (FPT) Info Day with extended hours to 9 p.m. at all campus locations. The day-long opportunity gives all interested citizens ample time to explore GCC's newest degree as well as the $500 FPT scholarship available for the first class, Introduction to Food Processing.

At Turbo Thursday you can:

•    Complete your free application (bring an ID, high school graduation documents and tax forms)

•    Receive free financial aid advisement or set up an appointment

•    Receive free academic advisement

•    Learn about GCC's 60+ academic programs

•    Learn how easily GCC credits transfer to many other schools

"We invite prospective students of all ages to sit down with one of our experienced and knowledgeable counselors and chart their futures," said Tanya Lane-Martin, GCC's admissions director. "With more than 60 academic programs, there's something for everyone, at every stage in life, to choose from. And with online courses and degrees, GCC helps students even with the busiest schedules."

The Enrollment Check List helps guide students through each step of the enrollment process. To review the Check List go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/offices/admissions/checklist/

Turbo Thursdays will be held at all seven GCC locations:

•    Batavia (main campus) – One College Road / (585) 343-0055

•    Albion – 456 West Ave. / (585) 589-4936

•    Arcade – 25 Edward St. / (585) 492-5265

•    Dansville – 31 Clara Barton St. / (585) 335-7820

•    Lima – 7285 Gale Road / (585) 582-1226

•    Medina – 11470 Maple Ridge Road / (585) 798-1688

•    Warsaw – 115 Linwood Ave. / (585) 786-3010

To learn more about all that GCC has to offer, visit the college Web site: www.genesee.edu/

Food processing technology information day is tomorrow at all GCC campuses

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Food Processing Technology Info Day

Thursday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ~ All seven GCC Campus Locations

Who: Anyone interested in training for a great new career

This is a great opportunity to learn about a great new career opportunity and win fun prizes. Food Processing Technology Info Day runs from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. at all seven campus locations -- Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw.

Test your knowledge of food trivia in the Fun Food Facts Game and be entered to win a grand prize worth more than $100 that includes many local food products and a Wegmans gift card. Besides the grand prize basket, correct answers can earn you a new ice cream scoop or a "cheesy" note pad.

GCC is now enrolling students in its new Food Processing Technology degree program with classes beginning this fall. Students who complete the two-year, 63-credit program earn an associate in applied science degree and will be qualified for many of the positions currently available at food manufacturing facilities in Western New York.

"We have a thriving food processing industry in this region and our goal is to provide these businesses with the skilled workforce they need," said Professor Maureen Leupold, GCC's director of Science. "These are terrific jobs that pay well and offer delicious benefits!"

To accommodate adult, non-traditional students, the first introductory class, Food Processing Technology (FPT101), starts on Tuesday, Sept. 23 with the 12-week session. It runs from 3:30 – 7 p.m. at the Batavia Campus.

Students who register and complete FPT 101 (Introduction to Food Processing Technology) are eligible to receive a $500 scholarship to cover the cost of the 3-credit course. The scholarship is open to all students and there are no prerequisites to enroll in FPT 101. Those interested are asked to submit the Academic Program Scholarship Worksheet as soon as possible, but no later than the Aug. 4 deadline.

"This is going to be a fun day where you can explore fantastic opportunities that will 'Feed Your Future,' " Leupold said.

GCC student named WNY Athletic Conference Freshman Female Athlete of the Year

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College student-athlete Ashley Makowski (Kendall, NY) was recently recognized by the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) as the Freshman Female Athlete of the Year for 2013-2014.

Makowski is a two-sport athlete at GCC as a member of the women's soccer and women's lacrosse programs. She was an All-Region first team selection in both sports this year.

Makowski played in all 18 games last fall for the women's soccer team and scored 12 goals, including four game-winners. Her 12 goals were second most on the team and she also added 12 assists, tallying 28 total points. She led the women's lacrosse team in assists with 12 and was second on the team in goals (20) and total points (32). She played in and started all 10 games this Spring, collecting 27 ground balls and causing 14 turnovers. She was also selected to the women's lacrosse WNYAC All-Conference first team.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic Web page, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.geneseeathletics.com

GCC Start-Up NY Campus Plan introduced to Board of Trustees

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees has reviewed the State University of New York (SUNY) Start-Up New York Campus Plan, along with the criteria that will help guide the College's review and evaluation process of potential project proposals seeking the tax-free designation. The multi-page plan includes designation of two key locations within or in close proximity of GCC's current campuses which present ideal development opportunity.

Specifically cited were approximately 30 acres of flat land within the Upstate New York Medical Tech Park across from the Batavia Campus, and 30,000 square feet of classroom and office space available at the Dansville Campus Center located within the old middle school at 31 Clara Barton St. In addition, 14 other locations were listed as potential sites including eight in Orleans County and three in Wyoming County.

If the Board approves the plan, a 30-day public review process would begin. Copies of the plan would be mailed directly to the legislators and economic development agencies of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, as well as the various union and student leadership organizations.

Upon their review and approval, the College will then submit the Plan to SUNY for further review, and finally to the Empire State Development for final approval.

Start-Up New York Tax-free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate NY program is a statewide initiative introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo last year to encourage potential developments on or within one mile of each of SUNY's 64 campuses by offering tax-free status to both the company and new employees for up to 10 years. Each SUNY institution can designate up to 200,000 square feet of space for Start-Up New York projects to create new jobs associated with the academic curriculum offered by the connected campus.

"This effort does not supersede the other processes currently in place [with county industrial or economic development agencies]," College President James Sunser said to the trustees. "We will rely on those other processes. For those companies who want to work with us, the first filter the business must meet is an alignment with our academic programs."

The Campus Plan cites GCC's mission and lists the following 11 academic programs that would align with many different business proposals: Business Administration, Biotechnology, Computer Information Services, Computer Support and Operations, Computer Systems and Network Technology, Web Design, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Food Processing, Healthcare and Supply Chain Management.

For further information about Start-Up NY go to: http://startup-ny.com/

In other business, the Board of Trustees:

•    Heard Kevin Hamilton, vice president of Finance and Operations, report on the results from the request for proposals for the College's food and vending services. After careful committee review and with Board of Trustee approval, American Dining Creations will be GCC's new food service contractor starting July 1 and continuing through June 30, 2017 with an option for additional two one-year periods. Among the new opportunities students and staff will enjoy in the coming years are: a Batavia Campus Subway; increased use of locally grown produce; online ordering and payment of catering services; a smartphone app featuring nutritional guidelines; and the creation of a Campus Dining Advisory Board.

•    Heard Kathleen Schiefen, GCC provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs report that 10 more academic programs have been carefully reviewed against the SUNY Seamless Transfer criteria and will now meet the 64 credit hour limit. Fine Arts AS, Administrative Assistant AAS, Individualized Studies AAS, Computerized Drafting and Design AAS, Computer Support and Operations AAS, Fashion Business AAS, Polysomnographic Technology AAS, Tourism and Hospitality Management AAS and Entrepreneurship AAS now meet the credit hour limit largely through minor adjustments with the number of electives or physical education credit requirements. Schiefen also explained that GCC's Economic Crime Investigation AS degree has altered its focus and has shifted from the Criminal Justice to the Business and Commerce cluster of programs. The new Economic Crime Investigation degree concentrates more on accounting procedures and financial forensics such as deciphering inconsistencies in record and inventory, insurance fraud, data collection and inappropriate business practices.

•    Heard the following employee appointments:

Michele McKay, joins GCC's nursing faculty after teaching LPN to RN transition course as a GCC adjunct faculty member last fall. Previously, she taught pediatrics, maternal-child health, and peri-operative nursing at Niagara County Community College. She also worked at Starpoint and Clarence Central school districts as the school nurse, the VA Medical Center in Buffalo, nursing homes and she has experience as a clinical research nurse. She earned her Nursing M.S. from California State University Sacramento and her B.S. from SUNY Binghamton. She resides in Clarence Center.

Amy Churchfield is now the permanent, full-time associate dean at the Dansville Campus Center after serving as the interim dean since last August. She joined GCC in 2004 as a technical assistant and was promoted in 2010 to technical specialist. She earned her bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Education from Elmira College and a master's degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She began her career as director of Student Activities at Medaille College. She resides in Groveland.

Diane Palmer has shifted from the Albion Campus Center where she has been a part-time associate since 2008, to the Batavia Campus where she will now serve as a technical assistant and academic advisor. She will also continue teaching as an adjunct faculty member. She earned her M.A. from The SUNY College at Brockport, and her B.A. from Houghton College. She resides in Albion.

GCC pair finishes top-40 at golf nationals

By Andrew Crofts

 

Adam Baumeister (Lancaster, NY) and Chris Mandia (Highland, NY) capped off the 2014 golf season at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Golf National Championships held at the Chautauqua Golf Club last week and both golfers finished in the top-40.

Baumeister ended the four-round tournament in 11th place and earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. He shot a combined +15 (303), which was 18-strokes off the lead. He began the week shooting a 78, followed with a 74 on day two, shot a 78 on day three and fired his low round of 73 on day four.

Mandia shot +35 with rounds of 82, 79, 82 and 80 (323). He finished tied for 38th place.

The 76 player field was paced by Nick Thompson of Sandhills Community College (N.C.), who finished the tournament at three-under par (285). Sandhills CC won the team title.

 

Full tournament results: http://bit.ly/1oNsc3S

Baumeister and Mandia set to compete at golf national championships

By Andrew Crofts

 

Genesee Community College's Adam Baumeister (Lancaster, NY) and Chris Mandia (Highland, NY) will take aim at the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Golf National Tournament this week at the Chautauqua Country Club in Chautauqua, NY. The four-round tournament begins on Tuesday and will conclude with the final round on Friday.

Baumeister brings experience to this year's championships after finishing 23rd in last year's national tournament as a freshman. He medaled three times this spring and finished in the top-ten of every event, including a fourth place finish at the Region III Championships. He was an All-Region selection for the second year in a row this season, shooting an average round of 75.3.

Mandia earned his entry to the national tournament after winning a playoff at the Region III Championships. The freshman finished 15th and was selected to the All-Region team. He shot an average round of 80.5 this spring and had four top-ten finishes including two in the top-five.

The Chautauqua Country Club and host school Jamestown Community College have hosted the national tournament every year since 1999. Golfers from over 20 states and 40 colleges will compete for the national title and round-by-round results can be found online: http://www.sunyjcc.edu/student-life/athletics/njcaa/Tournament-Statistics or by following Genesee Athletics on Twitter: @GCCSports.

Seven Cougars named All-Region in men's lacrosse

By Andrew Crofts

Seven members of the Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team were recently named to the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III All-Region team. Sophomore midfielder Pete DiLaura (Chili, NY) and sophomore defenseman Johnny Astrologo (Mahopac, NY) were both selected to the first team and freshman attacks Dana Ray (Allegany Territory) and Joshua Wester (Livonia, NY), sophomore midfielder Tyler Skowronski (Clarence, NY), freshman defender Jesse Jimerson (Six Nations, ON) and sophomore goalkeeper Craig Seneca (Cattarugus Territory) were selected to the second team.

DiLaura had the sixth highest ground ball total in the country this year with 90, which led the team. He scored five goals, added five assists and led the team in takeaways with 60.

Astrologo started in all 15 games this spring. He was second on the team in ground balls with 59 and second in takeaways with 53. He also earned NJCAA All-American honors as a second team selection this year.

Ray scored a team-high 32 goals and 24 assits, totaling a team-best 56 points. He made 13 starts during his freshman season.

Wester was third on the team in total points with 47, scoring 22 goals and adding 25 assists. He totaled 30 ground balls and caused nine turnovers, playing in 13 games this spring.

Skowronski tallied 37 points. He scored 20 goals and had 17 assists. He also had 10 takeaways and collected 31 ground balls, appearing in every game this year for GCC.

Jimerson equaled the third highest ground ball total on the team with 49. He caused 38 turnovers and had two points offensively, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

Seneca had the third highest save percentage in the NJCAA this season at 64.3 percent. He made 184 total saves and held the sixth lowest goals against average in the country at 8.81.

Genesee finished the 2014 season ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA National Poll. The Cougars reached the Region III semifinals for the fourth consecutive year and had its three year run of national tournament appearances snapped after just missing out on an at-large bid.

Genesee softball receives four All-Conference selections

By Andrew Crofts

 

The Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) recently released its list of 2014 softball All-Conference selections and four members of the Genesee Community College softball team were included. Freshman outfielder Georgie Miller (Attica, NY), sophomore pitcher Ashley Covel (Oakfield, NY), freshman catcher Karissa Schuster (Perry, NY) and freshman utility/DH Chelsey Ruzewski (Attica, NY) were all named to the All-Conference second team.

Miller led the team in triples this spring with four and totaled seven extra-base hits. She batted .284, scored 15 runs and drove in nine. She appeared in all but one game for the Cougars as an infielder/outfielder.

Covel pitched 129.2 innings in 26 appearances, including 16 complete games this season. She had an earned run average of 4.70, struck out 68 batters and won nine games- all team highs. Offensively, she led the Cougars with a .474 batting average, three home runs, 27 runs scored and 18 runs batted in. She was also named to the Division III Region III All-Region second team this spring.

Schuster hit .333 at the plate and stole a team-leading 22 bases. She was tied for the second most runs scored and runs batted in on the team with 22 runs and 14 RBI's. She was one of only three Cougars to appear in all 37 games this spring.

Ruzewski batted .327 in a team-high 113 at bats. She tallied 37 hits, scored 22 runs and stole 19 bases. In the field, the third baseman committed just seven errors in 75 total chances. She played in all 37 games for Genesee this year.

Genesee finished the spring ranked ninth in the Region III standings and had a 14-23 overall record.

Architect highlights construction schedule for GCC's 'Transformative Project'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Robert Joy, managing principal of JMZ Architects and Planners, PC presented an aggressive construction project schedule to Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees earlier this month. With a large series of bar graph (Gannt) schedules to illustrate the various project phases and key milestones, Joy explained how the 2015 – 2017 construction program takes into consideration the academic calendar along with the seasonality of construction.

With a $24 million appropriation for GCC's capital project included in the recently passed New York State budget, JMZ Architects and Planners are now carefully preparing a construction schedule featuring three major phases. The project follows the College's Facilities Master Plan developed several years ago and approved by the GCC Board of Trustees and State University of New York. The major project components include:

•    Student Success Center -- a 9,000-square-foot facility will accommodate core student services including the Placement Office, Testing, Career and Transfer Centers, Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar and other offices currently scattered across campus in makeshift, inefficient spaces. The two-story building will connect through a second-story bridge to the Conable Technology Building and nearly enclose the Clock Tower Plaza on the westside. Proposed construction cost is $5.2 million.

•    College and Community Event Center -- the 43,000-square-foot facility will become the largest meeting space in the region and will offer flexible floor space not only for student gatherings, but also for community events such as trade shows, charitable events, athletic competitions and exhibitions. It will be located adjacent to the College's current athletic fields and will house both classrooms and office space, as well as food services and a wellness center. Construction cost is projected to be $13.9 million.

•    Retrofitting Existing Space – With the creation of the new Student Success and Events centers, the existing space will be reutilized resulting in the net increase of 15 to 20 new classrooms and labs, with particular interest in launching new instructional career programs such as STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) Agri-business, Health Sciences and Food Processing.

JMZ's proposed construction schedule begins with the site work in approximately one year (May 2015) to establish safe walkways and driving lanes, as well as designated parking and construction staging areas. The two major new facilities, the Student Success Center and multipurpose Event Center, would be constructed simultaneously and the proposed completion and occupancy of the new buildings is targeted for Fall 2016. The retrofitting of the existing building and total project completion is projected for Summer 2017.

Joy also described the design of construction bid packages giving local contractors the maximum opportunity for bidding the projects combined together, or separately as individual projects. Contractors will have option to bid and bond the whole project, specific project components, or to work as subcontractors under a general contractor through a larger contract. It is hoped the first bidding documents for the site work that reorganizes the parking lots will be released early 2015 and work will begin after next year's commencement ceremony.

"With the right leadership, the right goal, and the right objectives including student success, retention, measured outcomes, and economic development, we now have a 'golden moment,' " Joy said. "This project represents the largest infusion of capital into the College since this [main] building was built [in 1972]. It is transformative and remarkable. Congratulations to all!"

GCC women's lacrosse pair selected All-Region

By Andrew Crofts

 

Genesee Community College's Ashley Makowski (Kendall, NY) and Kaleigh Murray (Syracuse, NY) were recently selected to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) women's lacrosse Region III All-Region team. Makowski was named to the All-Region first team and Murray was named to the All-Region second team.

In her freshman season, Makowski led the Cougars in assists with 12 and was second on the team in goals (20) and total points (32). She played in and started all ten games this spring for GCC, collected 27 ground balls and caused 14 turnovers. She was also selected to the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) All-Conference first team this spring.

Murray, a freshman, scored a team-leading 33 goals this season, the second highest single-season mark in school history. She added three assists to total a team-high 36 points and controlled 26 draws. She was also named to the WNYAC All-Conference first team this year.

Genesee advanced to the Region III playoffs for the first time in school history this spring. The Cougars set the school record for most wins in a season, finishing the year 6-4.

GCC board approves budget

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Last week, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $38.70 million budget for the 2014-2015 academic year. The budget increases expenses by 1.65 percent over last year's $38.07 million budget.

The budget now moves to the Genesee County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee, which will review the budget prior to its submission to the Genesee County Legislature, sponsor of the College.

The budget covers the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1. It is a carefully constructed, maintenance-of-effort budget, said President James M. Sunser. The budget provides for inflationary cost increases and maintains the quality of academic programs, but holds costs down wherever possible, Sunser said.

The 2014-2015 budget:

• Increases tuition for full-time students by $75 per semester, bringing tuition from $1,850 per semester to $1,925 per semester. Tuition for part-time students will increase by $5 per credit hour, from $150 to $155. The College's Technology fee will increase from $25 to $50 per semester for full-time students, and the new Academic Support Fee will be $25 per semester for full-time students. Both fees help the College maintain the quality of academic technology and instructional support services to students. The majority of Genesee students will see the increases covered by their financial assistance packages, and Genesee remains one of the most affordable colleges in the SUNY system, Sunser told trustees.

• Holds College staffing at current levels.

• Provides for anticipated increases in the cost of heating and lighting, other building-related costs, and contractually obligated salary and wage increases.

• Assumes New York State "base aid" at $2,497 per full-time-equivalent student. While the New York State Legislature and Governor approved this figure for 2014-2015, it is almost 7-percent less than the $2,675 the College received five years ago.

• Asks Genesee County to consider an increase in sponsorship support of $500,000, to $2.53 million. Sunser noted that there is increased interest throughout the SUNY system in creating "regional" community colleges instead of locally sponsored colleges, and that increasing sponsor support may help preserve local sponsorship as well as save Genesee County money over the long term.

Developing the 2014-2015 budget was one of the most challenging fiscal tasks facing GCC in recent years, Sunser said.

"We are committed to maintaining our position as one of the nation's great community colleges, but we face declining state support, increased inflation, and a tighter regulatory environment," he said. "Putting together a budget that combines programmatic excellence, fiscal conservatism, and affordability for students is indeed a challenge."

Trustees believed the College had met the challenge head-on. Trustee Benjamin J. Bonarigo called the 2014-2015 fiscal plan "a remarkable budget." He said that "building a budget with only a 1.65-percent increase is a great testament to the hard work of Dr. Sunser, Kevin Hamilton [vice president for Finance and Operations], and the entire administration."

In other business at the May meeting, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved the granting of degrees and certificates to 646 Genesee students this month, subject to their satisfactory completion of academic requirements. Eighteen students will receive the associate in arts (A.A.) degree; 273 students, the associate in science (A.S.) degree; 303 students, the associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, and 52 students, certificates.

• Approved Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathleen (Kate) Schiefen membership of GCC's 25 Advisory Committees, and the introduction of the new Online Learning Advisory Committee. The refreshed roster of members in all 26 committees includes more than 330 GLOW-area professionals. Through their important work and their collective contribution, they ensure the consistent high quality programs that GCC students and the community have come to expect.

• Heard Chair Maureen T. Marshall propose the four-member Nominating Committee. Appointed were Laurie A. Miller, Chair; Benjamin J. Bonarigo, Peter R. Call and Donna M. Ferry.

• Heard the probationary appointment of David Johnson, Ph.D., as GCC's new biology instructor. Johnson has been a GCC adjunct instructor and advisor in biochemistry and molecular biology since 2006. He has taught at Finger Lakes Community College and Nazareth College, co-authored several science publications, and he also serves as a volunteer firefighter in Spencerport.

GCC's Astrologo earns men's lacrosse All-American honors

By Andrew Crofts

(Astrologo)

 

Genesee Community College men's lacrosse defenseman Johnny Astrologo (Mahopac, NY) was recently named a 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American. He was named to the All-American second team.

A sophomore, Astrologo was a team captain and played in and started all 15 games for the Cougars this spring. He was second on the team in both ground balls (59) and caused turnovers (53), totals that were 17th and 2nd best in all of the NJCAA this season, respectively.

He was named to the NJCAA Region III All-Region first team and the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) All-Conference second team this season as well and was an All-Conference first team selection last year as a freshman.

"Johnny is someone that the coaches and his teammates look up to as a leader because you know exactly what you are going to get from him each day," said GCC assistant coach Derek Hoover. "He's a hardworking player that will do whatever is asked of him on and off the field.  I am very pleased that he will be receiving this award because as a defenseman, you don't always get all the praise after each game. Johnny always played against the opposing team's top players and was very successful in his two years with us," Hoover said.

During his two-year career at Genesee, Astrologo started all 33 of the team's games, tallied 112 ground balls and had 112 takeaways. He will transfer and continue his athletic and academic career at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Dowling College in Oakdale, NY. The Golden Lions compete in the East Coast Conference and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II National Championships this spring.

Proposed changes in Albany could mean big funding cut for GCC, so president seeks another $500K from county

By Howard B. Owens

Legislators in Albany are apparently intent on changing the formula for how counties pay for their students to attend out-of-county community colleges and that has GCC President Jim Sunser a bit nervous.

To help hedge against the proposed change, he's asked county legislators to boost the county share of GCC funding from just over $2 million to slightly more than $2.5 million.

The proposal caught members of the Ways and Means Committee a little by surprise Wednesday and they asked for more time to study the request and have County Manager Jay Gsell report on any potential county budget impacts.

The committee will consider the proposal again at its June 4 meeting.

"Since we have until the end of June, rather than make a quick decision today, I think we need to see how this fits and how we can make it fit," said Ray Cianfrini, chairman of the County Legislature.

In New York, each community college has a sponsoring county and each sponsoring county supports the college by paying a "county share" for local students to attend.

Sunser said that while Genesee County is very support of GCC, the local county share is also among the lowest in the state.

When students from one county elect to attend a community college in another county, the home county pays that other community college a fee based on a state-mandated calculation.

For example, when a student in Perry decides to attend GCC, Wyoming County must pay a fee to GCC. When a Genesee County student decides to attention ECC, Genesee County must pay a fee to ECC.

The calculation of those out-of-county fees is based on how much per student the sponsor county gives to its own college.

In years past, that per-student fee could be calculated using revenue sources other than the county government's direct contribution. It could, for example, include revenue from facility rentals and revenue allocated from reserves.

Community colleges have been warned, Sunser said, to brace for a change in the formula. The new formula would eliminate all revenue sources from the calculation except the direct county contribution.

The proposal almost made it into the current state budget, but was set aside at the last minute for at least one more year.

If it had passed this year, GCC would have lost $1.7 million in revenue.

The proposed increase of $500,000 in county share would change the calculation so that neighboring counties would continue to pay what they have been paying.

Sunser said GCC serves a larger, more sparsely populated area than any other community college in the state. With campuses in Medina, Albion and Lima, there are college students throughout the GLOW region who are dependent on GCC for their education.

GCC's proposed $38.7 million for fiscal year 2014/15 includes a $75 per semester tuition increase for full-time students and a $5 per credit hour increase for part-time students.

The tuition at GCC would still be the most competive in WNY.

"We're a very frugal institution," Sunser said. "We have one of the lower budgets in New York."

Six cougars earn baseball All-Region honors

By Andrew Crofts

Six members of the Genesee Community College baseball team were recently selected to the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region III All-Region team. Sophomore infielders Josh Maier (Brockport, NY) and Rafael Lozada (Santo Domingo, PR) were first team selections and sophomore pitcher Adam Pratt (Batavia, NY), sophomore infielder Phillie Guzman (Bronx, NY), sophomore outfielder Eliecer Carrera (Rochester, NY) and freshman pitcher David Clark (Attica, NY) were second team selections.

Maier hit .323 in a team-high 96 at bats this spring. He totaled six extra-base hits, scored eight runs and drove in seven. In the field, he committed just one error and sported a .981 fielding percentage.

Lozada led the Cougars in batting average (.393), on-base percentage (.505), home runs (3), base on balls (19) and runs batted in (13). He appeared in 31 games this spring. As the primary first baseman, Lozada had a .984 fielding percentage.

Pratt led GCC in strikeouts with 32. He posted a team-best 5.00 earned run average, allowing 20 earned runs in 36.0 innings of work. He pitched a complete-game shutout in GCC's Region III tournament opening-round win over Monroe Community College to help the Cougars advance to the finals.

Guzman hit .291 at the plate and drove in 13 runs, tying him for the team lead this year. He delivered seven extra-base hits, including a home run and a triple. He appeared in 29 games this spring and committed only three fielding errors in 25 attempts.

Carrera held the second-highest batting average on the team at .328. He scored 13 runs, stole 11 bases and drove in seven. He hit one home run and struck out just six times in 67 at bats.

Clark appeared in a team-high 12 games this spring and had the fourth-lowest earned run average (5.56).  He struck out 23 batters in 34.0 innings and only 21 of the 30 runs Clark surrendered were earned.

The Cougars reached the finals of the 2014 Division II Region III playoffs this spring and finished the season 9-27.

Moynihan chosen as Region III Coach of the Year

By Andrew Crofts

(Tom Moynihan)

 

Genesee Community College head golf coach Tom Moynihan has been chosen as the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Region III Coach of the Year.

In his third season at the helm, Moynihan guided the GCC men's and women's golf program to a successful spring season. The Cougars placed no lower than third in any regular season team event this year, including a first place finish at the Jamestown Community College Invitational. Sophomore Adam Baumeister (Lancaster, NY) earned three individual first place finishes and Genesee placed fourth as a team at the Region III Championships earlier this month.

"We are very fortunate to have Tom as part of our coaching staff," said GCC Athletic Director Kristen Schuth. "He is great at recruiting talented athletes that have a passion for the sport. The coach of the year award is very well deserved." 

Genesee placed two individuals, Baumeister and Chris Mandia (Highland, NY), on the All-Region team and both will compete at the NJCAA National Tournament June 3-7 at the Chautauqua Country Club.

Moynihan is the third head coach at GCC to receive coach of the year honors in 2013-2014. Women's soccer head coach Jeff Reyngoudt and men's basketball head coach Terry George were also recognized in their respective sports. Moynihan resides in Alexander with his wife Patty and has three children and nine grandchildren.

GCC Foundation seeks nominations for 2015 Alumni Hall of Fame

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation invites nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community. The Foundation will induct the next class of nominees in March 2015.

"We encourage those who know outstanding graduates to nominate them now," Jackie Christenson, GCC's Alumni coordinator said. "We know there are lots of deserving graduates out there, and we hope people will begin now to submit nominations."

Nomination forms can be downloaded from GCC's Alumni Web site (www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/) and e-mailed or sent to the College's Alumni office.

GCC introduced the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007. Over eight years, the College has recognized 28 outstanding graduates in a variety of fields, from law enforcement to economic development.

"The success of these graduates serves as an inspiration to all of us here at the College and the community at large," Christenson said. "We are eager to honor more of GCC's best and brightest."

The criteria for nominating an individual to the Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College. Nominees must be well-established in their professional lives, completing their GCC degree at least 10 years prior to nomination.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. A selection committee will choose honorees. New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building.

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