It was a gorgeous day in Genesee County today. As I was out and about for a bit this afternoon, I took a few pictures.
Above, a tree in the parking lot of GCC.
On Bridge Road, Elba.
On Barrville Road, Elba.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley mowing his lawn on Bank Street Road, Batavia.
More than 950 students graduated today from Genesee Community College in a ceremony held before friends and family inside the GCC gym. State Senator George D. Maziarz delivered the commencement address. Norbert J. Fuest received the Alpha Medal of Service Award from the GCC Foundation. John C. Dwyer was awarded an Honorary Associate Degree. Degrees were presented to students who completed studies in August 2013, January 2014, May 2014 and August 2014.
Press release:
From American Cinema to Statistics, Psychology to Public Speaking, Digital Photography to Sign Language, Genesee Community College offers a variety of learning opportunities this summer for students of all ages. Register now for Summer Session I. Classes begin May 27.
More than 150 courses are available this summer during three separate sessions:
~ Full Summer Session: May 27, 2014 - Aug. 9
~ Summer Session 1: May 27, 2014 - June 28
~ Summer Session 2: July 7, 2014 - Aug. 9
Many courses are available fully online to make the summer session even more convenient to learn on your own time. "We have more than 50 online courses scheduled for summer," said Craig Lamb, dean of Distributed Learning at GCC. "Our excellent student services and 24/7 technical help desk support can assist students with any need associated with their online or technology-enhanced course. We encourage residents in the GLOW region and Western New York to check out what GCC has to offer this summer."
The full class schedule can be viewed online at http://www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/?term=201406&pace=first.
The College offers several summer scholarship programs. The Genesee Promise Plus Summer Scholarship program provides tuition scholarships to high school juniors and seniors and adults new to college. Specific information about who's eligible and how to apply can be found online at: http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/promise/. In addition, the Supply Chain Management Scholarship is also available for students interested in starting the 100-percent online program. For details go to: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/scholarships/
In addition to the main campus in Batavia, Genesee Community College offers classes at six campus centers located in the four counties of the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming) region. The campus centers are conveniently located in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw. GCC offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs in a high-tech, personalized setting. Learn more at www.genesee.edu.
Press release:
Genesee Community College is pleased to announce four students have been named 2014 recipients of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. They are Michelle Nagle, Yuki Sasao, Emmeline Vacanti and Kelly Wetherby were recognized recently at an awards ceremony in Albany. Each recipient received a framed certificate and a medallion, which is traditionally worn at Commencement.
The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence and extracurricular achievements. Each year, campus presidents establish a selection committee, which reviews exemplary students. Nominees are then forwarded to the Chancellor's Office and are subject to a second round of review. Finalists are then recommended to the Chancellor to become recipients of the award.
This year's honorees from Genesee Community College:
Michelle Nagle, 19, is a key member of the GCC women's volleyball team. She has earned honors as athlete of the week and was named the Western New York Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2013, when she helped the Cougars capture their 18th consecutive Region III Division II title. Nagle, a native of Randolph, is studying Tourism and Hospitality and dreams of one day becoming an event planner. She's spent spring semester 2014 in Orlando, Fla., participating in the Disney College program. Michelle plans to continue her education at Niagara University. She's glad to have started at GCC. "I enjoy the small class sizes and the teachers are friendly and caring." Michelle is the daughter of Tim and Loni Nagle. She has a brother, Travis, and a sister, Jessica.
In Japanese, Yuki Sasao's full name looks like this 笹尾 侑希. The 20-year old came to GCC from Fukuokoa, Japan. She's pursuing a degree in Liberal Arts and Business Administration and plans to continue her education at a SUNY four year school, with the ultimate goal of becoming a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Yuki plays lacrosse for GCC and earned Academic All Conference from the Western New York Athletic Conference and Exemplary Academic Achievement from the National Junior College Athletic Association. She is also a work study student, an officer in three clubs and an active member of the college's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, for which she is the web developer. At GCC Yuki says she has found "lots of help from faculty and staff, unlimited possibilities and affordable tuition!" She is the daughter of Matsumi and Kiyotaka and has two siblings, a sister Haruki and a brother Kouki.
Emmeline Vacanti is a Teacher Education Major at GCC and hopes to one day become an elementary school teacher. She is a President's List student and an active member of Education Club, through which she has participated in many service-learning projects and professional development workshops. This semester she is participating in the Disney College Program, working at the theme park in Orlando, Florida. Emmeline loves GCC for "all of the diverse opportunities including numerous clubs and studying abroad." Upon graduation, she plans to continue her studies at Nazareth College. A native of Alexander, Emmeline graduated from Alexander Central School in 2011. Emmeline is the daughter of Michael and Peggy Vacanti and has two siblings, Eliza and Ben.
Kelly Wetherby, 20, came to GCC because of its highly regarded Fashion Merchandising program. She's studying both Fashion Merchandising and Event Planning and dreams of one day being a wedding planner. Following her studies at GCC, she plans to transfer to Buffalo State for one year and then complete her senior year at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She's grateful for GCC professors. "They take the time to not only teach us the material but motivate us to continue learning outside of the classroom as well," she says. Kelly hails from Allegany, NY and is a 2012 graduate of Allegany-Limestone High School. She is the daughter of Dean and Deanna Wetherby.
"We salute these exemplary students," said GCC President James Sunser. "They have maximized the opportunities GCC offers and serve as an example to all students. With hard work comes success."
Recipients of Chancellor's Awards have an overall GPA of 3.8 and records of significant contributions to their campuses and communities. This year 274 students were recognized for their remarkable achievements.
"Students honored with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence truly embody the power of SUNY," said Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. "As proven leaders and role models, scholar athletes, creative artists and civic volunteers, each student is recognized not just for academic achievement, but also for the profound impact they have on college campuses and local communities across New York State."
Photography students at Genesee Community College have created a series of photographs called "environmental portraits." The photos are currently on display at Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center in Bethany. Above, students Jason Dieter and Lynn Homer hold examples of their work during a reception held this evening.
The students were assigned to photograph a subject in an environment that helped illuminate that subject's life and surroundings.
"Creating a portrait of a subject in its natural surroundings adds elements to their character, and therefore portrays the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features," said instructor Joe Ziolkowski.
The works will be on display through August.
Press release:
Responding to the need for skilled food processing workers in Western New York, Genesee Community College will begin offering a new degree program in Food Processing Technology in Fall 2014. The College recently received final approval for the Associate in Applied Science Degree program from the State Education Department.
Food Processing is a fast-growing industry in Western New York where the state Labor Department says companies find abundant dairy, strong infrastructure and close proximity to population centers in the Northeast. There are more than 650 food processing operations in the region and new jobs are being added yearly. The industry has a need for trained workers and this program will respond to that need.
GCC has developed a two-year, 63-credit curriculum that includes general education coursework as well as specific training in food safety, sanitation and hazard analysis; food and dairy processing operations; analytical methods and food labeling. Graduates of the program will understand basic principles of food science including the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of food, as well as the technology used to create an abundant supply of safe, nutritious and delicious food.
"We worked with food processing companies and other educational institutions, including Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension, to develop this program," said Rafael Alicea-Maldonado, Ph.D, dean of Math, Science and Career Education. "They told us what they need and this program will provide them with the trained workers they are seeking. For graduates, that means excellent prospects for well-paying jobs upon completion of the degree."
In addition to classroom lectures and science lab experiments, students in the program will complete an internship at a Food Processing operation as part of the program.
"This also enhances opportunities for job placement," Maldonado said.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center indicates that trained workers are paid significantly higher than those who don't have advanced skills, with annual salaries ranging from $30,000 to $60,000.
Those interested in enrolling in the new Food Processing Technology AAS Degree program can find more information online at http://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/tech/Food.
Press release:
Tuition Scholarship. Online, flexible study times. Great career potential. These are just the first three reasons why anyone considering a new career direction that almost guarantees job opportunity should explore the Genesee Community College's Supply Chain Management (SCM) summer scholarship program.
GCC's $500 SCM Summer 2014 Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for the Principles of Business Logistics (BLM101) course and is open to anyone interested in a future business career. (The book and college fees are not covered by the tuition scholarship.) The SCM Scholarship application deadline is May 21.
The U.S. Labor Department forecasts 26-percent growth in SCM jobs through the year 2020. Perhaps most dynamically for older students who may be juggling many other responsibilities, SCM concentration is part of the GCC's Business Administration program and is available 100 percent online -- giving students full flexibility to study on their own schedule.
SCM deals directly with procurement, manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, inventory and customer service. Supply chain managers manage the successful coordination of all these elements. Today's business savvy companies rely as much on their supply chain personnel as they do their CFO to positively impact their bottom line.
Current or returning GCC students just need to complete the SCM Scholarship worksheet and essay by going to: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/scholarships/. A single page essay reflecting on the applicant's interest in SCM should be sent to Tanya Lane-Martin, Genesee Community College Admissions, One College Rd., Batavia, NY 14020. Applicants can also scan and email their essay to tmlanemartin@genesee.edu.
New GCC students need to contact the College's Admissions Office and complete the College's admissions application by calling 1-866-CALL-GCC or by completing the online application at: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/admissions/apply/
Dennis Sullivan, GCC's lead SCM faculty member is a seasoned supply chain professional and currently serves as president, vice president or principal with three management consulting firms including Supply Chain Optimizers, LLC. He carefully covers the course curriculum in a pace that allows students to appreciate the massive growth in today's global commerce which has given rise to enormous new opportunity for supply chain managers.
"We've developed an excellent curriculum for the SCM program at GCC," Sullivan said. "It addresses all the key elements of SCM. Students will be prepared for a variety of career options when they complete this program."
With top notch faculty, high-end technology and a summer scholarship, now is the time to explore GCC's online SCM concentration. For further information about this program go to: http://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/business/ or contact Judith Littlejohn at 585-343-0055, ext. 6158 or e-mail: JMLittlejohn@genesee.edu.
Jenicka Baker, 9, of Batavia, plays tug of war with a Genesee Community College student during a kids carnival held in the GCC Forum. The carnival featured a variety of games for children and was organized by students and GCC.
Charles Smith, Kiajia Johnson, 6, and Tahlia Smith, who turned 6 today, at the Frisbee toss.
While waiting for children to come to her game, Seneria Curtis, a GCC student, practiced her ballet.
Congressman Chris Collins met with some of the 81 students from the 27th District who submitted original works of art in the annual House of Representatives art contest. The reception was held at Genesee Community College in the lobby of the Genesee Center for Arts. Above, Collins with Melanie Perkins, of Warsaw, and below, Makennah Aquino, of Batavia.
The winners are:
Press release:
The "Spirit Award" in the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category was awarded to five Genesee Community College students after they presented their "Batavia Loop Trail and Bordering Business Development" plan to a team of judges at the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition in Albany last Friday, April 25, 2014. The annual competition invites students from colleges around the state to submit innovative ideas designed to address a currently unmet need in one of six categories.
The GCC students presenting the Batavia Loop Trail (BLT) included Tara Beckens of Clifton Springs, Danielle Cannella, Richard DelPlato, and Maryssa Peirick, all from Batavia, and Adrienne Payne, of Byron. As members of GCC's CEO or Earth Clubs, they envision developing an 11-mile loop trail that skirts around the edge of the City and Town of Batavia connecting a wide array of businesses and regional resources -- from ice cream shops and restaurants to Batavia's treasure trove of city and county parks.The BLT maximizes the idyllic views of Tonawanda Creek and would provide safer walking and bicycling pathways to GCC, College Village, as well as Batavia High School and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership/BOCES on State Street.
The project builds upon the growing international interest and economy of bicycling tourism, and also on Batavia's proximity to NYS Thruway providing a huge tourist market. BLT also links into the new Ellicott Trail, which was recently awarded $1.5 million through NYSDOT Transportation Enhancement Fund. Students researched state and federal funding resources and were delighted to learn that BLT potentially meets many of the criteria for funds from the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), NYSERDA's Cleaner Greener Communities, and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Lastly, and most importantly to the students – the long-term vision poses excellent hands-on learning opportunities not only for GCC students but for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP/BOCES). Next year, students hope to present a plan to GCC's Board of Trustees sharing their idea of creating a small on-campus business, the Recreational Rental Center, giving both students and the general public the opportunity to rent bicycles for the trail and potentially other equipment such as tennis rackets or soccer balls. The new micro-business will provide future GCC students enrolled in Business Administration, Accounting, Sport Management, Travel & Tourism, Web Design, Digital Arts and Physical Education with excellent co-op, internship and work study opportunities. Equally dynamic is providing GVEP/BOCES students enrolled in Conservation, Welding and Automotive Technology programs the chance to help develop and maintain the trail.
The students say the BLT is a "transformative idea that extends out 11 years," but they divided the overall plan into five phases with the most easily implemented segments of the trail opening in 2018. Before heading off to Albany, they shared the BLT idea with local key officials, including New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and City of Batavia Manager Jason Molino, and were delighted the concept was unanimously well received.
"When Jason Molino called the project a 'home run' and pointed out how it would enhance Batavia's quality of life, the students were smiling from ear to ear," said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC's staff advisor for the project. "While they will probably no longer be GCC students when the project becomes a reality, they are excited to pass the torch along to their peers. And, they hope they will be able to use the trail in the future with their own children years down the road -- or perhaps I should say path!"
The New York Business Program Competition is hosted by the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), University at Albany's School of Business and Syracuse University. It has become the premier collegiate contest encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship throughout New York's colleges and universities in the following 10 regional economic zones: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.
At Genesee Community College today, students put together its 33rd Annual Fashion Show, which showcases the design and merchandising talents of students graduating from the Fashion Design and Marketing program.
The show is also produced with the help of other programs at the college, such as Hospitality, Criminal Justice, Multimedia and Graphic Design.
A record number of designers showcased their work this year.
There were shows at 3 and 7 p.m. These photos are from the first show, including a look behind the scenes and shots from the after-party.
To purchase prints, click here.
In something like a dress rehearsal for their big presentation in Albany on Friday, five Genesee Community College students stood before local officials and the media and made their pitch for a bike and walking trail that would surround Batavia.
The Batavia Loop Trail project is one of the finalists the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category in the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition.
A win could mean a $50,000 prize for the project.
City Manager Jason Molino said at the end of the presentation, the project sounds like a winner even if it doesn't win the competition.
"Personally, I think it's a home run," Molino said. "It's closely accessible to residential property and adds a quality-of-life perspective that right now isn't there."
The Batavia Loop Trail would leverage an already-funded trail -- to the tune of $1.5 million provided by the state's Transportation Enhancement Program -- and create a closed circle around the city, providing safer, quicker bicycle access to the college campus from the city.
The total cost of the project hasn't been determined, but the students said their plan calls for it being completed by 2025.
"This is really a transformative project and we feel like we're the students to get it off the ground," Maryssa Peirick said.
Besides making the GCC campus and the city better connected, the trail plan passes within a block or two of 100 local businesses and several parks.
Students said the loop -- and Assemblyman Steve Hawley agreed -- will help attract bike riders from throughout the region. Hawley said he frequently goes to neighboring counties, such as those along the Erie Canel, to ride his bike.
If the students can win the top prize it would fund a feasibility study, which would help determine the final route and the project costs.
Molino said there are several potential grants from both public and private funders for such a project and winning the competition would certainly help attract more support.
"If you came back with $50,000 ready to roll, that would pull in a lot more interest," Molino said.
The students also anticipate doing local fund raising to help pay for the project.
Potential project partners include the city and town of Batavia, City Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Economic Development Center, Leadership Genesee, local civic clubs and Vibrant Batavia.
Hawley said he found the students' presentation impressive.
"Quality of life is an important issue for economic development," Hawley said. "It will help retain our current population and attract new people to visit and live right here in our area. All of this means new revenue, and spreading of the oppressive tax burden among more, thereby lessening the individual burden for all."
This is the projected trail map. It could be revised through the feasability study process.
The students in the Genesee Community College Fashion Merchandising and Design Program are excited and nervous about Saturday.
For the 33rd year, the college will host its spring fashion show, which is the culmination -- and final exam -- of the students' efforts to learn about the world of fashion and retail clothing.
Nearly all of the students are planning to move on to the next level of education or start working in the field upon graduation.
The show this year is called "Ethereal" and Professor Rick Dudkowski said there are a record number of designers participating with more than 100 models who will strut down the catwalk. Show times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and tickets are $7 at the door.
More than 1,400 people are expected to attend the two shows. Dudkowski said GCC's show is the largest fashion show in WNY.
"People who attend our show will see a lot of creativity and originality," Dudkowski said.
Some of the sets include: "Grecian Utopia" -- designed and produced by Catherine Kelkenberg with assistance from Asahi Nakamigawa; "Americana" -- designed and produced by Tyler Annalora and Alaina Shannon; "Revival" -- designed and produced by Natalie Brown; and "Catherine Ivelisse" -- designed and produced by Catherine Morales.
Alania Shannon and Taylor Bunch have put together a set featuring clothes from Gymboree in the Eastview Mall.
Bunch, the only man in the class, is from Buffalo and was a Finance major at Canius when he decided he wanted to do something more creative with his life. He transferred to GCC specifically for the fashion design program.
He explained that he and Shannon saw the show as being about youth, and youth is about rebellion or breaking the mold. So they wanted to evoke the roots of popular youth rebellion in popular culture, and drew on the inspiration of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. Bunch's repertoire for men will be bold and bright colors and Kesterke went with neutral tones and soft pinks often associated with Monroe.
NYC clothiers Buffalo David Bitton and Maurices have shipped a new line of fashions that will make their debut at the GCC show in a set produced by Shelby Wallenhorst and Ashley Husted.
The show's 11th and final set is "Ambiance" -- produced by Kelly Wetherby and Lekha Anderson with apparel from M.A. Carr Bridal and Charles Men's Shop. Carr donated $18,000 in top-line wedding gowns, which the designers have reshaped and recolored and reimagined into new dresses.
It takes nearly the whole school to put on the show: students from Criminal Justice studies provide security; the media department records it; the Events and Hospitality program provides support and hosts the after-party; and the Graphics students design posters and other promotional material.
Shelby Wallenhorst is in charge of decorations and Amanda Joyce helped head up the event planning.
For the Fashion and Merchandising students, the show is supposed to bring together all they've learned through the two-year program.
Students graduating this year will go on to further studies in NYC and fashion programs there, or into the fashion program at Buffalo State (which recently invested $63 million in its fashion technology lab), or right into the work world.
Ashley Husted is already a manager at the Maurices store in Batavia. In fact, all five of Maurices locations in WNY are managed by graduates of the GCC program.
"I love working for them," Husted said, and Dudkowski added, "We're very proud of our students who are with Maurices."
Only one of this year's grads is going in a different direction. She's going to major in environmental science at St. Bonaventure.
Top photo: Candace Cooper.
Kelly Wetherby.
Natalie Brown
Press release:
Genesee Community College photography students will once again exhibit their work at the Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center in East Bethany. Following last year's successful display, "Around the Bend: The Shared Landscape," students this year will share "Environmental Portraits of Western New York."
The show opens with a receptionfrom 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at the Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center, 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany. Refreshments will be provided.
Photography instructor Joe Ziolkowski introduced his students this semester in both COM 105 (Intermediate Photography) and COM 118 (Introduction to Digital Photography) to portrait photography. The students, from both the main campus in Batavia and GCC's Albion Campus Center, were assigned to photograph a subject in an environment that helped illuminate that subject's life and surroundings.
The portraits reveal characters in a variety of settings. There's a farmer with cattle in a barn who appears to be doing early morning chores; a mother surrounded by the detritus of a busy day with small children; an artist pencil drawing a portrait of her own.
"Creating a portrait of a subject in its natural surroundings adds elements to their character, and therefore portrays the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features," Ziolkowski said.
Students in COM 118, Introduction to Digital Photography, learn how to use the manual functions on a digital camera to control light and color. They also learn software workflow to enhance their digital files. With a digital camera, results can be seen instantly on the liquid crystal display (LCD).
"As they progress through various assignments during the course, they continue to improve on composing images in camera and reading the light available to make effective photographs," Ziolkowski said.
The COM 105, Intermediate Photography course helps students refine their photographic skills by exploring more advanced technical techniques while on location and adding studio lighting, advanced printing and camera techniques and portfolio development. Students in COM 105 have already taken COM 118 and COM 103, Introduction to Black and White Photography.
"This class combines elements of both of those classes to offer a unique experience in both analog and digital photography," Ziolkowski said.
In photography classes students learn about photographic elements, including composition, foreground/background relationship, color schemes, values, shades and contrast. They also refine the use of "Qualities of Light" such as silhouette, rim, accent, radiant, dramatic shadow, and Chiaroscuro. In addition, they exercise time management and workflow skills.
For more information about photography coursework at GCC, contact Joe Ziolkowski at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6558, or jlziolkowski@genesee.edu.
"Environmental Portraits of Western New York" will be on view through Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Interpretive Center at Genesee County Park and Forest. The Center is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon to 4 on Sundays. For more information about the center, contact Conservation Education Program Coordinator Judy Spring at (585) 344-1122 or jspring.geneseeconsed@yahoo.com
Press release:
From Grecian Utopia to Americana; Eden to Ooh Laa Laa, the scenes at Genesee Community College's 33rd Annual Fashion Show, "Ethereal," are sure to leave viewers Enchanted, with a Glorious display in the show's tradition of excellence. Advance tickets are highly recommended for the event on Saturday, April 26. Two complete shows are planned, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the William W. Stuart Forum on the Batavia campus.
Ethereal is produced by GCC Fashion Merchandising and Design students under the guidance of GCC Business professors Rick Dudkowski and Donna Ehrhart. Students began developing theme ideas for the show last semester. They have been busy rehearsing with the more than 100 models who will appear in the 11 scenes. Some of the scenes will feature original creations by Fashion Design students. Fashion Merchandising students are collaborating with nationally acclaimed vendors including Buffalo David Bitton and other original designers, some featuring fabrics all the way from Korea.
The planned scenes include:
1. Revival -- designed and produced by Natalie Brown
2. Catherine Ivelisse -- designed and produced by Catherine Morales
3. Let Them Be Little -- produced by Lilia Kesterke and Taylor Bunch. Clothes provided by Gymboree, Eastview Mall
4. Ooh Laa Laa -- produced by Tiffany Carter with apparel by Chihiro Furukawa
5. Enchanted -- produced by Shelby Wallenhorst and Ashley Husted with apparel by Buffalo David Bitton and Maurices
6. Eden -- designed and produced by Megumi Nozaka
7. Glorious -- produced by Quintessa Wallace with apparel designed by Abby Lee Wilcox
8. Grecian Utopia -- designed and produced by Catherine Kelkenberg with assistance from Asahi Nakamigawa
9. Americana -- designed and produced by Tyler Annalora and Alaina Shannon
10. ÉCLAT XIIIXVII -- designed and produced by Candace Cooper with assistance from Ariana Sneed
11. Ambience -- produced by Kelly Wetherby and Lekha Anderson with apparel by M.A. Carr Bridal and Charles Men's Shop
Along with enjoying the fashions presented during the show, which is a capstone project for many GCC students, guests will have a chance to win a variety of door prizes from restaurant gift certificates to gift cards and baskets. They will also have an opportunity to meet the scene coordinators at the post-show after party in the cafeteria.
In addition to the Fashion Merchandising and Design students, Criminal Justice students will be providing security. Tourism and Hospitality Management students develop the exquisite after party and assist with the decorating, and GCC's Communications and Media arts students will be promoting the event on WGCC. Finally, Digital Art students work alongside the Fashion Merchandising and Design students to create the Ethereal logo, brand and various promotional materials.
"The way our students from various departments come together to make this annual Fashion Show a huge success always impresses me," Dudkowski said. "This year's program will have some dynamic new features and we're all excited to see it on stage."
Tickets for the shows are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the door and can be purchased by calling 585-345-6830 or e-mail cmyoung@genesee.edu. Advance tickets are strongly recommended and must be purchased by April 24.
You can read more about the creation of the scenes, the students and happenings in the fashion program at the GCC fashion blog http://gcccampusblog.wordpress.com/category/fashion/.
More than 30 businesses were on hand at GCC today for a spring job fair, with dozens of job seekers using the opportunity to make connections with employers and hand out resumes.
Above, Rodney Casey shows off his portfolio.
ICE officer Michelle Marino talks about Homeland Security with Andrew Vicary.
Press release:
Five Genesee Community College students will be heading to Albany on April 25 to represent the Finger Lakes Region in the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category for the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition. They will be joined by the "Imajine Soap" team of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in this category. The competition invites students from colleges around the state to submit innovative ideas designed to address a currently unmet need in one of six categories. The GCC team's "Batavia Loop Trail and Bordering Business Development" will be competing for more than $500,000 in cash and in-kind prizes.
The SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), University at Albany's School of Business, and Syracuse University will host the competition, which has become the premier collegiate contest, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship throughout New York's colleges and universities.
The GCC students, who are members of the CEO and Earth Clubs on campus, envision developing an 11-mile loop trail that skirts around the edge of the City and Town of Batavia connecting a wide array of businesses and regional resources -- from ice cream shops and restaurants to Batavia's treasure trove of city and county parks. The Batavia Loop Trail (BLT) would also maximize the idyllic views of Tonawanda Creek and provide safer walking and bicycling pathways to GCC and College Village.
Their business plan was first vetted against 67 other two-page business proposals submitted into the Finger Lakes Region of the statewide competition. Wednesday night, students presented the plan to judges at the University of Rochester, where it was greeted with great enthusiasm. Should they succeed in the next round of the competition the winnings will secure seed money to help fund a feasibility study -- the first major step in their "transformative idea."
In their presentation, the students pointed out that bicycling is a growing tourist attraction and with the NYS Thruway cutting across Batavia's northern border, a huge market awaits city and county planners. BLT would also link into the new Ellicott Trail, which was recently awarded $1.5 million through NYSDOT Transportation Enhancement Fund. In addition, they have researched state and federal funding resources and the concept potentially meets many of the criteria listed for support from the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), NYSERDA's Cleaner Greener Communities, and Transportation Alternatives Program.
Lastly, and most importantly to the students – the long-term vision poses excellent hands-on learning opportunities not only for GCC students but for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP/BOCES). In the near future, students hope to present a plan to GCC's Board of Trustees sharing their idea of creating a small campus Recreational Rental Center giving both students and the general public the opportunity to rent bicycles for the trail and potentially tennis rackets or soccer equipment. This new micro business gives GCC students enrolled in Travel & Tourism, Business Administration, Accounting, Sport Management, Web Design, Digital Arts and Physical Education excellent co-op, internship and work study opportunities. Equally dynamic is providing GVEP/BOCES students enrolled in Conservation, Welding and Automotive Technology programs the chance to help develop and maintain the trail.
The students' BLT plan extends out 11 years, but it is broken down into multiple phases with the most realistic, easily implemented segments of the trail opening in 2018.
"They are calling it Vision 2025 and although they realize they will be long graduated during the later phases and challenges of the project, they believe that making Batavia a bicycle-friendly community is an excellent opportunity for everyone," said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC's staff advisor for the project. "They not only hope to pass the torch of the plan along to their peers – they also hope they will be able to use the trail with their future children a decade or two from now."
The BLT team presenters include Tara Beckens, of Clifton Springs, Danielle Cannella, Richard DelPlato, and Maryssa Peirick, all from Batavia, and Adrienne Payne, of Byron.
They will be joined by several other colleges and universities in representing the Finger Lakes Region against winners from each of the nine other New York Regional Economic Development Council zones which include: Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.
Press release:
Genesee Community College Forum Players Children's Theatre ensemble is pleased to present "Tales from Japan," a unique collection of traditional Japanese stories written by Patricia Montley and produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 25 - 26, with a Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m. on April 27 in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC's Batavia Campus.
The traditional tales presented in the show bring to life subtle and surprising aspects of Japanese culture. Treasure is discovered in unexpected places, beauty is found in all aspects of nature and even the most unassuming characters are heroes. The exciting stories feature a variety of interesting characters from an old woman using her wisdom and wit to save a kingdom from tyranny to a young girl fighting a horrific undersea dragon and a peach boy defeating the village monster.
"These tales speak to all ages. Because they are folkloric, they speak meaningfully to the spectrum of emotions and human experience," said Director Norm Gayford, English professor at GCC.
Special performances of "Tales from Japan" are also scheduled for students from area schools. Batavia, LeRoy, Geneseo, Alexander, Perry and Pavilion, and also homeschool students are being bussed or transported to GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre in Batavia on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 23 - 25, for two shows, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each day. While most of these school group performances are sold out, there are still plenty of seats available at the public performances listed above.
"Our children's theatre program has always been very well received, and this year is no exception," said Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at GCC. "Last year we performed for more than 2,000 people at our theatre and on location."
The cast of "Tales from Japan" includes: William Rupp, of Batavia, Kayli Wilson, of Canastota, Amber Lively, of Barker, Christian Hoffman, of Hilton, Kathleen Kwasniewski, of Alexander, Tony Heard, of Fillmore, Ryan McKenrick, of Rochester, Brianna Jones, of Batavia, David Wysocki, of Hamburg, Courtney Amesbury, of Bergen, Jerry Jordan, of the Bronx, Cameron Pollard, of Mount Vernon, Sania Hyatt, of NYC, Kaori Shinchi, of Japan, GCC paralegal instructor Karyn Bryson, and Jordan Griffiths, of Milford, who is also serving as stage manager for the show. Ali Scharvella of Copake Lake is assistant stage manager. William Rupp has served as Tai Chi and Katana trainer as well as mask maker, and Kaori Shinchi as language consultant.
Tickets for the show at the Batavia Campus in the Stuart Steiner Theatre are $8. GCC students with ID and children pay $3. Seniors and GCC faculty/staff are $5. GCC alumni receive $2 off with ID. Contact the Box Office for more information at (585) 345-6814 or boxoffice@genesee.edu.
For more information, visit http://www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts/calendar.cfm.
GCC hosted its third annual Fine Arts Festival this afternoon, allowing students and area residents to try their hands at various artistic endeavors, including drawing, painting, origami, printmaking, and weaving.
Above, DiDi Martin draws a portrait of Chelsea Burkhartzmeyer.
Betty and Frank McGlaysson learn origami with instructor Kyoko Roszmann.
Jenny Spychalski.
Below, chainsaw sculptors Rick and Dustin Pratt and an owl they created form a tree stump.
While on campus, we also visited the Roz Steiner Gallery and took in the student art show.
Press release:
State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer announced today that he has secured more than $10 million in matching grants for strategic initiative projects at Genesee Community College as part of the 2014-15 New York State Budget.
Senator Ranzenhofer requested that the funding be added to the Executive Budget proposal.
“I am pleased to announce that I have been able to secure over $10 million in funding for critically needed capital projects at Genesee Community College,” Ranzenhofer said. “Many of these projects will enhance student experience and success. The Student Success Center will upgrade the college’s instructional space with new labs, tutoring areas, and more classrooms for new academic programs, such as health, technology and agribusiness.”
The State Budget provides $6,924,150 for the Genesee Community College Event Center; $2,593,350 for the Genesee Community College Success Center; and $575,303 for conversion and retrofitting of space for new academic program instructional needs.
Genesee Community College President James Sunser started working with Senator Ranzenhofer in early February to secure funding for these projects.
Sunser said:
“The projects funded in the New York State budget for Genesee Community College are among the most important initiatives in the College’s history. The two new Batavia Campus buildings will continue Genesee’s 47-year record of innovation, and transform our College and our region. The new College and Community Event Center will enrich campus life, and will eventually bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to business, professional and community events held there. The Student Success Center will be one of the most unique “one-stop” student service centers in the nation. It will bring together in one place all the services students and community residents need for their academic and career success.
“Together, these two new buildings will free up space in the existing Batavia Campus buildings for new academic programs that will help shape our future, such as agribusiness and emerging high-tech fields. These new programs mean new opportunities for students and new jobs for the region. From the outset, Senator Ranzenhofer understood how these projects would make a powerful difference in the lives of our students and the economic vitality of our communities. We appreciate Senator Ranzenhofer’s commitment to Genesee Community College, his commitment to the long-term growth of jobs and businesses that these projects represent, and his willingness to advocate for inclusion of these projects in a very tight state budget. Senator Ranzenhofer’s efforts will touch future generations.”
The funding is part of $81 million in matching grants in the State Budget for strategic initiative projects on community college campuses across New York.
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