Announcements

Patrick Walter has been selected to replace Priscilla DiRisio, who is retiring after serving for more than 20 years as transfer coordinator at Genesee Community College.

His responsibilities include: creating smooth transitions for students interested in earning bachelor's (or higher) degrees; establishing and retaining articulation agreements with baccalaureate granting institutions; and guiding students through course selections to help ensure a smooth transfer process.

"I hope I can help any student who walks through my door make a seamless transition to a four-year institution without any hiccups," Walter said. "I anticipate continuing the great transfer programs we have here, along with facing the challenges of preparing students to select the appropriate courses and programs of study to be able to transfer without the loss of credits."

He will also focus on the unique educational needs of veterans going back to school.

"Genesee needs to be 'vet friendly' to troops returning from abroad and to our vets who served several years ago," Walter said. "I am working with various departments to make sure we are recruiting, retaining and assisting many different types of veterans."

Walter hails from Hilton, NY, but has lived in Tennessee for the last 18 years. For the past six years, he has worked at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville as an educational specialist and a student-athlete mentor and tutor. His work with high school students, veterans and student-athletes has prepared him to take the position of transfer coordinator at Genesee's Career and Transfer Center.

Walter began his education and career in the hospitality and restaurant industry. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Penn State and worked as a professional chef for five years. He later moved into the food sales industry where he was an account executive until 2003. He enjoyed training and educating the people through his sales position, but the corporate environment wasn't as appealing. As a result, he turned to the educational arena, and went back to school and earned his Master's of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee.

He lives Rochester, while his wife, Deanna, is still living in Tennessee with their three hound dogs Nutmeg, Mandy and Augustine. Together, the Walters enjoy rescuing and fostering dogs as well as hiking, canoeing and other outdoor activities. Patrick also likes cooking and entertaining and visiting his family now located in Rochester and in the Finger Lakes region. Plus, he restores old cars.

Patrick Walter can be reached at (585) 343-0055 x6430.

An innovative new program called "Pathways" is offered by Genesee Community and Empire State colleges. It gives Genesee students the opportunity to earn bachelor's degrees by spending an extra semester at Genesee and three semesters pursuing study at Empire.

Jonathan R. Franz, Ph.D., dean of Empire State College's Genesee Valley Learning Center, told the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees about Pathways on Monday evening.

Under the program, Genesee students can earn up to 83 credits toward a bachelor's degree at the Batavia Campus, at any of the college's six campus centers or via the online  equivalent of five semesters of study. Most Genesee associate's degrees require between 62 and 64 credits of study.

Students then enter Empire State's program of individualized study for the balance of their baccalaureate education. They can complete their studies at Empire through independent study, group studies or online studies, all guided by highly qualified local mentors. Those who have gained college-level learning through the workplace or other experience may apply for college credit by evaluation.

Although Empire does not offer traditional "classes," the Empire program is rigorous and requires a high level of academic commitment.

"We expect a lot of writing and a lot of reading," Franz told the trustees. "Students are expected to engage in critical thinking, and participate in discussions with mentors and other students, whether face-to-face or online."

The program is especially appropriate for students who may not have the flexibility to drive to a distant campus for classes or participate in a fixed class schedule, Franz said. Students will be able to complete coursework in their own communities, usually on their own schedules. They will participate in designing their own Empire degree programs. The most popular degrees are in Community and Human Services, Business Administration, and Human Development.

Empire State College, a college of the State University of New York, was founded in 1971 to serve motivated adult learners. Originally dubbed a "college without walls," Empire has become widely recognized as an innovative and respected college focusing on the needs of mature students.

Empire State College has about 19,500 students enrolled statewide but does not have traditional "campuses." Instead, it houses operations in seven "learning centers" located throughout the state. In turn, these centers sponsor local "units," which bring Empire services to their respective service areas.

The Genesee Valley Learning Center, which Franz leads, is based on the east side of Rochester and has about 1,200 enrollees. It sponsors units in Canandaigua, Alfred, Corning and Batavia.

The Batavia Unit was originally located at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus, but moved to Ellicott Street three years ago due to space constraints. It serves almost 200 students each year.

"The quality of GCC students is excellent and GCC students who come to Empire are very well prepared," said Edward Warzala, Batavia unit coordinator. "I feel great confidence when I see a student with a Genesee Community College transcript. I know that if they can succeed at Genesee, they can succeed at Empire."

Warzala noted that Steven Schutt, Genesee's student trustee, will be one of the first students to enter the Pathways Program after graduating from Genesee next month.

Dr. Terri Julian, program manager for the PTSD clinic at the VA center in Batavia received a proclamation this week from Congressman Eric Massa honoring her for her work on behalf of veterans suffering from PTSD.  We spoke with Dr. Julian a few weeks ago about the PTSD clinic.

Genesee Community College Foundation's Annual Campaign is underway. This year's theme is "Extraordinary."

"Everyone has a vested interest in making this campaign a success," said Le Roy resident Robert Boyce, foundation board director and general chair of the campaign. "A stronger Genesee Community College helps make our Western New York region a better place to live and work for all of us. Campaign division chairs share the responsibility to attract and retain students and to promote the value of the college to the community."

He added that there are several divisions in the Extraordinary Campaign. Each division chair is responsible for a portion of the overall $459,000 goal. Division chairs include:

Associates Division: Jane Scott, of Stafford, branch manager, Five Star Bank

Batavia Faculty and Staff Division: Marirose Ethington, of Pavilion, professor of biology

Genesee Division: Michael Grammatico, of Batavia, vice president, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors

Heritage Division: Patrick Forsyth of Batavia, CPA, John J. Forsyth, CPA, PC and foundation board director

Leadership Division: Roger Christiano, of Batavia, president, Christiano Cellular and foundation board director

"Independent auditors estimate a $501 million dollar impact of the college on our region," Boyce said. "The figure includes college spending, faculty, staff and student spending and the increased earning power of graduates who remain in the region.

"This extraordinary impact alone is justification for encouraging students to attend Genesee as high school students obtaining college credit, as potential transfer students to a four-year college, or as students seeking degrees or certificates to prepare for specific careers. As community members, we encourage enrollment at the college through our involvement and our financial support of the foundation's programs."

Leadership Chair and foundation Board Member Christiano said the new campaign theme, Extraordinary, reflects the many positive and special aspects of the college.

"Our financial gifts support excellence in the classroom through scholarship incentives to students with the potential for high academic achievement, and we make higher education available to all area residents who are capable, regardless of their ability to pay," Christiano said. "The economic vitality that the college brings to our region is tremendous as tomorrow's leaders are trained and our local workforce is strengthened through career and certificate programs such as nursing, respiratory care, physical therapy assistant, human services, business, criminal justice, marketing and retail."

The college's enrollment is at a record level this year with over 7,200 full- and part-time students. The Extraordinary campaign's overall goal of $459,000 includes $80,000 for an endowment challenge grant from the federal Department of Education.

"Only a small number of community colleges across the nation receive the endowment challenge grant each year," said Professor Ethington, Chair of the Faculty and Staff Division. "Fortunately, Genesee Community College was awarded one this fall and for five successive years the endowment challenge grant will match, dollar for dollar, every dollar we raise on behalf of students in need, up to $80,000 a year.

"Each year, as we achieve our goal, we will build our endowment by $160,000. This means that after five years the endowment will have $800,000 to support awards to deserving students. Our 2009-2010 campaign is committed to meeting the endowment challenge grant. We are paying ahead for future students and to do this, college employee, corporate and community support is vital."

The Genesee Community College Foundation was formed in the mid-'80s as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service to and support of the college. Its 30-member board of directors is comprised of business and civic leaders, and last year, the foundation's philanthropic support provided 536 scholarships to Genesee students totaling $284,184.

Contributions for support for the college programs and students may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For more information contact the foundation (585) 345-6809 or foundation@genesee.edu.  <http://foundation@genesee.edu>

Oops! Time's running out! Santa is at Petco in Batavia today until 4 p.m. giving pet owners a photo op for their critters. Cost is $8.95, with $5 of that going to Volunteers for Animals to assist animals at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

The Petco is located at 4226 Veterans Memorial Drive.

St. James Church has 2010 Calendars of Historic Churches of Genesee County available for sale. The full-color calendar is $15 and can be purchased by contacting the church at 343-6802. The proceeds will benefit the Restoration Fund of St. James Church.

Crossroads of Harmony has become a steadfast Genesee County Christmas tradition in the last 15 years.

With an ever-growing number of singers from Genesee County and the surrounding counties, its four-part harmonic, a cappella songs create warmth and wonderful Christmas imagery.

"Our goal is, and has always been, to bring smiles and positive energy tothose who are listening to us through the use of barbershop (-style singing)," says Beth Allen, a member for the past six years.

They sing at a variety of venues -- including festivals, hospitals, nursing facilities, apartment complexes and schools -- and help create an atmosphere of joy and "meaning" with each performance, which can range from 30 minuntes to an hour.

"We love to watch the transformation that occurs within our audiences," Allen said. "When we first arrive, we often see a group of individuals who are having a so-so day. Then we turn it into a sparkling, memorable day with smiles and laughter."

For more information on how Crossroads of Harmony can perform for your group or organization, contact Shirley at 948-9385 or Mary at 343-4556. For anyone interested in singing with Crossroads of Harmony, they meet at 7:30 p.m. every Monday night at the Genesee County Nursing Home on Chandler Avenue in the City of Batavia.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is seeking artists interested in exhibiting their work, including the local one at the Genesee County Senior Center, 2 Bank St., in Batavia.

Since 1977, GO ART! has served area artists by providing exhibit space for their work. Gallery shows are typically displayed for two months. Artists must be 18 or older. Current local openings are at the Batavia Satellite Gallery in the Senior Center, January/February, March/April and July/August 2010.

For additional information, contact the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council at 343-9313 or download an application online at www.GOart.org.

Genesee Community College's Alumni Office has been awarded a $1,000 from the State University of New York Council for University Advancement (SUNYCUAD) to develop an Alumni Career Network program. Led by Alumni Coordinator Jackie Christenson, plans call for the inaugural program to be up and running next year.

The Alumni Career Network will be a career mentoring program to assist students with career planning and goal setting. The mentor program will match students with alumni who have similar academic interests, career goals, personal interests and hobbies for the purpose of encouraging, supporting, advising and motivating. Alumni mentors will guide students in understanding their field of interest and sharing various levels of expertise.

The goals include helping students develop professional, interpersonal and networking skills critical to their success, and also keeping students informed about career choices through consultations with alumni volunteer mentors. Mentoring can be done in person; through e-mail or by phone; shadowing opportunities at a workplace, or a short- or long-term internship. The key is to begin a small program to guide students toward being successful both academically and professionally and to build the network in years to come.

Students involved in the program can expect to develop a clearer understanding of their career choice, be comfortable with it, possibly make a career change and/or continue their education. Alumni mentors can expect an opportunity to share experiences and to guide a student, which fosters personal and professional skills such as listening, coaching, guiding and teaching.

"We are very excited about developing the Alumni Career Network at Genesee," Christenson said. "Especially during tough economic times and ever-changing employment prospects, there is a real need for a mentoring program to connect our successful alumni and our current students who need career advisement. This is a perfect fit for our alumni and students."

Alumni interested in volunteering in the Alumni Career Network program at Genesee Community College should contact Jackie Christenson at 585-343-0055 x6265 or at jkchristenson@genesee.edu.

The Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) has again asked Genesee Community College to host the annual TANYS Festival.

It's an indication that Genesee's Theatre Arts program is on the rise among higher education programs across the state.

At last month's TANYS festival, Genesee's production of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange, took top honors.

The performance was awarded in four categories:

• "Excellence in Acting to the Ladies of Color for their Ensemble Work" to Anjelica Sistrunk, Lady in Brown; Faith Horne, Lady in Green; Crystal Ray, Lady in Orange; Samara Brown, Lady in Blue; Nikole Marone, Lady in Red; and Nikkia A. Travis, Lady in Yellow;
• The "Excellence in Choreography" went to Madia Cooper;
• "Excellence in Acting" went to Nikole Marone for her portrayal of the Lady in Red;
• "For Colored Girls" also received the highest honor, "Best Long Play of 2009," a remarkable achievement for Genesee's Theatre Arts program.

"I began working on 'For Colored Girls' in the spring, and was finally able to recruit the right ensemble," said Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at Genesee. "This performance showcases the importance of ensemble work and the wealth of talent that is cultivated from Genesee's Theatre program."

This was the second year Genesee Center for the Arts hosted the TANYS event. By all accounts, the college provided a top-notch production crew for the weekend-long event, using theater students led by Technical Theatre Program Director Ed Hallborg.

Throughout the weekend, the crew was consistently praised for their ability and professionalism. The students involved were stage managers: Jessica Francis and Amelia Favata; lighting designers, Adam Wilbur and Sara Leonard; sound designer, Joe Catalano; and the run crew, comprised of Alex Farley, Jamie Hicks and Tyler Eldred.

In previous years, Genesee's Forum Players have also been recommended for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). The ACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 college and university students. It has helped improve  the quality of U.S. college theater. The Forum Players will not be competing this year in ACTF due to funding limitations and because they were featured in the TANYS festival.

Genesee students have appeared on Broadway, auditioned and gone on to conservatory training, and are working professionally on stage, movies and television. Graduates have also attended the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Genesee students who have transferred and graduated from other four-year institutions have been featured in films, started theater companies, served as artistic directors, interned for regional equity theatres, designed costumes for college and equity theaters, and taught acting at professional theaters to elementary and high school students.

The Genesee Center for the Arts is another reason students choose to hone their artistic talents here. It's a modern facility with a 328-seat theater, rehearsal studio, dressing rooms, full scene shop, a well-equipped costume shop, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting studio.

Award-wining faculty help Genesee's Theatre Arts program shine among other programs. Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts, was a professional actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and director before turning to a full-time teaching career. She holds an MFA in Acting/Theatre and has toured the United States with several professional theater companies. She recently received the 2009 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

To discover all the opportunities in Genesee's Fine and Performing Arts programs visit http://www.genesee.edu/index.cfm/program/dspArticle/arts.theatre/default.cfm . <http://www.genesee.edu/index.cfm/program/dspArticle/arts.theatre/default.cfm>