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Press release:

Genesee Community College administrators will welcome to campus donors who've contributed to the College's scholarship funds and students who've received scholarships, as well as two outstanding graduates who have excelled in pursuing their career goals for the Discover the Stars reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8.

The event will be held in the Stuart Steiner Theatre located in the Genesee Center for the Arts on the GCC Batavia Campus, One College Road, Batavia.

Discover the Stars is an annual event that brings together GCC scholarship recipients and donors. Members of the College Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, and College administrators will also be present.

In addition, two alumni speakers will share their career paths following their time at GCC. Jessica Stabell graduated in 2007 and earned her bachelor of arts degree in Anthropology from Buffalo State College where she received the President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in 2013. She has earned attention for her research and is continuing her studies toward a Ph.D. in Forensic Entomology.

Dan Ireland, of Byron, graduated in 1992 and went on to earn his bachelor of science in Nursing from SUNY Brockport in 1994 and an MBA from RIT in 1997. He began working at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia while still a student. He started as an orderly, became a floor nurse, then IT clinical analyst, and administrative analyst. In 2004 he was named director of Quality Management and then became vice president of Operations. In December 2013, he was named president of UMMC, which will be the top administrative position at the hospital once it completes a merger with Rochester Regional Health System this December.

Press release:

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. 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-10 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.

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 webpage, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.geneseeathletics.com

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General, announced the recent reenlistment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.

Sergeant First Class Owen Guile, from Pavilion, has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A, 642nd Support Battalion.

"The New York Army National Guard has sustained our force at or above 100 percent strength for the better part of five years now," Murphy said. "Keeping those ready forces in our ranks mean that New York is ready to provide forces for state missions here at home, as we saw during Hurricane Sandy or for the federal missions supporting our nation around the country and around the world."

"Each of our 16,000 men and women serving in the Army and Air National Guard as an important role and I'm pleased that so many continue to reenlist and remain part of our New York National Guard family."

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

Press release:

Genesee Community College Board of Trustees learned at the August monthly meeting that two members of their own, as well as a long-term GCC faculty member, have been selected to receive awards recognizing their dedication, leadership and service.

GCC Trustee Maureen Torrey Marshall has been selected to receive the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service by the New York Community College Trustees. Mrs. Marshall began her service as a GCC trustee in 2003, and just concluded her two-year term as chairman last month. She is a lifelong resident of Genesee County and co-owner of the 10,000 acre Torrey Farms, Inc. She serves on several agricultural associations at the state and national levels.

Current Board of Trustee Chairman Diane D. Torcello has been selected to receive the 2014 Donald M. Mawhinney Trustee Leadership Award. Appointed to GCC's Board of Trustees in 2005, Mrs. Torcello is vice president Community Banking manager for Tompkins Bank of Castile, former chair of the Presidential Search committee for GCC, former chair of Genesee County United Way, and she continues to serve as a member of the Board and the Campaign Cabinet. She also serves on the Mary Immaculate Church Finance Committee and she is the Treasurer of the Pavilion Republican Committee. Diane was also named to the Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40.

Both honors will be recognized at the 60th Annual NYCCT Conference entitled "Celebrating 60 Years of Trustee Education and Leadership" on Saturday Sept. 20 at the Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs.

GCC's Professor of Business M. Richard (Rick) Dudkowski has been selected to receive the Northeast ACCT Faculty Member Award at the Winds of Change Leadership Congress '14 this October in Chicago, sponsored by the Association of Community College Trustees. This award honors excellence in teaching through innovative programming, special initiatives, problem solving and leadership within two-year postsecondary institutions as well as the local community.

Throughout his 30 year tenure at GCC, Mr. Dudkowski or "Mr. D.," as his students are fond of calling him, has been an exceptional contributor to the college community as a dedicated professor, mentor, success coach, colleague, civic leader and friend. He teaches 10 different courses in the business division and is the lead faculty member of the Fashion Merchandising Management program that produces the annual Fashion Show, which will enjoy its 34th annual production in 2015. He is a "go-to" staff member volunteering for many additional assignments, such as serving on the planning committees for the College's 40th anniversary, the retirement reception celebrating Stuart Steiner's 37 years as president and the inauguration of James Sunser, GCC president in 2011.

Mr. Dudkowski is a two-time recipient of the State University of New York New Chancellor's Award for Excellence, first in 2002 for Excellence in Teaching and in 2008 for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. He also was recently inducted into Susan Makai's Personal Best Model and Talent Agency Hall of Fame for Marketing Individual Excellence in a Competitive World.

Press release:

They teach their craft to students every day, but they are also practicing artists outside of the classroom. This fall, see the work of the Fine Arts faculty at Genesee Community College in an exhibit entitled "Art Matters: GCC Arts Faculty Exhibit."

The show is now on view in the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Gallery in the Genesee Center for the Arts on the GCC Batavia Campus. Opening receptions for the exhibit are planned on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and again at 5:30-7:30 p.m. The afternoon opening will include a performance by Music instructor Jennifer Sisbarro.

The show will feature the works of six GCC faculty members. They include Joe Ziolkowski, Instructor of Photography, who is coordinating the exhibit; Moi Dugan, associate professor of Ceramics and 3-Dimensional Design; Heather Jones, assistant professor of Fine Arts; Pamela Swarts, assistant professor of Digital Art; Jennifer Sisbarro, instructor of Music, and Ed Hallborg, Theater technician.

Ziolkowski, who teaches digital and film-based photography, creates unique self-portraits that use multiple formats, including 35 mm, 4 x 5 inch pinhole, digital SLR, mirror-less and iPhone digital cameras.

"In a world filled with the effortless 'selfie,' my work is effort filled," Ziolkowski notes. "As the artist, I select the vantage point and frame the subject, making my lens the viewers' eye. As subject, I place myself within the frame and guide the viewer through the frame with my own gaze. Within this gaze, I join the viewer, experiencing the joy of gazing myself."

Moi Dugan's new work is inspired by the woodlands surrounding her family's new home.

"My wheel thrown and handbuilt ceramics act as canvases for my painted narratives. While my work is functional, I strive for each piece to stand alone as a work of art when not in use," Dugan said.

She uses brightly pigmented slip and the sgraffito ("scratch") technique to produce the layers of color, texture and pattern on each of her one-of-a-kind pieces.

The mixed media creations of Heather Jones integrate glass, metal, paint and untraditional materials to "create social commentaries that speak of environmental issues.

"My current artwork focuses on the ethics of patenting life and the scientific processes of changing plants, animals and humans at a cellular level," Jones said.

Pam Swarts features graphic artwork on posters and event design materials.

Cultural debris is the focus of Ed Hallborg's work entitled "Remnants," which "is meant to be consumed in passing, like digital graffiti." Automated slide projectors display the words and images.

And musical sound bites featuring vocal performances by Jennifer Sisbarro will play continuously. Sisbarro's selections come from classical, jazz, and musical theater genres. She's an experienced performer who's been singing since the age of 3. Sisbarro will perform jazz standards with Deborah Sorenson accompanying her on piano during the opening reception from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.

The exhibit will be on display through Nov.  20. The Roz Steiner Gallery, located in the Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College, is open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by special appointment. GCC's Batavia campus, located at One College Road, is just a short drive off exit 48 of the New York State Thruway. Directions to the campus are available at http://www.genesee.edu/about/visit/maps.cfm.

She's A Maniac with driver Jim McNeight.

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

After three-straight starts from post two in the $9,250 mares Open pace at Batavia Downs without a win, the fourth time was the charm for She’s A Maniac on Wednesday (Sept. 3) as the 7-year-old bay went wire-to-wire for driver Jim McNeight.

She’s A Maniac circled Real Joy (Drew Monti) out of the gate and took a comfortable one and one-half length lead to the quarter in :27.4. With the rest of the field in post position order behind her, the outer flow started toward her at the half in :57.1.

McNeight stepped up the pace to escape the pursuers with a :28.1 third panel as closer and mares Open winner for the last two weeks, Bazooka Terror, was being wound up by Kevin Cummings to take her best shot of the night. But fast and furious came up a bit short this week as the race-long leader completed the circuit in front with a 1:54.4 clocking. She's A Maniac returned $15.60 to her supporters.

Bazooka Terror was second and favored Little Santamonica (Truman Gale) was third.

This was the ninth win in 28 starts for She’s A Maniac bringing her seasonal earnings up to $72,965 for owner North Creek Racing LLC and trainer Jerry Nugent Jr.

Leading dash driver Kevin Cummings scored another grand slam on Wednesday night, finishing first with Lucky Style ($5.40), Peaceful Prince ($5.40), Fiftyonefifty ($4.40) and Helena’s Hope ($9.10).

Racing resumes Friday at Batavia Downs with a 6:35 post.

The premier bicycle Ride to Remember will be held this Saturday, Sept. 6, beginning and ending at Oakfield Alabama Baptist Church, located at 2210 Judge Road in Oakfield.

It benefits to Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network and the "Remembering Love in a Heartbeat" project.

There will be a family five mile fun bicycle ride and a 20-mile ride. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the ride begins at 10.

For more information and to register go to  http://www.wnypbn.org

The annual Chicken-n-Biscuit Luncheon will be presented by the Holland Land Office Museum on Tuesday, Sept. 23^rd at noon at the Genesee County Office for the Aging, 2 Bank St., Batavia.

Meet the new Genesee County Historian, Michael Eula, who will speak on “Genesee County, the Holland Land Company, and the fabric of American History."

Tickets are $10 per person for lunch catered by the D&R Depot Restaurant & Catering. Please call the Holland Land Office Museum for tickets and more information at 585-343-472. Everyone is welcome.

Drew Monti edges out the competition at annual driver's bike race at Batavia Downs.

By Tim Bojarski for Batavia Downs

What has been the tradition on Labor Day at Batavia Downs since 1979, a renewal of the annual driver’s bike race took place on Monday (Sept. 1) with a full field of eight local reinsmen lining up to compete.

Among the contestants were two-time winner Denny Bucceri and last year’s winner Mickey Holliday. But it was newcomer Drew Monti who got the job done at the wire.

The starting car picked up the field at the top of the far turn and let them go at the head of the stretch for the one-eighth mile dash. As the pack got away from the gate, the bunched group began to break apart and Holliday found himself in a familiar spot; in front. But Monti was gaining momentum from sixth on the far outside. As they approached the wire, Holliday had a two-length open lead but Monti was flying down the track. Just before the finish, Holliday appeared to lose his rhythm and slowed just enough for the now motoring Monti to fly by him to win the race by a head.

After the race, the bikes were given away via random drawing to eight lucky fans from all who correctly selected Monti to win before the event.

Also on Monday afternoon, driver Kevin Cummings had a hot hand, winning five races on the card. He piloted Cheshire Cat ($4.60), Tsunami Dream ($6.20), Union Man Hanover ($2.70), Mr. Casual ($6.70) and The Manipulator ($14.40) to the winners circle. Dave McNeight III was right behind him with a driving triple steering Jon Win ($4.40), Kisses N Kicks ($3.30) and Tip N Go ($3.90) to victory.