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Syntec Optics has unveiled a new clean room at its Pavilion location. The company, located at 7100 Junction Road, is the largest independent manufacturer of custom polymer optics in North America.

The A-Class 10,000 sq. foot clean room at this facility will be used for assembly and testing of precision polymer and glass optical systems that are highly sensitive to particles in the environment.

“Not only will the new clean room allow us to continue to deliver exceptional quality on current projects, we now have the capabilities to take on new projects that require the purest of production and testing processes," said Lori Steffenilla, VP of manufacturing operations. 

"This is especially key for us as we continue to grow in the medical, biometrics and defense industries where precision, superior function and reliability are critical.”

The in-house clean room is the latest in a long line of advancements and creates new opportunities for Syntec to expand its customer base. It strengthens the firm’s ability to provide a complete range of contract-manufacturing services including design, molding, diamond turning, assembly, metrology and supply-chain management.

“We are always looking for ways to improve and enhance both our processes and capabilities which allow us to continue to deliver the excellence that our customers have always expected from Syntec and more," said Rick Arndt, vice president and general manager.

"The addition of clean-room capabilities is another step in the process of continuous improvement."

Syntec Optics has been widely recognized as the industry leader in the polymer optics field. Syntec was the recipient of the prestigious 2008 North American Polymer Optics Growth Excellence of the Year Award.

Attention outdoor sportsmen and hunters, there's going to be a Legislative Awareness Rally in Albany Jan. 12. Bus transportation has been arranged by SCOPE Genesee County chapter and the Shooter's Committee on Political Education of New York.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb invites those concerned about the right to keep and bear firearms, hunting and shooting sports in New York to attend this statewide effort. The bus is limited to 56 travelers, so car pooling to the rally is encouraged.

The keynote speaker at the rally will be Wayne Lapierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association.

The bus ride costs $25. Sign up at either of the departure locations, Batavia Marine in Batavia, or Sheard's Antiques and Guns in Bergen.

The bus departs from Batavia Marine, 411 W. Main St., at 4:10 a.m. and from Sheard's in Bergen, 7451 S. Lake Road -- Route 19, at 4:50 a.m.

Once at the state capitol, participants will gather in the Lobby Well of the Legislative Office Building at 9 a.m.

Departure back to Genesee County is at 1:30 p.m.

More than 300 area residents attended Encore 2009, Genesee Community College Foundation's annual holiday fundraising event. The Dec. 9 gala continued the tradition of a fun and festive evening with new and old friends coming together in the spirit of raising funds for the college's numerous scholarship programs.

This event was the first time the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) had played at Genesee since the opening of the Stuart Steiner Theatre in 1992.

Batavia residents Todd and Kathy Bender, who attended with their children, chaired Encore 2009, and were assisted by a committee of more than 20 community members. The new elements the Benders and the entire committee brought to Encore were very successful, especially the BPO.

The orchestra was a big hit with all attendees. During the performance, conductor Paul Ferington announced that the BPO was up for its third Grammy nomination. Also, a guest-conductorship was awarded to Mary Alice Yaiko, who conducted a memorable rendition of the holiday tune 'Sleigh Ride.'

The evening began with a private, prelude reception with Ferington. Guests enjoyed gourmet food, featuring all new selections, in the William W. Stuart Forum, then they proceeded to the Stuart Steiner Theatre for the holiday pops concert. Afterward, they enjoyed delectable desserts in the College's Forum.

Contributions totaled more than $55,000 and are still coming in, said foundation Executive Director Richard Ensman. "We deeply appreciate the generous support of our Student Scholarship program. Encore is truly an investment in the future leaders of our communities."

The foundation also thanked Five Star Bank, the lead corporate benefactor, for its continued support of Encore.

The Genesee Community College Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to providing volunteer and philanthropic support to Genesee Community College. Formed in 1986, it has been instrumental in providing more than 3,000 scholarships over the last decade, assisting in the funding of the Conable Technology Building and the Humphrey Student Union and the expansion of College Village, Genesee's student residence.

Genesee Community College is accepting nominations for Honorary Associate degrees that are conferred at the annual commencement ceremony each May. Any person is welcome to make nominations. Nominations are due by Feb. 1.

Genesee seeks individuals associated with the college who have achieved business, professional, civic and scholarly accomplishments, as well as made notable contributions to the college or to academic disciplines taught at the college.

Recipients of honorary degrees are individuals whose accomplishments, contributions or leadership are well beyond ordinary standards, and serve as an inspiration to members of the college community and as role models for students and citizens of the region.

Nomination forms can be retrieved online at the following Internet address: http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/HonoraryForm.pdf

For Honorary Degree guidelines, please go to:http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/HonoraryGuidelines.pdf

The completed forms should be submitted to: Cathy Costello, executive assistant to the president and secretary to the board of tustees, Genesee Community College, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For further information, please call Cathy at 585-345-6812 or email: cecostello@genesee.edu. <http://cecostello@genesee.edu.>
 

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.

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>

Just in time for the holiday season! Genesee Community College's Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO Club) has expanded its SCHOLARS brand line of products to include the brand new Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix.

The pancake mix is sold as a gift pack with the popular Apple Cider Syrup that was developed last year. The two products combine not only as a delicious meal, but as a great holiday gift.

The syrup and pancake mix gift packs retail for $14.99 and can be purchased from local retailers as well as the Barnes and Noble Book Store at Genesee Community College. The Apple Cider Syrup alone retails for $9.99. Profits from the syrup and gift pack sales will be put back into the program, as well as used to fund student scholarships.

The Apple Cider Syrup project began over two years ago to produce and market a gourmet food product that would provide practical, hands-on business and entrepreneurial learning opportunities for Genesee students. The club developed and now markets SCHOLARS brand Apple Cider Syrup; an apple pie flavored syrup used over pancakes, waffles, French toast, pork recipes and even ice cream. The Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix is an expansion of their line, and a complimentary product to the Apple Cider Syrup.

"The goal of the SCHOLARS brand was to give students hands-on experience marketing and selling a product in the real-world," said Barbara Shine, professor of business and advisor of the CEO Club. "The expansion of the line is doing just that, and at a perfect time for holiday gift giving."

For further information, please contact Professor Shine at 343-0055 x6319.
 

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.