Stories from

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- The American Bar Association House of Delegates has re-approved Genesee Community College's Paralegal program for a seven-year period, Associate Vice President/Dean of Math, Science and Career Education Michael S. Stoll reported to the Board of Trustees Monday evening.

Approval came after an intensive review of the program's curricula, internship program, and student success. The approval process began in 2006 with faculty members developing a comprehensive "self-study" of the program. An ABA examiner then reviewed the self-study, and an approval team visited Genesee and conducted rigorous interviews with Genesee faculty, staff, and students.

This is the third approval of the program since it began 15 years ago.

ABA approval signifies to students and the general public that the Paralegal program meets high academic standards, and that students are well-prepared for paralegal positions, Dean Stoll told trustees.

Genesee's Paralegal program prepares students to work as legal assistants in a variety of fields. Paralegals provide research, case preparation, and management assistance to attorneys. They also work in the banking, real estate, and insurance fields.

Genesee's Paralegal program can be completed with two years of full time studies. In addition to a variety of general studies courses, students complete courses in such fields as tort law, civil litigation, legal research and writing, real estate law, trusts and estates, and family law.

Press Release:

More than 2,500 miles separate Claremont, California from Batavia, New York.  But on Tuesday, March 2, Claremont Little Leaguers got a bit of Batavia right in their own ballpark. 

Jermaine Curtis, third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league team, the Batavia Muckdogs, paid a special visit to Claremont’s Little League Farm team who bears the same name.   Curtis visited with the 13 youngsters and shared stories about his road to being a professional baseball player including his successful career with UCLA baseball.  Curtis stressed the importance of doing well in school, always trying your best and most of all he told the boys to “always have fun.”

The meeting of Muckdogs from opposite sides of the county was no coincidence.  In 2008, Claremont Little League officials decided to assign the younger players to minor league teams. 

Chairman Bernie Bernstein said, “We thought the designs for the minor league teams were fun and that the kids would really be excited about them.  The 50th anniversary of Claremont Little League was the perfect opportunity to roll out the program.” 

Well who would have known that they would have also provided an opportunity for the youngsters to meet the stars of their respective teams?

Claremont Muckdogs’ coach, Brian DeMott, through a mutual friend, found out that Curtis, whom he had seen at many UCLA games, was drafted by the Cardinals and played for their minor league team, the Batavia Muckdogs. 

Curtis, a graduate of A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, happened to be in town with his family when the call came.   Curtis was enthusiastic about the opportunity to visit with the young Muckdogs and applauded the league for making the decision to use minor league team names and logos for the season. 

Curtis responded to the request saying, “I want to give back to the sport I love so much!  My dad and I took the journey to being a professional baseball player all on our own.  We had little guidance and had to learn along the way.  I want to be able to be a mentor and help young kids who are upcoming athletes.”

Curtis’ outreach to young athletes is just beginning.  He is in the process of launching a new website, upcomingpros.com, which will allow upcoming professional athletes to mentor children and their parents on their road to college sports and the pros. 

Curtis plans to keep in touch with the Claremont Muckdogs and other young athletes through a blog on his site and in time, he plans to bring in other top collegiate and semi-pro athletes to the site to do the same. 

One thing is certain; there are a few new fans of the Batavia Muckdogs in Claremont, California today!
   
 

From a Press Release:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) today called for passage of legislation he has co-sponsored that protects workers’ rights and guarantees a secret ballot in workplace elections. The lawmaker commented on the same day legislation was offered in Congress creating a “card check” system that would effectively strip workers of their right to a secret ballot when determining whether to form a union.

“When an American citizen steps into the voting booth, they are protected by the right to a secret ballot. Elections in the workplace should be held to the same sacred standard,” Congressman Lee said. “Voices from across the political spectrum have opposed this ‘card check’ legislation for one simple reason: the secret ballot and workers’ rights should always be protected.”

Appearing yesterday on CNBC, Warren Buffett stated his opposition to “card check” legislation because the right to a secret ballot is “pretty important.” Also opposing “card check” is former Democratic presidential nominee Sen. George McGovern (D-SD), who told the Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill last fall, “I believe in the secret ballot as a very important part of our democracy.”

Congressman Lee is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1176, the Secret Ballot Protection Act of 2009, which protects the right of workers to have secret ballot elections when determining whether to form a union.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- Community members of all ages should save the date for Genesee Community College's 28th Annual Fashion Show. This year's much anticipated show is entitled "Recherche" (pronounced ra-share-shay) and is French for rare, exquisite or lavishly refined.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the program, the event continues to offer two shows scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM, in the William W. Stuart Forum of the Batavia Campus. Tickets for the show are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the door and can be purchased by calling 585-345-6830. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.

"Each year it is so exciting to watch the Fashion Merchandising students spend the year blending their ideas, talents and enthusiasm together toward the common goal of producing Western New York's largest professionally produced Fashion Show," said Rick Dudkowski, Genesee Community College's business professor who oversees the entire two-semester capstone project. "This year we've got some fantastic talents coordinating and participating in this project. This event will not disappoint!"

The event combines the interests and academic pursuits of several other College departments as well. The College's Hospitality Management students work under Genesee instructor Amy Bowles to coordinate extensive 'front of house' operations such as refreshments, décor, door prizes, music and light refreshments, and the overall festive ambience. In addition, Genesee's Criminal Justice students will be behind the scenes ensuring safety and security from the moment visitors arrive in the parking lot to the very end of the night, when the show has long been over. Graphic Art students at Genesee, under the direction of Pamela Swarts, have also contributed art work for the posters and programs.

Sponsors for the production are still being accepted. Business donations of $10.00 or personal donations of $5.00 are available. To extend appreciation, the business or personal name will be included in the souvenir program and the fashion show's website. If writing a check please make checks payable to GCCA. To schedule a time for pick up or to make special arrangements for your donation, please contact Alexandrea Biermann at abierman@genesee.edu.

Further information will be forthcoming, but save the date April 25 for Genesee's Annual Fashion Show. Contact Fashion Show student representative Katie Norton at 585-746-8170 for additional information.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College students in Rick Dudkowski's Business Problems and Management Class and the Business Forum Club have set their ducks afloat with one goal in mind; raising money for United Way. The students' assignment was to create fundraisers and events to increase College contributions to the 2009 United Way campaign titled, "Live United". Students came up with a Duck Derby Fundraiser on Thursday, March 12 at 1:00 PM. Students will be selling duck tickets until the day of the race.

All of the ticket purchasers will be assigned to a numbered rubber duck. The ducks will then be set free in the Olympic size pool at Genesee Community College in Batavia. With the help of a 'current' created by the College's Swim Team, the first duck to make it to the end of the swimming pool wins. The prize will depend on what each person paid for his or her ticket. Students are selling the tickets in one-dollar increments from $1 to $5. Participants win a percent of all money raised based on how much they buy the ticket for. For example, if a $1 duck wins, the winner will receive 10 percent of the funds raised. If a $2 duck wins, the winner gets 20 percent, and so on, up to 50 percent for a $5 duck.

The students have set a goal of raising over $500, to beat or at least match the amount students raised last year for The United Way. Genesee's United Way Duck Derby is modeled after a similar race that was held a few years ago in the Tonawanda Creek as a fundraiser for youth activities at the old Royal Rink (now Falletti Ice Arena).

"We really hope to reach our goal this year," Tim Walton, Genesee student and a member of the Rubber Duck Promotion Team said. "This event promises to be a lot of fun and most importantly, raise money for a good cause." The duck race is the second of two fundraisers that Genesee students have planned, the other being a carnation sale where over $150 was raised, which was put on during the fall semester.

Ducks will be available for purchase at the Batavia campus in the Forum, up until the start of the race. For further information or to purchase a duck, please contact Rick Dudkowski, Business Faculty member, at 585-343-0055 x6390 or at mrdudkowski@genesee.edu.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY - The talents of many Genesee student artists take center stage with the Genesee Community College Fine Arts Student Exhibition. This exhibit will be on display in the lobby art gallery of the Stuart Steiner Theatre at the Batavia campus from February 24 until March 24, 2009. This massive exhibit features over 100 pieces of sculpture, ceramics, paintings, drawings, photography and design projects, highlighting student works (both art and non-art majors) at Genesee.

There is a wide arrangement of works of art from 10 different art classes taught by four different faculty members. Included in the exhibit are works from: Drawing I and II, Painting I and II, and Digital Photography all taught by Heather Jones; 2D Design taught by Melissa Newcomb; Ceramics I and II and 3D Design taught by Moi Dugan; and Photography taught by Robert Cooper.

Art work submitted from Drawing I and II display various pencil drawings, portraits, and negative and positive space projects. The 2D Design classes offer pieces detailing elements such as texture, balance, color, line and emphasis. Plaster, paper and cardboard sculptures adorn the gallery from the 3D design class. The glass display cases are filled with unique and intricate ceramic pieces from the Ceramics I and II classes. Rounding out the immense student exhibit is an assortment of photographs from the photography classes depicting people, places and artistic interpretations.

"We really have some talented students at Genesee," Heather Jones, instructor of Fine Arts at Genesee said. "The students have really shown the depths of their creativity and ability. This year's student exhibit is also one of largest showings we've had. Both art and non-art majors have brought their best works to be displayed."

Students involved in the Fine Arts Exhibit are: Abrianna Adler, Susan Alessi, Alyssa Almete, Janet Arney, Peter Badami, Stacie Ball, Adaline Ballord, Christina Barnes, Rebecca Batt, Corey Bennett, Philip Berggren, Sierra Biegasiewioz, Krystal Skye Brisson, Karen Bryant, Jennifer Byrgett, Justin Calmes, Emille Carducci, Hoemi Chin, Grant Claypool, Briana Coogan-Bassett, Carrie Crawford, Joan Dalba, McKenzie D'Angelo, Megan Dembinski, Alicia Derefinko, Marcus Dixon, Chris Douglas, Mary Dukes, Holly Gardner, Jessica Gates, Andy Gibbs, Heather Gleason, Erin R. Guest, Markus Hall, Brittney Helsdon, Heather Hildebrant, Nate Hillabush, Dawn Holbrook, Danielle Hoskins, Jillian Hunt, Haruka Inove, Jamila Jordan, Annalis Kaminski, Casandra Kelsey, Brittany Kessler, Gary King, Ashley Kingsley, Susan Kinney, Heather Klimeck, Weiling Lazik, Heather Magrid, Jeanette Menzie, Carl Militello, Phil Mordenga, Lori Mould, Michael Moultrup, Mariko Nomura, Julie O'Connor, Gustavo Otera, Calvin Patrick, Nicole Pierce, Megan Reckahn, Libby Rennard, Amanda Ripton, Carrie Riter, William Rupp, Ellen Saile, Lynette Schunacher, Greg Scoins, Samantha Seewaldt, Maria Seewaldt, Kaely Shepard, Gwendolen Shepard, Julie Shuaffer, Timothy Sisson, Howen Smart, Haven Smart, Aquantis Smith, Leslie Statt, Lori Stellrecht, Kelly Stone, Carolyn Stroka, Michelle Taylor, Cory Thomas, Kelsey Trybushyn, Anne Vandenbosch, Rachel Wall, Kevin Wallace, Natalie Welch, Mary Jo Whitman, Elizabeth Woodruff, Martha Zuber, and Lydia Zwierzynski.

The Fine Arts Student Exhibit is free and open to the public. For further information, please contact Heather Jones at 585-343-0055 x6448 or at hsjones@genesee.edu.

Press release:

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College is proud to announce that 19 classes have integrated A Tale for Three Counties reading initiative program into their classrooms. The 2009 program features the novel, Separate from the World: An Ohio Amish Mystery by P.L. Gaus and has been read by over 300 Genesee students. A 'Meet the Author' presentation and book signing is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 1:00 PM in Room T102 at Genesee's Batavia campus.

A Tale for Three Counties community reading initiative was organized in 2003 by librarians in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, as well as with other interested partners, including Genesee Valley BOCES School Library System and the Daily News. The goal of A Tale for Three Counties is to encourage reading among area adults and teenagers and to develop interest and discussion groups for works of fiction that focus on rural family themes, local history, or other related topics and issues.

A wide range of subjects have incorporated the book into their lesson plans at the College. Six subject areas are represented, including: Reading, English, Sociology, Human Relations, Biology and The First Year Experience (FYE). Students at the Batavia Campus, many Campus Centers, and high school students in Genesee's ACE program are taking part in this collaborative reading initiative. Students participating in the reading program were given the book free of charge with funding from a grant through Genesee's Foundation and Student Activities.

Separate from the World is a story of a rift between two Amish factions, one that favors the use of medicine and that participates in a college study of genetic traits particular to the Amish community, and the other that rejects any outside influence. P. L. Gaus takes the reader inside a separate culture and, in a manner both gentle and grim, highlights the complex relationship of the Amish and the "English" as they live inside or outside each other's orbits.

Students, faculty and community members are invited to participate in various book discussions preceding the 'Meet the Author' presentation, on Monday, March 9 at 7:00 PM in the Library at Genesee and Tuesday, March 10 at 12:30 PM in room S103 in the Student Union. The book discussions and author presentation are part of 18 different discussions held at 15 community libraries through A Tale for Three Counties area-wide reading program. Amish inspired refreshments will be available at discussions, and at the author's presentation and book signing.

"This really is a record- setting year for this reading initiative at Genesee," Sue Chiddy, co-chair of the Genesee committee said. "This novel is an excellent piece for discussion in an academic setting because it touches on so many compelling topics. From bio-genetic issues to sociological dialogue on communal living, the students here are engaging in interesting and thought-provoking discussion."

For more information on A Tale for Three Counties community reading program, visit www.taleforthreecounties.org or contact committee chair person Leslie Delooze at 585-343-9550 Ext.8.

The 'Meet the Author' presentation, book sale and signing event at Genesee are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Genesee Community College's A Tale for Three Counties co-chairpersons Michele Asmus or Sue Chiddy at 585-343-0055 Ext. 6256.

OLD BUSINESS                

1.   Resolution 02-2009:
Rescind Resolution 02-2009 of Feb. 9, 2009
Approve a Retail Water supply Agreement with the
Town of Batavia  -- Revised Resolution 02-2009    
Recreation Program Director appointment
Teamsters Contract Status --  R. Pacer

NEW BUSINESS:              

1.  Thompkins Ins. Update  --  David Boyce

2.   Water Districts State Comptroller Applications
Resolution 09-2009 – Water District #5
Resolution 10-2009 – Water District #7
Resolution 11-2009 – Water District #8

3.   Water districts Negative Declarations
Resolution 07-2009 – Water district 7
Resolution 08-2009 – Water district 8

4.   Tax collector’s Report --  Walt Kershenski

5.   GAM Meeting:
Michelle Mouery report Feb. 19th meeting
Next Meeting March 19, 2009  
           Town of ????????– R. Pacer

6.  Highway Dept  – Steve Boldt
Highway Shared Services Agreement                       
Resolution on Standardization
 

We received this via e-mail:

Last chance tonight to see the Batavia High School Musical "Little Shop of Horrors". This years production is fantastic! Production value for a High School play is the best to date and the actors/actresses are fantastic in thier respective roles. Please spread the word.....Last performance is tonight March 7th. Show starts at 7pm at the BHS.