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College hires new media specialist, sees rapid online growth

By Billie Owens

This information is from Genesee Community College.

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter allow Genesee Community College students to connect with peers, faculty and staff almost instantaneously. And in just two months time, GCC's social media presence has seen rapid growth thanks to a renewed, re-focused effort.

Whether it's information about the study abroad options, its Army ROTC program, campus closing information under the threat of an impending snowstorm, or just a place to connect and share memories with a friend -- the importance of social media is increasing exponentially.

"With 600 million people on Facebook alone, social media platforms are a great place to have a conversation with students, alumni and the community," said Kevin Manne, Genesee's new media specialist, who was hired in December.

"Students are becoming more comfortable using social media than traditional forms of communication like direct mail or even e-mail."

Genesee's Facebook page has seen 169-percent growth, with a total of more than 1,100 "likes" from students, alumni, faculty, staff and local community members. Genesee's new Twitter account, @sunygcc, was established in December and has already connected with more than 140 "followers."

A big advantage of these digital platforms is the analytical information that can be compiled and analyzed for future use and reference.

"The majority of our Facebook fans are between the ages of 18-24, a segment that we regularly communicate with because that's the age range of most of our students," Manne said.

"But the demographics show that we're connecting with people from 13 to over 55, illustrating that the reach of these platforms goes beyond the 'traditional' student."

Social media are attractive to businesses because most are free to use. But Manne said organizations should be prepared to invest a significant amount of time to them if they hope to achieve social media success.

"Facebook and Twitter don't shut down when you leave the office at the end of the day," he said. "A social media administrator should listen, respond and provide relevant and entertaining information in a timely manner – and that means keeping tabs on your social networks beyond traditional office hours."

Along with the college's Facebook and Twitter pages, the YouTube page (videos), Flickr page (photos) and student Wordpress blogs have been revamped with a new look and more unified usernames.

Other new communication technology Genesee is using includes applying Quick Response (QR) codes to print ads, fliers and posters. These black and white, two-dimensional bar codes allow users to "scan" the code using the camera on their mobile device or smart phone to instantly connect online.

In addition, the college will soon begin using geo-location-based social networks such as Foursquare and Facebook Places to offer special deals when users "check in" to the Stuart Steiner Theatre for discounts on tickets.

Get connected with all of GCC's social media pages from the college's homepage using the special icons on the lower right corner.

Manne leads Genesee's communication efforts across social media, blogging, Web and other emerging mediums. He previously served as communications and public relations specialist at Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

Manne earned his associate degree from GCC and graduated magna cum laude from Buffalo State College with a bachelor's degree in Public Communication. He serves as secretary on the Public Relations Society of America, Buffalo Niagara Chapter Board of Directors and is a member of its E-Communications Committee.

In 2009, he was awarded the platinum "best of show" Excalibur Award for development of a Web-based employee newsletter and in 2010 he received a silver Excalibur Award in social media.

Manne and other guest speakers are available to make presentations to local community groups at no cost to their organization through the Genesee Community College Speakers Bureau.

For a complete list of speakers, visit:

<http://www.genesee.edu/resources/SpeakersBureau.cfm.>

A taste of the bayou comes to GCC

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from Genesee Community College.

Genesee Community College’s Batavia Campus will come alive with the sounds of rhythm and blues music and the flavors of delicious Cajun fare at the Batavia-bayou Cross-cultural Connection on Saturday.

This culturally diverse event will present and explore Louisiana’s struggle to rebound from Hurricane Katrina and the devastating oil spill. The full-day event features live music by the Frank Mayo Band, educational guest speakers and discussions, a documentary film by Genesee students, a Taste of New Orleans and much more.

Saturday’s events begin at 8:30 a.m. with a full day of presentations and question-and-answer sessions with various guest speakers. A welcome and documentary film presentation by GCC students will start the daylong events.

Guest speakers throughout the day include: Diane Huhn of the Bayou Grace Community Services of New Orleans, who'll make a presentation on wetlands conservation after the Gulf oil spill; Pete Nunually of the Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana who'll talk about on the rebuilding and volunteer efforts; and Captain Wendy Billiot, former oil and gas industry employee, who will speak about the threat to the region’s wetlands and the poisoned landscaped after Katrina.

Saturday will also feature dinner with New Orleans-style food samplings, a photography exhibit by Genesee students who traveled to New Orleans for Alternative Spring Break, and Zydeco dance exhibitions and lessons. Highlighting the evening will be a concert by the Frank Mayo band and a Café du Monde dessert station.

"I am amazed at the resiliency of the people of New Orleans who have come together to help rebuild the region,” said Lori Mould, president of Genesee’s PTK chapter and student trustee.

“This event will highlight the rebuilding efforts and bring to light the issues the city is still dealing with years after Katrina and the BP oil spill. This cultural event should also uncover the amazing cultural gems the city of New Orleans holds."

Mould, a Multimedia and Fine Arts major, has traveled to the New Orleans area about a dozen times over the last year and a half. Her efforts have brought other Genesee students to the bayou region and helped make this event possible.

Proceeds from this event will support Genesee students’ Alternative Spring Break 2011 in New Orleans, Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana and Bayou Grace Community Services.

Tickets for Saturday’s events are $20 general, $15 seniors, and $10 students with valid ID. For tickets, contact the Box Office at 343-0055, ext. 6814, or purchase at the campus.

Matches made at GCC get special Valentines

By Billie Owens

Here's a news release from Genesee Community College.

Nearly 200 long-term relationships have been formed from students attending classes at Genesee Community College. These "Met My Mates" began their associations as soon as the college opened its doors in 1967, and continue today with new relationships, marriages and connections made every year since.

Without Genesee, many of these alumni would have never met their girlfriends, boyfriends and spouses, or formed the interesting lives they lead today.

One of the first couples to have met at GCC was Dave Easton and Pat (Sarnowski) Easton, members of the first class at Genesee in 1967. They attended classes in the converted commercial building ('Valu Tech') on West Main Street.

Pat was one of the first members of the staff of the GCC newspaper, the Genesee Oriel. Dave was a business student who often helped President Stuart Steiner set up for mixers. After graduating from GCC, Dave and Pat were engaged and then married as Pat graduated from SUNY Geneseo. They have been married for 40 years and have one son, Bryan. Currently they live in Saint Peters, Mo., where Dave is a regional vice president for Family Dollar Stores.

A decade after Dave and Pat Easton met, Sue (Quick) Resig and Chris Resig found each other after both running for student government positions in 1979. Sue was the newly elected secretary and Chris was treasurer, and their desks were near each other. It didn't take long, working side by side, for Chris and Sue to become good friends.

They soon became known around campus as "chrisandsue" because they were rarely found without each other. By graduation the couple skipped over dating and went straight to engagement. They graduated from Genesee in 1980 and Buffalo State College in 1982, and now live in Liverpool and have three sons.

John and Patti (Mancuso) Michalak met while attending a GCC class together in the fall of 1969. Patti swears, "Love at first sight does exist. I saw those blue eyes of his and I was hooked." Patti and John had a short courtship of six months and they were engaged.

They married in October of 1970 and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year, ironically on the weekend of GCC's first Homecoming celebration. John and Patti have three children, two grandchildren and reside in Batavia.

Beverly (Ludwick) Dorman and Craig Dorman met while taking an English class together in 1972. Beverly quickly caught sight of the towering, 6'6" GCC basketball player wearing cowboy boots! Within months she and Craig began their courtship, which is still strong 31 years later.

Bev, originally from Salamanca, settled in Batavia with Craig just minutes from GCC on the Dorman family farm. Today, Craig is the chief operating officer of Corporate Floors USA, a commercial flooring company in Rochester and Bev is the co-manager. Bev is also an administrative assistant in an orthopedic surgeon's office in Rochester. They have three children and one grandchild and still reside in Batavia.

These lasting relationships were not just formed back in the 1960s and 1970s. Class of 2004 graduates Kate (Starkweather) Edwards and Darren Edwards developed an interest and relationship while studying Communications and Digital Arts. Over their two-year enrollment at GCC, they spent virtually all of their time together. From Darren's Monday night radio show on WGCC to "hanging out" on the stage in the Forum between classes, they were always together.

The summer they graduated from GCC, they moved in together and Kate started her bachelor's degree at SUNY Brockport, while Darren began working for Wyoming County Bank (now Five Star Bank). Darren is still with Five Star Bank, and Kate joined him there in 2006. Darren is now a regional operations manager and Kate is an assistant branch manager for the Attica branch. On July 12, 2008, they were married at Terry Hills in Batavia. They have since bought a home, and live in the area.

"It's always exciting to find our married alum and hear their romantic stories," Alumni Coordinator Jackie Christen said. "Their connection to GCC will always be very special and unique to them. We hope that other GCC "Met My Mate" couples will share their stories for future e-newsletters and The Forum magazine."

In celebration of all the "Met My Mates" at Genesee, the Alumni office has sent out special Valentines to all Cougar couples who met at GCC. To be added to the list, please contact the Alumni office at 585-343-0055, ext. 6265 or email alumni@genesee.edu.

The Alumni office is always looking for new Cougar couples to highlight in the bi-annually printed alumni publication, The Forum.

For photos of all the above mentioned 'Met My Mate' couples visit the GCC Alumni Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GeneseeAlumni and view the Met My Mate photo album.

Elba's FIRST Lego League invites robot fans to a maze race at GCC

By Daniel Crofts

The following is a press release from Chantal Zambito, a resident of Elba and co-coach of Elba's FIRST Lego League (see Aug. 5 article):

Calling all NXT/RCX Robotic Clubs, Groups, Teams, and Enthusiasts!

If you are between the ages of 9 and 14, you are invited to come to Genesee Community College in Batavia to participate in a friendly maze race. Whether you are a novice or an experienced user of the NXT/RCX Robotic software, this is for you.

The event will take place on Thursday, March 17, 2011 in conjunction with Tech Wars. Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the events from 9:30 – 12:30.

You may decide which level you would like to compete at, novice or advanced. The three teams with the fastest times making it in and out of a maze will receive a ribbon and certificate. The best time will be taken from the group’s three trips through the maze.

Novice groups will know the route of the maze prior to the competition. The advanced teams will navigate a route chosen at random. All routes will be on an 8’ X 4’ table.

A free style, noncompetitive exhibition will also be available for teams who would like to show off a creative robot.

Information on how to get a Robotics Club started at your school or in your community will be available at the event as well. Come and look at the 2010 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge Missions, projects and presentations from local teams.

For a map of the maze, registration form, or more information about the NXT Challenge at GCC contact Chantal Zambito at gcc.robotics2011@yahoo.com. For more information about Tech Wars go to www.techwarsgcc.org.

GCC baseball signs two area players

By Howard B. Owens

GCC's head baseball coach, Skip Sherman, right, is excited about two players who will be joining his squad.

Adam Pratt, above with his parents, signed a letter of intent to play for GCC and is receiving a two-year scholarship to play for the Cougers. Entering his senior season at Batavia High School, the southpaw has a 3.06 ERA with 106 Ks in 66 1/3 innings with a record of 6-4. He was the Rotary Tournament MVP last season.

Says Sherman:

Left-handed pitcher. I have been watching Adam for a couple of years now and we are very excited to have him join our program. He will be expected to help lead our pitching staff and will be tested very early to see if he is ready to pitch at a high level. He has great composure on the mound and was asked to pitch in some big games as a junior. I am expecting him to have a big senior year for Batavia High School and I am looking forward to working with him at Genesee next year.

Also signing on with the squad is Ken Urbanik of Lyndonville.

Sherman:

Kenny is a very versatile player and is an extremely hard worker. He will do very well in our program because of his work ethic. Right now he is projected to play a corner in the outfield and we are excited about having a player of his size, with his speed, in our program. He is the type of player that always succeeds in our program and it will be very interesting to see what happens after a couple of years in our program.

Attorney previously arrested at GCC returns to gym for Monroe CC game

By Howard B. Owens

John Parrinello, the Monroe County attorney who was kicked out of a basketball game at Genesee Community College on Dec. 12, was back at the scene of the alleged crime Thursday night.

Parrinello who reportedly has a long history of supporting women's basketball at Monroe Community College, and who has a son who now coaches the team, was in the stands just prior to the start of a game between MCC and GCC.

A school official said until Parrinello is allowed on campus pending the outcome of the legal case that led to his arrest.

The MCC district trustee was originally charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, for allegedly refusing to leave the gym after reportedly mouthing off to a ref during an MCC game. 

The charges against Parrinello were reduced this week to a violation of trespass and two counts of disorderly conduct.

After his appearance in Batavia Town Court where he entered a not guilty plea, Parrinello said, "I'm presumed to be innocent. They have to prove me guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which they'll never do."

For previous coverage, click here.

GCC on red alert about deadly binge drinking

By Billie Owens

In an effort to raise awareness about the deadly effects of binge drinking, Genesee Community College has launched the Red Watch Band campaign in conjunction with GCASA.

The Red Watch Band (RWB) campaign began as an initiative at Stony Brook University and is now a national alcohol intervention campaign. Its mission is to provide campus community members with the knowledge, awareness and skills to prevent student toxic drinking deaths and to promote a student culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion, and respect.

In June 2008, a Stony Brook University faculty member lost her son to acute alcohol overdose while he was finishing his freshman year away at college. Upon hearing this news, President Shirley Strum Kenny commissioned an education-awareness campaign on preventing drinking deaths on college campuses.

Alcohol and other drug specialists and student leaders at Stony Brook developed a comprehensive bystander intervention program offered to all students.

Genesee Community College's office of Student Activities, as well as the Health and Physical Education department have joined with GCASA to launch the Red Watch Band program that will provide students with the tools necessary to make healthier, potentially lifesaving decisions when it comes to alcohol use.

A training day for interested students will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 in room T102.

The primary component of the program is a four-hour training session in which participants learn how to recognize alcohol emergencies and respond effectively. The training program will consist of two and half hours of CPR/AED training and one and a half hours of Alcohol Emergencies taught by Alcohol and Other Drugs Specialists. Participants will receive a free lunch during the training.

"We really want to coordinate an effort to educate our students on the perils of excessive drinking," said Cliff Scutella, director of Student Activities. "We want to inform students on what to do if someone they know has an alcohol overdose. Having this alcohol intervention training could mean the difference in someone living or dying."

For further information about the RWB campaign visit <http://www.redwatchband.org> or contact GCC's Student Activities office at 343-0055, ext. 6261.

Improved GCC theater ready for spring action

By Billie Owens

After a quiet fall theater season, the spring season at the Genesee Center for the Arts will feature plenty of live performances due, in part, to brand-new, state-of-the-art lighting and rigging upgrades in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

The Center for the Arts, located on the Batavia Campus of Genesee Community College, has undergone improvements totaling over $200,000, not including the adjacent art gallery that is currently in the finishing stages of construction.

Ed Hallborg, the theater's technical director, said the upgrades improve lighting quality and controls to current technical standards, and they also made safety improvements for the rigging to support both light fixtures and stage curtains.

(A video of the "behind the scenes" workings of the new equipment can be viewed at www.youtube.com/SUNYGCC <http://www.youtube.com/SUNYGCC>  under the video "Making Theater Magic.")

The rigging improvements addressed new safety and building codes, while the lighting upgrade consist of a new dimming system and a new lighting console. A new sound recording system called ProTools allows for state-of-the-art recordings for not only theater performances, but for student classroom use.

"Although many of the upgrades were certainly needed, much of the new technology is behind the scenes," Hallborg said. "Regular patrons may not even notice the improved lighting and sound equipment, but the cast and crew who work behind the curtain or up in the control room, as well as Fine Arts students, will be grateful for the new, easy-to-use, modern technologies."

Genesee's modern facilities allow for increased hands-on experience for students in the Fine Arts curriculum, specifically Technical Theater majors. Demand is high for qualified, skilled and talented technical theater professionals in communities nationwide.

Genesee graduates are ready to work in professional and community theater facilities, as television crew, special events management, musical and opera companies, major touring productions and concerts, and in the travel/cruise entertainment industries.

Technical Theater career opportunities include: stagecraft technicians; theater electricians; lighting designers/technicians; stage director and managers; sound designers/technicians; and set designers/technicians.

Students also have great transfer options to further their education with institutions such as the University of Buffalo, Buffalo State College, Ithaca College and SUNY Brockport.

For further information please contact Edward Hallborg at 343-0055, ext. 6618 or <http://ERHallborg@genesee.edu>.

For photos and updates on the events at the Genesee Center for the Arts visit the Facebook page at <http://www.facebook.com/GCCTheater>.

The Spring 2011 schedule of performing arts events at Genesee Center for the Arts includes:

  • "In the Blood" by Suzan-Lori Parks -- Feb. 3, 4, and 5
  • Batavia-Bayou Cultural Connection with live music from Mumbo Jumbo and LeeRon Zydeco and the Hot Tamales -- Feb. 19
  • Tony Brown and the Faithful -- Feb. 25
  • AElinor Oratoria-Chorale Concert -- March 6
  • Stone Row -- March 12
  • "Nobody Likes Mordacious" Children's Theater by Jack Stokes -- March 23, 24 and 25
  • "Blood Brothers" by Willy Russell -- April 7-10

Genesee Community College Hosts Batavia-Bayou Cross Cultural Connection

By Ann Winters

Genesee Community College’s Batavia Campus will come alive with the sounds of rhythm and blues music and the flavors of delicious Cajun fare at the Batavia-Bayou Cross Cultural Connection on Friday and Saturday, February 18 and 19, 2011. This culturally diverse event will also present and explore Louisiana’s struggle to rebound from Hurricane Katrina and last year’s devastating oil spill.

Event Date and Time
-

Tony Brown and the Faithful with Open Act Swati

By Ann Winters
Tony Brown and the Faithful with Opening Act Swat
Friday, Feb 25, 2011
7:00 PM
Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College

TONY BROWN AND THE FAITHFUL With Opening Act – SWATI 

Featuring “Tony Brown and the Faithful” with an opening act of “Swati”, presented by the Fine and Performing Arts committee, Friday, February 25, 2011 at 7:00PM

Event Date and Time
-

Spring schedule for new Roz Steiner Art Gallery

By Billie Owens

Here's the Spring 2011 new Roz Steiner Art Gallery schedule (subject to change):

The new Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery opens this spring with a GCC Fine Arts Student Show. It is scheduled for March 1 through April 5, with an opening reception from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. The exhibit highlights current student artwork in GCC courses on drawing, painting, photography, 2D, 3D, and ceramics.

Community members and art enthusiasts should save the date for the Roz Steiner Art Gallery Grand Opening Reception, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 15. Complete details will be available soon!

The spring semester will round out with a GCC Digital Arts Student Show from May 11 through, with an opening reception from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 12.

 

Genesee Center for the Arts: Live performance calendar

By Billie Owens

The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College has announced the calendar for live performances for its 19th season at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Live Performances in the Stuart Steiner Theatre:

The Forum Players start the spring season with the performance of In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks, a modern interpretation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, "The Scarlett Letter." The Forum Player's production is set in a post Hurricane Katrina backdrop that follows the daily trials of Hester, an illiterate, single, homeless, African-American woman who must find a way to rise above her situation and care for her five children.

Performance dates are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. onThursday, Feb. 3-5. Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $5 seniors (55+) and students and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC alumni card.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra returns to Genesee Community College with its 64th season with two performances at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"Love Notes" will be performed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, with special guest Michael Ludwig, violin.

"GSO on Broadway" will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, featuring the GSO 2011 String Workshop Orchestra.

Ticket prices are: $12 adults; $8 seniors (62+); $5 students (18 & under or GCC students with a valid ID); or $30 per family (parent plus children 12 & under) and are available at the following locations:

Hi-Tek Graphics in Oakfield; Bank of Castile in LeRoy; Roxy's Music Store; GO ART!; The Enchanted Florist; and the Box Office at Genesee Community College in Batavia. Tickets are also available at the door one hour prior to the performance at the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

Two acts of musical talent and originality will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25. Tony Brown and the Faithful, with opening act Swati.

Tony Brown is a former member of Upstate NY's infamous Ozone, now touring with his band the Faithful -- a gathering of experienced, eclectic musicians hailing from around the globe. Brown's soulful, powerful voice, along with the acoustic world vibe that his band mates bring, creates a sound that mixes blues, folk and alternative rock.

Opening act Swati, a NYC native who began her musical career in the classical world, plays a 12-string guitar that has been fitted with eight. Ticket prices are: $12 adults; $10 seniors (55+); $5 students (18-) and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC alumni card.

A concert by the Genesee Chorale and Chorale Orchestra, "AElinor, the Oratorio," is also scheduled this spring at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 6 at the Stuart Steiner Theatre. Words and music by Ann Reid, and conducted by Ric Jones with the Genesee Chorale and the Chorale Orchestra.

This concert storyline takes place in 1147, AElinor, Countess of Poitou, Duchess of Aquitaine, and Queen of the Franks leads a band of women on the Second Crusade. In so doing, she learns about earthly love and her marriage to Louis VII, King of the Franks, is annulled. She runs off with Henry Plantagenet, a penniless lord. Six months later, the penniless lord becomes Henry II, King of England.

Developed in the Lehman Engel Workshop, Los Angeles, this project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Ticket prices are: $10 adults; $8 for seniors (62+) and students (18-); $5 GCC student with GCC ID; and $18 family (parent plus children under 17). Tickets are available at the Box Office at Genesee Community College, GO ART! in Batavia, and from all Chorale members.

The Fine and Performing Arts committee is pleased to have Stone Row returning to the Stuart Steiner Theatre for one performance at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Stone Row is a fusion of Celtic, folk, country and rock that combines the local talent of four dynamically versatile musicians. Each band member brings a whole new spin with diversified attitudes and styles.

Ticket prices are: $10 adults; $8 seniors (55+); $5 students (18-) and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC alumni card.

The Genesee Center for the Arts continues its commitment to introducing performing art to children, families, and schools throughout the Western New York area with Nobody Likes Mordacious (And That's How He Likes It), a stage fantasy by veteran children's theatre playwright Jack Stokes.

The Forum Players and local grammar-school students present the audience with a girl who needs to rescue her parents from the stratagems of a very wicked fellow. On an epic quest laced with humor, she encounters genies, shadows, monsters, and pirates, and enlists the aid of a witch-fighting guide in order to restore her family.

Not everyone can be redeemed; sometimes evil is just plain evil; as always, bullies of any stripe must be confronted. These are just a few of the things Orafu learns on her quest. This show is appropriate for any audience, particularly elementary and junior-high students.

Performance dates are scheduled for Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24, by invitation only, and there will be one public performance at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25. Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $5 seniors (55+), students, and GCC faculty/staff; and $3 GCC students with GCC ID.

The last live performance at the Stuart Steiner Theatre this spring is Blood Brothers by Willy Russell, performed by the Forum Players. Blood Brothers is one of the longest-running musicals in London theatre, with the 1988 West End production still running.

It is a musical that has a contemporary nature vs. nurture plot, revolving around fraternal twins who were separated at birth. The twins' different backgrounds take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum, leading up to a tragic ending.

Performance dates are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 through Saturday, April 9. A matinee is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $5 seniors (55+), students, and GCC faculty/staff; $3 GCC students with GCC ID; and a $2 discount for GCC alumni with GCC Alumni card.

For more ticket information or reservations, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at 585/343-6814 or by email at <http://boxoffice@genesee.edu>. All seating is general admission.

The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash and checks only, credit cards are not accepted. For door-to-door directions, sent via email, visit http://www.genesee.edu/

 

GC Rural Police Training Academy recruits brave icy waters for worthy cause

By Billie Owens

Earlier this month, recruits at the Rural Police Training Academy at Genesee Community College took the plunge into the icy waters at Hamburg Beach on Lake Erie.

The current class in the 22nd Basic Course for Police participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Polar Plunge on Dec. 4. All 24 recruits attended and 17 of them actually braved the 40 degree waters of Lake Erie for the cause.

They generated more than $1,000 in donations, coming in 24th place out of 89 competing teams in this annual event.

"This was a total volunteer event and I appreciate the hard work of this class for a great cause," said Douglas Brooks, director of GC's Rural Police Training Academy Brooks.

The event generates funds and raises awareness to benefit the Special Olympics, with similar events occurring throughout the year at locations across the country.

"It is a very unique way of not only raising funds for a great cause, but also building camaraderie among the recruits," Brooks said.

 

Photos: High school students display entrepreneurial chops at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

GCC was filled with young entrepreneurs today as students from more than a dozen high schools in the region participated in a trade fair, selling wares from their virtual businesses.

Debbie Dunlevy, college tech prep project director at GCC, explains the program:

In September 2003, six districts in the GLOW Region, with the assistance of the College Tech Prep program at GCC, began a pilot program related to the Business Career Cluster. There have been up to 11 GLOW school districts participating in the program and currently there are nine with a company. This program integrates an Entrepreneurship class with the international Virtual Enterprise program.

Students enrolled in the class seek to establish a business from the ground up. They design a business plan, decide on a product to “sell," design a marketing a plan, work with payroll and taxes and, in general, learn about all aspects of running a business without assuming any of the actual risks since the entire project is completed virtually using the internet, fax, phone and U.S. Mail.

Students participate in a Trade Fair during the fall term and an end of year competition in the spring semester. All of the schools are members of the Rochester Area Consortium, which includes 10 Monroe County secondary schools, three Erie County schools, plus the nine from the GLOW Region.

At the Trade Fair, students set up displays with the objective of getting visitors to “purchase” their product. Awards are given to the top three schools in the areas of best booth, salesmanship and most sales. Money from the Trade Fair sales is deposited into the company accounts.

All visitors are given $10,000 in virtual money to spend at any of the booths.

This program exemplifies the main goal of College Tech Prep program, which is to provide rigorous academics coupled with hands on or practical application.

GCC holds workshop on adults in career transition

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College along with the Genesee County Career Center will host a workshop titled "Adults in Career Transition: Are You a Purple Squirrel?" on Thursday, Dec. 2. It will be held at the Batavia Campus  from 5 to 7 p.m. in T119. This event is free and open to the public.

"Purple Squirrel" is a human resource term for the elusive candidate, with exactly the right qualifications and experience, to match an employer's need. The term is synonymous with "ideal candidate."

The Adults in Career Transition workshop will focus on introducing transition skills and career opportunities for adults returning to the workforce or attending college. Guest speakers include John McGowan, Career Services coordinator at Genesee Community College and Veronica Frost, senior employment and training counselor at the Genesee County Career Center.

"We want to encourage adults of all ages and skill sets to come to this workshop," McGowan said. "Employers are now looking for the ideal candidate and we want to inform adults transitioning back in to the workplace on how they can be that 'purple squirrel.'"

Interested participants should RSVP to the Adults in Career Transition workshop by calling the GCC Career Services Office at 345-6888, by e-mailing slburns@genesee.edu or registering online at <http://www.genesee.edu/career/events >.

Writer to discuss memoir of childhood poverty in WNY at college

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College will present the third segment in the Wealth and Poverty Around the World cultural series on Thursday, Dec. 9.

Sonja Livingston, award-winning author of "Ghostbread," will discuss her memoir and highlight childhood poverty in Western New York.

The presentation and discussion will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in T102 at the Batavia campus. This event is free and open to the public. After the discussion, Sonja will be available to sign books (outside of T102) and the GCC Barnes and Noble bookstore will have her book available for purchase.

"Ghostbread" uses a poetic approach to chronicle a childhood stricken with poverty in Western New York. Ghostbread has won an AWP Book Award and it was named a book of the year by "ForeWord" magazine.

One of seven children brought up by a single mother, Livingston moved from an old farming town to an Indian reservation to a dead-end urban neighborhood. She and her siblings followed their nonconformist mother from one ramshackle house to another on the perpetual search for something better.

Along the way, the young Sonja observes the harsh realities her family encounters, as well as small moments of transcendent beauty that somehow keep them going. While struggling to make sense of her world, Livingston perceives the stresses and patterns that keep children--girls in particular--trapped in the cycle of poverty. (www.Sonjalivingston.com)

"Ghostbread" is being featured in Human Services Field Experience classes at Genesee, under the instruction of Connie Boyd.

"'Ghostbread' is an excellent memoir that provides Human Services students with a firsthand account of what it is like to grow up in poverty in our area," said Connie Boyd, director of Human Services at Genesee.

"After reading the poetic novel, students will be doing a reflective paper, and having the opportunity to speak with the author will help our students gain knowledge and understanding in the Human Services field."

Livingston has earned a NYFA Fellowship, an Iowa Award, and Pushcart Prize nomination for her nonfiction writing. Her work has appeared in several textbooks on writing, as well as many journals, including "The Iowa Review," "Spoon River Poetry Review," "Alaska Quarterly Review," "AGNI" and others.

She holds a master's degree in education from SUNY Brockport and a master of fine arts degree from the University of New Orleans. She also teaches in UCLA Extension's Creative Writing Program. Livingston is an elementary school counselor in Rochester, where she lives with her husband, artist Jim Mott.

For further information, please contact Nina Mortellaro at Genesee Community College at 343-0055, ext. 6228 or nimortellaro@genesee.edu.

Forum Players present 'In the Blood' at the Stuart Steiner Theatre

By Ann Winters

Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College presents:

“In the Blood” by Suzan-Lori Parks performed by the Forum Players at the Stuart Steiner Theatre Thursday – Saturday, Feb 3, 4 and 5, 2011 7:30pm

Event Date and Time
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Special Ticket Promotion for Children’s Theatre, “Nobody Likes Mordacious”

By Ann Winters

Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College, Stuart Steiner Theatre:

Children’s Theatre “Nobody Likes Mordacious” (And That's How He Likes It) by Jack Stokes, is presented by the Forum Players and local grammar school students, March 25, 2011 at 7:30pm.

Event Date and Time
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GCC Christian Students United Group Takes Action

By Robin Walters

On Thursday evening, the Christian Students United group of GCC teamed up with Care-A-Van Ministries on their monthly visit to the GCC dorms. The students with Care-A-Van volunteers knocked on all 95 dorm rooms to offer treats, prayer, encouragement and an invitation to share of the group's activities that take place on campus. The Care-A-Van volunteers are made up of many indivduals from many local churches. It was an awesome evening. Many of the rooms asked for prayer.  The students look forward to the monthly visits and especially the treats and prayers that are offered.

A roomful of girls had a spider in their bathroom that they needed killed, here is Joe from the GCC soccer team  who is member of the Christian Students United group coming to the rescue.

All the volunteers gathered  on the Care-A-van bus for closing prayer when done.

Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van prays for the students and gives thanks to the Lord for another great night out with the ministry.

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