GCC

Press release

More than 2,000 attendees witness GCC's 41st Commencement

Genesee Community College's 41st Commencement on May 17 was bittersweet for the audience of more than 2,000 proud parents, friends and family members and President Steiner, Board of Trustees and faculty.

The Commencement speaker was Ruth Andes, PhD, Genesee's professor of sociology and assistant dean of assessment and special projects, who recently announced her retirement after 39 years at GCC.

She compared the turbulent times during her college graduation in 1967, including the Vietnam War and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., to the difficulties of today with "less than positive economic times." But, Dr. Andes stated: "...Difficult times are also times of fabulous change. I hope that as you go forth, you will be part of that change. There is still a lot of work to be done. We still need peace. We still need civil rights - though we've come a long way. And we still need people committed to making the world a better place."

As she recounted the early stages of her career, she reflected on her initial reluctance to accept a teaching assistantship because she felt research was her strength. Nonetheless, she persevered and "by mid-October, I found I was enjoying it ...that was one of the greatest surprises of my life."

"When people tell you the odds aren't very good, don't listen to them. Tell them they are wrong. Go ahead and do it anyway...Listen to your heart. Trust in yourself."

After thanking President Steiner for encouraging her professional growth,  Andes also thanked her colleagues.

Then, she told the students: "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have taught me. Teaching is a two-way street and I have learned as much from you as I have tried to share with you. It mattered that you opened your eyes and expanded your horizons."

The Commencement Ceremony also included special recognition of the College's 20,000th graduate. Jennifer Bryant of Batavia received an award representing Genesee Community College's 20,000 graduates, and her many accomplishments as a Genesee student.

After four years in the military as an MP with two tours in Iraq, Jennifer's efforts at Genesee have been equally impressive. She served as president of Alpha Iota Upsilon chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and was named to the President's list for three consecutive semesters. She actively promoted green alternatives in the community, and participated in the College's Honors Program and school newspaper.

Jennifer was nominated for the Coca-Cola and USA Today sponsored All-USA Academic Team and was named as a Gold Scholar. She was also named one of 10 students to make the All-New York State Academic 1st Team. She is a SUNY Chancellor's for Student Excellence honoree and she received the College's Board of Trustees Award. Jennifer was nominated to take part in the International Scholar Laureate Program on International Relations and Diplomacy. She now plans to attend SUNY Brockport majoring in International Relations with a minor in Environmental Studies and one day she hopes to attend Columbia Law School.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) today announced that he is hosting a local food drive throughout the 139th Assembly District in order to help those hit hardest in these tough economic times.

“The generosity and kindness of Western New York residents never ceases to amaze me and while many of our friends and neighbors are struggling right now, there are many of us that know how fortunate we are and grateful that we can help those less fortunate. I am sure that the residents of the 139th Assembly District will show their generous spirit yet again with this food drive that will be benefiting our local food pantries in order to help families, seniors and individuals in need,” said Hawley.

The Assemblyman has posted drop boxes in a variety of locations throughout Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans counties within the 139th Assembly District where residents can leave non-perishable food donations. The donations will be given to local charities, shelters, and food pantries, including the Salvation Army, Life Solutions, Hilton Food Shelf, Brockport Food Shelf, and Orleans Community Action, among others.

To find out more information or to find the donation drop-off location closest to you, please call Assemblyman Hawley’s office at (585) 589-5780.

Annual Cool Kids ECO-Fest at GCC, plus E-Scrap drive

Genesee Community College's Earth Club, Student Activities Office and College Village join Cool Kids once again to produce a fun-filled, educational event aimed at increasing environmental awareness. All portions of the event are free and open to the public. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at Genesee's Batavia Campus with most events occurring in the college's central Forum or Clocktower Plaza.

New to this year are live llamas with the Critter Ranch, an exhibit from the Tift Nature Preserve in Buffalo, a hike through Genesee's Nature Trail, the Recycle-A-Shoe sneaker recycling drive and an inflatable Planetarium.

Back by popular demand is the E-Scrap Drive, where computers, monitors, mobile phones, printers, scanners, game consoles, and other electronics, as well as non-alkaline batteries that operate these devices can be brought to the college to be recycled. Community members are welcomed to drop off their old, unwanted E-Scrap free of charge. However, this year there is a $5 charge for any television set dropped off.

The E-Scrap Drive is for households, not businesses. People can park in the loop and hand-carry items to the Forum until 1 p.m. Curbside drop-off service begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m..

Press release

New intercollegiate sports slated for Genesee Community College

The Genesee Community College Association is planning to launch new intercollegiate sports programs at the college over the next three years, according to Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor.

New sports at Genesee include cheerleading, golf, women's lacrosse, tennis and cross country.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, Taylor said she expects a team of 20 students will be ready to begin a men's and women's varsity/club cheer team this Fall. During the spring 2010 semester, 20 students will become members of a newly formed Division III men's and women's golf team. Also in the Spring 2010 semester, a 20-member women's lacrosse club team will be formed.

In Spring 2011, the college should have approval to upgrade the women's lacrosse club team to a NJCAA Division III women's lacrosse team. Also during the spring of 2011, the college anticipates forming a Division III men's and women's tennis team.

During the fall of 2011, the college anticipates forming a Division III men's and women's cross country team.

The college is upgrading athletic fields this year and installing a new soccer/lacrosse turf field.

Press Release

Recent GCC Board of Trustees meeting highlights

• Trustees congratulated members of the men's and women's swimming teams who competed in the national NJCAA championship at Erie Community College. Trustees also congratulated coach Scott Hunsinger on his 10 years of service as swim coach.
• Approved granting 585 degrees and certificates next month, subject to students' satisfactorily completing their academic requirements. Nine students will receive the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree; 269 students will receive the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree; 267 students will receive the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree; and 40 students will receive certificates.
• Virginia Taylor, PhD, vice president for student and enrollment services, reported that 1,730 individuals applied for admission to GCC this spring. A nearly 13-percent increase over spring 2008. Of the 1,730 applicants, 1,005 applied for admission as full-time students and 486 of these applicants (48.4%) actually enrolled. Of the 725 people who applied for admission as part-time students, 465 actually enrolled. 
• Overall spring enrollment of 5,716 was 7.8% higher than last year's spring enrollment of 5,304, President Stuart Steiner said.
• Steiner said Joan E. Zummo, associate professor of biology, will retire at the end of the current academic year. She has been a faculty member since 1988.
• Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin Hamilton reported that the site survey work for this summer's athletic fields upgrade project has been completed.  In addition,  plans for the new lighted soccer/lacrosse field, to be located west of the Batavia Campus parking lot, are complete. Other summer projects include: replacement of the current bleachers in the Zambito Gymnasium to meet code requirements; installation of energy-efficient lighting in the gym and dehumidification technology in the pool area; and repairs and upgrades to the locker rooms. 
• Hamilton said he anticipates that space will be available for the college's nursing program in the new Med Tech Park on Hawley Drive in October, and that plans for the new Lima Campus Center are progressing well.
• Student Trustee Steven Schutt reported that "Books for Troops," an initiative of College Village resident Thomas Maniace, has stockpiled almost 4,000 paperback books for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because the books are being given to U.S. troops, students were able to obtain a discount shipping rate, according to Schutt.
• Director of Institutional Research Carol Marriott reporedt that 2,219 students have transferred into Genesee Community College from other colleges and universities since the 2003-2004 academic year, or an average of 370 students a year. Fifty-one percent of those students transferred from a baccalaureate college. This means that about 3% of Genesee's enrollment in a typical fall semester is made up of students who previously attended a four-year college.  This "reverse transfer" trend is a growing phenomenon in community colleges, Ms. Marriott told trustees.  Many students transfer to community colleges because of academic difficulty or poor "fit" at a four-year baccalaureate college, she said. Others transfer because tuition is lower and/or they want to acquire job and career skills quickly.

Press Release:

Genesee Community College 2009 Commencement Speaker Announced

Genesee Community College Professor Ruth E. Andes will serve as 2009 commencement speaker. Commencement is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 17 in the Batavia Campus Gymnasium.

Andes, PhD, professor of sociology and a member of Genesee's faculty since 1970, retires in June. She is the most-honored SUNY award recipient at Genesee Community College. She is also believed to have received more SUNY-wide academic honors than any faculty member in the entire 64-college State University of New York.

She was the first-ever recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching at Genesee (1973) and the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service (2004). In 2006, the State University of New York conferred the rare title of "Distinguished Professor" on Dr. Andes.  At that time, she was one of only three community college professors in the SUNY system to have received that honor.

This will be the first time in the College's history that a member of the faculty has addressed graduates during the commencement ceremony.

Andes has taught a variety of sociology and human services courses at Genesee for almost 40 years.  She lives in Elba.

From left to right are: Courtney Smith, Alyssa DelPlato, Katie Norton, Professor Rick Dudkowski, fashion show alumna and Walmart representative Rhea Hewitt, Hannah Wheeler, April Cipolla, Erica Weidner and Danielle Collins.

Press Release:

Genesee Students Count Days to Annual Fashion Show

Students in Genesee Community College's Fashion Merchandising program will display their talents Friday, May 1 with this year's production of Recherché.

Shows are at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.

With numerous models and 11 scenes, this year's production lives up to the meaning of Recherché - lavishly elegant, exquisite and refined. Walmart has once again donated $1,000 to this year's production.

Recherché features several local clothing stores such as Walmart, who has donated children's fashions for Scene III- Amuseruent tallie Mode or "Fun Size Fashion." This year's production also features two new contributors including Buckle, a retailer of designer denim for men and women located in the Galleria Mall as well as Embrasse-Moi, a fine lingerie store in Pittsford.

Several students are designing and making their own outfits and accessories for this year's show. Arielle Orlikowski and Julie Maurer will display their original designs in the first scene, Fora Beleza or "Outside Beauty." Tatiana Fisher will also display her original designs in Scene VII: Mix Madness.

A new addition to this year's production is a pre-show musical performance by InnerLoop, a contemporary a cappella group from Rochester. They will be performing approximately 20 minutes before each show. For more information, visit their web site www.innerloopmusic.com <http://www.innerloopmusic.com> .

Tickets are available pre-sale for $5, or $7 at the door. For tickets, please call 585-345-6830.

Press Release:

Genesee's 'Early Warning' Project Helps Students Overcome Academic Problem, Trustees Hear

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College's innovative 'Early Warning' Project is helping to quickly identify and help students in danger of failing, two senior administrators told the Board of Trustees Monday evening.

Dr. Eunice M. Bellinger, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dr. Virginia M. Taylor, Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services, described for trustees how faculty members use the program to track - and report - students who do not attend class or who miss key assignments.  Dr. Taylor's staff then contacts the students who are identified through the program, and attempt to arrange tutoring or other support services for the students.  "The emphasis is on helping students to avoid grades of 'F' and remain in college," Dr. Taylor said.

The program began during the 2006-2007 year, involving nineteen faculty members.  Since then the program has grown, and involves 41 full-time and 68 part-time faculty members.  Although the program is still too new to evaluate results, College staff members believe that the program will make the difference between college success and failure for some students.

Dr. Bellinger told trustees that identifying attendance or academic problems early in the semester give faculty and staff members the chance to intervene.  Dr. Taylor said that students who find themselves in academic trouble do not always want to drop out of college.  "But they need to know 'what do I do now?'" she said.  "We can offer support and options."

The deadline for entries has been extended for the ECO-Fest Earth Day Art Contest.

Submissions will now be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, April 20.

The contest aims to promote environmental awareness. It's co-sponsored by Genesee Community College and Present Tense Bookstore.

Original artwork in the following five categories will be considered:

Literary Arts (story, poem, or essay)
Visual Arts (painting, photography, sculpture, crafts)
Multimedia Arts (artwork that combines literary and visual components)
Children's Arts (artwork submitted by children under age 12)
Recycled Materials (artwork that incorporates recycled items)

Entries may be dropped off at Genesee Community College, MarCom Office D110 by 5 p.m. April 20. All entries will be displayed in the Lobby Art Gallery of the Stuart Steiner Theatre April 29 through May 1.

Winners will be announced at the 4th Annual CoolKids ECO-Fest on Thursday, April 30. The winning entries will also be displayed at Present Tense with an artists' reception on Saturday, May 2.

Entry forms are available at http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Art Contest form.pdf.
st Entry Form:  http://readme.readmedia.com/news/attachment/8996/GCC_Art_Contest_Entry_Form.pdf

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College continues to demonstrate a commitment to student success and community connections with a campus visit from nationally known author Roy Kesey on Monday, April 27. With the aid of the Humanities department, assistance from The New Courier, Genesee's student run newspaper, and funds from the Academic Innovations Senate Committee, Kesey will be reading, answering questions, and signing books from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the Batavia Campus in room T102. This event is free and open to the public.

Roy Kesey is the author of three books: a short story collection called All Over (Dzanc Books), a novella entitled Nothing in the World (Dzanc Books), and Nanjing: A Cultural and Historical Guide for Travelers (Atomic Press.) He recently won the Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize in Fiction at The Missouri Review.

Kesey's work has appeared in more than seventy magazines in North America, Europe and Asia. Prior to their publication in All Over, several of his stories appeared in anthologies including The Robert Olen Butler Prize Anthology and New Sudden Fiction. The story Wait was picked by Stephen King for inclusion in the Best American Short Stories 2007 anthology.

Nothing in the World is the story of Josko Banovic, a lonely schoolboy who, with the outbreak of fighting between Serbia and his native Croatia, reveals himself to be a gifted sniper and becomes an unwitting war hero. Winner of the Bullfight Little Book Prize, Nothing in the World received unanimously great reviews, sold out its original 2006 printing in just a few months, and was recently brought back into print by Dzanc Books.

Nanjing: A Cultural and Historical Guide for Travelers has been lauded as a "well-informed and beautifully observed book," and Kesey as "the ideal guide to the mighty city on the Yangtze." The book combines vivid historical anecdotes and profiles to give the reader a clear image of contemporary Nanjing.

"We're honored to have Roy Kesey visit Genesee and share his literary works with the community," Tracy Ford, associate professor of English said. "This couldn't have been possible without the commitment and funds contributed by the Humanities department, The New Courier and the Academic Innovations Senate Committee.  We are truly grateful for all their contributions."

Roy Kesey was born and raised in northern California, and currently lives with his wife and children in Syracuse. He has traveled around the world writing and has lived in China, as well as Peru. For more information regarding Roy Kesey, please visit www.roykesey.com <http://www.roykesey.com> .

For further information, please contact Kris Dassinger 585-343-0055 x6233, Marie Iglesias-Cardinale 585-343-0055 x6275 or Tracy Ford 585-343-0055 x6277.

Press Release

BATAVIA, NY -- "Addressing Cybersafety and Cyberbullying" will be the topic of discussion at an upcoming workshop to be held at Genesee Community College on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 7:00PM - 8:15PM in room T102 at the Batavia Campus.  The free workshop, sponsored by the Genesee Region Teacher Center, will feature Dr. James Colt, Coordinator of School Safety and Security at Monroe BOCES #1.

Designed to familiarize participants with the scope and magnitude of internet crime, the discussion will also provide ways in which to protect children and adults from online victimization.  This workshop is appropriate for students, teachers, administrators, law enforcement, parents and any interested community members.

According to Christine Belongia, coordinator of the Teacher Education Transfer Program at Genesee, as well as Genesee Region Teacher Center (GRTC) Policy Board member, "People are only just beginning to realize the scope and magnitude of internet crime.  This workshop is designed to familiarize participants with this important topic as well introduce ways in which we can protect children and ourselves from online victimization."

The workshop will include startling data from a local 2007 survey of 40,000 K-12 school-aged students.  Results from the survey, conducted by a team of researchers lead by one of the nation's leading cybercrime experts, Dr. Sam McQuade of the Rochester Institute of Technology, indicate that "the more time children spend online and the more ways they access the Internet, the more vulnerable they become to being a victim of cybercrime and the more likely they are to slip into offending behaviors."

This workshop is an excellent learning opportunity for area residents interested in cybercrime and ways to prevent victimization. This workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information, please contact Christine Belongia at 585-343-0055 x6278.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY  -- Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Hal Legg has received a Paragon Award, which recognizes the highest achievement among two-year college communications professionals across America, Canada, and several other countries. Hosted by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR), this year's competition drew more than 1,700 entries.  Hal took top honors in the "Notes/Cards/Invitations" category for "Flip Flop," a student recruitment mailing shaped liked a sandal.

Legg also received two scholarships totaling $500 to defray the cost of his attendance at the NCMPR national conference which took take place March 15 - 18 in Kansas City, Missouri. He won a $400 "Seasoned Professional" award for professional development and a $100 scholarship from the NCMPR's District 1 Council, which is the governing body of the organization's Northeast region. This is the second consecutive year that Hal has received both national and regional scholarships to attend an NCMPR event.

"Flip Flop" previously won gold at the NCMPR's District 1 Medallion Awards last October in Saratoga Springs, prompting Hal to enter it in the Paragon Awards. One of the elements that make "Flip Flop" so interesting is that it is Customized Market Mail (CMM), which is a special postal classification. With CMM, irregularly shaped pieces (in this case, life-sized sandals in the sand) can be mailed without any envelope. Another interesting feature is that it incorporates variable data publishing (VDP), meaning that the content of each piece is tailored to its recipient. For example, a male applicant could get a camouflaged flip flop with language particular to having applied for admission. A female non-applicant could get a pink flip flop with language related to soliciting an application for admission.

"'Flip Flop' was a challenging piece, but it really resonated with potential students. You look at it, and it's just a lot more fun than typical mail," Legg said. "An award like this just goes to show Genesee's across-the-board support for innovation. I'm privileged to accept it, but this honor belongs to the College."

This is the first time Hal has entered and won a category in the Paragon Awards. A recruitment communications specialist, he has been with Genesee since 1997, and is a frequent conference presenter. He is a resident of Brockport, NY.

Press Release:

BATAVIA, NY -- The Genesee Community College Association Child Care Center is pleased to announce the introduction of a summer child care program. This is a pilot program and will run on a first come, first served basis. The summer session runs from May 26 - July 31, 2009. Interested participants are asked to fill out an application and pay a $15 application fee. Applications will be due no later than May 11, 2009.

The GCCA Child Care Center offers complete child care services for children six weeks to five years of age. The hours are from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Friday, following Genesee's academic calendar. Children of students, staff and faculty, and the community on a space available basis may use the GCCA Child Care Center.

The Center is newly renovated with safe and developmental resources. The staff is trained and supervised by the Director, Maggie Hagen. There are educational programs, and lunch and snacks are provided. Safe sleeping equipment is available for naps. The Center is also accessible for children with disabilities.

Rates are set according to the age and the number of days that the child uses the Center. The U.S. Department of Education and the State University of New York awarded grant funds for child care tuition subsidies for income eligible Genesee Community College students. For detailed rates, please visit http://www.genesee.edu/index.cfm/general/dspArticle/campuslife.childcare/rates.cfm.

The GCCA Child Care Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.

For further information, please contact Patti Cassatt, Office Manager of the Center at 585-345-6833. The Center is located at the main entrance to the Campus in Batavia. For an application, please visit http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/GCC_Childcare_Application.pdf.  Application deadline is May 11th.