GCC

Submitted image and press release:

Genesee Community College's History Club is proud to welcome Jeffery Glodzik, Ph.D., associate professor of History at D'Youville College, on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. to present "Erasmus: The Most Important Figure in the Reformation Era?".

The famous Dutch humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam played perhaps the most important role in the intellectual world and the religious conflicts in the 16th century.

His satirical critiques of Catholicism opened the door for more pointed criticisms and the allowed for the challenges taken up by Luther. His disagreements with Luther after the onset of Reformation solidified the differences between Catholic and Protestant and ultimately made permanent the division in Western Christianity.

The show begins at 7 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building on GCC's Batavia Campus and is free and open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Press release:

The Forum Players, Genesee Community College's Theater Arts students, and members of the local theater community are excited to open the 2020 spring season with "Doubt: A Parable," written by John Patrick Shanley, which won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2005.

This performance is a brilliant and powerful drama that tells the story of Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal who takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with a male student.

Shanley not only wrote the play, but he also wrote the screenplay and directed it as a film starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

GCC's talented Forum Players bring this parable to life with four live performances, directed by Maryanne Arena and Jaime Arena, which are intended for mature audiences (age 16 and up). Performances are in the Stuart Steiner Theatre, 1 College Road, Batavia.

• Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, both at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m.

The cast includes:

• Lucine Kauffman, of Elba, as Sister Aloysius
• Sam Rigerman, of Batavia, as Father Flynn
• Nevaeh Vindigni-Kretchmer, of Rochester, as Sister James (alternating the role)
• Alyssa Young, of Holley, as Sister James (alternating the role)
• Francesca Pieter, of Willemstad, Curacao as Mrs. Muller (alternating the role)
• Caitlynne Tape, of Syracuse, as Mrs. Muller (alternating the role)

The crew includes:

• Brodie McPherson, of Rochester, as technical director and production designer
• Emily Grierson, of Perry, as stage manager
• Tiago Ortega, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as a backstage assistant
• Leah Plummer, of Bradford, Pa., as a backstage assistant

Tickets for these shows are available online here. The cost is $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors (55+) and students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on an adult ticket.

To reserve seats, you may also contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814. 

Photos by Howard Owens.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Fashion Program Speaker Series at Genesee Community College is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in sewing, fashion and the garment industry that is being held on Wednesday, March 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in two rooms of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus located at One College Road in Batavia.

With a long and rich history featuring a wide array of different professionals from the billion-dollar fashion industry, GCC's Fashion Speaker Series highlights many career opportunities in the industry for both students as well as community members.

GCC's fashion program faculty are excited to invite the public to attend this free event, and while it is not necessary to reserve a seat in advance, space will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. in room T119, guests will be able to view concurrent demonstrations on four different sewing machines used in the fashion industry today. Specifically, a scan and cut machine, a serger machine, an embroidery machine, and a Sashiko embroidery machine will all be available. Each of these will be operated by members of the American Sewing Guild who will demonstrate popular techniques used around the world in garment production.

Then, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room T102, event attendees will hear from Kathy Healey (inset photo below left), creator and owner of Healey Wear, a custom window treatment design firm, and also Betsey Reigle (inset photo below right), owner of Seamless Designs. Both firms are located in Rochester.

These entrepreneurs will share their stories including how technology, industry changes, as well as passion and hard work have been the "interfacing" of their success.

Healey Wear was established in 1998 after Healey's two sons were born. She developed a business model that is beautifully simple but engaging.

She works closely with her clients to understand the nuances of their interests and likes to create and install window treatments that complete the look and feel of rooms in her clients' homes. In addition to windows, Healey Wear has expanded to cushions, pillows and quilts to accentuate home interiors.

Reigle has worked in the interior design field her entire professional career. Her mother taught her to sew at a young age and she fell in love with fabric.

With years of experience as well as a bachelor's degree in Interior Design from Mercyhurst College, Reigle opened her own business, Seamless Designs, a retail workroom for distinctive home furnishings.

Starting her career with creating custom clothing for women and altering formal wear, Reigle followed her passion and in 2010 she began focusing solely on beautiful handcrafted products for her clients' home interiors.

Both speakers will be available for photo opportunities and flier signings in Genesee Community College's Rosalie Steiner Theatre at 1 p.m. for all participants.

For interested individuals unable to attend in Batavia, the presentations made by Healey and Reigle in room T102 will be live-streamed with a link from GCC's homepage (click on Live Stream button) or here.

Submitted photo and press release:

Ariana and Tom Sylvester (photo above) are the quintessential entrepreneurs: Creative; funny; hard working; authors; speakers; designers; open to change; jugglers of life encounters; self-employed; parents; husband and wife; college sweethearts; athletes; and maybe just a little crazy -- proudly so. They are also the perfect pair to kick off Genesee Community College's third annual Business Idea Pitch Competition.

They will make their presentation on Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at the Batavia Campus in the Conable Technology Building room T102.

With a program entitled, "Becoming a Lifestyle Builder: Your Guide to Creating an Aligned and Amazing Life," Tom and Ariana will cover the first three sections of their successful book, "Life Builders, Build Your Business, Quit Your Job and Live Your Ideal Lifestyle."

In a one-hour program, they intend to cover the basics of their inspirational message, and give the flavor of chapter one -- "Planning with Purpose"; chapter two -- "Finding Your Freedom"; and chapter three -- "Concept to Cash."

Their program is free and open to the public. Limited seating is first-come, first-served and a book signing opportunity will follow their program.

The Sylvesters currently live in Gates and have two young children. They met at Oswego State College where they earned degrees in Computer Science and Zoology, respectively, and both played on the college's soccer teams.

They graduated in 2006, married in 2008, started their family in 2012, and have gone on to establish three different businesses all while still in their 30s.

Sylvester Enterprises is a residential and commercial real estate firm is based in Warsaw and Perry, and they owned a retail liquor store in Warsaw for approximately seven years.

Since 2015 however, they have been living their dream come true with Lifestyle Builders, a firm they founded to help others secure their dream careers by building upon individual passions while also balancing life's competing priorities. Their 285-page book also includes chapters on "Setup and Scale Your Systems," "Quit Your Cubicle" and "Stop Self Sabotage."

As self-described "family entrepreneurs," the couple has many speaking engagements, and a robust variety of podcasts available on their website, under seven different headings: Lifestyle; Start A Business; Grow A Business; Marketing; Sales; Operations; and Finance.

The diverse selection of podcast titles include: "Organic Marketing Before Paid Marketing"; "Automate Before You Delegate"; "The Hiccups with Hiring -- How to Build Your Team"; and the "FIRE Movement -- Financial Independence"; "Retire with Entrepreneurship:; and let's not overlook "The Danger of Mom-Guilt."

From their podcasts to their book, their website and their speaking engagements, Lifestyle Builders look beyond the financial details of starting a business by helping entrepreneurs consider and prepare their personal lives and goals as well.

"It rarely is a straight and narrow path," Ariana said. "And we wouldn't want it any other way."

Genesee Community College offers both degree and certificate programs in Entrepreneurship preparing emerging business owners and investors for success. The Sylvesters' presentation will help expand the learning opportunity and kick off GCC's third annual Business Idea Pitch Competition, which is cosponsored by Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

The Business Idea Pitch Competition will be held Thursday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (check-in starting at 8:15 a.m.) in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at the Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus.

To support participants' efforts and help prepare their first entrepreneurial steps, GCC is hosting the following preparation workshops all held in room T121:

• Tuesday, March 31, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. -- "Starting a Business" presented by Sam Campanella
• Tuesday, April 14, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. -- "Writing a Business Plan" presented by Sam Campanella
• Tuesday, April 21, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. -- "Developing Your Pitch" presented by Lina LaMattina, Ph.D.

The workshops are free and open to anyone participating in the Business Idea Pitch Competition. To sign up for a workshop, please contact LaMattina at lmlamattina@genesee.edu.

Submitted photo and press release:

The 13th GLOW Region Tech Wars will be held Thursday, March 12, at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus. The annual Tech Wars brings middle and high school students from all 24 of the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region's school districts together in teams to work collaboratively to demonstrate their technical expertise through innovative, mind-expanding competitions.

Each year, with a forward vision and new developments in technology, Tech Wars introduces new events. 2020 is no different. This year's competitors (students) have chosen from close to 30 available competitions to showcase -- and put to the test -- some basic and some extremely intricate and innovative technology. Regardless of the event, all of the students enjoy the opportunity to see their hard work come to fruition.

Tech Wars event details, rules and competition descriptions are available at techwarsgccny.org.

Tech Wars 2020 events brings back some favorites such as: Battlebot Soccer; the Regatta; Bridge; CO2 Cars; King of the Hill; Logo Design; Sculpture; Onsite CAD Drawing and Reverse Engineering CAD; Skimmer Cars; Sumo Bots; Tractor Pull and Trebuchet; and will introduce the all new, Lumber Labyrinth.

In addition to Lumber Labyrinth, Tech Wars 2020 also introduces Skimmer Cars and Technical Drawing for the middle schoolers as well as other legacy events such as Catapult; Paper Airplane; Rube Goldberg; and Sculpture. Back by popular demand for all participants is the Mystery Event, which allows students to use their creativity and skills in an on-demand, timed situation.

For the second year, Tech Wars also features STEAM Jam @ Tech Wars, an event held simultaneously for third- to fifth-grade students from GLOW region schools. More than 100 students will participate in various team building and mind-stimulating activities that foster skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). As an educational precursor to a future in technology, STEAM Jam participants will have the opportunity to observe the fun and exciting Tech Wars 2020 competitions.

Educational support for Tech Wars and STEAM Jam comes from the dedication, state-of-the art facilities and quality instruction in the GLOW region schools. Teachers share ideas and explore new technology and developments through both a Regional STEAM Teachers' cohort and a Regional Tech Teachers' Cohort.

Focused on local economic development, the newly established Regional Tech Teachers' Cohort collaboratively cultivates relationships between the schools and local professionals to provide information sessions, field trips, school to work opportunities, and more to enhance student learning experiences. Through these experiences and relationships students begin to form goals and a vision for their own futures.

The efforts of programs like Tech Wars, STEAM Jam and the Cohorts are already making a difference with many thanks to community support. Tech Wars 2020 has been presented with a record number of sponsors Gold Sponsors: Liberty Pumps, Northeast Industrial Tech Inc., Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning, Graham Corporation, Amada Tool America Inc., and Glow with Your Hands. Silver and Bronze Sponsors: LandPro Equipment, Oxbo International, Takeform, DWB Enterprises and the Varysburg Lions Club.

"The support of local businesses and organizations in this region is second to none," Ann Valento, ACE program specialist said. "Without these organizations and other generous local donors, Tech Wars would not be possible.

"Our local sponsors also serve as volunteers, judges, and spend their valuable time talking with students and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, the businesses that participate in these events get an exclusive opportunity to meet and network with the future workforce in our community."

Tech Wars is also proudly sponsored and hosted by Genesee Community College and its ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) program. The ACE team and the entire GCC community work diligently to provide a safe and appropriately-equipped environment to showcase the students' technological skills and creativity.

Tech Wars is among several dynamic programs giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on, often in business settings and with industry professionals. The ACE Program's Career Pathways is committed to helping students explore career options and make a smooth transition from high school to further education and/or a career.

For more information about the Career Pathways programs, please contact Ann Valento, Genesee Community College Career Pathways Specialist at 585-3430055, ext. 6316, or amvalento@genesee.edu.

Press release:

The Forum Players, Genesee Community College's theater arts students, and members of the local theater community are excited to open the 2020 spring season with "Doubt: A Parable," written by John Patrick Shanley, which won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2005.

This performance is a brilliant and powerful drama which tells the story of Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal who takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with a male student.

Shanley not only wrote the play, but he also wrote the screenplay and directed it as a film starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

GCC's talented Forum Players bring this parable to life with four live performances, directed by Maryanne Arena and Jaime Arena, which are intended for mature audiences (age 16 and up). Performances are in the Stuart Steiner Theatre, 1 College Road, Batavia.

• Thursday, Feb. 20, at 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, both at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m.

The cast includes:

• Lucine Kauffman, of Elba, as Sister Aloysius
• Sam Rigerman, of Batavia, as Father Flynn
• Nevaeh Vindigni-Kretchmer, of Rochester, as Sister James (alternating the role)
• Alyssa Young, of Holley, as Sister James (alternating the role)
• Francesca Pieter, of Willemstad, Curacao as Mrs. Muller (alternating the role)
• Caitlynne Tape, of Syracuse, as Mrs. Muller (alternating the role)

The crew includes:

• Brodie McPherson, of Rochester, as technical director and production designer
• Emily Grierson, of Perry, as stage manager
• Tiago Ortega, of Sao Paulo, Brazil as a backstage assistant
• Leah Plummer, of Bradford, Pa., as a backstage assistant

Tickets for these shows are available online here. The cost is $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors (55+) and students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on an adult ticket.

To reserve seats, you may also contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814. 

Press release:

According to Punxsutawney Phil (the beloved groundhog from neighboring Pennsylvania), warmer weather is on its way and Genesee Community College is taking full advantage of an early spring by offering a calendar full of opportunities.

Explore the many different degrees and certificates offered by GCC that increase earning potential and even start a whole new career path.

On Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. GCC's Batavia Campus will host an Open House event for students of all ages. Learn why thousands of people across the nation are now choosing community colleges to avoid the crushing student loan debt often incurred at four-year institutions.

GCC's Open House covers the admission and financial aid processes and provides campus-wide tours including College Village and the new communal living with private bedrooms in the recently renovated Birch Hall.

Registration is encouraged and available online here to ensure a spot for GCC's Open House event, which will include:

• 8 a.m. -- Early Registration in Stuart Steiner Theatre
• 8:15 a.m. -- Early Bird Campus Tours
• 8:30 a.m. -- Registration
• 9 a.m. -- Hear from College Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Success Center and Student Activities Representatives*
• 10:15 a.m. -- 11:15 a.m. Academic Fair in the Forum with program faculty
• 10:30 a.m. -- 12 p.m. -- Campus Tours -- including College Village (residence halls)
• 11 a.m. -- 12 p.m. -- Nursing Information Session (optional)

*Presentations will be live-streamed here.

In addition to the Open House event, the College is also hosting specialized Major Exploration Days where attendees will meet with program faculty and dedicated student success coaches specialized to each major, and representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Activities. Attendees will also be given a tour of the campus and College Village.

Click on the links below to register online.

• March 6 -- Business Administration, Fashion, Science, Engineering, Tourism and Hospitality, and Food Processing Technology
• March 20 -- Law/Paralegal, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Teacher Education
• April 24 -- Healthcare programs including: Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Sleep Technologist, Respiratory Care, Veterinary Technology and the NEW Health Studies, A.S. 
• May 8 -- Learn about the flexibility of a Liberal Arts degree: Creative and Fine Arts, Digital Arts and Physical Education

Major Exploration Days are scheduled on Fridays from 12 - 3:30 p.m. and start in the Conable Technology Building on GCC's Batavia Campus. These sessions fill up fast, so registration is recommended and available online here under "Major Exploration Days."

Genesee Community College serves over 5,000 students with more than 65 academic programs and certificates. Among the many options are the Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, Food Processing Technology, Theatre Arts and six different healthcare programs including the new Health Studies, A.S. 

Each GCC student is assigned a success coach at the College's Student Success Center, who provides academic and career guidance from the first steps of the admissions process through to graduation including transferring credits to other institutions. The College's robust athletic program is housed in the state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena featuring a fieldhouse, fitness center, Human Performance Lab, press box, as well as coaches' offices and classrooms. 

GCC operates a significant online program and student housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and innovative technology inside and out of the classroom, SUNY GCC is known for being "high-tech" and "high touch."

GCC also offers classes and training through its Campus Centers located throughout Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties at:

• Albion Campus Center -- 456 West Ave., Albion
• Arcade Campus Center -- 25 Edward St., Arcade
• Dansville Campus Center -- 31 Clara Barton St., Dansville
• Lima Campus Center -- 7285 Gale Road, Lima
• Medina Campus Center -- 11470 Maple Ridge Road, Medina
• Warsaw Campus Center -- 115 Linwood Ave., Warsaw

Submitted photo and press release:

Earlier this week, James M. Sunser, Ed.D., president of Genesee Community College (inset photo), was elected chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The announcement came with a full roster of the Commission's Executive Committee and officers, as well as its standing and advisory committee chairs and vice chairs for this year's term Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

MSCHE's Executive Committee is comprised of seven members elected by the Commission annually, including the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer and its composition must include administrative, faculty and public representatives.

Sunser (a MSCHE Administrative Representative), has been President of Genesee Community College since August 2011.

He was elected Chair of the MSCHE Commission after serving as Vice Chair in 2019 and he began his service in 2017 as one of 26 commissioners.

During his service, he has helped MSCHE review its accreditation standards and recommended changes to the Commission's accreditation processes and cycle.

He has also served on the MSCHE Rebranding Committee that created a new messaging platform for the Commission.

The Executive Committee also includes Vice Chair Davie Jane Gilmour, Ph.D., (Administrative Representative), president of Pennsylvania College of Technology since 1998; Treasurer David E. Hollowell (Public Representative), who was appointed to the Commission in 2013 and is in his second term as a public member; and Secretary Alan D. Mathios, Ph.D., (Faculty Representative), professor at Cornell University. 

The Non-Officer Executive Committee members include: Katherine Conway-Turner, Ph.D., president of SUNY Buffalo State College; Carl Person, Ph.D., formerly a director at NASA; and Lloyd Ricketts, vice president and treasurer at The College of New Jersey.

In total, eight first-term and four second-term Commissioners were welcomed to the MSCHE. Additional details and photos of each are available on the MSCHE website.

MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to accredit degree-granting institutions which offer one or more post-secondary educational programs of at least one academic year. To earn and retain accreditation through MSCHE, each institution of higher education undergoes a multi-stage accreditation review process that begins with an intensive self-study with a specially appointed steering committee and many working groups. Institutions usually engage campus-wide discussions to prepare the comprehensive Self-Study Report which focuses on specific accreditation standards.

This Report then frames a three-day site visit by an assigned evaluation team made up of members from peer institutions who compile an Evaluation Report to summarize findings and recommend any follow-up action for continued accreditation. GCC was successfully re-accredited by Middle States in 2018. 

Sunser joins the team of academic leaders who help define, maintain and promote educational excellence across many institutions with diverse missions, student populations and resources. Prior to his appointment as a commissioner and an officer, he also chaired or was a member of evaluation teams within the peer-review process on more than a dozen occasions in the past 20 years.

"It is my honor to continue serving Middle States in this new capacity," Sunser said. "The important work of this body impacts thousands of people every day, while continuing to refine and improve higher education in the Mid-Atlantic States."

Press release:

The Fashion Program students at Genesee Community College announced the 39th Annual Fashion Show will take over the Richard C. Call Arena on Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. and no one should miss this "Ebullition" in Fashion!

Earlier in the semester, GCC's Fashion Program student Yuuka Sano unveiled the 39th Annual Fashion Show theme as "Ebullition!" (A sudden violent outburst or display; the act, process, or state of boiling or bubbling up. -- Merriam-Webster Dictionary.)

As the theme dictates, this show will be an eruption of emotion expressed through fashion.

Each scene in the show will be connected through a series of introspective garment selections with specific colors and textures to reflect authentic emotions consistent with the Japanese representation "ki do ai raku" meaning happiness, anger, sadness and joy in English.

With an exciting and powerful theme to guide their selections, the students have already begun to audition scene coordinators, marketing, advertising, sponsorships and scene garments. In the coming months, GCC students will build and coordinate more than a dozen scenes for the fast-paced, professionally produced show.

In addition, the Fashion Show student committees are holding Model Tryouts for all ages in GCC's Batavia Campus Forum on:

• Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 13, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Anyone interested in becoming a GCC Fashion Show Model should email Fashion Show Marketing Committee Member Jess Piper at jpiper1@my.genesee.edu to schedule a tryout timeslot.

Taking full advantage of the 24,000 square foot indoor field house in the Richard C. Call Arena, "Ebullition" will accommodate up to 2,000 guests and offer ample parking.

This year's students are planning a fully immersive production, which includes preshow interviews and photo ops featuring the coordinators of each scene, and a post-show party and vendor market. Currently, students are seeking vendors to participate in this portion of the program.

There are industry-exclusive sponsorship opportunities available that include public recognition and promotional value. Any business, organization, or individual interested in supporting this year's Fashion Show should contact Debbie Mancuso at (585) 345-6830 or via email at fashionshow@genesee.edu today.

Tickets to the show will go on sale in February -- watch here for details.

The show is also live-streamed around the world.

The Fashion Program at GCC has always been a flagship for the college. The knowledge and experience of the faculty and their dedication to their students has produced quality and professional workplace candidates and well-prepared transfer students since the program's inception more than 40 years ago.

Recently, GCC renewed its articulation agreement with LIM for students in the Fashion Business: Merchandising A.A.S. program. Students who complete the track and degree can seamlessly transfer to LIM to complete their B.B.A. in Fashion Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Marketing or Management.

In addition, GCC is very excited to announce a new articulation agreement with Cazenovia College. This agreement provides a seamless transfer opportunity for GCC's Fashion Business: Merchandising A.A.S. students to Cazenovia's Fashion Merchandising B.P.S. and for GCC's Fashion Business: Fashion Design A.A.S. students to Cazenovia's Fashion Design B.F.A. degree program.

Anyone interested in taking advantage of these transfer opportunities through GCC is encouraged to contact GCC's Student Success Center at (585) 345-6805 or via email at SSC@genesee.edu.

Press release:

The Alumni Affairs Office at Genesee Community College and Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble Honorary Chairperson Robert J. Bennett, GCC Class of 1974, has confirmed the Fifth Annual Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble will take place on Monday, July 20, at the Stafford Country Club, 8873 Morganville Road (Route 237) in Stafford.

Bennett, a Le Roy, resident, earned an associate degree in Accounting from GCC in 1974 and then a bachelor's degree in the same from SUNY Albany. He spent his entire career as a local entrepreneur and business leader until his recent retirement as vice president and sales manager after 26 years with Tompkins Bank of Castile.

A devoted volunteer and member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors for more than 20 years, Bennett has served on or chaired every Foundation committee including having served as a president of the GCC Foundation and his efforts as part of the GCC Housing Board of Directors contributed to the creation of student housing at GCC.

In 2015, Bennett and his wife, Lori Bennett, served as co-chairs of GCC's 2015 Encore Celebration with the theme: "Nature's Bounty: Roots to Bloom," which also raises scholarship funds. All of these voluntary efforts earned him an Alpha Medal of Service Award in 2015. In addition to his service to GCC, Bennett has been an active community member participating in the Le Roy Rotary, Genesee County Planning Board, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Genesee County United Way and so many more.

"How appropriate that Bob Bennett chairs the fifth annual Cougar Classic exactly five years after he received the Alpha Medal of Service at GCC's Commencement ceremony," said Vice President of External Affairs of Genesee Community College Justin M. Johnston. "In my short time at GCC, I've heard story after story of how Bob exemplifies what it means to be part of GCC. I look forward to working with him on this important scholarship scramble."

The Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble allows up to 36 foursomes for the 18-hole event at the esteemed Stafford Country Club. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, all beer and nonalcoholic beverages during play, lunch and dinner with a cash bar, and much more!

As an added bonus, this year, anyone not interested in golfing can participate in an all-new Bocce Tournament which will take place during the golf scramble at the Stafford Country Club. Mary Blevins and Jenna Holota, who also work together at ESL Federal Credit Union in Batavia, have teamed up again to share their expertise and co-chair the Bocce Tournament portion of the afternoon. Sign-up details will be announced soon.

Most importantly, all proceeds from the entire Cougar Classic go directly to the GCC student scholarship program, making higher education possible for deserving students in our community.

Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of GCC's advertising opportunities and lock in sponsorship levels are encouraged to act early and contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield directly at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

Exciting new event details and additional registration and sponsorship forms will be posted here or available by contacting Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

(Photo from GCC's 2019 Cougar Classic.)

Submitted photo and press release:

From their tiny offices on the second floor of humanities suite at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus, Associate Professor of History Derek Maxfield (top photo, left) and Professor of English Tracy Ford became colleagues, then friends, and eventually formed their own theater group, Rudely Stamp'd, where they became generals from a bygone era.

Maxfield's passion for history and Ford's obsession with the written and spoken word is no longer confined to their separate classrooms, or even GCC. The dynamic duo has begun performing their unique program around the country.

The Fairfield County Heritage Association in Lancaster, Ohio, will celebrate General William T. Sherman's 200th birthday in a grand gala on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Mill Event Center located at 431 S. Columbus St., in Lancaster -- Sherman's hometown. The Association has invited Rudely Stamp'd, starring Maxfield, who plays the role of General Ulysses S. Grant and Ford as General William T. Sherman to be featured as part of the celebration!

Performed by Rudely Stamp'd nearly two dozen times in venues across the country, "Now We Stand by Each Other Always" features conversations between Grant and Sherman at critical times during the Civil War. Act I takes place at Vicksburg, Miss., as the men plan for the fall of the city to Union forces in July 1863. Act II portrays a meeting between the generals in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the men plan for the Atlanta and Overland campaigns in 1864.

Finally, Act III takes place at City Point, Va., as Sherman briefs his chief about his wildly successful exploits in Georgia, during the March to the Sea, and his campaign through the Carolinas. The generals also plot an end to the remaining Confederate armies. Acts II and III will be performed at Sherman's Birthday Celebration in Lancaster on Feb. 8.

The Rudely Stamp'd program illustrates the collaboration, dedication and expertise of GCC professors. Maxfield and Ford combined their talents and their craft as teaching professionals to create a program that not only benefits local communities, but often provides GCC students, specifically the History Club, with unique opportunities to appreciate the importance of history and its continued significance on contemporary times.

Many of the performances have also engaged students in event planning, sound and light technology, public speaking and understanding the value of community collaborations, which is a key value under the College's declared mission.

While many of the local performances have been free and open to the public, tickets to the Lancaster performance are $40 each. Available online at www.fairfieldheritage.com, or by calling the office at 740- 654-9923.

The ticket cost includes hors d'oeuvres, the Rudely Stamp'd performance, a General Sherman look-alike contest, Civil War costumes and trivia contests, and much more!

"This will be our third out-of-state performance, and Tracy and I continue to be impressed with how audiences engage with the characters, and are truly absorbed by their story," Maxfield said. "Being asked to perform in Sherman's hometown and on his 200th birthday is a profound honor for us."

For more information about the "Now We Stand by Each Other Always," contact Derek Mayfield at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or go to https://rudelystampd.wordpress.com/. Rudely Stamp'd is also scheduled to perform in Brunswick, N.C., on March 3.

Press release:

More than 275 students in grades eight through 12 from Genesee and Wyoming counties will be participating in the Healthcare Career Day at the Genesee Community College campus in Batavia on Tuesday, Jan. 7^th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The event will provide local students the opportunity to learn about high-growth and high-demand health careers and meet with medical professionals from more than 20 different fields, including laboratory technologists, physicians, first responders, nurses, speech and occupational therapists, radiologists, and more.

Students will also participate in the Healthcare College and Career Fair in the William W. Stuart Forum from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., where they will meet with representatives from more than 25 colleges and healthcare organizations.

The Healthcare Career Day is a special collaboration between Genesee Community College, Genesee County Business Education Alliance (BEA), Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, Fidelis Care, Tobacco-Free GOW, Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center, Wyoming County Community Health System, and the Wyoming County Business Education Council (BEC).

Healthcare Career Day hopes to address the future workforce shortage in healthcare, particularly in rural communities like Genesee and Wyoming counties where residents already have considerable difficulty accessing healthcare locally. Remote geographic locations, small size, limited workforce, and physician shortages pose a unique set of challenge for rural hospitals and health centers.

The mission of this special collaboration is to promote employment opportunities with tomorrow’s workforce, as jobs in healthcare occupations are projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The Healthcare Career Day will help secure the health and wellness of Genesee and Wyoming counties for generations to come.

For more information, contact Karyn Winters at KWinters@GeneseeNY.com or 585-343-7440.

Submitted photos and press release:

Officials at Genesee Community College are delighted to introduce two new administrators, both coming to GCC after dynamic terms of service at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo. Vice President of Development and External Affairs Justin Johnston and Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion, Miguel Baique began their appointments on Dec. 3 and Nov. 20, respectively. 

In his new role at GCC, Johnston (inset photo, left) oversees the efforts of multiple offices and personnel who work under the Office of External Affairs umbrella including Development, the GCC Foundation, Marketing Communications, Alumni Services and Grant Services.

Together, this encompasses approximately 12 College or Foundation employees with many different areas of expertise and responsibility, from philanthropy and fundraising to public relations, advertising, social media, and an array of vibrant grant opportunities. 

At SUNY Geneseo, Johnston served as the interim vice president for College Advancement and the executive director of the Geneseo Foundation Inc. His career has centered on philanthropy for nearly a decade involving fundraising campaigns, operations and analysis, and he is vice chair of the Community Services for Every1 foundation board of directors.

Throughout his tenure, Johnston focused on delivering the results to best serve the needs of constituents. He earned his Bachelor's degree in history and government from Daemen College, his Master's degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College, and he is currently working toward a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Buffalo. He lives in Williamsville with his wife, Danielle, and their two young daughters.

Baique (inset photo, right), from Queens, joined GCC in a newly created position, the director of Student Engagement and Inclusion, which oversees many different types of student activities that happen inside the Wolcott Jay Humphrey Student Union and across campus.

He will be working closely with various student-centered departments, advising GCC's Campus Activities Board, Student Government Association, and supporting more than 40 student clubs which provide a wealth of social and cultural programming events, activities and important extracurricular opportunities.

These include but are not limited to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to the Computer Repair Club, Creative Writing to CineMagic, Global Education to the New Age Circle, as well as numerous student clubs associated with specific academic interests and careers.

Baique came to GCC after serving as the assistant program director for the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program -- one of eight federal TRIO programs.

Prior to that position he was an area director for Residential Life at Nazareth College. Throughout his experience in higher education, his focus has always been developing programs that improve student retention and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.

Baique earned his dual bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Communication (emphasis in critical and intercultural studies) from SUNY Geneseo, and a master's degree in Public Administration (emphasis in Health Care Management) from The SUNY College at Brockport. He is currently working toward a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Rochester.

"With strong teams in both of these important areas of Genesee Community College, I believe these two new leaders will be a huge asset and are in a great position to further support student success which is the core of our mission," James M. Sunser, Ed.D., GCC president said. "We are excited about the Spring 2020 semester with these new faces who bring great experience and enthusiasm."

Submitted photos and press release:

 Le Roy Central School has won the 2019 Play to Get Fit Challenge hosted by the Health and Physical Education department at Genesee Community College!

The Get Fit Challenge effort began in 2011 to motivate third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties to get more active. The Challenge is designed to draw students' attention to just how many minutes they spend engaged in physical activity outside of school.

Throughout the five-week program, participating students record their active minutes -- time spent walking, biking, running, skating, swimming, playing a sport, playing tag, playing on a swing set and other active, creative games. (Video games designed for fitness utilizing Wii, Xbox Kinect or other similar gaming systems are not active minutes eligible.)

Recorded minutes are then totaled and an average active minute count is calculated based on the number of students enrolled in third, fourth and fifth grades in each school.

This year, Le Roy Central School generated an impressive 2,831 average active minutes -- beating even their winning count from 2018. The school was awarded the 2019 winning plaque and each student received a certificate recognizing their participation and effort.

In each participating school district the program also recognizes the three most active students:

• Le Roy -- 1st Lyla Jones; 2nd Jacob Kochmanski; 3rd Abigail Valdes
• Batavia -- 1st Ryan Bigsby, 2nd Jonah Arroyo; 3rd Dominic Darch
• Warsaw -- 1st Delaney Baker; 2nd Kinsley Baker; 3rd Jaiden Fries
• York -- 1st Briana Parsons; 2nd Brody Pangrazio; 3rd Charlie Cuozzo
• Pavilion -- 1st Ella Brian; 2nd Peyton Gay and Colton Brian; 3rd Jessie Brian
• Perry -- 1st Reagan Moroz; 2nd Aubrey McCowen; 3rd Tysen Deaton

The three most active participants (based on total minutes recorded) in the region this year were:

• Ryan Bigsby, of Batavia, with 11,122 minutes
• Reagan Moroz, of Perry, with 8,620 minutes
• Aubrey McCowen, of Perry, with 5,540 minutes

"The Play to Get Fit Challenge encourages kids to lead an active lifestyle in a way they can see and understand," said Becky Dziekan, GCC's director of Health and Physical Education. "Each year, the participating school districts see proof that the program works! Congratulations to LeRoy and all of the students who worked hard to be active and enjoy the program."

The Health and Physical Education program at Genesee Community College offers several areas of study related to health, fitness and coaching. The Sports Management Studies transfer degree programs or Associate of Science (A.S.) includes foundations in sports facility management, accounting, marketing and more. The Fitness and Recreation Management Applied Associate of Science degree (A.A.S.) offers a Personal Trainer concentration and the opportunity to earn the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) credential through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a certified personal trainer. In addition, GCC offers an A.A.S in Physical Education Studies in which students have the opportunity to earn a coaching certificate for NYS non-Certified Physical Education Teachers.

The spring semester starts Jan. 13, so there is still time to register! GCC has more than 80 introductory courses available, including Beginning Personal Fitness (PED259), which teaches basic fitness training and conditioning techniques to help anyone make active choices. The full spring semester course schedule is available here.

Top photo: Le Roy Central School Physical Education (PE) teacher Michelle Sherman; GCC Director of Health and PE Rebecca Dziekan; Le Roy Central School Physical Education (PE) teachers Brian Herdlein and Mike Humphrey; (in front) 1st Place -- Lyla Jones; 2nd Place Jacob Kochmanski (missing from the photo --  3rd Place -- Abigail Valdes).

From Batavia City School District, from left: Amanda Cook, 2nd Place -- Jonah Arroyo; 1st Place -- Ryan Bigsby*, 3rd Place -- Dominic Darch; (back row) PE teacher James Patric, GCC director of Health and PE Rebecca Dziekan.

*Ryan was the most active participant in the region this year with 11,122 active minutes.

Press release:

The BEST Center at Genesee Community College and Eli Fish Brewing Company excitedly announce a new course being offered in Batavia called "Beer Brewing -- Beyond the Basics"!

The course is scheduled on six consecutive Tuesday evenings between March 3 and April 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is limited to just 20 participants.

The program consists of four nights in the classroom on GCC's Batavia Campus, a fifth night touring the Eli Fish Brewing Company located in Downtown Batavia, and on sixth, final night the group will brew their own "class beer."

What better way to enjoy the final stretch of a WNY winter than learning to brew beer? The six-week course is a perfect gift-giving opportunity -- just in time for the holidays!

 There are now more than 1.1 million people in the United States brewing their own beer at home, and approximately 265,000 are located in the Northeast. Clearly it is a gift that will keep on giving! Think of it as Happy Hour education!

Beer Brewing -- Beyond the Basics costs $259 per participant and includes all books and materials. Participants must be 21 years of age. Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 24.

Beer Brewing -- Beyond the Basics is open to any home brewer looking to start or improve his or her process. It also will interest entrepreneurs thinking of starting up a brewery, or simply beer enthusiasts who want to expand their knowledge base, meet other enthusiasts while becoming familiar with Batavia's iconic new brewery located at 109 Main St.

To purchase a gift certificate or reserve a seat, stop by GCC's BEST Center at One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020, or call 585-345-6868. You can also email BEST Center Program Director Alexandria Misiti directly at aemisiti@genesee.edu.

Additional BEST Center courses are also available. Check them out online at www.genesee.edu/best or www.bestcenter.org.

Submitted photos and press release:

Besides the traditional ribbon-and-bow-wrapped gifts, there are gifts of shared experiences -- such as tickets to events. With the latter in mind, the Genesee Center for the Arts located at Genesee Community College announces its spring season lineup in time for the holidays.

Spring 2020 brings a playbill fit to entertain everyone.

Excited to begin the season, GCC's student performers, the Forum Players, will perform "Doubt: A Parable," written by John Patrick Shanley, which won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2005.

This performance is a brilliant and powerful drama which tells the story of Bronx school principal Sister Aloysius, who takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with a male student. Shanley not only wrote the play, but he also wrote the screenplay and directed it as a film starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

GCC's talented Forum Players will also bring this parable to life with four live performances, directed by Maryanne Arena and Jaime Arena, which are intended for mature audiences.

• Thursday, Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, both at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.

On Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., the Stuart Steiner Theatre will host singer-guitarist Steve Grills (inset photo left) and the Roadmasters. Originally from Rochester, Grills' music is deeply rooted in the blues tradition.

He draws inspiration from the giants of blues guitar, such as Freddie King, Earl Hooker, Magic Sam and Albert Collins, among many others.

As a special addition to the evening, fellow Rochester guitarist Joe Beard (inset photo below right), originally from Ashland, Miss., will join the Roadmasters as an opening act.

Beard has played many major festivals in the United States and Europe and was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2017. He has released four albums to great critical acclaim.

Then, in May, the Forum Players return with a Children's Theatre production of "Jack," written by Mike Kenny. Kenny's version of "Jack and the Beanstalk," directed by Norm Gayford and Rob Reiss, adds a wonderfully creative and contemporary twist to the classic storyline.

The production will open with Jack in a dinner pot awaiting his fate as the main course for the hungry giant. As Jack recounts how he found himself on the giant's dinner menu, he talks his way out of the soup pot with a fun, humorous outburst that keeps audiences laughing and begging for more. 

Take a magical journey up a beanstalk into an unknown world above the clouds and back again. This is perfect family fun for all generations.

• Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m.

Tickets for shows at GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre are $8 for adults, $6 for alumni (with ID) and $5 for seniors (55+), students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID and children under 16 are $3. To reserve seats, contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814.

Submitted photo and press release:

This week offers a cultural opportunity to support local artists, and in this case also local filmmakers, screenwriters and actors.

From 5:30 till 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18, 19 and 20 the College is hosting the fourth annual Western New York Film, Art and Music Event (FAME), organized by Beaver Alley Studios Inc. and cosponsored by the CineMagic, a GCC student organization. The event will be held in the central Forum of the Batavia Campus.

Over the three nights, the FAME Festival will be showing an array of different films including documentaries on the first night. On Friday evening, awards will be given in a variety of different categories including:

• Film --- Best No-Budget Film (under $15,000), Best Director, Best WNY Film, Best Short Script and more;
• Music Video-- Best Cinematography, FAME Audience Choice, Most Unique Concept Song/ Video;
• Photography-- Landscape, People, Events, Nature, Best Body of Work.

Admission to each night is completely FREE. Mature content is scheduled for screening after 9 p.m., but the bulk of the work to be viewed is intended for all-age audiences. Nearly 50 screenplays, photo films and music videos were entered into the contest.

For additional more information on the festival, click here.

Beaver Alley Studios Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded by Rhonda Parker, a 2015 GCC graduate (inset photo right) who earned degrees in Communications and Media Arts and as well as Paralegal Studies.

Parker established Beaver Alley Studios Inc. to facilitate the production, promotion, distribution, exhibition and celebration of independent art in all forms, especially art from a female perspective. The organization offers services such as screenwriting and script consultation, cinematography, editing, film reviews, film school, and packages for events, commercial use, music videos and short films.

A resident of Albion, Parker is an active filmmaker and produced several full length movies, including her first, "Friends Don't Let Friends - Date Friends" in 2014. She has also written and produced the feature films "Lonely Bananas," "Message in a Bottle," a number of short films, and early in her film career she appeared as a "Walmart mom" in a television commercial.

For more event details, contact Beaver Alley Studios Inc. President Rhonda Parker at (585) 798-2815 or via email atrhonda@beaveralleystudios.com or Genesee Community College Assistant Professor of English and Film Shawn Adamson at (585) 343-0055, ext.6156, or via email at spadamson@genesee.edu.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Department of Campus Safety at Genesee Community College is once again assisting students who are suffer from food insecurity by joining law enforcement officials around the country who refrain from shaving facial hair through November and into the New Year in an effort to draw attention to the need for donations to GCC's campus Food Pantry, and it's working.

In all, the department's effort has generated six beards but most importantly, in just four weeks, the initiative collected food items and cash donations that will provide at least 25 meals to GCC students who are currently facing food insecurity on GCC's campus.

"The Department of Campus Safety team was proud to participate in the annual No-Shave November in an effort to support the College's Food Pantry and help our own students," said Stephen Wise, director ofGCC's Campus Safety. "I have formally waived our standard policy that prohibits facial hair until January 7, 2020 in exchange for the opportunity to make a real impact on the availability of precious food and personal hygiene items that many students need."

"Our Campus Safety officers interact with students every day and see first-hand how many students struggle in securing a nutritious meal for themselves or some of their family members," said Patricia E. Chaya, dean of Student Services at GCC. "No-Shave November puts a spotlight on the potentially hairy faces of the teams making a difference.

GCC's Food Pantry served more than 330 students and more than 1,100 meals this year and also supplies countless personal hygiene items such as toiletries and feminine products.

Genesee Community College currently operates a primary food panty at its Batavia Campus, but links to similar services through each of its campus centers in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, in conjunction with the Adult Educational Opportunity Center (AEOC).

Students in need are encouraged to contact an AEOC representative at aeoc@genesee.edu or visit GCC's Food Pantry at the Batavia Campus located at One College Road, Batavia.

Anyone wishing to donate to GCC's Food Pantry, whether cash, food or personal hygiene items, can do so year-round by emailing the AEOC at aeoc@genesee.edu, calling (585) 343-0055, ext. 6836, or simply dropping the donation off to any food bin on GCC's Batavia campus.

Photo: From left are Patricia Chaya, Randal Henning, Mike Donnalty, Brenda Case, Erik Anderson, Stephen Wise, Dan Rimmer, and Shelitha Williams, Ph.D. Missing from the photo are Campus Safety officers John Wolcott, Joe Meacham, Liz Mills, Dave Childs, Dave Lester, Nelson Scott and Bill Wells.