GCC

Submitted photo and press release:

An annual spring adventure where students in Genesee Community College's History Club visit important historical sites, museums and battlefields in April ultimately benefits the local lovers of blues music this fall.

Sonny Mayo and the Lowdown are coming to GCC's Stuart Steiner Theater on Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. for an evening of excellent rhythm and blues featuring a great selection of original tunes and old favorites by a former GCC faculty member. All proceeds from the concert will be dedicated to the History Club's spring break history tour.

Frank "Sonny" Mayo is now a retired GCC public speaking professor, but he is anything but retired from his passion for music. Mayo is bringing his trio with him for a show that promises to give local music aficionados a taste of folk, blues and Americana music, and all for great cause.

Mayo released his first album, "So Far So Good," out of Nashville in 1981.The album was critically acclaimed by Record World magazine and culminated a six-year apprenticeship in Los Angeles and Nashville. Since then, Mayo has released 11 albums on the indie label, Thunder Road Music.

His most recent CD, "Chasing the Chord" was released in 2016 and is a blend of folk, blues and Americana, rich with vivid characters and editorial comments on societal issues.

Mayo has also performed as an opening act, host or shared the bill with numerous musicians including but not limited to Eric Andersen, Eric Bibb, Rory Block, The Burn Sisters, Jen Chapin, Guy Davis, Bill Morrissey, David Olney and slide guitarist Roy Rogers.

Professor Mayo was once a GCC "office neighbor" with Derek Maxfield, associate professor of history at GCC's Batavia Campus. Their collegial conversations lead to a number of dynamic opportunities through the years, to share the new music and support the experiential learning for their students.

"Educational spring breaks are an important facet to the student experience and to learning outcomes," Maxfield said. "As students see these historic places for themselves outside of a classroom, they come away with a new appreciation for the problems, opportunities and even mistakes made by people in the past.

"They also learn about themselves, the world around them, and often, they make life-long friendships. It is an honor that my former colleague and continued friend, Frank or Sonny Mayo, is willing to share an evening of music for such a worthy cause."

Presale tickets are $18 for adults and $20 at the door. GCC students and children under 12 are $10.

 Advance tickets are encouraged by contacting Maxfield, who is also GCC's History Club advisor, or Marie Kochmanski, clerk-typist in the second floor Humanities Suite, Room B259, or Michelle Forster, secretary in the third floor GCC Human Communication and Behavior Suite, Room B359.

For more information or to purchase tickets, email Maxfield at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or call 585-343-0055, ext. 6288.

Press release:

Last weekend Genesee Community College welcomed more than 300 alumni, students, friends and community members from all around the GLOW region and the world to celebrate Homecoming Weekend in Batavia.

From the annual Cougar Crawl to the Car Cruise, plus the Alumni Soccer Game and the 5K Race for the Future -- the perfect weather gave way to a perfect weekend at GCC. 

This year, the occasion also kick-started something new -- the Cougar Pride Campaign -- which officially began on Saturday evening at the "Tap Off" -- a term with a double meaning that is used in basketball but also in beer brewing. Therefore, event planners borrowed the term for Cougar Pride kick-off, inviting the Smokin' Eagle BBQ & Brew of LeRoy to provide appropriate refreshments of locally brewed Roger's Beer and a few wings. 

The program is chaired by Mickey J. Hyde, GCC Class of 1987, a 2010 inductee of GCC's Athletic Hall of Fame, and vice president at the Bank of Castile's Le Roy Branch.

The goal of the Cougar Pride Campaign is to raise the necessary funds to create a new Athletic Hall of Fame inside the Richard C. Call Arena to recognize the accomplishments of past and future student-athletes, coaches and GCC sport teams.

Guests at the "Tap Off" were the first to see the proposed design of a new Athletic Hall of Fame destined for the second floor of the Arena, and also a short video about the campaign.

The major components of the new design will include: a 10-foot-long header to welcome visitors; a timeline of athletic achievements dating back to 1967; many photographs; a dynamic display in the trophy case; and an interactive, digital kiosk full of information and photographs about GCC's athletic program. 

"Our student-athletes have always been a source of great pride at GCC and now, through the generosity of the Call family, the College has an amazing sports complex with high-tech PE classrooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a regulation turf field with a press box, the field house and so much more," Kristen Schuth, GCC's athletic director said.

"An Athletic Hall of Fame worthy not only of this facility, but of our students' accomplishments is truly needed to round-out this incredible space."

Donations to support the Cougar Pride Campaign can be made online here, by mail with checks payable to Genesee Community College Foundation and mailed to GCC Foundation, C212, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

To discuss specific arrangements, contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs, Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email: jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

"The 'Tap Off' was the perfect kickoff. Stepping out of the heat on Saturday for a cold beverage from The Smokin' Eagle and to hear about this campaign was exciting," Wakefield said. "Our student- athletes work so hard and deserve to be recognized appropriately.

"The GCC coaches do so much to support them and help them succeed not only on the fields and courts, but in life overall. I'm excited that this new Hall of Fame will be able to tell these stories in a relevant and interactive way."

(Photo above from GCC of an artist's rendering of the college's proposed Athletic Hall of Fame inside the Richard C. Call Arena.)

Press release:

The sets are being built, the costumes are being bloodied and now the talent has been cast for next month's production of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at Genesee Community College!

Brodie McPherson, director of the show and also GCC's instructor of Theater Technology, released the cast list today (Sept. 27) for what promises to be the college's biggest theater production of the season!

GCC's Forum Players Theatre Company will perform Richard O'Brien's “The Rocky Picture Horror Show,” Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and again Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in the College's Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will feature GCC students representing many majors and four different countries, as well as a GCC alumnus. Audiences will enjoy the talent, style and a little craziness from the following:

• Tiago Marques, of São Paulo, Brazil, as Frank-N-Furter
• Runo Suzuki, of Hokkaido, Japan, as Janet Weiss
• Samuel G. Rigerman, of Batavia, as Brad Majors
• Benjamin Reiner, of Pembroke, as Riff Raff
• Lacey Sloat, of Bergen, as Magenta
• Fu Kikuchi, of Fukuoka, Japan, as Columbia
• Chris Barbis, of Pavilion, as Rocky Horror
• Jack Diskin, of Le Roy, as Eddie and a Phantom
• Grant Calcote, of Le Roy, as Dr. Everett V. Scott and a Phantom
• Josh Pacino, (GCC classes of 2008 and 2009), of Batavia, as The Narrator
• Marissa Carbonell, of Batavia, as Trixie The Usherette and a Phantom

And playing Phantoms throughout the productions will be:

• Marissa Carbonell, of Batavia
• Sam Ciesla, of Hamburg
• Haylea-Ann Nicole Self, of Brockton
• Brittany Mayes, of Medina
• Jessie Pierce, of Batavia
• Tiffany Smith, of Arkport
• Brandon Ribbeck, of Warsaw
• Ai Jitozono, of Nagasaki, Japan
• Ayaka Nakamura, of Osaka, Japan
• Francesca Pieter, of Willemstad, Curaçao
• Alyssa Young, of Brockport
• Andrew DeMeo, of Staten Island

This show will take full advantage of all the high-tech sound and lighting equipment at the College's state-of-the-art theater. The full scene and costume shops provide dynamic sets, clothing and special effects to take this production over the top. In addition, special "Goodie Bags" to be sold for $5 are in development as is some pre-show, intermission and post-show opportunities for the audience to interact with the cast.

"This show promises to be among the most memorable experiences not only for GCC's Forum Players, but also for our audience and supporters. It really is not to be missed," McPherson said. "Everyone should enjoy the perfect prelude to the Halloween season with a performance that is 'out of this world!' "

Tickets for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," performed by GCC's Forum Players Theatre Company, are: $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, contact the GCC box office today at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814. Seating is limited and advance reservations are strongly advised. The show is designed for mature audiences only.

Lisa Felicia sent over this picture she took at Genesee Community College on Friday of a pair of contrails crisscrossing for an interesting photographic composition.  

(Above: "Cowboy Mouth.")

Submitted photos and information from Genesee Community College.

At Roz Steiner Gallery at Genesee Community College artist Nigel Maister's tight. word. lit. will be on display Oct. 1 - 31.

There's an Artist Talk at the gallery Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m., with receptions at 1 and also 5 p.m.

tight. word. lit. -- Through the pairing of unrelated photographic images, Maister creates a narrative both implied and explicit and manifested in emotional, formal, aesthetic, intuitive and intellectual expression, and an evocation of action.

About Nigel Maister

He is a South African born, Rochester-based photographic artist, using found, appropriated and original imagery in his work.

His work has been a finalist in Klompching Gallery’s Fresh 2016 (New York), and seen, most recently, at Gallery Q (Rochester), Main Street Arts (Clifton Springs), and at the Cleveland Print Room.

A work from the series "tight. word. lit." as chosen by SaveArtSpace for public art exhibition during August 2018 on a billboard in the Neighborhood of the Arts in Rochester. He was a MacDowell Colony Fellow in 2018.

Maister is also a collector of 19^th century and vernacular/functional photography, as well as a director, writer and designer of theater. He currently serves as the Russell and Ruth Peck Artistic Director of the University of Rochester International Theatre Program.

(Below: "Drag.")

Here's Maister's statement about his exhibit tight. word. lit.

This work explores narrative both implied and explicit; and narrative in the form of a past photographic action that, through a contemporary recontextualization and dialogic combination, is brought into the present.

The raw material for tight. word. lit. is snapshot photography. These images, from the 1980s onward — the last gasp of the analog snapshot — are overlooked in the current vogue for vernacular photography, which fetishizes the snapshot as art object (albeit an inadvertent one).

These "late" snapshots frequently betray little of the charm that characterize the genre at its zenith. I was drawn to images that might have been discarded by the picture-taker: those that are out of focus, inexpertly composed, blanched by a too-close flash, etc. In others, content or composition might be considered banal in their simplicity or apparent “artlessness.”

And in yet other selections, the performative nature of the subject matter — divorced from its context and rendered enigmatic, perplexing, or disturbing—was my departure point. But in all these variants, the series recontextualizes the nature and meaning of the snapshot: that object that serves as a commemorative artifact with a distinct function in the world.

It discards that function and meaning and allows the image to transform and to evoke a potential narrative event far from the intent of the original maker. The title of the series, tight. word. lit. similarly refers to recontextualization, but this time of vernacular language and slang, repurposing adjectives, nouns and verbs for utterances of approbation, enthusiasm, and affirmation.

Thus this work undermines the notion of the primacy of the individual image as a valuable artifact in and of itself, or even of the image as a signifier of a particular meaning or referent fixed in an identifiable past. Rather, it looks at the combination of photographic artifacts in dialogue with each other for its worth.

It is this that serves my goal: to rewrite these visual histories, making the viewer an active participant, forcing them to forge connections and create personal narratives that are compelling, mysterious and durable.

The world portrayed in these works is decidedly not our world. I hope they speak to us viscerally on some other level. They are intended to present us with a "third reality": not a document of their time, nor a document of ours.

These works are evocations of that interstitial space where past and present intersect and create an emotional, imaginative bridge into the subconscious, which should feel immediate yet also prescient.

www.nigelmaister.com

Each semester, the Fashion Program at Genesee Community College hosts its Fashion Speaker Series, which introduces students to experts from all areas of the booming industry.

The first speaker in the 2019-2020 series will be lecturer, writer and fashion aficionado, John A. Tiffany, who presents "DAWN: The Career of Legendary Fashion Retailer Dawn Mello" at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, in room T102 on GCC's Batavia Campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Tiffany has been called a fashion historian and expert on the history of fashion in the 20th century. But, more than anything, he is a passionate storyteller who uncovers and shares the incredible untold stories of pioneering women.

Tiffany's most recent book, "DAWN: The Career of Legendary Fashion Retailer Dawn Mello" is a lavishly illustrated biography that spans her impressive career.

In 1975, Mello was hired as the fashion director and vice president of the department store Bergdorf Goodman, and charged to turn the retailer around and remake it in the image of Ira Neimark, who was the CEO at that time.

Together, they transformed a once dowdy department store into the retail center of luxury fashion.

Mello's strategy not only redefined and repositioned Bergdorf Goodman, but in doing so, she discovered and encouraged the rise of exciting modern designers, while inaugurating an exuberant, new type of fashion show.

After leaving Bergdorf Goodman, Mello moved on to revitalize Gucci, which became a modern case study for resuscitating a luxury brand. By the time she left, Gucci was back on top.

"Our faculty and students are both very excited to have Mr. Tiffany speak at our campus," Donna Ehrhart, GCC professor of Business and Fashion Design, said. "Each year, GCC's students plan and execute their own full-scale fashion show.

"Many students use their experience to launch their own impressive careers. Being able to hear the story of Dawn Mello will be very inspiring for their work this year."

GCC's Fashion Business degree program includes four separate areas of concentration:

• Fashion Design: covering the necessary principles and techniques of consumer and commercial fashion, apparel, accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. (A one-year certificate is also available for students who want to just hone their hands-on techniques.)
• Fashion Merchandising Management: providing the skills needed to succeed in a global, ever-changing billion dollar business of fashion buying, display, public relations, styles and sales.
• E-Commerce: preparing students to manage online inventories, design digital marketing plans and media, and to explore the world of online fashion retail.
• Event Planning: teaching the principles of event management, consumer behavior, space design, culinary choices, securing entertainment contracts and endorsements, and much more.

"One of the goals of the Fashion Speaker Series is to expose the students to as many possible careers in the industry as possible and to let them hear about the many paths to success," Ehrhart added. "Tiffany's work and his breadth of experience with a variety of individuals in the fashion industry made him a great choice for the first speaker in the series this year."

Tiffany grew up in California's Santa Ynez Valley, earned a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu in 1988, and has been a professional speaker, writer and author since 2011.

His first book, "Eleanor Lambert: STILL HERE" recounts this extraordinary and bona fide American pioneer's incredible journey which is credited with single-handedly putting American fashion on the global stage.

In addition to the speaker series, GCC Fashion students participate in trips to New York City to experience the Fashion District, and they tackle all aspects of producing a professional fashion show: designer, scene coordinator, director, marketing, public relations, and many other responsibilities from public safety to parking.

Each year, the Fashion Show draws an audience of more than 1,500 and is also live-streamed around the world.

This experience leads many GCC fashion majors to transfer agreements with institutions such as FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and LIM (Laboratory Institute of Merchandising) in NYC, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and others.

From Genesee Community College:

The Genesee Community College Women's Volleyball Team swept the visiting Erie Community College Kats 3-0 Thursday night (Sept. 5).

The win is first for new collegiate Head Coach Emilee Piechocki and the Cougars are now 1-0 on the season and in Western New York Athletic Conference play.

In a match that went back and forth throughout the entirety, Genesee would get the lead early in set one and would go on to the 25-15 victory.

Set two saw Erie respond to an early lead by the Blue and Gold. Alexis Eighmey would tie the set at 12-12.

After exchanging the lead several times, Genesee would score the 26-24 win in set two.

The third and final set would see Erie get the lead early. Genesee would then answer to take the lead, including back to back aces by Ana Carolina Cerezer Pinto.

The home squad would go on to earn the 25-20 win, taking set three and winning the match.

Neely Abrams led the team with 28 assists and Grace Masse had 24 assists. Cerezer Pinto had two service aces in a row as did Eighmey. Cerezer Pinto led the team with five kills with Kaitlyn VanSkiver having four.

The volleyball team will travel to Jamestown Community College on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for a 6 p.m. match against the Jayhawks.

Photo courtesy of reader Brittney Yerger-Moe.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 12:30 p.m. all are invited to the William W. Stuart Forum on Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus to hear Associate Professor of History Derek Maxfield present "Lincoln: Constitutional Pragmatist."

This event is in honor of national Constitution Day. It celebrates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 when the supreme law of the land was signed by 39 men.

Maxfield will explore America's relationship with Abraham Lincoln and his association with its Constitution.

A deeper understanding of Lincoln may surprise some people, and even tarnish his popular image for others.

To some extent this is because Americans tend to think of Lincoln more as a statesman and hero, rather than a politician. The truth, however, is that Lincoln was a very talented politician and could be just as smooth, yet slippery, as the best and most manipulative of civic leaders.

Lincoln's relationship with the Constitution was shaped by both Lincoln -- the statesman, and Lincoln -- the politician, depending upon circumstances.

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Press release:

Most Western New Yorkers are sad to see the summer ending -- but the fall season brings comedian Samuel J. Comroe, finalist on NBC's hit show America's Got Talent, to the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. for a performance of his "I got 99 problems...but a twitch ain't one" tour!

Comroe's comedy, which is for mature audiences only, is based on the trials and tribulations of living with Tourette Syndrome. A native of Los Angeles, he performs widely each year from Las Vegas to San Francisco, at colleges and universities across the country. He also has more than 40,000 subscribers to his YouTube Channel.

Seating is limited and tickets are available now at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814.

In October, GCC's Forum Players will perform their biggest show of the season -- Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Picture Show! On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 17, 18 and 19, the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the final performance will be a matinee Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. All four of these performances, which are for mature audiences only, will take full advantage of all the high-tech sound and lighting equipment at the state-of-the-art Stuart Steiner Theatre.

The full scene and costume shops will offer dynamic sets, costumes and the outlandish regalia that Rocky Horror fans look for. The talented and enthusiastic Theater Department is already busily preparing for this performance. For a little extra fun, specially prepared Prop Bags will be available for use during the show for just $5 -- while supplies last -- and can be pre-ordered from the box office. No other props will be allowed in the theater.

Tickets to see Samuel J. Comroe or The Rocky Horror Show at GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre are $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, contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814.

Genesee Center for the Arts offers something to appeal to the art lover in everyone and the Fall Season is no exception. The Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery will host the following exhibits to distract and inform your mind, appeal to your senses and evoke a variety of emotional responses.

Artist: Bruce Adams

On display until Sept. 21

"Untitled" -- Adams is best known as a conceptually based figurative painter who references various painting styles. In exploring the act of painting, Adams peels back the layers of meaning inherent in art making and viewing.

Artist: Nigel Maister

On display Oct. 1 - 31

Artist Talk: Oct. 10 at 12:30 p.m. with receptions at 1 and 5 p.m.

"tight. word. lit." -- Through the pairing of unrelated photographic images, Maister creates a narrative both implied and explicit and manifested in emotional, formal, aesthetic, intuitive and intellectual expression, and an evocation of action.

Artist: Heather Jones

On display: Nov. 12 - Dec. 12

Artist Talk: Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m. with receptions at 1 and 5 p.m.

"M is for Mindful" -- This exhibition highlights acrylic paintings by GCC Professor of Fine Arts, Jones, created as illustrations for the book "M is for Mindful." Including a playful narrative that guides children through an exploration of the themes that shape the way we think and live, "M is for Mindful" is a nature-based ABC/poetry picture book written by Robin L. Flanagan.

The Roz Steiner Art Gallery is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is also open during special events as published here. Admission is free. For more information, contact Gallery coordinator Mary Jo Whitman at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6490, or via email: mjwhitman@genesee.edu.

The annual Homecoming Weekend celebration at Genesee Community College has been extended to include a brand-new event this year -- the SUNY GCC 5K for the Future!

This new event gives participants the option of walking or running, but all will enjoy a "Run for the Future" held in memory of GCC's former Director of Development and External Affairs, Rick Ensman (inset photo, right). All proceeds will go to GCC's Fund for the Future dedicated to student scholarships.

The SUNY GCC Walk/Run 5K for the Future begins on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. on GCC's Batavia Campus. The course is USATF certified. Cost is $35 per participant.

Register for the 5K run or 5K walk here.

Participants must be present to receive awards. Awards will be given to:

• Top two male and female run-finishers;
• Top male and female finishers in each age group: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & over.

Ensman was an exercise enthusiast and a dedicated member of CrossFit of Rochester. He was also an avid hiker in the Adirondacks and a talented photographer, as well as a strong and dedicated leader at Genesee Community College who served with great distinction for nearly 30 years.

Throughout that time, he helped transform the College into what it is today and establish the Genesee Community College Foundation, College Village and the Marketing Communications Office. This May, Ensman passed away while this event was being planned. Participants in the 5K Race will see many of his contributions at GCC from College Village to the new Richard C. Call Arena, Student Success Center, and the Conable Technology Building.

"Holding the 5K for the Future in memory of Rick is bittersweet for all of us at GCC," said Jennifer Wakefield, GCC's assistant alumni director. "With Rick's love of the outdoors and exercise, the 5K course that winds around campus is a fitting tribute to him.

"The proceeds from the 5K Race directly support scholarships providing GCC students with the necessary financial assistance to help them achieve their dreams -- something Rick was devoted to for nearly 30 years."

The 5K for the Future on Sunday winds up the three-day Homecoming Weekend, which begins at Ken's Charcoal Pits on Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. on with The Cougar Crawl, a unique stroll through Downtown Batavia to visit local businesses, enjoy special treats, signature drinks and exclusive activities in route. Registration for the crawl is $20 per person.

Register for the Cougar Crawl here.

The Cougar Crawl will include visits to The YNGodess Shop, Valle Jewelers, Pollyanna & Dot, Hidden Door, T-Shirts, Etc., T.F. Brown's, O'Lacy's Irish Pub, Center Street Smoke House, GO ART! and concludes with a celebration at Eli Fish Brewing Co. with snacks and the musical stylings by Kelli Carson, GCC Class of 1989 and a long-term DJ at WCJW.

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 a variety of fun activities continue on GCC's Batavia Campus at the Richard C. Call Arena and admission is FREE!

• 10 a.m. -- Craft and Vendor Fair
• 11 a.m. -- Family Fun / Children's Activities and a GCC Women's Softball Game
• 12 p.m. -- Car Cruise, Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ with DJ Hank Nevins and also the exhibit in the Roz Steiner Art Gallery
• 1 p.m. -- GCC Women's Softball Game 2
• 7 p.m. -- Alumni Coed Soccer Game
• 8 p.m. -- Bonfire

Additional details about the entire Homecoming celebration can be found here, or by contacting the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

From Genesee Community College:

The History Club at Genesee Community College has released an exciting lineup for the Fall 2019 Historical Horizons Lecture Series. This series is designed to educate, entertain and help stimulate the sharing of knowledge, discussion and learning all centered around the importance of history.

All Wednesday lectures in this series begin at 7 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building, Batavia. All events in the Historical Horizons Series are free and open to the public.

The season kicks off on Sept. 4 as Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., professor of Journalism and Communications at St. Bonaventure University, discusses his book, “Grant’s Last Battle: The Story Behind the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant.”

Facing financial ruin and struggling against terminal throat cancer, Ulysses S. Grant fought his last battle to preserve the meaning of the American Civil War. His war of words, “The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” would cement his place as not only one of America’s greatest heroes, but also as one of its most sublime literary voices.

Did you get to see "Hamilton The Musical"? Then you won’t want to miss this event - Oct. 2. Danny Hamner, adjunct instructor of history at GCC, presents “A Historian Reflects on Hamilton The Musical.”

In this talk, Hamner explores what "Hamilton The Musical" gets right and wrong about love, marriage, power and ambition in the early American republic, and what theater can express that traditional historical narratives struggle to capture.

Then on Nov. 6 Terrianne Schulte, Ph.D., of D’Youville College will present “We Have to Create a National Debate, Community by Community…” which celebrates women trailblazers in environmental reform.

Throughout the 20th century, women have played important leadership roles in environmental preservation and restoration, often by educating the public regarding complex environmental issues to encourage grassroots activism. These unsung heroes deserve our attention and respect.

Closing the Fall 2019 season, the History club is proud to present its own adjunct instructor of history, Melinda Grube, Ph.D., on Dec. 4 who will portray Abigail Adams – LIVE! One of the Founding Mothers of America, Abigail Adams is one of the most remarkable people of the founding generation.

Left to care for her children, the farm and the family business interests when her husband, John Adams, was off chasing political fame, Abigail carried on to the best of her ability. She accepted the long absences from her husband as a necessary sacrifice for the good of the country. Come hear her story live, as presented in period costume and tone by Grube.

Press release:

Genesee Community College has published its 2017-2018 Annual Report online highlighting another year full of student success. This year's report features a video welcome by President James M. Sunser, Ed.D., as well as graphics highlighting enrollment and course offerings, extensive photos of students in action, and much more.

The College's 2017-2018 digital Annual Report is available ***here, further supporting the College's sustainable business practices, as well as maximizing access to the report's information.

Last year, GCC's annual report borrowed an agricultural theme, "Plant. Water. Harvest. Repeat." from the College's many friends, supporters and neighbors. Visitors to the website will see how GCC has evolved under this theme, which also warranted repeating for this year's theme.

"GCC is planting seeds of knowledge and academic progress; cultivating minds by providing all of the necessary water and nutrients for growth and achievement; then harvesting the hard work of our students and faculty, and celebrating their efforts at graduation," Sunser said in the report's opening video. "And of course, we refine and repeat that process again each semester with a new crop of learners."

The 2017-2018 Annual Report goes beyond reporting statistics, facts and listing donors and supporters.

"Plant. Water. Harvest. Repeat." tells priceless stories of real students through photographs, videos, links to numerous Facebook albums and more. It celebrates all kinds of success, both efforts that were planned and driven by hard work, and some unexpected findings as the result of innovation and high-tech solutions.

It explores what it means for GCC to be an active part of the communities we serve, and how our efforts can help them grow and succeed. Equally important is acknowledging the generous support of the dedicated and passionate people and businesses that share the College's mission and are listed in the "Supporters" section of the report.

Everyone is encouraged to view the annual report (find link above) and join in the celebration of the accomplishments of the past year.

***Please note: Chrome internet browser is recommended for viewing.

Press release:

Genesee Community College invites visual artists to submit their work for possible exhibition at GCC's Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery located in the Genesee Center for the Arts on GCC's main campus located in Batavia.

This call for work is open to individual artists and group exhibitions in all media interested in the 2020-2021 academic year. The deadline for consideration for the 2020-2021 academic year is Dec. 31.

The Steiner Gallery's mission is to foster community involvement in the arts while enhancing the learning experience for all GCC students, faculty and staff. Proposals are selected by the GCC Gallery Committee, which seeks out exhibitions rich in content and quality craftsmanship. 

"Our gallery attracts artists and visitors from across Western New York, and with our robust international student population, there is also a dynamic community of enthusiastic supporters right on campus," said Mary Jo Whitman, gallery coordinato.

"During the academic year, we average about 300 visitors each month. Our committee is always looking for artists who contribute meaningfully to the education of students while participating in the larger discourse of the contemporary art world."

The Roz Steiner Gallery opened in Spring 2011 and offers 1,700 square feet of outstanding exhibit space featuring 25-foot walls, moveable island walls, bamboo flooring and multimedia capabilities.

To review the space and submit an exhibition proposal go to GCC's webpage for the Roz Steiner Art Gallery here.

Press release:

Registration for the fall semester is still open at Genesee Community College, and there is a brand-new course available -- Public Procurement -- listed as course BUS194.

Available completely online, this course was developed and will be taught by Eve Hens, who is the purchasing director for Genesee County, and also a Certified Professional Public Buyer with an MBA in Project Management.

The course is the first and only online Public Procurement class offered in Western New York.

It will introduce public procurement principles and relevant applications, and integrate concepts from a legal, ethical and documentation perspective as well as include the latest best practices in this field. NYS public procurement policies and procedures will be the focus of this course.

The purchasing function, in any industry, is critical to the global supply chain and this course has been designed to prepare individuals looking to enter or advance in that role -- whether in the public or private sectors.

Government procurement accounts for a substantial part of the global economy and therefore, Public Procurement (BUS194) also serves the small and large business owner interested in contracting with the government for goods or services by providing a solid understanding of the applicable procurement concepts, processes and procedures.

As an online course, BUS194 offers maximum flexibility and convenience, requires no prerequisites, and can be taken as an elective as part of an academic degree program or on its own to bolster knowledge or advance careers.

This coursework and information can readily be applied to a broad range of industries such as retail, healthcare, construction, government, technology, manufacturing, film making and more. And with the median wage of a procurement officer being $32 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor-it also provides a sound career choice.

Additionally, in some businesses, it is a position that allows the employee to work remotely; in some cases from home.

"As Baby Boomers continue to retire in large numbers, the Public Procurement industry is anticipating more and more employment opportunities," said Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., professor and director of GCC's Business Program. "Students in any of GCC's business programs would also benefit from this Public Procurement elective, as they further prepare to enter the workforce."

GCC's semester starts Monday, Aug. 19, at GCC.

To learn more about BUS194 or to enroll in the course, go to https://www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/.

The Business and Commerce division at GCC also offers the following 11 different degree programs including: Business Administration with concentrations in Supply Chain Management or Marketing and Social Media; Accounting; Business Administration; Economic Crime Investigation; Entrepreneurship; Tourism and Hospitality Management; and four concentrations in Fashion Business, including E-Commerce, Event Planning, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising Management and Office Technology.

"As companies continue to require their employees to perform a broader and broader array of tasks and wear multiple hats in the workplace, an individual with knowledge of the public purchasing function will add immense value to their professional resume," LaMattina said.

Press release:

Anyone looking to further their education this fall has the perfect opportunity to complete the entire enrollment process with one visit to any of Genesee Community College's seven campus locations.

A series of Instant Admit Days will be held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting this week through Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at GCC's campus locations in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw.

In just one day a student can apply, be accepted, take the Placement Test (if needed), have assistance completing the FAFSA and be able to register for classes.

It is not necessary to preregister to attend, but an official copy of a high school transcript or equivalency is required. The official Instant Admit Days are July 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, and Aug. 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15.

"Whether you just graduated from high school or haven't been to school in a decade; whether you want to study part-time or full-time; whether it's planning for a total career change or career advancement; or perhaps it's personal enrichment for a recent retiree -- our Instant Admit Days are the perfect time and place to enroll in GCC for the fall semester," said Lindsay Gerhardt, assistant dean of Admissions. "We are here to help new students no matter what part of their life's journey they are on." 

Preregistration for an Instant Admit Day is not required. Call or stop by the Batavia Campus Center or any campus location nearest you:

• Albion Campus Center, 456 West Ave., Albion, NY 14411 (585) 589-4936
• Arcade Campus Center, 25 Edward St., Arcade, NY 14009 (585) 492-5265
• Batavia Campus (Main Campus), One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 345-6805
• Dansville Campus Center, 31 Clara Barton Street, Dansville, NY 14437 (585) 335-7820
• Lima Campus Center, 7285 Gale Road, Lima, NY 14485 (585) 582-1226
• Medina Campus Center, 11470 Maple Ridge Road (Route 31A), Medina, NY 14103 (585) 798-1688
• Warsaw Campus Center, 115 Linwood Ave., Warsaw, NY 14569 (585) 786-3010

See for yourself why Genesee Community College is the #1 value in WNY and students from all over the world are choosing GCC.

Batavia High School's 137th commencement occurred this afternoon at Genesee Community College in the Richard C. Call Arena.

Valedictorian Julia Spiotta (pictured below) encouraged members of the Class of 2019 to “fall forward” into their future endeavors in the face of both adversity and success.

She left this message with her class:

“Whatever we did over these years, we did it together knowing that the Class of 2019 was united, which is something I believe is very special about us.

“I’d like to thank you, members of the Class of 2019, for making high school so memorable. Today — June 23, 2019 — has been a day that we have all eagerly anticipated. Now that it is finally here, it is a very bittersweet day.”

During her speech, Salutatorian Tracy Lin remarked:

“Although we physically will no longer be in BHS, I have no doubt that each one of us will always carry in their memories the laughs, achievements, classes, sporting events and the homecomings we’ve experienced as a class."

Commencement speaker Mark Warren, a mathematics teacher at BHS, said: “A life of service is not always easy, which is why it must be a conscious decision. You have to be the person that decides to live your life in the service of others … It’s time to commence your life of service."

Loud applause filled the arena as graduate Antwan Odom, who was approved to attend commencement alongside his classmates, received his diploma.

Presentation of awards and diplomas was given by Paul Kesler, principal of BHS; Patrick Burk, president of the Board of Education; and Christopher Dailey, superintendent of schools. Sunday’s commencement was Dailey’s last BHS graduation prior to departing for his new superintendent position at Gates Chili Central School District.

To view or purchase photos go to steveognibenephotography.com or click here.

Below, Salutatorian Tracy Lin.

Timothy P. Tomczak was named dean of Human Communications and Behavior last month, a role he assumes July 1. 

Tomczak is a three-time SUNY Chancellor Award honoree. Last year, Tomczak received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service; in 2007 while working as GCC's associate professor of Psychology, Tomczak received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities; and in 1994 he was first recognized with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

He was also recognized by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Teaching Excellence Award in 1991, and is the author or co-author of more than 20 professional articles and presentations. He is an associate member of the American Psychology Association and the Council of Undergraduate Teachers of Psychology.

Earlier this month, The Batavian interviewed Tomczak about his role at GCC as well as topics in his and his department's field of study, including human behavior, heuristics and cognitive biases, psychology, social media, his favorite podcasts, and more.

Genesee Community College President James Sunser made clear the college’s frustration with the New York State Excelsior Scholarship.

Last Wednesday, the Ways & Means Committee was surprised when Sunser told them, “The Excelsior Scholarship did not help us … It’s a very stringent program. If students don’t make the grade, they lose it forever.”

Sunser spoke about the strings attached to the award. Excelsior recipients must meet minimum grade requirements and plan to reside and work in-state for the length of time they received the scholarship. Otherwise, their awards revert to costly loans.

“The way that the Excelsior program works is that when you hit the income threshold, you get that tuition paid,” Sunser explained.

In other words, students with families earning gross incomes of $125,000 or less can receive full tuition to SUNY two- or four-year colleges.

According to Sunser, “When you tell a family that’s making $125,000 that you can go to any of these institutions that’ll accept you, then that becomes a problem” because students tend to choose four-year schools rather than local community colleges.

The declining population and smaller graduating high school classes in Upstate New York have also reduced GCC enrollment, therefore revenue. Between Fall 2017 and Fall 2018 alone, the undergraduate enrollment at GCC dropped from 5,900 to 5,530 students.

These numbers beg the question of whether the Excelsior Scholarship actually brings in more students to enjoy county and college investments. GCC leaders say the answer is no.

The lower enrollment factored into the 2019–20 GCC annual budget, which will increase slightly, .01 percent ($4,000) to approximately $40.2 million.

This year, the college is seeking additional local support, which has remained flat since 2015-16:

• A $50,000 increase in annual county support to GCC;

• A one-time $100,000 allocation for the college's Criminal Justice and Veterinary Tech surgical labs.

The Ways & Means Committee voted in favor of setting up and conducting the required public hearing on the college's budget request, at a date to be announced later.

At its next meeting at 4:30 p.m. on June 19, the two-part funding request will be discussed by the Ways & Means Committee.

Sunser said GCC will raise its full-time tuition by $100 per semester, totaling $4,350. Students should also be aware that there will be a $10 increase per credit hour for part-time student tuition, which totals $180 per credit hour.

He said he hopes the fact that GCC is one of the most affordable options among area community colleges is enough to counter the downfalls of the Excelsior Scholarship and draw students back to higher education in Genesee County.

GCC's 2019 SUNY Chancellor's Award winners -- Front row, from left: Derek Maxfield, Kristen Mruk, John Molyneaux, Maureen Goodsell. Back row, from left: JoNelle Toriseva, Lori Kubik, Kathleen Kimber.

Submitted photo and press release:

As Genesee Community College celebrated an all-encompassing and momentous commencement weekend for its students last month, the College administration, staff and faculty took a few hours to acknowledge and celebrate each other's accomplishments and dedication that go "beyond expectations."

"In the spirit of commencement & the hard work of our students, GCC recognizes the dedication of our faculty and staff who go beyond expectations in helping our students succeed," said GCC President James Sunser. "And so, for a few hours, we close non-essential offices and celebrate our successes as a team."

Perhaps the most prestigious honors recognized at this ceremony were the 2019 State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor's Awards for Excellence bestowed upon seven of GCC's finest.

• Receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, which recognizes consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty over multiple years, was Professor of Spanish, Kathleen A. Kimber. Kimber became a member of GCC's faculty in 1997 and immediately got directly involved with the campus and community. Regularly using her Spanish fluency, Kimber goes above and beyond her duties as a professor to assist in translations, donating countless hours over the years. On multiple occasions, she has served as a medical translator in Honduras -- an experience Kimber shares in the classroom providing real-life learning opportunities to her students. Kimber has chaired and co-chaired many initiatives on campus, collaborated and contributed to grant writing opportunities and campus governance topics, student and faculty mentoring relationships, consistently and clearly demonstrating her commitment to service. Kimber was also the recipient of a SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities in 2011 and for Excellence in Teaching in 2004. Kimber earned her Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology Integration from Pennsylvania State University Online, her M.A. from Indiana University, and her B.A. in Spanish from SUNY Potsdam. Kimber resides in Naples.
• Recognizing consistently superior professional achievement, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service was awarded to Student Activities Specialist, Kristen E. Mruk. Mruk, of Lancaster, joined the GCC professional services team in 2013 and since then has completely transformed GCC's Leadership Certificate Program into an online program making it more accessible and relevant to today's students. Additionally, Mruk revised the Student Orientation process to improve new student experiences, and has supported students transition to college through supplemental online programs and working closely with GCC's six campus centers. All of these efforts and Mruk's countless hours analyzing data, collaborating with colleagues and implementing new tools have allowed her to execute ideas to improve student participation and satisfaction. She is also actively involved with the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), the College Student Personnel Association of New York State (CSPA-NYS) currently serving as its President Elect, and has been serving as a volunteer with SABAH (Spirited Athletes Bold at Heart) in Buffalo for 20 years. Mruk earned her M.S. in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College and her B.A. in Communication from SUNY Buffalo.
• For Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, Director of Humanities JoNelle R. Toriseva received a SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence. Toriseva's passion for scholarship and creativity have been evident through all she has accomplished since joining GCC in 2011. The highlight of Toriseva's career so far was her work in spearheading the development of GCC's Scholarship Symposium. Now an annual signature event for the College, it not only presents the accomplishments of our students and employees by demonstrating and celebrating their creative achievements, but it supports and encourages a culture of research, academic excellence, and innovation as well. Toriseva has presented at various national, state, and local conferences and published award-winning writing. She brings to the classroom a lifetime of interesting accomplishments and experiences and continues to research and develop collaborative efforts within the college and local community to enhance scholarship and creativity opportunities for all. Toriseva received her M.F.A. in English, Creative Writing from Mills College, her M.A. in English and her B.S. in Spanish Education from Bemidji State University, and her B.A. in Spanish & Speech Communication from Concordia College. Toriseva resides in Rochester.
• Receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate, or professional level of the highest quality was Associate Professor of History Derek D. Maxfield. Since his hire in 2009, Maxfield has been actively involved in GCC's campus community and dedicated to providing students with an exceptional learning experience. Described by many as a gifted storyteller, Maxfield has a way of reaching students in the classroom that is memorable. He incorporates applied learning, which gets his students beyond the classroom and experiencing the preservation of history on the ground, has created unique and engaging assignments, created new courses, and coordinates the GCC History Club's Historical Horizons Lecture Series. Maxfield's first book, "Hellmira: The Union's Most Infamous POW Camp of the Civil War" is being published this fall. Maxfield holds an M.A. in History from Villanova University and a B.A. in History from SUNY Cortland. He currently resides in Churchville.
• The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level of the highest quality. Receiving this award were adjunct instructors Lori E. Kubik and John R. Molyneux.

Kubik, who lives in Attica, has been a member of GCC's adjunct faculty since 2012 teaching several Grammar and English courses. In addition, she has been teaching in GCC's Advanced Learning Program since its inception in 2015. Kubik creates and uses various educational techniques to ensure she reaches all students' learning styles. Kubik is not only known for her unique ways to engage students, but also for her dedication to go above and beyond her duties as an adjunct teacher. Her breadth of knowledge, commitment to intellectual rigor dazzles students and faculty alike. It is very evident by all she does that she is truly invested in our college, community, and most importantly, our students. Kubik earned her M.S. and B.A. in Secondary English Education from the State University College at Buffalo.

Molyneux has been a member of GCC's adjunct faculty since 2002 and has taught a variety of courses in English, Literature and Speech. He is a veteran teacher with almost 50 years of teaching experience and is well known for his ability to connect with students. Molyneux is creative, innovative and passionate about educating. His dedication and motivation is an inspiration for all who cross his path. Molyneux is an exceptional instructor who is dedicated to bringing literacy instruction from the library to the classroom and beyond. As a result, his class offerings are in high demand. Molyneux holds a B.A. in English from St. Francis University. He currently resides in Henrietta.

• The final SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence was presented to Maureen P. Goodsell, Admissions Data Entry Operator for Excellence in Classified Service. This award is a system-level award established to give recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate SUNY's commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large. Maureen came to GCC in 1999 and has been dedicated to mastering her role and has accomplished a great deal of work beyond the outline of her position description. Goodsell is a wealth of knowledge, a valuable resource for students and staff, and possess extraordinary customer service skills. She is a creative thinker, always flexible with the ever-changing times, and enthusiastic about all she does. Goodsell continually strives to fulfill and exceed all the expectations of her position in an effort to better herself and GCC. She is a role model when it comes to work ethic and a great leader. Goodsell earned her A.A.S in Business Administration from Genesee Community College. She currently resides in Batavia.

The entire employee celebration also included longevity service awards for employees having served GCC for up to 30 years as well as the College's own unique award category, the Cougar Awards, for which recipients are nominated by fellow employees.

"This was our second annual celebration and I'm already hearing reports of some of the amazing work we will be celebrating next year!" President Sunser said, "There is a lot to celebrate here at GCC."