Announcements

Press release:

Rachel Best, of Bergen, has enrolled at the University of Findlay for fall 2022. New students began their studies at UF on Aug. 15.

Best is pursuing a degree in animal science.

Press release:

Elmira College recently announced this year's recipients of its annual Key Award. This year's award was given to 761 students across 14 states and Puerto Rico. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. Those receiving the award included:

• Aden Chua of Batavia, NY
• Noah Pickard of Batavia, NY
• Aidan McClurg of Elba, NY
• Hannah Spencer of Pavilion, NY
• Ben Robinson of Le Roy, NY
• Maylee Green of Byron, NY
• Colton Yasses of Oakfield, NY
• Joshua Rendon Euceda of Basom, NY
• Evan Sidhu of East Bethany, NY
• Francis Grant of Linwood, NY

This year, the award was given to 761 students across 14 states and Puerto Rico. Recipients receive an $80,000 scholarship over a four-year period, $20,000 per year, upon enrolling at Elmira College.

"This award is given to those who have exhibited their potential to excel academically and serve as leaders," said Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "We hope they will choose to make Elmira College their place."

Speaking to students during the 2022 Key Award Ceremony on August 22, Patrick Gillette, director of admissions said, "We know you are someone who would thrive as a member of the Elmira College campus community, and we want to invest in your success at Elmira College."

Sponsored by the Alumni Association, the Key Award recognizes students for high scholastic achievement, leadership, citizenship, and participation in extracurricular activities.

The more than 120 attending recipients met with Elmira College professors, staff, current students, and athletic coaches; attended information sessions about EC programs; and toured the campus.

Sunday, September 18, 2022 at St. Paul Lutheran Church & School. 31 Washington Ave., Batavia, N.Y. 14020

Serving Time is 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Drive Thru Only. Includes 1/2 Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, Roll & Butter. Cost is $14. Tickets can be purchased at the Church Office or Pre-Order by calling Diane, at 585-356-8789. Deliveries can be made between 12 and 1 p.m.

Press release:

Laura Schrenker of Bergen, NY is among the students who graduated from SUNY Oneonta following the spring 2022 semester. The college's commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, May 21. Laura earned a Master of Science in Education degree as an Educational Technical Specialist .

Press release:

Registration is now open for the 22-23 Faith Formation Program at Resurrection and Ascension Roman Catholic Parishes in Batavia.   The parish families are excited about this joint venture to share the faith with our families and children.  All sacramental preparation classes (Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation) will be offered and enriching programs for the entire family.

Please contact Jason Smith from Resurrection Parish at resurretionff14020@yahoo.com or Ann Pratt from Ascension Parish at mgp1731@gmail.com for information.

Classes will begin on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. Mass at Ascension Parish, followed by lunch, meetings, and a fun kick-off event!  Come and join us!

Press release:

As the sporting season has come to a close, we would like to highlight our student-athletes for their dedication in the classroom. 24 total Lazers were placed on the NJCAA Region III All-Academic team for the 2021-2022 season. Onondaga also placed 19 student-athletes were placed on the NJCAA  2021-2022 All-Academic Team. 

To be considered for the Region's All-Academic team, student-athletes must have earned at least 24 credit hours with an associated grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the academic year. 

These worthy student-athletes earned a position on the 2021-2022 Region III All-Academic Team:

• Jake Humes of Batavia

Additional info provided by his family:

Humes graduated Suma Cum Laude from the Lillian Slutzker Honors College at Onondaga Community College in May. In addition to graduating with a cumulative average of 3.98,  he also was the only student-athlete in region 3 of NY that was named to the NJCAA All-Academic 1st  team for Baseball. Humes begins RIT in the fall to begin working on a degree in Business Management.

Press release:

SUNY Oswego recently recognized several Genesee County residents as high academic achievers on its President’s List and Deans’ List for the spring 2022 semester.

President's List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. Students on the President’s List include:

• Chase N. Monachino, Batavia, history

Deans' List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying required academic credits. Students on the Deans’ List include:

• Charles T. Burton, Batavia, creative writing 

• Alisia L. Compton, Batavia, business administration (online) 

• Bailey Geoghegan, Attica, criminal justice 

• Ty C. Kornow, Basom, psychology 

• Bryson M. Tobolski, Oakfield, political science 

Press release:

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Jillian Menzie from Bergen, N.Y., and assigned to the Company D, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, received a promotion to the rank of sergeant on May 6, 2022.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best-qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

Press release:

Breton Stephens of Alexander, NY has been named to the spring 2022 Dean's List at Palmer College of Chiropractic's Florida campus in Port Orange, Florida.

Press release:

210 students from Genesee Community College named to Dean's List. Students honored on the Dean's List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

• Macie Riggs of Alexander
• Kelsey Fuller of Alexander
• Amarri Watts of Basom
• Benjamin Streeter of Batavia
• Maxwell Hutchins of Batavia
• Megan Tenney of Batavia
• Scott Little of Batavia
• Rachel Laesser of Batavia
• Zachary Stephens of Batavia
• Azalea Wierda of Batavia
• Emily Velletta of Batavia
• Trent Ryan of Batavia
• Jonah Luplow of Batavia
• Joshua DeVries of Darien Center
• Kayla Yax of Darien Center
• Casey Biro of Oakfield
• Mellisa Walton of Oakfield
• Julia Hawley of Byron
• Xandria Jackson of Le Roy
• Megan Shaffer of Le Roy
• Logan Shirley of Le Roy
• Olivia Steffenella of Le Roy
• Dylan Dziekan of Pavilion
• Kevin Neureuter of Batavia
• Charles Norton of Batavia
• Jill Kratz of Batavia
• Daniel DiMartino of Batavia
• Peyton Woeller of Batavia
• Donato Fiorentino of Batavia
• Tylin Torcello of Batavia
• Nicholas Mirabal of Batavia
• Sarah Reynolds of Batavia
• Olivia Lippold of East Bethany
• Brianne Amico of East Pembroke
• Cole O'Donnell of Oakfield
• Kara Tobolski of Oakfield
• Fiona Burke of Bergen
• Corden Zimmerman of Bergen
• Mitchell Gonyea of Byron

Genesee Community College serves over 6,000 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs, certificates and micro-credentials.

GCC's new Student Success Center makes admissions, financial aid and enrollment a simple and efficient process. The college has earned three national sports titles; most recently, the Men's Soccer team brought home the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III title. The athletics program, housed in the brand new, state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena hosts more than a dozen intercollegiate men's and women's teams.

Highly convenient, GCC operates campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as a significant online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'.

Press release:

Rochester Institute of Technology conferred more than 4,300 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2021-2022 academic year. The following local residents received degrees:

• Marissa Dispenza of Batavia received an ME in sustainable engineering.
• Ava Vescovi of Le Roy received a BS in business administration-marketing.
• Bethany Zwolinski of Corfu received a BS in biomedical sciences.
• Tyler Henry of Byron received a BFA in illustration.
• Lauren Burke of Bergen received a BS in applied mathematics.
• Amelia Pestillo of Batavia received a BS in management information systems.
• Triton Adamski of Corfu received a BS/MS in game design and development.
• Lucas Kohorst of East Pembroke received a BS in applied arts and sciences.
• Fiona Kraynik of Batavia received a BS in business administration-marketing.
• Jay Lewis of Batavia received a BS in mechanical engineering technology.
• Zachary O'Brien of Batavia received a BS in electrical engineering.
• Charles Carroll of Oakfield received a BS in chemistry.
• Matthew Pencille of Le Roy received a BS in biomedical engineering.
• Michaela Mesiti of Le Roy received a BS in biomedical engineering.
• Jacob Steffenilla of Stafford received a BS in mechanical engineering technology.

RIT's 137th academic convocation celebration was held in May and featured remarks by Kimberly Bryant, founder of the nonprofit organization Black Girls CODE.

RIT is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,700 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

For news, photos and videos, go to www.rit.edu/news.

Press release:

Alex Dean from Bergen was one of 70 Mansfield University student-athletes to earn Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athlete recognition for the recently completed 2021-22 season.

Dean is a member of the Sprint football team for the Mounties.

In order to be eligible, the 2021-22 student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year.

With 4,144 student-athletes eligible, it marked 53% of the PSAC student-athlete population. The PSAC has now registered at least a 30% rate for 14 consecutive years.

Griffin Della Penna, of Batavia, and sports journalism student at Canisius, ahs been awarded a scholarship from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Della Penna has worked as a broadcaster for the Batavia Muckdogs and also worked in media with the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Pegula Sports and Entertainment and ESPN 3.

Press release:

SUNY Morrisville recently announced those students who were named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2022 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must achieve a 3.0 to 3.99 grade-point average for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

• Cameron Clark of Batavia, Business Administration - BBA
• Braeden Zimmerman of Bergen, Autobody Technology - AAS
• Jason Doemling of Le Roy, Automotive Management - BBA

Press release:

The following local residents have been named to the Dean's List at Rochester Institute of Technology for the spring 2022 semester:

• Erik Scharlau of Alexander. Scharlau is in the physician assistant program.
• Andrew Pickard of Batavia. Pickard is in the software engineering program.
• Bethany Zwolinski of Corfu. Zwolinski is in the biomedical sciences program.
• Tyler Henry of Byron. Henry is in the illustration program.
• Taylor Schofield of Pavilion. Schofield is in the biomedical engineering program.
• Amelia Beckman of Batavia. Beckman is in the illustration program.
• Jake Long of Batavia. Long is in the civil engineering technology program.
• Cambria Kinkelaar of Bergen. Kinkelaar is in the public policy program.
• Megan Conibear of Corfu. Conibear is in the business administration-management program.
• Kameron Kuszlyk of Batavia. Kuszlyk is in the chemical engineering program.
• Zach Wagner of Batavia. Wagner is in the computer engineering program.
• Derek Pruski of Oakfield. Pruski is in the computer science program.
• Kaleigh Tapp of Le Roy. Tapp is in the physician assistant program.
• Tanner Richardson of Batavia. Richardson is in the electrical engineering program.
• Jay Lewis of Batavia. Lewis is in the mechanical engineering technology program.
• Timothy Bessel of Le Roy. Bessel is in the mechanical engineering technology program.
• Brett Lubberts of Linwood. Lubberts is in the computer science program.
• Fanny Venegas of Elba. Venegas is in the photographic arts and sciences exploration program.
• Ella Frank-Doyle of Batavia. Frank-Doyle is in the medical illustration program.
• Tori Russell of Pavilion. Russell is in the biotechnology and molecular bioscience program.
• Jason Berry of Batavia. Berry is in the software engineering program.
• Will Palmer of Batavia. Palmer is in the new media design program.
• Callee Norton of Elba. Norton is in the biomedical sciences program.
• John Mercovich of Bergen. Mercovich is in the packaging science program.
• Chase Roth of Alexander. Roth is in the web and mobile computing program.
• Jacob Steffenilla of Stafford. Steffenilla is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean's List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Press release:

Capital University is pleased to announce Natalie Rogers, of Batavia, was named to the Provost's List for the spring 2022 semester.

To be named to the Provost's List, full-time, degree-seeking students must have achieved a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.849.

Press release:

Descendants of Job PRINCE and Rhoda KIBBE will meet for the 115th Annual Prince Family Reunion on August 13, 2022 at The Barone family farm, 1154 Olean Road, South Wales, NY, 14139, rain or shine, at 11:00 am.

Job and Rhoda had ten children. Nine of those children spent at least some time in Western New York during the 1800s. Son Jonathan had a total of twenty children. Of those twenty children, nineteen lived to adulthood and eighteen married. Many descendants still live in the Western New York area. The family has expanded to most of Western New York, including Genesee County. Descendant surnames in Genesee County, NY include Prince, Miller, Mosher, Downy, Wade, Milks, and many, many more, beginning in the early 1800s to present day. All are welcome to attend.

Please bring a dish to pass, a story to tell, updated family information, your own beverage, table service, chair, etc. Please bring something for a basket raffle. This year, our goal is $2000 to pay for underground radar and a new sign for the Milks Cemetery on Rt. 353 in Persia, NY. Many of our family members are buried there. Several known headstones have fallen and are buried.

We have a Facebook page, Job Prince & Rhoda Kibbe genealogy that will be updated with more information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/472497856104979

If you are interested in attending the reunion, or are seeking more information, contact Annette at 716-560-3955 via text or voice, or email PrinceReunion2013@gmail.com

Press release:

A total of 652 SUNY Cortland students earned President's List honors for the spring 2022 semester. To qualify for the President's List, students must earn a grade of A- or better in each of their classes while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

• Emma Efing of Le Roy
• Brandon Kropf of Bergen

Press release:

Ithaca College congratulates all May 2022 graduates.

Madison Hoerbelt of Batavia (14020) graduated Magna cum Laude with a BM in Performance.

Lauren Leone of Batavia (14020) graduated Summa cum Laude with a BA in Journalism and Politics.

Michal Lullo of Batavia (14020) graduated Summa cum Laude with a BA in Politics and BS Television-Radio.

Press release:

Shenandoah University is pleased to announce the 1,204 graduates who received their degrees or certificates during the 2021-22 academic year. These included 236 August 2021 graduates, 332 December 2021 graduates and 636 May 2022 graduates. Shenandoah's 2022 University Commencement took place on May 21.

The following students were among those who graduated from Shenandoah during the 2021-22 academic year:

• Emily Alvut, of Batavia, with a Master of Science in Athletic Training.