Genesee Community College Board of Trustees recognized 23 years of service and the unending support of Melvin J. Wentland, Ph.D, a long-term member of the College's governing body. Through the Resolution of Appreciation, official document #13/14-7, the Board reflected on Dr. Wentland's personal integrity, dedication and loyalty to the College.
Through the years since his appointment in 1991, he has served as vice chairman and chairman of the Board, and he served on numerous committees and was the board representative to the GCC Foundation Board of Directors. As an enthusiastic GCC supporter, he contributed to the College's growth and prosperity, never wavering in his concern for students and employees. He participated in numerous College events such as commencement and award ceremonies, athletic and community events.
He is the recipient of two New York Community College Trustee awards, the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Service (2001) and in 2006 the prestigious Anne M. Bushnell Memorial Award for Special Achievement.
After reading the Resolution of Appreciation, Board of Trustee Chairman Maureen Torrey Marshall was the first out of her seat to lead a standing ovation on behalf of Wentland.
Wentland is a retired professor of Biology from St. John Fisher College in Rochester. He is active in the community, having served on the Pavilion Central School Board and the Genesee County Citizen's Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He is currently chairman of the Genesee County Planning Board. Wentland holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Marquette University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He and his wife Dorothy live in Le Roy, and have four children.
