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'Catch the Wave' - Get registration and enrollment help at all GCC campus centers

By Billie Owens

Put a spring in your step and hop on over to Genesee Community College to explore ways you can shape your future. All six GCC campus center locations are hosting a "Catch the Wave" educational opportunity providing enrollment and registration services to community members Tuesday through Thursday, March 31, April 1 and April 2 starting at 9 a.m. and continuing through the day as needed.

Event Date and Time
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Cougars claw to win over Finger Lakes

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's basketball team battled from behind for most of the night on Tuesday but the Cougars wound up clawing their way to a 73-64 win over visiting Finger Lakes Community College.

The Lakers scored 10 of the first 12 points in the opening frame and led 24-12 midway through. Back-to-back baskets from Shanell Glover sparked a 12-0 run for Genesee and with under seven-minutes remaining in the half the score was tied at 24 apiece. Glover scored 12 points in the first half.

Out of a timeout, the Lakers responded by going on a 10-0 run in a span of just over two-minutes to take a 34-24 lead and FLCC took a 37-31 lead into the break.

Finger Lakes extended its lead back to double-digits early on in the second half before Genesee began its comeback.

Hillary Rivera scored eight straight points for GCC and after holding the Lakers to just one basket in six trips down the floor, the Cougars got to within one at 48-47 with just under 13-minutes left.

FLCC hit consecutive three-point baskets but Glover kept GCC in it with a layup and one of two free-throws. Rivera then converted on a three-point play and with 9:30 remaining the Cougars tied the score at 54.

Rivera gave Genesee its first lead of the night with a layup and a free-throw but FLCC hung around and with 4:30 left, the game was tied 61-61.

Breana Gleaton tipped the scale towards GCC with two of her 12 points on the night and after a Glover layup and a couple of Rivera free-throws, the Cougars controlled the lead for good. Genesee ended the game on a 12-1 run to improve to 12-9 overall this season.

Rivera and Glover shared game-high honors with 21 points apiece. Rivera also grabbed nine rebounds and Glover had seven. Elsa Andersson added eight points and four boards and Terra Clanton dished out five assists.

Genesee sweeps the season series against Finger Lakes after already beating the Lakers 76-73 on Dec. 4. The Cougars will return to action in conference on Wednesday night at Monroe Community College. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.  

 

(GCC’s Shanell Glover (#4 white) looks to pass down low in Tuesday night’s win over Finger Lakes CC)

Cougars roll to conference win over Jamestown-Olean

By Andrew Crofts

Tuesday night marked the fifth time this season that the Genesee Community College men's basketball team eclipsed the 100-point mark. The Cougars rolled to a 110-85 Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) victory over visiting Jamestown Community College-Olean to improve to 3-2 in conference play, the first time GCC has been above .500 in WNYAC play this season.

Ervin Mitchell led four Cougars in double figures with a game-high 35 points. Mitchell was 15-19 from the field in the game and scored 23 points in the first half alone.

Genesee raced out to a 15-point lead midway through the first but the Jaguars hung tough and got to within seven late in the period. The Cougars went into the half on a 7-2 run and led 55-43 at the break.

Naquil Jones scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half and Devante Carolina added nine in the frame, 18 overall, to help the Cougars put the game out of reach.

Genesee out-rebounded JCC-Olean 52-20 and shot better than 59-percent from the floor. Mitchell also grabbed 10 rebounds to record a double-double and Rahsaan Williams finished with a double-double as well with 12 rebounds and 10 points. Devante Carolina added 18 points and six rebounds; Jones led GCC in assists with six and Tre'Shaun Perry chipped in nine points and four assists.

Genesee (15-4, 3-2) will play its second of four scheduled games this week on Thursday at Niagara County Community College. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.

(GCC's Ervin Mitchell (#0) and Naquil Jones (#12) celebrate after a Mitchell basket in the 2nd half of Tuesday night's game against JCC-Olean)

College again offering free help for tax preparation

By Billie Owens

Press release:

January is flying by and April 15th will be here before you know it. If that sends you into a panic, take advantage of free tax preparation help from Genesee Community College. For the sixth year straight, GCC volunteers are offering free income tax preparation services to the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Those interested may access walk-in sessions at GCC's Batavia Campus as noted below or appointment-based services at Genesee County Department of Social Services (GCDSS) on Tuesdays.

There are four walk-in sessions scheduled at the GCC Batavia campus, all in room T205:

•    Thursday, Feb. 12th 4 -7 p.m.

•    Tuesday, Feb. 24th 4 - 7 p.m.

•    Tuesday, March 24th 4 – 7 p.m.

•    Thursday, April 2nd 4 – 7 p.m.

The appointment-based services are available from Feb. 3rd – April 7th at the Genesee County DSS at 5130 E. Main St., Batavia. To make an appointment call Betty at 344-2580, ext. 6552.

Through VITA, IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to community members with household income up to $53,000. Business tax returns or complicated capital gains transactions cannot be completed through the VITA program. VITA offers free electronic filing of federal and state returns.

"Genesee Community College is once again pleased to offer this service to our local residents. Our certified volunteers consist of faculty, staff and current students," said Cheryl Corke, GCC associate professor of Accounting and Business and VITA program director.

Last year we prepared 162 Federal and NYS income tax returns. Through this effort, our clients received $226,087 in Federal Income Tax Refunds, including $51,899 in earned income tax credits, $15,479 in child tax credits and $10,107 in education tax credits."

Corke advises participants to bring all necessary documents including W-2 (wage and earning statement(s) from employer(s), W-2G, 1098,1099-R, 1099-Misc (interest and dividend statements from banks) forms and the new 1095A forms related to the ACA; Social Security cards for all persons listed on the tax return; and a copy of last year's Federal and State returns, if available.

In addition, bank account routing numbers and account numbers are also needed for direct deposit of refunds. Other information participants may need to provide includes total annual payment for daycare providers plus the daycare provider's tax identifying numbers and address.

Lastly, for married-filing joint tax returns both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

"I want to personally thank all of those involved in this program. It really is a fantastic opportunity for community members and our students," Corke said. "We have several certified preparers from GCC and DSS and many others have put time and effort into this endeavor."

The certified volunteers have undergone rigorous online training to be able to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations.

For more information, contact Cheryl Corke, VITA program director at GCC, at cacorke@genesee.edu.

GCC kicks off fundraising campaign for new buildings, scholarships

By Howard B. Owens

By Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub

In 1965, a year before Genesee Community College officially started, Carl and Bernice Yunker took up the challenge to help create the college.

They talked to neighbors and friends, and local town and county officials. The idea wasn’t popular. People worried their taxes would go up with a new community college.

The Yunkers and other GCC supporters were able to convince the public to back the effort. The Yunkers’ son, Craig, observed his parents a half century ago and their push to make GCC a reality.

He is taking a turn in the spotlight now, working to rally friends and neighbors, and the general public on behalf of GCC. The college is planning a $20 million-plus project, its most ambitious since its beginning.

Yunker is the chairman of the fund-raising campaign that seeks $5 million in donations from the public. Donors have already stepped forward with $4 million.

“This campaign will change this college,” Yunker said during a campaign kickoff on Wednesday evening with about 100 GCC supporters. “It will propel it for the next 50 years.”

The college in the spring expects to start site work on two buildings – a 9,000-square-foot “Student Success Center” and 43,000-square-foot “College and Community Event Center.”

GCC also is working to raise $1 million for scholarships. That endowed fund will allow GCC to offer financial help to 80 to 100 local students each year.

For more of this story, visit OrleansHub.com.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Video: Jim Sunser talks about expansion plans at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

With state funding announced and a county-backed bond approved, Genesee Community College is just $3 million away from funding sufficient to build a new student success center and a wellness and event center.

The $25 million expansion project is backed by more than $10 million from the state and a commitment by the county to back more than $9 million in bonds.

The Genesee Community College Foundation will host a fundraising kickoff from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the campus.

In the video, College President Jim Sunser talks about the twin building projects.

Below is a video produced by GCC.

Nationall-ranked Monroe sweeps Genesee

By Andrew Crofts

In a battle of nationally-ranked teams, the No. 10 Monroe Community College men's basketball team outlasted No. 16 Genesee Community College on Saturday afternoon, 68-66.

The Cougars jumped in front early, scoring the first seven points of the game. Freshman Joshua Doughty was responsible for five of the seven, connecting on a 3-point basket and adding a layup.

Monroe quickly closed the gap and held the lead late in the first half before GCC ended the frame on a 7-2 run to take a 35-32 advantage into the break.

The Tribunes began the second half on a 6-2 stretch and took back the lead, not allowing it back to Genesee the remainder of the afternoon.

The Cougars were able tie the game at 51 apiece with just under eight-minutes to play, but MCC responded by going on a 9-0 run to regain momentum.

Down six with under two-minutes to play, Doughty got GCC back to within three after connecting on his second 3-point basket of the afternoon and after a defensive stop, Ervin Mitchell hit one of two free-throws to make it a 66-64 game with under a minute to go. The Cougars again came away with a defensive hold and Didier Antoine notched the game at 66 apiece with a layup with 19-seconds on the clock.

After an MCC timeout, the Tribunes looked to Anthony Hemmingway who connected on a jumper with 2.3 seconds left to put MCC in front 68-66. A last second look for GCC was unsuccessful, and Monroe sent Genesee to its second Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) loss of the season.

Naquil Jones scored a team-high 14 points for GCC, Mitchell added 13 points and six boards, Antoine finished with 11 points and seven rebounds and Doughty added nine points and eight rebounds.

Genesee falls to 1-2 in conference play and 13-4 overall on the season. The Cougars will return to action on the road on Jan. 22 at Erie Community College. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

The No. 6 Monroe Community College women's basketball team was too much for Genesee to handle on Saturday afternoon as the Tribunes powered their way to a 96-36 Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) win at GCC.

The Cougars were led in scoring by Breana Gleaton who finished with seven points. Shanell Glover and Thais Matté each added six and Glover also grabbed six rebounds.

Monroe was successful on half of its shots from the field in the game and was plus-22 in rebounding.

GCC committed 26 turnovers and shot just better than 21-percent from the floor.

Genesee (0-3, 9-7) has now lost three straight and the Cougars will take the floor again on Jan. 22 at Erie Community College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

No. 16 Cougars pull away from Thudnerwolves; Slow start sinks women

By Andrew Crofts

The 16th ranked GCC men's basketball team shot better than 56-percent to drop visiting Niagara County Community College on Thursday night and improve to 1-1 in Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) play.

The Cougars and Thunderwolves went back-and-forth in the first half with neither team holding a lead higher than four. Ervin Mitchell scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the opening half and was the only scorer to reach double figures during the first 20-minutes. Both teams went into the break tied at 40 apiece.

Trailing 59-58 midway through the second, Genesee went on an 8-0 run to take the lead and the Cougars did not trail again. GCC led by as much as 17 and went on to win, 98-84.

Naquil Jones finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Jason Perry Murray recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards, Joshua Doughty added 16 points and eight assists and Mitchell also grabbed six rebounds.

Genesee (13-3, 1-1) snaps a two-game losing streak with the win and the Cougars will return to action at home on Saturday at 3 p.m. against No. 10 Monroe Community College.

(Naquil Jones (white) eyes up his defender in Thursday night’s win over Niagara County CC. Jones finished with 25 points and seven rebounds for the #16 Cougars)

 

 

The Genesee Community College women's basketball team started off 6-31 in the first half of Thursday night's Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) showdown with No. 20 Niagara County Community College, and fell to 0-2 in conference play after a 68-49 loss to the visiting Thunderwolves.

The Cougars gave up a 12-0 run early in the opening period to fall behind 22-8 and managed only 18 total points in the first half.

Terra Clanton led GCC with 10 points, all 10 of which came in the second half. Breana Gleaton finished with 10 rebounds and eight points, Hillary Rivera added nine points and six boards and Tekia Gary grabbed six rebounds and finished with four points.

Genesee (9-6, 0-2) connected on just two of 16 three point attempts on the night and committed 17 turnovers in the loss. The Cougars will return to action at home on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against No. 6 Monroe Community College.

Photos: Country duo Haley & Alexis rock GCC to benefit GO ART!

By Howard B. Owens

Supporters of GO ART! and local music fans enjoyed an energetic show Saturday night at GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre of the Haley & Alexis Band.

The twin sisters hail from Atlanta, but have roots in Genesee and Orleans counties, and the front row was filled with relatives.

It's the first time the band -- nominated for the Georgia Country Music “Best (Regional) Country Band Award” -- has played north of the Mason-Dixon line. 

Hiram Kasten was the evening's emcee. 

Genesee basketball sweeps weekend tournament

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team picked up two wins this weekend in the Genesee Holiday Classic Tournament to end the first semester with a 7-3 record.

Latricia Stephens poured in a game-high 22 points on Saturday in a 74-47 win over Durham College (Ont.).

Genesee forced 27 turnovers and out-rebounded the Lords 64-39.

Elsa Andersson added 17 points, Hillary Rivera added nine points and seven rebounds, Shanell Glover grabbed 11 boards and scored eight points and Thais Matté collected eight rebounds and dished out three assist.

On Sunday, Genesee erased an early seven point lead by the Community College of Rhode Island and used a 9-0 run midway through the second half to hold off the Knights, 67-59.

Rivera finished with a team-high 17 points for the Cougars, Stephens recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds and 10 points and Andersson added 15 points.

Stephens was tabbed the tournament MVP and Andersson and Rivera were named to the All-Tournament team.

Genesee is off to its best start since the 2010-11 season and will resume action again on Jan. 6 at Cayuga Community College.

 

 

The Genesee Community College men's basketball team rolled to two wins this weekend at the GCC Holiday Classic Tournament, defeating the Community College of Rhode Island and Columbus St. Community College.

The Cougars used a balanced attack to defeat CCRI on Saturday, 93-55.

Genesee had five players reach double figures in scoring, led by Ervin Mitchell who finished with 17 points. Naquil Jones and Devante Carolina each added 15 points, Gabriel Burroughs tallied 12 and Jason Perry Murray finished with a double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds and scoring 10 points.

The Cougars led the entire game and were plus-21 in rebounding.

Jones scored the first five points of the game on Sunday against Columbus St. CC and it was much of the same as the Cougars did not let the lead slip away.

Jones finished with a game-high 28 points, including five-3pt baskets. Mitchell added 20 points and five assists, Perry Murray collected 19 rebounds and also chipped in nine points, Joshua Doughty finished in double-digits with ten points and Carolina and Benjamin Hackett each contributed seven points.

Perry Murray was named the tournament MVP and Mitchell and Jones were selected to the All-Tournament Team.

The win over Columbus St. is the second this season for Genesee (8-1), which is now on an eight-game winning streak. The Cougars will play in the Niagara County Community College tournament on Dec. 19-20 to end the first semester.

Genesee basketball takes a pair from Cuyahoga CC

By Andrew Crofts

Despite facing a 17-point deficit at halftime, the Genesee Community College women's basketball team improved to 5-3 this season after a comeback win against visiting Cuyahoga Community College on Saturday afternoon.

Cuyahoga started the game on a 14-0 run to grab the lead five-minutes into the game.

GCC committed 18 turnovers in the first frame and were out-rebounded 22-13. The Cougars trailed 44-27 at the break.

In the second half, Genesee battled back behind Shanell Glover and Elsa Andersson, who scored 12 and 10 points respectively in the period to get GCC back in the game.

Genesee trailed 70-68 with under 10-seconds to play before Thais Matté converted a layup in the final seconds to knot the game, which went into overtime.

Andersson scored the first seven points of the extra session for GCC to put the Cougars in front 77-70. Genesee held Cuyahoga to just one field goal in overtime and outscored the Challengers 14-3 to earn an 84-73 win.

Latricia Stephens led the way for Genesee with a game-high 17 points. Andersson finished with 16 points, Glover added 14 points and seven rebounds, Matté chipped in six points and three assists and Terra Clanton and Breana Gleaton each scored nine points.

Genesee improves to 2-0 at home this season and the Cougars will return to action next Saturday in the Cougar Holiday Classic Tournament against the Community College of Rhode Island at 2 p.m.

 

 

The Genesee Community College men's basketball winning streak is now up to six after the Cougars dropped visiting No. 13 Cuyahoga Community College on Saturday afternoon, 89-74.

After falling behind 8-3 early on, GCC went on an 11-0 run to take the lead and the Cougars did not trail the rest of the game.

Naquil Jones scored 13 of his team-high 19 points in the first half and Genesee shot better than 55-percent from the floor in the opening frame. The Cougars held a 50-27 advantage at the break.

GCC held a lead as high as 26 in the second half but Cuyahoga got to within single-digits late when the Challengers trailed 81-72 with 4:18 to play. The Cougars responded by going on an 8-2 run to end the game.

Genesee had a total of six players reach double-figures in scoring. Ervin Mitchell finished with 18 points and six rebounds, Jason Perry Murray added 13 points and eight rebounds, Joshua Doughty had 12 points and five assists and Didier Antoine and Gabriel Burroughs each added 10 points. Jones also had eight assists and six boards.

Genesee (6-1) will return to the floor at home next Saturday in the Cougar Holiday Classic Tournament. The Cougars will play the Community College of Rhode Island at 8 p.m.

Cougars roll to victory over St. John Fisher JV

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men's basketball team improved to 4-1 this season after cruising past visiting St. John Fisher JV on Tuesday night, 91-61.

Ervin Mitchell recorded a double-double and led the way with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. Naquil Jones added 17 points and five assists and Devante Carolina finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

GCC held a single-digit lead at half but outscored the Cardinals 53-32 in the final period and led by as much as 37.

The Cougars shot 50% from the floor in the game and were plus-27 in rebounding on the night.

Jason Perry Murray came off the bench to score 10 points and Didier Antoine added eight points and six rebounds.

Genesee will return to action on Wednesday at Elmira College (JV) at 7 p.m.

 

GCC volleyball takes district title in straight sets win over Harcum; earns nationals bid

By Andrew Crofts

 

The Genesee Community College volleyball team can add another accolade to its 2014 season after the Cougars defeated Harcum College (PA) out of Region 19 in straight sets on Saturday afternoon to earn the District L title and a bid into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament. GCC, already crowned the Region III Division II champion, used its home court advantage to drop Harcum 25-17, 27-25, 25-23.

Ai Miyazaki tallied 27 digs and 10 kills on the afternoon and broke a 4-4 tie on serve in the first game when she led Genesee to four straight points and an 8-4 advantage. GCC kept its distance throughout the rest of the set and rolled to a 1-0 lead in the match.

Out to a 4-0 lead in the second set, the Cougars lost four straight points and then faced its largest deficit in the contest. GCC was down four points as late in the set as 20-16, but mounted a comeback out of a timeout and edged Harcum to take a 2-0 lead.

Genesee took an early lead in the third game but gave up seven out of nine points midway through to allow Harcum to tie the set at 17 apiece. The Cougars rallied out of another timeout and went on a 7-2 run to take a 24-19 lead and Nina DiFante put the finishing touches on the match will the game-winning kill to send GCC to its 16th national tournament appearance in school history.

Nohema Garcia Torres recorded 37 assists, Stephanie Toledo and Kelsey Wright had nine and eight kills respectively and Haley Case added four aces.

Genesee will travel to Phoenix, AZ on Nov. 20 for the national tournament. First round opponent and match time to be announced.

Genesee on to regional finals in men's and women's soccer

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team will play for the 2014 Region III Division III Group B title this Saturday after winning in shutout fashion in the semifinals on Tuesday night, 4-0 over visiting Mohawk Valley Community College.

It took less than a minute for the second-seeded Cougars to grab the lead in the first half against the No. 7 seed. Kathryn Springsteen found the back of the net just 39-seconds in off of a corner kick to give GCC a 1-0 advantage. Kayla Doyle was credited with the assist on Springsteen's fifth goal of the year.

It remained 1-0 until the 30th minute when Ashley Makowski struck, heading one in off of a corner kick by Springsteen to give Genesee a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars continued to roll in the second half, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the 46th minute. Doyle buried her 14th goal of the fall off of an assist by Makowski.

Makowski ended the scoring in the 59th minute with her second goal of the game to give GCC a 4-0 lead. The goal came off of a free-kick.

The Genesee defense was solid again, allowing just four shots by the visitors. Maddie Potter made four saves in net to earn her 10th shutout win of the season.

GCC advances to the regional finals which will be held on Saturday at Tompkins-Cortland Community College. The Cougars will take on Broome Community College, which defeated Jefferson Community College 1-0 in the regional semifinals on Tuesday night. Game time is set for 10 a.m. and the winner will advance and represent Region III Division III Group B in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament.

Ashley Makowski (#11 white) works towards the net in the regional semis vs. Mohawk Valley CC on Tuesday night. Makowski scored two goals in the game for GCC

 

 

For the fourth season in a row, the Genesee Community College men's soccer team will play for a regional championship after the fourth-seeded Cougars knocked off visiting No. 5 Tompkins-Cortland Community College, 2-0 on Tuesday night in the Region III Division III semifinals.

Darius Johnson put an end to just over 25-minutes of scoreless play in the first half with what would prove to be the game-winning goal, off of an assist by Ikuma Hirano. The goal was his seventh of the season.

GCC did not need any more offense as the defense stepped up and held the Panthers in check. Although TC3 managed 13 shots on the night, only five were on net and Connor Halsted made all five saves.

Johnson added an insurance goal in the 76th minute to give Genesee a two-goal cushion, and the Cougars held off the Panthers the rest of the way to advance to the regional finals.

GCC will take on Herkimer County Community College, the No. 1 seed in the tournament and the top-ranked team in the country. The Generals defeated Finger Lakes Community College 8-0 on Tuesday night in the second semifinals match.

The finals match will take place at Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with the winner representing Region III Division III Group A in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament.

 Genesee lost its only regular season matchup with Herkimer on Oct. 18, 4-0.

College Village Open House

By Billie Owens

What: College Village Open House
When: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Genesee Community College
College Village Student Residential Community
8170 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road
Batavia, NY 14020

The College Village Student Residential community at Genesee Community College invites the community to an Open House at its two newest buildings on Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 4-6 p.m. The Village staff will show off Hemlock and Lilac halls, recently completed and now housing GCC students.

Event Date and Time
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GCC's Start-Up New York Plan approved

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College recently received notice from Empire State Development that the College's Start-Up New York Plan has been fully approved. GCC's plan is part of the statewide initiative introduced last year by Governor Andrew Cuomo to encourage potential development on or within one mile of each of the State University of New York's (SUNY) 64 campuses by offering tax-free status to both the company and new employees for up to 10 years.

Each SUNY institution can designate up to 200,000 square feet of off-campus space in addition to available space on-campus for Start-Up New York projects that create new jobs associated with the academic curriculum offered by the connected campus.

With ESD approval, GCC can now accept business applications for Start-Up New York proposals. Each application must also include a Related Persons Report and a Competition Analysis to help ensure the business entity and proposal are new opportunities in New York State and do not compete against existing businesses.

To review the online Start-Up New York application, go to: http://esd.ny.gov/index.html

For general information about Start-Up NY go to: http://startup-ny.com/

All Start-Up NY proposals presented to Genesee Community College will be reviewed by the College administration and the Board of Trustees. Among the potential business types identified as appropriate for a Start-Up New York proposal with GCC are agricultural research, rural energy development, private protection or security services and advanced manufacturing. GCC will not consider industries or businesses that do not meet the Start-Up New York requirements including companies working in finance, business administration, support services, retail or food services.

"The creation of new jobs while not hurting existing businesses is the central objective of Start-Up NY," said William Emm, GCC's executive vice president for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. "For GCC, program opportunities that support the College's mission can exist at or near the Batavia Campus in Genesee County, but also at or near the College's campus centers in Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties."

GCC volleyball claims title on record-breaking night

By Andrew Crofts

For the 19th straight season, the Genesee Community College volleyball team is the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III Division II champion. The Cougars took down Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday night and broke a 12-year-old school record in the process. 

Strong serving by Nohema Garcia Torres paced the four-set match for Genesee. Her serving was so strong, in fact, that she set the single match record for most service aces in GCC history. The sophomore recorded 14 aces on the night, which broke the previous record of 13 which was held by Karen Bakos (set in 1992).

The Cougars fell behind early in set one, but fought back and took an 11-7 lead after a stretch of 7 out of 11 points won. Tied at 20, GCC was able to hold off MNE and took the opening set, 25-23. 

Genesee fell behind again in the second set and faced a 6-1 Saints lead early on. Back to within 9-6, Garcia Torres led the charge back for the Cougars, serving to eight consecutive points which included two aces. GCC pulled away and took the second set, 25-16.

Mercyhurst N.E. took the first lead in the third set and held a lead as high as five at 18-13. Garcia Torres then rattled off five straight service aces and was on serve for seven consecutive points to put the Cougars in front by two. Despite giving up the lead, the Saints responded and won the third set 25-23. 

In the deciding game, GCC was out to a 4-2 lead before falling behind 5-4. The Cougars came right back to take a 6-5 lead and did not look back. Genesee led by as much as five on a number of occasions throughout the rest of the set and claimed its 19 straight title with a 25-16 win in set four.

Stephanie Toledo ended the night with 15 kills and six aces, Ai Miyazaki tallied seven kills and five aces and Haley Case and Kelsey Wright finished with eight kills apiece. 

Miyazaki was named the Region III Division II Player of the Year and Yu Shimizu, Toledo and Garcia Torres were named to the All-Tournament team for Genesee. GCC interim head coach Jamie Hugelmaier earned Region III Division II Coach of the Year honors.

Genesee (21-17) will now move on to compete in the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) tournament which will be held at Mercyhurst North East on Saturday. The Cougars will then host a NJCAA Districts tournament on a day and time to be announced. Their opponent has yet to be determined.

(Members of the 2014 GCC volleyball team pose after winning the 2014 Region III Division II championship. Genesee has won the title every season since 1996)

Genesee CC volleyball drops Jamestown in straight sets

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's volleyball team closed out its regular season schedule with a straight sets win over visiting Jamestown Community College on Thursday night.

Ai Miyazaki tallied 16 digs, 10 kills and two aces on the night, Stephanie Toledo added 10 kills and Haley Case had three aces for GCC.

Genesee closed out the first set on a 6-2 run after not leading by more than four in the opening game, winning 25-16.

A JCC service error gave the Cougars the first of six straight points to begin the second set and a 6-0 lead. Despite giving up nine out of ten points late in the middle game, GCC held on to win 25-18.

Miyazaki tallied two of her three aces in succession early in the third game to put Genesee in front 5-2. After a Jamestown CC timeout midway through, the Cougars took five in a row and held a 20-11 lead. The Jayhawks battled back to within five at 24-19, but GCC ended the night with a 25-19 win.

Genesee (20-17) will host Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday night for the Region III Division II title. The Cougars have won the championship in each of the last 18 seasons. The match will begin at 6 p.m.

(GCC’s Kelsey Wright (#12 yellow) goes up for the kill against JCC on Thursday night)

GCC soccer takes a pair from Finger Lakes

By Andrew Crofts

Up two spots to No. 8 in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Poll, the Genesee Community College women's soccer team remained unbeaten at home this season with an overtime win against visiting Finger Lakes Community College on Wednesday night.

Both teams battled for possession through the first half with very few scoring chances.

The Cougars broke a scoreless tie late in the 21st minute when Ashley Makowski turned and fired a lefty bid from just inside the 18 that found the bottom right corner of the net to put GCC in front 1-0. It was Makowski's 12th goal of the season.

It remained 1-0 into halftime and late into the second half before the Lakers tied the game at one apiece with a goal in the 76th minute, the first goal allowed at home by Genesee this season.

A scoreless end to regulation sent the game into overtime and in the 8th minute of the first extra-session, Kathryn Springsteen let a shot go from about 30 yards out that snuck under the crossbar and into the net to give Genesee a 2-1 win, improving its overall record to 11-3.

Maddie Potter made two saves in net for GCC, which improves to 1-2 in overtime games this season.

The goal allowed to FLCC ended over 525-minutes of play in which Genesee kept opponents from scoring at home this season.

GCC will end the regular season at home on Saturday against Herkimer County Community College at 1 p.m.

(Photo: Members of the GCC women’s soccer team celebrate with teammate Kathryn Springsteen (center) after her game-winning goal against FLCC in overtime on Wednesday)

 

The Genesee Community College men's soccer team won its fifth game in a row on Wednesday night in a low-scoring affair against visiting Finger Lakes Community College.

Ikuma Hirano scored his 10th goal of the season in the 4th minute, a goal that would prove to be the game-winner as neither team would find the back of the net again throughout the night.

Connor Halsted made six saves for Genesee, including a diving stop in the 81st minute to keep the Lakers scoreless. He earned his fifth straight shutout victory and eighth shutout win of the season.

The Cougars were outshot 9-6 on the night, but improve to 9-6 overall on the year with the win and will end the regular season on Saturday when they host No. 1 Herkimer County Community College for a 3 p.m. start.

November is National Novel and Nonfiction Writing Month, free GCC class offered Mondays

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Join us at Genesee Community College every Monday afternoon in November for National Novel Writing Month and National Nonfiction Writing Month.

Those interested in honing there skills will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. on 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, and 11/24 in room B256 at the Batavia Campus, located at One College Road.

For more information, go to nanowrimo.org or contact:
JoNelle Toriseva, instructor of English
Office: B255
Humanities
Phone: 343-0055, ext. 6627, e-mail jrtoriseva@genesee.edu

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