GCC

Press release:

From the 2014 FIFA World Cup to the 2016 Summer Olympics, the first ever to be held in South America, Brazil has become accustomed to the limelight. The local community will have a chance to learn more about the world's fifth largest country through a series of events planned this academic year at Genesee Community College by the College's Global Education Committee.

"We selected Brazil because our students will be hearing a lot about Brazil. We have students from Brazil. It's a beautiful country and an important player in the global economy," said Committee Member Nina Mortellaro.

Events begin with a lecture by GCC History Professor Charles Scruggs. "Brazil: Beyond Supermodels, Samba and Soccer" is set for Tuesday, Oct. 14, 12:30-2 p.m. in Room T102 of the Conable Technology Building on GCC's Batavia campus. The event is FREE and open to the public.

"In the past decade we have witnessed a surge in the global stature of Brazil," Scruggs said. "What accounts for this stunning transformation? What challenges linger as the world's fifth largest country attempts to carve out a new role for itself in the 21st Century?"

Scruggs will explore these questions and more, drawing on a range of historical, sociological, economic and political research.

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, the Global Education Committee presents Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble from SUNY Brockport. With choreography expressing elements of both African and Brazilian culture, Sankofa brings essences of the past into the present. The members represent the rich cultural heritage of Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and Africa.

Sankofa will perform from 12:30 – 2 p.m. in the Forum on the GCC Batavia Campus. Light refreshments will be served.

The Committee is also planning an authentic Carnaval da Brazil to be held in February. The event will include arts, music, food tastings and more including a demonstration of capoeira (pronounced kap-way-ra), a Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics and music. Students from Academia com Expressão of Rochester will show their skill.

In addition, GCC Faculty will present an "Experience Brazil" travel log in March, sharing their personal insights from visits to the country.

Winners of five out of its last six contests entering Monday night, the Genesee Community College men's soccer team improved its overall season record to 6-6 with a 6-0 shutout win over SUNY Adirondack.

Neither team registered a shot during the first 15 minutes of the contest, until Jake Miller cashed in GCC's first goal in the 20th minute, converting a pass from Darius Johnson to put the Cougars in front.

Johnson struck in the 30th minute as the rain fell to give Genesee a 2-0 lead and Sam M'buru made it 3-0 in the 40th minute, scoring his second goal of the season.

The Cougars held possession for most of the game and the Genesee defense kept the Timberwolves to just three shots on goal.

Ikuma Hirano added goals in the 66th and 70th minutes and Dell Storey tallied his first goal of the year in the 88th minute to round out the scoring.

Connor Halstead and Bradley Paserk split time in net for GCC. Halstead made one save and Paserk stopped two.

The Cougars are now .500 for the first time this season and will return to action on Wednesday at Jamestown Community College.

(#7 Jerrold Davies and #17 Brad Rodda brace the rain after #8 Sam M’buru’s first half goal on Monday night)

In its second to last regular season home match of the fall, the Genesee Community College women's volleyball team took down Finger Lakes Community College in four sets on Tuesday night to improve its record to a game above .500 for the season.

Genesee held a nine-point lead in the first set but saw the Lakers come storming back to eventually tie the opening frame, 23-23. FLCC held serve for the final two points and took the opening game, 25-23.

The Cougars fell behind early in the second set but took six of seven points at one point to take an 8-5 lead. Nohema Garcia Torres served to four straight points late in the second game and GCC evened the night at a game apiece with a 25-17 win in game two.

During a close third set, neither team held a lead larger than three until Haley Case ended the game serving to four consecutive points, including a service ace, to give Genesee a 25-21 win.

In the fourth game, GCC jumped out to a 13-4 lead, but saw FLCC again mount a comeback. The Lakers got to within two at 19-17, but Genesee won six of the next eight points to take the fourth and final set, 25-19.

Garcia Torres ended the night with 37 assists and three aces, Case added 12 kills and four aces, Ai Miyazaki had 23 digs and 12 kills and Stephanie Toledo added 12 kills.

Genesee improves to 15-14 with the win and will travel to Mercyhurst North East on Thursday night for a 6 p.m. start.

Nohema Garcia Torres gets ready to serve in the fourth and final game vs. FLCC on Tuesday night. Garcia Torres tallied three service aces on the night

Press release:

After 20 hours of travel, their first time so far away from home, two students from the southeast Asian island nation of Timor-Leste have arrived at Genesee Community College. Arsenio Ferreira, 21, and Jorguino (pronounced Jor-gino) Savio, 19, will spend the next two years at GCC earning an associate degree in Food Processing Technology (FPT).

GCC offers its first course in the brand-new degree program, Introduction to Food Processing Technology (FPT 101), beginning with the 12-week class session, which starts on Monday, Sept. 22. A few seats are still available in the class.

Savio and Ferreira earned full scholarships to study in the United States through the Timor-Leste Hillary Clinton Scholarship Program administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The IIE suggested GCC to the two young men.

"The program officer from IIE felt that GCC was a good fit for the Timorese students based upon their program of interest, student population, international student population, student services offered and GCC's commitment to diversity," said Carrie Sputore, International Admissions specialist at GCC.

Both Ferreira and Savio come from the capital city of Dìli in Timor-Leste. The city of approximately 190,000 people is the largest in the country, which neighbors Indonesia, and has an overall population of 1.2 million. The tropical climate is much different than western New York. Neither student has ever seen snow. "Everything is new for us," Savio said, including the way Americans cook and the foods we eat.

In Timor-Leste, wood stoves are used to prepare food, 90 percent of which is imported from Indonesia. Crops grown in Timor-Leste include corn, rice and cassava (a woody shrub whose starchy tuberous root resembles a potato; tapioca is extracted from it). The scholarship program aims to train youth to take skills back to Timor-Leste, contributing to the country's economic and social development as well as its democracy.

After two decades, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and near total infrastructure destruction, the country's independence from Indonesia was formally recognized in 2002, but it has faced great challenges rebuilding.

Timor-Leste has benefitted from oil procurement in offshore waters. Arsenio's father works for oil producer ConocoPhillips. He's excited for his son to study abroad as he earned a master's degree on scholarship in Norway. Arsenio is the second of five boys in his family. He also has two sisters. His mother is deceased.

Jorguino has a 21-year old sister studying engineering in Indonesia and a 12-year old brother. Both of his parents are primary school teachers.

"When I got the scholarship, my mother was very proud," he said. "It's very hard to get this scholarship. But when I left my mother was crying."

He already misses his family, but appreciates the educational opportunity he's earned.

Both Arsenio and Jorguino will live in College Village, adjacent to GCC, with American roommates.

"They are very friendly," Arsenio said.

Both he and Jorguino have studied English since high school. They also speak Tetum (official language of East Timor), Portuguese and Indonesian.

The Timor-Leste Hillary Clinton Scholarship program is funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Scholarships were awarded to academically talented and qualified Timorese students with the goal of strengthening the base of skilled, high performing professionals in Timor-Leste to contribute to the country's economic and social development.

The Cougars men's soccer team won its second straight match on Wednesday afternoon, defeating visiting Corning Community College by a final score of 5-2.

Ikuma Hirano staked Genesee a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 5th minute after being set up by Kazuyuki Nakane.

Brad Rodda made it 2-0 GCC in the 16th minute, cashing in on his only shot on goal during the match.

The Cougars controlled possession throughout the first half and extended their lead to 3-0 in the 31st minute after a goal from Jake Miller off of an assist by Darius Johnson.

Corning got its first goal late in the half in the 43rd minute and GCC took a 3-1 lead into the half.

The Red Barons drew to within one with an early second half goal, but Hirano gave Genesee some breathing room with his second goal of the game in the 64th minute to put the Cougars in front 4-2.

GCC added to its lead with the final goal of the game in the 82nd minute. Nakane took a pass from Sam M'buru and beat the Corning goalkeeper to send Genesee to its second win of the year.

Connor Halstead made four saves in net for GCC, which will return to action at home this Saturday against Tompkins-Cortland Community College at 3 p.m.

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team earned its second shut-out win of the season on Wednesday night after downing Corning Community College 5-0.

Ashley Makowski went upper-right for the game's first goal in the 4th minute of the first half to give GCC a 1-0 lead. She scored again off of a free kick in the 7th minute, and the Cougars did not look back.

The Genesee defense held strong the entire night, allowing just one shot on goal during the match.

Kathryn Springsteen made it 3-0 Genesee with a goal off of a header in the 37th minute and GCC held a three-goal lead at half.

Mia Velletta kept the scoring going for the Cougars with a goal in the 51st minute off of an assist from Springsteen.

Emily Alvut buried the final goal of the match in the 74th minute and helped Genesee improve to 2-2 on the season.

Makowski finished the night with nine shots on goal and Megan Mase made the save on the only shot at the GCC net.

The Cougars will host Tompkins-Cortland Community College at 1 p.m. on Saturday for their next match.

The Genesee Community College volleyball team improved to 2-9 on the season with a three sets to one win against visiting Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday night.

The Cougars took ten out of twelve points midway through the first set and won the opening game, 25-12.

Mercyhurst responded in game two and after trailing 5-2 early on, the Saints took a 7-5 lead and held a lead as large as six points before winning the second set, 25-22.

Stephanie Toledo served to four straight points for Genesee in the third set and helped the Cougars take a 16-7 lead. Mercyhurst got back to within four at 22-18, but GCC was able to hold off the visitors and a Toledo ace sealed game three for GCC, 25-19.

GCC did not trail in the fourth and final set and jumped out to an 8-2 lead. The Cougars led by as much as eight in the finale and won the final game 25-17 and the match 3-1.

Toledo finished the night with nine service aces and Nohema Garcia Torres had seven. Haley Case had 14 digs and 10 kills and Ai Miyazaki added 24 digs.

Genesee will travel to Erie Community College for its next match on Thursday night. Start time is set for 6 p.m.

Press release:

Genesee Community College administrators will welcome to campus donors who've contributed to the College's scholarship funds and students who've received scholarships, as well as two outstanding graduates who have excelled in pursuing their career goals for the Discover the Stars reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8.

The event will be held in the Stuart Steiner Theatre located in the Genesee Center for the Arts on the GCC Batavia Campus, One College Road, Batavia.

Discover the Stars is an annual event that brings together GCC scholarship recipients and donors. Members of the College Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, and College administrators will also be present.

In addition, two alumni speakers will share their career paths following their time at GCC. Jessica Stabell graduated in 2007 and earned her bachelor of arts degree in Anthropology from Buffalo State College where she received the President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in 2013. She has earned attention for her research and is continuing her studies toward a Ph.D. in Forensic Entomology.

Dan Ireland, of Byron, graduated in 1992 and went on to earn his bachelor of science in Nursing from SUNY Brockport in 1994 and an MBA from RIT in 1997. He began working at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia while still a student. He started as an orderly, became a floor nurse, then IT clinical analyst, and administrative analyst. In 2004 he was named director of Quality Management and then became vice president of Operations. In December 2013, he was named president of UMMC, which will be the top administrative position at the hospital once it completes a merger with Rochester Regional Health System this December.

Press release:

Genesee Community College's Adam Baumeister (Lancaster, NY) and Chris Mandia (Highland, NY) will take aim at the 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Golf National Tournament this week at the Chautauqua Country Club in Chautauqua. The four-round tournament begins on Tuesday and will conclude with the final round on Friday.

Baumeister brings experience to this year's championships after finishing 23rd in last year's national tournament as a freshman. He medaled three times this spring and finished in the top-ten of every event, including a fourth place finish at the Region III Championships. He was an All-Region selection for the second year in a row this season, shooting an average round of 75.3.

Mandia earned his entry to the national tournament after winning a playoff at the Region III Championships. The freshman finished 15th and was selected to the All-Region team. He shot an average round of 80.5 this spring and had four top-10 finishes including two in the top-five.

The Chautauqua Country Club and host school Jamestown Community College have hosted the national tournament every year since 1999. Golfers from over 20 states and 40 colleges will compete for the national title and round-by-round results can be found online: http://www.sunyjcc.edu/student-life/athletics/njcaa/Tournament-Statistics or by following Genesee Athletics on Twitter: @GCCSports.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic webpage, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.geneseeathletics.com

Press release:

Genesee Community College Board of Trustees learned at the August monthly meeting that two members of their own, as well as a long-term GCC faculty member, have been selected to receive awards recognizing their dedication, leadership and service.

GCC Trustee Maureen Torrey Marshall has been selected to receive the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Trustee Service by the New York Community College Trustees. Mrs. Marshall began her service as a GCC trustee in 2003, and just concluded her two-year term as chairman last month. She is a lifelong resident of Genesee County and co-owner of the 10,000 acre Torrey Farms, Inc. She serves on several agricultural associations at the state and national levels.

Current Board of Trustee Chairman Diane D. Torcello has been selected to receive the 2014 Donald M. Mawhinney Trustee Leadership Award. Appointed to GCC's Board of Trustees in 2005, Mrs. Torcello is vice president Community Banking manager for Tompkins Bank of Castile, former chair of the Presidential Search committee for GCC, former chair of Genesee County United Way, and she continues to serve as a member of the Board and the Campaign Cabinet. She also serves on the Mary Immaculate Church Finance Committee and she is the Treasurer of the Pavilion Republican Committee. Diane was also named to the Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40.

Both honors will be recognized at the 60th Annual NYCCT Conference entitled "Celebrating 60 Years of Trustee Education and Leadership" on Saturday Sept. 20 at the Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs.

GCC's Professor of Business M. Richard (Rick) Dudkowski has been selected to receive the Northeast ACCT Faculty Member Award at the Winds of Change Leadership Congress '14 this October in Chicago, sponsored by the Association of Community College Trustees. This award honors excellence in teaching through innovative programming, special initiatives, problem solving and leadership within two-year postsecondary institutions as well as the local community.

Throughout his 30 year tenure at GCC, Mr. Dudkowski or "Mr. D.," as his students are fond of calling him, has been an exceptional contributor to the college community as a dedicated professor, mentor, success coach, colleague, civic leader and friend. He teaches 10 different courses in the business division and is the lead faculty member of the Fashion Merchandising Management program that produces the annual Fashion Show, which will enjoy its 34th annual production in 2015. He is a "go-to" staff member volunteering for many additional assignments, such as serving on the planning committees for the College's 40th anniversary, the retirement reception celebrating Stuart Steiner's 37 years as president and the inauguration of James Sunser, GCC president in 2011.

Mr. Dudkowski is a two-time recipient of the State University of New York New Chancellor's Award for Excellence, first in 2002 for Excellence in Teaching and in 2008 for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. He also was recently inducted into Susan Makai's Personal Best Model and Talent Agency Hall of Fame for Marketing Individual Excellence in a Competitive World.

Press release:

They teach their craft to students every day, but they are also practicing artists outside of the classroom. This fall, see the work of the Fine Arts faculty at Genesee Community College in an exhibit entitled "Art Matters: GCC Arts Faculty Exhibit."

The show is now on view in the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Gallery in the Genesee Center for the Arts on the GCC Batavia Campus. Opening receptions for the exhibit are planned on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and again at 5:30-7:30 p.m. The afternoon opening will include a performance by Music instructor Jennifer Sisbarro.

The show will feature the works of six GCC faculty members. They include Joe Ziolkowski, Instructor of Photography, who is coordinating the exhibit; Moi Dugan, associate professor of Ceramics and 3-Dimensional Design; Heather Jones, assistant professor of Fine Arts; Pamela Swarts, assistant professor of Digital Art; Jennifer Sisbarro, instructor of Music, and Ed Hallborg, Theater technician.

Ziolkowski, who teaches digital and film-based photography, creates unique self-portraits that use multiple formats, including 35 mm, 4 x 5 inch pinhole, digital SLR, mirror-less and iPhone digital cameras.

"In a world filled with the effortless 'selfie,' my work is effort filled," Ziolkowski notes. "As the artist, I select the vantage point and frame the subject, making my lens the viewers' eye. As subject, I place myself within the frame and guide the viewer through the frame with my own gaze. Within this gaze, I join the viewer, experiencing the joy of gazing myself."

Moi Dugan's new work is inspired by the woodlands surrounding her family's new home.

"My wheel thrown and handbuilt ceramics act as canvases for my painted narratives. While my work is functional, I strive for each piece to stand alone as a work of art when not in use," Dugan said.

She uses brightly pigmented slip and the sgraffito ("scratch") technique to produce the layers of color, texture and pattern on each of her one-of-a-kind pieces.

The mixed media creations of Heather Jones integrate glass, metal, paint and untraditional materials to "create social commentaries that speak of environmental issues.

"My current artwork focuses on the ethics of patenting life and the scientific processes of changing plants, animals and humans at a cellular level," Jones said.

Pam Swarts features graphic artwork on posters and event design materials.

Cultural debris is the focus of Ed Hallborg's work entitled "Remnants," which "is meant to be consumed in passing, like digital graffiti." Automated slide projectors display the words and images.

And musical sound bites featuring vocal performances by Jennifer Sisbarro will play continuously. Sisbarro's selections come from classical, jazz, and musical theater genres. She's an experienced performer who's been singing since the age of 3. Sisbarro will perform jazz standards with Deborah Sorenson accompanying her on piano during the opening reception from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.

The exhibit will be on display through Nov.  20. The Roz Steiner Gallery, located in the Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College, is open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by special appointment. GCC's Batavia campus, located at One College Road, is just a short drive off exit 48 of the New York State Thruway. Directions to the campus are available at http://www.genesee.edu/about/visit/maps.cfm.

The Genesee Community College men's soccer team fell to 0-4 this year after a 5-1 loss to visiting Monroe Community College on Wednesday afternoon.

The Tribunes scored twice in the first five minutes of the game and took a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the opening half.

Genesee got on the board in the 10^th minute when Kazuyuki Nakane beat the MCC goalkeeper to draw the Cougars to within 2-1. Ikuma Hirano was credited with the assist.

Monroe added to its lead before the half with a goal in the 40^th minute and held a 3-1 advantage at the break.

The Tribunes scored twice in the second half, once in the 55^th minute and once in the 57^th minute, and controlled possession throughout the rest of the match to drop Genesee for its fourth straight loss to begin the year.

Connor Halstead made two saves in goal for GCC and Brad Rodda and Hirano tallied two shots on goal apiece.

Genesee (0-4) will return to action on the road on Saturday at Mohawk Valley Community College for a 3 p.m. start.

The Genesee Community College women’s soccer team is ranked No. 10 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) preseason top-10 poll, which was released by the association on Wednesday.

(Ready to roll: Mariah Niemiec (white) will be one of nine returning players for the No. 10 GCC women's soccer team)

Second-year head coach Jeff Reyngoudt returns after a trip to the regional finals and a 13-4-1 campaign during his first season at the helm in 2013. The Cougars were ranked as high as fifth in the NJCAA National Poll last season and Reyngoudt was named the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) Coach of the Year.

GCC will return nine starters including 2013 second team All-American goalkeeper Maddie Potter (Oakfield, NY) and All-Region selections Ashley Makowski (Kendall, NY) and Sarah Loranty (Alexander, NY). Potter made 15 starts in goal last fall and allowed an average of just 0.94 goals per game. She totaled seven shutouts and had a save percentage of better than 85 percent. Makowski was second on last year’s squad in goals scored (12) and tallied 28 points during her freshman season. Loranty helped anchor a defense that allowed an average of 1.37 goals per game and totaled eight shutout wins.

Genesee will begin its 2014 season on Aug. 28 at home against NJCAA Division I Mercyhurst North East. It will be the first of seven scheduled home games this fall for the Cougars and one of six contests scheduled against WNYAC opponents.

For the second year in a row, Genesee Community College Assistant to the Athletic Director Ron Spiotta has been named the Western New York Athletic Conference Distinguished Person of the Year Award recipient. The award is given to an individual who has outstanding accomplishments or has made significant contributions to a sport or athletics in general.

"Ron has been a great asset to the Genesee Athletic department for the last 28 years," said GCC Athletic Director Kristen Schuth. "He does a great job communicating with the community as well as his peers. This award is very well deserved for the second year in a row."

Spiotta has been with the College since 1981. He currently coordinates athletic eligibility, scheduling, charter traveling and assists the athletics director on day-to-day operations. In addition to his duties as a staff member, Spiotta was the head coach of the baseball program at Genesee from 1986-1999 and currently sits on the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee at the College.

Spiotta is a 1978 graduate of SUNY Brockport with a degree in Recreation and Leisure. He resides in Batavia with his wife, Deborah, and has two children, Lauren and Michael.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

Press release:

A video providing information to prospective students about financial aid at Genesee Community College has earned a prestigious Telly Award. Forest Productions & Photography, Inc., of Buffalo, with whom the College worked on the project, was recognized as a Bronze Winner in the 35th annual contest.

Nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries competed for Tellys, the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs; the finest video and film productions; and online commercial video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.

The two-minute financial aid video utilizes animation and clever graphics to guide students through all the possible sources of financial assistance and how to pursue them. Michael Mandolfo of Forest Productions & Photography, Inc., began discussing ideas for the video with the College in December 2012. The video, created through a computer and audio recorder, was completed in May 2013.

"GCC challenged us with creating a nontraditional video that would appeal to young people," Mandolfo said. "They wanted a hip and attractive way to get this information across. We thought the animation would help the viewer navigate through the information using techniques like graphics, symbols, color, texture and music."

Working with director of Student Financial Assistance Joe Bailey and admissions staff, Mandolfo crafted a script, narrated by GCC graduate Samantha Vogt ('13), that takes a direct, yet playful, approach to sharing the information.

For example, in one section, the narrator states, "The Federal Pell Grant is free money that you don't have to repay. That's the best kind!" The video advises students on applying for everything from grants to loans, filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student AID) and TAP (NY Tuition Assistance Program), "It's really easy," the narrator offers in a supportive tone.

"Everyone dreads filling out these forms," Bailey said. "We wanted to reduce the intimidation factor through this video." Bailey's name is featured on a "Hello, my name is Joe" name tag in the video as the narrator describes "friendly staff ready to help answer your financial aid questions."

The complete video can be seen here: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/.

GCC has worked with Mandolfo's Forest Productions & Photography, Inc., on numerous projects through the past 10 years. "GCC allows me to be creative and explore new ways to convey information," Mandolfo said. "I am proud to share this award with GCC."

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards are judged by more than 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work. Entries do not compete against each other but are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10 percent of entries are chosen as winners of the Silver Telly, the highest honor. Approximately 25 percent of entries are chosen as Bronze Telly winners.

"The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video," said Linda Day, executive director of the Telly Awards. "Forest Productions' accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production."

Press release:

Need a boost to reach your education goals? Here's your chance to rev things up: Turbo Thursdays at Genesee Community College! Every Thursday through Aug. 21 Genesee Community College gives you a chance to register for fall classes in just one stop. GCC's Fall Semester begins Aug. 25.

Turbo Thursdays will be held at GCC's main campus in Batavia, as well as all six of its campus centers in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw. Turbo Thursdays offer extended hours at each campus location from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: July 17*, July 24, July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21.

Thursday, July 17* is also Food Processing Technology (FPT) Info Day with extended hours to 9 p.m. at all campus locations. The day-long opportunity gives all interested citizens ample time to explore GCC's newest degree as well as the $500 FPT scholarship available for the first class, Introduction to Food Processing.

At Turbo Thursday you can:

•    Complete your free application (bring an ID, high school graduation documents and tax forms)

•    Receive free financial aid advisement or set up an appointment

•    Receive free academic advisement

•    Learn about GCC's 60+ academic programs

•    Learn how easily GCC credits transfer to many other schools

"We invite prospective students of all ages to sit down with one of our experienced and knowledgeable counselors and chart their futures," said Tanya Lane-Martin, GCC's admissions director. "With more than 60 academic programs, there's something for everyone, at every stage in life, to choose from. And with online courses and degrees, GCC helps students even with the busiest schedules."

The Enrollment Check List helps guide students through each step of the enrollment process. To review the Check List go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/offices/admissions/checklist/

Turbo Thursdays will be held at all seven GCC locations:

•    Batavia (main campus) – One College Road / (585) 343-0055

•    Albion – 456 West Ave. / (585) 589-4936

•    Arcade – 25 Edward St. / (585) 492-5265

•    Dansville – 31 Clara Barton St. / (585) 335-7820

•    Lima – 7285 Gale Road / (585) 582-1226

•    Medina – 11470 Maple Ridge Road / (585) 798-1688

•    Warsaw – 115 Linwood Ave. / (585) 786-3010

To learn more about all that GCC has to offer, visit the college Web site: www.genesee.edu/

Genesee Community College student-athlete Ashley Makowski (Kendall, NY) was recently recognized by the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) as the Freshman Female Athlete of the Year for 2013-2014.

Makowski is a two-sport athlete at GCC as a member of the women's soccer and women's lacrosse programs. She was an All-Region first team selection in both sports this year.

Makowski played in all 18 games last fall for the women's soccer team and scored 12 goals, including four game-winners. Her 12 goals were second most on the team and she also added 12 assists, tallying 28 total points. She led the women's lacrosse team in assists with 12 and was second on the team in goals (20) and total points (32). She played in and started all 10 games this Spring, collecting 27 ground balls and causing 14 turnovers. She was also selected to the women's lacrosse WNYAC All-Conference first team.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic Web page, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.geneseeathletics.com