Jenicka Baker, 9, of Batavia, plays tug of war with a Genesee Community College student during a kids carnival held in the GCC Forum. The carnival featured a variety of games for children and was organized by students and GCC.
Charles Smith, Kiajia Johnson, 6, and Tahlia Smith, who turned 6 today, at the Frisbee toss.
While waiting for children to come to her game, Seneria Curtis, a GCC student, practiced her ballet.
Congressman Chris Collins met with some of the 81 students from the 27th District who submitted original works of art in the annual House of Representatives art contest. The reception was held at Genesee Community College in the lobby of the Genesee Center for Arts. Above, Collins with Melanie Perkins, of Warsaw, and below, Makennah Aquino, of Batavia.
The winners are:
Press release:
The "Spirit Award" in the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category was awarded to five Genesee Community College students after they presented their "Batavia Loop Trail and Bordering Business Development" plan to a team of judges at the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition in Albany last Friday, April 25, 2014. The annual competition invites students from colleges around the state to submit innovative ideas designed to address a currently unmet need in one of six categories.
The GCC students presenting the Batavia Loop Trail (BLT) included Tara Beckens of Clifton Springs, Danielle Cannella, Richard DelPlato, and Maryssa Peirick, all from Batavia, and Adrienne Payne, of Byron. As members of GCC's CEO or Earth Clubs, they envision developing an 11-mile loop trail that skirts around the edge of the City and Town of Batavia connecting a wide array of businesses and regional resources -- from ice cream shops and restaurants to Batavia's treasure trove of city and county parks.The BLT maximizes the idyllic views of Tonawanda Creek and would provide safer walking and bicycling pathways to GCC, College Village, as well as Batavia High School and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership/BOCES on State Street.
The project builds upon the growing international interest and economy of bicycling tourism, and also on Batavia's proximity to NYS Thruway providing a huge tourist market. BLT also links into the new Ellicott Trail, which was recently awarded $1.5 million through NYSDOT Transportation Enhancement Fund. Students researched state and federal funding resources and were delighted to learn that BLT potentially meets many of the criteria for funds from the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), NYSERDA's Cleaner Greener Communities, and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Lastly, and most importantly to the students – the long-term vision poses excellent hands-on learning opportunities not only for GCC students but for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP/BOCES). Next year, students hope to present a plan to GCC's Board of Trustees sharing their idea of creating a small on-campus business, the Recreational Rental Center, giving both students and the general public the opportunity to rent bicycles for the trail and potentially other equipment such as tennis rackets or soccer balls. The new micro-business will provide future GCC students enrolled in Business Administration, Accounting, Sport Management, Travel & Tourism, Web Design, Digital Arts and Physical Education with excellent co-op, internship and work study opportunities. Equally dynamic is providing GVEP/BOCES students enrolled in Conservation, Welding and Automotive Technology programs the chance to help develop and maintain the trail.
The students say the BLT is a "transformative idea that extends out 11 years," but they divided the overall plan into five phases with the most easily implemented segments of the trail opening in 2018. Before heading off to Albany, they shared the BLT idea with local key officials, including New York State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and City of Batavia Manager Jason Molino, and were delighted the concept was unanimously well received.
"When Jason Molino called the project a 'home run' and pointed out how it would enhance Batavia's quality of life, the students were smiling from ear to ear," said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC's staff advisor for the project. "While they will probably no longer be GCC students when the project becomes a reality, they are excited to pass the torch along to their peers. And, they hope they will be able to use the trail in the future with their own children years down the road -- or perhaps I should say path!"
The New York Business Program Competition is hosted by the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), University at Albany's School of Business and Syracuse University. It has become the premier collegiate contest encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship throughout New York's colleges and universities in the following 10 regional economic zones: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.
At Genesee Community College today, students put together its 33rd Annual Fashion Show, which showcases the design and merchandising talents of students graduating from the Fashion Design and Marketing program.
The show is also produced with the help of other programs at the college, such as Hospitality, Criminal Justice, Multimedia and Graphic Design.
A record number of designers showcased their work this year.
There were shows at 3 and 7 p.m. These photos are from the first show, including a look behind the scenes and shots from the after-party.
To purchase prints, click here.
In something like a dress rehearsal for their big presentation in Albany on Friday, five Genesee Community College students stood before local officials and the media and made their pitch for a bike and walking trail that would surround Batavia.
The Batavia Loop Trail project is one of the finalists the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category in the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition.
A win could mean a $50,000 prize for the project.
City Manager Jason Molino said at the end of the presentation, the project sounds like a winner even if it doesn't win the competition.
"Personally, I think it's a home run," Molino said. "It's closely accessible to residential property and adds a quality-of-life perspective that right now isn't there."
The Batavia Loop Trail would leverage an already-funded trail -- to the tune of $1.5 million provided by the state's Transportation Enhancement Program -- and create a closed circle around the city, providing safer, quicker bicycle access to the college campus from the city.
The total cost of the project hasn't been determined, but the students said their plan calls for it being completed by 2025.
"This is really a transformative project and we feel like we're the students to get it off the ground," Maryssa Peirick said.
Besides making the GCC campus and the city better connected, the trail plan passes within a block or two of 100 local businesses and several parks.
Students said the loop -- and Assemblyman Steve Hawley agreed -- will help attract bike riders from throughout the region. Hawley said he frequently goes to neighboring counties, such as those along the Erie Canel, to ride his bike.
If the students can win the top prize it would fund a feasibility study, which would help determine the final route and the project costs.
Molino said there are several potential grants from both public and private funders for such a project and winning the competition would certainly help attract more support.
"If you came back with $50,000 ready to roll, that would pull in a lot more interest," Molino said.
The students also anticipate doing local fund raising to help pay for the project.
Potential project partners include the city and town of Batavia, City Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Economic Development Center, Leadership Genesee, local civic clubs and Vibrant Batavia.
Hawley said he found the students' presentation impressive.
"Quality of life is an important issue for economic development," Hawley said. "It will help retain our current population and attract new people to visit and live right here in our area. All of this means new revenue, and spreading of the oppressive tax burden among more, thereby lessening the individual burden for all."
This is the projected trail map. It could be revised through the feasability study process.
The students in the Genesee Community College Fashion Merchandising and Design Program are excited and nervous about Saturday.
For the 33rd year, the college will host its spring fashion show, which is the culmination -- and final exam -- of the students' efforts to learn about the world of fashion and retail clothing.
Nearly all of the students are planning to move on to the next level of education or start working in the field upon graduation.
The show this year is called "Ethereal" and Professor Rick Dudkowski said there are a record number of designers participating with more than 100 models who will strut down the catwalk. Show times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and tickets are $7 at the door.
More than 1,400 people are expected to attend the two shows. Dudkowski said GCC's show is the largest fashion show in WNY.
"People who attend our show will see a lot of creativity and originality," Dudkowski said.
Some of the sets include: "Grecian Utopia" -- designed and produced by Catherine Kelkenberg with assistance from Asahi Nakamigawa; "Americana" -- designed and produced by Tyler Annalora and Alaina Shannon; "Revival" -- designed and produced by Natalie Brown; and "Catherine Ivelisse" -- designed and produced by Catherine Morales.
Alania Shannon and Taylor Bunch have put together a set featuring clothes from Gymboree in the Eastview Mall.
Bunch, the only man in the class, is from Buffalo and was a Finance major at Canius when he decided he wanted to do something more creative with his life. He transferred to GCC specifically for the fashion design program.
He explained that he and Shannon saw the show as being about youth, and youth is about rebellion or breaking the mold. So they wanted to evoke the roots of popular youth rebellion in popular culture, and drew on the inspiration of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. Bunch's repertoire for men will be bold and bright colors and Kesterke went with neutral tones and soft pinks often associated with Monroe.
NYC clothiers Buffalo David Bitton and Maurices have shipped a new line of fashions that will make their debut at the GCC show in a set produced by Shelby Wallenhorst and Ashley Husted.
The show's 11th and final set is "Ambiance" -- produced by Kelly Wetherby and Lekha Anderson with apparel from M.A. Carr Bridal and Charles Men's Shop. Carr donated $18,000 in top-line wedding gowns, which the designers have reshaped and recolored and reimagined into new dresses.
It takes nearly the whole school to put on the show: students from Criminal Justice studies provide security; the media department records it; the Events and Hospitality program provides support and hosts the after-party; and the Graphics students design posters and other promotional material.
Shelby Wallenhorst is in charge of decorations and Amanda Joyce helped head up the event planning.
For the Fashion and Merchandising students, the show is supposed to bring together all they've learned through the two-year program.
Students graduating this year will go on to further studies in NYC and fashion programs there, or into the fashion program at Buffalo State (which recently invested $63 million in its fashion technology lab), or right into the work world.
Ashley Husted is already a manager at the Maurices store in Batavia. In fact, all five of Maurices locations in WNY are managed by graduates of the GCC program.
"I love working for them," Husted said, and Dudkowski added, "We're very proud of our students who are with Maurices."
Only one of this year's grads is going in a different direction. She's going to major in environmental science at St. Bonaventure.
Top photo: Candace Cooper.
Kelly Wetherby.
Natalie Brown
Press release:
Genesee Community College photography students will once again exhibit their work at the Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center in East Bethany. Following last year's successful display, "Around the Bend: The Shared Landscape," students this year will share "Environmental Portraits of Western New York."
The show opens with a receptionfrom 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at the Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Center, 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany. Refreshments will be provided.
Photography instructor Joe Ziolkowski introduced his students this semester in both COM 105 (Intermediate Photography) and COM 118 (Introduction to Digital Photography) to portrait photography. The students, from both the main campus in Batavia and GCC's Albion Campus Center, were assigned to photograph a subject in an environment that helped illuminate that subject's life and surroundings.
The portraits reveal characters in a variety of settings. There's a farmer with cattle in a barn who appears to be doing early morning chores; a mother surrounded by the detritus of a busy day with small children; an artist pencil drawing a portrait of her own.
"Creating a portrait of a subject in its natural surroundings adds elements to their character, and therefore portrays the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features," Ziolkowski said.
Students in COM 118, Introduction to Digital Photography, learn how to use the manual functions on a digital camera to control light and color. They also learn software workflow to enhance their digital files. With a digital camera, results can be seen instantly on the liquid crystal display (LCD).
"As they progress through various assignments during the course, they continue to improve on composing images in camera and reading the light available to make effective photographs," Ziolkowski said.
The COM 105, Intermediate Photography course helps students refine their photographic skills by exploring more advanced technical techniques while on location and adding studio lighting, advanced printing and camera techniques and portfolio development. Students in COM 105 have already taken COM 118 and COM 103, Introduction to Black and White Photography.
"This class combines elements of both of those classes to offer a unique experience in both analog and digital photography," Ziolkowski said.
In photography classes students learn about photographic elements, including composition, foreground/background relationship, color schemes, values, shades and contrast. They also refine the use of "Qualities of Light" such as silhouette, rim, accent, radiant, dramatic shadow, and Chiaroscuro. In addition, they exercise time management and workflow skills.
For more information about photography coursework at GCC, contact Joe Ziolkowski at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6558, or jlziolkowski@genesee.edu.
"Environmental Portraits of Western New York" will be on view through Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Interpretive Center at Genesee County Park and Forest. The Center is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon to 4 on Sundays. For more information about the center, contact Conservation Education Program Coordinator Judy Spring at (585) 344-1122 or jspring.geneseeconsed@yahoo.com
Press release:
From Grecian Utopia to Americana; Eden to Ooh Laa Laa, the scenes at Genesee Community College's 33rd Annual Fashion Show, "Ethereal," are sure to leave viewers Enchanted, with a Glorious display in the show's tradition of excellence. Advance tickets are highly recommended for the event on Saturday, April 26. Two complete shows are planned, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the William W. Stuart Forum on the Batavia campus.
Ethereal is produced by GCC Fashion Merchandising and Design students under the guidance of GCC Business professors Rick Dudkowski and Donna Ehrhart. Students began developing theme ideas for the show last semester. They have been busy rehearsing with the more than 100 models who will appear in the 11 scenes. Some of the scenes will feature original creations by Fashion Design students. Fashion Merchandising students are collaborating with nationally acclaimed vendors including Buffalo David Bitton and other original designers, some featuring fabrics all the way from Korea.
The planned scenes include:
1. Revival -- designed and produced by Natalie Brown
2. Catherine Ivelisse -- designed and produced by Catherine Morales
3. Let Them Be Little -- produced by Lilia Kesterke and Taylor Bunch. Clothes provided by Gymboree, Eastview Mall
4. Ooh Laa Laa -- produced by Tiffany Carter with apparel by Chihiro Furukawa
5. Enchanted -- produced by Shelby Wallenhorst and Ashley Husted with apparel by Buffalo David Bitton and Maurices
6. Eden -- designed and produced by Megumi Nozaka
7. Glorious -- produced by Quintessa Wallace with apparel designed by Abby Lee Wilcox
8. Grecian Utopia -- designed and produced by Catherine Kelkenberg with assistance from Asahi Nakamigawa
9. Americana -- designed and produced by Tyler Annalora and Alaina Shannon
10. ÉCLAT XIIIXVII -- designed and produced by Candace Cooper with assistance from Ariana Sneed
11. Ambience -- produced by Kelly Wetherby and Lekha Anderson with apparel by M.A. Carr Bridal and Charles Men's Shop
Along with enjoying the fashions presented during the show, which is a capstone project for many GCC students, guests will have a chance to win a variety of door prizes from restaurant gift certificates to gift cards and baskets. They will also have an opportunity to meet the scene coordinators at the post-show after party in the cafeteria.
In addition to the Fashion Merchandising and Design students, Criminal Justice students will be providing security. Tourism and Hospitality Management students develop the exquisite after party and assist with the decorating, and GCC's Communications and Media arts students will be promoting the event on WGCC. Finally, Digital Art students work alongside the Fashion Merchandising and Design students to create the Ethereal logo, brand and various promotional materials.
"The way our students from various departments come together to make this annual Fashion Show a huge success always impresses me," Dudkowski said. "This year's program will have some dynamic new features and we're all excited to see it on stage."
Tickets for the shows are available for $5 in advance or $7 at the door and can be purchased by calling 585-345-6830 or e-mail cmyoung@genesee.edu. Advance tickets are strongly recommended and must be purchased by April 24.
You can read more about the creation of the scenes, the students and happenings in the fashion program at the GCC fashion blog http://gcccampusblog.wordpress.com/category/fashion/.
More than 30 businesses were on hand at GCC today for a spring job fair, with dozens of job seekers using the opportunity to make connections with employers and hand out resumes.
Above, Rodney Casey shows off his portfolio.
ICE officer Michelle Marino talks about Homeland Security with Andrew Vicary.
Press release:
Five Genesee Community College students will be heading to Albany on April 25 to represent the Finger Lakes Region in the Social Entrepreneurship / Nonprofit category for the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition. They will be joined by the "Imajine Soap" team of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in this category. The competition invites students from colleges around the state to submit innovative ideas designed to address a currently unmet need in one of six categories. The GCC team's "Batavia Loop Trail and Bordering Business Development" will be competing for more than $500,000 in cash and in-kind prizes.
The SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), University at Albany's School of Business, and Syracuse University will host the competition, which has become the premier collegiate contest, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship throughout New York's colleges and universities.
The GCC students, who are members of the CEO and Earth Clubs on campus, envision developing an 11-mile loop trail that skirts around the edge of the City and Town of Batavia connecting a wide array of businesses and regional resources -- from ice cream shops and restaurants to Batavia's treasure trove of city and county parks. The Batavia Loop Trail (BLT) would also maximize the idyllic views of Tonawanda Creek and provide safer walking and bicycling pathways to GCC and College Village.
Their business plan was first vetted against 67 other two-page business proposals submitted into the Finger Lakes Region of the statewide competition. Wednesday night, students presented the plan to judges at the University of Rochester, where it was greeted with great enthusiasm. Should they succeed in the next round of the competition the winnings will secure seed money to help fund a feasibility study -- the first major step in their "transformative idea."
In their presentation, the students pointed out that bicycling is a growing tourist attraction and with the NYS Thruway cutting across Batavia's northern border, a huge market awaits city and county planners. BLT would also link into the new Ellicott Trail, which was recently awarded $1.5 million through NYSDOT Transportation Enhancement Fund. In addition, they have researched state and federal funding resources and the concept potentially meets many of the criteria listed for support from the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), NYSERDA's Cleaner Greener Communities, and Transportation Alternatives Program.
Lastly, and most importantly to the students – the long-term vision poses excellent hands-on learning opportunities not only for GCC students but for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP/BOCES). In the near future, students hope to present a plan to GCC's Board of Trustees sharing their idea of creating a small campus Recreational Rental Center giving both students and the general public the opportunity to rent bicycles for the trail and potentially tennis rackets or soccer equipment. This new micro business gives GCC students enrolled in Travel & Tourism, Business Administration, Accounting, Sport Management, Web Design, Digital Arts and Physical Education excellent co-op, internship and work study opportunities. Equally dynamic is providing GVEP/BOCES students enrolled in Conservation, Welding and Automotive Technology programs the chance to help develop and maintain the trail.
The students' BLT plan extends out 11 years, but it is broken down into multiple phases with the most realistic, easily implemented segments of the trail opening in 2018.
"They are calling it Vision 2025 and although they realize they will be long graduated during the later phases and challenges of the project, they believe that making Batavia a bicycle-friendly community is an excellent opportunity for everyone," said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC's staff advisor for the project. "They not only hope to pass the torch of the plan along to their peers – they also hope they will be able to use the trail with their future children a decade or two from now."
The BLT team presenters include Tara Beckens, of Clifton Springs, Danielle Cannella, Richard DelPlato, and Maryssa Peirick, all from Batavia, and Adrienne Payne, of Byron.
They will be joined by several other colleges and universities in representing the Finger Lakes Region against winners from each of the nine other New York Regional Economic Development Council zones which include: Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.
Press release:
Genesee Community College Forum Players Children's Theatre ensemble is pleased to present "Tales from Japan," a unique collection of traditional Japanese stories written by Patricia Montley and produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 25 - 26, with a Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m. on April 27 in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC's Batavia Campus.
The traditional tales presented in the show bring to life subtle and surprising aspects of Japanese culture. Treasure is discovered in unexpected places, beauty is found in all aspects of nature and even the most unassuming characters are heroes. The exciting stories feature a variety of interesting characters from an old woman using her wisdom and wit to save a kingdom from tyranny to a young girl fighting a horrific undersea dragon and a peach boy defeating the village monster.
"These tales speak to all ages. Because they are folkloric, they speak meaningfully to the spectrum of emotions and human experience," said Director Norm Gayford, English professor at GCC.
Special performances of "Tales from Japan" are also scheduled for students from area schools. Batavia, LeRoy, Geneseo, Alexander, Perry and Pavilion, and also homeschool students are being bussed or transported to GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre in Batavia on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 23 - 25, for two shows, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each day. While most of these school group performances are sold out, there are still plenty of seats available at the public performances listed above.
"Our children's theatre program has always been very well received, and this year is no exception," said Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at GCC. "Last year we performed for more than 2,000 people at our theatre and on location."
The cast of "Tales from Japan" includes: William Rupp, of Batavia, Kayli Wilson, of Canastota, Amber Lively, of Barker, Christian Hoffman, of Hilton, Kathleen Kwasniewski, of Alexander, Tony Heard, of Fillmore, Ryan McKenrick, of Rochester, Brianna Jones, of Batavia, David Wysocki, of Hamburg, Courtney Amesbury, of Bergen, Jerry Jordan, of the Bronx, Cameron Pollard, of Mount Vernon, Sania Hyatt, of NYC, Kaori Shinchi, of Japan, GCC paralegal instructor Karyn Bryson, and Jordan Griffiths, of Milford, who is also serving as stage manager for the show. Ali Scharvella of Copake Lake is assistant stage manager. William Rupp has served as Tai Chi and Katana trainer as well as mask maker, and Kaori Shinchi as language consultant.
Tickets for the show at the Batavia Campus in the Stuart Steiner Theatre are $8. GCC students with ID and children pay $3. Seniors and GCC faculty/staff are $5. GCC alumni receive $2 off with ID. Contact the Box Office for more information at (585) 345-6814 or boxoffice@genesee.edu.
For more information, visit http://www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts/calendar.cfm.
GCC hosted its third annual Fine Arts Festival this afternoon, allowing students and area residents to try their hands at various artistic endeavors, including drawing, painting, origami, printmaking, and weaving.
Above, DiDi Martin draws a portrait of Chelsea Burkhartzmeyer.
Betty and Frank McGlaysson learn origami with instructor Kyoko Roszmann.
Jenny Spychalski.
Below, chainsaw sculptors Rick and Dustin Pratt and an owl they created form a tree stump.
While on campus, we also visited the Roz Steiner Gallery and took in the student art show.
Press release:
State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer announced today that he has secured more than $10 million in matching grants for strategic initiative projects at Genesee Community College as part of the 2014-15 New York State Budget.
Senator Ranzenhofer requested that the funding be added to the Executive Budget proposal.
“I am pleased to announce that I have been able to secure over $10 million in funding for critically needed capital projects at Genesee Community College,” Ranzenhofer said. “Many of these projects will enhance student experience and success. The Student Success Center will upgrade the college’s instructional space with new labs, tutoring areas, and more classrooms for new academic programs, such as health, technology and agribusiness.”
The State Budget provides $6,924,150 for the Genesee Community College Event Center; $2,593,350 for the Genesee Community College Success Center; and $575,303 for conversion and retrofitting of space for new academic program instructional needs.
Genesee Community College President James Sunser started working with Senator Ranzenhofer in early February to secure funding for these projects.
Sunser said:
“The projects funded in the New York State budget for Genesee Community College are among the most important initiatives in the College’s history. The two new Batavia Campus buildings will continue Genesee’s 47-year record of innovation, and transform our College and our region. The new College and Community Event Center will enrich campus life, and will eventually bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to business, professional and community events held there. The Student Success Center will be one of the most unique “one-stop” student service centers in the nation. It will bring together in one place all the services students and community residents need for their academic and career success.
“Together, these two new buildings will free up space in the existing Batavia Campus buildings for new academic programs that will help shape our future, such as agribusiness and emerging high-tech fields. These new programs mean new opportunities for students and new jobs for the region. From the outset, Senator Ranzenhofer understood how these projects would make a powerful difference in the lives of our students and the economic vitality of our communities. We appreciate Senator Ranzenhofer’s commitment to Genesee Community College, his commitment to the long-term growth of jobs and businesses that these projects represent, and his willingness to advocate for inclusion of these projects in a very tight state budget. Senator Ranzenhofer’s efforts will touch future generations.”
The funding is part of $81 million in matching grants in the State Budget for strategic initiative projects on community college campuses across New York.
Press release:
Anyone who has ever doubted their own creativity, or questioned the impact of creativity in the workplace or in a classroom should attend the one-day Creativity Conference at Genesee Community College on Tuesday, April 15. The conference runs from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to all and features engaging sessions targeted for the business world and academia.
"Every one of us is creative in our own way, every day," said Lina LaMattina, Ed.D, director of GCC's Business programs.
She is so committed to helping people explore and understand their own creativity that she and her colleagues organized a one-day conference to focus on creativity in the workplace and in education coinciding with Creativity and Innovation Week, which is April 15-21.
"We hope the sessions and discussion generated at the conference will stimulate and expand upon a global conversation about creativity," LaMattina said. "Some people are intimidated by the idea of creativity and it restricts their thinking. We want to show them how they can be deliberately creative in their professional, academic and personal lives."
The conference will feature a keynote address by John Fredericks, Ph.D, executive director of the Center for Executive Leadership and Change at Daemen College. He is recognized as a distinguished leader of the internationally renowned Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) for his work in facilitating creative problem-solving leadership.
A dynamic group of presenters with diverse backgrounds and skills will be leading the various sessions. From patent holders to fashion and textile experts, improv practitioners to industrial designers, performing artists and comedians to an English professor, as well as inventors to innovators -- all will be participating in the Conference providing an exciting lineup of vibrant topics.
In the Education Strand, the following sessions have been scheduled:
Sessions focused in the Business Strand include:
"Our 21st Century economy demands creative thinking skills in order to survive and thrive in the workplace," LaMattina said. "We invite everyone to come, explore, learn, discuss and get ready to implement creativity tools, techniques and best practices in your organization."
LaMattina initiated the idea for the conference along with her GCC colleagues Barbara Shine, Valerie Bello and Judith Littlejohn and other members of the Creativity Innovation Committee. They received funding for the event from two GCC Foundation grants: the President's Innovation Award Program and the Stuart Steiner Leadership Award.
"We hope this conference will both reinforce and build GCC's foundation for generating and applying creative thinking throughout all aspects of college life," LaMattina added.
Registration is $99 per person for the full day, which includes lunch as well as morning and afternoon refreshments.
For details or to register go to: http://www.genesee.edu/events/creativity-conference/. The schedule is subject to change and additional conference sessions are still being developed.
For further information contact Lina LaMattina:
lmlamattina@genesee.edu or call 585-343-0055, ext. 6319.
This information is provided by Genesee Community College:
The Ninth Annual Cool Kids ECO-Fest happens at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. This fun-filled, educational event aims to increase awareness of important environmental issues while celebrating Earth Day.
It's free and open to the public. The first 250 attendees will receive free tree seedlings to plant. And more than 40 exhibitors will have booths including exotic wildlife, make-it take-it activities, and you get a chance to recycle items you often don't know what to do with.
Some favorite recycling initiatives from years past continue, including the collection of rubber sneakers to be made into running tracks, paperback books sent to American troops overseas and the worn American flags collected for proper disposal.
But just like Mother Earth, the Cool Kids ECO-Fest is ever-changing with new opportunities each year. Planners are excited to be welcoming Habitat for Humanity's call for non-fabric, wood or metal furniture including desks, bookcases, tables and dressers. In addition, old bicycles and reusable bike parts are being collected by Trailside Bikes of Orleans County.
For the first time, Cool Kids ECO-Fest at GCC will not be accepting any electronic waste (E-waste) such as computer CRTs, televisions, stereo equipment or microwave ovens.
Also new this year will be the Seeds of Change -- The Earth Charter and Human Potential Exhibit created by the Soka Gakkai International and The Earth Charter Initiative. The multi-panel display is seven feet tall, and with dynamic images and compelling messages viewers learn about community empowerment, water harvesting, the Green Belt and The Paulo Freire Institute and much more.
After ECO-Fest, GO ART! will screen the environmental film "Comfort Zone" in the Conable Technology Building.
Each recycled item from the list below earns a Cool Kids ECO-Raffle ticket increasing the chances to win great, green prizes including the grand prize of a brand-new bicycle from Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.
Recyclables being accepted are:
• Non fabric, metal or wood furniture for the Habitat for Humanity ReStore
• Old bicycles and reusable bike parts collected by Trailside Bike
• Old rubber sneakers (no cleats, please)
• Paperback books for American troops overseas
• Worn American flags for proper disposal by Shepard, Maxwell and Hale
• Old eyeglasses
• Computer ink cartridges
"The small things we do as individuals have a big impact on our planet. That's the theme of Cool Kids ECO-Fest every year. Each one of us makes a difference," said Cool Kids' Steve Appleton. "The items people have brought to Cool Kids ECO-fest over the years have kept thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills. Let's keep it going. ... We can celebrate Earth Day every day as individuals, but on April 12th we come together and become Green Gangsters!"
To expand the festival to a broader audience, GCC is partnering with Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) to show the film "Comfort Zone." Essentially it asks, "How big is your carbon footprint?" This critical question is addressed by three Upstate New York filmmakers who explored the impact of climate change from a personal perspective. "Comfort Zone" takes an in-depth look at what happens when the issue comes to our backyards.
The screening is set for 3 p.m. in Room T102 of the Conable Technology Building. Following the film, one of the filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions. The event is a fundraiser for GO ART! and costs $10 for GO ART! members, $15 for non-members, and Cool Kids ECO-Fest volunteers can attend free with seat availability. For more information about the film, please visit http://comfortzoneproject.com.
Cool Kids ECO-Fest is co-sponsored by GCC's Student Activities Office, College Village, and Brockport-based Generation Cool.
GCC hosted a job fair this afternoon for those seeking careers or new jobs in the healthcare fields. About two dozen employers had information available and dozens of job candidates came through the forum during the fair.
GCC will host a job fair for general employment opportunities in the region April 10.
If you're in the market for a job or for employees, be sure to check out our new employment Web site for the region, GLOWJobs.net.
Press release:
Mother Nature's record-breaking winter has impacted the construction plan and schedule of the two new buildings currently under way at College Village, the student residence community located adjacent to Genesee Community College in Batavia. At last week's monthly meeting, GCC's Board of Trustees learned that while cold weather and excessive snow has put the construction schedule approximately five weeks behind the original plan, it has also given way to an innovative building solution which will result in a small expansion of the space at the basement level.
Richard Ensman, director of GCC's Foundation which manages the property, reported that although the two new buildings were planned to be "carbon copies" of Hickory and Willow, the two buildings built in 2007, the recent excavation work revealed a different soil variation under one building necessitating an unplanned gravel base. Securing many tons of gravel in Upstate New York at this time of year is nearly impossible and trucking it in from a warmer climate would be costly, Ensman explained. Whitney East, the general contractor on the project recommended a different and innovative solution -- adding a concrete basement to the one building.
"The unsuitable soil conditions have put us behind schedule, but we are pleased that we have a plan to keep the project moving. We carefully calculated the cost variables and for less than the cost of acquiring the necessary gravel, one of the new residence halls will have a basement," Ensman said. "The auxiliary space offers potential for storage and possibly other student study space if properly built-out in the future."
The overall cost of College Village expansion project is $2.84 million and will provide the community with 64 additional beds for a total population of 451 student residents. Each of the two new facilities feature eight suites with four single bedrooms, and a shared common space will allow for more educational, social and instructional opportunities. The project is being financed by a private bond issue.
In other business at the meeting on March 10, the Board of Trustees:
More after the jump (click on the headline)
• Heard that two Genesee Community College Phi Theta Kappa students, Emmeline Vacanti (of Alexander) and Joseph Lubanski (of Macedon) were recognized in the USA TODAY's All-USA Community College Academic Team for exceptional efforts in academic rigor, growth and how well they use their education to benefit their schools and communities. The program is administered by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. In addition, the following four students will be receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence: Michelle Nagle (of Randolph), Yuki Sasao (of Batavia), Emmeline Vacanti (of Alexander), and Kelly Wetherby (of Olean). A full press release will be available soon.
• Heard Kathleen Schiefen, Ed.D, GCC provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs, report that Genesee Community College is continuing to review all college curricula to ensure compliance with required accreditation standards and also with the new State University of New York (SUNY) seamless transfer initiatives intended to encourage timely graduation. Since September, more than 106 curricula changes have been submitted to the GCC's Academic Senate for review. Twenty-two of GCC's academic progams have been registered as 50 percent or more complete-able online. Six courses have been submitted to SUNY for consideration as meeting general education criteria. In addition, 22 GCC faculty members have volunteered to participate in the statewide SUNY discussion group reviewing the seamless transfer program within the SUNY system.
• Heard introductions from following new faculty and staff members: Doreen Bortle, James Brooks, Terry George, Rosemary Jonientz, Juanita Lewis, Heidi Lockwood, Kristen Mruk, Derek Payne and Gail Whalen.
Genesee Community College's next Open House is scheduled Wednesday, March 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at all of the following seven campus locations:
• Albion, 456 West Ave. / 585-589-4936
• Arcade, 25 Edward St. / 585-492-5265
• Batavia, One College Road / 585-345-6800
• Dansville, 31Clara 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
Press release:
This Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m., the Rural Police Training Academy will enjoy a double celebration. As the most recent class of 22 graduates receives their completion certificates, the Academy itself recognizes its 25th Silver Anniversary.
Since being established in 1985, a total of 593 graduates including the current 2013-2014 class have completed the Rural Police Training Academy (RPTA) offered by Genesee Community College through the Division of Criminal Justice Services and The BEST (Business and Employee Skills Training) Center.
RPTA has evolved through its long distinguished history, and now the 11-month program provides basic training both to sworn members of police and sheriff agencies as well as training for pre-employed law enforcement officers.
The program requires 639 hours of training and the major curriculum covered includes Justice Administration, New York State Laws, Community Interaction, Mass Casualties and Major Events, Investigations and practical skills such as field note taking, report writing, case preparation, arrest processing, professional traffic stops and firearms training. RPTA offers a GCC college credit option and also veterans opportunities.
The 2013-2014 RPTA graduates include:
PRE-EMPLOYMENT GRADUATES:
Friday's program features a keynote address by Federal Security Director for Greater Rochester International Airport John P. McCaffrey. Other speakers include graduates of the RPTA program -- Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch, and Sheriff Thomas Dougherty and Undersheriff Matthew Bean, both of the Livingston County Sheriff's Department.
The training programs offered by RPTA has assisted law enforcement agencies in numerous counties, including but not limited to Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, Orleans, Allegheny, Cattaraugus and Monroe counties. Through the years as policing and public protection has grown more complicated, the program expanded to include a broad cross section of criminal justice topics. The focus, however includes the challenges of law enforcement in rural areas where resources can be limited, sending in backup support takes longer and officers usually cover much greater distances.
"Police protection in a rural community compared to a big city is quite different," said Ray Chaya, director of The BEST Center. "The Rural Police Academy was started by chiefs and sheriffs in the GLOW region who wanted a program that was familiar with the challenges faced by rural police. The larger number of miles means backup forces are farther away, and resources can be limited."
Some of GCC's most seasoned faculty and staff have been involved with RPTA since the earliest days. The late Richard (Dick) Tiede, who served as GCC's Public Safety director for nearly three decades, was a graduate of the first class in 1986. Barry Garigen, GCC's professor of Criminal Justice helped found the program in 1985. And Douglas C. Brooks, former assistant director of operations at College Village has been the RPTA director since 1987.
The program has many distinguished graduates with unique backgrounds. Among the graduates have been a father-son and a father-daughter team, at least two sets of brothers, and one married couple. Gowanda Chief of Police Joseph Alessi and his spouse, Detective Jennifer Alessi, are also graduates. In addition, RPTA offers excellent opportunities to veterans and not long ago one application was completed by a soldier in active duty from Iraq.
RPTA tuition is $3,750 not including the special supplies such as uniform and all applicants must meet a physical agility test. The 2014-2015 class begins April 15th and classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through February 2015.
For further information go to: http://www.genesee.edu/best/development/rural-police-training-academy/
Press release:
Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Tracy Merritt has been named February 2014 Employee of the Month. Tracy is a technical specialist in the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research.
In her role, Merritt is focused on Academic Assessment, working with faculty and administrators to collect assessment data, increase awareness of assessment activities and use of assessment results. She also works to maintain and continuously improve tools to aid in collecting assessment data.
"We have a tremendous group of dedicated instructors and staff here at GCC and my position allows me to meet and work with many of them," Merritt said. "I feel fortunate and proud to be part of GCC's Institutional Research and Assessment team."
In naming her Employee of the Month, the College noted that "Tracy is an exceptionally conscientious employee who routinely goes above and beyond to provide service to the faculty, administrators and coworkers at the College. She played a major role in improving several areas of our assessment process over the last year that resulted in improved communication and understanding of the assessment tools."
Merritt is a lifelong resident of LeRoy. She and her husband of 26 years, Gary, have two adult children, Gary and Sarah. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, genealogy, decorative painting and reading.
Genesee Community College is also pleased to announce Jordan Tillotson has been named the February 2014 Student of the Month. A 2012 graduate of Pavilion Central School, he is pursuing degrees in both Liberal Arts and Sports Management at GCC.
Jordan is an outstanding student and has been on the President's List all three of his semesters. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. One of his favorite things about GCC is that it's "such a close-knit community." The College notes that Jordan "is a leader among his peers and often has newer students turning to him for advice."
After graduating from GCC this spring, Jordan plans to transfer to Syracuse University where he'll work toward a bachelor's degree in Sport Management. His dream job would be as a Division One college basketball coach. He currently coaches youth sports in his hometown and serves as a referee as well. Jordan offers special thanks to members of the GCC athletic department "for helping me with whatever it may be." The College salutes Jordan for being "an excellent role model."
Jordan is the son of Chris and Chad Tillotson, and has one sister, Taylor, and a brother Devin.
Press release:
Genesee Community College is pleased to offer students a new way to share their college achievements online and through social media. The College has posted the first set of achievements, the President's List and Dean's List honors, to student Merit Pages.
Merit is a social media utility developed by readMedia of Albany, NY. GCC has long utilized readMedia to distribute news releases and student accomplishments to local newspapers. Merit allows the College to provide an individual Web page to each student where (s)he can better track and share all of their achievements, both inside the classroom as well as extracurricular accomplishments.
"This new tool will help our students record and share their many successes through their college years and beyond into their careers," said Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications.
How it works
The College has established its main Merit page at http://genesee.meritpages.com. This site posts all of GCC's student achievements collectively, for example, the comprehensive list of all students being recognized on the College's Dean's and President's Lists for a semester. Students won't have their individual Merit Page until their first achievement is announced, and then they "claim" their achievement. Once a student claims his or her first achievement, it is reflected on that student's individual Merit page with a badge and summary. From there, the student can share it on other social media venues, such as Facebook and Twitter. There are now hundreds of students who can claim their Dean's and President's achievements and begin personalizing their individual Merit pages with additional postings, photos and badges.
"Merit pages make it much easier for families to see their student's accomplishments and share them throughout their network of friends and family," said Jackie Vetrano, Web and social media coordinator at GCC. "Students who are already savvy with social media will find this to be an even better way to tell their friends and prospective employers about their accomplishments."
Vetrano advises students who've earned Dean's List or President's List honors for Fall 2013 to check their e-mail and their spam folders to make sure they claim their achievements.
ReadMedia launched Merit in February 2013. GCC is one of many colleges utilizing it.
"We wanted to do our due diligence in making sure this would be beneficial for our students," Sutherland said, emphasizing that students who do not wish to publicize their achievements can easily "opt-out" of doing so.
"We're pleased to offer this opportunity to our students and their families. It's a simple and effective way for them to share all their achievements from academic successes, to participation in athletic teams, student clubs and college events. With the help of social media, Merit helps students build a portfolio that will impress potential employers."
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