GCC

The second seeded Genesee Community College Men’s Baseball team came back after trailing 3-0 to win the Western New York Athletic Conference Championship, 7-3 over the number one seed Mercyhurst North East on Saturday evening at Dwyer Stadium.

Cougars starting pitcher Dan Sharpe (Youngstown, NY) allowed two runs in the first inning after giving up two hits and walking two. He allowed another run on two hits in the second inning before settling down.

Trailing 3-0 in the home half of the second inning, the Cougars responded by scoring two runs on RBI singles from Brandon Collins (Toronto, Canada) and Bryan Depew (Wellsville, NY). Zach Ranta (Stoney Creek, Ontario) tied the game at 3 in the very next inning when he scored on an errant throw after a base hit from Brian Nieves.

With a tie score, Sharpe settled in and did not allow a single hit after the second inning. He finished the game throwing 8 and 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, struck out 5 and earned the win.

(Fauchedre Celestijn celebrates after hitting a three-run homerun in WNYAC Championship game)

GCC took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning with an RBI single from Ramon Vega (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) that scored Ranta to give the Cougars a 4-3 advantage. Fauchedre Celestijn (Willemstad, Curacao) followed with a three-run homerun to give Genesee a 7-3 lead, a lead they would hold on to for the win.

(The GCC fall championship baseball team)

The Cougars finish the fall season with 13 wins and 2 losses in conference play and earn their first fall title since 2009.



In the WNYAC semi finals, the GCC Men’s Baseball team defeated Erie Community College 5-1 to advance to the championship game.

Cougars starter Adam Pratt (Batavia, NY) threw 8 and 1/3 innings, allowing a run on 5 hits, struck out 7 and walked 3.

(Batavia High School graduate Adam Pratt pitches GCC into the WNYAC Championship game with a 5-1 win over Erie Community College)

GCC jumped out to an early lead when Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) delivered an RBI singled that scored the lead off hitter Shakeel Newton (Christiansted, Virgin Islands) who reached on an error in the bottom of the first. Koronas would later scored on an RBI ground out by Brian Nieves (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars added a run in the 3rd, 5th and 7th innings and finished with 11 hits in the game. Fauchedre Celestijn went 2-4 with 2 RBI’s and Koronas finished the game going 2-4 with a run batted in and a run scored.

The Genesee Community College Men’s Soccer team increased their unbeaten streak to twelve games with an 8-0 win over Jamestown Community College on Thursday night. The win also officially clinches the regular season Western New York Athletic Conference title.

The Cougars got off to a very fast start, scoring thirty seconds into the game when Sean Brettel (Welwyn City, England) beat the Jamestown goalkeeper. GCC scored six first half goals, including another one from Brettel in the 18th minute. Ryan Fredal (Bloomfield Hills, MI) Dominic Francis (Huddersfield, England), Sam Cassidy (Cork City, Ireland) and Theo Stamatopolous (Norwich, England) all added goals for GCC.

The second half was more of the same as the Cougars dominated play and controlled the tempo. GCC added two second half goals, including a second goal from Sam Cassidy.

The shutout is Genesee’s 8th clean sheet of the season. The Cougars improve to 10-0-2 on the year and will play again on Tuesday, October 18th at 4pm at Herkimer Community College.

(Photo: #14 Sean Brettel scores two goals in the Cougars 8-0 win over Jamestown Community College on Thursday night)

The Genesee Community College Women’s Soccer team lost a tough 1-0 contest against Jamestown Community College on Thursday night.

Both teams played a physical match from start to finish. After a scoreless first half, JCC scored the game’s only goal in the 27th minute of the second half when Ashley Skelly found the back of the net. The Cougars best chance to tie the game came when a corner kick from Emily Troup (Holley, NY) traveled all the way through the goal crease, but could not be cashed in.

The Lady Cougars fall to 5-8 on the season and will play once again on Tuesday, October 11th at 7pm at home against Jamestown-Olean.

(Picture: The Lady Cougars huddle up in the second half of their 1-0 loss against Jamestown Community College)

The Genesee Community College Women’s Volleyball team cruised to a three sets to none win over Mercyhurst North East on Thursday night, winning 25-16, 25-17, 25-19. Paige Tilert, who entered Thursday night’s match ranked second in all of Division II in digs per set, lead the team with 28 digs and also added 4 kills. Maria Antsupova, who entered the match ranked 13th in Division II in digs per set, tallied 23 digs. Carrie Blunt lead the team in kills with 19 and Karin Davis chipped in with 16 assists. The Lady Cougars only trailed once in the match when they were down 2-3 in the open set. Sabrina Wilhoite served to the next six points and GCC did not trail again. GCC will travel to Maryland for the Hagerstown Community College Tournament. The two-day tournament will start on Saturday, October 8th and end Sunday, October 9th.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is pleased to announce Stafford residents Rick and Jane Scott have been named chairpersons of Encore 2011, the annual holiday celebration that supports student scholarships at Genesee Community College.

The Scotts would like to invite community residents to "A Winter Wonderland" at Encore 2011 on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The festivities begin with a gala reception and continue with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) performing in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at the college's Batavia Campus.

Chairpersons Rick and Jane Scott are looking forward to this year's Encore gala.

"We have been attending Encore for many years, and it is hard to pinpoint what the best part of the evening is - the beautiful music, the food, the friends you see, the people you meet or knowing that it all benefits the scholarship programs for students at GCC," Rick said. "It is always a magical evening!"

Jane Scott is branch manager/assistant vice president of Five Star Bank in Batavia. She serves on the United Way Board as chairperson and co-chair of the United Way Day of Caring. She also serves on the United Memorial Medical Center's Gala Committee and the Chamber of Commerce Gala Committee, as well as on several committees for the Genesee County ARC. She has worked with GCC proudly serving on the Wolcott J. Humphrey Symposium Committee. She is a member of the Batavia Rotary and a 2004 graduate of Leadership Genesee. In 2011, she received the YWCA Fabulous Female Award.

Rick Scott has been a longtime farmer who worked hard for many years, and is now lucky enough to watch his nine grandchildren grow up, which keeps him very busy. Rick also enjoys building things and donating his time and energy to various charities. Together, Rick and Jane have four children and have been married 38 years.

Proceeds from Encore support the Genesee Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund. The foundation would like to thank Five Star Bank, the lead corporate benefactor, for its continued support of Encore.

For tickets, please call the foundation at 345-6809.

Sponsorship support is welcome at the following levels: Conductor's Circle provides six tickets for $1,000; Golden Baton Society provides four tickets for $600; and the Inner Circle provides two tickets for $300. Singular Platinum Patron tickets are $100 each. The evening is black tie optional.

Care-A-Van Ministries held their annual Welcome Back cookout for GCC college students Thursday evening. The students enjoyed a free picnic with delicious food, ice cream cones, a great message by Elder George Williams of Highway to Holiness and music by the Care-A-Van Band. Starting in October, Care-a-van will start their monthly rotation out to the college to visit all 95 dorm rooms with treats and prayer offered to all.

Join Genesee Community College professors, Charley and Connie Boyd, on a two-week study abroad trip to Ireland to explore the native culture and human relations in the beautiful  Midlands of  Ireland. Participants will stay at Rathgillan Farm (http://www.rathgillanfarm.ie/)  in the rural town of Nobber in County Meath  (about one hour from Dublin).  Meath, the heritage capital of Ireland, is home to the historic Boyne Valley Region,  an area rich in legend and folklore.  Viking and Norman ruins, castles and crosses and numerous monastic sites enrich the Irish Midlands. Students will visit the historic cultural sites of Hill of Tara, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth Neolithic burial chambers, Malahide Castle, Trim Castle, Loughcrew Cairnsand the Hill of Ward (where Halloween began). Other excursions include a day at the Irish-American Folk Park, two or three days in  Dublin, Ireland’s largest city and its capital, to see the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s finest national treasures. Students will also visit the Wicklow Mountains and participate in Irish music and language workshops . Optional trips to the Aran Islands and Blarney Castle may be offered.

A Distracted Driving Simulator is be on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.

Students and community members interested in experiencing a texting-while-driving simulator are invited. It will be in the William W. Stuart Forum.

Experience first-hand the devastating effects of driving and texting. The national "Save a Life Tour" was developed to provide state-of-the-art, interactive driving simulation that truly shows how texting can impair driving skills.

The "Save a Life Tour" also brings a shocking approach to alcohol awareness with tragic video, personal stories of the loss of loved ones by peers and a sobering drinking-and-driving simulation experience.

This tour has earned itself national acclaim from colleges, universities, high schools, and military events nationwide. It's sponsored by GCC's Office of Student Activities. For further information please contact Cliff Scutella at 343-0055, ext. 6261.

Press release:

Seven Genesee Community College faculty and staff members received SUNY Chancellor's Awards and medals last Thursday, which recognize outstanding contributions to their respective professional fields, campuses, communities and the public at large.

The honorees are: Michelle Abdella, associate professor of Mathematics; Rafael Alicea-Maldonado, professor of Chemistry/dean of Math/Science and Career Education; Maureen (Moi) Dugan, assistant professor of Fine Arts; Kathleen Kimber, professor of Spanish; Carla Guiste, reproduction/copy center services operator; Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications; and Anita Whitehead, reference librarian.

Abdella received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. She came to GCC in the spring of 2003 as an adjunct instructor and her success as an adjunct brought her a full-time faculty position in the fall of 2005. She is attuned to the different learning styles of her students and employs various teaching methods and techniques to engage them in the classroom. She has taught 11 different math courses and has served as the primary instructor of the Math for Elementary Teachers course. She lives in Batavia.

Alicea-Maldonado received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Rafael joined the GCC faculty in 2000 and quickly became a valued member of the science department. During the last 10 years, he has stepped to the forefront outside of the classroom with the many other responsibilities he has assumed and the activities he participates in. He has been a member of the GUSTO Team for nine years. Particularly noteworthy is his assumption of the lead advisor role for the Genesee chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. He also received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2005. He resides in Buffalo.

Dugan received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. She came to Genesee in 2006 and is a dedicated, enthusiastic teacher. She communicates effectively in the classroom and both challenges and encourages her students to reach their full potential. She brings her professional expertise as an artist to the classroom to share with all. She has developed a variety of teaching techniques to address the varying and diverse backgrounds of her students. She lives in Penfield.

Guiste received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. She has held her position for more than five years and has utilized her extraordinary organizational skills to reorganize the operation of the Copy Center, resulting in improved workflow and increased efficiency. She was instrumental in setting up a system for the electronic submission of jobs to the Copy Center, which has been a tremendous time- and cost-saving initiative, particularly for GCC's campus centers and the adjunct faculty members in the four-county service area. She is known across the college for providing exemplary customer service. She lives in Oakfield.

Kimber received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. She has contributed greatly to the college campus and community since she first joined the GCC faculty in 1997. She has integrated technology into the foreign language program by developing online modules and has been instrumental in the development of hybrid courses. Her activities go beyond the classroom in her service as chair of the Academic Standards Committee, a member of the Global Education Committee, and she participated in the year-long Genesee Leadership Academy. She also received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004. She lives in Rochester.

Sutherland received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. She began in November 2003 and has successfully managed a department that has grown in terms of staff, budget, responsibilities, project load and innovative programs. She has played a key role in the development of marketing and promotional materials for the college that have earned national awards. One of the successful and highly visible projects she and her creative staff achieved has been the development of college-wide "photo boards" that capture the history and culture of the college. She has also been the driving force behind the College's ECO-Fest, the environmentally friendly event that brings hundreds of visitors to the college each spring in honor of Earth Day. She lives in Batavia.

Whitehead received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship. She started on a part-time basis in 2004 and became a permanent, full-time reference services librarian in 2007. She has been instrumental in developing many new library services such as LibGuides and has started a faculty outreach activity to keep faculty abreast of journal information in their respective areas. Several years ago, she started the "Roving Librarian" to take the library cart to different locations on campus to be available for student questions. She lives in Geneseo.

Six Genesee Community College instructors and staff members embarked on an English language collaboration program in Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 5. They went to the South American country to teach English to students at FATEC Americana, a state-run technology-based institution.

The travelers abroad included Charley Boyd, professor English; Connie Boyd, director of the Human Services program; Karen Taylor, associate dean of Records; Barb Shine, associate professor of Business and Entrepreneurship; Dennis Shine, associate professor of Drafting; and Donna Ehrhart, professor of Fashion Business and Computer Information Systems.

Accompanying them were Don Brown, vice president of Charles Men Shop; Chris Davis, student at the University of Buffalo; Lew Scialdone, instructor of English for Speakers of Other Languages at BOCES; Dolores Quiles, associate professor of English at SUNY Ulster; and Darryl Blumel, director of Studies at Southbank Institute of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

The trip was a two-week exchange of language as well as information about culture, history and geography. Brazilian students and American teachers benefitted from a dialogue about differences and similarities between the two cultures.

Teachers focused on topics that contrasted the two cultures' holidays, climates, history, current events, politics, job seeking as well as cultural elements such as music and cooking. New this year was the discipline-specific collaborations that included culture, textiles and entrepreneurship.

This was the second trip for Connie and Charley Boyd, who traveled last summer to FATEC.

"We are so excited to return to Brazil," Connie Boyd said before leaving. "This language and cultural collaboration has been so eye opening and enjoyable. We are anxious to return to FATEC Americana to work with new students, as well as some of the same students that we met last summer."

The group documented their travels on Genesee's Study Abroad blog. Their blog posts can be viewed at <http://www.gccblogs.wordpress.com>.

For more information please contact James Goodwin, director of Curriculum Development at 343-0055, ext. 6322.

Here's a press release from Genesee Community College.

On Monday, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees conducted the following business:

-- Approved a Resolution of Sympathy to the family of Rev. Kenneth A. Dodd, who died May 27. Rev. Dodd had served as a member of the College's Board of Trustees since 1992.

-- Authorized President Stuart Steiner to execute documents for the sale of the Verizon cell tower lease with the college to Unison Site Management. In addition to receiving about $176,000 in the sale, the college will receive 50 percent of any new revenues Unison generates from cell tower clients. The sale is subject to an environmental review and approval by the Genesee County Legislature, sponsor of the college.

-- Awarded two contracts for various projects on the Batavia campus, including: replacement of concrete in front of the main entrances; addition of a courtyard adjacent to the Conable Technology Building; and electrical and lighting work on the college's tennis courts. V.J. Gautieri Constructors, LLC, of Batavia, was the successful bidder for general construction services with a bid of $419,750. Kaplan Schmidt Electric, of Pittsford, was the successful bidder for electrical services with a bid of $212,000.

-- Heard Nominating Committee Chair Glenn R. Morton report that the committee plans to nominate Charles R. Ruffino as board chair for the 2011-2012 year; Maureen T. Marshall as vice-chair; and Diane D. Torcello as secretary. Officers will be elected at the board's July meeting.

-- Heard that Karlyn M. Finucane has joined the college staff as technical specialist for the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) program, which coordinates college courses and services to area high school students. She is a resident of Lancaster.

-- Heard President Stuart Steiner report that 1,479 students had enrolled in the college's summer sessions. Registrations are still being accepted for the second summer session, which runs from July 5 to Aug. 6. Every area high school graduate will receive a scholarship for two summer courses, and high school students can still register for the second session. Steiner said he believes that the summer 2011 session will have the second-highest summer enrollment in the college's history. And although fall enrollment was not on the board's agenda, Steiner said that the fall semester will likely produce a new record enrollment.

-- Heard Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Gina M. Weaver report that a broad-based Strategic Planning Committee had completed the draft of a new strategic plan for the college. It encompasses goals in six areas: student success and preparedness; faculty and staff success; economic impact; relevant and impactful programs; culture of trust and innovation; and financial sustainability. Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino thanked Weaver and the committee for the year-long effort. Ruffino referred the draft plan to an ad-hoc Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Committee, comprised of Trustees Melvin J. Wentland, Maureen T. Marshall, Donna M. Ferry and Laura J. Bohm.