Milestones

Jake passed the July 2014 New York State Bar Exam after graduating magna cum laude in May 2014 from Michigan State University College of Law.

Prior to law school, Jake worked three years at J.P. Morgan Chase in New York City, is a 2008 summa cum laude graduate of Syracuse University and a 2004 graduate of LeRoy High School.

Jake will practice alongside his father with offices on West Main Street in LeRoy and Bank Street in Batavia.

Press release:

Jason Molino, City Manager for the City of Batavia, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Jason is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.

ICMA’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by promoting professional management worldwide and increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s nearly 9,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees.

To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.

Jason is qualified by more than eight years of professional local government executive experience. Prior to his appointment in 2006 as City Manager of Batavia, he served as the Assistant to the Village Manager for the Village of Port Chester, NY.  In addition, Jason served as a 2nd Class Petty Officer in the United State Coast Guard Reserve from 2000-2007

Highlights of Jason’s ICMA membership include: member of the 2009 Montreal ICMA Conference Planning Committee and most recently the City of Batavia and Jason were recognized by ICMA as recipients for the 2014 Program Excellence Award for Strategic Leadership and Governance.
Jason has also made significant contributions to a number of other organizations, including: serving as Board Member of the New York State City/County Management Association, current member and former President of Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension and Graduate of Leadership Genesee – Class of 2008.

Press release:

Hobart College senior guard Andrew Hoy (Batavia/Batavia, N.Y.) was named to the Liberty League Men's Basketball Weekly Honor Roll by the conference office today. He was named to the All-Wendy's College Classic second team after leading Hobart with 16.7 ppg in the three-game tournament last week.

Hoy shared team-high honors with 18 points and added five rebounds in a 67-60 setback to Division II Roberts Wesleyan in the first round. In the second round, Hoy produced 15 points, three assists, and three rebounds in an 80-78 overtime loss to Brockport. He wrapped up the tournament with a game-high 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists in a 68-59 win over RIT. For the week, Hoy shot 50 percent from the floor, 47.6 percent from 3-point range, and 80 percent from the free throw line.

Hoy is off to an impressive start this year, leading the team in scoring with 14.4 ppg. He's third on the team averaging 5.0 rpg and second producing 2.6 apg. Hoy leads the Liberty League in 3-point shooting, averaging 2.8 makes per game with a league best .452 3-point percentage.

The Statesmen (3-2) are back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 10 when they visit Rochester.

Press release:

The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society (BSPS) awarded two "Partner-in-Preservation" Awards at the Society's annual meeting held Oct. 26, 2014 in Caledonia. The "Partner-in-Preservation" award is given to an individual or organization for partnering with the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society to preserve and protect the native flora and fauna of New York State.

The corporate award was received by Peggy Swapceinski, executive director of the Gillam-Grant Community Center (GGCC), Bergen. The GGCC was recognized for its support of our Bergen Swamp property in Byron and Bergen. The GGCC hosted the meeting place to begin and end the Bergen Swamp Spring Pilgrimage tour of orchids. For more than 20 years the GGCC served as custodian of BSPS document archives. Recently, the GGCC hosted a community "meet and greet" produced by the Seneca Park Zoo and the BSPS. A live Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and a live spotted turtle was displayed to a crowd of more than 100 local community members. These two indigenous reptile species are listed as endangered by New York State and can still be found in the Bergen Swamp. The Gillam-Grant Community Center was nominated for this award by Society Trustee John Adamski, of Brighton.

The individual award was received by Joseph Whitcomb, a long serving trustee. Whitcomb resides in Newark and was awarded for his long service on behalf of the Zurich Bog property in Arcadia and to the Society. He served the BSPS for more than 40 years as a Society trustee, president, Zurich Bog Property chairperson and as a personal inspiration to the current trustees. Whitcomb laid the first black locust boardwalk trail into Zurich Bog. This trail enables visitor access to the orchids and carnivorous plants found in this National Natural Landmark. Whitcomb oversaw the acquisition of four additional parcels of land to the BSPS Zurich Bog property. The most recent was an 18-acre parcel that he personally purchased and gifted to the BSPS for preservation and protection of the native wetland plants. Whitcomb was nominated for this award by Society trustee Lee Drake Sr., of Bloomfield.

The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society is the first and oldest private ecological preservation land trust in the United States. The Society was chartered in 1936 by the New York State Department of Education as a "Living Museum." Since its charter, the Society has been operated by volunteers. The Society has a membership of 400 persons and corporations. The Society owns and manages five separate properties in Upstate New York. Two of the Society's properties are recognized by Federal Department of Interior as National Natural Landmarks: the Bergen Swamp (Bergen and Byron, NY) and the Zurich Bog (Arcadia, NY). The Society is renowned for the 38 species of native orchids, three species of native carnivorous plants and many other rare wetland plants that are protected on the Society's properties.

I wanted to share a recent article published by Lisa M.McMahon on Niagara University's Alumni News - The subject covers a Class of '2008 - Batavia High School graduate - Our Kids are going places.

http://www.niagara.edu/amanda-robbins-12-m-s-ed-14-adventures-in-africa/

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General, announces the recent reenlistment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.

Specialist Evan Calmes from Le Roy has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A (Distribution), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.

"The New York Army National Guard has sustained our force at or above 100-percent strength for the better part of five years now," Murphy said. "Keeping those ready forces in our ranks mean that New York is ready to provide forces for state missions here at home, as we saw during Hurricane Sandy or for the federal missions supporting our nation around the country and around the world.

"Each of our 16,000 men and women serving in the Army and Air National Guard as an important role and I'm pleased that so many continue to reenlist and remain part of our New York National Guard family."

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com.

Riley Norton, of Batavia, is one of 524 Dean's List recipients for the 2013-2014 academic year at Mercyhurst University.

The Dean's List is computed annually after summer term, which marks the end of the academic year. It is based on the completion of a minimum of 24 credits with a cumulative index of at least 3.6 out of a possible 4.0 each term.

"I salute all of our Dean's List recipients for the dedication and commitment necessary to achieve this goal," said Mercyhurst President Thomas Gamble, Ph.D. "This is truly an outstanding accomplishment."

Mercyhurst University, founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, is a fully accredited, four-year, Catholic comprehensive institution in Erie, Pa. The university offers more than 100 majors, minors and concentrations as well as unique post-baccalaureate, advanced certificate and eight master's degree programs.

In 2013, the university introduced its first doctoral program in archaeology. In addition, Mercyhurst provides certificate and associate degree offerings at branch campuses in North East, Corry and the Booker T. Washington Center. Learn more at www.mercyhurst.edu.

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General, announced the recent reenlistment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.

Sergeant First Class Owen Guile, from Pavilion, has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A, 642nd Support Battalion.

"The New York Army National Guard has sustained our force at or above 100 percent strength for the better part of five years now," Murphy said. "Keeping those ready forces in our ranks mean that New York is ready to provide forces for state missions here at home, as we saw during Hurricane Sandy or for the federal missions supporting our nation around the country and around the world."

"Each of our 16,000 men and women serving in the Army and Air National Guard as an important role and I'm pleased that so many continue to reenlist and remain part of our New York National Guard family."

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.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.

The results are in for the Erie County Fair Poultry winners, two of whom are from Genesee County. The show was held Thursday in Hamburg and featured 21 exhibitors showing more than 260 birds.

They are:

Kelsey Ferguson, Batavia -- Best in Heavy Weight Ducks

                                               Best in Medium Weight Ducks

                                               Best in Heavy Weight Geese

                                               Best in Light Weight Geese

                                               Reserve Grand Champion Waterfowl

                                               Grand Champion Goose    

Jackie Ferguson, Batavia -- Best in Medium Weight Geese

Alexandrea D. Zoccali, of Le Roy, will attend SUNY Oswego, among more than 675 transfer students who have reserved places at the college for Fall 2014 classes that begin Aug. 25. She last studied at Genesee Community College, and intends to major in Zoology at Oswego.

Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News Media Group counts SUNY Oswego among the top public regional universities in the North for 2014, and the Princeton Review includes Oswego in its 2014 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges," as well as its 2014 list of "best value" colleges and universities nationally.

A 153-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls about 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.

Visit oswego.edu for more information.

Shelby F. O'Neill was named to the dean's list at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, for his outstanding academic achievement during the Spring semester of the 2013-14 year. O'Neill, a member of the Class of 2015, is the son of Philip O'Neill and MaryAnn Wiater, of Corfu, and attended Pembroke Central School.

Students whose grade-point averages were 3.7 or higher were named to the dean's list.

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the nation. Colby provides a rigorous academic program that fosters transformational relationships between students and faculty. Graduates emerge as leaders ready to make an impact on their world. Colby is committed to making the full experience accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their ability to pay. The college enrolls 1,825 students.

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.

Timothy M. Redband, of Batavia, received academic honors from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences at Binghamton University by making the dean's list for the Spring 2014 semester.

Binghamton University is one of the four university centers of the State University of New York. Known for the excellence of its students, faculty, staff and programs, Binghamton enrolls close to 15,000 students in programs leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Its curriculum, founded in the liberal arts, has expanded to include selected professional and graduate programs.
 

Mrs. Sharon Yasses-Dobbs is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter, Stacey Marie Yasses to Christopher Arthur Cohen, son of Mr. and Mr. John Cohen Sr. of Cary, N.C.

The future bride is a 1999 graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy and a 2001 graduate of Cazenovia College with a AS in Human Services. She is employed as an operations manager for an electrical contractor in Raleigh, N.C.

The future groom is 1993 graduate of Apex High School and a 1997 graduate of East Carolina
University with a BA in Business Administration. He is now co-owner of an Insurance Restoration Company based in Apex, N.C.

The couple reside in Cary, N.C., and plan to wed the summer of 2015 in Gasport, NY.

The following students, all from Batavia, graduated from SUNY Buffalo State in May 2014:

Frederick Rarick received a bachelor's degree in History.

Peter Badami received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Ariana March received a bachelor's degree in Childhood Education.

Dakota Nicholson received a bachelor's degree in Individualized Studies.

Amanda Harding received a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration.

Melissa Maxwell received a master's degree in Speech-language Pathology.

Buffalo State offers 169 undergraduate programs and 65 graduate programs. For more information, please visit suny.buffalostate.edu.

Press release:

The College at Brockport, State University of New York, recently honored students who excelled academically by naming them to the President's List for the Spring 2014 semester. To achieve the honor of being on the President's List, a student must earn a GPA of 4.0.

Jamie Borkholder of Oakfield (14125)

Heidi Dempsey of Batavia (14020)

Matthew Andre of Batavia (14020)

Jessica Klug of Corfu (14036)

Kara Miller of Le Roy (14482)

Katherine Rogers of Le Roy (14482)

The College at Brockport is a comprehensive four-year public college, located in Brockport, NY. The College offers 50 undergraduate majors, more than 50 graduate programs as well as 24 teacher certification programs. The College has been rated among a "Best Regional University" by US News & World Report, and a "Best Value" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

More than 200 Colgate students are conducing innovative research across academic disciplines on campus in Hamilton this summer.

Batavia High School graduate Richard "Will" Ely is conducting Upstate Institute research.

Examples of some research projects this year include the examination of exoskeletons in barnacles, the genealogy of Confucianism, the flow of flexible filaments, and assessing the antibacterial activity of traditional medicinal plans used by some Native Americans.

Colgate University is a highly selective residential liberal arts institution distinguished by the dedication of its 294 full-time faculty-scholars, and its commitment to global engagement, student-faculty research, off-campus study, sustainable practices, and utilizing technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

Colgate offers 54 majors to a diverse student body of approximately 2,900 undergraduate students, and supports 25 Division I athletic teams. The university's 575-acre campus in rural central New York is renowned for its beauty and for the important role it plays in the student experience.
 

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, The Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Pablo Perez, from Batavia, serving with the Company F (Forward Support Company Infantry), 427th Brigade Support Battalion is promoted to the rank of Specialist.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com.