Milestones

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.

Specialist Tyler Seger, from Batavia, has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A, 2-108th Infantry.

"Over the past 3 years the New York Army National Guard has come from far below authorized strength to 100 percent strength," Murphy said in remarks to the force. "Our priority is to provide ready forces for both state and federal missions and readiness starts with maintaining our strength."

"We have more than 16,000 men and women in the Army and Air National Guard with each individual member having an important role."

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

Press release:

Robert L. Boyce, of Le Roy, has been elected president of the Genesee Community College Foundation, continuing his longstanding commitment and dedication to the institution.

Boyce has served as a member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2005, most recently as first vice president. He has also volunteered his time and energy in a number of different capacities including serving on the Finance Committee and the Fund Development Committee as chairman, the Risk Management Committee, several Annual Campaign committees, as well as the search committees for GCC's annual fund director.

Boyce, now an independent licensed insurance broker for Tompkins Insurance Agencies, was the president and CEO of Ernest Townsend and Son, Inc., from 1972 through 2000, when he sold his interest in the firm to the Tompkins Holding Company.

His other civic leadership commitments include nine years on the United Memorial Medical Center Group Board including a term as president; 10 years serving as president with the Le Roy Emergency Ambulance Service; and 27 years as a member and past president of the Le Roy International Rotary Club where he is also a Paul Harris Fellow.

Boyce served in the Army and graduated with a Business degree from the University of Buffalo.

In his spare time, Boyce enjoys time with his wife, Elizabeth (Beth), their three adult children and six grandchildren. He is also a 40-year veteran season ticket holder for both the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Rachel Diehl, a Criminal Justice major from Pavilion, was one of 65 University of Pittsburgh at Bradford juniors and seniors named to the 2012-2013 edition of "Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges."

Students were selected for this honor based upon a combination of the following criteria: leadership and participation in co-curricular activities; service to the college community; and academic achievement.
 

Stephen J. Havlovic, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at Alfred State University, has announced the dean's list of students for the Fall 2012 semester.

The local students on the list are:

Joshua Stellrecht, of Basom, Network Administration

Nicole Ficarella, of Batavia, Human Services Management

Gregory Kryman, of Batavia, Network Administration

Raymond Putnam, of Batavia, Digital Media and Animation

Timothy Hungerford, of Bergen, Welding Technology

John Langdon, of Bergen, Construction Mgmt Eng Tech

Mike Kisiel, of Byron, Network Administration

Nicole Binns, of Corfu, Digital Media and Animation

Ryan Seward, of Corfu, Forensic Science Technology

Brianna Hofert, of Elba, Lib Arts / Sci-Social Science

Anthony Gallucci, of Le Roy, Bldg Trades-Building Construct

Joseph Gallucci, of Le Roy, Bldg Trades-Building Construct

Andrew Lowe, of Le Roy, Elec Cons & Maint Electrician

Edward Cigno, of Le Roy, Mechanical Engineering Tech

Thomas Parmenter, of Pavilion, Construction Mgmt Eng Tech

Carl Beaver, of Stafford, Mechanical Engineering Tech

Alfred State offers associate degrees in 50 programs in the fields of agriculture, health, business, vocational, and engineering technology, as well as liberal arts and sciences. There are also 19 baccalaureate degree offerings.

Students from both the Alfred campus and the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville are selected for the dean's list if they maintain a 3.50 grade-point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.

The following students were named to Alfred University's Fall 2012 dean's list:

Patrick Cigno, of Le Roy, a Ceramic Engineering major is a junior in the Inamori School of Engineering. A graduate of Le Roy Jr.-Sr. High School, Cigno is the son of Thomas and Korrine Cigno.

Christopher Vlack, of Elba, a Ceramic Engineering major is a freshman in the Inamori School of Engineering. A graduate of Elba Central School, Vlack is the son of Edward and Amy Vlack.

Students must earn at least a 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for dean's list. Alfred University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top regional universities in the Northeast. The master of fine arts (MFA) ceramics program at Alfred Univerity ranks as one of the top in the nation.

Alfred University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees through its Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Professional Studies, as well as through its Schools of Engineering and Art and Design, and Business.

The State University of New York at Geneseo has announced its dean's list for the fall semester 2012. To be on the list, a student must have achieved a 3.5 grade-point average while taking at least 12 credit hours.

Students on the list from this area are:

• Chelsey Brinkman, from Alexander
• Amanda Gouger, from Batavia
• Christina Mortellaro, from Batavia
• Grey Musilli, from Batavia
• Abigayle Brown, from Batavia
• Calli Raines, from Batavia
• Clarisse Birkby, from Corfu
• Sarah Lawson, from East Bethany
• Mitchell Gillard, from Elba
• Michael Ramsey, from Elba
• Briana Pangrazio, from Le Roy
• Alicia Rohan, from Oakfield

SUNY Geneseo is a public liberal arts college recognized nationally for excellence in undergraduate education and for its professional and master's level programs.

Travis S. Ogden, of Batavia, is on Cazenovia College's 2012 Fall Semester dean's list. Those named to the dean's list have achieved a 3.5 or better grade-point average for all courses attempted, and have earned 12 or more academic credits during the semester.

Ogden is a junior majoring in Management, specializing in Accounting, and is a graduate of Pembroke Central School, Corfu.

Cazenovia College, founded in 1824, is an independent, coeducational, baccalaureate college near Syracuse, offering a comprehensive liberal arts education in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their professional fields.

Michael Pratt, of Batavia, was recently named to the dean's list at Hudson Valley Community College.

Each fall and spring term, the college's dean's list honors those students who have a term grade-point average between 3.0 and 3.5.

Pratt is in the Criminal Justice academic program.

Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 70 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Sciences; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and workforce and academic preparation programs offered through the Educational Opportunity Center.

Press release sent 12/18/12:

The following local residents graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in the Summer 2012 quarter:

•     Kader Aboubacar Diori, of Batavia, earned a Master of Science degree in Professional Studies from the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies.

•     Heather Kervin, of Byron, earned a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration from the E. Philip Saunders College of Business.

•     Kirby Moore, of Byron, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition Management from the College of Health Sciences and Technology.

•     Megan Rogers, of Bergen, earned a Master of Science degree in School Psychology from the College of Liberal Arts.

•     Jason Scott, of Byron, earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health and Safety Management from the College of Applied Science and Technology.

•     Katie Stack, of Batavia, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the College of Liberal Arts.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. In addition, the university offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT enrolls nearly 18,000 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

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

Kenneth Butler, of Le Roy, serving with the 105th Military Police Company is promoted to the rank of Specialist.

Pablo Perez, of Batavia, serving with the Company D (Forward Support Company Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), 427th Brigade Support Battalion is promoted to the rank of Private.

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.

The following local residents made the Dean's List for Fall 2012 quarter at Rochester Institute of Technology:

ALEXANDER

Brittani Scharlau, a second-year student in the College of Health Sciences and Technology.

BASOM

Daniel Mancuso, a fourth-year student in the E. Philip Saunders College of Business.

Dean Kubik, a second-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Daniel Crossen, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Erin Crossen, a fourth-year student in the College of Science.

BATAVIA

David Renzo, a fifth-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Matthew Zaso, a fourth-year student in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Joy Snyder, a fourth-year student in the College of Science.

Amanda Krol, a third-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Matthew Jackson, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Maura Chmielowiec, a second-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Sophia Del Plato, a second-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

BERGEN

Matthew Starowitz, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering

Trevor Thunell, a fifth-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Nicholas Quilliam, a fourth-year student in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Charles Slack, a fourth-year student in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Michael Slack, a second-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Eric Hunt, a first-year student in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Matthew Haywood, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Robert Ellsworth, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Philip Berggren, a fourth-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Joshua Barnard, a third-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

CORFU

Michael Zaikis, a fifth-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Karl Pajak, a second-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Nicholas Flumerfeldt, a third-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

DARIEN CENTER

Robert Osborn, a first-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Christopher Snyder, a first-year student in the College of Science.

Jason Inman, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

LE ROY

Russell Schultz, a fourth-year student in the College of Health Sciences and Technology.

Kristen Stacy, a third-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Benjamin Nicodemus, a first-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Jonathon Locke, a fifth-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Ryan Hochreiter, a first-year student in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Kari Branton, a third-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

Alex Graham, a fourth-year student in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

OAKFIELD

Hannah Belliveau, a second-year student in the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies.

John Koenig, a third-year student in the College of Applied Science and Technology.

PAVILION

Evyn Morgan, a fourth-year student in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging science, sustainability, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT enrolls 17,500 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

Press release:

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

Kelly Goodheart, of Batavia, serving with the 105th Military Police Company is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.

Mathew Clor, of Batavia, serving with the Company A, 2-108th Infantry is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.

Latashia Sanchez, of Le Roy, serving with the 222d Military Police Company is promoted to the rank of Private 1st Class.

Todd Toland, of Le Roy, serving with the Company D, Detachment 5, 1-169 General Support Aviation Battalion is promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

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.

Five Star Bank has appointed Yvonne D. Peck as assistant vice president and branch manager at its Batavia West location. In this role, she will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the Batavia West branch.

Peck previously was employed for 26 years by First Niagara Bank, serving in a variety of roles including teller, head teller, assistant branch manager and manager.

She is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Batavia, where she served as treasurer from 2004 to 2008. She currently serves on the board and has been active with the organization’s annual fundraising gala to support the Child Advocacy Center. She is also a board member for the Justice for Children GLOW Foundation.

Peck is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Genesee and completed the Leadership Edge Program in 2008. She resides in Batavia with her husband, Randy, and daughter, Taylor.

Emilie M. Wetzel, of Le Roy, has been selected for membership in the St. Lawrence University chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national biology honorary society. Wetzel is a member of the Class of 2013 at St. Lawrence, in Canton, New York, and is majoring in conservation biology. Wetzel graduated from Le Roy Central School.

To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed four biology courses and have a 3.5 average (based on a perfect 4.0 scale) in those courses and a 3.25 overall academic average. The Biology major is one of the most popular at St. Lawrence.

On the Web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Emilie-M-Wetzel-of-LeRoy-Selected-for-Biology-Honorary-Society-at-St-Lawrence-University/5003850.

Alyssa Ostrowski, of Batavia, graduated from Buffalo State with a bachelor of science degree in childhood education and English, for grades seven through nine. Ostrowski is a graduate of Royalton-Hartland High School.

Buffalo State offers 166 undergraduate and 62 graduate programs. Because of its location in the heart of Buffalo's cultural corridor, students have unparalleled access to museums, cultural events, businesses, internships, service learning projects, shops, and green spaces.

On the Web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Alyssa-Ostrowski-Graduates-from-Buffalo-State/4984994.
 

Press release:

The coach who took the women's volleyball team to conference championships and launched the men's volleyball program, two exceptional women's basketball players, and a hoops star who now coaches the Genesee Community College Cougars were inducted into the GCC Athletics Hall of Fame during the third annual Homecoming celebration.

The following outstanding athletes were inducted:

•    Volleyball Coach Ben Guiliano, a native of Spencerport, led GCC's women's volleyball squad from 1978-1987, amassing three conference championships and one regional title. He also launched the men's team and coached softball during his tenure at GCC. His coaching skills also helped build strong volleyball teams at Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Creighton University and Pfeiffer University. He currently guides the Keuka College Women's Volleyball Team, and over a 30-year career, Guiliano's teams have earned an overall record of 546 wins and 396 losses. He lives in Branchport.

•    Basketball standout Mary Loree, from Arkport, excelled for the GCC Lady Cougars in 1978-79 on several sports teams, notably as a two-year starter for the basketball, field hockey and softball teams. Loree was named to the1978 women's hoops squad at the Empire State Games, and helped lead her GCC teammates to the NJCAA National Tournament. She also served for 20 years in the Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2009. Her duties included providing worldwide communications for the White House during the administrations of presidents William Clinton and George W. Bush, which earned her the Presidential Service Badge. Loree now makes her home in Alexandria, Va.

•    Lynn (Jensen) Northup, Class of 1993, is an Attica native who excelled as a shooting guard for the GCC Lady Cougar's basketball program in the early 1990s. Her career highlights include five games during which she scored more than 30 points in a single game, and five three-point baskets in a single game. Northup attended Houghton College and is a physical therapist for the Avon Central School District. She resides in Churchville with her husband and three children.

•    Class of 2003 basketball star Terry George has come full-circle at GCC. The Batavia resident was a two-time All-American and Region III Player of the Year for the men's team, and was an integral member of the 2002-2003 squad inducted into the Genesee Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. He still holds the college record for career points, with 1,370 over his two-year playing career with the Cougars, and was on the first GCC squad to earn an NJCAA National Tournament berth. George continued playing hoops at the College of St. Rose, and returned to GCC in 2007 as assistant coach for the men's basketball team. In 2011, he was named interim head coach, and this year, took over the reins as permanent head coach.

To learn more about GCC's outstanding athletics programs, visit: http://www.genesee.edu/athletics/.

Mark Masse, senior vice pesident of operations of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, was recently selected by Buffalo Business First as a "40 Under 40" honoree for 2012.

An independent panel of professionals identified Masse as one of Western New York's outstanding young leaders. Masse's professional success with the GCEDC and his community involvement made him a logical choice for this top award.

Masse is a graduate of Le Roy High School and Nazareth College of Rochester with a degree in accounting, and is a certified public accountant in New York State. He had been with Freed, Maxick & Battaglia for 15 years before joining the GCEDC.

He specialized in small business issues that deal with corporations, subchapter S corporations, partnerships and individuals.

At the GCEDC, Mark's key roles and responsibilities cover program management of all its real estate development and infrastructure projects, overseeing office operations, and engaging in sales and community development.

Read his full biography here:

http://www.gcedc.com/index.php/gcedc/gcedc-staff/?utm_source=GCEDC+September+2012+Newsletter&utm_campaign=September+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, welcomes Sarah M. DiBacco, of Batavia, as a member of the Class of 2016. DiBacco graduated from Batavia High School.

Each first-year student participates in St. Lawrence University's innovative First-Year Program, an introduction to the liberal arts curriculum taught in residence halls by faculty teams. Clear writing and speaking skills are stressed, and careful advising is provided for all students.

Some 669 first-year students from 34 states, as well as 56 international students, have joined the St. Lawrence student body.

Located in Canton, N.Y., St. Lawrence University is a coeducational, private, independent liberal arts institution of about 2,300 students, founded in 1856. The educational opportunities at St. Lawrence inspire students and prepare them to be critical and creative thinkers, to find a compass for their lives and careers, and to pursue knowledge and understanding for the benefit of themselves, humanity and the planet.

Through its focus on active engagement with ideas in and beyond the classroom, a St. Lawrence education leads students to make connections that transform lives and communities, from the local to the global.

On the Web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Sarah-M-DiBacco-of-Batavia-Enrolled-at-St-Lawrence-University/4907559.

Press release:

In recognition of his long service and deep commitment to Genesee Community College, Board of Trustees Chairman Charles R. Ruffino received the Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Service on Sept. 22, at the annual conference of the New York Community College Trustees Association.

The award was established by the New York State Community College Trustees Association in 1986 to acknowledge longstanding and exemplary trustee service. Mr. Ruffino's affiliation with GCC dates back to 2002, when he was appointed by the governor as a GCC trustee.

During his tenure, Mr. Ruffino served as a board liaison to the College Foundation Board of Trustees and served on numerous committees that address student housing, the foundation's risk-management program, and new academic program development. He also participated in numerous presentations delivered at national conferences.

As chairman of the board for the past three years, Mr. Ruffino stayed abreast of the key financial issues that impact higher education to ensure the college meets its goals without compromising the quality of its programs and services.

He has been instrumental in nurturing key relationships with the college's sponsor, the Genesee County Legislature, and with various community partnerships, including the Genesee County Economic Development Center and local school districts.

He spearheaded the construction of the Roz Steiner Art Gallery at the Batavia Campus Center and the successful lease of the former Dansville Middle School for the recent relocation of the Dansville Campus Center. Mr. Ruffino also guided the board and the institution through the successful search for a new college president.

"Most times, trustees serve for two years, but Mr. Ruffino was elected to a third year term as chairman because of the high regard and respect the other trustees have for him and his leadership," GCC President James Sunser said in nominating Mr. Ruffino for the Rapp Award and highlighting his service to the college.

Mr. Ruffino is a retired administrator for the NYS School for the Blind and current member of the school's Board of Visitors. He actively served the community as a member of the Batavia School District Board of Education, as a city councilman, and as a Genesee County legislator. He and his his wife, Janet, reside in Batavia, where they enjoy spending time with their son, two daughters and four grandchildren.

Upon completion of his term on the board at the end of June of this year, the Genesee Board of Trustees unanimously named Mr. Ruffino a Trustee Emeritus in honor of his outstanding service and commitment to the college and students.

Genesee Community College named 633 students to Spring 2012 Dean's List. Students earned a quality point index of 3.50-3.74.

This year's honorees, with their hometowns, are listed below:

Basom

Staci Casper
Andrew Greene

Bergen

Ashley Spangenburg
Jason Birch
Luke Stacy
Amanda-Kay Sands
Jeanette Menzie
Garrett MacDonald

Byron

Reed Olmstead
Morgan Midwick
McKenna Downey
Charlotte Donahue

Corfu

Laura Holovics

Darien Center

Michelle Waldo
James Odell

Elba

Lauren Hughes

Le Roy

Corrie Doeller
Debra McKnight
Rachael Panepento

Oakfield

Alyssa Esola
Cady Glor
Zaneb Silmi
Katie Engle

Pavilion

Jamie Haentges
Taylor Lafferty
Sydney Case
Sarah Nugent


Genesee Community College offers more than 60 academic programs and certificates, including the brand new Veterinary Technology A.A.S. degree and Polysomnographic Technology A.A.S. degree, (the study of sleep disorders).

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina, and Warsaw, as well as through online classes in the Distance Learning program.

College housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology both inside and outside of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'. Find out more at www.genesee.edu.