Announcements

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce that Annette Zuber has been named Employee of the Month for November 2008. Annette has worked at Genesee for nine years and is currently a Technical Specialist in Institution Research and Assessment. While working at Genesee, she has completed two Associate's degrees and is on her way to completing a Master's Degree.

Before coming to Genesee, Annette was a stay-at-home mom to her three children when she came to Genesee to update her business skills to get a job. Her first position at the College was a math mentor and she assumed her present position in Institutional Research and Assessment in 2004. She has made great contributions to the College's ability to track students and graduates by creating and maintaining databases. She is a self -starter who repeatedly demonstrates the capacity to organize complex tasks, gather and interpret information, and to research and understand complicated regulations and directions from external agencies.

Annette began her educational career at Cornell University where she received a Bachelor's degree in Food and Nutrition in 1972. While working at the College, she found time to obtain an Associate's Degree in Accounting in 2000 and an additional Associate's Degree in Computer Information Systems in 2002. Annette is currently working on a Master's degree in Mathematics at SUNY Brockport.

A resident of Wyoming, NY, she enjoys gardening, crafts and photography, as well as raising puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

"I like the fact that I am allowed to work with my own style in a very supportive environment," Annette said. "I have many different projects, so the job is always interesting."

From Genesee Community College:

Genesee Community College is pleased to name Emily Voss Student of the Month for November. Emily, a 2007 graduate of Fillmore High School, is in the Elementary Education Transfer Program at Genesee. She is a very active student and was named to the Dean's List in the Spring of 2008. She participates in many activities on campus and at College Village, all while maintaining an excellent academic record.

Emily is a work study student in the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) programs office where she is punctual and completes her work with responsibility and efficiency. She is a dedicated worker that even goes the extra distance to help out with the multitude of applications for ACE courses.

Emily, 19, a resident of Short Tract, NY plans on attending Roberts Wesleyan upon completing her studies at Genesee to pursue a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. She says her dream job would be to teach the first grade at her hometown school district, Fillmore Central School.

Emily chose Genesee Community College for its small community feel and its low cost of tuition. "My favorite aspect of Genesee is how small it is," said Emily. "This allows you to grow closer to your classmates and your professors, while getting a hands-on education."

From Genesee Community College:

Residents in College Village have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. Beginning at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 25, the Resident Assistants and College Village staff at Genesee Community College will prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for students in the Village Hall of College Village. The meal is free to residents and will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course, pumpkin pie.

On average, 100 to 150 students attend the annual dinner. For many, this will be their only Thanksgiving celebration. And for international students, this may be the first time they've experienced the holiday or tasted the traditional fare.

"The RA's and staff get to cook all day for this event and we definitely have fun along the way," said Ellen Brokaw, Assistant Director of Residence Life at College Village. "For some, this is their first try at cooking a full Thanksgiving meal. We hope to have a good turnout of students participating and are looking forward to a fun evening."

This is the fourth year that College Village has provided a free Thanksgiving dinner to students.

For further information, please contact Ellen Brokaw, Assistant Director of Residence Life at Genesee's College Village at 585-343-0163 or by email ecbrokaw@genesee.edu.

From Genesee Community College:

The fourth annual RESPECT Campaign Food Drive at Genesee Community College was a success, despite the recent slower economy. The food drive ran from November 3rd through November 11th, with all collections donated to the local Salvation Army.

In addition to the donations collected by the members of the RESPECT Campaign, the group also purchased 15 turkeys as well as the ingredients to create the perfect Thanksgiving meal. Mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce were all purchased to complete the meals. The members of the RESPECT campaign anticipated the donations could feed approximately 30 local families this holiday season.

"The members of the Salvation Army we're so surprised with our donations this season," said Ellen Brokaw, assistant director of Residence Life at College Village. "In the face of a slower economy and tighter spending, people still came out and donated so many items. This really shows the type of people we have in our community and the generosity they demonstrated."

The RESPECT Campaign aims to promote and create a more respectful environment throughout the College and among all students, staff and faculty. It is organized by Residence Life at College Village, as well as Student Activities. They promote special events and opportunities for the entire college community, the many different cultures, races, religions, as well as the different genders and various levels of authority, so they can build a dynamic understanding with one another.

Anyone interested in becoming involved are encouraged to call Ellen Brokaw at 343-0163 or Joanna Barefoot at 343-0055 x 6513. Volunteers and contributions from the general community are warmly welcomed.

The parent group at Robert Morris Elementary has completed three of six workshops that are being presented to parents. These workshops are designed to reach out to parents in our community. Workshop topics already covered included a Math Night, Internet Safety Workshop, and Study Skills and the Home Environment.  Future topics include Practical Financial Hints to Help Save on January 27, 2009, Anxiety in Children on February 24, 2009, and Communicating with Your Child on March 31, 2009. All workshops are from 6:30p.m.until 8:00p.m. These presentations are open to all parents and the materials are sent to each principal. F.O.R.M. provides refreshments for each workshop and the parents put forth a great deal of effort to ensure that these workshops are a success. Reaching out to parents and providing opportunities for involvement is the goal of this year's workshops.

Information provided by Allison Chua

From the VA Medical Center:

A special observance will take place Friday, November 21 at VA Western New York Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Avenue, to increase awareness about Native American culture and services. 

The program will take place at 9:30am in Freedom Hall, room 301.  Sheldon Sundown, a mental health peer advocate from Native American Independent Living Services will discuss programs and services available to Native Americans living on area Nation territories and in urban areas to include Independent living, family support services, reimbursement program, to veterans, employees and the public. 

In addition to the presentation, A Native American drum group will provide entertainment.

James P. Cody, interim medical center director stated, “VA WNY Healthcare System salutes and honors all American Indian and Alaska Native contributions to the Department and our society.

During this month’s observance, we specifically express our appreciation for these contributions and for the dedicated service by our American Indian and Alaska Native veterans."

From Genesee Community College:

John C. Dwyer of Batavia was re-elected President of the Genesee Community College Foundation, Inc. at Wednesday night's annual meeting of the Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Dwyer will serve his third one-year term in that office. For many years, Mr. Dwyer was a well-known Batavia retailer. He also served as executive director of the Genesee County Industrial Development Agency (now known as the Genesee County Economic Development Center)

Also elected to one-year terms as officers were:

• Timothy D. Woodward, of Batavia, First Vice President. Mr. Woodward is a President of Gilmartin Funeral Home and a member of Genesee's Class of 1971.
• Stuart Steiner, of Batavia, Second Vice President. Dr. Steiner is President of Genesee Community College.
• Toni Ann Moore, of Leicester, Secretary. Mrs. Moore is a court administrator and Livingston County farm operator.
•Brian M. Daviau, of Batavia, Treasurer. Mr. Daviau is Accounting Manager of Markin Tubin Co. and a member of Genesee's Class of 1981.

New members of the Board of Directors include:

• Richard L. Fish of Perry. Mr. Fish is Chairman of Complete Payroll Processing.
• Monica Hale Dawson of Batavia. Mrs. Dawson is Secretary-Treasurer of Shepard Maxwell Hale Insurance.

Re-elected to the Board of Directors were Robert J. Bennett of LeRoy, Vice President, Bank of Castile; Robert L. Boyce of LeRoy, Vice President of Tompkins Insurance Co.; Lynn E. Browne of Batavia, retired manufacturing and distribution exec utive; Roger F. Christiano of Batavia, President of Christiano Cellular Group; Mr. Dwyer; Vito J. Gautieri of Attica, President of V.J. Gautieri Development of Batavia, Inc.; Jerry L. Reinhart of Batavia, retired President of the former Access Rentals and local entrepreneur; Thomas McCormick of Bliss, President of McCormick Farms.

At a special meeting of Genesee Community College Foundation Housing Services, Inc., (the Foundation's real estate and student housing corporation), members elected officers for one-year terms:

• Norbert J. Fuest of Attica as President of GCCFHS. Mr. Fuest is Director of Human Resources at Morton Salt.
• Mr. Bennett, Vice President.
• Dr. Steiner, Secretary.
• Mr. Browne, Treasurer.

Re-elected to three-year terms on the GCCFHS Board were Marcia H. Noonan of Batavia, Administrator of Victorian Manor and Mr. Browne.

From the VA Medical Center:

Thanksgiving dinner will be served to homeless and other needy veterans and their families, Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Buffalo VA, 3495 Bailey Avenue. Judi Kaczmarek, Human Resources Specialist has organized the event for the last eight years. 

She has been gratified with the response received by both the staff and the veterans served from previous years.  The event occurs the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day in order to provide a hot meal to those in need.   Admission is by ticket only.  Homeless veterans and veterans in need can call 881-5855 to obtain a ticket and learn more about transportation.

About 150 veterans and their families will be treated to a turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings that will be served by staff in the VA Food Court located in the hospital's lower level. Veteran Service Organizations and other community groups have made donations for the event.

Entertainment by children of staff and a magic show will highlight the festivities this year. VA health care and other veterans’ benefits information will be provided to veterans with the opportunity to enroll in VA health care at the event.

From the Batavia Business Improvement District:

Join in the holiday spirit at the 13th annual Christmas in the City is Friday, December 5, 2008, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. in downtown Batavia. 

Activities include entertainment by the Batavia Concert Band and In Jest, over twenty vendors selling food and gifts, free horse and wagon rides, Batavia Muckdog & Red Wing mascots and lots more for all ages.  Winners of the Holiday Ornament Contest will be announced that evening in Batavia City Centre.

More than twenty downtown merchants will have in store entertainment, special sales & drawings, along with refreshments for the holiday shopper.

For more information about the event or to be a vendor contact the Batavia Business Improvement District at 585-344-0900 or visit www.downtownbataviany.com.

What:  "Annual Cookie Auction." Members bring their favorite cookies, pies, cakes, candy or fudge to raise money for the Scholarship Fund.

When: Dec. 4, 2008 - 5:30 p.m.

Where: Bohn's Restaurant, Clinton St. Batavia.

Dinner: Chicken Parmesean, Pasta, Rolls, Coffee and Dessert.

Cost: $15.00

RSVP by Nov. 28 to Connie 343-4603 or Sarah 343-3096

Guests are always welcome!

At 6 p.m., Monday, the Richmond Library will host a discussion, lead by Paul McCullough, on computers. The subject is whether you should buy a new computer or just upgrade or repair your current computer.

Learn the things to consider when making this potentially costly decision. Learn some of the software issues to consider. The class if free. Contact the library at 343-9550, ext. 3 to register.

We received this notice for parents of Batavia City school students:

Our school district will soon be able to contact you by an automated telephone/voice messaging system to notify you of emergency closings, important notifications, and specific school events.

We believe that this notification system is important as it will help to:
• Support safety and security in our schools
• Improve communication among our students, their families and the school district
• Contact our families and community about important events in a timely manner
• Increase family involvement in school activities and programs

In order to ensure that you receive these vital messages, it is necessary that we have your current phone number(s) on file. If you have already provided us with your revised phone numbers, we thank you. If you would like to update your telephone number(s), please contact the Main Office of the building your child attends.  If you have children in multiple buildings, you will only need to call one building to update your parent contact information for all your children’s records. Please contact us at 585-343-2480.

Ext. 2000 – High School
Ext. 3000 – Middle School
Ext. 4000 – Jackson Elementary
Ext. 5000 – John Kennedy Elementary
Ext. 6000 – Robert Morris Elementary

Please also let us know if you have any special needs to help us better communicate with you using this messaging system.  We thank you for your efforts to develop a strong partnership for our students.

Information submitted by Pam Buresch

It’s been just about a year since members of Miss Betsey Bodine's ND Environmental Awareness Club started actively filling up the large, green and yellow Abitibi recycling container which is located in the parking lot behind Notre Dame! Who says every little piece of paper doesn't add up!

Members of the ND family -faculty and staff, students, parents and friends of ND - can be proud of the fact that 25.27 tons - yes, tons!!! - of paper have been recycled during the past year through our Abitibi!

Congratulations on a job well done and keep up the good work!

Please pass the word . . . you do not have to be a member of the ND family to recycle in our recycling bin! Please encourage your friends, neighbors and relatives to use our Abitibi for recycling their papers and magazines and join us in our attempt to keep our campus - and our little bit of the world - GREEN!

Picture caption:  Student recyclers pose next to the Abitibi pickup truck on Friday, October 3, 2008. (L to R):  Haley Alexander '10, Alex Sandra Morgan '10, Sidney Moag '11, Sophia DelPlato '11 and Paul Teresi '11.

Item submitted by Notre Dame.

Elizabeth Fischer, daughter of Michael and Mary Anne Fischer of Medina, and a member of the ND Class of 2009 has been designated a Commended Student in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.  Commended students are recognized for having demonstrated outstanding academic potential by their strong performance on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) which our current Juniors and Seniors took last October.  Our current Sophomores and Juniors will take the 2008 version of the NMSQT on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. 

Beth’s high Selection Index score on the PSAT exam last October places her among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students in over 21,000 high schools who entered the 2009 competition.  Commended students are named on the basis of a national selection index of 200 which is applicable to all participants, without regard to state-by-state distribution.

A member in good standing of the ND Chapter of the National Honor Society since her Sophomore year, Beth has earned High Honor roll status in each quarter of her ND career, as well as highest average recognition in Biology and Global Studies 9 (2005-2006); Chemistry, Math 10, and Global 10 (2006-2007), and Physics, Math 11, AP US History, Spanish III and Theology (2007-2008).  She has also been an active member of the ND Student Senate, Science Club, and Mission Club and also currently serves as a morning PA announcer.

Beth is also very active in her parish (Holy Family) where she serves as a lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and altar server.

Beth plans on pursuing a career in Biomedical Engineering and lists Cornell University, RIT, and Roberts Wesleyan as possible college choices. She will receive recognition for her Commended Student achievement at Notre Dame’s annual end-of-the-year Celebration of Gifts and Talent in May 2009.

Congratulations, Beth on this noteworthy achievement!

Information submitted by Notre Dame

This year's ND graduating class stands forty-two strong. Thirteen members of the Class of 2009 were commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at our Opening Day Mass on Friday, September 5, 2008. Father Michael Rock, OdeM., Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Le Roy, New York and a member of the ND Board of Trustees, performed the commissioning ceremony as part of the first mass of the year at ND.

Eleven of the students were trained at ND last spring by Deacon Tom Casey.  The remaining two were trained at their parish.  We look forward to their service to our community.

Caption:  L to R – Row #1: Henri Burdett, Eric Shormann, Melissa Smith, Brad Cohen, Kristen Francis and Beth Fischer

L to R – Row #2:  Craig Houseknecht, Stacy Squire, Paige Scofield, Kate Spadaccia, Matt Jackson, Ashley Calarco, Sean Zawicki

Information submitted by Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Volleyball Teams are fundraising to defray costs for Notre Dame students who will be participating in this year’s missionary experience to Camden, New Jersey.  The girls have been bicycling in the “Ride for Camden” effort for the last couple of weeks.  Each girl is riding fifty miles and asking for sponsorships per mile.  If anyone would like to sponsor one of these athletes please contact Rhonda DiCasolo, Carolyn Babcock, or any of the Notre Dame volleyball players.  Pledges from a penny to a dollar per mile are welcome as are donations in any amount.  We hope to provide an opportunity for more Notre Dame students to attend the life-altering experience of a week at Camden’s Romero Center.  Our trips in the past have always had such a tremendous impact on our students and staff.  Thank you to all who have already sponsored a volleyball player.

From Genesee Community College:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is seeking nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on the community. The Foundation will induct its third group of honorees in a ceremony on March 25, 2009 at the Batavia campus.

"This is our effort to find and honor Genesee Community College's most distinguished graduates, based on their accomplishments," Patti Pacino, Alumni Coordinator noted. "We are proud of our alumni and want to recognize their success."

The criteria for nominating an individual to the College Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual's contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's alumni website (http://www.genesee.edu/portals/alumni/halloffame.cfm) and emailed or sent to the Genesee Community College Alumni Office.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, work associates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. All nominations received by January 9 will be considered by the Selection Committee. New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be featured on a plaque displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building. The next induction ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2009.

Genesee Community College's Alumni Hall of Fame inductees currently include: Joseph H. Bell, GCC '79, vice president of Global Process and Product Integrity at Moog, Inc. and managing director for Moog operations in Bangalore, India; Monica H. Dawson, GCC '72; co-owner and secretary/treasurer of Shepard, Maxwell and Hale Insurance Agency; Jerry Reinhart, GCC '71, founder of Access Rentals and president of Reinhart Enterprises, Inc.; Paula Savage, GCC '76, director of tourism for the Greater Rochester Visitors Association; Lori Stupp, GCC '89, regional director of United Way and a member of the AAA Speakers Bureau; Peggy Weissend, GCC '99, registered Community Health nurse with the Genesee County Health Department; Ann M. Bell, GCC '88, retired executive director of the Genesee Region Independent Living Center; Steven G. Hyde, GCC '82, president and CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center; and Gary T. Maha, GCC '76, Sheriff of Genesee County.

Learn about "People of the Longhouse". Larry VerWeire of Ganondagan State Historic Site will speak about the people and the site. Ganondagan was the site of a 17th century Native American community that was a flourishing, vibrant center for the Seneca people. This program will take place at Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center, 11095 Bethany Center Rd., E. Bethany, NY 14054.

Details:

Saturday, December 13, 2008
10am-12noon
$5/person ($10/family)
Pre-registration required by December 12, 2008.
Please call (585) 344-1122 to register.