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College hires five new faculty members and enrollments are up

By Billie Owens

Here are some highlights from the June 7 meeting of the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees. It:

Approved a $261,150 change order for renovating the existing Batavia Campus tennis courts. The original tennis court work, planned as part of the recent athletic facility upgrade project, was put on hold until the remainder of the work was successfully completed.

Heard Nominating Committee member Glenn R. Morton report that the committee is recommending that Trustee Charles R. Ruffino serve as chair for the 2010-2011 year; Maureen Torrey Marshall, vice chair; and Diane D. Torcello, secretary. The board will elect officers at its July 19 annual meeting.

Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor report that applications from prospective full-time students for the fall 2010 semester totaled 3,710 as of May 31, up 19.1% from the 3,115 applications received a year ago.

Learned that 387 individuals have applied for admission as part-time students, up 15.5% from the 335 individuals who had applied for part-time admission last year.

Heard President Stuart Steiner report that 1,550 students had enrolled in Genesee Community College's 2010 summer sessions, up 117 from the 1,433 students who had enrolled during record-breaking summer sessions in 2009. Also, Taylor reported that 270 area high school seniors had enrolled in Genesee courses this summer through the Genesee Promise Plus program, up from the 255 high school seniors who enrolled last year. She noted that high school seniors still have almost a month to register for courses, so the number of seniors participating in courses this year will probably be higher than 270.

Heard Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman report that cumulative gifts to the Genesee Community College Foundation between 1985 -- the year it was established -- and 2010, totaled $8.82 million. During that period, 6,365 individuals and organizations made contributions in support of student scholarships, building programs, endowment, and other college programs. He thanked trustees for their personal financial support of the college.

Heard President Steiner report that five individuals will join the faculty this fall:

  • Marshann Thomas, of Rochester, will become director of the new Polysomnographic Technology program. She is a registered polysomnographic technologist and registered respiratory therapist at Unity Health System in Rochester. She has also served Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester and Gadsden Community Hospital in Florida. She holds an A.A.S. degree from Erie Community College, a B.S. degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, and a M.E. degree from the University at Buffalo. She is nearing completion of a Ph.D. at Florida State University.
  • Toni Boyd, currently a Ft. Collins, Colo., resident, will join the faculty as instructor of English. She has teaching experience at St. Louis Community College and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She has also worked as a freelancer author, and as a freelance editor with the Colorado State University School of Education. Boyd holds an A.A. degree from Southeastern Community College in Iowa; and B.A. and M.A.degrees from Western Illinois University.
  • Brian Fraser, Ph.D, of East Aurora, will become instructor of Chemistry and Mathematics. He spent 13 years working in the semiconductor industry and has served as a member of the adjunct faculty of Genesee Community and Buffalo State colleges. He holds a B.A. from SUNY Potsdam and earned his doctorate from the University of California at Los Angeles.
  • Kathleen Klaiber, currently of Jordanville, will join the faculty as instructor of English as a Second Language/English. She has more than a decade of college teaching experience, including service at Utica College and Herkimer County Community College. She holds B.A. degrees in Literature/Communication and Spanish from Pace University, and a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from University of Utah.
  • Ronald Schumacher, of Rochester, will join the faculty as instructor of Engineering and Mathematics. He has served as a member of the adjunct faculty of two community colleges, Monroe and Finger Lakes, and at Rochester Institute of Technology. He has been a career advisor for CSTEP, a program fostering preparation for technology careers, and has spent many years working in industry as a product specialist and engineer. Schumacher holds an A.A.S. degree from Erie Community College, and B.S.M.E. and M.S.M.E. degrees from the University at Buffalo.

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