Milestones

SALT LAKE CITY (Grassroots Newswire) July 12, 2018 – The following local residents have received their degree from Western Governors University (WGU). The online, nonprofit university held its 64th (Orlando, Florida); 65th (Seattle, Washington); and 66th (Las Vegas, Nevada) commencement ceremonies earlier this year to celebrate the recent graduation of more than 15,000 students from across the country.

* Sarah Kohl, of Alexander, has received her MBA in IT Management.
* Tiffany Harrington, of Batavia, has received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

WGU has recognized 8,938 undergraduate and 6,734 graduate degree recipients, who have completed their degrees since Jan. 1, 2018. Their areas of study include business, K-12 education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. The average time to graduation for those earning a bachelor’s degree was 2 years, 4 months, while the average time to degree for graduate programs was 1 year, 7 months. The average age for those who graduated is 38 years old.

WGU pioneered competency-based education, which measures learning rather than time spent in class. Designed to meet the needs of working adults, students study and learn on their own schedules with individualized, one-to-one faculty support. They complete courses as soon as they demonstrate that they have mastered the subject matter, enabling them to move quickly through material they already know and spend more time on what they still need to learn. As a result, many WGU students are able to accelerate their studies, saving both time and money.

About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves 98,000 students nationwide and has 110,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education.

In just 21 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

OSWEGO, NY (07/09/2018) -- Students earning a grade-point average of 3.3 to 3.79 appear on SUNY Oswego's spring 2018 dean's list, including several from Genesee County. They are:

• Dennis M. Alton,of Redfield Parkway in Batavia, a senior Technology Management major;
• Cameron Slaven, of Warsaw Road in Le Roy, a junior Broadcasting and Mass Communication major;
• Michaela J. Hale, of South Pearl Road in Oakfield, a senior Spanish major;
• Emily J. Gouger, of Pavilion Center Road in Pavilion, a junior Human Development major;
• Samuel J. Rodgers, of South Street Road in Pavilion, a senior Geology major.

Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News Media Group counts SUNY Oswego among the top public regional universities in the North for 2018, and the Princeton Review includes Oswego in its 2018 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges" and in its national list of "Green Colleges."

A 157-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.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies (WNYIL) is pleased to announce that Stephanie Orlando has joined their team as chief operations officer (COO), second only to Chief Executive Officer Douglas J. Usiak.

As COO, she is responsible for the overall supervision of over 2,500 employees at seven offices, serving 12 counties, that have an annual operating budget of more than $40 million. The Batavia office (Independent Living of Genesee Region) is located at 113 Main St.

She will help manage 61 contracts, including 18 management care and managed long-term care agreements, including federal grants, as well as state and local contracts. In addition, she helps manage 13 subcontracts with community-based organizations that provide services to 23 counties.

Some selected highlights of Orlando's accomplishments and honors:

• In 2005, the Western New York native moved to Albany to work for Families Together in New York State where she developed the statewide network YOUTH POWER! (YP!). Through peer-to-peer mentoring YP! empowers young people to be leaders and advocates. Notable among the other programs she helped develop, was the 2015 New York State Office of Mental Health Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Youth Peer Advocate training curriculum, which she co-authored with Jutta Dotterweich of Cornell University. She transitioned out as YP! director in 2017.
• Also, in 2005, Orlando connected to other advocates by joining the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN). Attending their Leadership Institute resulted in her serving for years on the National Council on Disability’s (NCD) Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), holding the positions of Outreach Workgroup Leader, Chairperson, and Mentor. In 2012, President Barack Obama appointed her, (confirmed by the U.S. Senate), to serve a two-year term on the full NCD. In this period, Orlando served on the Executive Committee as the chairperson of the Governance and Planning Committee.
• From 2001 to 2005, she was the executive assistant for the Children’s Mental Health Coalition of Western New York, organizing a variety of activities.
• From 1999 to 2001 Orlando worked as the lead Youth Peer Advocate for Mid-Erie Counseling and Treatment Services. Also, in 1999, Stephanie was selected as an original member of the New York State Office of Mental Health Youth Advisory Council and elected Chairperson.
• Having received her high-school-equivalency diploma, Orlando obtained her Bachelor of Arts and graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo in 2005.
• Among her honors are: the Erie County Executive Award for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (2004); Mental Health America’s mPower Award (2006); the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)'s Diana Viets Memorial Award (2008); and the Leila Salmon Advocacy Award from The New York State Mental Health Association (NYSMHA).

We of WNYIL look forward to working with Stephanie Orlando in this exciting new role.

WNYIL is Western New York's largest cross-disability, consumer-directed, non-residential organization for persons with disabilities. At WNYIL, individuals of all ages and all types of disabilities learn to exercise their freedom of choice to take control of their own lives, in order to live more productively in, and contribute to, the community.

Buffalo State College is pleased to recognize the following students who have been named to the Spring 2018 dean's list. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours.

• Kaylee Cassidy, of Batavia (Anthropology)
• Hannah Dunlap, of Batavia (Business Administration)
• Matthew Stroka, of Corfu (Communication Design)
• Joelle Fugle, of Corfu (English)
• Megan Schmieder, of Alexander (English)
• Katie Manges, of Oakfield (Family and Consumer Science Education)
• Alissa Rodriguez, of Corfu (Health/Wellness)
• Raelynn Moskal, of Alexander (Hospitality Administration)
• John Przybysz, of Corfu (Psychology)

Buffalo State is a State University of New York (SUNY) college located in Buffalo, New York. The college offers 79 undergraduate majors as well as many minors and certificate programs. Every year, thousands of students benefit from Buffalo State's community engagement, hands-on learning opportunities, and affordable SUNY tuition.

BATAVIA, NY (06/20/2018)-- A total of 280 students from Genesee Community College are named to the President's List for the Spring 2018 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

Miranda Schiller of Alexander, NY

Alexis Hackmer of Alexander, NY

Haley Wasikowski of Alexander, NY

Nathan Henry of Alexander, NY

Mary Guarino of Alexander, NY

Trey Nadolinski of Basom, NY

Cassidy Miller of Batavia, NY

Quinten Weis of Batavia, NY

Marissa Jacques of Batavia, NY

Gregory Mruczek of Batavia, NY

Joshua Barton of Batavia, NY

Tessa Lynn of Batavia, NY

Alexander Rigerman of Batavia, NY

Abby Stendts of Batavia, NY

Cory Feary of Batavia, NY

Samuel Lang of Batavia, NY

Daisy Cervantes of Batavia, NY

Sabrina Walton of Batavia, NY

Neve Georgia of Batavia, NY

Jessica Caryl of Batavia, NY

Angelina Miconi of Batavia, NY

Alexis DeLong of Batavia, NY

Danielle Shaffer of Batavia, NY

Nicholas Callisher-Pucillo of Batavia, NY

Lisa Heath of Batavia, NY

Matthew Fouquet of Batavia, NY

William Rippel of Batavia, NY

Lydia Aquina of Batavia, NY

Ashlee Ohlson of Batavia, NY

Jessica Accardi of Batavia, NY

Shelby Hill of Batavia, NY

Audra Davis of Batavia, NY

Emily Lontkowski of Batavia, NY

Leighann Howland of Batavia, NY

Samantha Hyback of Batavia, NY

Megan West of Batavia, NY

Katelyn Brown of Corfu, NY

Shaunna Conti of Corfu, NY

Alex Bookmiller of Corfu, NY

Kaylee Schaber of Corfu, NY

Lynne Blake of Corfu, NY

Morgan Miller of Corfu, NY

Spencer Graff of Corfu, NY

Rachel Miller of Corfu, NY

Katharine Smallwood of Corfu, NY

Kiara Santiago of Corfu, NY

Melinda Neal of Corfu, NY

Alexander Breissinger of Darien Center, NY

Zachary Paris of East Bethany, NY

Brian Wlazlak of East Bethany, NY

Jenna Huntington of Elba, NY

Susan Boula of Elba, NY

Henry Stratton of Elba, NY

Laura Lundmark of Oakfield, NY

Jessica Waite of Oakfield, NY

Stephanie Halat of Oakfield, NY

Kasey Edgerton of Oakfield, NY

Lauren Graney of Stafford, NY

James Berggren of Bergen, NY

Thomas Berggren of Bergen, NY

Kristen Hale of Bergen, NY

David Mackey of Bergen, NY

Paul Elliott of Bergen, NY

Taylor McPherson of Bergen, NY

Alexandria Loewke of Bergen, NY

Amber Salway of Bergen, NY

Taylor Dimmig of Bergen, NY

Margaret-Mary Gabalski of Byron, NY

Colin Noeth of Byron, NY

Grace Campbell of Byron, NY

Kitana Maher of Byron, NY

Marissa Conte of Le Roy, NY

Haley Steen of Le Roy, NY

Dominic Filio of Le Roy, NY

Riley DeBellis of Le Roy, NY

Mary Ross of Le Roy, NY

Lauren Hull of Le Roy, NY

Valaurie Zweigle of Le Roy, NY

Megan Furr of Le Roy, NY

Ceciely Palmer of Le Roy, NY

Jamie Englerth of Le Roy, NY

Nicholas Chamoun of Le Roy, NY

Rebekah Spicer of Pavilion, NY

Maelee Sanford of Pavilion, NY

Benjamin Werner of Pavilion, NY

Genesee Community College serves more than 6,000 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics. 

GCC's new Student Success Center makes admissions, financial aid and enrollment a simple and efficient process. The college has earned three national sports titles; most recently, the Men's Soccer team brought home the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III title. The athletics program, housed in the brand new, state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena hosts more than a dozen intercollegiate men's and women's teams.

Highly convenient, GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as a significant online 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 out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

MORRISVILLE, NY (06/25/2018)-- Morrisville State College recently announced the students who were named to the dean's list for the Spring 2018 semester. To be named to the dean's list, a student must achieve an average of 3.0 to 3.99 for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Jenna Doktor, of Corfu, majoring in Equine Science -- Bachelor of Technology

Emily Mikel, of Stafford, majoring in Animal Science -- Dairy

Jesse Pflaumer, of Elba, majoring in Technology Management -- Bachelor of Technology

Andrew Wolfe, of Batavia, majoring in Natural Resources Conservation

SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.

The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2018 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2018 Best Colleges rankings.

BETHLEHEM, PA (06/29/2018) -- Dean's list status, which is awarded to students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses, has been granted to Daniel Weaver, of Le Roy, in the Spring 2018 semester at Lehigh University.

For more than 150 years, Lehigh University (lehigh.edu) has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. The institution is among the nation's most selective, highly ranked private research universities.

Lehigh's four colleges -- College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science -- provide opportunities to 7,000 students to discover and grow in a learning community that promotes interdisciplinary programs with real-world experience.

Daemen College Dean Michael Brogan, Ed.D, announces the following Genesee County students achieved dean's list status at Daemen College in Amherst for the Spring 2018 semester. A matriculated undergraduate student who attains a grade-point average of 3.30 or better in any one semester is eligible for Dean's List status.

* Jeffrey Redband of Batavia (14020)

* Kristyn Mott of Batavia (14020)

* Brandon Habermas of Batavia (14020)

* Katrina Stork of Batavia (14020)

* Jordyn Atkinson of East Bethany (14054)

* Emily Kreutter of Elba (14058)

* Brianna Hill of Le Roy (14482)

* Emily Graham of Le Roy (14482)

* Katherine Patton of Le Roy (14482)

* Holly Grayson of Oakfield (14125)

Jake Hunter Nichols, of Batavia, received a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Geology from Norwich University at the May 12 commencement ceremony held in NU’s Shapiro Field House. 

Norwich University graduated over 500 students from 33 undergraduate academic programs and the Master of Architecture program. The Class of 2018 hailed from 33 states and 10 different countries abroad. The largest numbers of graduates were in the following majors: Criminal Justice, Management, Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, and Biology.

Navy Admiral (Ret.) and Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University James G. Stavridis delivered the university’s 2018 Commencement address to the graduating seniors, which included 312 students in the Corps of Cadets. More than 130 graduates commissioned into the military in a ceremony on Sunday, May 13.

In his address, Stavridis connected the graduates’ educational experiences to their roles in helping to solve the most pressing problems of the day to include: a return of the great power politics; threats to democracy; climate change and pandemic. He noted there are many ways to serve the country in addition to military service and their role in building a strong military. He urged the Class of 2018 to “Listen better – to each other, allies, friends and partners and the ‘other’.”

“Pledge to build intellectual capital now…keep educating yourself…read extensively and learn a language…[and] hold onto our values.”

He further advised the graduates: “You can help security by facilitating the rise of women…and rely upon alliances and partnerships.”

Stavridis retired from the Navy in 2013 after 37 years of service and became dean of The Fletcher School in summer 2013. He is the author of several best-selling books, including: “The Accidental Admiral;” “The Leader’s Bookshelf;” and “Sea Power: The History and Geopolitics of the World’s Oceans.”

Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees.

Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu

In fulfillment of Norwich’s mission to train and educate today’s students to be tomorrow’s global leaders, the Forging the Future campaign is committed to creating the best possible learning environment through state-of-the-art academics and world-class facilities.

Norwich University will celebrate its bicentennial in 2019. Learn more about the campaign and how to participate in the “Year of Legacy” here: bicentennial.norwich.edu.

Kylynn Arthur, of Le Roy, receives the Margaret M. Brady Award from Alyce Kenney, instructor of Nursing, at the Finger Lakes Community College Nursing Advancement Ceremony in May.

Submitted photo and press release:

Five awards were given at the Finger Lakes Community College Nursing Advancement Ceremony in May. One recipient is from Genesee County.

Nursing graduate Kylynn Arthur, of Le Roy, received the Margaret M. Brady Award for scholarship, leadership and clinical excellence.

A total of 63 students graduated from the FLCC nursing program, which prepares students for the registered nursing licensure exam.

For information about the nursing degree and related two-year programs, such as health care studies, therapeutic massage, and nutrition and dietetics, contact the FLCC One Stop Center at (585) 785-1000.

About FLCC: 
Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu) is a State University of New York two-year higher education institution. FLCC’s 250-acre park-like campus is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua.

The College offers 55 degree and certificate programs, including environmental conservation, ornamental horticulture, music recording technology, nursing, communications, graphic design and viticulture and wine technology. FLCC’s current enrollment is 6,356 full- and part-time students.

ROCHESTER (06/26/2018)-- Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Rochester Institute of Technology's dean's list if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of "Incomplete", "D" or "F"; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Mikayla Johnson of Le Roy (14482), who is in the biology program.

Marissa Scharlau of Alexander (14005), who is in the biomedical engineering program.

Matthew Pencille of Le Roy (14482), who is in the biomedical engineering program.

Rebekah Allen of Basom (14013), who is in the biomedical sciences program.

Rebecca Schwan of Le Roy (14482), who is in the business administration-marketing program.

Jennifer Crossen of Basom (14013), who is in the chemical engineering program.

Rachel Henrici of Batavia (14020), who is in the chemical engineering program.

Benjamin Ezard of Byron (14422), who is in the chemical engineering program.

Peter Madau of Le Roy (14482), who is in the chemical engineering program.

Kiera Gross of East Bethany (14054), who is in the computational mathematics program.

Steven Cacner of Stafford (14143), who is in the computer engineering program.

Robert Kubiniec of Batavia (14020), who is in the computer science program.

Ryan Missel of Oakfield (14125), who is in the computer science program.

Kyle Carretto of Corfu (14036), who is in the computing security program.

Jessica DeAngelo of Batavia (14020), who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

Maggie Callan of Le Roy (14482), who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

Montana Vescovi of Le Roy (14482), who is in the dietetics and nutrition program.

Kit Yates of Bergen (14416), who is in the fine arts studio program.

Eliza Harvey of Le Roy (14482), who is in the fine arts studio program.

Michelle Miller of East Bethany (14054), who is in the industrial design program.

Melissa Mountain of Batavia (14020), who is in the interior design program.

Eric Bow of Stafford (14143), who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

Elisha Muir of Corfu (14036), who is in the museum studies program.

Erica Parker of Le Roy (14482), who is in the networking and systems administration program.

Kathleen Hagelberger of Darien Center (14040), who is in the new media marketing program.

Emma Riggi of Le Roy (14482), who is in the new media marketing program.

Devin Sherman of Le Roy (14482), who is in the packaging science program.

Danielle Del Plato of Batavia (14020), who is in the photographic and imaging arts program.

Celia Mercovich of Bergen (14416), who is in the physics program.

Samantha Porter of Le Roy (14482), who is in the psychology program.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

For news, photos and videos, go to www.rit.edu/news.