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Photo: GCC kicking off exchange program with college in Brazil

By Howard B. Owens

Osvaldo Succi Jr., center, with Don Brown and Donna Ehrhart were at Genesee Community College this afternoon where a group of faculty and staff completed a week-long course in Portuguese taught by Succi.

The course is part of an exchange program between GCC and Faculdade de Tecnologia de Amercicana in Brazil that will include students, faculty and administrators.

Brown and Ehrhart will travel to Brazil at a later date to teach fashion design.

Succi said he really enjoyed his week in Batavia.

"I was impressed with the community," Succi said "It's very lively, very friendly. I think it is a very lovely place."

He said he hopes the exchange will expand the global view of students from both GCC and Brazil.

GCC will forgo request for $50K funding increase from county

By Howard B. Owens

GCC will delay some initiatives in order to squeeze its budget a little bit tighter, college President Jim Sunser told the Genesee County Legislature.

The college can forgo, at least for this year, an increase in the county's host share of funding.

"We will continue to be very diligent about how we allocate and expend dollars," Sunser said. "We will keep as much as we can toward student success first and foremost, but we’ll be OK."

In another of a series of lean budget years for Genesee County, GCC was facing a tough battle to convince legislators to increase funding by $50,000, from $1,937,374 to $1,987,374.

The county's share of GCC funding represents about 5 percent of the college's overall $37 million operating budget.

Two recent staff retirements will also help the college hold down expenses just a bit, Sunser said.

"We will manage how quickly we replace those positions," Sunser said. "Some of the staff temporarily filling in will fill in just a bit longer."

As part of the budget plan, GCC is planning a tuition increase of $75 per semester per full-time student.

GCC striving to make college financially feasible for more students

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Despite numerous stories and reports about the escalating cost of college tuition, a degree from Genesee Community College remains affordable to anyone seeking to establish a career. GCC is making the goal of earning a college degree ever more accessible with a number of new opportunities and options aimed at helping students pursue their dreams without forsaking financial health.

"We don't want any potential new student, regardless of age or interest, to be deterred by the many news reports that college tuition is skyrocketing and college students are graduating under an unbearable debt load," said Virginia (Ginny) Taylor, Ed.D, vice president of Student and Enrollment Services said.

"GCC is still very affordable. There are still many summer courses open and there is still time to register for the fall semester. And, we have numerous welcoming and insightful people at our seven campuses throughout GLOW waiting and wanting to help. Just walk in and come see us!"

While tough economic conditions in New York State recently forced GCC to raise its tuition by $75 per semester, this was the college's first tuition hike in four years, and college officials are doing everything possible to create new avenues for students to save money and help defray costs. These are among the options students can take advantage of in this current challenging fiscal climate:

•    No deposit application process– GCC offers FREE online registration at: http://www.genesee.edu/depts/admissions/apply/.

•    Financial Aid– GCC advisors are ready to help students explore and maximize the best financial options by applying for grants such as federal PELL and NYS TAP, which do not have to be re-paid: http://www.genesee.edu/depts/admissions/financial/grants.cfm.

•    College bookstore reduced shipping costs– In a special arrangement with Barnes and Noble, GCC is now offering a flat rate of $1.95 per package for all textbooks and all other items shipped from the campus store, such as flash drives, clothing and general supplies. Items are shipped directly to students' homes, usually within a day or two. The store is also the best source for discounted prices on rented textbooks (50 percent off the purchase price), used textbooks and new books.

•    STAP- Arts and Humanities Scholarship still have funds available for Fall 2012. The Special Talent Award Program Scholarship in the Fine and Performing Arts recognizes students who excel in the classroom, and on stage or in an art gallery. Talented students who graduated from high schools in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming county region should contact Fine and Performing Arts Director Maryanne Arena immediately for information: mcarena@genesee.edu.

•    General Scholarships – GCC has numerous options for awards based on academic excellence and financial need in its scholarship program. Some funds are still open for fall 2012. Click here for more information: http://www.genesee.edu/depts/admissions/financial/scholarships.cfm.

•    Genesee Promise Plus- The college has extended the registration deadline to June 27 of this incredible opportunity for 2012 GLOW-area high school graduates to earn a full-tuition scholarship for two summer classes at any GCC location for Summer Session II starting July 2. This program is also available for GLOW area juniors who successfully pass GCC's placement test, homeschooled or other persons who have successfully passed their GED in 2012. For information go to http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/promise/.

The first step in meeting the goal of a better, brighter future is just walking into any of GCC's seven locations in Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina or Warsaw, and meeting with a friendly GCC advisor. It's easier and more affordable than ever. There is an online FAQ Web page that answers many of the basic questions (http://www.genesee.edu/depts/admissions/faq/), but GCC staff is renowned for its friendly demeanor and willing to go beyond students' expectations to assist.

Turnbull employees get tune-up in customer service at BEST Center

By Howard B. Owens

If you happened by GCC this morning and saw the entire fleet of Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trucks on the parking lot -- no, the college was not undergoing some sort of massive HAVC overhaul.

Owner Bill Hayes, rather, had his entire crew out at the BEST Center this morning getting customer service training.

It's one of several programs offered by BEST to local businesses. Customer service is available to individuals or companies, which can bring their entire staff in for training that's specific to the company, Director Ray Chaya said.

"Sometimes, the best customer service is just better internal communication," Chaya said.

The training not only helps employees communicate with each other better, but with customers, and it stresses the importance of product knowledge, and dealing with customers who might be impatient or irritated.

Chaya said good customer service can also lead to more sales -- when employees have good product knowledge and know how to communicate what they know, it helps customers see the benefits of upgraded purchases.

"You want good customer service because you want people to come back, and word of mouth will help get new customers," Chaya said, "but more knowledge can also lead to more sales."

While Turnbull has long had a reputation for good customer service, Hayes said he's never put his employees through this sort of training before. He called the training program a "Turnbull Tune-Up."

"Nobody is perfect," Hayes said. "There's always room for improvement. We never want to fall down on customer service one iota."

"The BEST Center has some of the most intelligent and knowledgeable people and that's what they do -- they help businesses and people be better themselves. That's why it's the BEST Center."

It was scary, Hayes said, to completely shut down his business for half a day, but it was worth it. His answering service reported back that customers understood.

"Who would have thought when we scheduled this four months ago for a heating and air conditioning company, it would have been the hottest day of the year," Hayes said.

"My employees came out of there feeling very comfortable about where they need to go from here with customer service," Hayes added.

College trustees dedicate classroom in recognition of the late Lynn Browne

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees recognized the extraordinary service and contributions of the late Lynn E. Browne by dedicating the college's Library Instruction Classroom in his honor.

Browne served as a member of the Genesee Community College Foundation Board of Directors from 1997 to 2010, including nine years of service as treasurer. He was deeply involved in the fund raising initiatives that led to the expansion of the college's scholarship programs, and the construction of the Conable Technology Building and the Humphrey Student Union. He was a member of the committee that facilitated the foundation's acquisition of the former College Meadows, renamed College Village.

A native of Batavia, Brown was a graduate of the Wharton School of Business. After serving as an Army officer during World War II, he married Phyllis Shiekman, of Philadelphia, and relocated there. For many years, he owned and operated one of the nation's leading button distribution businesses. After the death of his wife in the 1980s, Browne returned to his hometown and immersed himself in community activities.

He was the first recipient of the Alpha Medal of Honor (2006), bestowed on area citizens during commencement ceremonies in recognition of outstanding philanthropic and volunteer support of Genesee Community College. His family returned his Alpha Medal to the college after his death, and it will be displayed in or near the Library classroom.

Browne contributed funds to assist in the renovation of the college's Alfred C. O'Connell Library during 1999-2000, and asked that the plaque recognizing his contribution be displayed outside the Library Instruction Classroom. The classroom is often used by students learning how to use library resources and conduct research, and it had a special meaning to Browne, according to Foundation Executive Director Richard Ensman.

Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino called Browne an extraordinary citizen who "poured his heart and soul into Genesee Community College."

The college foundation will host a public dedication event honoring Mr. Browne and the naming of the Library Classroom in the near future.

GCC's United Way fund drive raked in more than $20,000

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Employees at Genesee Community College once again demonstrated their generous spirit with donations that went beyond expectations during the annual United Way fund drive. Pledges from GCC employees totaled more than $20,000!

Money raised during the two-week campaign provides valuable resources the United Way of Genesee County uses to make a demonstrable difference in solving and preventing the area's most critical social problems. Donors can designate funds to a particular group or agency, or allow it to be pooled with other donations to help member agencies such as All Babies Cherished, the Salvation Army and HomeCare and Hospice provide needed programs and assistance.

Students also had a hand in the generous donation with their annual Ducky Derby. In the month of March, the students' poolside fundraiser collected more than $2,000 by selling numbered rubber ducks that were placed in GCC's pool for a special "race" via a current created by members of the college's swim team, which helped bring the total raised by GCC to $20,102.

To learn more about the United Way of Genesee, visit: http://www.uwgeneseecounty.org/

College faculty member promoted by board of trustees

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees promoted 16 members of the faculty on May 14 in recognition of their teaching and scholarly accomplishments.

Promoted to the rank of Professor from Associate Professor effective with the new academic year were Jeannie L. Burdick, of Corfu, counselor; and Rebecca L. Dziekan, of Pavilion, Health and Physical Education.

Promoted to the rank of associate professor from assistant professor were Elise C. Banfield, of Rochester, Psychology; Maureen E. Dugan, of Penfield, Fine Arts and Ceramics; Ruth A. Gliss, of Akron, Nursing; and Lauren K. Paisley of Middleport, Business.

Promoted to the rank of assistant professor from instructor were Shawn P. Adamson, of Batavia, English; Valerie C. Bello, of Lancaster, Communications and Media Arts; Christopher D. Caputi, of Tonawanda, Physical Therapist Assistant; Kathleen T. Gurak, of Groveland, Health and Physical Education; Heather S. Jones, of Conesus, Fine Arts; Josephine B. Kearney, of Lockport, Sociology and Human Services; Amy J. Schnettler-Zak, of Alden, Nursing; Charles L. Scruggs, of Geneseo, History; Catherine C. Wall, of Hilton, Nursing; and Karen K. Wicka, of Hamburg, Criminal Justice.

College board approved tuition increase

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College will raise tuition by $75 per semester with the 2012-2013 academic year under the college's budget plan approved last Monday evening by the board of trustees.

Current tuition for New York State residents is $1,700 per semester, and it will rise to $1,775 per semester. Tuition for students pursuing study on a part-time basis will rise $5 per credit hour, from $140 to $145.

The board's $37 million budget is a maintenance-of-effort budget, President James M. Sunser told trustees. The budget holds staffing at current levels and minimizes purchases of all but essential equipment. It is the tightest GCC budget in recent memory, Sunser noted.

The board of trustees is requesting that Genesee County, sponsor of the college, increase its support of the college by $50,000 annually, from the current $1.936 million to $1.986 million. Sponsor support represents 5 percent of the college's budget. Over each of the last 30 years, Genesee has operated with the lowest or second-lowest level of sponsor support among all SUNY community colleges.

In recent years, New York State has cut aid to community colleges to pre-2000 levels, putting increased fiscal pressure on SUNY's 30 community colleges. Earlier this year, the State Legislature restored some funding, but aid levels stand where they were 10 years ago.

Genesee's low tuition and fees continue to make Genesee Community College one of the most affordable colleges within the SUNY system, Sunser noted.

In other business May 14, the board of trustees:

•    Named retiring Genesee Community College Professor Carl M. Wahlstrom to the rank of Professor Emeritus. The rank of Professor Emeritus is honorary, and signifies long and distinguished teaching service. Professor Wahlstrom began teaching at Genesee in 1975 and has become of one of the nation's leading authorities on First Year Experience programs and student success. He is a popular speaker at academic conferences and the author of numerous books and papers. He is the recipient of two SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence, and is one of only a handful of community college professors to hold the rank of SUNY Distinguished Professor.

•    Approved a one-year renewal of the college's contract with the Genesee Community College Educational Support Personnel Association, which represents secretaries, clerks, buildings and grounds personnel, safety officers, and other staff. The renewal calls for wage increases of 2.75 percent.

•    Approved the granting of 633 degrees and certificates to students, subject to their satisfactory completion of spring semester studies. This spring, Genesee expects to award eight Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees; 307 Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees; 281 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees; and 37 certificates. Students who completed their studies during the 2011-2012 year will be honored at commencement ceremonies today at 1 p.m. at the Batavia campus.

•    Nominated Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino for the New York Community College Trustees Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Service. The Marvin A. Rapp Award recognizes New York community college trustees who have demonstrated extraordinary service and commitment. Ruffino's colleagues on the board cited his strong leadership, participation in college events, and heavy involvement in campus center development, the Med Tech Centre, construction of the Humphrey Student Union and the GCC Foundation as examples of his commitment and contributions to the college. Trustee Maureen T. Marshall said that Ruffino has exhibited "extraordinary leadership in so many ways."

•    Named 395 area residents to 28 program and campus center advisory committees for the 2012-2013 academic year. Most career-oriented programs at the college, as well as the college's campus centers, have community advisory committees that provide guidance to faculty and staff on curriculum issues, internship and job opportunities for students, and overall program direction. The board named advisory committees for the Arcade Campus Center; Rosalie (Roz) Steiner Art Gallery; The BEST Center; Business Administration and Accounting programs; Communication and Media Arts; Computer Technology; Criminal Justice; Dansville Campus Center; Digital Art; Computerized Drafting and Design; Fine and Performing Arts; Advanced Studies and College Tech Prep; Health and Physical Education; Human Services; LIFE (Life Increases Future Experiences/Liberty Partnership) program; Lima Campus Center; Nursing; Office Technology; Albion and Medina Campus Centers; Paralegal Studies; Perkins Grant program; Polysomnographic Technology; Physical Therapist Assistant; Respiratory Care; Fashion Business; Hospitality and Tourism; Veterinary Technology; and Warsaw Campus Center.

•    Honored Student Trustee Phyllis A. Washburn with a Resolution of Appreciation for her service during the 2011-2012 academic year. Washburn's colleagues thanked her for her active participation in board activities and her constant presence at a variety of college events.

•    Heard Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino appoint a three-member Nominating Committee, which will recommend a slate of board officers for the 2012-2013 year. Named to the Committee were Laurie J. Miller, Chair; Benjamin J. Bonarigo; and Donna M. Ferry.

•    Heard Board Chair Ruffino thank and compliment individuals involved with Inauguration Week for their efforts. Ruffino called the week, April 29 to May 5, "impressive," and said he was especially pleased with the number of community residents who participated in Inauguration Week events. President James M. Sunser thanked the board of trustees and Inauguration Committee for the work they did on Inauguration Day. "I will never forget this," he said. "My whole family was overwhelmed by what you did."

•    Heard Joan Nobile, treasurer of the Student Government Association, report that Genesee's student clubs and organizations had a highly successful year. Nobile said that Genesee now sponsors 50 different student clubs. Highlights of the year include the Business Forum's sponsorship of the Ducky Derby, which raised $2,500 for Genesee Country United Way; accomplishments of the Genesee Cougarettes; the Earth Club's Eco-Fest; the Global Education Club's sponsorship of the sand mandala project and other activities focused on Tibet, the Respect Campaign, the Student Health Awareness Group's Relay for Life, student radio WGCC's mobile DJ service, and Phi Theta Kappa's sponsorship of a presentation by a Fordham University speaker on the subject of emotional intelligence. Nobile said that many club leaders were recognized for their efforts and accomplishments at the May 4 Student Awards Banquet.

•    Heard Dean of Learning Technologies Robert G. Knipe report that representatives of Genesee and five other Western New York community colleges officially launched the Online Western New York Learning Alliance earlier this month. The Alliance (known as "OWL") pools all online degree and course information, promotes all online courses offered by the participating colleges, and makes registration easier for students. So, for example, a Genesee student who wishes to participate in an online course offered by one of the other participating colleges can easily do so, Dean Knipe explained. Each college has a "concierge," or advisor, who answers questions about the OWL courses and helps students register.

"This consortium lets us pool our resources, promote all of our offerings across the region, and helps us serve students much better," Dean Knipe told trustees. Participating community colleges include Genesee, Corning, Erie, Finger Lakes, Jamestown, and Monroe.

Legislators learn GCC plans tuition increase, needs another $50K from county

By Howard B. Owens

GCC President Jim Sunser is going through his first budget process with the college and he told county legislators Wednesday that he would rather not, at this stage, be asking the county for more money.

But, he said, for the sake of maintaining the quality of the institution, the county needs to provide another $50,000 in funding.

The proposed $37 million budget also anticipates the first tuition increase in four years -- raising the price for full-time students by $75 per semester.

"Any new president in his first year as an administrator would enjoy having the luxury of coming to the legislature or the students in the community and saying we're not going to increase funding from any source," Sunser said.

"But I don't think that would be in the best interest of the institution or the students we serve. We're developing an extremely austere budget as it is. I think it's important to take a look at these adjustments so we can maintain the quality of the academic program and the student services we provide."

Sunser met with legislators during the Ways and Means Committee meeting, which GCC hosted in its board room.

Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock said of course the legislature would like to do everything it can to support the college, she isn't sure the money will be available to increase the county government's share of funding.

The county is looking at $1.8 million in increases in mandates expenses such as Medicaid, health care and pensions, which far exceeds any tax increase the county could enact without the State Legislature overriding the tax cap law.

Plus the county is looking at a multimillion bill to repair roads and bridges, some of which will soon be unsafe for autos to driver over.

"These are the things that are frustrating for legislators, because these are the kinds of initiatives we would like to support," Hancock said. "These are very difficult times."

Sunser said the $50,000 increase in the county's share of funding would still represent only about 5 percent of the county GCC's budget.

He said that given the fact that Genesee County's share is the lowest in the state for any single-sponsor community college, the county faces the possibility of losing control of the college without an increase in funding.

As a single-sponsor college, all of the trustees are local residents appointed by the legislator who have a keen understanding of the community's educational needs, Sunser said.

It's possible in the current economic environment that state officials will look at that 5 percent funding level and conclude the county has an outsized amount of authority over the college for the small size of the contribution.

"I want to make sure folks in Albany and else where understand how supportive Genesee County is of the college," Sunser said. "The legislature, the community and the board of trustees devote an inordinate amount of time supporting the college in all kinds of ways. That's a relationship I would like to maintain."

The budget includes 2.75-percent pay increase for faculty and staff, which is mandated by current union contracts.

While the county share of GCC's budget is the smallest in the state, GCC also keeps its budget lower than other community colleges, Sunser said. 

Typically, GCC professors earn less than they might at other nearby community colleges, and that has been a problem recently as the college has tried to get accreditation for its new veterinarian tech program.

The accreditation agency is concerned that while the college has qualified instructors now, the college is not paying salaries that are competitive enough to retain the faculty and then replace them if they leave, which would render students in the program without qualified teachers.

Cougars fall in National Semifinals

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s lacrosse team fell to Onondaga Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA National Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York.

Genesee, the at-large team in the Final Four, gave up the first goal of the game to the top team in the tournament just seven seconds into the first quarter. Onondaga scored six times in the opening frame and led 6-0 at the start of the second.

Genesee had the man advantage early on in the second period but could not break through. After returning to full strength, Onondaga found the back of the net twice in a span of five seconds to increase their lead to 8-0.

Steven Riamondi (Amherst, NY) got GCC on the board with a goal at the 4:22 mark of the second quarter, and then Gaehnew Printup (Tuscarora, NY) scored short-handed less than a minute later to get Genesee back to within six at 8-2. Onondaga added a goal with about four minutes remaining in the first half and took a 9-2 lead into the break.

(Members of the GCC men's lacrosse team celebrate #23 Steven Riamondi's first half goal against Onondaga Community College on Saturday afternoon)

 

OCC started strong in the second half, scoring three goals in the first three minutes of the third quarter and opened up a ten-goal, 12-2 lead. Trailing 14-2, Connor Latimer (Whitby, ON) assisted Printup on his second goal of the game to make it 14-3.

Spencer Halliwell-Allen (St. Catherines, ON) answered an early fourth quarter OCC goal with his first goal of the game to make it 15-4 with just under eight minutes to play. He added another goal just two minutes later before Printup followed with his third goal of the game to make it 15-6. Both teams would play a scoreless three-minutes to end the game, and Onondaga advances with a 15-6 victory.

Genesee ends the season with a 15-4 overall record after advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament for the second straight season. They were Western New York Athletic Conference Champions and reached the Final Four of the Region III Tournament. Onondaga Community College will play for their fourth straight NJCAA National Title and sixth in the last seven years against the winner of Nassau Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex tomorrow at 1pm.

GCC's men's lacrosse team picked for NJCAA National Championship Tournament

By Billie Owens

Press release:

For the second straight year the Genesee Community College Men's Lacrosse Team has been selected to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.

The Cougars, the number-four seed, will travel to Nassau Community College in Garden City and play Onondaga Community College, the tournament's number-one seed and the nation's top-ranked team, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.

Genesee finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, losing only at Onondaga Community College in their first game of the season and No. 3 Community College of Baltimore County-Essex on the road in April. The Cougars were 1-1 in the Region III playoffs, defeating Finger Lakes Community College 20-0 in the quarterfinals and falling to Monroe Community College 12-11 in the semifinals.

"We've had our best season in school history. We played everyone in the region and took games against some of the top teams in the country," said GCC Head Coach Dave Hoover. "We have a big challenge with Onondaga. They are undefeated but we are going to prepare as hard as we can to give them the best game we can."

Genesee will look to knock off the three-time defending National Champions with an attack that includes two preseason All-Americans and two of the top three scorers in the country.

Sophomores Connor Latimer (Whitby, ON) and Gaehnew Printup (Tuscarora, NY) are second and third respectively in total points. Latimer has scored 66 goals and added 49 assists and Printup has scored 62 goals and assisted on 52 this season.

In their season-opening meeting on March 10th, Onondaga defeated Genesee 24-9. The nine goals however, were the most scored on the Lazers this season.

"When we played them even strength, we played them well," Hoover said. "We need to play a smart, disciplined game and stay out of the penalty box. We are looking forward to the challenge."

Nassau Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex represent the other NJCAA Final Four matchup, with the winner advancing to take on the winner of Genesee vs. Onondaga for the National Championship on Sunday, May 13th.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic Web page, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.genesee.edu/athletics.

Season ends for GCC Baseball

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College baseball season came to an end on Saturday afternoon after the Cougars fell to Mercyhurst North East 8-3 in the first elimination game of the Region III Playoffs.

Genesee took an early lead after Shakeel Newton (Christiansted, V.I.) singled to lead off the bottom of the first, stole second and then scored on a fielders choice to give GCC a 1-0 lead. Starting pitcher Ruben Medina (Maracaibo, VEN) kept the lead safe until the fourth inning when the Saints broke through with a solo homerun by Tim Denman to tie the game at one.

Mercyhurst NE took the lead in the fifth, scoring three times on a walk, an error, a double and a sacrifice fly to take a 4-1 lead. The Cougars responded in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs on an RBI single from Fauchedre Celestijn (Willemstad, Curacao) and a sacrifice fly from Rafael Lozada (Santo Domingo, DR) to make it a 4-3 game, but GCC could not close the gap any further.

The Saints added two runs in the sixth, a run in the seventh and a run in the ninth and set GCC hitters down in order in three out of the final four innings to earn the victory.

(Tyler Koronas (white) slides in safely to third against Mercyhurst North East on Saturday afternoon)

 

Medina went six innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits while striking out one.

Newton finished the game 1-4 with a single and two runs scored, Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) was 1-3 with a single, two walks and a run scored and Lozada was 1-3 with a single and a run batted in.

With the win, Mercyhurst North East advanced to the championship round and defeated Monroe Community College 9-5 in the 4pm game on Saturday. The two teams will play at noon on Sunday, with the winner being crowned Region III Champion.

Genesee finishes the season 28-15.

GCC Men's Lacrosse loses to Monroe

By Andrew Crofts

(Herkimer, NY) The Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team fell to Monroe Community College in the Region III Final Four on Saturday afternoon, 12-11.

Both teams played to a 2-2 tie after the first quarter before the Tribunes outscored the Cougars 5-2 in the second period to take a 7-4 lead into the half.

Genesee scored the first two goals of the second half to get to within one, and from then on it was a back-and-forth game. Trailing 12-9 in the fourth quarter, GCC scored two quick goals to draw within one once again, but could not get the equalizer on their final possession during the final thirty seconds of the game.

Gaehnew Printup (Tuscarora, NY) scored four times on the afternoon, Connor Latimer (Whitby, ON) scored two goals and also added three assists and Jon Gill (Cattaraugus Territory) chipped in a goal and an assist.

At midfield, Marcus Palvino (Spencerport, NY) had three goals and an assist, Tom Owen (Clarence, NY) added a goal and an assist and Spencer Halliwell-Allen (St. Catherines, ON) had two assists.

With the loss, Genesee is eliminated from the Region III Playoffs and will now wait until the selections are made for the NJCAA National Tournament to see if their season continues.

Quiet bats doom Cougars

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College baseball team will face elimination on Saturday after falling to Monroe Community College 5-0 in their opening round game of the Region III Playoffs on Friday afternoon.

Genesee, the number one seed in the tournament, managed only four hits on the day and only once had multiple runners on base. Brandon Collins (Toronto, Ontario) was 2-4 and was one of only two Cougars to reach scoring position in the game. Jose Alicea (St. Croix, V.I.) was 1-3 with a single and Fauchedre Celestijn (Willemstad, Curacao) was 1-3 with a single.

(GCC head coach Skip Sherman makes a mound visit in Genesee's 5-0 loss to Monroe CC in the opening round of the Region III Playoffs on Friday afternoon)

 

Starting pitcher Dan Sharpe (Youngstown, NY) threw well, going all nine innings allowing five runs (one earned) on seven hits and struck out four.

Monroe took the lead in the top of the second with a run on two hits and a walk. The Tribunes added a run in the fourth and three runs in the ninth to earn the win.

Genesee will play Mercyhurst North East on Saturday at noon. The Saints lost to Monroe CC 8-0 to start the afternoon on Friday and the loser of the game will be eliminated from the Region III Playoffs.

Photos: Closing ceremony for sand mandala at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

This week, a group of Tibetan monks created a sand mandala in the forum at Genesee Community College. The mandala symbolized love and compassion.

Hundreds of people came through the Batavia campus over the past four days to see the creation of the mandala.

Part of the spiritual message of the mandala is that when it's completed, it's destroyed, to symbolize the temporary nature of life. 

The ceremony included chants and then the mandala was swept into piles and a portion placed into baggies for members of the audience to receive, and a portion placed into ceremonial vessels and then carried to the Tonawanda Creek where the sand was dumped into the flowing water.

Previously: Mandala being created by monks at GCC meant to symbolize love and compassion

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

GCC Men's Lacrosse Advances in Region III Playoffs

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men's lacrosse team opened up the Region III Playoffs with a 20-0 shutout win over visiting Finger Lakes Community College on Wednesday night.

The matchup was the second meeting between the two teams this season, with GCC notching a 23-8 victory on the road against FLCC in early March.

Pat McMahon (Amherst, NY) was brilliant in net, turning aside all 18 shots he faced to record Genesee's second shutout win of the season.

The game was scoreless until the 6:37 mark in the first quarter when a Gaehnew Printup (Tuscarora, NY) goal gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Marcus Palvino (Spencerport, NY) followed with his first of six goals on the night to increase the lead to 2-0, which GCC took into the second quarter.

(Gaehnew Printup #16 fires a shot in the first quarter of the Region III Quarterfinals against Finger Lakes CC)

 

GCC managed three goals in the second period which saw almost an hour delay due to weather. Goals by Jason Harasimowicz (Batavia, NY) , Connor Latimer (Whitby, ON) and Joe Pedro (Batavia, NY) gave the Cougars a 5-0 lead at the half.

The Genesee offense got rolling in the second half with five goals in the third quarter and ten goals in the fourth to cruise to the quarterfinals victory.

The GCC defensive unit made up of Vin Pedro (Batavia, NY), Jordan McElligot (Spencerport, NY), Dylan Hickey (Hilton, NY), Dave Lehman (Edmonton, AB) and Aaron Hayward (Hilton, NY) combined for 12 takeaways and 33 ground balls.

(Members of the GCC men's lacrosse team celebrate with goalie Pat McMahon after a 20-0 win over Finger Lakes CC on Wednesday night)

 

Printup led the offense with four goals and three assists, Jon Gill (Cattaraugus Territory) finished with three goals and an assist and Latimer chipped in a goal and two assists.

Palvino paced the midfield with six goals and an assist and Spencer Halliwell-Allen (St. Catherines, ON) added a goal and six assists.

Genesee advances to the Region III Semifinals and will play Monroe Community College on Saturday afternoon at 3:30pm at Herkimer County Community College.

GCC President James Sunser to be inaugurated Saturday

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College welcomes James Sunser, EdD, as the fourth president with inauguration ceremonies beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. They will be held in the Stuart Steiner Theatre on the Batavia campus, located at One College Road.

The keynote address will be delivered by Onondaga Community College President Debbie Sydow, with special remarks by State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, and greetings by numerous dignitaries.

All this week, a number of events and activities that are free and open to the public are scheduled to welcome President Sunser.

For a complete list visit: http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/inauguration/events.cfm

Photo: Law Day lectures at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

U.S. Attorney for WNY William Hochul spoke to a room of mostly college students this morning at Genesee Community College's Law Day lecture series.

Among the topics covered by Hochul were rules of evidence and what it takes for a prosecutor's conviction to survive a successful appeal.

Earlier in the morning, Genesee County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan spoke.

Mandala being created by monks at GCC meant to symbolize love and compassion

By Howard B. Owens

A group of Tibetan monks are at Genesee Community College this week creating a sand mandala as part of the inauguration ceremony celebration week for new college President Jim Sunser.

Sand mandalas are created using colored sand and the art form goes back at least 2,500 years.

Once created, mandalas are destroyed in a ceremony and the sand dispersed in the nearest body of flowing water.

On Friday, at 10 a.m., the monks will sweep away the sand of their painstakingly created work of art, take the sand in bags to the Tonawanda Creek and dump it into the flowing water.

Spokesman Tanzin Nawang said the process reminds us that life is just temporary.

The monks are members of the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Tibet.

Besides the mandala being painted by the monks, students and members of the GCC community are also working on mandalas in order to learn about the art form.

Every mandala has symbols with various means. Nawang said the mandala being created by the monks visiting GCC is about love and compassion.

"Everybody by nature wants to be happy and live in peace and harmony," Nawang said. "They do not want to suffer, so it is important to devote love and compassion, and when you devote your life to love and compassion, you will receive love and compassion.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

The video below of Monday's opening ceremony was posted to YouTube by Karen Reisdorf.

Law Day at GCC to feature two prominent jurists

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Two distinguished speakers will discuss their careers in the legal field during the second annual Law Day program at Genesee Community College.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Robert C. Noonan and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York William Hochul Jr. will visit the Batavia campus on Wednesday, May 2 during the week of festivities to welcome new President James Sunser, EdD.

The Law Day program begins at 9 a.m. and is intended to help high school seniors enrolled in the Legal Careers Academy of the Accelerated College Enrollment program (ACE) and Criminal Justice students gain a better understanding of the importance of the judicial system, with the speakers addressing the theme "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom."

Noonan, acting State Supreme Court justice since 2001, is also an elected Genesee County Superior Court judge and surrogate since 1997.

His law career has spanned almost four decades, including presiding as a judge at various court levels and serving as district attorney and assistant DA in Genesee County and special district attorney in dozens of criminal and civil cases in Genesee, Orleans, Livingston and Monroe counties.

A Batavia native, Justice Noonan was admitted to the New York State Bar Association in 1976, after earning his J.D. from Fordham Law School. He has served on various bar association advisory councils and panels and is certified to hear capital murder cases in New York. Judge Noonan has also handled more than 100 appeals before the state's Appellate Division courts and argued several cases before the New York Court of Appeals, the highest court in the state.

He is also a highly sought-after speaker, presenting lectures on the Supreme Court, trial practices, and various state laws and procedures. The jurist has also been an active member of several community organizations, including the Batavia Rotary Club, the St. Jerome Hospital Board and Camp Stella Maris.

Justice Noonan will discuss criminal court proceedings, with an explanation of how the courts strive to protect American rights and ensure justice for all. He will also take part in a question-and-answer session immediately following his lecture.

Hochul, as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York State, is responsible for overseeing the prosecution of any federal criminal case in the 17 counties that comprise the district.

He earned his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and joined the local U.S. Attorney's Office in 1991. Since then, he has prosecuted a large number of notorious cases involving whitecollar crime, gang violence, and international organized crime.

Hochul became chief of the office's Anti-Terrorism Unit after September 11, 2001, and chief of the National Security Division five years later. During that time, he was the lead prosecutor in several high-profile international terrorism cases, including the notorious Lackawanna Six from the Buffalo-area.

He has also served as an adjunct professor at U.B. Law School, Niagara University and Hilbert College, where he taught courses on terrorism and trial techniques, and frequently lectures across the U.S. and abroad on prosecuting cases involving terrorism and organized crime. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2003 Attorneys General Award for Exceptional Service -- the highest award bestowed by the U.S. Justice Department.

Hochul's lecture will focus on the appellate process, with a Q-and-A to follow.

The Law Day program is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Debbie Dunlevy, project director of the College Tech Prep program at GCC at 343-0055, ext. 6316, or via email: DKDunlevy@genesee.edu.

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