GCC

For several weeks now, the Genesee Community College Women's Soccer Team has been No. 1 in the nation!

It's been an exciting season for both soccer and volleyball at the college, and this week continues the thrill as both teams head off to national and district competitions, respectively.

The Soccer Team left Wednesday for a second consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearance, held this year at Prince George's Community College in Maryland.

Ranked as the top NJCAA Women's Soccer team in the nation for several weeks, they have great expectations for ttoday's game against Ocean Community College.

Last Saturday at Tompkins County Community College, GCC's Women's Soccer Team (17-1-2) defeated Mohawk Valley Community College (12-4-3) 3-2 in an exciting overtime win to earn the NJCAA Region IIIA Title.

As 2010 Region III Award Winners, GCC also captured other major honors with Head Coach Kelly Gillow named NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year, and sophomore captain Jessie Jaszko (Batavia)  named NJCAA Region III Player of the Year.

The All-Tournament soccer team players from Genesee included: Jessie Jaszko (Batavia), Adele Zeh (Nunda), and Ali Cashmore (Akron). The Tournament MVP was Catherine Mucha (Dalton).

"It has been an amazing year with the team consistently coming together both on the offense and defense," Gillow said. "We are looking forward to Thursday's event and continuing the synergy in another heated game."

Inside the gym, another team of incredible athletes from Genesee have also been making a name for themselves.

Genesee's Women's Volleyball team hosted Mercyhurst NE in the Region III, Division II Championship finals last week and won the title beating Mercyhurst in three with scores of 25-13, 25-14, and 25-10.

Genesee (34-8) got off to a good start with Mikela Caseria's (Mililani, HI) crisp serving and 12 assists. Genesee also got good production from Sarah Ward (Rochester) producing 14 kills and five digs. While Maria Antsupova (Ozersk, Russia) and Kristie Barger (Lima) took control of the first two games with eight kills/two aces and 14 digs, respectfully.

Mercyhurst got off to a great start in the third game rallying to a 7-2 lead, whereupon Kristie Barger entered the game with great serving to put GCC back into the game. Mercyhurst again took the lead and with GCC down 7-8 Shelly Fuller (Trumansburg) entered the game and served 12 consecutive points to place GCC comfortably in the lead.

Fuller also contributed 12 assists and four aces in the match. Maria Anstupova finished the match by serving two aces. Region III, Division II All-Tournament team honors went to Paige Tilert, Mikela Caseria, Maria Anstupova and Sarah Ward.

In addition, Sarah Ward was named the Tournament MVP.

The Women's Soccer Team will be playing in the district-wide tournament this weekend with their sights on heading off to the Nationals in Wisconsin later this month.

GCC Women's Soccer Team roster:

Dzindzi Asamoah-Wade, CM,  Rochester; Ali Cashmore, F, Akron; Jasmine Coley, D, Rochester; Mollie Culmone, GK, Brockport; Kelsey Fenton, F, Batavia; Cady Hume, M/F, Batavia; Jessie Jaszko, F, Batavia; Jessica Klug, F, Alden; Shelby Koenig, D, Brockport; Jessica Laudico, D, Holley; Brittany Luckey, M, Le Roy; Sarah McGrath, D, Churchville; Anna Mucha, D, Dalton; Catherine Mucha, D, Dalton; Kristen Paris, D, Holley; Marissa Pecora, F, Rochester; Carly Shaw, D, Kendall; Katie Smith, M, Akron; Emily Troup, M/D, Holley; Jessica Veltre, D, Churchville; Shelby Walsh, M, Rochester; Adele Zeh, GK, Nunda.

GCC Women's Volleyball Team roster:

Maria Antsupova, S, Ozersk, Russia; Kristie Barger, OH, Lima; Austin Bishop, OH, Toronto, Canada; Mikela Caseria, S, Mililani, Hawaii; Megan Curry, OH, Byron; Dawn Dodd, M, Daleville, Ind.; Michelle Fuller, DS, Trumansburg; Danielle Kelsey, RS, Corfu; Deliane Lessard, OH, Rochester; Hannah Scott-McGrail, MH, Batavia; Paige Tilert, LIB, Derby; Sarah Ward, OH, Rochester; Alex Wysocki, MH, Hamburg; Marie Zimmerman, S, Medina.

For further information please contact Peggy Sisson, athletic director of Genesee Community College team at 585-343-0055 x 6239 or email:

<http:// MSisson@genesee.edu>

To honor and recognize all active duty, guard, reserve, separated and retired veterans of all branches of the armed services, Genesee Community College is holding special programs in honor of Veteran's Day.

Celebrations to honor all veterans will take place on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11.

Genesee Community College has a rich history of serving veterans returning to school after serving their country and offers a scholarship to veterans through the GCC Foundation.

At the main campus in Batavia, a reception will be held in the Conable Technology Building Lobby from 12:30 – 2 p.m.

All of the college's veterans from all branches of military service, past and present, and including faculty, staff, students, administration and alumni are being asked to sign the college's U.S. Veteran's Book of Honor.

Each signatory will receive a patriotic ribbon. At 1 p.m, a salute to the flag by the Genesee County Joint Veterans Honor Guard will commence at the college's centrally located Clock Tower. Refreshments will be served throughout the celebration.

From 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. laptops will be set up in the Technology Building Lobby to send e-mail messages to troops serving abroad.

Additionally, a Wall of Honor will be posted from 10 to 2 p.m. on the college's video boards that will display photos of students, staff, family members and alumni that are United States veterans. Michael Perry, Television Production technician at Genesee has led the way for the Wall of Honor to grow each year as names and photos are added to the memorial.

Genesee student and Iraq War veteran Chad Cummings knows the value of attaining a college degree after serving his country. Originally from Boston, he settled in Batavia after serving in the Army for more than 13 years. He began his college career while still serving his country and attending classes through Jefferson County Community College. He made it a priority that when he finished his military career, he would finish his education.

While serving in the Army, Cummings was a Staff Sergeant and performed two tours of duty in Iraq as well as a tour in Bosnia. He completed his commitment to the military in July of 2008 and is scheduled to graduate from Genesee with a degree in Criminal Justice next month.

He hopes to take more classes in the spring to further his education before transferring to a four-year college. Cummings currently works at the INS Detention Center in Batavia and is balancing being a student and working to support his family.

"I'm finding it's challenging to balance going to class and fitting in work," Cummings said. "I'm lucky that I have the financial support from the GI Bill to complete my education. It's important for vets who don't qualify for full tuition reimbursement to have financial support from scholarships like the one GCC's foundation provides."

Cummings currently resides in Batavia with his wife, Lee, and their 3-year-old son Chase. His future plans include completing a bachelor's degree and one day working in local law enforcement.

The Genesee Community College Foundation offers a Veteran's Scholarship award for returning veterans, which augments federal benefits to help veterans obtain vital career training at the college.

For further information or to donate please contact Alice Weather at 343-0055, ext. 6539. Applications for the Veteran's Scholarship can be found online at: http://www.genesee.edu/index.cfm/general/dspArticle/financial.scholarships/.

From GCC:

GCC and SUNY Brockport Study Abroad: A Documentation of the Dutch Culture

Genesee Center for the Arts, Stuart Steiner Theatre Lobby, Genesee Community College

Creative writing and photographs displaying Dutch culture by GCC and SUNY Brockport students that participated in a study abroad trip to Amsterdam in the Spring of 2010.

The show highlights students photographs that serve as a final curriculum culmination to the digital photography and sociology courses that the studens participated in on the tour.

Exhibit open during normal college hours, admission to Lobby Art Gallery is free.

(Note: The exhibit runs through Dec. 4.)

The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College has announced the return of the Theatrical Association of New York State – TANYS Festival, the weekend of Nov. 19 – 21. This is the third year in a row that TANYS will be hosted by the college.

The TANYS Festival theme is "Our Thanks to Broadway" -- an intense, three-day celebration of community theater. The festival brings together theater lovers statewide to mingle, network and make new friends.

A presentation of at least eight award-winning productions will take place, with the highly qualified Festival Adjudicator Steven Willis judging. In addition, several new workshops are scheduled in acting, directing, scene design, wireless mics and the return of some favorites, such as stage combat, auditioning and makeup.

Community residents are urged to join in the festival and discover the "theater" at the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College – a state-of-the-art facility!

"We once again welcome the TANYS festival back to Genesee Community College," said Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at Genesee. "This is such a wonderful event for students and local theater-enthusiasts to watch performances and participate in educational acting workshops.

"Some of the best community theater actors from the across the state will be in attendance to 'wow' local audiences."

For complete details, registration and ticket on the TANYS Festival visit the website at www.tanys.org <http://www.tanys.org>, deadline for workshop registration is Nov. 15.

The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office will be open during the festival days only, Nov. 19 to 21, contact phone number (585) 345-6814.

Genesee Community College invites artistic exhibitors for the its new Roz Steiner Art Gallery. The call is open to individual artists and group exhibitions in all media.

The new gallery is currently under construction and will be ready for exhibits in early 2011.

Interested artists and groups should send a description of the proposed exhibit, all artist contact information, artist biography, resume, quantity and size of the artwork to be displayed, and digital .JPEG image samples of the artwork.

To submit exhibition proposals, individual artists and groups can submit work to:

GCC Art Department Office
Art Gallery Committee
Genesee Community College
One College Road
Batavia, NY 14020

No submissions will be returned; accepted artists will be contacted by the exhibition chair. Submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis, but to be considered for the 2011 spring semester they must be received by Dec. 3.

For more information, call Heather Jones at 585-343-0055, ext. 6448 or email hsjones@genesee.edu.

Here's a news release from Genesee Community College.

Genesee Community College alumni and their families were welcomed back to a festive fall weekend for the first Homecoming celebration on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1 and 2.

Hundreds of Genesee alumni filled the campus attending soccer games, class reunions, the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the Cougar Reunion Mixer. The weekend was an overall success for the college and its accomplished graduates.

Led by a committee of 10 alumni, and chaired by Patti Michalak ('70) and Pam Whitcombe ('69), all classes of Genesee graduates were welcomed to partake in several alumni-centered activities. Throughout the weekend, 14 WGCC 90.7 radio station alumni came back to be guest DJ's to broadcast the weekend's events live.

Highlights included the women's and men's alumni soccer games played Friday night under the lights of the new soccer stadium. Classes from 1980-2010 were represented on the field, including 40 men alumni and 22 women alumni. The camaraderie of years past made the soccer games an enjoyable event not just for the alumni players, but for the spectators as well.

An alumni brunch that featured a banquet breakfast with the 'Prez and Profs' was a very successful event that brought past professors together with alumni, current professors, students and the president. The brunch featured the CEO Club's wildly popular Apple Cider Syrup product which was served over pancakes to the crowd of more than 100. The CEO Club also sold bottles of the syrup to the attendees as part of its fundraising efforts.

The first group of inductees was welcomed into the new Athletic Hall of Fame with an induction ceremony and celebration on Saturday evening. The standing-room-only crowd welcomed six new members and one team to the inaugural class in the new Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame.

Then Homecoming attendees danced the night away at the Cougar Reunion Mixer in the Forum. It featured a "hippie '60s" theme and paid special recognition to the classes of 1969 and 1970.

"The overall weekend was a huge success," said Jackie Christenson, Alumni Affairs coordinator at Genesee. "It was great to see old faces and new faces come back to campus to meet up with old friends from their days of classes at GCC.

"The alumni soccer players are already talking about next year's game! Homecoming could not have been possible without the help of the awesome committee that worked so hard to pull it off. We all can't wait for next year's Homecoming!"

For further information or for photographs of Homecoming weekend, please call Christenson at 585-343-0055, ext. 6265 or email <http://jkchristenson@genesee.edu>.

Author, blogger and editor Ken Wheaton will bring his creative writing talents to Genesee Community College on Wednesday, Oct.13, for a reading from his first novel, "The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival."

The reading will take place at the Batavia Campus from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in T102. Afterward, Wheaton will have a question-and-answer period, followed by a book signing. This event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book are for sale in the Barnes and Noble Campus Book Store at Genesee's Batavia Campus.

In "The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival," Father Steve Sibille has come home to the bayou to take charge of St. Pete's church. Among his challenges are teenybopper altar girls, insomnia-curing confessions, and alarmingly alluring congregant Vicky Carrier. Then there's Miss Rita, an irrepressible centenarian with a taste for whiskey, cracklins, and sticking her nose in other people's business.

When an outsider threatens to poach Father Steve's flock, Miss Rita suggests he fight back by staging an event that will keep St. Pete's parishioners loyal forever. As the First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival draws near, help comes from the strangest places. And while the road to the festival may be paved with good intentions – not to mention bake sales, an elephant, and the most bizarre cookout ever – where it will lead is anyone's guess. (Excerpt from www.KenWheaton.wordpress.com)

Wheaton's writings include editing and writing for Advertising Age and his essay "Bombs! Anthrax! Gas! Ho, Hum," appeared in The Subway Chronicles anthology alongside the work of Calvin Trillin and Jonathan Lethem. Born and raised in Opelousas, La., he now lives in Brooklyn. To find out more visit www.KenWheaton.wordpress.com.

"It is imperative that our students have the opportunity to speak with successful writers and poets who are working in the real world," said Shawn Adamson, instructor of English at Genesee. "Not only does it inspire our students to continue with their education, but it also inspires students to never give up on their career aspirations."

This author visit is funded by the President's Innovation Award. The PIA Program provides funding for innovative activities and projects that promote community involvement in the life of Genesee Community College, stimulate student and community pride in the college, or help establish pilot programs or initiatives with the potential for positive, long-term impact on the college.

For further information contact instructor Adamson at 343-0055, ext. 6156 or spadamson@genesee.edu.

Genesee Community College has named Patti Cassatt as the September Employee of the Month. Patti is the office manager of the GCCA Child Care Center at the Batavia Campus. She is also currently serving as the center's interim director.

Cassatt started on a temporary basis as a substitute child care worker in the Child Care Center in 1999, moving to teacher assistant, then teacher, and in 2002 to her current position as office manager.

During this past summer and beginning of the fall semester, due to the resignation of the center's director, Patti stepped up to the plate by not only performing her own duties, but working diligently to take on the extra duties of the director. She ensured that the center opened for "business as usual" with the start of the fall semester.

Her leadership and attention to detail helped alleviate the anxiety of the center staff as well as that of parents and children in the Child Care Center. Her extra efforts have helped tremendously in making this as smooth a transition as possible for all involved.

Part of Cassatt's duties as office manager and interim director include overseeing the SUNY Grant, supervising 10 full-time workers and eight work-study students. She completes the center's time cards, immunization audits, CACFP food program, submits DSS vouchers and all purchase orders, grocery shopping and other necessary tasks. She also manages to be hands-on with the children of the center when she serves lunch to the children each day.

Before working at Genesee, she served as an executive secretary for 12 years for Prudential Insurance Company in Batavia. She holds an Executive Secretary A.A.S. degree from Genesee Community College and was also named Employee of the Month in February 2007.

"My favorite aspect of working at Genesee is the people here who make it a nice place to work," Cassatt said. "And of course, our child care teachers are awesome!"

She resides in Elba with her husband, Larry, son, Robert (22), and daughter, Stacie (19). Both of her children attended Genesee, and her daughter was a President's Scholarship awardee and is now completing her second year in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. In her spare time, Cassatt enjoys working with the Elba Sports Boosters where she organizes the concessions for the sports programs. She also enjoys spending time boating on Silver Lake with her family and friends.

Starting tomorrow, 32 restaurants in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties will be participating in "Dine-Out Days." A percentage of their profits this week will benefit the GCC Foundation, which provides student scholarships. This will last through Saturday, Sept. 25.

Select restaurants will offer discounts and featured menu items.

The following Genesee County restaurants are involved in Dine-Out days this year:

• BATAVIA

Alex's Place, at 8322 Park Road

Bohn's Restaurant & Lounge, at 5256 Clinton St. Road

Miss Batavia Diner, at 566 E. Main St.

Delavan's, at 107 Evans St.

Pauly's Pizzeria, at 314 Ellicott St.

Subway, at 412 E. Main St. and 8351 Lewiston Road

Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility, at 5122 Clinton St. Road

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St.

• OAKFIELD

Caryville Inn, at 25 Main St.

Oakfield Hotel/Scopano Lanes, at 49 S. Pearl St.

• STAFFORD

Red Osier Landmark, at 6492 Main Road

• LE ROY

D&R Depot, at 63 Lake St.

Scooters of Le Roy, at 140 W. Main St.

McDonald's, at 67 Main St.

The Ganson Inn, at 65 Lake St.

Le Roy Country Club and Golf Course, at 7759 E. Main Rd.

Pizza Land, at 131 W. Main St.

For more details, contact the GCC Foundation office at 345-6809 or e-mail foundation@genesee.edu. For up-to-date information on Dine-Out Days, please visit www.genesee.edu/gcc/dineoutdays.

Genesee Community College continues its commitment to providing students with cultural-awareness events with a second presentation in the "Wealth and Poverty" series. "Defining Poverty: A State of Need" will be presented by Deborah Naybor on Thursday, Oct. 7.

It will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Batavia campus in room T119. It is free and open to the public.

Poverty is often measured with numbers. Earning less than $18,000 a year or earning less than two dollars a day may place a family under the "poverty line," but these somewhat arbitrary limits fail to look at the basic needs of human beings.

Naybor has worked around the world to create sustainable income for poor families, to improve education and health for communities and to make a difference. She will discuss food security, housing, land rights and other aspects of global poverty in defining a person as "poor." Naybor will talk about what has been done at a grassroots level to reduce poverty and give the audience an opportunity to provide their own solutions to reduce extreme poverty at home and globally.

She is a professional land surveyor and small-business owner in Western New York.  She is the founder and executive director of Both Your Hands, a nonprofit organization which connects caring communities for global self-sufficiency.

This small organization has over 70 projects in 14 countries which create economic and educational opportunities for those in need. In addition, Naybor is a Ph.D. student at the University of Buffalo. Her research focus is on the impact of women's land rights on poverty. She is the winner of more than 20 awards for her ability to overcome obstacles, her business success and her dedication to reduction of extreme poverty around the world.

"We're delighted to have Deborah join us for what is sure to be an enlightening conversation about poverty across the globe," said Karin Kovach-Allen, dean of Human Communications and Behavior at Genesee. "We look forward to not only hearing her presentation, but also the open discussion from our students and what they have to say on the subject."

This event, along with many other cultural awareness events, is developed through the Global Education Committee at Genesee. The Global Education Committee is dedicated to recognizing, embracing, and celebrating the diversity of the human family. Through its varied activities, the Global Education Committee fosters multicultural awareness, understanding and appreciation, and provides opportunities to demonstrate global citizenship.

For further information, please contact Nina Mortellaro at Genesee Community College at 343-0055, ext. 6228 or <http://nimortellaro@genesee.edu >.

This week, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees:

-- Approved a change to the board of trustees by-laws, making the board's Finance Committee a standing committee.

-- Received, with gratitude, a vet test chem machine for the college's new Veterinary Technology Program from the Batavia Animal Hospital. Students will use the machine to learn how to prepare and submit diagnostic samples. Batavia Animal Hospital also donated a horse learning lab kit, large animal training manuals, and a variety of teaching resource materials to the program.

-- Heard President Stuart Steiner report that the opening of fall classes was smooth and successful. He noted that when all fall enrollment is tabulated, it will likely exceed 7,500 – a significant increase over last year's record-breaking enrollment of 7,208.

-- Heard Eunice Bellinger, Ed.D, executive vice president for Academic Affairs, report that 17 students have enrolled in the new Polysomnographic Technology program and 14 students have enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program.

-- Heard Virginia Taylor, Ed.D, say that the college is celebrating "Week of Welcome" this week, designed to build student engagement. Activities include a transfer fair, club information fair, picnic, dinner, movies and athletic events.

-- Heard Trustee Laurie J. Miller report that the School of Nursing Open House, held Aug. 20, was a great success. Trustee Laura J. Bohm encouraged all trustees to visit the nursing labs and learn how the program's patient simulators and other technology helps the students learn patient care skills.

-- Heard Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin P. Hamilton report that 50 additional parking spaces have been added outside the new School of Nursing, located on the south side of Stephen Hawley Drive. He said that the college has made students, faculty and staff aware of the need to be observant when crossing Hawley Drive. Hamilton said that the college has also requested a speed reduction on Hawley Drive, as
well as pedestrian crossing signs.

-- Heard Hamilton report that the first coat of paint has been applied to the tennis court surfaces. He also said that work on the new art gallery is well under way, and most of the steel has been installed.

-- Heard Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman report that the Branding and Identity Committee has been reviewing possible new visual imagery for college publications and web content. The Branding and Identity Committee has been charged with reviewing the college logo and other visual materials used in college communications.

-- Heard President Steiner report that Malinda E. Stulba of North Tonawanda is joining the college's staff as enrollment specialist for Health Studies/Nursing. She has served as a staff member of Niagara County Community College and Bryant & Stratton College. She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University at Buffalo.

-- Heard President Steiner report that Melanie L. Jones of Rochester has been named to a temporary appointment as academic advisor. Jones has served as a counselor and tutor coordinator for the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and also served as a member of the staffs of SUNY College at Brockport and Wilberforce University, Ohio. She holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Vermont.

-- Heard President Steiner report that Robert Frail, currently of New Jersey, has been named to a temporary appointment as International Programs specialist. Frail has taught and managed a variety of MBA programs in China, and he established a bachelor's degree program there at Shandong University. He's a visiting professor of English and Communication at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College in Fuzhou, China. He has also managed educational programs in Korea. He holds a B.S. degree from Manhattan
College, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University.

-- Heard Instructor of Fine Arts Heather S. Jones and Instructor of Sociology Josephine B. Kearney report that 16 Genesee students participated in the college's six-credit interdisciplinary course offered in Amsterdam, the Netherland, over the summer. Students spent three weeks studying social problems, and documenting the city's character with digital images. Students also visited such sites as the Anne Frank House, World Press Photo Exhibit, Rembrandt House, Artisan Zoo, and many other locations. Students brought more than 2,500 digital images back with them. Jones noted that some students had never been outside of Western New York or on an airplane before.