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Milestones include engagement, wedding and birth announcements as well as job promotions, military service and similar personal accomplishments of you and your family that you wish to share with the community.

Byron's David Kenward earns Ph.D. in Physics from University of New Hampshire

By Billie Owens

DURHAM, N.H. -- David Kenward, of Byron, graduated from the University of New Hampshire on May 16. He earned a Pd.D. degree in Physics.

Students who received the honor summa cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.85-4.0: Students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.65-3.84; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.50-3.64.

Students are only graduated after the Registrar's Office has certified that all degree requirements have been successfully completed. Participating in the commencement ceremony is the act of honoring and celebrating academic achievement.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land-, sea- and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 13,000 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students.

Two GC students earn recognition for 'remarkable contributions' at Cazenovia College

By Billie Owens

CAZENOVIA -- Cazenovia College's Annual Leaders Celebration recognized the remarkable contributions students, staff, and faculty made to enrich the Cazenovia College experience. Those honored play various roles and contribute in different ways to creating a positive campus-life environment.

Two honorees are from Genesee County: Maria Fontaine, of Darien Center, and Haley Boren, of Alexander.

Maria Fontaine received:

  • Leader Scholars Award -- The Leader Scholars Award recognizes students who serve in many roles, including Team Captains, Master Students, Resident Advisors, Peer Mentors, and Club Presidents. While serving, they have all also managed to achieve a minimum grade-point average of 3.70, demonstrating outstanding abilities to manage time, maintain priorities, and dedicate themselves in and outside the classroom.
  • Cazenovia Excellence in Leadership Award -- Students achieving excellence for 2019-2020 take on leadership and support roles with chapter functions in addition to serving as participants and role models for reflective, training, and service activities.
  • Shining Star Award -- The Shining Star Award is given to students who play different roles and their contributions are varied, but they all are critical to creating a spark in our campus life experience. These are the student whose presence, energy, and planning skills create bright and exciting places and spaces on the Caz College campus.

Haley Boren received:

  • Cazenovia Excellence in Leadership Award -- Students achieving excellence for 2019-2020 take on leadership and support roles with chapter functions in addition to serving as participants and role models for reflective, training, and service activities.

About Cazenovia College

It is an independent, co-educational college near Syracuse, offering graduate and bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional studies in an exceptional community environment, with academic and cocurricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their fields. Cazenovia has been named a "Best College" by U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and has also been recognized by Money and Washington Monthly as a best value institution. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.

Oakfield's Connor Rohan attends SUNY Oneonta, a Top Music Business School says Billboard magazine

By Billie Owens

Connor Rohan, of Oakfield, is currently enrolled at SUNY Oneonta, one of the 28 colleges and universities featured in Billboard magazine's 2020 list of "Top Music Business Schools."

Rohan is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry.

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, SUNY Oneonta's music industry program prepares students for careers in media and entertainment industries, including management, marketing, promotion, merchandising, publishing, production and performance.

The curriculum includes specialized music industry studies in the recording industry, entertainment industry business affairs, intellectual property law, music products, music theory, performance and history/literature.

Students also take courses from the School of Economics and Business on topics such as business law, marketing, management and accounting. Internships, field experience and several related minors -- audio productions with Pro Tools certification, performance, music theory and music literature -- allow students to tailor the program to their interests.

SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year college in Central New York, enrolling about 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor's degree programs and several graduate certificate and degree programs. The college is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Visit online here.

Three GCC students receive academic achievement awards

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Earlier this semester officials at Genesee Community College were notified by the State University of New York (SUNY) that two of its students will receive the 2020 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership. Specifically, Anna Adams, an international student from Germany and Mackenzie O'Brien of Akron, New York are the two GCC students to be honored with this recognition. 

The Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 and is among the highest honor a SUNY student can receive. The Chancellor's Awards recognize students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement, and/ or career achievement.

In addition, Neil Gillotti, of Middleport, and Adams were also named Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Award recipients for 2020. Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in community college higher education, serving nearly 1,300 colleges in all 50 states and nine sovereign nations. Members of the All-New York Academic Team are recognized for the academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and engagement in community service.

All three of these outstanding students were to be recognized at SUNY's annual ceremony in Albany this semester, but the event was unfortunately cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The award ceremony is always a powerful experience for both students and staff," Dr. Shelitha Williams, GCC's Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services said. "These students have worked hard for these honors and nothing can take that away. This has certainly been a unique semester and we continue to recognize and honor these students for their outstanding achievements."

Adams, O'Brien and Gillotti worked hard for these honors, which have earned them places in GCC's Recognition Matters series highlighting the accomplishments of the College's faculty, staff and students.

About Anna Adams

As a Digital Arts major, Anna Adams (inset photo right) has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average earning her President's List recognition. She participated in the College's Honors Program, which encourages superior academic work, originality, and independent, creative, interdisciplinary study.

She is bilingual and served in various capacities as a college intern within GCC's International Student and Admissions Offices, as well as a work-study student in GCC's Mac Lab within the Digital Arts Program.

In addition, Adams was president of the International Student Organization, a graphic assistant in the New Courier student newspaper, a member of the International Communications Club and a participant in the Scholar's Symposium. One of Adams' many projects was creating a series of "vlogs" or video blogs.

Adams hopes to transfer to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and continue her work as a visual artist to one day work for Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.

About Mackenzie O'Brien

Outside her Criminal Justice classrooms and labs where she earned President's List recognition, Mackenzie O'Brien (inset photo left) was a three-sport student-athlete and also captain of GCC's Women's Soccer and Lacrosse teams.

She is a two-time All-Conference and an All-Region soccer player who was one of only three freshmen starters to lead the team to a Regional Title and National appearance in the Elite Eight.

In addition, O'Brien served as the president of GCC's Leaders in Education, Athletics and Development of Student (LEADS) program that provides insight, support and leadership to promote and advance the College's broad-based athletic program. She was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

After graduation, O'Brien plans to transfer to Alfred University to earn her bachelor's degree with long-term plans to become a criminal investigator specializing in forensics for New York State Police or the FBI.

About Neil Gillotti

Neil Gillotti (inset photo right) is currently serving as the student representative on GCC's Board of Trustees for the 2019-2020 academic year.

He is a Computer and Information Sciences major with plans to transfer to Rochester Institute of Technology for a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, working toward a doctorate and a lifelong career in aerospace.

He was a president of GCC's PTK Chapter, working on various fundraising activities and also advancing the GCC Chapter to Five Star status.

Outside his academic commitments, Gillotti was instrumental in founding a new church, God's Voice Ministries, which provides extensive outreach services to many diverse groups.

Two local students named to dean's list for Winter Term at Elmira College

By Billie Owens

Elmira College released its dean's list for Academic Achievement for the Winter 2020 Term. The dean's list recognizes full-time undergraduate students who were registered for at least 12 computable credit hours and who earned a term grade-point average of 3.6 or higher.

Students recognized include:

Lydia Milligan, of Pavilion

Kyra Stella, of Batavia

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 30-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 20 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries.

Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the United States, which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon.

Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

Batavia's Madison Moore initiated into Phi Kappa Phi honor society at Ithaca College

By Billie Owens

Madison Moore, of Batavia, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Moore was initiated at Ithaca College.

Moore is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Some of the organization's notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Pavilion's Lydia Milligan inducted into Elmira College's Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education

By Billie Owens

ELMIRA, NY -- The Elmira College Rho Mu Chapter chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education recently inducted 13 members from education and speech and language disabilities majors into the honor society.

Kappa Delta Pi was founded in 1911 to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to working in K-12 schools. For over a century, the society has welcomed new scholars, and its initiated membership now exceeds 1.2 million. The Rho Mu Chapter originated at Elmira College in 1988.

Congratulations to the Elmira College KDP Scholars for their commitment to excellence in their studies.

This year's inductees includes Lydia Milligan, Class of '21, of Pavilion.

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 30-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 20 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries.

Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the United States, which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

Bergen's Eric Hubbard promoted in NY Army National Guard

By Billie Owens

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Eric Hubbard, from Bergen and assigned to the 222nd Military Police Company, received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state's executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York's Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.

Two GCC leaders receive Seven Seals Award from defense program that supports reserve service members

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

 In 1972, the United States Department of Defense established the ESGR (Employer Support of Guard and Reserves) program to promote and recognize civilian employer support of Reserve Component Service members.

Two leaders at Genesee Community College are being recognized for their efforts in upholding that mission.

For more than 45 years, the ESGR has worked to foster a culture in which employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States.

Using a network of more than 50 committees comprised of 3,600 volunteers, the ESGR provides programs that help protect employment for enlisted employees, services to support families and opportunities to recognize significant employer support of an enlisted employee.

After his recent yearlong deployment, Lieutenant Commander Barry C. Chow, the Deputy J2 with U.S. Forces Japan Detachment 105, nominated Genesee Community College President, James M. Sunser, Ed.D., and Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gina Weaver for the prestigious Seven Seals Award.

The ESGR has adopted the slogan, "Together, We All Serve," and grants the Seven Seals Award in recognition of significant individual or organizational effort and achievement that supports a member of the Reserve or National Guard.

In his nomination, Chow wrote, "I have been part of the GCC team for 21 years and a member of the Navy Reserve for just over 16 years, during which time I've had to take leave for monthly drills and have been activated for deployment twice. Dr. Sunser and Ms. Weaver have consistently supported my service to this country and have worked to ensure I could continue."

"GCC has always prioritized supporting the needs of our community, which includes our staff and faculty, and of course, our country," Sunser said. "We are proud of Barry and proud to extend our support to all of our reservists, active-duty personnel and veterans. It is an honor to receive the Seven Seals Award, however, the true pride lies in the strength and bravery of those who serve.

Photo: GCC President James Sunser, Lieutenant Commander Barry C. Chow, and GCC Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gina Weaver.

Pavilion High School takes Third Place in statewide 'Top Cut Beef Contest'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Shish kabobs, beef-stuffed mushrooms, and a pancake-wrapped brisket were just a few of the delicious recipes developed, tested, and tasted in the third annual Top Cut Beef Contest for elementary, middle, and high school students in New York State.

More than 70 schools were able to cook beef in their classrooms and submit their marketing plans.New York Agriculture in the Classroom and the New York Beef Council are pleased to announce the winners of the Top Cut Beef Contest and would like to congratulate each school that participated.

The lone winner in Genesee County took Third Place in the High School Division. Pavilion High School partnered with Mill Crest Acres to create "Shishkaballz" and earn the third-place spot. Jennifer Stringer is the teacher.

Students and teachers in grades three through 12 were exposed to beef production and nutrition by developing a marketing strategy for a food product of their choice and design. Every classroom was equipped with a "True Beef: From Pasture to Plate" documentary DVD, the True Beef Educator Guide, lesson plans, and consumer guides to better understand the many cuts of beef and their best uses.

Schools were paired with a local beef producer who mentored the students through the process of beef production or supplied the beef necessary for the project. In this hands-on experience, students were exposed to careers in the beef industry and learned about safe food handling practices.

Adding a new twist this year, students created beef-centric recipes that could be sold from a food truck. The students developed their food truck recipes and tested them with their target audience. Submissions included sandwiches, stews, meatballs, and even jerky. The creativity with this contest was unlimited as students filmed their own commercials, drew logos, and designed websites to market their products.

One of the judges, Tess Southern, Agriculture Subject Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County and member of the New York Agriculture in the Classroom Advisory Board, said of the entries:

“I really enjoyed seeing the creativity that went into the beef centric meals being offered by the students. From a quick taco meal featuring ground beef on the go to a flavorful meal of steak and mushrooms, these youth impressed me with how they would manage, make and market their beef products. Having to plan a meal to be prepped and served from a food truck is no small feat and I would gladly eat any of these meals if given the opportunity!”

The entries from across the state were submitted for judging by a panel of beef producers and industry experts. Each entry was scored based on the product, the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the beef nutrition analysis.

The first-place classroom in each division will receive $250, second place earns $100, third place earns $50, and all receive a banner to display their achievement. The first-place schools will also receive a barbeque grill for their classroom from the New York Beef Council.

Congratulations Pavilion High School!

Elba student part of five-man winning team of financial analysis and research challenge

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Luca Zambito, of Elba, (second from left, above) was part of a five-person team from the Canisius College Golden Griffin Fund that secured a first-place win in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge of Western New York, held Feb. 28 at Syracuse University.

Zambito is majoring in Finance at Canisius College and is set to graduate this year.

Canisius College has dominated the CFA Research Challenge in Western New York since its inception in 2010, securing first-place wins for the past 10 consecutive years.

The Canisius team overcame competitors including SUNY Geneseo, University of Rochester and SUNY Oswego to take home the first-place prize. The team now advances to the Americas Regional Challenge, to be held April 20-22 in New York City. 

"The success of our Canisius team gets more incredible every year when you consider the increasing complexity of the research and analysis, and the competition from other colleges and universities," says Richard A. Wall (Class of '78), Ph.D, CFA, professor emeritus of Economics and Finance at Canisius College and faculty advisor to the Golden Griffin Fund team. 

"To be one of only 50 teams advancing to the Americas Regional Challenge is an honor for our students and a testament to their hard work and commitment to the competition, and their futures in the investment management profession," adds Steven Gattuso (Class of '87), MBA '89, CFA, CFP, CMA, director of the Golden Griffin Fund. 

The Golden Griffin Fund team that took home first place in this year's CFA Research Challenge in Western New York was comprised of Justin Begley ('20), Luca Zambito ('20), Cameron Rosenecker ('19), MBA ('20) (team captain), Andrew Sagun ('20) and Nick Stinson ('20).

Batavia's Graham Corp. was subject of 2020 Challenge

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university-sponsored teams with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis.

The competition tests the analytic, valuation, reporting, writing and presentation skills of students studying Business, Finance and Economics. Teams are challenged to research a publicly traded company and write a written report with a buy, sell or hold recommendation. Teams must then present and defend their analysis to a panel of industry professionals who serve as judges in the competition. 

The subject company for this year's CFA Research Challenge was Graham Corp., headquartered in Batavia. Graham Corp. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of engineered-to-order vacuum and heat-transfer equipment for process industries and energy markets.

Housed within the Richard J. Wehle School of Business and established in 2003, the GGF was one of the region's first real-money, equity investment funds managed by undergraduate and graduate business majors. GGF students select potential companies in which to invest, manage and analyze portfolio holdings, and evaluate and recommend companies to add to the portfolio. 

In 2019, the GGF team was one of only five universities, out of 1,100 worldwide, to advance to the Global Finals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge. It was the second time in five years that the college's team competed on the world stage. 

In 2015, Canisius College advanced through the CFA Institute Research Challenge of Western New York and the Americas Regionals to win the global championship title, earning first place over more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 865 universities in 70 countries.

About CFA Institute

The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute is a global association for investment professionals.

It administers to the CFA and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) curriculum and exam programs worldwide; publishes research; conducts professional development programs; and sets voluntary ethics-based professional and performance reporting standards for the investment industry. The institute has approximately 150,000 members in 165-plus countries and regions.

About Canisius College

One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York.

Visit www.canisius.edu/150 for more information about Canisius' milestones and celebratory events.

Top photo, from left, the Golden Griffin Fund team at Canisius College: Justin Begley, Luca Zambito, Cameron Rosenecker (team captain), Andrew Sagun, and Nick Stinson.

Batavia's Margaret Cecere initiated into Phi Kappa Phi honor society at Kutztown University

By Billie Owens

Margaret Cecere, of Batavia, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Cecere was initiated at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

Cecere is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines.

Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, which is headquatered in Baton Rouge, La. Some of the organization's notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards nearly $1 million to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Total of 28 GC students named to fall 2019 dean's list at RIT

By Billie Owens

The following local residents made the dean's list at Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2019 Fall Semester:

Nicholas Kelly, of Byron (14422), who is in the software engineering program.

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

Erik Scharlau, of Alexander (14005), who is in the physician assistant program.

Nicholas Johnson, of Batavia (14020), who is in the computing and information technologies program.

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

Bethany Zwolinski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the biomedical sciences program.

Sophia Zwolinski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Tyler Henry, of Bergen (14416), who is in the illustration program.

Taylor Schofield, of Pavilion (14525), who is in the biomedical engineering program.

Lauren Burke, of Bergen (14416), who is in the physician assistant program.

Amelia Pestillo, of Batavia (14020), who is in the management information systems program.

Maddi Howard, of Elba (14058), who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

Jessie Abrams, of Corfu (14036), who is in the medical illustration program.

Triton Adamski, of Corfu (14036), who is in the game design and development program.

Lucas Kohorst, of East Pembroke (14056), who is in the web and mobile computing program.

Bria Brade, of Batavia (14020), who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Sarah Nati, of Corfu (14036), who is in the applied arts and sciences program.

Jeremy Boyle, of Batavia (14020), who is in the supply chain management program.

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

Bailey Russo, of Batavia (14020), who is in the game design and development program.

Ryan Missel, of Corfu (14036), who is in the computer science program.

Jay Lewis, of Batavia (14020), who is in the mechanical engineering technology program.

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

Katelyn Hersee, of Batavia (14020), who is in the business administration-accounting program.

Chase Roth, of Alexander (14005), who is in the mobile app development program.

Ethan Stone, of Batavia (14020), who is in the computer engineering program.

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

Allen Snyder, of Darien Center (14040), who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for 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.

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 United States.

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.

Trio of local students named to dean's list at SUNY Morrisville for fall 2019

By Billie Owens

SUNY Morrisville recently announced those students who were named to the dean's list for the fall 2019 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.

Shelby Brandes, of Stafford 

Jack Doemling, of Le Roy 

Emily Mikel, of Stafford 

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 2019 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2019 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit or connect with us at: www.morrisville.edu

Byron's Clayton Sadler promoted in the NY Army National Guard

By Billie Owens

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Clayton Sadler, from Byron, and assigned to the 222nd Military Police Company received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov or www.1800goguard.com

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state's executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York's Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.

15 local students named to dean's list at Canisius College

By Billie Owens

Canisius College congratulates more than 1,110 undergraduate students who were named to the fall 2019 dean's list.

To qualify for the dean's list students must have attained a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester and completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.

Canisus College is one of 27 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York.

The following Genesee County students made the list:

Christina Barraco, from Batavia, an undecided major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2022.

Cora Ivison, from Byron, a Communications major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Alexis Hoerner, from Batavia, a Communications major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2021.

Luca Zambito, from Elba, a Finance major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Alexander Kunes, from Batavia, an Economics major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2021.

Bella March, from Batavia, a Animal Behavior Ecology and Conservation major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Thomas Kubiniec, from Batavia, a Biology major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Calvin Herrick, from Le Roy, a Biology major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Griffin Della Penna, from Batavia, a Journalism major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Ava Horgan, from Le Roy, a Political Science major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Trevor Maier, from Oakfield, a Sport Management major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Zachary Brown, from Linwood, an undecided major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

Mary Warner, from Le Roy, a Mathematics major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

David Doan, from Batavia, a Finance major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2023.

James Farmer, from Alexander, a Digital Media Arts major at Canisius and member of the Class of 2020.

Three local women named to dean's list at SUNY New Paltz

By Billie Owens

SUNY New Paltz announces its dean's list for the fall 2019 semester, a recognition for students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average in a semester with a full-time course load.

The following New Paltz students made the dean's list in fall '19:

Olivia Carroll, of Oakfield

Lilly LeTourneau, of Alexander 

Eva Muir, of Corfu 

Visit SUNY New Paltz online to learn more about our students' academic excellence.

Located in the heart of a dynamic college town, ninety minutes from metropolitan New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

One of the most well-regarded public colleges in the nation, New Paltz delivers an extraordinary number of majors in Business, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Fine & Performing Arts, and Education.

New Paltz embraces its culture as a community where talented and independent minded people from around the world create close personal links with real scholars and artists who love to teach.

50 GC students named to fall 2019 dean's list at GCC

By Billie Owens

A total of 261 students from Genesee Community College were named to dean's list for fall 2019, and 50 of them live in Genesee County. Students honored on the Dean's List have maintained full- or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

Genesee County residents who were named to GCC's fall 2019 dean's list:

Macie Riggs of Alexander (14005)

Alan Riggi of Alexander (14005)

Noah Henry of Alexander (14005)

Ashley Ohlson of Alexander (14005)

Logan Kellogg of Basom (14013)

Neely Abrams of Basom (14013)

Alexis Henderson of Batavia (14020)

Elizabeth Armijo of Batavia (14020)

Kyler Preston of Batavia (14020)

Sabrina Walton of Batavia (14020)

Stephen Gilebarto of Batavia (14020)

Rikki Ettinger of Batavia (14020)

Melissa Fuglewicz of Batavia (14020)

Nicholas Brown of Corfu (14036)

Raymond Pray of Corfu (14036)

Sean Seager of Corfu (14036)

Ayla Korczak of Corfu (14036)

Jennifer Pickard of Darien Center (14040)

Savannah Bienias of Darien Center (14040)

Joshua Kramer of Darien Center (14040)

Carli Marino of Darien Center (14040)

Makenzie LaFreniere of East Bethany (14054)

Riley LaFreniere of East Bethany (14054)

Cassandra Gowanlock of East Bethany (14054)

Caroline Pelton of East Bethany (14054)

Jessica Padilla of Elba (14058)

Arielle McVay of Oakfield (14125)

Rebecca Carlsen of Oakfield (14125)

Brianna Greene of Oakfield (14125)

Annette Velletta of Oakfield (14125)

Carlos Melgarejo of Oakfield (14125)

Haley Steen of Le Roy (14482)

Madison Brandes of Le Roy (14482)

Joshua Sylvester of Le Roy (14482)

Austin Saeva of Le Roy (14482)

Brenda Turner of Le Roy (14482)

Rylee Edwards of Le Roy (14482)

Kaden Vangalio of Le Roy (14482)

Erika Thompson of Basom (14013)

Rickelle Chugg of Batavia (14020)

Morgan Reimer of Batavia (14020)

Sharon Bryan of Batavia (14020)

Emma Hagen of Batavia (14020)

Kaylin Hamilton of Batavia (14020)

Kaelynn Guiste of Batavia (14020)

Alicia Carretto of Corfu (14036)

Sarah Hamm-Johnson of Corfu (14036)

Jordyn Tobolski of Oakfield (14125)

Josilynn Russo of Pavilion (14525)

Elizabeth Werner of Pavilion (14525)

Genesee Community College serves more than 5,000 students with more than 65 academic programs and certificates. Among the many options are the Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, Food Processing Technology, Theater Arts, and six different healthcare programs including the new Health Studies, A.S.

Each GCC student is assigned a success coach at the College's Student Success Center. The coach provides academic and career guidance from the first steps of the admissions process through to graduation or transferring credits to other institutions. The College's robust athletic program is housed in the state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena featuring a fieldhouse, fitness center, Human Performance Lab, press box, as well as coaches' offices and classrooms.

GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, a significant online program, and student housing is available at College Village, just a three minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and innovative technology inside and out of the classroom, SUNY GCC is known for being "high tech" and "high touch."

Pavilion's Lydia Milligan named to Empire 8 Conference President's List at Elmira

By Billie Owens

Lydia Milligan, of Pavilion, (women's volleyball) was one of 64 Elmira College student-athletes named to the Empire 8 Conference President's List.

The E8 Conference recognized the Soaring Eagles on its semi-annual President's List, which honors student-athletes who achieved a grade-point of 3.75 or higher during the fall term.

A total of 655 student-athletes from the E8's membership were recognized for their excellence in the classroom this past semester with the President's List distinction, one of most prestigious honors the conference recognizes. Recipients of this honor must earn a 3.75 grade-point average or higher during the semester, while participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. In addition, the student-athlete must display positive conduct on and off campus and be enrolled full-time at the member institution.

The Elmira College men's ice hockey team led the way with nine selections, while the women's ice hockey team and men's soccer team each had eight student-athletes receive the honor. Women's volleyball and field hockey each landed six student-athletes on the President's List.

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 30-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 20 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries.

Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the United States, which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

Firefighters from six GC fire companies complete course in lightweight wood construction

By Billie Owens

Press release 2/11/20:

Understanding the special characteristics and considerations of lightweight wood construction is an important factor in fighting fires today. Sixteen firefighters from six county fire companies completed 12 hours of instruction regarding manufacturing methods, component awareness, fire performance and strategies and tactics pertaining to fires involving lightweight wood construction.  

The program’s emphasis was to improve fire personnel’s ability to recognize the presence of light-weight wood construction and the related hazards, better predict the overall reaction of a building during fire conditions and how to operate safely. 

The following Genesee County fire personnel completed the program:

City of Batavia

  • Sean D. Huggins
  • Josh J. McCarthy

Town of Batavia

  • Joshua K. Boyle

Byron

  • Zachery C. Johnson
  • Jacob M. Schultz

Elba

  • Nicole M. Boldt
  • Sydney R. Brown 
  • Jennifer A.  Cardinali
  • Nicholas J.  Easten
  • Timothy J. Hoffarth 
  • Michael  Pfendler
  • Nathan J. Tabor

Le Roy

  • Jared N. Chick  

Stafford

  • Brian M. Breemes
  • Kari E. Breemes
  • Jason M.  Smith

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