Dance downtown with FLCC

Finger Lakes Community College will offer a five-week ballroom dance class on Mondays, starting June 11, at the Jazzercise studio at 177 S. Main St. in downtown Canandaigua.

Participants will learn the foxtrot, rumba, swing and waltz in sessions that run from 7 to 7:55 p.m. on Mondays from June 11 to July 16, 2012. There is no class on July 2. The cost is $62 per person.

The instructor is Michelle Madore, the 2002 Professional World Exhibition Ballroom Dance Champion. She has a master’s degree in fine arts in dance and choreography and a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. For more information, go to http://www.rochesterdancesport.com/.

To register for the class, contact Colleen Aiezza in the FLCC Professional Development and Continuing Education Office at (585) 785-1906 or aiezzaca@flcc.edu.

SUNY recognizes FLCC employees, student for excellence

Seven Finger Lakes Community College employees and one student were recognized during commencement on May 19 as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor in the State University of New York system. Recipients were as follows:

Jacob Amidon of Clifton Springs, associate professor of mathematics and chair of the department of mathematics, was honored for excellence in faculty service. A member of the faculty since 2002, Amidon chairs the Academic Senate and has served as coordinator for the Gladys M. Snyder Center for Teaching and Learning, which facilitates professional development classes and conferences.

 Elizabeth Brownell of Victor, associate professor of graphic design, was honored for excellence in teaching. A member of the faculty since 2000, Brownell received a Strategic Opportunity Stipend, a New York Foundation for the Arts and NYS Council on the Arts grant that allowed Brownell to create an interactive sculpture displayed at the Phelps Arts Center. She also designed the T-shirt for the 2004 Park Avenue Festival in Rochester.

Barbara Kruger of Rochester, professor of modern languages, was honored for excellence in teaching. She joined FLCC in 1996 and, in addition to her teaching load, has been coordinating and leading short-term study abroad programs and other international travel for students since 1998.

Sarah Whiffen of Clifton Springs, director of student life, was honored for excellence in professional service. Whiffen, who joined FLCC in 2002, has developed leadership training opportunities for students and the Parents as Partners program to support families of new students.

Elena Samson of Fairport, coordinator of secondary programs, was honored for excellence in professional service. She joined FLCC in 2002 and works with 30 high schools and 200 instructors to administer the Gemini program, which allows high school students to take FLCC courses for college credit. She works with state and national organizations to promote quality standards-based concurrent enrollment programs.

Sarah Moon of Canandaigua, automated systems and technical services librarian, was honored for excellence in librarianship. An FLCC alumna who joined the college in 2002, she was recognized for mastery of technology and Web applications and her service to the college.

Deborah DePauw of Canandaigua, principal account clerk, was honored for excellence in classified service. An FLCC alumna, she joined the college in 1991 and has played an integral role in processing accounts payable in a timely and accurate manner and automating ordering processes. 

Jade Myers of Canandaigua, a 2012 graduate with a degree in chemical dependency counseling and liberal arts, was honored for student excellence. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges, she founded an organization called Ravensgrin Commons to organize classes, events and exhibits that showcase local musicians, dancers and visual artists.

Former Yellowstone vet to give workshop at FLCC

A leading national expert in the capture and handling of wildlife will give a three-day workshop at the Finger Lakes Community College main campus from Aug. 7 to 9.

Dr. Mark Johnson of Global Wildlife Resources in Bozeman, Montana, a former veterinarian of Yellowstone National Park, offers hands-on training in the skills and equipment used to sedate animals for research and wildlife management.

“Mark is well-known for his professionalism and his care and respect for animals. We are fortunate that he can bring his program to our region,” said John Van Niel, an FLCC professor of environmental conservation and horticulture. Van Niel, who conducts black bear research with his students, has taken the course in Montana and arranged for Johnson’s FLCC workshop.

Kudos for the adult student balancing act

Three Finger Lakes Community College students received the Rochester Area Colleges Continuing Education Adult Student Award in April:

Tami Cocuzzi of Macedon, a 2012 graduate with an associate degree in business administration, is continuing her education to complete an associate degree in graphic arts in December 2012. A mother of four and grandmother of 17, she was nominated by Trista Merrill, associate professor of English.

Tracy Fraser of Lyons, a mother of three, is pursing business administration and liberal arts and sciences degrees with a concentration in American Sign Language. Fraser works as a bus driver in the Lyons Central School District, holds an additional job at a McDonald’s restaurant and serves as PTA president in the Lyons district. She was nominated by Jessica Meissner, an adjunct faculty member in the developmental studies department.

Joseph Varga of Canandaigua is a 2012 graduate with associate degrees in environmental studies and natural resources conservation. Varga, a father, military veteran and the FLCC student trustee for the 2011-12 academic year, was nominated by Joe Delforte, the college’s controller.

Varga’s mother, Rosemary Varga of Rochester, received the same award in 2008 while working toward a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language with a minor in religion at the University of Rochester. She received her degree in 2009. Rosemary Varga works as a registered nurse on the high-risk labor and delivery unit of Strong Memorial Hospital.

The Rochester Area Colleges Continuing Education (RACCE) Adult Student Award is given annually to part- or full-time adult students who have completed at least half the hours for degree requirements. They must also show success at balancing college study with other adult responsibilities such as family or job obligations.

Ever catch yourself singing 'The Horse with No Name'?

The Finger Lakes Chorale, a community chorus based at Finger Lakes Community College, is seeking singers for two concerts in August with the theme “A Little Bit of Country, A Little Bit of Rock.”

Rehearsals will be Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. starting June 5 at Finger Lakes Community College, room B355, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive in Canandaigua.

Concerts are scheduled for Aug. 4 and 5. Selections include “I Walk the Line,” “The Horse with No Name,” “God Bless the USA” and other favorites.  

A $5 non-credit registration fee is payable at the first rehearsal. For more information, contact director Dennis Maxfield at (585) 396-0027.

FLCC grads to top 1,000 for first time

Finger Lakes Community College anticipates the number of graduates to top 1,000 for the first time at commencement on Saturday, May 19.

The college’s 44^th commencement begins at 1:45 p.m. at the Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center on the FLCC main campus.

Approximately 1,040 students will have earned a total of 1,092 degrees and certificates between August 2011 and May 2012.

The commencement speaker is state Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, an FLCC alumnus and past member of the FLCC Board of Trustees and the FLCC Foundation Board of Directors.

Commencement is preceded by the Nursing Advancement Ceremony at 9:30 a.m., which recognizes the advancement of the freshmen to the sophomore level and the sophomores to the graduate level.

The FLCC Nursing Department anticipates 63 graduates this year, one of its largest classes.

Commencement and Nursing Advancement photos and videos will be posted on the FLCC social media site, FLCCconnects.com.

The full commencement ceremony may be viewed on Finger Lakes Television (FLTV), channel 12 on Time Warner Cable, on Sunday, May 20, at noon;  Monday, May 21, at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, May 24, at 6 p.m.

FLCC students earn academic honors

Jonathan Jensen and
Elizabeth Schultz-Pfaff

Finger Lakes Community College students Elizabeth Schultz-Pfaff of Canandaigua and Jonathan Jensen of Penn Yan were recognized for academic excellence on April 4 at a luncheon sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

Schultz-Pfaff and Jensen were among 64 students to be named to the All New York Academic Team, an award sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, community college presidents and community college state associations. Schultz-Pfaff was named to the All New York First Team and Jensen was named to the All New York Second Team.

SUNY recognizes 40 FLCC students for academic achievement

Forty Finger Lakes Community College students have been recognized for academic achievement by the State University of New York Office of Opportunity Programs.

The award goes to students who were enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program during fall 2011 and who had a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of that semester.

The Educational Opportunity Program is a statewide program meant to expand opportunities for individuals traditionally bypassed by higher education by providing academic support and financial assistance. 

To qualify, students must meet income guidelines, show evidence of historical educational and financial disadvantage and demonstrate the potential to be academically successful. Award recipients are listed below by county and town:

FLCC choral groups, Chamber Wind Ensemble to give free concert

The Finger Lakes Community College Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be joined by the College Singers and the Chamber Wind Ensemble in a concert, Friday, May 11, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Canandaigua.

Enjoy melodic voices, classical instrumentals and bebop vocals at the Finger Lakes Community College Choral and Chamber Wind Ensemble Concert, Friday, May 11. The evening of music will feature the College Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Wind Ensemble.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 183 N. Main St., Canandaigua.

The College Singers, conducted by Ines Draskovic, assistant professor of music, will perform Cole Porter favorites such as “You’d Be So Easy to Love” and “I Love Paris,” a medley from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” and “Credo” from “The Solemn Mass” by Charles Gounod, a 19th century French composer.

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by music adjunct faculty member Maria Gillard, will perform blues and swing numbers such as Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and Ray Charles’ “Hallelujah I Love Her So.”

The Chamber Wind Ensemble will play works from the baroque and classical eras and arrangements by the group’s director, Brett Long, music adjunct faculty member. Highlights will include a military march by Beethoven, select movements from 19th century German composer Joseph Kuffner’s “Flute Trio,” and an energetic tarantella dance by Fritz Fuhrmeister, also a German composer.

For more information, contact Ines Draskovic at (585) 785-1322 or draskoi@flcc.edu.

FLCC phone service restored

UPDATE: Phone service was fully restored as of 11:15 a.m. today (May 3.) at the main campus and the Victor Campus Center.

Phone lines at Finger Lakes Community College are out of service this morning (May 3) at the main campus in Canandaigua and the Victor Campus Center.

Workers are repairing the problem. In the meantime, the college is open and classes are running as scheduled. College offices can still be reached via email. Addresses are available in the website at www.flcc.edu/contact.

Time capsule photo to be taken at Student Center ribbon-cutting

All those in attendance at the FLCC Student Center ribbon-cutting on May 4 are welcome to join a commemorative photo on this staircase. The photo will be included in a time capsule at the college.

Finger Lakes Community College will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Student Center on Friday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the main campus, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive. The public is welcome to attend.

Speakers include FLCC President Barbara Risser, state Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, Ontario County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ted Fafinski and Student Senate Chair Owen Colegrove of Canandaigua.

At the end of the ceremony a commemorative photo of all those in attendance will be taken on the main staircase of the Student Center and saved in a time capsule. All present are welcome to join the photo.

The 78,000-square-foot Student Center houses a new 350-seat cafeteria, larger bookstore, 411-seat auditorium, a One Stop Center for all enrollment services, and rooms for student government and clubs. Areas in the main building vacated by these facilities and offices are now being renovated into additional classrooms and laboratories to accommodate an increase in enrollment.



Spring Arts Festival celebrates student talent

The guitar ensemble will perform during the Finger Lakes Community College 2012 Spring Arts Festival, Friday, May 4. The evening celebrates the musical, artistic and theatrical talents of the college’s students.

 The musical, artistic, and theatrical talents of Finger Lakes Community College students will be in the limelight at the annual Spring Arts Festival, Friday, May 4.

The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a concert in room B355 on the third floor of the FLCC main building, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive in Canandaigua. Following the concert, the arts festival continues in the Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34 on the first floor. The event is free and open to the public.

The concert will feature four music groups: the College Singers and the guitar, percussion and vocal jazz ensembles.

FLCC to host youth summer job fair May 10

Finger Lakes Community College will host a Youth Summer Job Fair on Thursday, May 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the main campus Student Center, 3325 Marvin Sands Drive.

The job fair is open to high school and college students as well as any other job seekers looking for seasonal employment.

The Youth Summer Job Fair is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board and the Career Services Office of Finger Lakes Community College.

Employers include Advantage Staffing, Kelly Services, Finger Lakes Premier Properties, Optimax, Nothnagle, Remedy Staffing, Roseland Waterpark and Wegmans.

Job seekers should bring an updated copy of their resume and be prepared to complete applications. Tables will be set up on the first and second floors of the FLCC Student Center.

For information, contact Pat Gopen, youth systems coordinator for the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, at (315) 789-3131 or Laura Rakoczy, FLCC career services coordinator, at (585) 785-1274.

This local job fair is part of an effort by the National Association of Workforce Boards to promote a nationwide Youth Summer Job Fair day on May 10.

New alliance offers affordable online degrees

Finger Lakes Community College and State University of New York (SUNY) officials have announced a new online learning initiative featuring the best online distance learning resources from six of Western New York’s community colleges.

The Online Western New York Learning Alliance (OWL) includes Corning, Erie, Finger Lakes, Genesee, Jamestown and Monroe Community Colleges, which together offer 34 different associate degrees and certificates which can be earned 100 percent online.