Author: ChristineHenley

5 Things I’m Excited About for Spring 2015 at GCC

Standard

Last semester I made a list of 10 Things I was excited about for the semester so I thought I would revisit my list and improve it for Spring 2015. Last semester was my last full-time semester so I suppose it’s only appropriate that, as I transition into part-time study at GCC, my list is shorter than the last one. Enjoy!

5. One. More. Class.

400_F_47125909_X2LDGA4m4GKtUcI6R6NnCyPrTLdHQwznI have to say, I’m a little frustrated with fumbling the ball last semester with Managerial Accounting but now that this class will be my main academic focus, I have a renewed confidence that I can get through this last painful class. My degree depends on this last class and I cannot wait to finish.

4. Sledding Down That Hill

These awesome people know how to have fun in the snow.

These awesome people know how to have fun in the snow.

I’m not sure if my College Village friends will appreciate this as much as I do. They, unfortunately, have to suffer while they walk up and down the hill with rain, sleet and snow whipping in their faces. Most days I say a silent prayer for them. However, I can’t wait for the next big snowfall to arrive at GCC Batavia Campus so I can go sledding down that hill. I wonder if anyone will join in the fun with me…

3. Actual Spring.

1527083_10152897850578103_4748297676987475065_nIt seems kind of funny that the spring semester starts in the middle of January. I think a little part of me dies inside when I udder the phrase “spring semester” during the dead of winter because I honestly can’t stand the snow and cold past the Christmas holiday and/or my one and only sledding day of the year. I sometimes find myself fantasizing about driving in the nice warm days of spring rather than the snow drift war zone that I have to endure on my way to GCC. It helps but then I have to get out of the car and walk/run into campus and my happy little fantasy is gone.

2. The Annual GCC Fashion Show

Last year's Fashion Show theme was "Ethereal"

Last year’s Fashion Show theme was “Ethereal”

The annual GCC Fashion Show is always something to look forward to. We have an unbelievable amount of talented fashion students here at GCC. I cannot wait to see what these student have in store for the show. Another great aspect to the Fashion Show is the Fashion Show Reception that the Tourism and Hospitality students plan and execute on their own take of the theme that the fashion students have chosen for the show. The theme will be announced soon so stay tuned!

1. GRADUATION!!

I can't wait to be in that line!

I can’t wait to be in that line!

Although I dropped the ball last semester and I have to retake Managerial Accounting, I am slightly glad that I did. If everything went according to plan then I was not going to participate in Commencement in May after finishing courses in December. Now that I’m going to be making the trek to Batavia once a week, I figured that I may as well participate in the Commencement ceremonies and graduate with the wonderful group of friends that I have made while attending GCC.

Semester is over-Thank You Professor David Johnson!!!!

Standard

Check it out! Bio 104 is fun!! Why not register for this class next semester?

cvmckay7

Well, just like the title says, the semester is over but that’s not the end of Science for me!!  Nope, Chemistry next semester, then Human Biology the semester after that.  So this is not going to be the end of my blogging experience, I’m sure.

The blogs I wrote were done because I had to do them for extra credit, but to tell you the truth, I enjoyed doing the research to be able to blog.  The really cool thing about most of the things I researched and wrote about were something we had just covered in my Biology 104 class with Professor/Dr. David Johnson, within a week or two.  Professor Johnson, by the way, is a very good professor.  Even though he was new to Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY this year, he was not new to teaching what he loves; ten years I believe he told us. …

View original post 178 more words

World Kindness Day at GCC

Standard

64367_10152876277993103_7104776448007432459_nWorld Kindness Day was November 13th and the GCC RAKtivists were out in full force to celebrate. The event provided holiday cards for students to sign and send out to troops that are deployed. Cathy Costello was able to deliver the holiday cards to the local American Leigion. Students were encouraged to spin the “Wheel of Kindness” where they were given a good deed to complete.

Many people flocked to the event because Genesee County Animal Shelter brought 2 adoptable dogs and one adoptable cat. The RAKtivists were able to raise about $288 for the Genesee and Orleans County animal shelters and faculty and students donated around 175lbs of dog and cat food. The RAKtivists sold roses until about 2PM, afterwards Abby Wilcox and Cathrine Kelkenberg took the leftover roses and placed them on random cars. They hoped to brighten people’s day on a very cold and rainy/snowy day. 

10734264_10152876283543103_2419562408594155853_nThe RAKtivists will be gearing up for the second annual Random Acts of Kindness Week that will take place in February. If you would like to participate in the Random Acts of Kindness Week as a member of the RAKtivists, then like their Facebook page to see when the next meetings are or contact the GCC RAKtivists’ advisor, Lauren Paisley.

Friends Don’t Let Friends-Date Friends

Standard

Rhonda Parker has been making films since she was 17 years old, but much of her life is invested in a full-length feature she’s just completed as part of an Honors Program project at Genesee Community College. The movie, “Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends” will debut at a VIP dinner and a movie night at the Bald Eagle Bistro, 1033 S. Lakeland Beach Rd. in Kendall on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 7 pm. Seating is limited to 50. Presale tickets are $25 and, if there’s room, $30 at the door. Tickets are available on the movie’s website, www.friendsdontletfriendsdatefriends.com, at which you can also view a trailer of the romantic comedy.

Parker is a paralegal and communications/media arts student at GCC. She expects to graduate in December 2014. Besides being an Honors Program student, she’s been a blogger for the College and also won an essay contest sponsored by The Historical Society of the New York Courts, about which Professor Charles Scruggs said “Her acerbic wit, frequently on display in class, is used to good effect in her written work.”

That wit is evident in “Friends…” which Parker describes as a “highly fictionalized account of actual events.” The main character, played by former GCC student Amelia Favata of Canandaigua, is a version of Parker herself. “It’s a very timeless story based on people I hung out with in my youth. It’s been in my head for 20 years. I started writing it 15 years ago and have revised it several times. Seven years ago it went through a peer review on [Francis Ford Coppola’s] Zoetrope.com.” So far, test audiences have enjoyed it. “One friend said of the film ‘I had forgotten…that’s what it feels like to fall in love.’”

Though Parker has written and produced a number of short films, and appeared as a “Walmart mom” in a commercial, this is the first time she held auditions for a movie. “It broke my heart to turn people away,” she said. Several current and former GCC students appear in the film. They shot the film over seven weekends at locations in and around Parker’s hometown of Albion. Because it is an Honors Program project, she was able to utilize equipment from GCC including camera, tripod, and lights.

Her husband, Mark Parker, completed editing the film at their home with Sony Vegas Pro software. “He’s the editor and I’m the editor-in-chief,” Parker explains. “He’s the doer, and I’m the thinker.”

Parker has been thinking a lot about how to get the word out about her film. “My goal is to have everyone in America see this movie,” she said. Beyond the dinner and a movie debut, she has lined up a number of additional screenings.

GCC Video/Telecommunications Director Barry Chow, with whom Parker completed an independent study, is sponsoring a show in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 2:45 pm with a reception to follow. General admission is $8; students and seniors, $6.

The Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival will show the film at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 at the Eastern Hills Cinema in Williamsville. Several other screenings are planned in Medina, Amherst, and Batavia. Check the film’s facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/558510764281947/.

The Honors Program at GCC encourages independent, creative, and interdisciplinary study through academic work of depth, originality, and quality. Parker is more than pleased with her Honors experience and the film overall. “It’s like watching your dreams come true right in front of your eyes,” she said. She hopes the film’s success leads to more moviemaking for her. “That’s exactly what I want to do. I have a lot of scripts in my head.”

Shine The Light on Domestic Violence

Standard

October is Domestic Violence awareness Month and on Wednesday, October 15th, all seven campus locations will participate in a one-day project aimed to Shine the Light on domestic violence through a number of purple themed initiatives. The organizers of the events hope to use the color purple to bring awareness to the suffering victims endure at the hands of loved ones. This is the third year of GCC’s THINK PURPLE campaign.

From 9:00am to 4:00pm, information tables will be set up in the Forum highlighting the YWCA Domestic Violence Program, RESTORE Rape Crisis Services, GCC Counseling and Campus Safety. Purple t-shirts emblazoned with “GCC Supports…Paws Off” will be sold for $5, with the proceeds benefiting the Genesee County Domestic Violence Program. Students from the Student Health Awareness Group, the Alpha Epsilon Gamma service organization, GCC Cheer and Dance Team and GCC Ambassadors will distribute neon purple glow bracelets and will ask participants to snap the bracelet and take a moment to think about victims of domestic violence.

The ‘Clothesline Project’ will be featured on the Forum stage for viewing and survivors and supporters are offered the opportunity to create their own shirt. GCC’s campus radio station, WGCC 90.7 FM will join the event to interview students and help spread the word about domestic violence. Once dusk settles in, GCC’s clock tower will be illuminated with purple lights in order to follow the lead of the SUNY Administration Building’s campaign to bring awareness to domestic violence victims.

Earlier this month, Harmony Reid came to speak to students about her experience with domestic violence. Reid struggled with depression, alcoholism and PTSD after she was raped during her first semester at college and later became a victim of domestic violence. Reid tells her story because she hopes to help people become aware of and prevent domestic violence. Reid declared:

We need to stop victims from being victims.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please speak up and reach out for help. The YWCA of Genesee County is able to help women with crisis intervention information, referral services, safety planning, shelter, court assistance, supportive counseling, advocacy, and other services. The Genesee County YWCA phone number is 585-343-5808 and the 24 hour domestic violence hotline is 585-343-7513.

Homecoming: Alumni Road Kicks Off Thursday

Standard

This week is homecoming and GCC is gearing up for a Beatles themed celebration, transforming Abby Road to Alumni Road. The weekend will start out early with a Homecoming Rally on Thursday, September 25th at 1pm in the Gym. Come and cheer on our teams with and stay for a special performance by the Cougarettes.

Friday, September 26th

“Come Together” during our Happier Hour event in the Theater Lobby from 5-8pm. The event will feature a Meet n’ Greet with GCC’s Charter Alumni Council, KC Sunshine Entertainment, Beatles Trivia & prizes and a cash bar.

At 6pm, our next event begins with “Yesterday.” This event will be located in the Stadium and is a Women’s Alumni Soccer Game.

The Men’s Alumni Soccer Game is entitled, “Get Back” and will also be held in the Stadium. The event begins at 7:45pm.

Saturday, September 27th

This fun filled day starts off at 8:30am with “Day Tripper,” where anyone can register and pick up their packets for the “FUN” Raising our Future 5k Run/Walk. This event is held in the Gym. To preregister for the 5k, please visit http://www.gccfoundation.kinteraorg/5k.

“The Long and Winding Road” will begin at 10am. Our 5K Run/Fun Walk for Genesee Community College Student Scholarships raises money for student scholarships and offers a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your colleagues and friends.

“Good Day Sunshine,” (my daughter’s favorite song) also begins at 10am in the Stadium with a Men’s Alumni Lacrosse game.

After the 5k is over, get by with “A Little Help From My Friends” at 11:30 in the Cafeteria. There will be refreshments and awards for best group costumes and more.

Follow “Penny Lane” from 12-2pm for an event filled with family orientated activities. During this time in The Forum, there will be popcorn and apple cider, a bounce house, arts and crafts, face painting, a balloon man, and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department will be available to speak to families about child safety.

“Drive My Car” also begins at Noon in the GCC parking lot. This will be our Car & Bike Super Cruise where everyone can enjoy classic cars and motorcycles and students  are able to raise money for their clubs and organizations. During this event, don’t forget to pick up your Pulled Pork BBQ lunch! Lunches will be available from 11-2pm and are available for pick-up in the side lawn by the car cruise.

Later in the evening, you can continue to help student scholarships by buying your Oktober Brew Fest tickets in advance on our website. The GCC Foundation that funds student scholarships receives $5 from every presale ticket sold from our website. There will also be tickets available at the door. The Brew Fest is held at the Batavia Downs by the Genesee County Rotary and will run from 6:30-9:30pm. The first 500 people in attendance will receive a commemorative glass and a $10 free play for Batavia Downs. There will be beer and wine tastings, munchies, and live entertainment.

For an up-to-date list on all of the events happening during Alumni Road, please visit our website.

Twelve Week Courses Start Monday!

Standard

Check out the classes that are still available as 12 week courses starting Monday! Register NOW!

MaryJane's Weblog

twelveIt’s not to late to register for 12 week courses that start on Monday (September 22). There’s a pretty wide variety of courses open at this point:

  • BUS 110 – Personal Money Management
  • CEP 101 – Career & Educational Planning
  • CRJ 122 – Intro Emergency Management
  • FPT 101 – Intro to Food Processing Tech
  • HUR 101 – Human Relations 1 (Warsaw)
  • LIT 213 – Science Fiction (Online)
  • MUS 203 – Hist Rock & Roll: Blues & Beyond (Albion)

Of course, 12 week courses are faster paced than the full semester course, but nowhere near as fast as an 8 week class — and there are a bunch of those starting on October 20. More about those later!

This is an opportunity to talk to an adviser, especially if you’re kind of drowning in one of your courses. You can get out of that going-to-be-awful course and into something…

View original post 84 more words

Emmy Winning Stylist Coming to GCC

Standard

Ever wonder what color red looks best on you? David Zyla can help you know. Don’t miss a chance to hear the Emmy-winning stylist and author speak at Genesee Community College on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in Room T102 of the Conable Technology Building on the GCC Batavia campus. His talk is part of The Fall Fashion Speakers Series at GCC. Zyla will be available for press interviews and photographs 30 minutes prior to his presentation in the Rosalie “Roz” Steiner Art Gallery in the Genesee Center for the Arts.

Zyla believes “every person has the right to feel empowered and look fantastic.” He helps people discover their individual palette of flattering colors found by looking at tones in the eyes, hair and skin. “By honoring and wearing these colors…we not only illuminate ourselves, but we build the confidence needed to attract love, enhance our power, restore our energy, make a lasting impression and show the world who we really are,” he writes on his website, www.davidzyla.com.

Zyla started out in fashion design, launching his own Seventh Avenue label at the age of 22. In 2001, ABC hired him to reinvigorate the visual quality of daytime television. He was head costume designer for General Hospital, Port Charles and All My Children for which he received an Emmy Award in 2010 for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design. He has also designed for commercials and film as well as Broadway shows and regional theatre productions. He has worked with well-known personalities, including Susan Lucci, Carol Burnett, Tom Hanks and Hillary Clinton.

Zyla is the author of “The Color of Style” and “Color Your Style.” His new book “How to Win at Shopping” is due out in January.

For further information, contact Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications at (585) 343-0055 x 6616 or dsutherland@genesee.edu.

Organization Leads to Success

Standard

I was not the organizing type before I made my return to GCC last fall. I quickly learned that I had to get organized fast. In high school, I was never organized because every teacher wanted you to organize differently and this had me confused and unorganized. Everyone has their own way of getting organized so I picked the best ways to get organized according to my needs. By the end of week one of Fall 2013 I devised a plan and stuck to it. To my surprise, it worked! Here’s how I organized my academic life:

Time Management

A major factor of being able to stay organized is time management. I don’t like to be rushed so I have to schedule my life. Everything is so much easier when my bag is packed the night before, coffee’s ready in the morning and outfits are laid out and ready to wear. I’ve also found that if I plan out specific times to write that paper or study for the big test then I will actually do it. This is where Google Calendar and my weekly planner are extra helpful. The GCC Career Service Center will be hosting a Time Management Workshop from 12:45-1:45 on Tuesday, September 23. For more information and to register for the workshop please visit our website. I’ll be going because there isn’t a time management tip I’m not ready embrace. Join me!!

My Weekly Planner

I like multifunctional things so it’s only fitting that I found a three in one organizer. I have a zippered pocket for pens and highlighters, a notebook and a pocket for business cards and other loose items. Each week, I made a to do list and crossed items off as I finished them.

Online Organization

I am a Google fanatic. Gmail is a must and, in my opinion, a far more professional email platform. Google Drive is Google’s version of “the cloud” where you can store your Google Docs, Sheets, Drawings, pictures, and other Google and Microsoft Office Apps. You are allowed 15 gigabytes for free and, if you have a Gmail account, you have a Google Drive. I use Google Drive and Docs to type up all of my homework and papers. It’s a simple way to have everything you need in one place without a thumb drive. The last way I stay organized online is with Google Calendar. At the beginning of each month I sit down and make events for every homework, test, and appointment. This way I’m reminded via email (and push notification on my phone) that something is due or I have somewhere to be.

Class Notes and Handouts:

Many of my classes had their powerpoints posted on Blackboard. I made sure to have them printed out and ready to go. I chose the option that lets you print three slides on one half of the paper and three spaces for notes. I kept separate two pocket folders for each class so I could keep the powerpoints and handouts exactly where I needed them. Finally I used a three subject notebook for the classes that didn’t have powerpoints available on Blackboard. I made sure to take great lecture notes and even better book notes to ensure success in each and every class.


School Locker

One thing I truly dislike is carrying all my stuff around all day long. So I decided to rent a locker for the year from Student Activities. Its only $30 for the year or $15 for a semester and you get a portion of your money back at the end of the year. I loved being able to drop nearly everything off at my locker before classes. A locker at GCC is a must.

So there you have it. That is how I organized my academic life. Check out our Pinterest board about getting ready for classes for more organization tips. Do you have any tips or tricks of your own?

 

Best Week Ever!

Standard

The Student Activities Office is gearing up for, possibly, the Best Week of Welcome (WOW Week) EVER! WOW Week begins with Maps and Snacks on August 25th and will end with a Dive-In Movie at the pool on August 29th. Here’s a list of all the awesome activities that Student Activities has planned and you can find more details about WOW Week here.

Monday, August 25th

  • Maps and Snacks in The Forum from 8:00am-11:30am
  • Ice Cream and Lawn Games at the Clock Tower from 11:30am-2:00pm
  • Kindergarten Night in the Village Hall at College Village at 7:00pm

Tuesday, August 26th

  • Maps and Snacks in The Forum from 8:00am-11:30am
  • SpaGo! in the Student Union from 110:30am-3:00pm
  • Pizza Party and Karaoke in the Student Union from 7:00pm-9:00pm

Wednesday, August 27th

  • Board Game Dual in the Student Union from 8:30am-11:00am
  • Bamboo and Photos in the Student Union from 11:30am-2:00pm
  • Showtime Tonight with Brian Herberger in the student Union at 8:00pm

Thursday, August 28th

  • Wii Open Play in the Student Union from 8:30am-11:30am
  • Fall Fest Luau in The Forum from 11:30am-2:00pm
  • Drag Bingo in the Student Union from 7:00pm-10:00pm

Friday, August 29th

  • Board Game Dual in the Student Union from 8:30am-11:00am
  • Big-Time Fun in The Forum from 11:30am-2:00pm
  • Dive-In Movie in the Campus Pool from 6:00pm-8:00pm