Author: gccblogs

Job Strategies for the 21st Century

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The end of the semester is drawing closer, and that means many of our GCC students are beginning to think about entering the workforce.

With interviews, cover letter, resumes, and job postings, it can be a confusing and overwhelming process! John McGowan, GCC’s Career Center Coordinator, will be at the Albion Campus Center to discuss effective job interview strategies for students who are or who will be searching for work in their field.

Students are welcome to attend this discussion, and bring questions on Thursday March 27 from 4pm – 5:20pm.

Albion Campus Center
Room 10
456 West Ave.
Albion NY, 14411

Health Fair at Albion

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Thanks to the Wellness Coalition, the Albion Campus Center will be hosting a Health Fair on Wednesday, March 26!

From 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, community vendors will be providing free medical services and information including but not limited to:

  • Blood Pressure Checks
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Information
  • Care Net
  • Rape Crisis
  • Orleans County Mental Health Information

The Health Fair will be held at:

Albion Campus Center
Student Lounge
456 West Ave
Albion NY, 14411

Random Acts of Kindness at GCC

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Lauren Paisley, Business professor at GCC, and three Entrepreneurial students recently presented the Foundation with a $500 donation toward the Title III Challenge Grant. This donation will be matched dollar for dollar and will go towards scholarships for GCC students in financial need, making a total of $1,000.

As a part of Genesee Community College’s Random Acts of Kindness Week (#GCCRAK) in April, students Abby Wilcox, Brittany Keyes, and Christine Furmanek collected change at GCC from students, faculty, and staff. After the $500 donation to the Title III Challenge Grant, the remaining proceeds – $85 – was donated to Genesee Community College’s Food Pantry.

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Abby Wilcox. Brittany Keyes, and Christine Furmanek stand with President Jim Sunser

In an effort to promote year-round kindness, the students encourage the use of #GCCRAK on all social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Alumni Hall of Fame Induction

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President James Sunser and Richard Ensman unveil the 2014 plaque to honor the new inductees

Yesterday, GCC inducted Stephen C. Tarbell ’78 and Lawrence M. Saupe ’89 to the Alumni Hall of Fame, a yearly tradition at the college.

Stephen Tarbell earned a Criminal Justice degree from GCC in 1978 and subsequently joined the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department. Over a 23-year career, he served as a Deputy Sheriff, Scientific Evidence Technician, Technical Sergeant, and Investigator specializing in Crime Scene and Fire Investigations.

While working for the Sheriff’s Department, Steve earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Public Administration/Accounting from Empire State College and a Master’s Degree from the Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Criminal Justice at the University of Albany.

Steve served on the Warsaw Central School Board as a Board Member, as Deputy Mayor of Silver Springs, and as Wyoming County Youth Court Coordinator. He served as Town Councilman for the Town of Castile, and currently serves as the Town Supervisor. He is also a member of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors and the Wyoming County Community Hospital Board of Managers.

Steve has received numerous awards including Wyoming County Deputy of the Year and Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department Commendation Award; local, state, and national awards for his service to youth; a U.S. Department of Justice FBI Commendation; and Leadership Wyoming 2013 Alumni Leaders award.

He lives in Silver Lake with his wife of more than thirty years, Mary Pamela, who says “he still finds time to be a great father, husband, and grandfather to his granddaughter who he adores.”

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Stephen and Lawrence shake hands as the newest members of the Alumni Hall of Fame

Lawrence Saupe is a Major in the New York Air National Guard and will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in September of this year. He began his military service after graduating from Pembroke High School in 1982. He served as a crew chief for C-130 transport planes in Germany, graduating with honors from Flight Engineer School.

After four years of active military service, Larry came to GCC in 1987, earning an associate degree in 1989. He continued his studies at the University at Buffalo where he earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Aircraft Systems and Mechanical Engineering. His senior year was delayed when he was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He earned two air medals and his crew received a special honor for rescuing three critically injured Marines under hazardous conditions.

While working at Graham Corporation in Batavia as a research and development engineer, Larry earned his Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UB. After ten years at Graham, he took a position in 2002 with General Electric in Schenectady, NY. In 2007 he joined the Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna, NY where he currently serves as a Thermal Test Engineer.

Larry lives in Galway, NY with his wife Shelli and stepdaughter Allison. He is president of Experimental Aircraft Association’s Adirondack chapter and enjoys flying, biking, kayaking, sailing, boating, and snowmobiling.

More photos of the event can be found on our Alumni Facebook page. Congratulations to Stephen and Lawrence!

I’ll give you a carrot for a marigold

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The Seed Swap has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 27 with the hopes of warm weather! All are encouraged to stop by D254 from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm to meet other gardeners and swap seeds of all kinds. You can bring tulips to trade for turnips, or dandelions to trade for daisies!

If you are interested in bringing seeds from home, please be sure they are no older than four years, and well labeled. In order to take home seeds, you must bring your own envelopes or bags. You do not need to bring seeds to participate in the swap, but priority will be give to those who bring seeds to share.

Student Art Showcases

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GCC students enrolled in Fine Arts Courses at the Batavia Campus Center and Albion Campus Center are working hard as the semester comes to a close!

On Friday, March 21, the Roz Steiner Art Gallery will feature the work of our students in two opening receptions, the first from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm and the second from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Refreshments will be served throughout the evening, and select pieces will be for sale.

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The Roz Steiner Art Gallery is located at the Batavia Campus, 1 College Road, Batavia NY 14020.

Stay up to date on what’s happening at the Art Gallery on Facebook!

The Albion Campus Center Student Art Show Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, April 24 from 5 pm – 6:30 pm, with refreshments provided. The reception will be held at:

Albion Campus Center
Student Lounge and Room 17
456 West Ave
Albion, NY 14411

Can’t make either reception? Not a problem. Students’ work will be on display for the remainder of the semester in both locations.

Never Would Have Made It

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Where I am now is a far cry from where I began.  I grew up in the inner city of Buffalo, NY and my childhood was far from normal or peaceful.  At an early age I was thrust into a life of crime and drugs.  I am now 43 years old and after years of trials and tribulations, I see that my life’s events happened for a reason and in the sequence they were supposed to occur.

“Never Would Have Made It” by Pastor Marvin Sapp from Grand Rapids, Michigan crossed my path.  I was shown that there was a power greater than myself that was with me.  At this time is when I knew my negative circumstances could be turned into positive changes.  This song embodies my experiences of who I am, where I was and where I am going as a man, a father, and a human being.  Now here I am at GCC, finally using my energy to improve my future.

Up until three years ago I saw nothing but adversity.  I felt overwhelmed and out of control.  My life seemed to be in a constant downward spiral. My parents passed away and I dropped out of high school.  Often times I was homeless and hungry and this was the catalyst that turned me to a life of crime and drugs.  I have been incarcerated several times and have dealt with other judicial agencies.

When I first heard the song “Never Would of Made It” I was intrigued and inspired.  Changing my life did not happen overnight but slowly I began to examine all aspects of my life and see that those crippling events were in actuality strengthening me in mind, body and soul.  Some of the song lyrics that stand out for me are “I made it through my storm and my test because You were there to carry me through my mess”, “When I look back over all you brought me through I can see that you were the one I held on to” and “I would’ve lost my mind a long time ago if it had not been for You, I am stronger, I am wiser, I am better, much better”.

I do not believe in coincidences or luck. I was meant to endure my earlier experiences in order to bring me to a place where I can now appreciate what I am doing and what I have.  I can stand here and say I made it, and therefore anybody who is faced with adversity can overcome with determination and achieve life’s abundance of blessings.  For me, I never would have made it had I not believed in something larger than myself and persevered through what I did deem as negatives but in reality were positives in disguise.  Because of my tenacity and efforts I am now at GCC studying with enthusiasm in hopes of bettering my life and the lives of others.

-Bernard Evans

Approaching Transfer Events!

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sjbachman's avatarGCC Student Newsbytes

Interested Students:
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Roberts Wesleyan Admissions Counselor on Campus
Friday, Mar 21, 2014
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Room C222
A Roberts Wesleyan Admissions Counselor will be in the Academic Advisement and Transfer Services Office, Room C222, Batavia Main Campus and will be available to meet one on one with interested students. Please call (585-345-6805) or stop into the office to make an appointment.

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SUNY Brockport Admissions Counselor on Campus
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Room C222
The Brockport Admissions Counselor will be in the Academic Advisement and Transfer Services Office (Batavia – Main Campus) and will be available to meet one on one with interested students. Please call (585-345-6805) or stop into the office to make an appointment.

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RIT Admissions Counselor on Campus
Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Room C222
A RIT Admissions Counselor will be in the Academic…

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Open House – Check Us Out!

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You may have looked around at our website for information about what’s in store for you at GCC, but have you payed us a visit?

Open Houses provide a summary about what GCC has to offer. Representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, and College Village give short presentations. The speakers are available to answer your questions about Athletics, Student Support Services, or Student Life. A full campus tour is available. In just one visit, you can learn about all the great opportunities at GCC!

Our next Open House Events at the Batavia Campus are:

March 26 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm
April 26 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Register today for an Open House!

Transferring? Learn From the Experts!

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Many GCC students transfer to a four-year institution after graduating, and there are a lot of choices to make!

From 12pm – 4pm on Thursday March 20, five different universities will be represented at the Albion Campus Center to answer questions about transferring:

The representatives for these colleges will be at the Albion Campus Center – 456 East Ave., Albion NY, 14411. Shannon Davis, our Transfer Coordinator, will also be at the Albion Campus Center to meet with students. Sign up today in the Advisement Office, as spots fill quickly!

On Friday, March 21 from 12 – 2, a representative from Roberts Wesleyan College will be available to meet in one-on-one sessions in C222 at the Batavia Campus. The Admissions Counselor can answer questions regarding admission criteria, transfer credit, degree/major information, and course advisement. Sign up for an appointment in the Academic Advisement  and Transfer Services Office, room C222 at the Batavia Campus.