Academics

Classes are a big part of the GCC experience – find out all the great opportunities that are in store.

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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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.

College Stress

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If I had to give an incoming student advice about GCC, I would tell them that it is much different than high school and is your time to turn your life around. It’s not a time to goof off and just relax all the time like you may have in high school. You have to buckle down and get your work done and done on time.

Not all the teachers worry about you like they do in high school. You are on your own now, and how you plan your time is up to you. If you don’t get work done in time it is your own fault. Also you need to learn how to plan your time wisely. Study, study, study and review your notes that you took in class that night or sometime that week to keep the information fresh in your head.  Make sure you get to know your professors and make sure they know who you are.

Make sure you come to class prepared every single day with a pen, notebook, textbook, and a folder. It is the little things that matter the most to the professors. The more you participate in class activates and show that you care the better chance you will have to grow a relationship with that professor and better opportunities. You may even have a better chance than the other students to get the extra help that you may need quicker than someone else would because that professor knows that you care and want to pass the class.

Take good notes while in class, and make sure you are listening to the teacher talk at all times during the period. To me organization is one of the most important things. If you are not organized it is much harder to find things you need in your notes that day in class or if you are not organized you can lose notes, homework, or other important papers that are needed to help you pass the class.

The most important thing to remember is to never give up even when you feel like it is impossible to get by. Don’t be afraid to ask for the extra help. Use the tutors that the school gives you if you are having a lot of trouble in a class or don’t be afraid to just ask the professor. There is always people that want to help you along the way.

-Joshua Lathan

“Ambiance” features unique bridalwear

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One of the most anticipated scenes of the fashion show—the bridal scene—will be featuring some breathtaking designs this year, with custom touches and alterations!  Sophomore Kelly Weatherby and freshmen Lekha Anderson will be partnering to coordinate “Ambience,” the title given to the bridal scene for Ethereal.  The pair hoped to touch upon the heavenly side of the theme Ethereal, while also revealing the mysterious and seductive side.  According to Kelly, “We wanted the romantic, traditional wedding styles, but also want to incorporate the darker, more dramatic side that people aren’t used to seeing in bridal”

Original sketch of Angelique’s design

M.A. Carr Bridal was generous enough to donate gowns for the show.  While some gowns will be used as-is, others will be altered.  Angelique Porey, a freshmen fashion student, has created one of the designs to be used for a gown.  Her vision involves shortening the dress and giving it a waterfall hemline.  Accent colors and ribbon details will also be added to give the gown a unique look, and it might even be dyed. Angelique wanted to “Give the dress a little bit of an edge while still having a feminine touch.” This gown is sure to be a refreshing and exciting look, far from the traditional wedding gowns that we have grown accustomed to–be sure to come and see it at Ethereal on April 26th!

Anybody interested in redesigning a gown that would fit into “Ambiance” can share their ideas and sketches with Kelly at Kwether1@my.genesee.edu, and could be featured in the fashion show!

Yeah, I was Nervous.

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When I first thought about applying to college, the thought was terrifying. Going to a new place and not knowing anyone can be quite overwhelming. I was nervous about everything that you could possibly think of; I thought about it and worried incessantly.

I was so nervous that I was not going to be able to handle anything in college, my classes and the people in them. I was worried about the work and not getting it done on time, since a lot of the homework is all online. I was nervous about not getting to classes on time, because in a few of my classes attendance is part of your overall grade. I think I was most nervous about people and feeling out of place.

As soon as the semester started and I got through my first day, I was less nervous about coming to class and getting all of my work done. People do and will always make me nervous but as the semester goes on, I have high hopes that I will get used to it and make friends. If I just do me then everything will be alright.

– Kristen Schwab

We’ve Got Mail

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Last Friday, the fashion students here at GCC got the first glimpse of Buffalo David Bitton’s spring 2014 line. We actually received an entire box filled with men’s and women’s clothing that will be featured in GCC’s 33rd annual fashion show, “Ethereal”. How is all of this possible? Last year, the 32nd fashion show, “Fashion Forward” featured Buffalo David Bitton clothing after visiting their showroom in NYC. We had such a great experience with the Buffalo David Bitton team; we just had to go back! Last October, the fashion students took another trip to the city and met with Buffalo David’s Public Relations Director – Diane Alexander. We had another fantastic meeting with her; and again have the opportunity to showcase their clothing line in our show.

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As the scene coordinators of the Buffalo David Bitton scene pulled out each garment one by one, the class’s excitement intensified. By the time Shelby and Ashley – the scene coordinators – got to the bottom of the box, everyone had their favorite garment. From men’s and women’s jeans to dresses and jackets, there was something for everyone! Buffalo David sent around $2,300 worth of garments for the show, and we couldn’t be more excited.

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Along with the amazing clothing from the city, we’ll also have bridal dresses donated from M.A. Carr Bridal. Over $17,000 worth of bridal dresses came from the bridal salon, located in Orchard Park, NY. As soon as it was announced that the dresses had arrived, the fashion students rushed to the storage room to explore the gowns. As the fashion design students looked over the dresses, you could see the ideas flowing on how to re-purpose the dresses and create ethereal looks. Since M.A. Carr Bridal generously donated the wedding gowns, the design students have the opportunity to choose any dress of their choice to redesign, however they choose. Along with the Buffalo David Bitton clothing, M. A. Carr Bridal donated wedding gowns to the fashion show last year as well.

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Without the considerate donation from Mary Anne at M.A. Carr Bridal, and the use of the clothing from Buffalo David Bitton, our show wouldn’t be possible. From the amazing relationships built with these and other companies, our annual fashion show has surpassed others in the area, making it the largest fashion show in Western New York.

To see more of these and other scenes, be sure to attend Ethereal on April 26th at 3pm and 7pm. You won’t want to miss this!

College: A Whole New Challenge

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I’ve only been in college for a few weeks now. When I stop and think about it, it seems kind of crazy that I could have learned a whole lot about myself as a student in such a short time, but the truth is I have. When I first started I was a little nervous but I had done well in high school. How different could it really be? As it turns out college isn’t as simple as I thought.

I now have to manage my time more efficiently than I ever thought I could. Assignment due dates are much more spread out in college than in high school, giving the illusion that there is plenty of time to get them done. Having an agenda has greatly helped me in managing my time, and I suggest that every college student use one. Dates, times, and assignments have a way of creeping up on me. Being responsible about my time has helped me greatly.

I am responsible for way more in college than I ever was in high school. No one is telling me what to do, where to go, or how to go about things. Taking responsibility for what needs to be done isn’t a new concept to me. However school has taken it to a whole new level. I am no longer only responsible to pay bills and go to work; I am now responsible to complete school work as well.

Finally, the greatest thing I have found with my college experience is a new confidence starting to blossom. I used to be afraid to say the wrong thing. Going to classes I have found that no one is laughing at me. Everyone I am in class with is feeling the same thing. We are all out of our element and we are all there for the same reason.

Over all I would say I have learned a lot about myself in the time that I have been at GCC. It’s defiantly a challenge but a rewarding one. I am looking forward to see how I grow as an individual in the next two years.

-Gina Constable

Deciding on GCC

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Choosing GCC was a very interesting experience because I knew it was the school for me when I was introduced to it. I played AAU basketball the summer before graduating high school. I played in many showcases and tournaments is to be seen by many colleges. One day my dad told me that I had gotten an email from a college coach that seen me play in a recent tournament that I was in. I thought it was cool to have a college coach recognize me for the way I was playing. My dad and I looked online at the school website and found it to be very pleasing. Things where easy to find and they had a great Veterinary Technology program that I caught my eye on. That day I emailed the coach back and told her I was interested.

I was going to my last showcase which she said she would attend. After I finished playing my first game I finally met Coach Christie McGee-Ross. Reading her bio was very compelling, she was nice and polite and I could tell that she was a very accomplished coach. That made me figure that she came from a school with other polite people. I also met the assistant coach, Dena. Coach McGee-Ross even introduced me to her 11 year old daughter. I wanted to go somewhere to where I knew I could create a family, and meeting the coaches made me feel a family vibe.

From then on I stayed in contact with the coach to set up a visit. I was hoping that the campus was really nice, and upon my arrival to Genesee Community College the campus I wasn’t let down. When I was going to meet the coach, a former player gave me a tour of the entire school. It was very fun. Once again everyone that I met was very polite and I even met another recruit while visiting, and she seemed extremely nice as well. That made me more excited about GCC and even more ready to commit myself to this school. In weeks time I was signing a letter of intent to be a Genesee Cougar!

-Breana Gleaton

Donation aids Creation

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This blog post contributed by Amber Coan, Fashion Design student

GCC’s Fashion Design students are thrilled about a recent donation of two brand new dress forms from PGM Incorporated representative, Andrea Quintana! If you walk into the sewing room, you’ll find about eleven handmade dress forms in a wide variety of sizes from 2 through 24. The forms are a huge part of our design and draping class, one of the most significant classes for fashion design majors. While some of us strive to master the creation of plus-size garments, there are many, myself included, who would rather work with smaller sizes; to fit this demand, we were absolutely in need of more narrow-bodied mannequins–I speak for all of the design majors when I say that we are very thankful for Andrea and PGM’s donation!

Outside of class, many students use the PGM dress forms for our own personal projects for clients, to build our portfolio, and to aid in creating garments for GCC’s annual fashion show–which is now the largest in Western New York!

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PGM dress form with student draping

I, personally, am using one of the forms to fit an evening gown of my own design for next year’s fashion show. The dress will consist of a black leotard base and a very long flowing skirt. My inspiration for my scene proposal next year is fierce, dark, and strong–contrasting this year’s “Ethereal” theme. Bringing my inspiration to life has to start somewhere, and that somewhere is the blank canvases that Andrea Quintana and PGM so generously donated to us.

I would highly recommend that design majors–or anyone interested in pursuing fashion design–check out the wide range of beautiful, top-of-the-line dress forms (including customizable and colored!!!) at PGM’s website, http://www.pgmdressform.com.

Once again, I’d like to publicly thank Andrea and PGM for their contribution to our fashion program!!