WWW.FLCC.EDU/ALUMNI WINTER 2013 AMBASSADOR A publication for Alumni and Friends of the College EDITORS Lisa M. Thompson Vice President of Advancement WAYS TO GIVE TO FLCC Lenore L. Friend There are many ways to contribute to the College’s Community Affairs Specialist mission and goals. Here are a few examples. Amy I. Pauley Executive Director, FLCC Foundation The Student Center atrium was formally dedicated to the WRITERS memory of George M. Ewing Sr., in a ceremony on Oct. 21. Martin C. Dodge The late George Ewing Sr. was the editor of The Daily Messenger Susan P. Morgan Assistant Director of Development and served as an early advocate for formation of the community college. Family members, including George and Tom Ewing, AMBASSADOR DESIGN AND LAYOUT Sarah R. Butler as well as many friends and supporters contributed to the College’s Graphic Designer capital campaign to name the atrium in tribute to his life and legacy. PHOTOGRAPHERS The naming celebration coincided with the season’s first Thomas Ewing, son of George Ewing Sr., his nephews Brendan Curtis Nehring Bliss Amy I. Pauley Susan Morgan Rikki Van Camp George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum lecture featuring TV writer and Cameron Ewing, and their mother, Meg Ewing, stand The Ambassador is produced by Alumni Relations Michael Winship. The lecture series, established by community above the sign for the George M. Ewing Sr., Atrium after at Finger Lakes Community College. volunteers as a memorial to Mr. Ewing, is hosted at FLCC. the dedication on Oct. 21. Views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or official College policies. FLCC does not discriminate on the Another contribution to FLCC is courtesy of Craig Alexander, the vice president of product basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, development of Turbine Games, a gaming division of Warner Brothers. When Dr. Trista Merrill, age, personal affiliations, disability, marital or veteran status in its educational programs, admissions, activities associate professor of English, began teaching Perspectives on Tolkien, she contacted the company or employment policies. because it has a game based on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Mr. Alexander visited the Honors House Finger Lakes Community College to speak with Trista’s students and game design students for the third time in November. Mr. Alexander Alumni Relations Office of Resource Development shared his perspective on the gaming industry, the intricacies of copyright and J.R.R. Tolkien’s 3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424 well-known novels. His talks related directly to course concepts, and he presented an amazing [email protected] networking opportunity for the game design students. 2 FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE I truly value my ALUMNI ASSOCIATION education at FLCC. HONORS JOHN SOCHA THE IMPACT OF WITH 2013 EXCEPTIONAL INVESTING IN FLCC Each academic year donors help support student SERVICE AWARD education. We highlight expressions of gratitude from students throughout this publication — John Socha, retired director of student activities, will be honored every gift has made a big impact on the student at the Alumni Award celebration on May 17, 2013, with the recipients. Thank you to all our donors for Exceptional Service Award. From 1974 to 1999, John mentored their generous support of FLCC’s educational hundreds of students, stewarded new initiatives to support mission and for making a difference in the lives learning outside the classroom, and fostered collaborations of our students! involving students and alumni. This award was created in 2005 at the time of the 40th anniversary View our 2012 donor Your gifts motivate celebration of the charter for the College. At that event the award list using your smartphone me to continue to was presented as a group to all Storefront Pioneers. Honors have and this QR code or at seek a higher level since been bestowed upon Dr. Charles J. Meder, Dr. Connie Carpenter, www.flcc.edu/go/foundation/. of learning. Bill Banaszewski, Marilyn Hurlbutt, Bruce Bridgman and Putt Moore. In 2012, the award recognized the dozens of alumni who have served Make a gift today. on the Alumni Council since its inception. Use the enclosed envelope or go online to Your gift reflects http://www.flcc.edu/giving/index.cfm your faith in us. ALUMNI AMBASSADOR | www.flcc.edu/alumni 3 BOOK FEAST “The Book Feast was a delicious success!” Fascinating Books | Fantastic Food | Fabulous Conversation Nearly 100 people gathered at the College on September 29 for a reception and kick off of the inaugural Book Feast event. Attendees then gathered at host locations for an evening of sharing and conversation. The fundraiser is a one-night book club event featuring intriguing books, delicious dinners at different local homes and venues along with enlightening conversation by authors or expert speakers. Proceeds from the event support the work of the FLCC Foundation, which provides connections and resources to the College. Save the date for our 2013 Book Feast on Saturday, October 5, 2013. “I am planning to attend again next year and have given glowing reviews to all my neighbors and friends Keep posted on event details. to participate next year!” Visit www.flcc.edu/bookfeast or scan the mobile tag. 4 FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE THANKS! AND WELCOME BACK TO FLCC This past summer the Honors House raised Christine Nerney-Zapetis ’09 and money by allowing CMAC visitors to park in Ryan Taylor ’09 assisted the admissions its lot. Curt Nehring Bliss, director of honors studies, office with recruitment activities at the and his wife, Nani, were assisted by Nash Bock ’06, Wayne County and Geneva campus centers. Heather Nihart ’06 Bock, Jade Myers ’12 and current students Dee Westfall, Dan Rounds and Many FLCC alumni participated in a listening President Barbara Risser asks guests to volunteer book Stephen Shoaf. Follow the 2013 CMAC concert tour in preparation for development of the selections for next year’s event. schedule and plan to park at the Honors House — College’s new strategic plan for 2014–18. your donation will help support scholarships More information on what we learned will and the College’s educational mission. be shared in the coming months. Thanks to book moderators and hosts for making our first event an amazing success. Thanks to these alumni who volunteered to We are grateful to all of our alumni for their efforts to support FLCC and its students. Moderators: Hosts: help run the FLCC Woodsmen Team competition Every individual has the power to make Curt Nehring Bliss Nan Bloomer in October: Dan Phelps ’86, Erica Schreiner ’91, a positive difference in a student’s life. Liz Brownell Dr. Mark and Mary Gearan Steve Popp ’07, Jackie Geihs ’08, Zack Mangus ’10, Jake Powell ’10, Kendra Trammel ’10 Evan Dawson Joan Geise and Susanne Kennedy There are many ways to volunteer. and Seth McClory ’12. Marty Dodge Dr. Richard and Sudy Landholm If you can help students with transfer Jim Hewlett and Sue Bennett Jack Moran ’79, who owns Roseland Bowl and decisions, offer internships or Rich Larkin Steve and Ann Martin is an adjunct instructor at the College, continues give career advice, please let us Henry Maus Dr. Barbara and Fred Risser to serve as the alumni representative to the know. Visit www.flcc.edu/alumni Heather and Bob Ward FLCC Association Board of Directors. for more information. ALUMNI AMBASSADOR | www.flcc.edu/alumni 5 I will continue to SPEED NETWORKING pursue excellence. Congratulations to these alumni FLCC participated in “Speed Networking,” an Activities Day event sponsored by the Career Services who continued their education Office and the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce. and earned an additional degree! Funded by the Student Corporation and the Alumni Association, the event provided students with information Bachelor’s degree SUNY Potsdam on effective networking techniques. Kathleen Saxby ’78, recipients include: Brandi L. Laumeyer ’09 creative fit advisor at Saxby Design, facilitated the Clarion University SUNY Upstate event at the Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua. Alumni Kayla E. Walker ’10 Medical University participants pictured include Michael Miller ’89, Brady W. Nesbitt ’10 Douglas Forgue ’89 and Ethan Fogg ’00. Nazareth College (magna cum laude) Cassandra N. Gillette ’10 Christopher T. Gladstone ’09 Sancia S. Huffman ’09 Hard work and Melissa A. Sharp ’07 effort resulted in these alumni earning a Thank you for RIT master’s degree: assisting me with Miranda C. Cocuzzi ’09 Sarah M. Genecco ’07 Nazareth College my dream. Zachary A. Towle ’09 Alaina B. Coutts ’05 Kevin D. Vadney ’10 Mark T. Griffin ’07 Courtney L. Meyer ’08 Your contribution SUNY Fredonia towards my future is John Manko ’10 St. John Fisher College Elaine D. Hilton ’75 appreciated from the SUNY Oswego Danielle M. Nelson ’08 bottom of my heart. Patrick R. Maynard ’10 6 FINGER LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE ART IN THE HOUSE Honors Studies Events in Fall 2012 Honoring the Muse with musicians Richie Stearns and Caleb Spaulding ’11 was held in Stage 14 on Oct. 17. Caleb Spaulding and the Historical Society perform regularly in the Philadelphia area. See photo of Caleb at right. “Frank’s Wild Years Revisited” Third Annual Tom Waits’ Birthday Tribute All those involved in the third annual Tom Waits tribute, “Frank’s Wild Years Revisited,” posed for this group shot just before the show in front of a packed house in Stage 14 on Dec. 5: Justin Rister ’06, recording studio manager Bob Potter ’85, guest artist Ryan Yarmel, Meredith Faulkner ’03, You have made a Leo Medler ’06, Rachael Johnson ’05 Medler, Nash Bock ’06, difference in my life and, Evyn Grassl ’06, faculty member David McGuire, in turn, the lives of others Lisa Silvaggio ’06 Clark, Brian Thibodeau ’06, writing tutor you will never know.