Genesee Community College

Genesee Community College Foundation scholarship recipients and their families and Foundation donors gathered in the Conable Technology Building at the Batavia Campus, on Monday evening, September 13, 2010 to meet, greet, and share stories of student achievements and career aspirations. The evening event ran from 5:00PM - 7:00PM with a special presentation at 5:30PM. For this year's reception, three successful alumni were invited to share their stories and experiences at Genesee that guided them on the road to success. Distinguished alumni, Colin Garwood '76, Natalie Wedge, '10 and Crystal Fial '10 were the featured speakers for the evening. Colin Garwood has been serving as the executive Director of LDA Life and Learning Services for the past 10 years. LDA serves children and adults with learning disabilities and other developmental disabilities. LDA employs 180 people and works with an $8 million budget. Mr. Garwood is the immediate past president of the Council of Agency Executives, a trustee of the New York State Learning Disabilities Association, a past executive director of The Advocacy Center (10 years), past director of Planning and Development for Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, and the former associate executive Director of the Catholic Charities Community and Residential Services. He holds an Associate's degree from Genesee (1976), a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Geneseo (1979) and a Master's degree from SUNY Brockport (1989). Mr. Garwood is a resident of Greece, NY and has three children, Jonathan, 22, David, 21 and Erica, 19. Mr. Garwood expressed his congratulations to the winners and thanked the donors who make the scholarships possible. He shared his fond memories of attending classes at GCC, working a restaurant job after school and living in a rented apartment in Batavia. He also encouraged students to value their supportive families and the friendships made during their college years. He closed by encouraging students to continue learning after college. "Learning is a life-long process," Mr. Garwood noted. "Learning isn't done when you complete college." Natalie Wedge and Crystal Fial were selected to spend eight weeks in Brisbane, Australia for a Nursing study abroad preceptorship. They have since graduated and went on to acquire nursing jobs right after commencement. They shared their experiences abroad and their experiences as nursing students at Genesee. The following students along with their hometowns and the scholarship they were awarded are listed below:

Jessica Cherry was awarded the Grand Prize in the David A. Garfinkel Essay Contest sponsored by the Historical Society of New York Courts. Cherry's essay, titled, "A look at how NYS Legislation has profoundly impacted LGBT Family Law", was in response to the question posed by the committee: "How have the New York Courts addressed equal human rights for the LGBT Community?"

Genesee Community College Foundation scholarship recipients and their families and Foundation donors gathered in the Conable Technology Building at the Batavia Campus, on Monday evening, September 14, 2009 to meet, greet, and share stories of student achievements and career aspirations. The evening's events ran from 5:00PM - 7:00PM with a special presentation at 5:30PM. For this year's reception, two successful alumni were invited to share their stories and experiences at Genesee that guided them on the road to success. Distinguished alumni, Paula M. Savage, '76 and James D. Hunt, '89 were the featured speakers for the evening. Paula Savage, a resident of Batavia, is the director of Tourism Sales for Visit Rochester (formerly the Greater Rochester Visitors Association). She is a Certified Travel Councilor and has received the Merits of Two Worlds award from the Robert Schumann Foundation in 2000, as well as the Supplier Member of Distinction by the (OMCA) Ontario Motor Coach Association. She serves as a trustee for the OMCA Education Fund. She was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the US Department of Commerce in 2000 for development of Underground Railroad Tours. In 1990, she organized the first International Peace Garden, which led to the creation of the International Peace Garden Foundation that now spans five continents. The International Peace Garden Foundation is a nonprofit organization, established to advance global friendship and international understanding through the creation of peace gardens and cultural exchange programs. She graduated with an Associate's degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and was named to Genesee's Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007. James Hunt is a 13 year veteran of the New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) and serves in Wyoming County with his K-9 partner Matz. Hunt received an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Genesee in 1989 and continued on to the University at Buffalo for a Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies. Currently residing in Wyoming County, James grew up in Orchard Park and started his career with the DEC in Long Island. He was recognized as the 2008 Conservation Officer of the Year by the Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chief's Association and was awarded, along with K-9 partner Matz, the 2008 Public Servant of the Year by the Erie County Conservation Society. He married to his wife Darlene and has two sons, Josh (6) and Nathanial (4). This year, nine new scholarships were awarded to Genesee students. The new scholarships included the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Scholarship, the NYS Federation of Home Bureaus in honor of Gay Tidd, the Kristine Burkhardt '03 Memorial Nursing Scholarship, the M.P. Lyon '02 Scholarship, the Albert J. Brightenfield '78 Scholarship, the Claire Gsell 2009-2010 Scholarship, the Gioiosa Family Scholarship, the Town of Batavia Volunteer Firefighter Scholarship and the Benjamin Franklin Volunteer Firefighter and EMT Scholarship. The following students along with their hometowns and the scholarship they were awarded are listed below: