FLCC Campus News

Canandaigua, N.Y. (June 26, 2009) - Six Finger Lakes Community College faculty and staff members recently were honored with the State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence for 2009. This recognition is considered the highest honor award presented by the SUNY system. The recipients were recognized at FLCC’s Annual Employee Recognition Program and at the College’s 41st Annual Commencement Ceremonies.

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Canandaigua, N.Y. (April 20, 2009) - Finger Lakes Community College Board of Trustees recently appointed Cassondra Dalle of Greece to the position of Student Trustee. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (April 8, 2009) - Finger Lakes Community College Assistant Director of Student Life, Thomas Priester was honored at the annual conference of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) in Anaheim, Calif. yesterday.  Priester received the ACUI 2009 Two-Year College Professional Service Award for his valuable leadership and outstanding achievements in the student affairs field for two-year colleges. This award is given to one professional nationally each year. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y.  (Feb. 11, 2009) – Finger Lakes Community College recently announced the promotion of 12 faculty members.

Timothy Biehler was promoted to associate professor of mathematics; Mary Coriale to associate professor of nursing; April Devaux to associate professor of computing sciences; Bryan Ingham to assistant professor of mathematics; Alton Jowers to assistant professor of English; David McGuire to associate professor of music; Melissa Miller to assistant professor of biology; Sarah Morgan to assistant professor of art; Barron Naegel to assistant professor of art; Leonard Ortenzi to assistant professor of physics; Kelli Prior, Ph.D. to associate professor of biology; and Robert Wink, Ph.D. to associate professor of environmental conservation and horticulture. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Feb. 5, 2009) – Finger Lakes Community College announced three new appointments to its Board of Trustees: Joan Geise, Brooke Lupton, and Donna Mihalik. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Nov. 20, 2008) – Officials from Keuka College and Finger Lakes Community College awarded Michael J. Fisher, FLCC registrar, the first Keuka College/Finger Lakes Community College Joint Presidential Scholarship at a ceremony held on the FLCC Canandaigua campus today. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College announces the appointment of Joseph T. Nairn as executive assistant to the president and Lisa M. Farrell as vice president of advancement. Both appointees will report directly to Dr. Barbara G. Risser, president of FLCC.

Nairn of Fairport joins FLCC with more than 20 years of experience in higher education. Most recently, he served as senior associate director, part-time and graduate enrollment services for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he held various managerial roles since 1983. Prior to 1983, Nairn also worked at the University of Vermont and Thiel College. During his tenure in higher education, Nairn has gained extensive experience in data-driven decision making and experience with entrepreneurial programs for special populations and enrollment management. Nairn has served on Middle States Association accreditation teams and also served on a task force that developed guidelines for evaluation of off-site programs.

As executive assistant to the president, Nairn will be responsible for the College’s strategic facilities plan, as well as Middle States accreditation efforts. He has a master of education degree in higher education from the University of Vermont, a bachelor of science degree in economics from Thiel College, and a certificate in higher education administration from the University of Rochester. Nairn is currently pursuing a master of science degree in public policy from RIT.

Farrell of Canandaigua comes to FLCC with more than 20 years experience in public relations, fundraising, and community relations. Most recently, she served as director of public relations for Highland Hospital, prior to which Farrell served for more than six years at Constellation Wines U.S., most recently as vice president of company communications. In both positions, Farrell served as lead spokesperson for the organization, in addition to directing communications, public relations, and community affairs efforts. Farrell’s other professional experience includes various director-level positions with the University of Rochester Medical Center and professional experience in advertising and in public relations at for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in New York City and Washington, D.C.

In her role as vice president of advancement, Farrell will oversee the College’s new advancement division which encompasses fundraising, public relations, and community affairs. She has a master’s degree in communications management from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communication and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with political science from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Farrell also holds Advanced Public Relations Accreditation (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America and she is a NYS-licensed massage therapist.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College recently appointed Frank Smith Professor Emeritus status. Smith, who retired at the end of last year after serving as a faculty member in the conservation department since 1978, was recognized at FLCC’s most recent Board of Trustees meeting.

Professor Emeritus status was established to annually recognize those College faculty members who retire in good standing, have served the College for a minimum of 15 years and have demonstrated service to the College and the sponsoring community.

“I am honored to be appointed Professor Emeritus status. To be included as part of this accomplished group and among some of my mentors is a crowning achievement of my teaching career,” Smith said. “I am proud to have spent the majority of my career at a college that believes deeply in delivering value and increasing access to higher education. I look forward to my retirement, but my passion for education remains strong and I will continue to serve FLCC in a variety of ways.”

Smith, of Canandaigua, earned the FLCC Merit Award for significant contribution to institutional quality in 1993 and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1990.

“Frank is well-deserving of this honor,” said John Van Niel, conservation department chair. “He is highly respected by both faculty and students. Frank has continually set new levels of excellence at FLCC, and the college has benefited from his long tenure.”

Smith received a Ph.D. in wildlife science from Texas A & M University, a master’s degree in science education and a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Syracuse University. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse.

About Finger Lakes Community College:
Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu) is a State University of New York two-year higher education institution. FLCC’s 250-acre park-like campus is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, N.Y. The College offers more than 45 degree and certificate programs, including environmental conservation, ornamental horticulture, music recording technology, nursing, massage therapy, and graphic design. FLCC’s current enrollment is more than 5,350 full- and part-time students.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 3, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College officially introduced Kimberly Babcock as its first-ever Sustainability Coordinator today. Babcock heads FLCC’s “Go Green” initiative, which strives to integrate sustainability into the College’s curriculum, operations, student life, and community outreach efforts.

“I am honored to be the first Sustainability Coordinator in Finger Lakes Community College history,” Babcock said. “My main goal is to make FLCC Upstate New York’s leader in environmental stewardship. The College is expanding upon its exemplary record by creating its first-ever Sustainability Coordinator. I take the responsibility of this new position very seriously.”

Babcock has helped FLCC implement a number of green practices, including increasing recycling efforts on campus, installing more efficient lighting, employing a number of ways to save paper, and working with the College’s cafeteria to purchase compostable containers. Babcock is also the driving force behind FLCC students signing Sustainability Pledges to learn more about how they can incorporate sustainability into their daily lives while meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations.

“Kim is the perfect choice to head our Sustainability effort,” FLCC President Dr. Barbara Risser said. “Her leadership will make sustainability a part of the culture not only on campus, but in the community as well.”

In the fall of 2007, Babcock and Josh Heller, FLCC director of international studies, presented FLCC’s first annual “Campus Sustainability Day.” Babcock led a panel discussion titled “Sustainability at the Community Level.” The program was part of a national effort of colleges and universities to address their responsibilities in promoting and establishing environmental sustainability in higher education.

Babcock joined FLCC as a conservation technician in February 2006. She received an associate of science degree in environmental studies from FLCC and a bachelor of science in conservation biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse. Babcock is also very active in the community and served as the Chair of the Center for Sustainable Living in 2007.

Go Green at Finger Lakes Community College:
Finger Lakes Community College has a long tradition of dedication to preserving our environment through its environmental conservation programs. In March 2008, the College began building upon this tradition by launching an extensive “Go Green” initiative. FLCC has joined hundreds of higher education institutions in signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging to strive to eliminate global warming emissions and to integrate sustainability into their curriculum and operations. FLCC has already implemented a number of green practices. For more information on FLCC’s “Go Green” initiative, visit www.flcc.edu/green.

About Finger Lakes Community College:
Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu) is a State University of New York two-year higher education institution. FLCC’s 250-acre park-like campus is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, N.Y. The College offers more than 45 degree and certificate programs, including environmental conservation, ornamental horticulture, music recording technology, nursing, massage therapy, and graphic design. FLCC’s current enrollment is more than 5,350 full- and part-time students.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 25, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College Dean of Continuing Education, Don Friday recently received the Rochester Area College Continuing Education (RACCE) Distinguished Service Award. It’s only the second time in 25 years that this coveted award has been given out. The award recognizes Friday’s lifelong dedication to continuing education and RACCE.

“Don has dedicated his career to facilitating others’ personal and professional development and education,” said Susan Sullivan, president of RACCE, who along with RACCE Vice President, Joe Nairn nominated Friday for the award.

The top 10 reasons for Don’s career success were highlighted as the award was presented. Among the reasons were that Don is entrepreneurial and willing to take risks (#3) and that he recognizes people are more than employees and students (#2). The #1 reason was the RACCE Distinguished Service Award affirms who he is, where his passions lie, and how he has conducted his life’s work.

About Finger Lakes Community College:
Finger Lakes Community College (www.flcc.edu) is a State University of New York two-year higher education institution. FLCC’s 250-acre park-like campus is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, N.Y. The College offers more than 45 degree and certificate programs, including environmental conservation, ornamental horticulture, music recording technology, nursing, massage therapy, and graphic design. FLCC’s current enrollment is more than 5,350 full- and part-time students.