FLCC Campus News

Canandaigua, N.Y. (June 10, 2009) – Finger Lakes Community College is hosting a reunion for all CCFL/FLCC graduates of the Physical Education Department and former athletic team members on Saturday, July 11, 2009.  Activities will include a golf outing with lunch and a Red Wings baseball game with a picnic at Frontier Field.  Both events are open to CCFL/FLCC alumni and their guests.  Read more

Canandaigua, N.Y. (June 10, 2009) – Finger Lakes Community College recently selected Dave Jewett (‘89) of Pittsford to receive the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments, service, and personal spirit of FLCC alumni. Jewett was recently honored at the FLCC Alumni Awards Celebration. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (May 7, 2009) – Former Chair of the College’s Nursing Department Professor Emeritus Marilyn Hurlbutt was presented the 2009 CCFL/FLCC Alumni Association Exceptional Service Award at a Nursing Department Celebration on Friday, May 1, 2009. Since the first graduating class in 1970, over 1,800 nurses have earned a registered nursing degree from FLCC.  Members of the first class and the most recent joined the celebration as well as alumni from every decade, current and former faculty and staff, Nursing Advisory Board members, and her family. Read more

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 11, 2008) – The CCFL/FLCC Alumni Association has rescheduled the evening with President Barbara G. Risser which was originally to be held on March 4.

The event will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in the Board Room on the first floor of the FLCC Canandaigua Campus, 4355 Lakeshore Dr.

For more information on this event, contact Susan Beach, alumni affairs coordinator at 585-394-FLCC, ext. 7454.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Feb. 19, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College’s Department of Science and Technology will host a Colloquium with alumnus, Keegan O’Donnell (’04), mechanical engineer in the Steam Turbine Division of General Electric in Schenectady, NY. The Colloquium will take place on Feb. 28 from 12:45-1:50 p.m. in room D-214 on FLCC’s Canandaigua Campus, 4355 Lakeshore Dr.

O’Donnell’s presentation, “Active Control of Airfoils with Application to Wind Energy,” will discuss his research in active aeroelastic control of airfoils using synthetic jet actuators to virtually “shape” airfoils for optimized purpose, improved efficiency, and reduced fatigue.

O’Donnell graduated from Bloomfield High School in 2002, and received an associate’s degree in engineering science from FLCC in 2004. He transferred to Clarkson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and a master’s degree in mechanical/aeronautical engineering.

The purpose of FLCC’s Science and Technology Colloquium is to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of careers in science, technology, and engineering, while providing opportunities to make connections beyond the classroom. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Prashanta Samanta, professor of physics, at samantpg@flcc.edu or 585-394-FLCC, ext. 7350.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Feb. 7, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College opened its Honors House at 4340 Lakeshore Dr. in September 2007. The two-story, red-brick building was refurbished for honors education with seminar classrooms, a state-of-the-art computer writing studio, a publishing office, meeting spaces, and a study lounge with wireless Internet access. The alumni artwork displayed throughout, along with the comfortable furnishings and kitchen facilities provide a dynamic, home-like atmosphere.

Honors studies courses were taught at the Honors House throughout the Fall Semester. Students shared comments about their experiences.

“The new Honors House was an amazing experience in learning in a whole new way…totally conducive to open discussion and conversation among students and staff before, during, and after class.”
- Peg Pelletier, Environmental Studies

“There’s a great atmosphere. The artwork, lounges, and studios help jog the mind when it’s time to start writing. The Honors House brings together people who have something in common. I’ve had many discussions about literature, art, and music with other students.”
- Kyle Morrison, Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I have found a real sense of community. It’s an easy place to meet other students and alumni who are pursuing or engaging in careers in my field of study.”
- Heather Cortright, Liberal Arts and Humanities

In addition to academics, the Honors House hosted a variety of culturally-rich events throughout the Fall Semester, including the Parlor Performance Series which is held on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

“The parlor room in the Honors House brings FLCC a new performance space for small, intimate gatherings (20-30 people). The ongoing ‘Parlor Performance Series’ focuses on promoting the literary and performing arts. This was captured perfectly in last semester’s performance of Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’ in which Honors Literature students adapted the story for the stage with music for authentically integrated experiential learning.”
- Curtis Nehring Bliss, assistant professor of English and director of honors studies

Upcoming Honors Studies events include:

Parlor Performance Series, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.: Fred MacNamara, professor of sociology/human services will provide a brief history and share the poetry of thirteenth century Persian poet and Sufi spiritual mystic Jelaluddin Rumi.

Honors Alumni Art Gallery Opening, Feb. 22 from 7-10 p.m.: The Honors Alumni Art Gallery will open with over 100 works by six emerging and diverse artists, including Lisa Wright (’00), Melanie Joy (’01), Mary Oldweiler (’02), Scott Bye (’04), Alexandra Arnold (’05), and Alison Nihart (’05). Music for the evening will be provided by The Scandals featuring Monica Hall (’06), Nash Bock (’06), and Leo Medler (’05), with current students Phil West and Joe McNiche. This event is presented by FLCC Honors Studies and the Alumni Association. Artists with works for sale will donate 20% of all sales to an FLCC honors scholarship fund.

Author Visit for “Canandaigua Reads,” Feb. 27 from 4-5 p.m.: Author Ben Sherwood will read from his novel, “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud” at the FLCC Library.

Parlor Performance Series, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.: Folk-noir musical performance by alumni Gregory Paul.

All events are free and open to the public. These events are provided by the FLCC Student Corporation, FLCC Alumni Association, FLCC Foundation, and the Honors Studies program. For more information, contact Assistant Professor of English and Director of Honors Studies, Curtis Nehring Bliss at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7367.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 21, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College recently selected two graduates to receive the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards. These awards recognize the accomplishments and service of FLCC alumni to their professions, to their communities, and to the College. The recipients, Sandra Smithoover Maine ’76, of Potsdam, and James Diermeier ’77, of Yorktown Heights, were recently honored at the FLCC Alumni Awards Celebration.

Diermeier obtained his associate’s degree in natural resources conservation in 1977 from FLCC. “The education I received at FLCC prepared me to compete on an even playing field for horticultural positions with people who had advanced degrees,” said Diermeier. His credentials include several professional certifications from New York state, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Professional Grounds Management Society. He currently serves as associate director and instructor at the New York Botanical Garden, and develops, plans, and implements plant installation and maintenance of the Outdoor Display Gardens and the Home Gardening Center, which consists of 29 gardens, collections, and displays.

After earning his associate’s degree, Diermeier worked as a groundskeeper at FLCC and later as a horticulturist at the University of Rochester. He also served as buildings and grounds manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation at Lyndhurst, a National Historic Landmark located in Tarrytown, NY. He was responsible for the building and landscape restoration of 67 acres and 14 buildings. Subsequently, he held the position of grounds manager for the Readers’ Digest Association in Pleasantville, NY, where he supervised the grounds maintenance of the 120-acre corporate headquarters. He has participated in varied horticulture aspects, ranging from landscape design and construction to historic structure restoration and maintenance, from irrigation system programming and maintenance to managing budgets and directing large-scale exhibit installations.

Diermeier is a member of the plant science advisory board at SUNY Delhi and a member of the Professional Grounds Management Society. Since 1996, he has served the New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA) in various capacities including president, vice-president, and co-chair of the Southeast Regional Conference Committee. He annually develops, promotes, and participates in statewide green industry conferences, shows, and expositions.

Maine is the founder and president of SunFeather Natural Soap Company. “In addition to the skills I gained at Finger Lakes Community College, I also developed a strong worth ethic as a result of the challenging curriculum as well as a great deal of confidence from mentoring by staff and faculty,” said Maine.

After receiving an associate’s degree in criminal justice at FLCC in 1976, Maine completed a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam. She then combined a $15 investment with interests in
gardening and natural healing and skills as a craftsperson into what would become a successful all-natural soap producing company, SunFeather Natural Soap Company. The company currently earns more than a million dollars in annual sales and is located outside Potsdam, NY.

SunFeather Natural Soap Company has earned a spot in e-commerce venues; opened the industry’s first natural bath and beauty affiliate (franchise) stores in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and maintains a client base of more than 10,000 retailers throughout the United States, France, Italy, Denmark, Kuwait, and Japan.

Maine’s products include more than 150 kinds of soap and related products. Both Maine and her products have been featured in publications such as Country Living, Natural Health Magazine, Female Entrepreneur, and Herbal Companion. Several product lines have received awards, including Toy of the Year Finalist in 1998 by Family Fun Magazine, and the Dr. Toy Best Vacation Product Award for Washy SquashyTM Modeling Soap. Newsweek Magazine featured the company’s business practices as part of a feature on innovative work environments. In 2005, she was a finalist for Inc. Magazine’s Business of the Year Award.

Maine has authored numerous award-winning books including, The Soap Book: Simple Herbal Recipes and Clean Naturally. As an industry leader she mentors entrepreneurs and soap makers as a guest speaker and consultant and collaborates with Pathways Charitable Trust to develop The Thames Company in New Zealand. SunFeather Natural Soap Company donates a percentage of its income to various causes, and many product lines are tied specifically to charities that work on behalf of women’s and children’s issues: the Washy SquashyTM line supports STOP IT NOW!, an organization working to eliminate child abuse, and the Pink Ribbon Skin Care Line supports breast cancer research and awareness initiatives. She is currently establishing the SunFeather Foundation, to provide microgrants to entrepreneurs facing significant challenges by offering seed money to establish business and to leverage additional resources.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes achievement in one or more of the following areas: professional achievement as evidenced by performance with distinction in the field; community service as evidenced by serving with distinction in civic, service, or philanthropic organizations; service to FLCC as demonstrated by outstanding loyalty and service over a period of several years. Nominations are accepted until June each year. To obtain nomination forms, contact the Alumni Relations Office at (585) 394-3500, ext. 7454, or download a form at www.flcc.edu/pdf/nomination.pdf.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 21, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College recently recognized four alumni for their professional achievements.
Recipients and the award they received were:
• Patrick G. Dormer ’97, of Naples, Outstanding Conservation Alumni Achievement Award
• Eron N. Lyons ’95, of Farmington, Outstanding Horticulture Alumni Achievement Award
• Christopher J. Rockwell ’94, of Naples, Outstanding Conservation Alumni Achievement Award
• Patricia L. Wedding ’03, of Ovid, John L. Pietropaolo ’88 Chemical Dependency Counseling Alumni Award

Dormer received his associate’s degree in natural resource conservation: law enforcement from FLCC in 1997. He is a New York State DEC Forest Ranger and is charged with the care, custody and control of DEC-owned land in Ontario and Yates counties. He continues to be involved with FLCC, where he assists conservation department faculty during the beginning camping class. He also helps students who successfully complete the College’s wildland firefighting class to gain certification before employment. In addition, he is a frequent guest speaker and mentor to students wanting to follow a similar career path. Dormer also holds an associate’s degree in construction engineering technology from SUNY Alfred.

Lyons worked as a planting and construction foreman for Lakeview Lawn and Landscape in Canandaigua while working toward his associate’s degree in ornamental horticulture from FLCC. After graduating from the College in 1995, he transferred to Ohio State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in turf management in 1999. He is now golf course superintendent at Brockport Country Club where he is responsible for every aspect of grounds maintenance and management. He maintains several professional affiliations and currently serves on the board of directors of the Finger Lakes Association Golf Course Superintendents.

Rockwell earned an associate’s degree in natural resources conservation from FLCC in 1992. He then enrolled at SUNY college of environmental science and forestry (SUNY-ESF) earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and policy and management. Today, with more than 10 years of experience, he is manager of North American Environmental and Safety Services for Garlock Sealing Technologies and EnPro Industries. He maintains compliance with Federal EPA and state and local regulations at six manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He also holds many leadership positions on various teams at the company. Rockwell also holds an associate’s degree in business administration from SUNY Morrisville.

Wedding received an associate’s degree in chemical dependency counseling from FLCC in 2003 and then worked for GRACE House in Auburn and in several per-diem capacities for Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling and Referral Agency (FLACRA). In 2005, she joined the VanDyke Addiction Treatment Center staff as a part-time counselor. Six months later, she became a full-time employee and continues to serve in an intensive in-patient program. Wedding also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern University in Pennsylvania.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 21, 2007) – Dr. Collins “Connie” W. Carpenter, of Canandaigua, recently received the 2007 CCFL/FLCC Alumni Association Exceptional Service Award for his many years of dedicated support and service to the College. Carpenter was a founding Board of Trustees member of the Community College of the Finger Lakes in 1967.

Carpenter, a dentist who started his Canandaigua practice in 1946 and retired in 1986, was honored for his role in positioning CCFL as a strong, contributing member of the SUNY system; his support of administrative and faculty members as they established the curriculum and processes that resulted in teaching and learning; and for his personal and political relationships that permitted the College to grow and flourish.

His ties to the College began in 1967 when he was elected the board’s first chair, a position he held until 1978. Those first years coincided with the inception of community colleges in New York State. As a trustee for CCFL, a unit of the State University of New York and under the sponsorship of Ontario County, Carpenter devoted countless hours advocating for and establishing the College. In its infancy stage many citizens opposed the community college concept. Early challenges included hiring the first president, Dr. Roy Satre, and faculty and staff, and negotiating leases for classrooms, which were located in offices and other buildings in downtown Canandaigua. Under Carpenter’s leadership, the College eventually purchased the 235 acres of land that became the “new” campus on Lincoln Hill, which opened in 1975.

He continues to believe in the importance of FLCC for students to transform their lives. He and Verna, his wife of more than 60 years, regularly attend FLCC Commencement ceremonies as well as a majority of college receptions and events.

In addition to being instrumental to the College’s establishment, Carpenter also served on the Canandaigua Board of Education and as a trustee of the United Presbyterian-American Baptist Church. A Rochester native, he served in the Navy during World War II from 1944-46. Lieutenant Commander Carpenter also was called from the reserves to serve two years during the Korean Conflict from 1952-54. He graduated from Springfield College and the University of Michigan Dental School at Ann Arbor.

The award was presented during the annual Alumni Association Awards Celebration. The CCFL/FLCC Alumni Association Exceptional Service Award honors and recognizes outstanding contributions to the campus experience and commitment to students, development of innovative programs that significantly impact upon students, and outstanding contributions to the CCFL/FLCC Alumni Association.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 29, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College Honors program presents “Words & Music: A Songwriters Circle” on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. The event will take place in Stage 13, located on the second floor of the Canandaigua campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive. The program, with the support of the Alumni Association and Student Corporation, is free and open to the public.

“Words & Music: A Songwriters Circle” will feature four regional songwriters in intimate performance and conversation. Performers will share original songs and discuss their craft.

A pair of FLCC music alumni will open the event: Leo Medler, class of ’06 and Erin Maloney, class of ’01. Following a short intermission, professional singer-songwriters Maria Gillard and Lisa Bigwood will take the stage. Gillard is noted for an alto voice and jazzy stylings while Bigwood is known for bluesy folk stylings. Gillard is also an adjunct music faculty member and founding director of the FLCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Curtis Nehring Bliss, assistant professor of humanities and director of College Honors, will host the event. For more information, please call (585) 394-3500, ext. 7367, or e-mail Nehring Bliss at nehrincd@flcc.edu.