FLCC Campus News

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 28, 2006) - Finger Lakes Community College will offer a Wildland Fire Suppression course, which provides the training wildland firefighters need for the Federal Interagency "Red Card." 

FLCC's two-credit hour course will be offered over two weekends during the spring semester.  Students must attend all six days, and classes will meet from April 28-30 and May 5-7. Friday classes are from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday classes are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Prospective firefighters must first complete the S130 and S190 training offered within this new course.  Afterward, they must pass an employer's physical fitness test consisting of a timed run or "pack" test in order to become eligible to receive certification.  FLCC is the only college in New York state to offer this course to the public.

"Several western states had a very active wildland fire season again this past year" said Chair and Associate Professor of FLCC's Environmental Conservation/Horticulture Department John VanNiel. "The need for trained fire fighters is as high as ever, New York also has a fair number of smaller fires that threaten homes and property. Plus, agencies are increasingly using prescribed fires as a management tool for habitats like grasslands."

Wildland Fire Suppression will explore how wildfires ignite and spread; the role of topography and fuels; the use of prescribed fires as a method for managing wildfires; methods of prevention and suppression; the use of equipment; and state and federal wildland fire control agencies. 

The course will be offered in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers.  Mike Durfee, certified instructor, will be the lead instructor for the course. Durfee teaches a similar course in California.  Additional unit instructors include personnel from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and NYS DEC Forest Rangers from Region 8.             

For information about registering, contact the FLCC Registrar's Office at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7622. 

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 24, 2006) - Finger Lakes Community College will host an open house at the new Geneva Campus Center on Thursday April 13, from 3 - 7 p.m. Located at 63 Pulteney Street, the open house is free to the public and refreshments will be served.

Participants can learn about College degree programs, the Certified Nursing Assistant program (CNA), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) courses, academic support and library services, secondary programs, the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes, and literacy programs. Displays and demonstrations will include piano tuning, student art work, and historical displays of the building.

Guided tours will highlight the classrooms, computer labs, academic support center, and the Campus Center's emergency medical services training area.

FLCC moved to the former Geneva Middle School for the fall 2005 semester more than doubling the square footage of usable space. Students can take a class or start a degree at the Geneva Campus Center.

"Our new Geneva location is allowing us to better serve the instructional needs of our students ," said Dr. Daniel T. Hayes, FLCC president. "The open house offers the community an opportunity to see the facility and meet with FLCC employees to learn more about our various offerings."

For more information, contact Fred Fink, FLCC director of outreach programs, at (315) 789-6701, or e-mail geneva@flcc.edu or visit www.flcc.edu/geneva/.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 23, 2006) - The Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34 at Finger Lakes Community College presents an exhibition of paintings and drawings, entitled "A few of our own: Bill Santelli, Cynthia Cowley and Roy Murdough."  Santelli, Cowley, and Murdough are Finger Lakes Community College alumni; their artwork will be featured in the exhibition.

Located on the first floor of the Canandaigua campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive, the Gallery will host the art show March 31 - April 28.  The opening reception will take place March 31 from 5-7 p.m. and will be sponsored by the FLCC Alumni Association. The artists will also host an informal discussion of their work on March 30 from 1-2 p.m.  The gallery showing, reception, and discussion are free and open to the public.

Santelli graduated from FLCC in 1974 with an associate in art degree in liberal arts and science.  He also earned a bachelor of science degree in art education from SUNY New Paltz.  Santelli has received two fellowships to the Vermont Studio Art Center, was awarded at the Biennial Juried Exhibits of Art by Italian American Artists, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Finger Lakes Community College.  While Santelli is based in Rochester, his abstract paintings are widely exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States.

Cowley graduated from FLCC in 1989 with an associate of applied science degree in graphic arts.  She also completed a bachelor of art degree in design through Empire State College. Cowley, who lives in Rochester, has had her work featured at the High Falls Gallery in Rochester, the Bristol Winterfest Exhibit, and the Finger Lakes Biennial Salon des Refuses Show in Rochester.  Her oil, acrylic, and mixed media paintings are inspired by nature.

Murdough studied graphic design in Toronto, pursued an associate in science degree in liberal arts and science at FLCC, and attended Cornell University in the field of science and environmental education.  He resides in Slaterville Springs, New York and his regionally-inspired paintings and drawings have been exhibited throughout the Ithaca area in such venues as the Moosewood Restaurant and the Community School of Music and Art.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is free and open to the public.  For more information contact Barron Naegel, gallery director and instructor of art, at (585) 394-3500, ext. 7369 or gallery34@flcc.edu.

The College will be closed April 14-16 in recognition of the Easter holiday.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 23, 2006) - The Finger Lakes Community College Board of Trustees recently granted emeritus status to Daniel F. Marion, Ph.D., of Canandaigua. Marion, a retired professor of environmental conservation and horticulture, worked at FLCC for more than 30 years.

A noted tree health and preservation specialist/pathologist, Marion has developed a variety of plant health methods. He has authored numerous papers and served as contributor, editor, and reviewer for several books and manuals. Additionally, he has presented at national and international conferences.

Throughout his career, Marion has always valued working closely with his students. To honor them, he recently established a scholarship for FLCC students interested in integrated pest management and plant health.

Marion serves on the editorial board of directors for the International Society of Arboriculture and is the associate editor of the International Journal of Arboriculture. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy and the Society of American Foresters.

Marion earned a doctorate in plant pathology from the University of Rhode Island, a master's degree in plant pathology/physiological ecology from Ohio University, a bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Georgia, and an associate's degree in ornamental horticulture from SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale.

Currently Marion serves as head consultant for Tree Preservation and Tree Health Diagnostic Laboratory.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 16, 2006) - The State University of New York (SUNY) recently approved a proposal for modifications in Finger Lakes Community College's current associate in applied science degree program in retail business management. The proposal, which changes the program name to marketing, will also be sent for approval to the New York State Department of Education. The College anticipates accepting applications for this program in the fall 2006 semester.

"The proposed changes better reflect the focus and widen the spectrum of this program," said Mary Wilsey, chair of the FLCC business department. "Students in this marketing program will graduate with a broader business background, increasing their career marketability."

The associate in applied science degree in marketing is designed to provide students with a broad business background. Students will take courses in subjects such as accounting, small business management, marketing, public speaking, business communications, advertising, and business law. Students may also opt to enroll in a six-credit business internship field experience. The program prepares graduates for marketing, sales, customer service, and management positions at both small, local businesses and large, national chains. Students may choose to start their own business.

To join the mailing list to receive information about the marketing degree once the program has received final approval, visit www.flcc.edu/marketing or contact the FLCC Admissions Office at admissions@flcc.edu or at (585)394-FLCC, ext. 7278.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 14, 2006) - Five students of the Finger Lakes Community College Visual and Performing Arts Department participated in the 2005 Fall SUNY Student Art Exhibition in Albany, NY.  The pieces were selected by FLCC faculty based on quality of technique, concept of artwork, and use of expression. 

Steve Byington of Naples submitted a silver print piece entitled "Blind Photographer."  Byington's piece was awarded "Best in Show" and will be featured in the upcoming 2006 Summer SUNY Student Art Show in Albany, NY.

Jennifer Frederick of Canandaigua submitted a pigmented low-fire stoneware piece entitled "Feminine Intuition."  Frederick's stoneware piece was one of the few pieces selected for the 2005 Fall SUNY Student Art Exhibition brochure which featured photographs of the show's student art pieces.

Miranda Sehl of Lima submitted an oil on canvas piece entitled "Michelle."

William Tighe of Purlaski submitted a stoneware piece with stains and glaze entitled "Frank."

Heather Willson of Walworth submitted an Adobe Illustrator piece entitled "Apply."

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 14, 2006) - The Finger Lakes Community College Department of Visual and Performing Arts presents "The Complete History of America (Abridged)," written by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tischenor as its spring production.

The play will be performed on Thursday, April 6; Friday, April 7; and Saturday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m. with an additional performance at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 8.  The production will take place at the John P. Socha Pavilion, Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua, NY.  Entry is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.  Full-price tickets will be available at the door; half-price pre-sale tickets will be available at the Student Life Office starting March 27.

Critic Stephen Holden observes: "‘The Complete History of America (Abridged)' interprets the past as a breathlessly-paced sequence of silly vaudeville sketches…puns and crude parodies of movie and television genres. Nothing is sacred and many of the facts have been skewed to suggest the paranoid ravings of a particularly loony tabloid."

The play features students Taylor Barth (Honeoye Falls), Derrick Frenney (Canandaigua), and Eric Purdy (Canandaigua).  The play is directed and designed by Jim Perri, technical specialist of the theatre department.

For more information, contact Colleen O'Mara at (585) 394-3500, ext. 7241.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 7, 2006) - High school juniors and seniors can learn more about college life and academic programs of study at Finger Lakes Community College during Spring 2006 Preview Days. The College will offer information about admissions, financial aid, transfer and career programs, and student activities on campus. High school students will have the opportunity to tour the campus and speak informally with professors in their academic fields of interest.

Spring 2006 Preview Days will be held at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2006; Tuesday, April 11, 2006; and Tuesday, April 25, 2006.  Advance reservations are required and may be made online at www.flcc.edu/admissions/event_signup.asp or by contacting the Admissions Office at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7278, one week prior to the date of choice. Further details about the events will be mailed to all program registrants.

A workshop for students who are undecided about their college major will take place on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 from 10-11:20 a.m.  This special workshop will focus on career exploration and decision making. Then, participants can stay for the 12:20 p.m. Preview Day to further explore the academic opportunities offered by FLCC.

The following majors will be represented at Spring 2006 Preview Days: Accounting, Administrative Assistant, Architectural Design and Drafting, Athletic Training, Biotechnology, Business Administration, Chemical Dependency Counseling, Communications, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood, Education Fields (in preparation for transfer), EMT-Paramedic, Engineering Science, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Hotel and Resort Management, Human Nutrition and Food, Human Services, Humanities, Information Systems, Information Technology, Liberal Arts (in preparation for transfer), Math, Mechanical Design and Drafting, Music, Music Recording Technology, Natural Resources Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation: Law Enforcement, Nursing (leading to R.N. licensure), Ornamental Horticulture, Outdoor Recreation, Paralegal, Physical Education Studies, Retail Business Management, Science, Social Science, Sports and Tourism Studies, Theatre Arts, Therapeutic Massage/Integrated Health Care, and Tourism Management.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March. 7, 2006) - Finger Lakes Community College, through the Global Awareness Series, presents a mandala ceremony, led by the Venerable Tenzin Yignyen, a Tibetan monk from the Dalai Lama's personal monastery. Tenzin will begin constructing the sand mandala on Monday, March 20 at 9 a.m. at the Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34 located on the first floor of the Canandaigua campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive. Once the sand art is completed it will then be dismantled and poured into a stream on campus during the closing ceremony on Monday, March 27 at 1 p.m.

The sand mandala was originally created by Buddhist monks over 2,000 years ago as a prayer to the Buddha to spread compassion in the world. The word "mandala" is Sanskrit for "circle" and each work of art symbolizes the Universe and its energy. When creating the mandala the monks use special tools called chakpurs or "iron tunnels" to apply brightly colored sand in precise, intricate patterns and shapes. Before starting the mandala, the monks pray and chant, blessing themselves, those around them, and the entire universe. Once the mandala is complete, it is then swept away as a reminder of the impermanence of all being, even things of great beauty.

Tenzin will be performing the opening ceremony, creating the sand mandala of compassion, and performing the closing ceremony. He has taught and constructed mandalas throughout the U.S., including the Natural Museum of History in Los Angeles, CA; Windstar Foundation in Aspen, CO; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio; The Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY; The Asia Society in Manhattan, NY; New Dorp High School on Staten Island, NY; Poly Prep School in Brooklyn, NY; Sanchez Elementary School and Trinity College in Hartford, CT; Cornell University in Ithaca, NY; and at FLCC in 2004.

Currently, Tenzin is a visiting professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where he teaches Tibetan Buddhist studies. He also acts as a spiritual counselor to groups and individuals following a traditional role of the lama in Buddhist practice.

The opening and dismantling ceremonies are open to the public. Additionally, the gallery will be open throughout the week for guests to view the creation of the mandala. Tenzin will be creating the mandala Monday, March 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, March 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Monday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additional times may be added. Group seating is available. Admission is free.

Additional events scheduled during the week of Tenzin's visit to FLCC include:

"Music, Chants and Meditations for Peace," Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34. This program will be led by Richard Hamling, Henry Cretella and Kathleen Fitzpatrick. Cretella and Fitzpatrick are noted recording artists whose music manifests awareness, peace, and compassion.

"Contemplative Science: The Science and Spirit of Meditation," Thursday, March 23, 12:30 p.m. in room B 404. Led by Dr. Marylou Boynton and Dr. Barbara Etzel, both of the Social Science Department of FLCC, this program will discuss recent research on how the practice of meditation influences how the brain functions and conversely, how the brain impacts the practice and effects of meditation.

The acclaimed film, "The Cup," by Bhutanese filmmaker Kyhentse Norbu will be shown Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in Stage 13. Winner of the People's Choice Award at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival, this film tells the story of life within a Buddhist monastery and the efforts of monks to obtain a satellite dish for the monastery so they can watch the World Cup soccer matches.

FLCC will also host a Tibetan luncheon on the final day of the mandala ceremony, Monday, March 27 at 12 p.m. in Stage 13, located on the second floor of the Canandaigua campus. For reservations, call 394-3500, ext. 7339.

Additional support for these events is provided by the Human Services and Social Science Club at FLCC; The Ghost of Ben Franklin, student publication at FLCC; Finger Lakes Environmental Action (FLEA) of FLCC; FLCC Student Corporation; Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34; the Tamworth Fund; and private donors.

For more information, including information on group visits, please contact the Director of International Education, Josh Heller, at 394-3500, ext. 7335 or hellerjw@flcc.edu

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (March 2, 2006) - Finger Lakes Community College recently announced the following faculty and staff appointments:

Kylene Abraham of Bellona has been hired as an instructor of nursing. Previously, she was an instructor with the Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing of Geneva General Hospital.  Abraham, an alumna of FLCC, obtained a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Nazareth College of Rochester and a master's degree in nursing from St. John Fisher College. 

Jennifer Carney of Fairport joins FLCC as an instructor of biology. Previously, she was a scientist with Egenix, Inc. of Rochester.  Carney obtained a bachelor of arts degree in biochemistry/molecular biology and a masters degree in biotechnology from Boston University.  She completed coursework in secondary science education at Roberts Wesleyan College of Rochester. 

Linda Cunningham of Palmyra has been appointed as the Bridge Program technical specialist.  She recently held the position of vocational counselor with the Catholic Family Center.  Cunningham is a graduate of FLCC as well as Nazareth College of Rochester, where she obtained a bachelor of science degree in social work.

Lynn Freid of Bloomfield has been hired as the Continuing Education program specialist.  She joins FLCC from the Home Depot, where she was employed as the contractor sales department manager.

James Handa of Geneva joins FLCC as a temporary instructor of business.  He previously served as an adjunct instructor in the business department of Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Handa obtained a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a masters of business administration in financial planning and accounting from Marist College.

Karen Helmick of Canandaigua has been appointed as an instructor of physical education and coach.  Previously, she worked as an instructor in the exercise physiology department at PA-SWAT of Clarion, PA.  Helmick obtained a bachelor of arts degree in health and exercise science from Gettysburg College and a masters of science degree in physical education from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN.

Peter Horvath of Rochester has been hired as an instructor of mathematics.  He joins FLCC from the United States Department of Agriculture, where he served as a mathematical statistician.  Horvath received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and history from Providence College and a master's degree in statistics from Cornell University.

Samuel Iraci of Phelps joins FLCC as an academic computer systems specialist.  He previously held the position of engineer/network administrator with WHEC-TV in Rochester.  Iraci received a bachelor's degree in computer science from St. John Fisher College.  

Amanda McCann of Naples has been appointed as the assistant director of college relations.  She joins FLCC from Cenergy Communications of East Aurora.  McCann received a bachelor of science degree in graphic design and a bachelor of art degree in English from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

Sarah Moon of Canandaigua has been hired as an automated systems and technical services librarian.  Previously, she served as a school library media specialist with Lyons Elementary School.  Moon received a bachelor of arts degree in international business and economics from the State University of New York College at Brockport and a master of library science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Katherine Oliver of Penn Yan joins FLCC as a temporary instructor of graphic arts.  She previously served as a graphic designer with the Lee, Burkhart, Liu, Inc. Architecture Firm of Marina del Ray, California.  Oliver received a bachelor of science degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of California in Los Angeles.

Elena Samson of Fairport has been appointed as the coordinator of secondary programs.  She joins FLCC from Genesee Community College where she served as the assistant dean of advanced studies.  Samson earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Dayton and a master's degree in general education from Nazareth College of Rochester.