FLCC Campus News

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 22, 2007) –Dr. Barbara G. Risser, vice president of student and academic services at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY, was appointed as Finger Lakes Community College’s new President by the Board of Trustees at a special meeting held today (June 22). Risser’s term, serving as the College’s fourth President, will begin on a mutually agreeable date in August, pending approval by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees. She will replace Dr. Daniel T. Hayes, who is retiring from FLCC after having served as President for 15 years.

The recommendation to SUNY’s Board of Trustees follows a seven-month search by a 15-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee that included College and community representatives. Risser was selected from 50 presidential applicants.

“We believe that Dr. Risser is well prepared for the challenge of moving the College toward even higher levels of excellence,” said Robert Griswold, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Dr. Risser brings with her broad-based senior leadership experience, effective communication skills, and an ability to forge consensus in managing organizational change. The combination of these qualities makes her best suited for the position as our next president.”

“We are fortunate to have a person of her experience and character joining Finger Lakes Community College,” stated Dr. Karen Davison Blazey, Board of Trustees member and member of the FLCC Presidential Search Advisory Committee. “We’re excited and pleased with the selection of Dr. Risser, and we feel that her visionary leadership, commitment to the community college environment, extensive teaching experience, and passion for learning will greatly benefit the College.”

Risser has served as the vice president of student and academic services at Onondaga Community College since 2004. Previously, she served at Onondaga Community College as associate vice president for arts and sciences from 2001 to 2004; professor of English/reading from 1995 to 2001; associate professor of English from 1989 to 1994; and assistant professor of English/reading from 1981 to 1988.

As Vice President of Student and Academic Services, Risser has been responsible for the academic program at Onondaga Community College, as well as student and residence life, special populations, athletics, enrollment management, recruitment, admissions, workforce development, distance learning, off-campus locations, and continuing education, among others. Risser oversees more than 320 full-time employees and an annual operating budget of nearly $28 million.

Under Risser’s leadership, Onondaga Community College moved to a one-stop enrollment model, Student Central; designed a new “Next Steps Center” in order to house various services, including career exploration and transfer counseling, among others; and mobilized efforts to focus on the needs of non-traditional students with an emphasis on the evening population. Additionally, Risser oversaw the creation of a data-driven comprehensive retention plan; directed the planned growth of online offerings, which included seven full academic programs; and guided preparations for the addition of residence life. Risser also participated in a leadership team that was responsible for Onondaga Community College’s recent enrollment growth. During this transition, Onondaga Community College developed a strategic enrollment management plan that was based on a successful business model.

Under Risser’s leadership, Onondaga Community College’s Corporate and Extended Learning unit cultivated a wide range of collaborative partnerships for Onondaga Community College with various organizations, including Excellus Blue Cross to offer credit courses on-site; the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 43 (IBEW) to provide a joint apprenticeship training program; the Syracuse Rescue Mission to offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs on-site; and Onondaga County Department of Social Services to assist residents as they move from public assistance to the workforce.

During her 20 years as a faculty member at Onondaga Community College, Risser served in a variety of faculty governance roles, ranging from chair of the faculty to member of the Faculty Executive Committee. She also served as chair or co-chair of several other committees, and she participated as a member of the Onondaga Community College delegation to Namibia.

Risser served as the chair of three Labor-Management Committees and co-chaired the College Negotiation Team, which utilized Interest Based Bargaining. Risser also completed training on Interest Based Bargaining through Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) School.

Currently, Risser serves as a member of the Syracuse Partnership for Better Education Steering Committee and as a member of the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts (PARC) Community Advisory Board at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

Throughout Risser’s career, she has given more than 50 presentations at state-wide and national professional conferences on the topics of college learning strategies, student success, assessment of basic skills programs, supplemental instruction, teaching/learning styles, developmental reading, and leading change on-campus. She has authored two recent publications: Reading Across the Curriculum and Invest in Yourself.

Risser has been honored with several awards and distinctions, including the Onondaga Community College Trustees Awards; National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award; and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, among others. She also is an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.

Risser recently earned a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, and her dissertation focused on the entrepreneurial community college. She received a master’s of science degree in reading education from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s of arts degree in English education from Hartwick College.

“I am honored to serve as the College’s next President,” said Risser. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the students, faculty, and staff of Finger Lakes Community College and the community of the Finger Lakes region and to build upon the accomplishments of the College and Dr. Hayes. I believe that my strong background in contemporary issues in higher education, coupled with my personal commitment to the comprehensive community college, will greatly benefit FLCC, and I look forward to the exciting challenge of serving as the next president of this excellent institution.”

According to Onondaga Community College President, Debbie Sydow, “Dr. Risser has the key components of being a successful community college president: energy, communication skills, work ethic, and integrity.”

Dr. Risser will be hired at the starting salary of $160,000.

A native of central New York, Risser enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time. Risser currently resides in Camillus, New York with her husband, Fred, and they will establish a residence in Ontario County.

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) – Finger Lakes Community College recently inducted Steven Varney ’77, of Naples, into the Athletic Hall of Fame, and named Holly Bakker ’06, of Stanley, as Outstanding Scholar Athlete for the 2005-06 academic year.

Varney was recognized for his tremendous contributions as a coach and role model for the Woodsmen’s Team during his 25-year tenure. While he was a student from 1975-77 Varney participated in the CCFL Woodsmen’s team. After graduating in 1977 with a degree in natural resources conservation, he was hired as a conservation department technician. In 1981, he became Woodsmen’s team coach, a position he continues to hold. Under his leadership, the Woodsmen’s team has won 28 championships.

Bakker was selected as Outstanding Scholar Athlete for the 2005-06 academic year in recognition of the 3.81 grade point average she maintained while also participating as a member of the College’s women’s soccer, basketball, and softball teams. The College annually
recognizes the academic accomplishments of an athlete from the previous year who achieved the highest grade point average while participating on an intercollegiate athletic team. Bakker graduated in 2006 with an associate’s degree in physical education. She transferred to SUNY Cortland in fall 2006 and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She plans to become a teacher.

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. (June 19, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College recently participated in the spring New York State Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges competition. The competition consists of “challenge” math exams offered during fall and spring semesters at many community colleges. FLCC’s team score ranked fifth statewide out of 25 competing colleges.

Cameron Wing of Phelps achieved the highest individual fall/spring combined score. Kate Lasher of Himrod had the seventh highest individual combined score statewide.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 19, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College will offer an 18-day travel course to Peru during the Jan Plan 2008 session. This is a three-credit course designed to immerse students in the language and culture of Peru. The tentative travel dates are December 28, 2007 – January 14, 2008. Interested participants are asked to submit a $200 deposit by September 1, 2007.

The trip is organized by Barbara Kruger, associate professor of foreign languages at FLCC. Kruger has been teaching French and Spanish for 17 years and has traveled extensively. Kruger earned her master’s degree in international education from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in French from Georgetown University. She is a member of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers.

The course prerequisites are: a minimum of three years of high school Spanish and/or one semester of a college-level Spanish language course and permission of instructor.

For more information, please contact Kruger at (585) 394-3500, ext. 7309 or e-mail krugerbl@flcc.edu.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 14, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College recently announced the recipients of the Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship Program.

Recipients of the Top 10% Scholarship had to rank within the top ten percent of their graduating class and maintain an overall high school grade point average of 90 percent or better.

Each student will receive one half of the cost of full-time FLCC tuition per year for up to two years.

High school graduates from the class of 2007 who have received FLCC’s Top 10% Scholarship are:
Mark Brownyard of Rochester: International Finance High School at Franklin who plans to major in Sports and Tourism Studies.
Nicholas Friedman of Walworth: Gananda High School who plans to major in Business Administration.
Ashley Lanning of Palmyra: Palmyra Macedon High School who plans to major in Registered Nursing.
Michael Olejniczak of Buffalo: McKinley High School who plans to major in Natural Resources Conservation.
Henry Prutsman of Arcade: Pioneer Central High School who plans to major in Music Recording Technology.
Katelyn Withey of Marion: Marion Jr./Sr. High School who plans to major in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Top 10% Scholarship applications will become available for the class of 2008 in October of 2007. To receive an application or for more information, contact the FLCC Admissions Office at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7278, or admissions@flcc.edu.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 12, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College’s Office of Campus Safety will host an Emergency Preparedness Training Program on June 27 on the Canandaigua campus for the College administration and campus, County, and local emergency responders. The program is being conducted by the Ontario County Sheriffs’ office, under the direction of Sgt. David Frasca.

Since the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities throughout the country are reviewing and revamping their preparedness strategies for campus-wide emergencies. FLCC’s training program is designed for College and local emergency response personnel to rehearse coordination, communications, and operational efficiency in the event of a crisis. Classroom instruction takes place during the morning session, followed by a practical exercise in the afternoon.

According to Ray Montcrieff, director of campus safety, “This training exercise demonstrates that FLCC, along with County officials, are continually working together on emergency preparedness planning and training issues.”

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (June 12, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College recently became affiliated with the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi. The FLCC chapter of Sigma Alpha Pi inducted 36 students at the end of the spring semester. These students have completed all of their membership requirements. Inductees included the following (names follow hometowns):

Branchport: Christina Hall
Canandaigua: David Fancher, Kelly Hamby, Meghan Rathbun, Nathan Smith, Natasha Wisler
Clifton Springs: Daniel Cristofaro, Joseph Featherly
Clyde: Melinda Privitera
Dansville: Colin Wilcox
Fairport: Carrie DeJohn
Geneva: Sara Coleman, Audrey Morabito, Kimberly Notebaert, Kathryn Snyder, Kevin Tomion, Yarivelisse Martinez
Gorham: Charles Sheehe
Greece: Clark Schroeder
Hemlock: Kathryn Chechak
Marion: Sara Clarke, Rebecca Crum
Middlesex: Colin Swider
Naples: Leah Brown
Newark: Anthony Jones, Gregory Stryker
Penn Yan: Mark Griffin Jr.
Phelps: Cathaline Tauscher
Prattsburg: Kelly Sutton
Rushville: Jennifer Cull, Eric Williams
Savannah: Johnathan Conrow
Seneca Falls: Trevor Thillman
Shortsville: Bryn Johnston
Webster: Zachary Mosher

The National Society of Leadership and Success was created by a nationwide effort of professional motivational speakers. The Society’s aim is to help students become confident individuals and leaders. To complete membership requirements, students must attend three or more videoconferences and success networking team meetings over the course of the year, as well as attend a three-hour leadership training day.