FLCC Campus News

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 27, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College will host humor columnist Anne Palumbo as the featured speaker at the fourth annual “Meet an Author” Event. This free presentation, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Writing (But Were Afraid to Ask),” is open to the public and will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at 10 a.m. in the third-floor periodicals room of the Charles J. Meder Library on the FLCC Canandaigua campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive. Refreshments will be available at 9:30 a.m. and the presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Palumbo, a graduate of Cornell University, worked in corporate promotions and advertising before devoting her energies to her true loves: her family and humor writing. In 1997, she published her first book, “The Stay-at-Home Mom’s Survival Guide.” That same year, she began writing “Daily Dose,” an award-winning lifestyle column for Messenger Post Newspapers. She also writes about restaurants for the paper’s “Dining Out” column and is currently at work on another humor book.

Barbara Murphy, associate professor of developmental studies at FLCC, stated, “The ‘Meet an Author’ Event is a great opportunity for people to hear from an actual writer. Anne will discuss why she loves writing and how she learned to write. She will also talk about the writing process, including the importance of editing.” Other topics Palumbo will address include how she landed her own column, her most controversial column, where she gets her ideas, and how she turns a small idea into a 600-word humor piece.

The “Meet an Author” Event is sponsored by the developmental studies department, which provides college courses in reading, writing, and study skills; academic assistance; and GED classes. For more information about this event, contact Pat Malinowski, chairperson and professor of developmental studies, at 585-394-FLCC, ext. 7389.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 21,2007) – The imminent arrival of one of the country’s most well-traveled contemporary women journalists is being viewed with intense interest by several of Finger Lakes Community College’s professors of the recently expanded Honors Studies and new course on Women in Contemporary Society. They’ll have a chance to interact one-on-one with National Geographic Society journalist Lisa Ling when she gives an afternoon presentation to their students on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, as part of her visit to the campus for the Visiting Scholars Series at the CMAC later that evening.

Ling will arrive in Canandaigua just 24 hours after returning from a new project in India for the Oprah Winfrey Show. The project explores the new industry of “outsourcing” the wombs of Indian females as surrogates for infertile Americans.

“From a social science perspective, her voice is of particular interest because much of the time her reporting focus is on cultural, anthropological, and women’s issues,” says Fred MacNamara, professor of social sciences/human services and chairperson of the social sciences department at FLCC. “The book she co-authored, Mother Daughter Sister Bride: Rituals of Womanhood, examines the historical, cultural and personal impact of women’s roles, ritual and ritual practice. Many of the topics she covers – for example: bride burning, prison life, and street gangs deal with issues that governments and individuals may not want to examine because they are controversial, emotionally-laden and have no easy solution.”

Students in Jess MacNamara’s Women in Contemporary Society course have plenty of questions related to these kinds of issues. “We want to ask – How can we (as American students) help?” says MacNamara. “What do you think our responsibilities are as an audience?”

Ling has strong opinions on the subject.

“American women should feel privileged,” Ling says, “because no matter what hardships we have, we have organizations and resources in our country to seek out for help. Other women in parts of the world don’t have that. And some women across the world may voluntarily choose to live lives in a different way. We must be open to that, and communicate with them, be willing to listen. It’s the only way we have to emerge out of this very challenging situation that exists in the world.”

Americans are disliked in many places for “coming off as close-minded and not open to differences,” Ling says.

Having the opportunity to hear the views of a journalist who has covered stories from more than two dozen countries including North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Colombia, Algeria, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Japan, and India over the last fifteen years is an integral part of developing an informed world view — part of the mission of the newly expanded Honors Studies, says professor Curt Nehring Bliss, assistant professor of English and director of honors studies.

“The Honors Studies contains three pillars or tenets,” Nehring Bliss says. “They are critical thinking, creative expression, and mindful values. It’s teaching to the whole person. Lisa Ling embodies all three of those tenets.”

In addition, Nehring Bliss says, Ling’s expertise as a journalist and producer of documentaries for television on the National Geographic Channel, PBS and Oxygen will be of particular interest to students of the expanded writing courses in Honors Studies.

“We’re working in the first semester teaching creative non-fiction, a form of literary journalism that explores the subjective world of the writer vs. the objective world of the subject,” Nehring Bliss says. “A personal bias is always there, so how does it inform the story?”

This is a subject that is right up Ling’s alley.

“I find it shocking that there is less and less international news being presented today,” she says. “We’re in the midst of wars on multiple fronts – and we’re talking about (celebrities). I’m aghast at that.”

Working for National Geographic, and not for a news organization as a reporter, gives her more opportunities to do what she loves. “National Geographic is one of the only outlets that cover global stories in a comprehensive way by diving in and dissecting the issues,” says Ling. “I’m very proud of being able to do that kind of work with them.”

Lisa Ling will be the keynote presenter at the FLCC Foundation’s fourth Visiting Scholars Series event on September 25, 2007 at 6 p.m. at the CMAC on campus, in conjunction with National Geographic Live. For more information, call the Foundation at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7386, or by e-mail at foundation@flcc.edu.

The FLCC Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable corporation established to seek financial support for the College from the private sector. The Foundation accepts donations for scholarships, equipment purchases, special projects, and faculty development.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 20, 2007) – 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, Oct. 1 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 be dismantled and poured into a stream on campus during the closing ceremony on Monday, Oct. 8 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 and 2006.

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 ongoing creation of the mandala. Tenzin will be creating the mandala Monday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to noon and Monday, Oct. 8, 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, Oct. 2 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, compassion, and all world religious traditions.

“Educating the Heart, the Dalai Lama’s Message of Peace, Love, and Understanding,” Thursday, Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m. at the Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34. This program will be led by Richard Hamling and will also involve an introduction to meditation and sitting. Hamling is a long-time adjunct instructor at FLCC and has studied extensively with Buddhist psychologist John Welwood and others who frequent the Amitabha Dharma Center of Rochester.

The acclaimed and recently released film, “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama,” to be shown Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in Stage 13, located on the second floor of the Canandaigua campus. Written and directed by Rick Ray, “enlightening…provocative…highly engaging,” The Washington Post. Discussion after the film will be led by Frank Howard, lecturer and director of the Rochester-based Amitabha Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture of Tibet.

FLCC will also host a Tibetan/Indian luncheon on the final day of the mandala ceremony, Monday, Oct. 8 at 12 p.m. in Stage 13. Vegan dishes will also be served. For reservations, call 394-FLCC, ext. 7339.

Additional support for these events is provided by the FLCC Campus Activities Board (CAB), 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-FLCC, ext. 7335, or hellerjw@flcc.edu

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 20, 2007) – The Finger Lakes Community College Division of Professional Studies and Continuing Education is accepting enrollments for upcoming real estate courses; Continuing Education Real Estate Training, Real Estate Broker, and Real Estate Salesperson courses.

Continuing Education Real Estate Training: Knowledge of New Construction is Powerful and Profitable is a three-day training course, which fulfills the 22.5-hour continuing education requirement for New York state real estate license renewal. This course meets Monday, Sept. 24; Wednesday, Sept. 26; and Friday, Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuition is $339, which includes the course textbook.

The Real Estate Broker course meets the educational requirements for obtaining a Real Estate Broker’s license in New York state. This six-day course meets Monday, Oct. 15 - Saturday, Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., with the exam taking place on Monday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tuition is $339, which includes the course textbook (late fees apply for registration after Oct. 1). Persons taking this course must have completed the Real Estate Salesperson course prior to enrollment.

The Real Estate Salesperson course meets the educational requirements for obtaining a Real Estate Salesperson’s license in New York state. This six-day course meets Monday, Nov. 5 - Saturday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., with the exam taking place on Monday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tuition is $339, which includes the course textbook (late fees apply for registration after Oct. 22).

For more information about FLCC’s real estate courses or to register, visit www.flcc.edu/ce or contact the Division of Professional Studies and Continuing Education at ce@flcc.edu or (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7660.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 18, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College will hold a tree dedication ceremony in memory of Dr. Charles J. Meder, the College’s longest serving president, who passed away on August 14, 2007.

The community is invited to attend the ceremony and reception, which will be held on Friday, October 5, 2007 at 2 p.m. in the campus quad. In dedication to Dr. Meder, president emeritus, the College will plant a Japanese Zelkova tree near the Charles J. Meder Library, also named in his honor. In case of rain, the event will be held in the second floor cafeteria annex.

“We will celebrate Dr. Meder’s life as a pioneer for the College by placing a tree as a living tribute to Dr. Meder’s commitment to FLCC and unending passion for education,” said Dr. Barbara G. Risser, president of FLCC.

Dr. Meder served with distinction as the dean of the College from 1967 to 1971, acting president from 1971 to 1972, and president from 1972 to 1992.

For more information about the dedication ceremony, contact Amy Pauley, development officer, at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7541, or pauleyai@flcc.edu.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 13, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College, through its Global Awareness Program, presents its Second Annual Farmers Market, Friday, Sept. 21 from 12 - 4 p.m. As part of the “Global Awareness Goes Local” series of programs, the market will feature farmers and vendors from throughout the finger lakes area, as well as live music, and information tables on horticulture, sustainable agriculture and wellness.

Participants include: Organic Matters Farm, Jones Brooks Produce, Artistic Eats (pasta), Finger Lakes Farmstead Cheese Company, Gale-Wyn Farm, Maier’s Mud Acres Farm, Nana’s Garden (cut flowers), Nordic Farms (jams and jellies), Ambrosia Acres Family Farm, Dar’s Delights (homemade ice cream), Sacheli’s Franjo Farms, Visions of Sugar Plum (homemade fudge), Aberdeen Hill Farm (farm raised meats), The Pie Shoppe (homemade pies and cookies), Allens Hill Farm, and Hastings Field (cut flowers and floral designs).

The market is free and open to the public. Vendors will be set up on FLCC’s Canandaigua Campus in front of the main building near the entrance to the Charles J. Meder Library. For more information about this event, contact Joshua Heller, director of international education at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7335, or hellerjw@flcc.edu.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College honored three professional staff members with 2007-08 Professional Achievement Awards based on college and community service. Recipients were Waldo Babcock, Eleanor Rideout, and Richard Schlesinger, Ed.D.

Babcock, of Prattsburg, has served as a librarian for the College since 2003. Babcock earned his master’s degree in library science from Syracuse University and his bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University.

Rideout, of Canandaigua, technical specialist in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, has been with the College since 1993. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from SUNY Fredonia and an associate’s degree in communications from Niagara County Community College.

Schlesinger, of Victor, joined the College in 1996 as career services coordinator. He earned a doctorate in higher education administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a master’s degree in counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Pittsburgh.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (September 6, 2007) – Two Finger Lakes Community College employees recently had articles published in prominent conservation journals. The articles detail findings of recent studies in which these FLCC employees designed and conducted research within their specialized areas in the field of conservation.

John Foust, temporary instructor of environmental conservation and horticulture, authored an article entitled, “Failure of Walleye Recruitment in a Lake with Little Suitable Spawning Habitat is Probably Exacerbated by Restricted Home Ranges” which appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Freshwater Ecology. The article reports on the spawning locations, habitats and natural reproduction potential of walleye in Honeoye Lake, New York. Twenty-three adult walleye were radio-tagged and tracked for two and a half years to produce this study.

Foust, of Stanley, has been with the college since 1999. He holds a master’s degree in biological sciences from SUNY Brockport, a bachelor’s degree in fisheries from the State University College of Agriculture and Technology in Cobleskill, and an associate’s degree in natural resources conservation from FLCC.

Robert Wink, assistant professor of environmental conservation and horticulture, authored an article entitled, “The Combined Effects of Defoliation and Modified Timber Stand Improvement on Hardwoods in the Tug Hill Region of New York” which appeared in a recent issue of the Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. This original research investigated the effects of defoliation and modified timber stand improvement on crown dieback and mortality of sugar maple and black cherry in the Tug Hill region of New York state.

Wink, of Canandaigua, has been with the college since 2004. He has a doctorate in environmental forest biology and a bachelor’s degree in forest biology and resources management from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Currently, the FLCC department of environmental conservation and horticulture offers associate in applied science degrees in fisheries technology, natural resources conservation, natural resource conservation: law enforcement, and ornamental horticulture-landscape development; associate in science degrees in environmental studies and liberal arts and sciences; and certificates in wildland fire suppression, ornamental horticulture, outdoor recreation, and taxidermy.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 6, 2007) – The Finger Lakes Community College Division of Professional Studies and Continuing Education offers a new, non-credit, online course for both novice and veteran users of Microsoft Word.

Introduction to Microsoft Word 2007 will guide students through key elements of the retooled interface, which make the application more efficient and responsive to the needs of the user. Students will learn how to proficiently navigate the 2007 interface, while also gaining first-hand experience with formatting, editing, file management, and printing.

Introduction to Microsoft Word 2007 Instructor, Craig Power states, “First-time Microsoft Word users will acquire the necessary tools to succeed and experienced users will gain valuable, up-to-date skills through this hands-on course.”

The online course begins monthly and features a 24/7 virtual classroom, as well as Web-based discussion areas where students can post questions for the instructor and interact with other students in the course. This format allows students to complete the course from work or home at convenient times.

For more information about this course, visit www.flcc.edu/ce or contact the Division of Professional Studies and Continuing Education at ce@flcc.edu or (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7660.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 6, 2007) – A new wildland fire suppression certificate program at Finger Lakes Community College recently received final approval from the New York State Department of Education. This certificate will provide the training wildland fire fighters need for the Federal Interagency “Red card” and will meet and exceed the minimum requirements for State and Federal Agencies that hire wildland fire fighters.

This certificate is designed for people who would like to pursue employment with the NYS DEC and federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Additionally, this certificate is designed for members of the public with a general interest in wildland fire suppression; volunteer firefighters who would like to expand their knowledge and career opportunities; and currently enrolled students with an interest in supplementing their conservation degrees.

Wildland fire suppression certificate courses, which can be taken individually as well, include the following: Wildland Fire Suppression; Firefighter Type I; Orienteering; Fire Science Agencies and Careers; Basic Incident Command System; Portable Pumps and Water Use; Wildland Fire Chain Saws; and Fire Ecology. Courses are being offered in the evening and on weekends in order to accommodate the schedules of busy adult students and employed students.

Students will also receive federally-recognized certification through the completion of Wildland Fire Suppression (S130/S190); Portable Pumps and Water Use (S211); Fire Fighter Type I (S131/S134); Wildland Fire Chain Saws (S212); Basic Incident Command System (I100/I200); and Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface (S215).

Prospective firefighters must first complete the Wildland Fire Suppression course offered as part of this certificate program. This course provides the required training to obtain the S130 and S190 state and federally-recognized certification. Additionally, students must also pass an employer’s physical fitness test consisting of a timed run or “pack” test. FLCC was the first College in New York State to offer this course to the public.

Current industry professionals are teaching several of the courses. Tracy Gingrich, wildland fire fighter crew boss, will teach Wildland Fire Suppression; Firefighter Type I; and Basic Incident Command System. Mike Durfee, wildland fire fighter Northeast Regional Director, will teach Wildland Fire Suppression and Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface. Full-time faculty in the Environmental Conservation and Horticulture Department are also teaching units within their specialty areas for this certificate program.

Currently, the FLCC department of environmental conservation and horticulture offers associate in applied science degrees in fisheries technology, natural resources conservation, natural resource conservation: law enforcement, and ornamental horticulture-landscape development; associate in science degrees in environmental studies and liberal arts and sciences; and certificates in ornamental horticulture, outdoor recreation, and taxidermy.

For more information about the wildland fire suppression certificate program, visit www.flcc.edu/wildland or contact the FLCC Office of Admissions at admissions@flcc.edu or at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7278.