FLCC Campus News

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 29, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College will be hosting the DisABILITY Film Festival during the month of October. This series, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Stage 13, on the second floor of the FLCC campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua. The following films will be screened:

Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.
“Rolling,” directed by Gretchen Berland
A documentary primarily filmed by three participants via video cameras mounted on their chairs. “Even though the film started out as a way of understanding the experience of being in a wheelchair, in the end, it’s really about life,” states Gretchen Berland, director.

Thursday, October 16 at 12:30 p.m. (Double Feature)
“One Strong Arm,” directed by Lorne Mendell and Tiller Russell
In this rural “Rocky” story, a disabled teenager works out until he’s got one arm strong enough to be a contender in mainstream arm wrestling matches. This inspirational film looks at familial unconditional love and support.

“Headstrong: Inside the Hidden World of Dyslexia and ADHD,” directed by Steve Schecter
This documentary features six people whose dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have caused major detours in their lives. The message is clear and powerful: if people with these conditions are given timely assessments and the tools of awareness, self-advocacy, and contemporary technology, their achievements can be unlimited. This is one of the first films to tell such a thorough story about the estimated 20 million Americans with these conditions.

Tuesday, October 21 at 12:30 p.m.
“Abnormally Funny People,” directed by Al Edirinsinghe
In a hilarious yet deeply moving narrative, this film shows what happens when five performers with a variety of disabilities and stage experience and one non-disabled comic decide to put together a show for the demanding and unforgiving Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The DisABILITY Film Festival is sponsored by the Developmental Studies Department, the Charles J. Meder Library, and the Campus Activities Board. Proceeds from popcorn sales will benefit the Developmental Studies Scholarship Fund. Developmental Studies provides college courses in reading, writing, American Sign Language, and study skills; academic assistance; accommodation for students with disabilities; and GED classes.

For more information about this film festival or to request accommodations, contact 585-394-FLCC, ext. 7441.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 29, 2008) – Supernatural historian Mason Winfield will be the featured speaker at Finger Lakes Community College’s fifth annual “Meet an Author” event on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9:30 a.m. The title of Winfield’s presentation is, “Ghosts, Leys, and Sacred Sites: The Supernaturalism of Landscape.”

This event, which is free and open to the public, will be held 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. The presentation begins at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a book signing.

Mason Winfield is an author, researcher, and “paranormal generalist.” He studied English and Classics at Denison University, earned a master’s degree in British literature at Boston College, and studied poetry and fiction at SUNY Buffalo. He has published six books, including the regional sensation Shadows of the Western Door (1997) and, most recently, Haunted Rochester: The Supernatural History of the Lower Genesee. His short story “The Hunters” won the JobsinHell/Feoamante.com contest for Horror Fiction in 2000. Mason designed and appeared in The Phantom Tour, a 2-hour TV program/DVD on haunted history in Western New York. He has also appeared on NBC’s Today Show.

Event coordinator and FLCC Professor, Barbara Murphy shared her excitement about this upcoming presentation: “The ‘Meet an Author’ event is a great opportunity for people to hear from an actual writer. Mason will be discussing how he conducts research on local history while investigating reportedly haunted sites. He will also entertain the audience with a video presentation about haunted places and leys.” Leys are alignments of geographic sites, like stone circles, which some believe emanate psychic or mystical energy.

Mason is the founder of Haunted History Ghost Walks, Inc., a company that designs and develops various forms of “haunted” tourism, including walking and carriage tours, conferences, and performances. Cultural, historic, and architectural preservation are vital issues to Mason, and Haunted History Ghost Walks, Inc., supports those causes through their partnerships with local organizations.

Mason has developed tours with both the Wayne County Historical Society in Lyons and the Ontario County Historical Society. He will conduct a 90-minute Haunted History Ghost Walk in Canandaigua on the evening of Oct. 14. Although the morning lecture is free, the 7 p.m. tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 7-11. The tour departs from the Commons Park on South Main Street, Canandaigua.

The “Meet an Author” event is sponsored by the Developmental Studies Department, which provides college courses in reading, writing, American Sign Language, and study skills; academic assistance; and GED classes.

For more information about this lecture and book signing, contact Pat Malinowski at 585-394-FLCC, ext. 7389. For more information about Mason Winfield and Haunted History Ghost Walks, Inc., visit www.masonwinfield.com.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College honored 93 student scholars at the 24th annual Widmer’s Scholarship Reception held on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. Co-sponsored by Constellation Wines U.S. and the Finger Lakes Community College Foundation, the reception was held at the Canandaigua campus of Finger Lakes Community College.

Scholarships were presented to full- and part-time students entering or returning to FLCC this fall or who transferred to four-year colleges and universities by Foundation Board Vice-Chair, Roberta A. Jordans, and FLCC President, Barbara G. Risser, Ed.D. Students apply for and are selected to receive the awards based on a variety of criteria relating to major, grade point average, and intended occupation. The awards range from $160 to $12,000.

Board Chair Debi E. Jones commented, “This year we are delighted to have expanded our annual scholarship recognition event to include those recipients who have just begun attending classes this month. Combined with our standard recognition of students who are returning and those who graduated in May, this event continues to be a wonderful way to connect our benefactors and students to publicly thank individuals, corporations, and organizations for their generosity, as well as to honor the talents and scholarship of our students.”

Award recipients included the following:

Cassaundra Alexander, of Newark: Finger Lakes Development Center for Business Scholarship
Joshua Arhin, of Brooklyn: Dr. Daniel T. Hayes Scholarship
Krystal Avery, of Newark: Ann Hamilton Memorial Scholarship
Susan Briggs, of Williamson: Dr. Rebecca Burgess Memorial Scholarship, FLCC Alumni Association Adult Excellence Scholarship
Rachel Brown, of Lyons: John M. Meuser Memorial Scholarship
Anthony Bruno, of Geneva: Michaels Family Memorial Scholarship
James Buck, Jr., of Seneca Falls: Bowen Family Memorial Scholarship
Anna Butler, of Naples: FLCC Alumni Association Freshman Excellence Scholarship
Mary Calabrese, of Geneva: Ed and Gerry Cuony Scholarship, Dr. Charles J. Meder Scholarship for the Arts
Gregory Chapman, of Canandaigua: FLCC Alumni Association Adult Excellence Scholarship
Daryl Chappell, of Canandaigua: Martin Schneider Canandaigua Rotary Club Scholarship
William Ciardi, Jr., of Shortsville: G.W. Lisk Co., Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Frank Ciecierski, of Farmington: Raytec Group, Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Miranda Cocuzzi, of Farmington: Raytec Group, Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Marvin Cooke, of the Bronx: Lively Arts Council Theatre Arts Scholarship, FLCC Alumni Association Full-Time Student Scholarship
Nicholas Corcoran, of Batavia: Amy Steverson Memorial Scholarship
Cody Cottrell, of Canandaigua: FLCC Gemini Scholarship
Marisa DeRoma, of Marion: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Kevin DeRue, of Williamson: Garlock Sealing Technologies Scholarship
Pat DeVellis, of Geneva: Ed and Gerry Cuony Scholarship, Ann Hamilton Memorial Scholarship
Elly Disbrow, of Bluff Point: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Nicole Eatherly, of Palmyra: FLCC Alumni Association Freshman Scholarship
Kevin Eckert, of Rochester: FLCC President’s Scholarship, Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Shanell Eldridge, of Geneva: James and Margaret Wyckoff Memorial Scholarship
Mary Elizabeth Farrand, of Newark: Richard P. Reasin Memorial Scholarship
Joseph Featherly, of Clifton Springs: IPM & Plant Health Scholarship
Katelyn Fien, of Rush: FLCC Science and Technology Faculty Scholarship
Nicholas Friedman, of Buffalo: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
John Fuller, of Canandaigua: Jack Bricker Memorial Award, Garlock Sealing Technologies Scholarship, S & S Memorial Scholarship
David Gauss, of Campbell: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Cassidy Gertis, of Bliss: Brooke Makowiec Memorial Award, FLCC Alumni Association Scholarship Returning Student Scholarship
Alison Gillespie, of Macedon: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Lindsay Gill, of Canandaigua: Frances F. MacLeod Memorial Scholarship
Hannah Good, of Bloomfield: Barbara Outhouse American Association of University Women
Elijah Guillaume, of Phelps: G.W. Lisk Co., Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Benjamin Hanggi, of Naples: Robert L. (Rodge) Case Conservation Scholarship
Krystle Holden, of Newark: Association of Women at FLCC Scholarship, Ann Hamilton Memorial Scholarship
Tammy Johnson, of Naples: Road Service, Inc. Scholarship, Carol Scharett Memorial Scholarship, Association of Women at FLCC Scholarship
Natalie Jovanelli, of Farmington: Melissa Young (Hawk Child Wandering) Massage Scholarship
Fritz Jung, of Canandaigua: Frances F. MacLeod Legacy Scholarship
Jeffrey Kallas, of Canandaigua: Murray F. Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Sherry Klimko, of Williamson: Frances F. MacLeod Memorial Scholarship, Mr. & Mrs. Elwood A. (Emma) Garner Memorial Scholarship
Jessica Kristoff, of Fairport: Seneca Landscapes Scholarship
Steve Kuriatnyk, of Honeoye Falls: FLCC Horticulture Faculty Scholarship
Robert Landgrebe, of Canandaigua: FLCC Alumni Association Graduating Student Scholarship
Ashley Lanning, of Buffalo: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Katie Lawson, of Stanley: Becker/Strong Memorial Scholarship, Gary Adams Memorial Scholarship
Deborah Leenhouts, of Canandaigua: Dr. Ina Sue Brown Memorial Scholarship
John Little, of Andes: Fraley Family Scholarship
Elienid Lopez, of Geneva: James and Margaret Wyckoff Memorial Scholarship
Matthew Markosky, of Owego: SUNY Empire State Diversity Honors Scholarship
Ellen Martin, of Lima: Joanne Glover Memorial Scholarship, FLCC Alumni Association Freshman Scholarship
Katie McDonald, of Fairport: Alice C. Southgate Home Bureau Scholarship, Arianne van Tienhoven Tepper Scholarship, Mona Horne Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Chelsea McMinn, of Farmington: Raytec Group, Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Jennifer Millerd, of Seneca Falls: John and Peggy Champaigne Memorial Scholarship, Ann Hamilton Memorial Scholarship
Ashley Mott, of Newark: Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Scholarship
Mara Moulden-Budd, of Seneca Falls: FLCC Massage Therapy Scholarship
Jolene Nashlund, of Palmyra: FLCC Conservation Faculty Scholarship
Michael Olejniczak, of Buffalo: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Heather Orbaker, of Phelps: Mark J. Prockton Memorial Scholarship
Briana Parshall, of Waterloo: Dr. Henry L. Buxbaum Fine Arts Prize
Carmelo Perez, of Brooklyn: Donald and Jean Burgan Community Service Award
Christine Pisarek, of Canandaigua: CCFL Storefront Pioneers Scholarship, Nursing Alumni Legacy Scholarship
Melinda Privitera, of Canandaigua: FLCC Alumni Association Memorial Scholarship
Henry Prutsman, of Buffalo: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Lauryn Recchia, of Fairport: Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Scholarship
Jessica Ridley, of Waterloo: Brenda S. (Brockman) Beck Memorial Scholarship, Finger Lakes Development Center for Business Scholarship
Larkin Ryan, of Middlesex: FLCC Board of Trustees Scholarship
Nicole Saavedra, of Walworth: FLCC Gemini Scholarship
Karen Sabia, of Canandaigua: Campus Beautification Award
Kyle Sanders, of Shortsville: G.W. Lisk Co., Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Bridget Saunders, of Seneca Falls: Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Clark Schroeder, of Rochester: James E. Sullivan, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Joshua Senick, of Attica: NYS Conservation Law Officer’s Association Scholarship
Jaime Shelters, of Canandaigua: Anthony L. Cecere Memorial Scholarship
Christopher Sirianni, of Canandaigua: Patricia Nettnin Memorial Scholarship
Christina Slover, of Conesus: FLCC Alumni Association Graduating Student Scholarship
Brian Soller, of Farmington: Bill Parham Memorial Scholarship
Devon Sparrow, of Romulus: FLCC Gemini Scholarship
Michaela Swarthout, of Branchport: FLCC Gemini Scholarship
Ryan Taylor, of Geneva: Jane Milne Mills Memorial Scholarship, FLCC Geneva Campus Center Scholarship, Bowen Family Memorial Scholarship
Amanda Torregrossa, of Clyde: Mary E. Moynihan Memorial Scholarship
Kendra Trammel, of Phelps: Francis Finnick Memorial Conservation Scholarship
Zachary Valone, of Bloomfield: Frances F. MacLeod Freshman Nursing Scholarship
Brandi Vest, of Naples: Charlotte Cowie Memorial Scholarship
Emily Wheat, of Clifton Springs: G.W. Lisk Co., Inc. Excellence Scholarship
Katelyn Withey, of Marion: FLCC Science and Technology Faculty Scholarship, Finger Lakes Region Top 10% Scholarship
Matthew Wyckoff, of Webster: SUNY Empire State Diversity Scholarship
Debra Yacuzzo, of Naples: Finger Lakes Business Education Partnership Scholarship
Onnalee Youngman, of Palmyra: Charlotte B. Munson Memorial Scholarship, Canandaigua Lions Club Memorial Scholarship
Ashley Zuhlsdorf, of Manchester: Alton B. Corbit Memorial Scholarship
Suzanne Zwecker, of Farmington: FLCC Alumni Association Returning Student Scholarship, Association of Women at FLCC Scholarship

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 23, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College will host the Latino Heritage Museum’s “El Exito Corre En Mis Raza” exhibit as part of the College’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The exhibit will be displayed on Friday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Stage 13 on the second floor of the Canandaigua campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive.

The Latino Heritage Museum (LHM) is an inspirational tribute to Latinos, Hispanic scientists, inventors, and pioneers in the field of science, aerospace, communications, and medicine, as well as business, sports, politics and arts/entertainment.

LHM is a touring multimedia presentation, which consists of a museum containing over 100 authentic artifacts. The museum consists of a collection of the most significant Hispanic memorabilia collectibles, rare items, photographs, personal letters, and autographs of Latino pioneers from around the world.

The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by FLCC’s Campus Activities Board.

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. 18, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College invites the community to a night of art, food, and jazz at the 2nd annual Honors House Alumni Art Gallery’s fall opening on Friday, Oct. 3 from 7-10 p.m. at the FLCC Honors House, 4340 Lakeshore Dr., directly across Lakeshore Drive from the Canandaigua Campus.

The Honors House hosts an annually revolving alumni art gallery. The 2008-09 show will feature the works of five emerging and diverse visual artists including:
G. Scott Corey (’06), painting, mixed media, and digital photography
Andrea L. Cornish (’06), mixed media and sculpture
Ashley Pridmore (’05), installation and sculpture
Jen and Pat Tellier (’03), photography and jewelry

Music for the evening will be provided by The Jen Sisbarro Quartet featuring FLCC vocal instructor Jen Sisbarro, FLCC guitar instructor Mark Arnold (’04), Nash Bock (’06), and Jonathon Clark (’04).

The Honors House Alumni Art Gallery opening event is free and open to the public. 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.

Hours for FLCC’s Honors House Alumni Art Gallery are Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays by appointment. For more information, contact Assistant Professor of English and Director of Honors Studies, Curtis Nehring Bliss at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7367 or nehrincd@flcc.edu.

About the FLCC Honors House:
The FLCC Honors House is an energetic, creative, and cultural learning environment. The Honors House hosts classes, meetings, events, and exhibits that stimulate critical thinking, creative expression, and mindful action. This unique venue demonstrates the commitment of the College and the Honors Studies program to supporting and cultivating the interests of Honors Studies students, aspiring and practicing writers, innovative educators, and campus organizations.

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. 12, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College through its Global Awareness Series presents, “Back by Popular Demand, An Evening with the Mambo Kings,” Wednesday, September 24 at 7 p.m. in Stage 13 on the second floor of the Canandaigua Campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive. This program is part of a campus wide celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Mambo Kings, based out of Rochester, NY, is widely known for its Afro-Cuban jazz sounds. This group recently performed with the Vancouver Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Detroit Symphony. This past July they wowed the audience when performing with the Rochester Philharmonic at the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC), located on the FLCC Canandaigua campus. The Mambo Kings is comprised of saxophonist John Viavattine, percussionist Wilfredo Colon, pianist Richard DeLaney, conguero David Antonetti, and bassist Hector Diaz.

The concert is free and open to the public. Latin and Cuban refreshments will be served.

FLCC’s Global Awareness Program is designed to raise awareness about global issues and to allow participants to experience the cultural diversity that exists both globally and locally.

For additional information, contact Joshua Heller, director of international studies, at hellerjw@flcc.edu or (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7335.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2008) – Finger Lakes Community College, through its Global Awareness Program, presents its Third Annual Farmers Market, Friday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. - 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, sustainability, and wellness.

Participants include: Wilma’s Ethnic Foods, Chef Lerman’s Finger Lakes Sauces and Dressings, Organic Matters Farm, Nana’s Garden (cut flowers), Nordic Farms (jams and jellies), Dar’s Delights (homemade ice cream), Sacheli’s Franjo Farms, Aberdeen Hill Farm (farm raised meats), The Pie Shoppe (homemade pies and cookies), Allens Hill Farm, Allens Hill Farm, Morning Mist Farms and Hastings Field (cut flowers and floral designs).

The market is free and open to the public. Free samples will be available for FLCC students. Vendors will be set up on FLCC’s Canandaigua Campus, 4355 Lakeshore Dr., 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. 10, 2008) – FLCC Professor of Biology James Hewlett was awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Hewlett’s proposal for the grant, among 300 the NSF received nationwide, was the only community college proposal to be fully funded, meaning Hewlett and the FLCC biology faculty will lead a national effort to reform undergraduate biology curricula at community colleges.

“I am extremely honored to receive this prestigious grant,” Hewlett said. “This is the culmination of more than four years of work here at FLCC to develop a model to reform undergraduate biology curricula at community colleges. With this funding, along with the help of my colleagues at FLCC and other area colleges, I am confident we will be able to refine this model and help community colleges deliver excellence in the classroom.”

FLCC will lead and coordinate the efforts with the help of four other area colleges (Rochester Institute of Technology, Monroe Community College, Genesee Community College and Tompkins Cortland Community College) and Delaware Technical and Community College. The $500,000 grant funds a three-year project that will begin the implementation and assessment phase of a model for reforming undergraduate biology curricula at community colleges.

The new model will look to accomplish the following:
- Integrate project-based learning (undergraduate research)
- Address many of the barriers associated with conducting undergraduate research at the community college level
- Employ successful teaching strategies as a vehicle for integrating real-world projects in the sciences
- Integrate inquiry-based methods of teaching
- Include additional community colleges to build a network of two-year college professionals dedicated to utilizing undergraduate research as a teaching tool
- Incorporate a four-year college collaboration with community colleges
- Incorporate access to collaborations and networks of research scientists from which novel research questions can be drawn

“When all is said and done, FLCC will be the driving force behind how community college students across the country learn biology,” said FLCC President Dr. Barbara Risser. “Jim’s achievements exemplify his dedication to improving student learning by continuously seeking out ways to enhance education through real world, hands-on learning opportunities. His efforts will better prepare community college students for careers in biology-related fields.”

This is phase II of the project. FLCC, MCC, GCC, the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, and Braddock Bay Raptor Research collaborated on Phase I, which constructed elements of the new model.

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.