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Grads Escape Rain at 142nd Commencement To the delight of nearly 1,200 graduates and a stadium full of families and friends, rain ponchos were not required at Geneseo’s 142nd Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17.
Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts Continue Livingston CARES, a collaborative effort between the College, the town of Geneseo and Livingston County focused on relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina, has returned to Biloxi, Miss. for its fourth trip of 2008. Volunteers are in Harrison County from May 18-24. “There are seven Geneseo students, one college librarian, and seven community participants who will be working on reconstructing homes in Biloxi destroyed by Hurricane Katrina,” said Tom Matthews, director of leadership education, development, and training. “This trip is part of the continuing effort of the College, in collaboration with the community, to reach out and serve others by working on service projects,” Matthews noted. “This will put us over the 300 mark (307) in terms of individual participation over the last 11 trips to work on the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.” To learn more about Livingston Cares, visit here.
Student-Athlete Saves Lives on Conesus Lake Casey Smith ’09, a sociology major from Fairport and member of the Geneseo Ice Knights, is a shining example of Geneseo’s mission to develop socially responsible citizens. While fishing on Conesus Lake on April 18, Smith answered the calls of distress from Elmer Bataitis, whose canoe had tipped over from a gust of wind. Read the letter Bataitis sent to President Christopher C. Dahl acknowledging Smith’s lifesaving actions.
Philanthropists Honored at President’s Donor Recognition Dinner Geneseo celebrated the spirit of philanthropy at the 27th President’s Donor Recognition Dinner held on Friday, May 2 in the MacVittie Ballroom. As part of the ceremony, Geneseo’s best and brightest students presented the Awards for Philanthropic Leadership to Key Bank, Dorothy Trick Geyer ’36 (posthumously) and James N. Leary ’75. Arunima Ray ’09 (biochemistry and math), a recipient of the Paul R. Neureiter Scholarship for Women Science Majors, recognized Key Bank for its generous support to Geneseo. Key Bank has been supporting Geneseo student scholarships since 1982. “Most students at Geneseo have at one time or another stopped by the local Key Bank ATM, punched in their PIN number and ultimately made their way to a Main Street eatery or a local establishment for a Friday night,” Ray told the crowd. “To some, Key Bank is synonymous with its landmark ATM. But it’s their behind-the-scenes generosity for which we recognize them tonight.” Bonnie Swanson, assistant vice president and branch manager for Key Bank, accepted the award. Jared Chester ’08 (philosophy and communication), recipient of a 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, honored the late Dorothy Trick Geyer ’36 for her generous giving over the years, including a bequest to her alma mater. Geyer’s teaching career spanned more than 40 years, mainly in the fourth grade. She devoted her life to helping future generations. As Chester informed the audience, “To those who knew her well, Dorothy made it very clear that her Geneseo education made it possible for her to do the work that she loved, and for that she was eternally grateful.” Kathryn Grow ’08 (international relations and anthropology) applauded Geneseo Foundation Board member James N. Leary ’75 for his generous support to his alma mater. “As you can see, who I am today has been shaped by opportunities enabled by others,” Grow acknowledged to donors. “It is in this sense that I am very grateful to recognize the caring and generosity of one of our own who has given back to those who follow in his footsteps.” In describing Leary, Grow reminded the audience that “no one steps forward more quickly when action is needed to assist the College or its students.” Leary hosts alumni events and board events regularly as well as Geneseo students participating in the Externship Program. He supports the Fund for Geneseo and has endowed the William R. Cook Fund recognizing teaching excellence at Geneseo and the Jim N. Leary Endowed Fund for leadership and character development serving Geneseo’s student-athletes. Mark Cronin ’88, president-elect of the Geneseo Alumni Association, honored My Hang Huynh ’91 with the Professional Achievement Award for distinction in her profession. Huynh, lead scientist in the High Explosive Science and Technology group at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, is a pioneer in the discovery of “green” explosives. Eco-friendly explosives are designed to replace traditional mercury and lead-based explosives, commonly used in construction, mining and industrial applications, which cause damaging side-effects to the environment and human health. Huynh most recently won a MacArthur Award, dubbed the “genius grant” for creativity. In addition to the Philanthropic Leadership Awards, President Christopher C. Dahl honored Dean Johnston and John Chanler for their service to the Foundation board. Johnston joined the board in 1983 and served until 1987, including six years as chairman. Chanler joined the board in 2001 and stepped down earlier this year. Foundation Board Chairman Jack Kramer ’76 emceed the event, and fellow board member Pamela York Klainer ’71 delivered the keynote address. “The mantra at Foundation board meetings is ‘we are all about the students,’” Kramer said in his opening remarks. “Our donors have made a difference in students’ lives, their successes, and their futures. We are celebrating the direct impact that giving to the Geneseo Foundation has on students’ lives.”
Geneseo Hosts Peace Poetry Contest Awards Ceremony Geneseo’s English department will host the 3rd annual Genesee Valley Peace Poetry Contest Awards ceremony at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 in the Alice Austin Theatre. Students from more than 30 local elementary and middle schools will read their poems for family and friends. More than 500 poems were submitted for the contest, which is divided into three categories: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grade. Rob Doggett, assistant professor of English, founded the program three years ago at the College. “Young people need a stable, nurturing and peaceful environment to flourish,” he said. “This contest can help change the lives of students because it helps them to discover a talent that they didn’t know they had. It teaches everyone involved that peace is something valuable – it’s worth thinking about and writing about.”
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