Summer 2004
NEWS
Class
of 2004, Friends and Family Brave Rainy Weather at Geneseo’s 138th
Commencement
Braving intermittent rain and a brief episode of small hail, more than
one thousand SUNY Geneseo graduates, along with their families and friends,
gathered in an outdoor stadium on May 8 to participate in the College’s
138th commencement. The rain stopped falling over the Genesee Valley as
the last graduate crossed the stage to receive a diploma, at about 12:15
p.m.
American composer and SUNY Geneseo Distinguished Professor Emeritus James
Willey delivered the commencement address and received an honorary
degree from the State University of New York during the ceremony. Gordon
Gross, a member of the SUNY Board of Trustees, conferred the Doctor of
Music degree on Willey.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer shared brief remarks with those gathered, and
told graduates that if there was ever a time to take a chance on themselves
and reach deep down to see what they’re made of, the time is now.
"My advice? Take the risk – don’t let the fear of failure
deter you from taking a chance, from reaching your dream. If you take
the risk and fail, you’ll pick yourself up, dust yourself off and
move forward. But if, through hard work, a little luck and some prayer,
you succeed, your life will be enriched forever."
Willey was honored
by SUNY for his body of work as a composer, and his dedication as a teacher
and mentor to young composers. His status in the national music community
has been recognized by several respected organizations, including the
Yaddo Arts Colony in Saratoga Springs and the National Endowment for the
Arts.
Willey asked graduates to become advocates for public education and for
Geneseo. "Such advocacy is empowering," he said. "Acting
on deeply held loyalties in the form of letters and vigorously asserted
public positions can be very useful to you, to public education, and to
the educational community at Geneseo. So, do mouth off not only about
education, but also about other matters affecting the body politic and
the nation." He reminded the graduates about their responsibilities
as American citizens, and encouraged them to vote.
Acknowledging that we live in "troubling times," he added that
"if we truly are loyal to this nation and to the ideals of democracy
and freedom, it is essential that we involve ourselves in the issues that
confront us as citizens. First of all, we must vote, and we must stay
informed, and we must develop our own views on the issues confronting
the nation."
Willey also spoke about the implications of technical and technological
changes, both in his field of music and on a much broader scale. "The
world of change this age offers to you, the graduating class of 2004,
is one of unparalleled opportunity, whatever your chosen field,"
he explained. "Your Geneseo education, with its mix of majors and
general studies, its breadth covering many fields of study, offers the
possibility to pursue brand new paths, hybrids of many disciplines."
He also reminded graduates to "be loyal to your capabilities and
hopes, to yourself, and to those things that define who and what you are
as an individual."
Willey, who retired from the College in 2000, has compiled an impressive
record of compositions, recordings and publications, and has continued
to compose and present premiers of new works since his retirement. Many
of his compositions have been premiered or performed in prestigious venues,
including Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, Steinway Hall and the
Smithsonian Opera House. His works have been performed by a wide range
of ensembles, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rochester
Philharmonic Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony,
the Minnesota Orchestra, the Esterhazy Quartet and the Tremont String
Quartet.
The National Endowment for the Arts has recognized Willey with three major
fellowships, and he has received numerous awards from The American Society
of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) between 1975 and 2003. In
addition, he is listed in Contemporary Composers (1976), ASCAP Biographical
Dictionary (1980), Contemporary American Composers: A Biographical Dictionary
(1982), and Who’s Who in American Music, 1st Edition (1983).
Other highlights of the ceremony included remarks by SUNY Geneseo President
Christopher C. Dahl and an address by Senior Class President Janelle
Colosi of Canandaigua, N.Y.
In addition, the Student Association President’s Cup was presented
to Jim Rogers of Kenmore, N.Y., and the Alumni Student Leadership
Award was presented to Janelle Colosi. The Richard Roark Award,
given annually to a student who has excelled in academics and service
to the community, was presented to Daniel Schultz of Binghamton,
N.Y. The Edward ’73 and Elaine ’73 Pettinella Senior Leadership
Awards were presented to Mary Distasio of Warwick, N.Y., Bryan
Fritz of Williamsville, N.Y, Anne Stefano of Fairport, N.Y.
and Kristin Pellerite of Farmington, N.Y. Each will receive a check
for $2,500.
Seniors Angela Nicolella of Lynbrook, N.Y. and Kevin Rank
of Tonawanda, N.Y., presented the College with a senior class gift of
$15,953.47, a portion of which will fund four $250 student scholarships
and renovations to the college union patio.
The Geneseo Brass Ensemble provided music at this year’s commencement.
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Grads-to-be
gather on the College Green before commencement.
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From
left: Robert Wayland-Smith, Elaine Pettinella ’73, President
Christopher C. Dahl, Edward Pettinella ’73 and Gordon Gross,
a member of the SUNY Board of Trustees, prepare to process in Geneseo’s
138th commencement.
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University
Police officer Bob Ossont leads the commencement procession down
Park Street and onto College Drive.
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Graduates
wave to their families.
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From
left: Linda House, Richard Young and Doug Baldwin lead the procession.
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Ron
Herzman on commencement day.
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James
Walker leads the Geneseo Brass Ensemble, which provided music at
this year’s event
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James
Willey, center, received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from
SUNY at the ceremony.
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Dan
Schultz, center, waits to hear his name called.
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Janelle
Colosi, president of the Class of 2004, delivers the Senior Address.
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President
Dahl receives a senior class gift of $15,953.47 from Angela Nicolella
and Kevin Rank, co-chairs of Senior Challenge.
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Fiona
Lee awaits her turn to receive a diploma.
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Wendy
Pogozelski prepares an undergraduate to cross the stage.
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Geneseo
friends stand in line to receive their diplomas.
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Photos
by Ron Pretzer
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