GCC Welcomes Veterans and their Families

BATAVIA, NY (10/28/2015)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College is pleased to be expanding its annual salute to U.S. Veterans beyond the Main Campus in Batavia to the Albion, Medina and Dansville Campus Centers. Veterans of all ages and their families can enjoy an array of different activities on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Batavia Campus and at the Albion and Medina Campus Centers in Orleans County, while veterans in the southern tier can join in the festivities at the Dansville Campus Center the next week on Tuesday, November 17, 2015.

"We are delighted to open our doors to veterans and their families in the coming weeks and recognize their contribution to our nation – today, as well as tomorrow and throughout history," Dr. Virginia Taylor, vice president of Student and Enrollment Services said. "GCC was recently named a Military Friendly School and we hope this designation will be evidenced by the many opportunities we offer not only next month on Veterans Day, but at all GCC campus locations throughout the year."

Veterans Day - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

• Batavia Campus, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020

The annual Veterans Day Academic Open House on November 11 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. is the biggest recruitment event of the year at GCC. Visitors have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with professors and instructors at the Academic Fair which runs from 9 to 9:45 a.m., and gain inside knowledge about GCC's many majors and long-term career projections. The admissions, financial aid and advisement staff are available to answer questions, and visitors can enjoy complete tours of the Batavia campus, College Village and the College's Nursing labs and classrooms located across the street in the Med Tech Building. In addition, representatives from several four-year colleges will be on hand to talk about transfer options from GCC. Those looking for a comprehensive review of the academics, admissions and the overall GCC experience should register for this event! Go to www.genesee.edu/OpenHouse or call 866-CALL-GCC.

In addition to the Academic Open House, the Batavia Campus will again have a special program and service to honor veterans. At 11:45 a.m., the Veterans Day Honor Celebration will kick off in the central Forum and include GCC's a cappella group singing patriotic songs, a viewing of a clip from the Renaissance Man video, several readings, an International Peace Garden presentation and the American Legion Honor Guard raising of the flag. Other features of the day-long Veterans Day celebration include: the Gratitude and Remembrance Wall featuring rotating photos of veterans related to any and all GCC students, faculty and staff; a thank you board open for all to sign; free refreshments in the College's Veteran's Lounge; and a special thank you gift to those who serve or have served our country.

"Our committee is now meeting weekly to iron out all the details of our annual Veterans Day Honor Celebration. We plan to make this year's program the best yet," Marie Giardino, director of Adult Education Opportunity Center (AEOC) said. "It is not only a sacred day, but it one where we hope to support veterans and their families as they secure a solid foothold in a sound and successful future."

Veterans Day - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

• Albion Campus Center, 456 West Ave, Albion, NY 14411
• Medina Campus Center, 11470 Maple Ridge Rd., Media, NY 14103

Veterans who live in Orleans County and nearby townships should stop by either the Albion or Medina Campus Centers to enjoy free refreshments available to vets and their families all day. Two veterans' benefits counselors will be available at both locations from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. to answer any questions veterans or their families have about benefits, especially veterans considering a college education. Paul Fulcomer, a Navy Veteran and current director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency will be on hand at the Albion Campus Center, and Dave Oliver, Army Veteran and current specialist with the Rochester Veterans Outreach Center will be available at the Medina campus center.

Advance registration is not necessary, but setting up an appointment is appreciated by calling either center, Albion Campus Center at (585) 589-4936, or the Medina Campus Center at (585) 798-1688.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015, 4 – 8 p.m.

• Dansville Campus Center, 31 Clara Barton Street/Room 115, Dansville, NY 14437

For the first year, Dansville Campus Center is coordinating a Veterans Expo Fair encompassing a dynamic mix of opportunities to meet representatives from important veterans' service agencies. The Livingston County Veteran Services along with Canandaigua VA Medical Center are providing the Telehealth Mobile Unit, a 40-foot long bus equipped to meet the needs of veterans and their families on site. The event is free and open to all. Representatives from the following organizations are confirmed and more are anticipated:

• Livingston County Veterans Service Agency

• Daniel Goho Unit #87 American Legion hosting a Family Activity Area

• VFW of US No 6780 Dansville Memorial Post

• Clara Barton Chapter #1 American Red Cross

• Genesee Community College – meet with counselors in Financial Aid, Admissions, Advisement, Transcript review

• Veterans Outreach Center Employment Services

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

• New York Army National Guard recruiters

• VITAL program

• Family Programs for the National Guard

• Army Strong Family Center

• Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic

• Canandaigua VA Medical Center

For more information about the event, call the Dansville Campus Center at (585) 335-7820 or visit http://www.genesee.edu/about/campuses/Dansville/.

For a complete listing of GCC's Spring 2016 course schedule featuring hundreds of courses, go to http://www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/

For more general information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.

# # #