Genesee Community College Board Chair Names Presidential Search Committee

BATAVIA, NY (09/14/2010)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino named an eleven-member Presidential Search Committee at the Board of Trustees' monthly meeting Monday evening. Genesee Community College President Stuart Steiner announced six weeks ago that he plans to retire effective August 31, 2011 after 45 years of service

Named to the Presidential Search Committee were Diane D. Torcello, college trustee and secretary of the Board of Trustees, who will serve as committee chair; Michael A. Crittenden, professor of Physics and chair of Genesee's Faculty Senate; Norbert J. Fuest, director of Human Resources, Morton International, Inc. and a member of the Genesee Community College Foundation Board of Directors; Norman R. Gayford, professor of English; Ada D. Grabowski, retired Albion Superintendent of Schools; Laurie J. Miller, college trustee; Glenn R. Morton, college trustee; Lori A. Mould, student trustee; Michael S. Stoll, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of Math, Science, and Career Education; Raymond J. Strzelecki, Building Maintenance supervisor; and Charles N. Zambito, Genesee County attorney. Mr. Ruffino and Robert J. Bausch, Genesee County Legislative liaison to the College, will serve as ex-officio members.

The Committee will guide the search process for Genesee's fourth president, review the backgrounds of candidates, arrange for finalist candidates to visit the campus, and recommend three to five finalist candidates to the Board of Trustees.

In other business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved a change to the Board of Trustees By-Laws, making the Board's Finance Committee a standing committee of the Board.

• Received, with gratitude, a vet test chem machine to the College's new Veterinary Technology Program from the Batavia Animal Hospital. Students will use the machine to learn how to prepare and submit diagnostic samples. Batavia Animal Hospital also donated a horse learning lab kit, large animal training manuals, and a variety of teaching resource materials to the program.

• Heard President Stuart Steiner report that the opening of fall classes was smooth and successful. "From students getting to and from classes, to parking, this was as smooth an opening as any I can recall," Dr. Steiner said. Dr. Steiner noted that when all fall enrollment is tabulated, College enrollment will likely exceed 7,500 – a significant increase over last year's record-breaking enrollment of 7,208. Dr. Eunice Bellinger, executive vice president for Academic Affairs, reported that 17 students have enrolled in the new Polysomnographic Technology program and 14 students have enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program. Dr. Virginia Taylor said that the College is celebrating "Week of Welcome" this week. Week of Welcome is designed to build student engagement, and activities include a transfer fair, club information fair, picnic, dinner, movies, and athletic events.

• Heard Trustee Laurie J. Miller report that the School of Nursing Open House, held August 20, was a great success. "This is a wonderful facility," she told trustees. Trustee Laura J. Bohm encouraged all trustees to visit the nursing labs and learn how the program's patient simulators and other technology helps nursing students learn patient care skills.

• Heard vice president for Finance and Operations Kevin P. Hamilton report that 50 additional parking spaces have been added outside the new School of Nursing, located on the south side of Stephen Hawley Drive. Mr. Hamilton said that the College has made students, faculty, and staff aware of the need to be observant when crossing Hawley Drive. Mr. Hamilton said that the College has also requested a speed reduction on Hawley Drive, as well as pedestrian crossing signs.

• Heard Mr. Hamilton report that the first coat of paint has been applied to the tennis court surfaces. He also said that work on the new art gallery is well underway, and that most of the steel has been installed.

• Heard director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman report that the Branding and Identity Committee has been reviewing possible new visual imagery for College publications and web content. The Branding and Identity Committee has been charged with reviewing the College logo and other visual materials used in College communications.

• Heard President Stuart Steiner report that Malinda E. Stulba of North Tonawanda is joining the College's staff as Enrollment Specialist for Health Studies/Nursing. Ms. Stulba has served as a staff member of Niagara County Community College and Bryant & Stratton College. She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University at Buffalo.

• Heard Dr. Steiner report that Melanie L. Jones of Rochester has been named to a temporary appointment as academic advisor. Ms. Jones has served as a counselor and tutor coordinator for the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and also served as a member of the staffs of SUNY College at Brockport and Wilberforce University, Ohio. She holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Vermont.

• Heard Dr. Steiner report that Robert Frail, currently of New Jersey, has been named to a temporary appointment as International Programs Specialist. Dr. Frail has taught and managed a variety of MBA programs in China, and he established a Bachelor's degree program at Shandong University in that nation. He is a visiting professor of English and Communication at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College in Fuzhou, China. He has also managed educational programs in Korea. He holds a B.S. degree from Manhattan College, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University.

• Heard Instructor of Fine Arts Heather S. Jones and Instructor of Sociology Josephine B. Kearney report that 16 Genesee students participated in the College's six-credit interdisciplinary course offered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands over the summer. Students spent three weeks in Amsterdam studying social problems, and documenting the city's character with digital images. During the intensive three-week program, students visited such sites as the Anne Frank House, World Press Photo Exhibit, Rembrandt House, Artisan Zoo, and many other locations. Students brought more than 2,500 digital images back with them. Ms. Jones noted that some students had never been outside of Western New York or on an airplane before. "This was truly a life-changing experience for the students," Ms. Kearney added. "I am very proud to be a GCC faculty member, but especially proud to work for a community college with a global perspective."

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