Genesee Community College Honors December Employee and Student of the Month

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Lyndsey Oliver-Farewell

BATAVIA, NY (12/23/2014)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Lyndsay Oliver-Farewell has been named December 2014 Employee of the Month. Lyndsey is a technical specialist in records management in GCC's Records Office. She is also a small business owner and a GCC alumna.

Lyndsey first came to the College as a student after graduating from Medina High School in 2003. "I was a President's Scholarship recipient which gave me the opportunity to earn my associate degree without needing student loans." She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the College at Brockport and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University at Buffalo.

She began her career at the College in 2005 as a peer tutor at the Albion Campus Center. After graduation, she became a part-time campus center associate. In 2007, she moved into a full-time position at the Medina Campus Center. She has worked in the Records Office since 2010. "I have fantastic co-workers that I appreciate and enjoy," she said.

In naming her Employee of the Month, the College notes "Lyndsey is an integral member of the staff who is always ready to lend a hand to help others." She is responsible for maintaining the College Catalog and courses, but also regularly volunteers to take on special assignments, most recently the implementation of flexible registration. "My position allows me to work with a variety of folks across campus including faculty, staff and students," she notes. Her technical and personal skills shine through when she serves both students and colleagues.

Lyndsey is married to a fellow GCC alum, Travis Farewell. The couple owns Sweet Pea's Cupcakery Café on Jackson Street in Batavia. They have one daughter, Kendall, who just turned one. Lyndsey also enjoys exercise and teaches Turbo Kick classes.

Genesee Community College is also pleased to announce Maryssa Peirick has been named the December 2014 Student of the Month. A Batavia native, Maryssa, 22, graduated from Batavia High School in 2011. She is pursuing a degree in Biotechnology at GCC.

Maryssa began her college studies in the music program at SUNY Fredonia. "Originally, I went to Fredonia to pursue a degree in Vocal Music Performance, but I found that, while music was still a passion of mine, I wanted to do more to actively help people with my career someday," she said. At GCC, she has excelled in her biotechnology studies, consistently earning President's List honors. She has also immersed herself in activities. She the student representative of the College's Sustainability Committee and actively participates in the annual EcoFest celebrated in connection with Earth Day each April.

Maryssa is also a member of the Batavia Loop Trail team, which has been advocating for an 11-mile bike trail around the city and a business plan associated with it that would include opportunities for student entrepreneurs. The team competed in the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition in Albany after winning the right to represent the Finger Lakes region in the Social Entrepreneurship/Non-profit category. Though they didn't garner the top prize, they did receive the "Spirit Award." The College calls Maryssa "an excellent role model for others."

Maryssa loves the personal touch at GCC. "Even in courses which are outside my major, the professors here are approachable, friendly, and genuinely invested in their students," she said. Once she completes her GCC degree, she plans to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Diagnostic Sonography at RIT. "My dream job involves working directly with patients and making a difference in their lives."

Maryssa is the daughter of Mary Jane and Wayne Peirick. She has one sister, Emma.

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Editor's Note:

A photograph of Lyndsey Oliver-Farewell is available here:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/LyndseyOliver-Farewell.jpg

A photograph of Maryssa Peirick is available here:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/MaryssaPeirick.jpg