New Speakers Scheduled for GCC's Veterans Day Events

BATAVIA, NY (11/08/2016)(readMedia)-- Due to medical concerns, Genesee Community College has invited two new speakers to the Career and Community Fair scheduled Thursday, November 10, 2016 at the Batavia Campus from 1:00 to approximately 4:00 p.m. The first speaker, James Neider served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970 and is now a retired elementary school teacher, and he received the 2012 Geneseean of the Year Award after many hours of volunteering his time to support veterans. He will be joined by Jeremy James Bagley, a squad leader in the U.S. Army from 1996 – 2004, who then served as the executive director of Rochester American Red Cross and at Nazareth College Office of Veterans Affairs. Bagley now shares his nonprofit expertise with others through J. James Bagley Consulting Firm. Together, they will share their experiences and their pathways from distinguished military service to successful civilian careers and community volunteers.

Their presentations will be followed by the Career and Community Fair which will provide veterans with the opportunity to meet potential employers and interact with numerous community agencies that offer an array of helpful services. Veterans can chat with regional service providers in higher education, vocational training, healthcare, housing and transportation. Veterans should plan to bring their resumes, a copy of their DD214 forms, and if they are looking for employment - "dress to impress!" Among the organizations that will be present (subject to change):

• Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY, Inc.

• Rochester Regional Health

• Bonduelle USA, Inc.

• Five Star Bank

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• ATB Staffing Services

• National Tractor Trailer School

• NY Army National Guard

• Navient/Pioneer Credit Recovery

• ConServe

• Darien Lake Amusement Park

• Fidelis Care New York

• United Memorial Medical Center

The Thursday afternoon program will be followed by GCC's annual Veterans Day event on Friday, November 11, 2016 which honors U.S. Veterans of all ages and eras, active duty, reserve or separated veterans, along with their families and friends. The day starts off with the "Faculty Connect" Open House from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, and is GCC's biggest recruitment event of the year. 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, the College's Nursing labs, as well as the dedicated Veterans Lounge. To pre-register for the "Faculty Connect" Open House go to www.genesee.edu/OpenHouse or call 866-CALL-GCC.

After the Open House, the Commemorative Honor Guard and Flag Raising Ceremony will be emceed by James Simon, retired member of the Air Force and associate dean of GCC's Albion and Medina Campus Centers. Simon will welcome all guests and introduce the lineup of presenters and events (which is subject to change):

• The National Anthem performed by St. Joseph's Alumni Brass

• Reading 1: United States Military Code of Conduct

• Salute to the Flag by the Genesee County Joint Veterans Honor Guard

• Reading 2: Excerpts from a speech given by General Douglas MacArthur on duty, honor and country

• Keynote address by Timothy Palmer, Vietnam veteran and GCC adjunct history professor

• Reading 3: Poem "It is the Soldier" and remarks by General Colin Powell

• GCC student veteran, Keith McKinney will share his thoughts on being a veteran

• Closing with God Bless America and other patriotic songs.

Veterans from all eras will also be recognized with the Wall of Honor rotating photo display showing veterans related to any and all GCC students, faculty and staff, a thank you board will be available for all to sign, and refreshments will be available. All events are free and open to the public

GCC Orleans County Veterans Day Celebration - Friday, November 11, 2016

-Albion Campus Center, 456 West Ave, Albion, NY 14411

-Medina Campus Center, 11470 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina, NY 14103

Residents who live in Orleans County and cannot get to Batavia should stop by either the Albion or Medina Campus Centers to enjoy free refreshments on Friday, November 11, 2016. See the state-of-the-art classrooms and meet the top-notch faculty and friendly staff at GCC's Albion and Medina Campus Centers. Veterans and their families can also meet with an academic advisor to learn about the programs and opportunities available. In addition, financial aid advisors will be on hand in Albion from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and in Medina from 1 – 3 p.m. to discuss benefits including funding available for veterans and their family members. Additionally, anyone with new or gently used clothing that would like to support veterans and their families can donate to AMVETS by dropping off donations at both centers. 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.