Second Annual Cougar Crawl Highlights 2016 GCC Fall Fest Weekend

BATAVIA, NY (09/12/2016)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College's "Fall Fest – Cougar Weekend" is just around the corner and alumni, students, friends of the College, supporters and all members of the community are invited to enjoy some of the many homecoming events taking place from September 22-24, 2016. The three-day schedule for the homecoming weekend of events follows.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

The Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium for Leadership and Community Life will kick-off the weekend Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 4 p.m. in the Stuart Steiner Theatre of GCC's Batavia Campus with acclaimed global futurist, speaker and best-selling author Jack Uldrich delivering the keynote address. Uldrich provides an in-depth exploration of how the "internet of things," big data, social media, robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and "collaborative consumption" will change everyday life for all of us in the very near future. Through upbeat, practical and actionable insights, his presentation sheds light on future trends, emerging technologies, innovation, change management and transformational leadership. Mr. Uldrich's keynote address will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local representatives from agriculture, education, healthcare and leadership. Confirmed panelists include John Noble, president of Linwood Management Group LLC (agribusiness); Dr. James M. Sunser, president of GCC (education); Daniel Ireland, president and CEO of UMMC (healthcare); Nathan Rudgers, senior vice president for Farm Credit East (business / entrepreneurial development); and Peggy Marone, Leadership Genesee director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County (community leadership). Admission for the event is $25 and seating will be limited. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling the Genesee Community College Foundation at (585) 345-6809, or by visiting http://www.genesee.edu/cms/home/events/humphrey/.

Friday, September 23, 2016

The second annual "Cougar Crawl" invites the public to walk about downtown Batavia with stops at local establishments for food, drink and discount specials largely featuring GCC alumni businesses on Friday, September 23, 2016 from 5 – 8 p.m. Cougar Crawlers will also enjoy seeing the new series of GCC 50th Anniversary banners that are now hanging in downtown Batavia.

"We had such a nice turnout last year and the night was nothing but fun," Jackie Christenson, GCC alumni coordinator said. "It's such a great way to highlight some of our alumni who work and own businesses in downtown Batavia and we're looking forward to another entertaining night!"

The "crawl" will begin at City Slickers at 59 Main Street in Batavia and includes stops at YNGoddess at 73 East Main Street, Sweet Pea's Cupcakery at 23 Jackson Street, Valle Jewelers at 21 Jackson Street, Bourbon and Burger at 9 Jackson Street, Mane Attraction at 99 East Main Street, The Hidden Door at 202 East Main Street, Charles Men's Shop at 200 East Main Street, Center Street Smokehouse at 20 Center Street and Blue Pearl Yoga on the second level of 200 East Main Street.

The night will conclude at TF Browns at 214 East Main Street with the "Cougar Crawl Bash," from 8 – 10 p.m. The party includes a live DJ as well as food and prizes. Tickets for the Cougar Crawl are $10 for advanced purchase or $15 at the door. Contact Lisa Papke at LEPapke@genesee.edu or stop by WBTA, YNGoddess or the GCC Alumni Office to purchase tickets.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

The fun continues on Saturday with continuation of the very popular car cruise in GCC's north parking lot. Deemed "Rods and Rock," classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will converge at 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. The third annual Alumni Reunion baseball game starts at 11 a.m. and all interested players should contact baseball coach Skip Sherman at ssherman@genesee.edu. Meanwhile, inside GCC the "Cougar Den" will have all kinds of fun activities for children in the cafeteria, and the Craft and Vendor Fair will be happening in the Forum. It is also the last day to view the "Meditations" exhibit by Joanna Angie at the Roz Steiner Art Gallery. Co-authors of "Genesee Community College: The First 50 Years," Larry Barnes and Ruth Andes will give a presentation about their book and also sign copies of their books in the Conable Technology Building in room T102 at 3 p.m. to help celebrate the College's Golden Anniversary.

A special ceremony will recognize the 2016 National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship men's lacrosse team from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. Members of the College's second-ever national championship team will receive commemorative rings honoring the program's first title. An opening reception is planned for 4 – 5 p.m. and the ring ceremony will follow from 5 – 6 p.m.

In addition to all of the fun on Saturday, GCC's College Village will host an outside movie night on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Bring your children and a blanket and enjoy Finding Dory on the hill between the College Union and College Village. Admission for the movie night is free of charge and is subject to the weather.

A complete list of Fall Fest and Cougar Weekend events can be found online at http://www.genesee.edu/offices/alumni/fall-fest/. For more information, contact Alumni Coordinator Jackie Christenson at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6262, or via email: JKChristenson@genesee.edu.

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Editor's Note: For a poster highlighting all of the events go to:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/HomeComing_Poster_2016.pdf