Two Days of Veterans Events Coming Up at GCC

BATAVIA, NY (10/31/2016)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College is pleased to announce an expansion of its annual schedule of events for U.S. Veterans, offering two days of activities at the Batavia Campus Center with additional gatherings planned at the Medina and Albion Campus Centers. Veterans of all ages, active duty, reserve or separated veterans, along with their families and friends are invited to GCC for special opportunities on Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11, 2016.

"We look forward to the opportunity to showcase the many offerings and opportunities we have here at GCC for veterans," Marie Giardino, program director of Adult Educational Opportunity Center (AEOC) said. "While these special events are planned around Veterans Day, our services continue throughout the year at all of our campus locations."

On Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 1:45 – 3:45 p.m. in the College Forum, the Batavia campus will host a Veterans Career and Community Fair, giving veterans the opportunity to meet with potential employers and interact with numerous community agencies that offer an array of helpful services. Veterans can interact with regional service providers in higher education, vocational training, healthcare, housing and transportation. 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

Veterans should plan on bringing their resumes, a copy of their DD214 forms, and if they are looking for employment - "dress to impress!"

Prior to the Career and Community Fair from 1 – 1:45 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to listen to Purple Heart recipient Benjamin Randle Jr., director of Veterans Affairs at D'Youville College, who will speak about the life changing educational opportunities. Randle is a Vietnam War Veteran and his talk will occur in room T102 in the Conable Technology Building.

The annual Veterans Day "Faculty Connect" Open House in Batavia is scheduled for Friday, November 11, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 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, as well as the dedicated Veterans Lounge. 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.

After the Open House, a series of special Veterans Day events adds to the day, honoring the brave men and women who have defended our country. Tim Palmer, a U.S. Navy veteran, GCC adjunct history instructor and recent SUNY Chancellor Award recipient will serve as keynote speaker for this year's event. Veterans from all eras will be recognized with the Wall of Honor photo display; a rotating photo show of veterans related to any and all GCC students, faculty and staff; a thank you board will be available and open for all to sign; and motivating music, literary readings and refreshments rounds out the day.

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., Media, NY 14103

Residents who live in Orleans County and nearby townships 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 the Albion and Medina Campus 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.

For a complete listing of GCC's Spring 2017 course schedule featuring hundreds of courses, go to http://www.genesee.edu/courses/schedule/

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

# # #