News from SUNY Cortland

For more information contact: Dan Catalano, 607-753-2232

Certified Laugh Leader To Perform As Part Of Wellness Series On April 2

CORTLAND, NY (03/27/2008; 1459)(readMedia)-- Tony N. Trunfio, a certified laugh leader through the World Laughter Tour, will perform on Wednesday, April 2, at SUNY Cortland.

His talk, "The Power of Laughter," begins at 7 p.m. in the Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.

The event, which celebrates National Humor Month, is sponsored by the Student Activities Board, Health Education Office, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) and the Student Development Center as part of the “Wellness Wednesday Series” at SUNY Cortland. “The Power of Laughter” is free and open to the public.

“The Power of Laughter” will be Trunfio’s first performance with the World Laughter Tour and he said he expects the crowd to enjoy the evening.

The World Laughter Tour was launched by Steve Wilson in July of 1998 with the slogan “Think Globally, Laugh Locally.” The tour’s mission is to translate laughter theories and practices into multi-generational, multi-cultural health and happiness related programs; prevent hardening of the attitudes; provide methods of communicating that are uplifting, simple and powerful; and make the world a better place for individuals, organizations, and the community.

Trunfio, an assistant professor of health who has taught at SUNY Cortland for three years, became involved with the World Laughter Tour through another affiliation, the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH). He is the education bureau chief for the AATH and most recently has run humor workshops for area teacher centers.

Trunfio received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Health Education from SUNY Cortland and his Ph.D. in health education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.

The semester-long “Wellness Wednesday Series” features speakers, exhibits, self-help workshops and other programs intended to help students adjust to college life.

For more information on the presentation, contact Trunfio at (607) 753-2976 or trunfiot@cortland.edu. For more information on the series, contact Cathy Smith of the Health Promotion Office in Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-1, or at (607) 753-2066 or smithc@cortland.edu.

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