News from Genesee Community College

For more information contact: Donna Rae Sutherland, 585-343-0055 x 6616

Four Genesee Community College Students Receive SUNY Chancellor’s Award

BATAVIA, NY (05/05/2008; 1157)(readMedia)-- Four Genesee Community College students have been named as 2008 recipients of the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. This prestigious award is conferred annually on a small number of students at SUNY's 64 campuses who demonstrate outstanding leadership and achievement.

Genesee's 2008 recipients are Robin E. Whittington of Churchville, NY, Kevin S. Nadrowski of Oakfield, NY, Velicia Stewart of Lyndonville, NY, and Michelle Nichols of Pavilion, NY.

Robin Whittington is pursuing a Digital Art degree at Genesee, and holds a 4.0 average. She is the Webmaster for Phi Theta Kappa, Genesee’s honor society, has recently won two design contests, and has had her work displayed in the Digital Artwork exhibition at Genesee Community College in February 2008. Robin will graduate from Genesee Community College in May 2008 with her AAS degree in Digital Art.

In addition to being an exemplary student, Ms. Whittington has been an active community member. She has volunteered for several events with Phi Theta Kappa, including donating time and goods to support a collection to be sent to troops serving overseas, and contributing to a bake sale to benefit breast cancer awareness. She has also assisted with the development of a web presence for the GCC Theatre/Forum Players and WGCC Talk Radio. Kevin Nadrowski exemplifies all the characteristics needed for a well-rounded student. He holds a 4.0 average and is a Communications major specializing in Media Arts. He plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology after completing his studies at Genesee Community College in May 2008.

Kevin has been an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, serving as Vice President, Public Relations Officer, and Historian since his induction into the honor society. An article written by Kevin was published in The Excelsior, New York’s Phi Theta Kappa’s regional newsletter. As assistant manager of the Student-Run Computer Repair Clinic, he helped organize, promote, and maintain the clinic, which offered computer repair services and advice to students and faculty at Genesee Community College. Mr. Nadrowski also served as news director and deejay at WGGC-FM, the college’s radio station, where he was responsible for the station’s news format and hosted his own radio show.

Velicia Stewart is a Communications and Media Arts program major at Genesee. She carries a GPA of 3.81 and is a very active student who serves as an officer in Phi Theta Kappa, is a member of the Honors Program, and is a staff writer and columnist for The Courier, Genesee’s student newspaper, among many other clubs and activities.

Velicia’s community involvement includes volunteering and fund raising for Vision 2000 at Children’s Hospital Cancer Center, where she helped raise $1,900. She is also a member and volunteer for the Alliance for Climate Protection. Velicia, who has three sons, plans to transfer to SUNY Brockport upon completing her studies at Genesee to pursue a Masters Degree in Journalism/Broadcasting and Communications.

Michelle Nichols graduated from Genesee Community College in January 2008 with AAS degrees in Fashion Merchandising Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management. Her final grade point average was 3.75. She was a President’s Scholarship recipient in 2005, which is a full tuition scholarship given to students with an excellent GPA.

Michelle was elected as senator to the Student Government at Genesee Community College by the student body. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was elected treasurer for the DECA Fashion Show, where she was responsible for a budget of more than $24,000. Michelle also served as project manager for the Rock the Runway Fashion Show at Genesee in 2007, which involved more than 1,400 people and overseeing more than 200 models, dressers, and designers. Michelle has been generous within her community, receiving volunteer recognition from My Sister’s Closet, a local thrift shop, and from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for raising money for MS research.

Genesee’s awardees attended the awards ceremony and reception at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany, NY, which recognizes and honors the best and brightest students across the state.

For more information or a photograph of these outstanding students, contact Donna Rae Sutherland, Associate Director of Marketing Communications, at 585-343-0055 x6616 or by email at dsutherland@genesee.edu.