Aug 15, 2017
BATAVIA — Not many organizations celebrate their golden anniversary while opening up two new buildings valued at $25 million. And even fewer can claim they were founded through a successfully passed public referendum that was supported by a grass roots citizen campaign in the mid-1960s. Genesee Community College is recognizing both these historic events with a series of special events next month.
With the anniversary theme “Our true-blue past, Your golden future,” GCC is focusing forward on an exciting future while simultaneously reflecting on a rich history with strong traditions.
Underlining all of the College’s efforts-then, now and long into the future-is student success. The new 18,478 square foot Student Success Center exemplifies this most vividly as GCC transforms various student services into a stream-lined process under a new “success coaching” academic model.
Meanwhile, on the west side of the Batavia Campus, the new Richard C. Call Arena is now the largest open, flexible floor space in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming county region. The two-building complex features an adjoining two-story lobby and concession stand area; classrooms, coaches offices, a fitness center, and meeting rooms; and a press box overlooking the lacrosse/soccer turf room.
The interior Arcade walkway has four mural-sized photo collages expounding on the region’s dynamic agricultural history as well as the vast economic impact of agribusiness in GLOW.
Together, these two new buildings are collectively valued at slightly more than $25 million, and they position the GCC to expand student success and opportunity through the coming years, while augmenting the economic growth of the GLOW region, GCC officials said in a news release. To celebrate the opening of these buildings and recognize the college’s 50th anniversary, the following series of events are planned for September at the Batavia campus.
Genesee Community College Convocation
The event will take place 1 to 1 p.m. Sept. 12 at Stuart Steiner Theatre
The formal academic ceremony marks a milestone in the life of a college or university.
Afternoon classes will be cancelled allowing students, faculty, staff, honored guests and community members to join in the solemn ceremony that recognizes the college’s 50th anniversary. It will also celebrate GCC’s future with the new facilities, new academic programs and courses, and the forward-thinking student success services.
GCC’s last convocation was in 2006 to recognize the College’s 40th Anniversary.
Presentation/Lecture by Dr. Heather Ann Thompson
The event will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 in room T-102.
As part of the Historical Horizons lecture series, Pulitzer Prize and Bancroft Prize winning author Dr. Heather Ann Thompson will cap off the College’s special Convocation Day, delivering a presentation, “Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and its Legacy,” based on her award-winning book.
Attica State Prison is part of GCC’s history with inmate education a part of its programming in the 1980s. Dr. Thompson’s book provides a definitive account of the prison uprising in 1971.
She used sources available to no other researchers to write a reliable tome that upends the myths and exposes cover-ups of that violent event that captured international attention. For a complete listing of the Fall 2017 lecture series go to: https://gcchistoricalhorizons.wordpress.com.
GCC’s Annual Fall Fest/Cougar Weekend
The event is planned for Sept. 22 and 23.
The weekend provides fun and festive activities for all with the following schedule featuring the return of some favorite events and a few new opportunities as well. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
Third Annual Cougar Crawl
The GCC community, be they current students, faculty or staff, alumni, retirees or general supporters are all invited to stroll through downtown Batavia from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 22.
They will be making special stops for special treats at various businesses, many owned or operated by GCC alumni. The event kicks off at City Slickers and winds up at TF Brown’s with various stops to businesses such as the YNGoddess, The Hidden Door and Center Street Smokehouse.
Cougar Crawl stops are still in development and subject to change. Cost is $15, or 2 for $25.00 and will not be sold at the door.
Public Open House and Facility Tours
Public Open House and Facility Tours will be conducted 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23.
This is the chance for the general public to tour the new Richard C. Call Arena and Student Success Center. Visitors can catch a view of the Turf Field from the new Press Box, check out the new Fitness Center and Arena and explore both floors of the Student Success Center.
‘Rods and Rock’ Classic Cruise
The event will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 in the north parking lot.
For those who love classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, the popular “Rods and Rock” Car Cruise returns on Saturday in GCC’s north parking lot.
‘Lollapalooza Golden Gala’ Concert with the Genesee Symphony Orchestra
The concert will take place 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at Richard C. Call Arena.
The first music to grace the new Richard C. Call Arena will be from the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, the College’s orchestra-in-residence. Led by Conductor and Music Director S. Shade Zajac, the GSO is presenting a variety of musical selections especially arranged for this one-time event under the theme, “Lollapalooza Golden Gala.”
A reception with light refreshments will immediately follow the performance. The concert is free with general admission seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
“September is shaping up to be an exciting month in the life and history of Genesee Community College,” said Dr. James M. Sunser, president of GCC in a news release. “We are so grateful to many thousands of people who have positively impacted GCC through the years. From our trustees and donors, to legislators and advisory council members, hardworking students and involved alumni, and of course, our dedicated faculty and staff who make a difference in the lives of our students each and every day-we have been truly blessed with a supportive community that makes our middle name. Next month, we hope to recognize and remember all of you.”
For further information, please contact Donna Rae Sutherland, associate director of Marketing Communications at dsutherland@genesee.edu or call (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616.
