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Page 4 : Collaboration + Learning = Student Success<br />
The new Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) is<br />
scheduled for completion in April 2016. The <strong>state</strong>-<strong>ofthe</strong>-<strong>art</strong><br />
CLC will maximize opportunities for student<br />
success by combining synergistic functions and<br />
fostering collaboration among students, staff, faculty<br />
and community.<br />
Page 8 : Changing Course<br />
At Jefferson’s commencement ceremony on May<br />
15, not only did Cory A. Kelly earn his associate of<br />
science degree in individual studies, he also marked 2<br />
years and 8 months of sobriety.<br />
Page 10 : Positioning our Community and College<br />
The Center for Community Studies at Jefferson<br />
Community College is committed to enhancing the<br />
quality of life of the North Country and provides the<br />
opportunity for students to apply their classroom<br />
knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and grow as<br />
citizens making a difference.<br />
Pages 16, 22 : Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame<br />
The accomplishments of Jefferson’s Distinguished<br />
Alumni Award recipients and Cannoneer Hall of<br />
Fame inductees are celebrated at a banquet held in<br />
their honor.
3<br />
A<br />
Table of Contents<br />
Message from<br />
the President<br />
4-5 Collaboration<br />
+ Learning =<br />
Student Success<br />
Jefferson Community College<br />
1220 Coffeen Street<br />
Watertown, NY 13601<br />
State University of New York<br />
Sponsored by Jefferson County<br />
6-7<br />
Campus Updates<br />
8-9<br />
Changing Course<br />
----- Board of Trustees -----<br />
James P. Scordo, Chair<br />
Terry N. Fralick, Vice Chair<br />
Cailey M. Burrows, Student Trustee<br />
10-11<br />
16-17<br />
22-25<br />
Positioning Our<br />
College and<br />
Community<br />
12-13<br />
15<br />
This publication is produced by the Marketing & Public Relations Office<br />
at Jefferson Community College.<br />
Leslie DiStefano, (315) 786-2234, ldistefano@sunyjefferson.edu<br />
Pamela Dixon, (315) 786-2392, pdixon@sunyjefferson.edu<br />
David Bowhall, (315) 786-2383, dbowhall@sunyjefferson.edu<br />
Faculty & Staff<br />
Kudos<br />
14 Academic News Jefferson Athletics<br />
Foundation News<br />
27<br />
Alumni News<br />
In the Spotlight<br />
18-21<br />
26<br />
Aspiring Musician<br />
Builds Repertoire<br />
at Jefferson<br />
Trustee Spotlight<br />
David J. Clark<br />
Michael W. Crowley<br />
Steven C. Haas<br />
Nathan P. Hunter<br />
Doris G. McLallen<br />
Michelle D. Pfaff<br />
Lisa A. Weber<br />
----- Administration -----<br />
Carole A. McCoy<br />
President<br />
Thomas J. Finch<br />
Vice President for Academic Affairs<br />
Daniel J. Dupee, II<br />
Vice President for Administration<br />
& Finance, Treasurer<br />
Betsy D. Penrose<br />
Vice President for Students<br />
Jefferson Community College is committed<br />
to providing equal access to its educational<br />
programs, activities, and facilities to all<br />
otherwise qualified students without<br />
discrimination on the basis of race, color,<br />
national origin, religion, creed, age,<br />
disability, sex, gender identity, sexual<br />
orientation, familial status, pregnancy,<br />
predisposing genetic characteristics,<br />
military status, domestic violence victim<br />
status, or criminal conviction, or any<br />
other category protected by applicable<br />
<strong>state</strong> or federal law. An Equal Opportunity<br />
employer, JCC also affirms its commitment<br />
to nondiscrimination in its employment<br />
policies and practices. In compliance with<br />
Title IX of the Education Amendments of<br />
1972, JCC prohibits sex discrimination,<br />
including sexual harassment.
A Message from the President<br />
Economics<br />
My undergraduate degree is in economics. It is a degree that has served me well in how it helps to<br />
shape my thinking. At its core, the field of economics is about the concept of scarce resources. There<br />
are never enough resources – time, money, people, or space – to do everything that everyone wants<br />
to have done. At home we are constantly making choices about what to spend our money on and<br />
how to allocate our time. In business and government this concept is the same. The only difference<br />
is that at home you are trying to make the best choices for a family, at work you are trying to make<br />
the best choices for an organization and all its stakeholders. The more voices, the more difference of<br />
opinion about choices.<br />
A primary role of our leaders is to make tough decisions about resource allocations. What can we do<br />
to increase our revenues? In the case of government that frequently means asking are we willing to<br />
increase taxes? What gets funded, what gets staffed, and what takes priority? While what programs<br />
and services are funded is important, as important is what programs and services are not funded.<br />
What are we doing without because we couldn’t afford to do everything?<br />
It is through the lens of an economist that I have been watching the debate about “free community<br />
colleges.” Clearly the cost of running a college isn’t free. At Jefferson our operating budget is almost<br />
$30 million with the majority of that expense related to salaries for faculty and staff. “Free community<br />
college” means that all (or at least most) students will not pay any tuition or fees to attend. Many<br />
students don’t st<strong>art</strong> because they cannot afford to come, while others complete but leave with debt.<br />
Most discouraging are those who attend, accrue debt, and then do not finish. As a strong believer in<br />
the transformative power of a community college education for all students, of course I would love<br />
for more students to be able to attend and complete.<br />
But as an economist, I have to ask the question of where will the replacement resources to fund a<br />
free community college come from? The tuition and fees that students pay to Jefferson is over $14<br />
million. Not all of that is out of pocket because students receive many different types of scholarships<br />
and grants. Still, are we willing to raise taxes for this? What programs and services are we willing to<br />
cut or eliminate to be able to allocate more money to community colleges? Will the economic and<br />
social benefits of having a more educated citizenry make up for the additional expense?<br />
This will be an interesting topic to follow and I will be watching it closely. Meanwhile, I am committed<br />
to finding as many ways as I can to keep the cost of attending Jefferson Community College<br />
as low as possible. We’ve been successful in winning a number of grants ($1.3 million of this year’s<br />
budget comes from grants) and our strategic plan has an emphasis on seeking out grants that support<br />
our strategic and operational needs. We are collaborating with others to reduce costs through<br />
buying consortiums, p<strong>art</strong>icularly in the areas of energy and information technology. We have been,<br />
and will continue to be, focused on understanding our costs to streamline operations and keep our<br />
money going where it is most important – the classroom and academic support. No matter what<br />
happens with free community college, we will continue to make the tough choices here at Jefferson<br />
to ensure our students receive a high quality yet affordable education.<br />
Carole A. McCoy<br />
President<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 3
COLLABORATION + LEARNING =<br />
Student Success<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 4
College Breaks Ground on State-of-the-Art Collaborative Learning Center<br />
In May, Jefferson Community College celebrated yet another milestone in the College’s 54-year history as Jefferson administration,<br />
students, faculty/staff, elected officials and community members broke ground on the College’s new Collaborative Learning Center (CLC).<br />
Scheduled for completion in April 2016, the <strong>state</strong>-of-the-<strong>art</strong> Collaborative Learning Center will maximize opportunities for student success<br />
by combining synergistic functions and fostering collaboration among students, staff, faculty and community.<br />
“It was seven years ago that the Collaborative Learning Center was defined and designated as a high priority in Jefferson’s strategic plan<br />
and facilities master plan,” said Carole A. McCoy, college president. “Words cannot express how gratifying it is to see it come to fruition<br />
and we could not have done it without the support of our many community p<strong>art</strong>ners, Jefferson County and New York State.” Funding for<br />
the $11 million Collaborative Learning Center, along with $3 million for the subsequent Dewey Building renovation, has been provided by<br />
the College’s local sponsor, Jefferson County, and New York State.<br />
“We know our students need innovative learning space that cultivates teamwork with their peers, interaction with staff and faculty, and<br />
convenient access to the support services that will help them be successful,” said McCoy. Students will have direct access to essential<br />
academic support services, library resources, break-out rooms for team projects or group study, and flexible space filled with natural light<br />
and furnishings that support a comfortable learning environment.<br />
The first floor will be comprised of academic support services for students including academic coaching, new student services, placement<br />
testing, transfer counseling, career planning & job placement, veterans services and the TRiO Strategies To Achieve Results (STAR) program.<br />
The second floor will be comprised of the Scanlon Tutoring Center, the College library and media center. Both floors will contain<br />
technologically sm<strong>art</strong> classrooms, group study space and wireless internet. In addition, the building will serve as a central home base for<br />
the office of campus safety and security. Other notable features include an information center, a café, and an open multi-purpose space<br />
that can function as a student lounge or serve as a gathering space for College and community functions. This space will be accentuated<br />
with a fireplace and adjacent outdoor landscaped patio.<br />
The idea of collaboration and p<strong>art</strong>nerships was a theme expressed by many of the groundbreaking ceremony speakers. Calling it “one of<br />
the most exciting projects” he has worked on, Robin Mach of Mach Architecture noted the CLC’s “design was guided by goals, driven by<br />
passion and fueled by collaboration” among what he referred to as the “facilitators, realists, do-ers and dreamers.”<br />
Mach Architecture of Williamsville (NY) along with Bernier Carr & Associates of Watertown (NY) designed the 36,000 square foot facility<br />
to standards of LEED Silver. Under the project management of Purcell Construction Corporation of Watertown (NY), construction of the<br />
$11 million facility is well underway with Bette & Cring Construction Group of Watertown serving as general contractor. Construction<br />
progress can be followed on the College’s webcam: http://www.sunyjefferson.edu/news-events/webcam.<br />
To learn more about the Collaborative Learning Center and opportunities to support student success through this innovative project,<br />
please contact the executive director of the JCC Foundation, Lisa Familo, at 315-786-2291.<br />
Pictured above (left to right): James P. Scordo, chair of the Jefferson Community College Board of Trustees; Addie J. Russell, NYS<br />
Assemblywoman representing the 116th District; Michael Montigelli, Jefferson County Board of Legislators, District 5; Danielle M.<br />
Scott, president of JCC Student Government for the 2014-2015 academic year; Carole A. McCoy, president of Jefferson Community<br />
College; Robin R. Mach, principal of Mach Architecture; Jason McCullouch, project manager, Purcell Construction; Cedric Baggett,<br />
president of JCC Student Government for the 2015-2016 academic year; and Jason S. Jantzi, principal and architect with Bernier<br />
Carr & Associates.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 5
Jefferson Receives 10 Year<br />
Accreditation by the Middle<br />
States Commission on Higher<br />
Education<br />
Jefferson is pleased to announce that the<br />
Middle States Commission on Higher Education<br />
acted to reaffirm the accreditation of<br />
Jefferson Community College on June 25,<br />
2015. A 10-year cycle, JCC’s accreditation is<br />
extended through 2025. The Middle States<br />
Commission on Higher Education is an<br />
institutional accrediting agency recognized<br />
by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the<br />
Council for Higher Education Accreditation.<br />
The Middle States evaluation team recognized<br />
numerous significant accomplishments<br />
of Jefferson Community College<br />
beginning with campus-wide collaboration<br />
in developing the mission, vision and<br />
strategic goals which identified student<br />
success, completion and enhancement<br />
of educational opportunities as primary<br />
objectives. Specifically, the evaluation<br />
team commended the College for fostering<br />
a positive and collegial environment<br />
throughout campus, the quality and<br />
implementation of the facilities master<br />
plan including the realization of substantial<br />
energy savings, the establishment of<br />
the Collaborative Learning Center and<br />
increased student services, the development<br />
of on-campus housing and ability to<br />
recruit students from new markets, efforts<br />
to advance the community by developing<br />
academic degree programs of local interest<br />
(such as agri-business) and workforce<br />
development initiatives ( such as allied<br />
health certifications) through the College’s<br />
Continuing Education Division, and for<br />
the Center for Community Studies which<br />
provides students with applied learning<br />
experiences. In p<strong>art</strong>icular, Jefferson was<br />
commended for the variety of assessment<br />
activities campus-wide including efforts<br />
to assess student development, student<br />
satisfaction and student services. Jefferson<br />
was further commended for its ability<br />
to meet the needs of the military, family<br />
members and veterans. JCC was initially accredited<br />
by the Middle States Commission<br />
on Higher Education in1969.<br />
JCC Designated ‘Fit Friendly’<br />
Worksite<br />
In July, Jefferson was recognized for maintaining<br />
its gold-level fit friendly designation<br />
by the American He<strong>art</strong> Association. To<br />
receive fit friendly designation, worksites<br />
must implement programs to encourage<br />
physical activity and promote good health.<br />
The college offers numerous fitness and<br />
wellness activities for employees including<br />
a free membership to the McGrann Fitness<br />
Center; zumba, piyo and spinning classes;<br />
and opportunities to hike, bike, run and<br />
cross country ski nature trails that span<br />
more than two miles on campus. This is the<br />
3rd consecutive year Jefferson has received<br />
the Fit Friendly designation.<br />
NEWS<br />
F R O M<br />
A R O U N D<br />
THE CAMPUS<br />
Retirees Reunion Luncheon held in June<br />
Jefferson’s annual retiree luncheon was held on June 25 at the Italian American Club in<br />
Watertown. Retirees and guests in attendance include (left to right): front row - Judy<br />
Pearson, Klaus Ebeling, John & Mary Jo Deans, Lorraine & John Henderson, Twyla Cushman,<br />
Pat Pearson; second row - Kate Fenlon, Sue Wadhams, Elva Lacomb, Barb Gaskin, Dick<br />
& Jan Young, John Cecil, Mary Newman, Terry Heagle, Toni Scordo, Sister Janice Peters,<br />
Marie Hess, Sharon Lasker, Ellen Childs, Bob Bookser, Cathy & Kim Davis; third row - Mary<br />
Lou Bertrand, David & Karen Carr, Roberta Lockwood, Carol Doe, Susan Sprague, Bill Doe,<br />
Bob Lacomb, Pat Barbalich, (behind Pat) Karl Van Voorhis, Dick & Chris Boyanski, Rod Esley,<br />
Camie & Jim Baker, John Phillips, Tom Walker.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 6<br />
Meet Jefferson’s Student<br />
Resident Assistants 2015-2016<br />
Front row: (l-r) Kristin VanBrocklin of Henderson,<br />
Allison Shrewsberry of Gouverneur, Rachel Ellingsworth<br />
of C<strong>art</strong>hage<br />
Back row: (l-r) Cordel Brouty of Croghan, Thomas<br />
Gitlin and Gavin Davidson of Theresa, Keishon Reid<br />
of Laurelton, Stacie Burdick of Mexico<br />
$1.1 Million Grant Fuels JCC ‘s<br />
TRiO Student Support<br />
Services<br />
Jefferson was recently awarded another<br />
TRiO Student Support Services grant from<br />
the U.S. Dep<strong>art</strong>ment of Education of just<br />
over $1.1 million dollars spread over the<br />
next five years. The funding is designated<br />
to provide academic support and assistance<br />
for JCC students who meet certain<br />
eligibility criteria relating to disability or income<br />
or who are ‘first-generation,’ meaning<br />
neither parent nor guardian has earned a<br />
bachelor’s degree. The goal of the Student<br />
Support Services grant is to assist and<br />
motivate students towards the successful<br />
completion of postsecondary education.<br />
The TRiO grant is administered through<br />
Jefferson’s STAR (Strategies To Achieve<br />
Results) Program, a student success initiative.<br />
The STAR Program helps students<br />
adapt successfully to the college environment,<br />
succeed academically, define career<br />
goals, graduate from Jefferson Community<br />
College, and/or transfer to a four–year<br />
institution.<br />
New Student<br />
Trustee<br />
Cailey M. Burrows,<br />
Watertown, has been<br />
elected by the JCC student<br />
body to serve as<br />
the student member<br />
of the Jefferson Community<br />
College Board<br />
of Trustees for the 2015-2016 academic<br />
year. Her term began in July 2015.<br />
Cailey is 2014 graduate of Watertown High<br />
School where she was a member of the<br />
National Honor Society. At Jefferson, she is<br />
enrolled in the mathematics and science<br />
associate of science degree program with<br />
a concentration in allied health. Cailey is<br />
planning to pursue a career in the healthcare<br />
field and recently completed certified
nursing assistant training at Samaritan<br />
Medical Center. During her freshman<br />
year at Jefferson, Cailey was involved in a<br />
variety of activities including treasurer for<br />
Student Government and serving on the<br />
Faculty Student Association board and the<br />
social cultural committee. As the Student<br />
Government treasurer she kept records of<br />
various funds and presided over the budget<br />
finance committee. An active student,<br />
Cailey continues to show her dedication to<br />
Jefferson with this new appointment.<br />
Lisa Familo<br />
Appointed<br />
Executive<br />
Director for<br />
Foundation<br />
On July 20, Jefferson<br />
welcomed Lisa M.<br />
Familo, Dexter, to the<br />
position of college<br />
development officer<br />
for the Jefferson Community<br />
College Foundation. As executive<br />
director for the Jefferson Foundation, Ms.<br />
Familo is responsible for the development<br />
and implementation of strategic advancement<br />
objectives for the College relating to<br />
annual and major gifts, capital and planned<br />
giving programs, and alumni programming.<br />
She brings nearly 15 years of nonprofit<br />
managerial experience and skills in<br />
strategic planning, financial administration,<br />
fundraising, and developing community<br />
p<strong>art</strong>nerships.<br />
Prior to moving to the North Country in<br />
2014, Ms. Familo served for 10 years as<br />
executive director of the Harnett County<br />
P<strong>art</strong>nership for Children in Lillington, North<br />
Carolina subsequent to serving as program<br />
manager with the organization for three<br />
years. The Harnett County P<strong>art</strong>nership for<br />
Children is a 501(C)(3) organization created<br />
to provide programs and services for<br />
young children and their families through<br />
community-based programs focusing on<br />
health, education and family support. As<br />
executive director, Ms. Familo administered<br />
a $3.8 million annual budget, supervised<br />
a staff of 10 as well as community volunteers,<br />
and developed and implemented a<br />
comprehensive strategic plan for the organization.<br />
During her tenure, she increased<br />
the local community’s ability to provide<br />
services by fostering collaboration and<br />
developing p<strong>art</strong>nerships with local organizations<br />
and agencies. She also developed<br />
a comprehensive fundraising plan and, in<br />
2014, exceeded $380,000 in grants, in-kind<br />
and cash contributions.<br />
Previously, Lisa served as executive<br />
director of the North Carolina Alliance for<br />
Health, a Morrisville-based organization<br />
that advocates for policies that promote<br />
wellness and reduce the impact of obesity<br />
and tobacco. In this role she managed<br />
overall operations, developed and implemented<br />
a comprehensive strategic plan,<br />
and created a fund development plan<br />
that included strategies for membership<br />
recruitment, renewals and major donor<br />
solicitations.<br />
Ms. Familo holds a master of nonprofit<br />
management (M.N.M) degree from Regis<br />
University, a bachelor of <strong>art</strong>s degree in<br />
communication from North Carolina State<br />
University and a certificate in nonprofit<br />
management from Duke University.<br />
Jefferson Named Finalist in<br />
Climate Leadership<br />
Second Nature, a national nonprofit<br />
that works to proactively build a sustainable<br />
and positive global future<br />
by working with leadership<br />
networks in higher education, announced<br />
the finalists for its 6th annual Climate<br />
Leadership Awards. Jefferson is one of the<br />
two-year institutions in the running!<br />
The Climate Leadership Competition is for<br />
higher education institutions across the<br />
nation that are signatories of the American<br />
College and University Presidents’ Climate<br />
Commitment (ACUPCC), a signature<br />
program of Second Nature to address<br />
global climate disruption undertaken by a<br />
network of colleges and universities that<br />
have made institutional commitments to<br />
accelerate progress towards climate neutrality<br />
and sustainability. At Jefferson, with<br />
support of the college’s EverGREEN Committee,<br />
president Carole McCoy proudly<br />
signed the ACUPCC in 2012. Two winners<br />
will be selected in the Climate Leadership<br />
Competition, one from a two-year institution<br />
and one from a four-year institution.<br />
Second Nature received nearly 50 applications<br />
from across the country.<br />
This year Second Nature p<strong>art</strong>nered with<br />
U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for<br />
Green Schools. Greenbuild is the world’s<br />
largest green building conference and<br />
expo! Winners of the Climate Leadership<br />
Competition will be recognized at the 2015<br />
Greenbuild Leadership Awards Program<br />
on November 19 in Washington, DC. Wish<br />
Jefferson the best of luck!<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 7
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 8
JCC Student Determined To Change Course Of<br />
Direction Knowing Help Is In His Corner<br />
At Jefferson’s commencement ceremony on May 15, not only did<br />
Cory A. Kelly earn his associate of science degree in individual<br />
studies, he also marked 2 years and 8 months of sobriety. The<br />
following day, Cory left on a road trip to Kentucky where he plans<br />
to transfer into the human services program at the University of<br />
Louisville. It was a road trip he wasn’t expecting to be on and one<br />
he may not have been traveling if it weren’t for his own resolve and<br />
a connection formed with a staff member at Jefferson.<br />
Cory came to the North Country in the 1990s by way of the U.S.<br />
Army. After his career in the military ended he bounced around<br />
a bit between his home <strong>state</strong> of Kentucky and his family, which<br />
includes three young daughters, here in the North Country.<br />
Cory had planned to st<strong>art</strong> classes at Jefferson in the fall of 2012<br />
when, after his third DWI arrest, he made a life changing decision<br />
to check himself into the hospital and get sober. By January of<br />
2014, he had progressed enough in his treatment, moving from<br />
inpatient to a residential facility, that he could once again enroll<br />
in classes. It was at the residential facility where he met Matt<br />
Lambert, a transfer counselor and academic advisor at Jefferson,<br />
who also worked at Credo Community Center for the Treatment<br />
of Addictions as a member of the evening residence staff. Both<br />
sports fanatics, it was football that first got them talking, but Cory<br />
soon found that in Matt Lambert he had a mentor and champion<br />
in his corner.<br />
the way. He helped clear the cobwebs, helped me with moving<br />
one block at a time and not trying to tackle them all at once which<br />
can be overwhelming.”<br />
“From very early on in his treatment, Cory expressed great interest<br />
in continuing his education, frequently quizzing me on my own<br />
educational path,” said Lambert. “He has carried an excellent GPA,<br />
while also working his way through college. Through determination<br />
and self-discipline, Cory eventually gained employment at<br />
the same treatment program he was a client in and we became<br />
co-workers.” In time and after being out on his own again, Cory<br />
began working at Samaritan Medical Center and was employed at<br />
Convergys until moving to Kentucky.<br />
“Cory worked hard to achieve a healthy balance between school,<br />
work, and leisure, in order to continue his successful recovery<br />
journey,” said Lambert. “He serves as an outstanding example of<br />
success and hope for those that face the same struggles.”<br />
This fall, Cory is enrolled in online classes at Jefferson and hopes to<br />
complete JCC’s human services degree which will assist with transfer<br />
to the University of Louisville. A business major early on, his<br />
new goal is to help others work their way through substance abuse<br />
treatment and recovery, much like Matt has helped him.<br />
“With Matt’s guidance and my recovery program, I’ve learned that<br />
life is all about balance,” said Cory. “No matter where you were, you<br />
can always go somewhere positive.”<br />
“I had attended college before JCC and I always knew I wanted to<br />
go back sometime, but it was really Matt’s encouragement that<br />
kept me focused on returning to JCC, persisting, and completing<br />
my degree,” said Kelly. “Matt’s was a steady voice of reason along<br />
Cory Kelly was among nearly 500 Jefferson students commencing on<br />
May 15, 2015. In a student body where approximately 47% are adult<br />
learners, aged 25 years or older, and nearly 43% are comprised of<br />
active duty soldiers and their family members, veterans or retirees – it<br />
is not unlikely that the majority of students faced challenges of some<br />
kind, of varying degrees, while completing their degrees.<br />
Keynote speaker Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan<br />
Medical Center, and student speaker Hollis C. Harrington both touched<br />
upon the many struggles faced by today’s students and provided words<br />
of encouragement as well as offered congratulations to graduates on<br />
their hard earned accomplishments.<br />
Quoting Calvin Coolidge, Carman noted “persistence” and “determination”<br />
as keys to success and advised students to always:<br />
• Find your passion, give it your best, and live your dreams.<br />
• Choose your attitude and how you handle failure. Be<br />
determined and make the most of any situation. Remember<br />
you can learn more from failure than from success.<br />
• Do what you do for the right reasons and learn from the<br />
experience.<br />
Congratulations to the Class of 2015 Spring and Summer graduates of<br />
Jefferson Community College!<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 9
Positioning our<br />
Community & College<br />
Research for the Community<br />
The Center for Community Studies (CCS) at Jefferson Community College<br />
is committed to enhancing the quality of life of the North Country. Each<br />
year, the Center conducts unbiased community-based research on issues<br />
of significance to aid in local decision-making. Jefferson students play a<br />
big role in the research process: the Center provides the opportunity for<br />
students to apply their classroom knowledge, gain hands-on experience,<br />
and grow as citizens making a difference. All of this makes the Center a<br />
highly valued entity here in the North Country, for both the residents and<br />
student p<strong>art</strong>icipants.<br />
On the brink of his re-immersion into full-time teaching after five years<br />
as director of the College’s Center for Community Studies, JCC politicalscience<br />
professor Ray Petersen described the rewards of his CCS tenure<br />
and his vision for the Center’s future.<br />
When Dr. Petersen assumed the title of director in 2011, he was not<br />
new to the Center. Since 1999, he helped with programming and was<br />
instrumental in setting up a lecture series that focused, over the years, on<br />
topics ranging from understanding world cultures, to sustainability, to<br />
community social and economic issues like wind farms, gun control, and<br />
minimum wage.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 10<br />
In fact, the CCS grew out of a prospectus he submitted after a 1991<br />
sabbatical trip to study other community centers. As the fourth director,<br />
he succeeds JCC’s Dr. Richard Halpin, Denise Young, and Richard<br />
LeClerc, each of whom furthered the Center’s work. During his tenure, Dr.<br />
Petersen described his own Center objectives as financial and workload<br />
stability - maintaining the Center’s valuable work while recognizing that
local groups would like more studies than the Center has the time and resources to conduct. The Center keeps its<br />
invoicing low thanks to a Car-Freshner Corporation endowment and support from the College, and maintains a<br />
steady flow of studies thanks to surveys it repeats on an annual basis.<br />
“We’re in really good shape,” he reported; otherwise, he said, he wouldn’t think about stepping down to concentrate<br />
on professional and personal goals, which include both academic and creative writing projects (he is a member of<br />
the SUNY Distinguished Professor Academy, and is the author of two published novels). Meanwhile, he will conduct<br />
one more Center survey this fall, for the North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council.<br />
The community studies themselves yield information (via survey instruments) on topics such as local gambling behaviors,<br />
downtown Watertown retail space, recycling, airport usage, and resident viewpoints on local quality of life.<br />
Dr. Petersen cites the gambling-behaviors study as one example of a surprising outcome. Survey results showed<br />
that Jefferson County residents spent $50 million a year on gambling-related activities. “You can’t help think,” he<br />
notes, “what could we do with $50 million a year? How many jobs could you create?”<br />
Additionally, a CCS study for Hospice of Jefferson County established the need for the new Gotham St. Hospice facility;<br />
a study for Alexandria Bay’s E.J. Noble Hospital helped to transform it into today’s River Hospital, when it might<br />
have shut down or had its services radically curtailed. Annually, the Development Authority of the North Country is<br />
a major sponsor of three surveys the Center now conducts for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties.<br />
“If you compare our survey response rate to any other professionals in the field,” said Dr. Petersen, “we’d be the envy<br />
of them. Our response rate is great and that’s a tribute to the students who help with the surveys, and to how they<br />
conduct them.“<br />
Students make between 350-400 telephone calls over the course of three to four days when conducting<br />
research for the Center. When the community p<strong>art</strong>icipates, their opinions help to shape North Country policy and<br />
decision-making.<br />
Applied Learning for Jefferson Students<br />
For 17 years—since 1999—JCC math professor Joel LaLone has been the Center for Community Study’s secret<br />
weapon, the mastermind behind the data that emerges from its projects. His Mathematics Dep<strong>art</strong>ment colleague,<br />
Assistant Professor Larry Danforth, is stepping into the new position of Research Coordinator, though he has been<br />
involved in the work of the Center since 2011. Mr. LaLone and Mr. Danforth design, guide, and finalize the studies,<br />
but at the he<strong>art</strong> of their analysis is an applied-learning process whereby JCC statistics students are involved in every<br />
step of the survey projects.<br />
Technological advances have made mathematics “explode,” said Mr. LaLone, “with big data and all of that. Thirty<br />
years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to do some of this.”<br />
From development of the research questions to population identification, to definition of variables; to sample<br />
methodology, to data collection and data cleansing; to data analysis, data interpretation, and public presentation,<br />
JCC statistics students help with the work of the Center.<br />
If they man the phones, they are paid for their work; if they don’t, they will still process some of the collected information<br />
in their coursework. “It’s the same mathematics formulas as the canned problems in my book,” Mr. LaLone<br />
pointed out, “but I can imagine it’s more meaningful to work on things that really impact their community.”<br />
Per semester, between 150 and 200 students are involved with the Center’s data analysis. Frequently, the Math<br />
Dep<strong>art</strong>ment hears back from them once they go out into the work world, where they find themselves at an advantage<br />
due to their CCS activities. Mr. LaLone cites examples of students who received MBAs, but credit JCC ahead of<br />
their graduate institutions for where they are today—for example, Matt Biedekapp, described by K S & R Corp. of<br />
Syracuse as one of its “rising-star” employees.<br />
Mr. Danforth added, “We give information to the community that other communities don’t get. I come from Corning<br />
Community College, and Corning has to contract out for something like that.”<br />
A favorite statistical challenge is coming up with the methodologies for data collection. “You can’t just figure out<br />
how to do an economic analysis on Tug Hill by googling it,” said Mr. LaLone. “That’s been professionally gratifying,<br />
to have to keep learning and expanding.” Students, too, suggest improvements in designs or survey instruments,<br />
and they do on-the-job problem-solving, like the student who called Wal-M<strong>art</strong> in Lowville to learn Lewis County<br />
cell-phone prefixes. When students find unique angles in the research, that data sometimes ends up in Center<br />
reports.<br />
“These are great young minds,” Mr. LaLone said of his student assistants.<br />
He is pleased that his teaching methods give them opportunities to get involved. He added about the work of the<br />
Center, “I feel very fortunate that we (JCC) created this.”<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 11
Faculty & Staff/Student Kudos<br />
2015 Retirees<br />
SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence<br />
(l-r) President Carole McCoy, Terry Heagle, Karen Carr, Michael<br />
Perry, and trustee David Clark. Missing from photo: Kevin Clark,<br />
Kathleen Lane, Michele Price, Suzanne Wadhams<br />
(l-r) President Carole McCoy, Robyn Rhyner, Timothy Grosse, Jack<br />
Donato, William McMahon, trustee David Clark<br />
30 Milestone Years of Service<br />
25 Milestone Years of Service<br />
Joel LaLone and Brenda Hatch<br />
(l-r) Terry Heagle, Cynthia Shelmidine, Sharon Weeks, Karen Carr,<br />
Kerry Young<br />
2015 Spirit of Jefferson Award<br />
JCC EverGREEN Committee<br />
JCC EverGREEN Committee<br />
(l-r) Matthew Lambert, James Juczak, Megan Pistolese, Tina<br />
B<strong>art</strong>lett-Bearup, Bruce Alexander, Christina Ebey, Venkat Chebolu,<br />
Linda Dittrich<br />
(l-r): Matthew Lambert, Linda Dittrich, Tina B<strong>art</strong>lett-Bearup,<br />
Peter Boenning, Venkat Chebolu, Bruce Alexander, Carole<br />
McCoy<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 12
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student<br />
Excellence<br />
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student<br />
Excellence<br />
(l-r) SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Danielle Scott, JCC VP for<br />
Students Betsy Penrose<br />
(l-r) SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Mikayla Warren, JCC VP for<br />
Students Betsy Penrose<br />
All-New York PTK Academic Team<br />
All-New York PTK Academic Team<br />
(l-r) President Carole McCoy and Rabecca Venturelli<br />
(l-r) President Carole McCoy and Kathleen Coloney<br />
E-Day Business Competition Winners<br />
Nurses Pinning December 2014<br />
Winners of the JCC business competition also earned first place in<br />
the North Country Regional Business Plan Competition & received<br />
the Best Financial Analysis Award at the 2015 High School Business<br />
Plan Competition. (l-r) Benjamin Nelson, Victoria Ciarfella, Cameron<br />
Morgan, Talon Parker<br />
(l-r) Bottom row: Tyasia Mosley, Amanda Terrillion, Alexandra Miller,<br />
Lisa Proulx. Top row: Leslie Lamirande, Shannon Glover, Matthew<br />
Sheldon, Carmen Pratt, Alyson Tighe<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 13
Nurses Pinning May 2015<br />
(l-r) Front row: Nakia Doldo, April Gonzales, Sierra Reed, Mikayla<br />
Lyttle, Maria DuBose, Heidi Moser, Kristina Taylor. Second row:<br />
Tyler Sorrell, Kristin Navarra, Angela Duque, Donielle Hall, Amber<br />
Lobdell, Amanda Whitson, Tara Fullam, Justin Farman. Back row:<br />
Brandy Vondell, Megan Ackland, Alexandra Desonier, Amber Mc-<br />
Cargar, Jamie Sylver, Rachel Wakefield<br />
Academic News<br />
New Transfer Degree Program in<br />
Early Childhood<br />
Jefferson Community College launched a new Early Childhood<br />
associate in science (A.S.) transfer program designed to be the first<br />
two years of a four-year education in early childhood or related<br />
field.<br />
The program features fieldwork placement in either an infant/<br />
toddler or preschool early childhood setting that allows students<br />
to gain practical, hands-on experience. Fieldwork placement sites<br />
may include, but are not limited to: Head St<strong>art</strong>, Fort Drum Child<br />
Development Centers, Campus Early Childhood Learning Center,<br />
a variety of local day care centers, preschools, and universal pre-K,<br />
a NYS Registered family day care, group family day care, as well as<br />
public and private schools. The A.S. degree in early childhood can<br />
be completed in four semesters of full-time study or over a longer<br />
period of time through p<strong>art</strong>-time study. Classes are held on campus<br />
and are available online.<br />
Graduates of JCC’s early childhood A.S. program will have many<br />
transfer opportunities to colleges and universities in the State University<br />
of New York (SUNY) system as well as private institutions.<br />
Jefferson has a p<strong>art</strong>nership with SUNY Cobleskill through the Jefferson<br />
Higher Education Center (JHEC) which enables a Jefferson<br />
graduate to enroll in SUNY Cobleskill’s baccalaureate program and<br />
take classes held on JCC’s campus. Classes are taught by SUNY<br />
Cobleskill faculty. Jefferson also has a formal p<strong>art</strong>nership with<br />
Excelsior College to provide graduates a seamless transfer. Other<br />
transfer opportunities exist with SUNY Cortland and SUNY Empire.<br />
Fall semester condensed late session (4-week) classes run October<br />
21 to December 16. Applying to Jefferson is free!<br />
For more information about Jefferson’s Early Childhood degree<br />
programs, contact Gwen Francis-Frey, Associate Professor of Early<br />
Childhood, at 786-2362 or email gfrancis-frey@sunyjefferson.edu.<br />
Visit www.sunyjefferson.edu to learn more.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 14<br />
SUNY Oswego Brings Certificate of Advanced<br />
Study in Educational Leadership to Watertown<br />
A p<strong>art</strong>nership between SUNY Oswego and Jefferson Community<br />
College will add a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Educational<br />
Leadership to the options of advanced degree programs offered<br />
at JCC through the Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC).<br />
Designed for certified tenured school personnel who hold a master’s<br />
degree in any New York State education certification ( including<br />
student support services), the CAS in Educational Leadership<br />
program consists of p<strong>art</strong>-time study and leads to full certification<br />
in any school leadership position. It includes both School Building<br />
Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) NYS certifications.<br />
SUNY Oswego’s program features a combination of integrated<br />
coursework, authentic learning inside schools, and field experience.<br />
Designed to be completed over the course of two and half<br />
years, students will meet one night per week during the evening<br />
on JCC’s campus.<br />
Applications are now being accepted with rolling admissions. The<br />
program formally begins in the Fall semester, but candidates can<br />
also take one or two courses in the summer preceding their formal<br />
entry. To apply, contact Chris Taylor, dep<strong>art</strong>ment secretary at SUNY<br />
Oswego, Chris.Taylor@oswego.edu. For more information about<br />
the program, contact dep<strong>art</strong>ment chair Angela Perrotto at angela.<br />
perrotto@oswego.edu or call the JHEC office at 315-786-2265.<br />
Open House on November 13, 2015<br />
Have you thought about earning your degree, but didn’t know<br />
where to st<strong>art</strong>? Attend Jefferson’s open house on Friday, November<br />
13 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to learn about our friendly admissions<br />
process.<br />
High school seniors are invited to come see for themselves why<br />
JCC is a perfect fit! Tour East Hall, learn how to apply for student<br />
housing, and about athletics and student life at Jefferson.<br />
RSVP online at www.sunyjefferson.edu/openhouse. Have questions?<br />
Call the JCC Welcome Center at 315-786-6567 or email<br />
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu.<br />
News from JCC’s Continuing<br />
Education Division<br />
Kids College a Success<br />
Campus was alive with activity this summer as kids expanded<br />
their knowledge through the exploration of science, technology,<br />
engineering, <strong>art</strong>, and math (S.T.E.A.M.) workshops offered through<br />
Continuing Education. This was the first year for Continuing Education<br />
to offer Kids College on campus, and, from all accounts it<br />
was a success! On any given morning or afternoon kids were seen<br />
making their way to Keyboard Piano Kamp, Art Mania, Archery,<br />
Digital Photography, Bridge Building, Rocket Building, or playing<br />
Quidditch on the quad.<br />
Continuing Education also offered a week long enhanced workshop<br />
experience for kids beginning at eight in the morning and<br />
ending at four in the afternoon Monday through Thursday each<br />
week in July. Called Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead, the program included<br />
hands on activities and projects for the kids that focused on science,<br />
technology, engineering, <strong>art</strong>, and math. Youth and adult<br />
workshops combined brought in more than four-hundred-andfifteen<br />
registrations!<br />
Workshops offer Something for Everyone<br />
JCC offers professional growth, personal enrichment, pre-certification,<br />
and a wine appreciation and education series of noncredit<br />
workshops. Programming is offered year round and the fall<br />
workshop schedule is open to registrations. Adult learners should<br />
be sure to check out the offerings. You can enhance your professional<br />
status by becoming a Notary, or have some laughs learning<br />
ballroom dance! Workshops are scheduled on campus, off site<br />
and online. The complete fall schedule is listed online at<br />
www.sunyjefferson.edu/workshops.
Aspiring Musician<br />
Builds Repertoire at<br />
Jefferson<br />
Phuc “Brian” Vo is every music professor’s dream come true! Originally from the<br />
extremely hot and crowded Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Brian has been playing<br />
the piano since the age of 5 and performed his first recital at age 11. He came to<br />
the United States in 2013 as an international exchange student who attended Indian<br />
River Central School District and performed in the high school’s orchestra<br />
ensemble. With dreams of attending a prestigious music college and one<br />
day becoming a concert pianist, Brian chose to cultivate his musical<br />
talents and build his performance skills by st<strong>art</strong>ing college at Jefferson!<br />
In addition to completing every music course possible at<br />
JCC, Brian keeps his piano fingers fine-tuned by performing<br />
alongside the JCC orchestra ensemble, volunteering as<br />
secondary accompanist for the College’s official choir, the<br />
Jefferson Singers, and performing a recital for the community.<br />
“Brian has proven himself to be a professional<br />
<strong>art</strong>ist with an abundance of talent, having displayed<br />
considerable performance abilities on piano, violin, and<br />
voice,” says Dr. Lisa Scrivani-Tidd, JCC music professor.<br />
“Most commendable is Mr. Vo’s exceptional dedication<br />
to his piano studies.” When not in class, Brian<br />
can be heard in Sturtz Theater where he practices<br />
piano for countless hours.<br />
While learning to play the piano comes naturally<br />
easy for Brian, speaking the English language<br />
is self admittedly his biggest challenge. “JCC<br />
has helped me prepare to think and learn as a<br />
college student and…. talk more,” said Brian as<br />
he spoke about class p<strong>art</strong>icipation and group<br />
discussions. His academic efforts combined<br />
with his dedication, hard work and commitment<br />
to music made him the ideal candidate for the JCC<br />
Outstanding Music Award he received at the Annual<br />
Student Awards Ceremony in May 2015.<br />
St<strong>art</strong>ing the fall semester as a college sophomore, Brian<br />
expects to join JCC’s Tau Xi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the<br />
national honor society for community colleges, and looks<br />
forward to resuming a role in the JCC music ensembles.<br />
Brian anticipates graduating from Jefferson in May<br />
2016 and transferring to Crane School of Music at SUNY<br />
Potsdam or Eastman School of Music to major in piano<br />
performance.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 15
Athletics<br />
Cannoneer Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Inducted<br />
Malcolm C. Biedekapp<br />
Terry L. Biedekapp<br />
Steven H. Brown<br />
Melvin J. Busler ‘07<br />
Cheryl A. Clark ‘86<br />
Lawrence “Hank” B. Darden ’71<br />
John P. Day<br />
Michael F. Delaney ‘70<br />
Jerry B. Flanders ‘66<br />
*Peter N. Gaskin<br />
Steven A. Howard ‘99<br />
Marcia J. Laidlaw ‘69<br />
Elizabeth “Bippie” Luckie ‘82<br />
Dianne D. McCargar ’78<br />
Thomas W. Myers ’68<br />
John A. O’Donnell<br />
John F. Penrose<br />
Kenneth R. Puffer<br />
Jennifer (Podvin) Richmond ‘03<br />
Amy Jo Sipher ‘92<br />
Charity M. Smykla ’97<br />
*D. Rene Valentine<br />
Robert Williams Jr. ‘85<br />
Robert F. Williams, Sr.<br />
Scott K. Wilson<br />
Daniel P. Woodward ’77<br />
Joy Williams Zimmerman ‘92<br />
*awarded posthumously<br />
The 2015 Cannoneer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held in conjunction with<br />
the JCC Distinguished Alumni recognition on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at the Watertown<br />
Elks Club. The Athletic Hall Of Fame recognizes individual athletes and teams<br />
who have exhibited outstanding athletic success or have had a positive impact on<br />
Jefferson Athletics.<br />
Honorees inducted into the Class of 2015 Cannoneer Hall of Fame are Charity M.<br />
Smykla, Robert Williams Jr. and John A. O’Donnell.<br />
Charity Smykla ’97 played on both the JCC women’s soccer and basketball teams. She<br />
led the Lady Cannoneers’ soccer team to their first National Junior College Athletic<br />
Association (NJCAA) Region III championship in 1996 while setting numerous athletic<br />
records along the way. She currently teaches ELA at Copenhagen Central School and<br />
has coached soccer, basketball and softball. She holds an associate’s degree from Jefferson<br />
in addition to a bachelor’s and master’s degree from SUNY Potsdam.<br />
Bob Williams ‘85 coached at Jefferson from 1994-1997 and led the Cannoneers to win<br />
the NJCAA Region III Basketball Championship. Currently, he is the head coach at West<br />
Virginia University Tech. He led his team to the National Association of Intercollegiate<br />
Athletics National Tournament this year. Among the many awards bestowed to Williams<br />
is the Mid-South Conference (MSC) Coach of the Year in 2009, MSC Championship<br />
in 2012, and 300th College Coaching Victory in 2014.<br />
John O’Donnell, a longtime supporter of Jefferson athletics, retired from the Watertown<br />
Daily Times after 41 years as a sportswriter. John st<strong>art</strong>ed covering sports at JCC<br />
in 1972! He was one of five recipients to receive an Associate Press Award for covering<br />
the Winter Olympics in 1980 and is a member of the Red and Black Hall of Fame. In the<br />
community, his volunteerism efforts include service to the Samaritan Medical Center,<br />
Hospice and the Lions Club.<br />
This event was made possible through the generosity of Liberty Mutual Insurance and<br />
Watertown Savings Bank.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 16
NJCAA Region III Division III All-American<br />
Victoria Fusco, women’s lacrosse, 1st team<br />
Kaitlin Brierton, women’s lacrosse, 1st team<br />
Alyssa Crosby, women’s basketball, 1st team<br />
Upcoming Alumni Games<br />
Are you a Cannoneer who played baseball, lacrosse or basketball for<br />
Jefferson? These alumni games are for you! Connect with former<br />
teammates to reminisce, meet the current team, and play another<br />
game. For more information, contact the JCC athletics office at 315-786-2232.<br />
Alumni Women’s Lacrosse Game<br />
Sunday, October 11 @ 10am<br />
8th Annual Peter N. Gaskin Men’s Lacrosse<br />
Sunday, October 11 @ 12pm<br />
19th Annual Robert F. Williams Alumni Basketball Games<br />
Saturday, October 24, 2015<br />
Women’s tip off @ 12pm<br />
Men’s tip off @ 2pm<br />
JCC Cross Country Team Makes History While Running<br />
With the formation of the first cross country team in the history of the college, 16<br />
athletes are off and running this fall! Their season opened on September 1 with an<br />
invitational held at SUNY Canton. “As a first year team we have some strong individual<br />
runners and should be competitive at the conference and regional levels,”<br />
says coach Daniel Godin. JCC’s cross country team has the opportunity to compete<br />
at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III level and in<br />
the Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC). To follow the Cannoneers, visit www.<br />
cannoneerathletics.com to stay apprised of the team’s meet schedule and results.<br />
Chelsea Monroe Named Softball Coach<br />
The Lady Cannoneers softball team has a new coach for the spring 2016 season!<br />
JCC alumna Chelsea Monroe, of Watertown, holds the college softball record for<br />
career steals and set a home run record at Utica College. She coaches the NNY<br />
Bombers traveling softball team and will take the helm of the JCC softball team<br />
next season. Interested players can contact JCC’s office of athletics 315-786-2232.<br />
NJCAA Region III Division III All-Region Team<br />
Kaitlin Brierton, women’s lacrosse, 1st team<br />
Victoria Fusco, women’s lacrosse, 1st team<br />
Lauren Labiendo, softball, 2nd team<br />
Jessica Oliver, women’s lacrosse, 2nd team<br />
Mackenzie Kidder, women’s lacrosse, 2nd team<br />
Annette Rishe, women’s lacrosse, 2nd team<br />
NJCAA Pinnacle Award for Academic<br />
Excellence<br />
This award is given to a student athlete who<br />
earned a 4.0 GPA and completed 45 semester<br />
hours.<br />
Brooke Lalone, softball<br />
NJCAA Superior Award for<br />
Academic Achievement<br />
This award is given to a student athlete who<br />
earned a GPA between 3.8 and 3.99 and completed<br />
45 semester hours.<br />
Kathleen Coloney, women’s basketball<br />
Deleha Decker, women’s soccer and softball<br />
Lauren Labiendo, softball<br />
NJCAA Exemplary Award for Academic<br />
Achievement<br />
This award is given to a student athlete who<br />
earned a GPA between 3.6 and 3.79 and completed<br />
45 semester hours.<br />
Kathryn Beagle, women’s lacrosse and soccer<br />
Caitlyn Graves, women’s soccer<br />
Bryant Wentworth, baseball<br />
MSAC All-Conference Team Awards (Spring)<br />
Lauren Labiendo, softball<br />
Hunter Thomas, baseball<br />
Christopher Strough, golf<br />
Nicholas Hughes, golf<br />
MSAC Individual Golf Champion<br />
Pearce Parsons<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 17
A Message from the Foundation Executive Director<br />
Pay It Forward<br />
The Pay It Forward movement is not a new concept. Some believe it dates all the way back to 317 BC where it was<br />
used as a key plot concept for a play in ancient Athens. It became widely popular, however, in 2000 after Catherine<br />
Ryan Hyde’s novel Pay It Forward was published and adapted into a film of the same name.<br />
The philosophy of Pay It Forward is that through acts of kindness, we all foster a more caring community. One good<br />
deed might not seem like much, but if everyone did something good for someone else, the cycle of generosity and<br />
kindness can spark us to become better people and a better community.<br />
I have been touched many times throughout my life by people paying it forward. When I was a high school graduate<br />
getting ready to apply for college, my family did not have the means to pay for the college applications that<br />
I was hoping to submit. My best friend’s mother, who was and is one of the most generous souls I have ever met,<br />
quietly paid for my college applications so that I could pursue my dream of obtaining a college education. This act<br />
of kindness stayed with me as I pushed toward my goal of receiving my bachelor’s degree, which I did with an intense<br />
drive, achieving a 4.0 GPA. The philosophy of paying it forward has since become a guiding principle in my life<br />
leading me to pursue a career in helping others. I feel incredibly lucky to now be in a position to help others achieve<br />
their dreams of obtaining a college education.<br />
Just a couple of week ago, my husband was at a local restaurant with some members of his troop for a going away<br />
lunch. As they attempted to pay their bills, the waitress informed them that an anonymous patron had paid for their<br />
meals. This act of kindness was not lost on these proud members of Bravo Troop, 6-6 Calvary Regiment, Fort Drum,<br />
NY, as they make plans to Pay It Forward.<br />
We each have the opportunity every day to show someone kindness. What will you do to Pay It Forward and st<strong>art</strong> a<br />
ripple effect of good deeds?<br />
As the new Executive Director of the Foundation, I was interested in learning about the many scholarships available<br />
to students attending JCC. What I found in looking back was a beautiful discovery. Featured on the next page are<br />
two of our oldest scholarships demonstrating that the concept of paying it forward has been alive and well since<br />
the College’s inception.<br />
Lisa M. Familo<br />
Executive Director
Looking Back…<br />
Paying it Forward…<br />
Watertown Rotary Club<br />
Scholarship-Annual<br />
Scholarship-Established<br />
1963<br />
The Watertown Rotary Club,<br />
Club Number 4623, was<br />
organized on October 14,<br />
1914. Watertown was the<br />
ninth club to be ch<strong>art</strong>ered<br />
in New York State. The<br />
formation of the Watertown Club was largely due to the efforts of<br />
two merchants, Henry Butterworth and Lon P. Hall, and Secretary<br />
of the Chamber of Commerce, Francis Lamon. The founders of the<br />
Watertown Club ch<strong>art</strong>ed the course which succeeding administrations<br />
have followed. Good fellowship and community service were,<br />
and still are, the principal objectives.<br />
As Rotary grew, its mission expanded and Rotarians began pooling<br />
their resources and contributing their talents to help serve communities<br />
in need. Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies<br />
the humanitarian spirit of the organization.<br />
The Watertown Rotary Club Scholarship, established in 1963, is<br />
Jefferson Community College’s oldest, active annual scholarship.<br />
The club currently awards up to six scholarships in the amount of<br />
$500 annually.<br />
The Watertown Rotary Club Scholarship is restricted to residents<br />
of Jefferson County with good academic potential demonstrating<br />
financial need. Preference is given to a son or daughter of a Rotary<br />
Club member.<br />
The Jefferson Community College is immensely grateful for the<br />
continued support and generosity of the Watertown Rotary Club!<br />
Thank you for being a long-standing example of a civic organization<br />
that believes in paying it forward!<br />
Corporal William Brabant<br />
Memorial Scholarship-<br />
Endowed Scholarship-<br />
Established 1968<br />
Born on December 12, 1947,<br />
William A. Brabant attended<br />
Clayton Central High School,<br />
graduating in 1965. He<br />
completed his associate’s<br />
degree in applied science<br />
from Jefferson Community<br />
College in 1967.<br />
On November 14, 1967,<br />
William enlisted in the<br />
Army completing his basic<br />
training at Fort Dix, New<br />
Jersey. Promoted in Vietnam<br />
to corporal, after having<br />
completed tracking school<br />
in the United States only ten<br />
days earlier, Mr. Brabant was killed in action on October 8, 1968,<br />
near Duc Pho, Vietnam, while serving as an infantryman in the 11th<br />
Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division.<br />
Remembering his brother, Peter Brabant said, “He was athletic, and<br />
in high school he joined the football and wrestling teams. He loved<br />
the outdoors and especially enjoyed being in and around water.<br />
Today, I can still remember him traveling along the St. Lawrence<br />
River in his Higgin’s boat. In the depths of fog concealing everyone,<br />
people knew he was coming because his whistle always carried a<br />
happy tune!”<br />
As a remembrance of their brother and son, the Brabant family<br />
created the Corporal William Brabant Memorial Scholarship<br />
in 1968. They wanted his legacy of education and willingness to<br />
thrive to live on in other students. The scholarship is awarded to<br />
two students each year, graduates of the Thousand Islands Central<br />
School District. One for a new freshman student, and the other for<br />
a continuing student at JCC.<br />
The Jefferson Community College Foundation is incredibly appreciative<br />
of the Brabant family’s generosity and desire to turn a<br />
tragic event into an extraordinary act of kindness; a true testament<br />
to paying it forward!<br />
For more information about either of these scholarships, please<br />
visit www.sunyjefferson.edu/alumni-friends/jcc-foundation.<br />
What’s New<br />
Italian Arts Travel Abroad Scholarship<br />
Opportunity for Summer 2016!<br />
Sponsored by the E<strong>state</strong> of Mrs. Frederick H. (Aline) Taylor of<br />
Watertown, the Italian Art Scholarship allows students to spend<br />
the month of July studying <strong>art</strong> at the Scuola Lorenzo de’Medici<br />
in Florence, Italy. Each scholarship covers the cost of travel,<br />
tuition, lodging, books, <strong>art</strong> supplies and meals. Students<br />
are required to complete course(s) at the<br />
Scuola Lorenzo de’Medici for which they will<br />
be awarded college credit.<br />
Student applicants must complete at<br />
least 24 credit hours by the end of the<br />
spring 2016 semester, have a grade point<br />
average of 2.5 or above, and be enrolled<br />
full-time at Jefferson in both the Fall 2015<br />
and Spring 2016 semesters. Candidates are<br />
also required to have taken at least one college<br />
level <strong>art</strong> class prior to the trip.<br />
The Italian Arts Scholarship application will be available November<br />
2, 2015 at www.sunyjefferson.edu.<br />
Beginning in the spring of 2016, Jefferson Community College will<br />
begin using AcademicWorks, the leading provider of scholarship<br />
management solutions for colleges, universities, and foundations.<br />
The AcademicWorks Scholarship Management Module is<br />
used by hundreds of institutions and foundations to improve the<br />
compliance, utilization, and stewardship of scholarship funds,<br />
while improving service to students, donors, and the community.<br />
The Scholarship Management Module provides a central place for<br />
financial aid and foundation staff to access all scholarship information<br />
across campus and easily match students to the scholarships<br />
best suited for them. Stay tuned for more information about this<br />
innovative advancement!<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 19
Foundation Board Member<br />
Highlight<br />
Heather Johnson joined the JCC<br />
Foundation Board in September<br />
2013 representing Car-Freshner<br />
Corporation. Heather is originally from<br />
Silver Creek, NY. She graduated from<br />
Wheaton College in Norton, MA with<br />
a double major in mathematics and<br />
economics. From Wheaton, she went<br />
on to attend the University of Virginia in<br />
Charlottesville, VA where she graduated<br />
with a master’s degree in economics.<br />
Heather worked for John Hancock Financial Services in Boston,<br />
MA as a financial analyst for four years before moving back to<br />
the Western New York area to be closer to family. For the next<br />
four years she worked as an adjunct professor at SUNY Fredonia,<br />
teaching mathematics, economics and computer programming.<br />
She and her family relocated once again to the New England area<br />
where Heather began working for Tom’s of Maine in Kennebunk,<br />
ME. She st<strong>art</strong>ed with the company as a market analyst, but quickly<br />
moved into brand marketing where she found her passion. When<br />
the opportunity arose seven years later to come back to New York<br />
State and work as a brand manager for Car-Freshner Corporation,<br />
Heather jumped at the chance. She has been with Car-Freshner<br />
now for three years and absolutely loves her job. Heather lives with<br />
her husband and three children in Henderson Harbor, NY and they<br />
love the Northern New York area and all that it has to offer.<br />
When Heather was asked by Car-Freshner to consider representing<br />
the company on the JCC Foundation Board, she was more<br />
than happy to do so. She has always felt strongly about higher<br />
education and admires the SUNY system of schools. Her father<br />
was an English teacher at Erie Community College South Campus<br />
in Orchard Park, NY for over 35 years before retiring just a few<br />
years ago, so she has known community college life for as long as<br />
she can remember. She believes in the power of knowledge and<br />
education and that it should be something available to anyone<br />
that is looking to learn and better their life. She is proud to serve<br />
Car-Freshner and JCC as an active board member and writes, “It is a<br />
privilege to help cultivate relationships, develop donors and raise<br />
funds to support the amazing students that attend JCC and further<br />
the goals of the College.”<br />
Scholarship Donor<br />
Highlight<br />
By: Dawn Robinson<br />
Robinson Family Scholarship<br />
I am originally from Rochester, NY<br />
and coming to Jefferson was the first<br />
experience I had as a college student.<br />
Being on a college campus was a challenging<br />
yet inspiring experience. I am a<br />
1997 graduate of Jefferson. I give much<br />
credit to my success to the faculty and<br />
staff that supported and assisted me in<br />
finding my passion for teaching (Cherie<br />
Ditch and Courtney Bauer). I didn’t st<strong>art</strong> out knowing that I wanted<br />
to become a teacher. I began at Jefferson as a math/science major<br />
who wanted to become an environmental conservation officer.<br />
(That didn’t work out so well!) I then transferred to the business<br />
division where I became a Retail Business Management AAS student.<br />
By the time I finished at Jefferson I had found my passion for<br />
instruction and upon completion of my degree, I continued onto<br />
Nazareth College to pursue my bachelor’s degree in business and<br />
distributive education. I finished at Nazareth and couldn’t wait to<br />
return to the North Country to continue my education at Potsdam<br />
and to begin my career. I taught for nine years at Watertown<br />
High School. After losing my position due to budget constraints, I<br />
received the amazing opportunity to join the Jefferson family not<br />
as a student but as a faculty member. I am thankful each semester<br />
for the opportunities I have received.<br />
As a faculty alumnus, I felt it was important to give back to the<br />
institution that gave me my st<strong>art</strong>. I felt a great connection to Jefferson<br />
and its potential students. With rising high school budget<br />
constraints, students are unable to experience some of the elective<br />
classes that I was able to take as a student that prepared me for the<br />
rigor of the college experience.<br />
I heard of a high school senior who had taken all of the college<br />
credit-bearing EDGE classes available to her at her home school.<br />
She has been accepted to Coastal Carolina University and will be<br />
pursuing a business degree with a concentration in marketing. She<br />
wanted the experience of attending a face-to-face college class prior<br />
to beginning her program in the fall. The student, because she is<br />
considered a high school student, did not qualify for any financial<br />
aid, and she was not able to apply for any scholarships. High school<br />
students have a greater financial need than the average student<br />
because they hold p<strong>art</strong>-time jobs at best. Many high school seniors<br />
would choose an easy schedule for their last semester and coast<br />
to graduation. This student chose to seek a challenging schedule<br />
of attending class three days a week and returning to her home<br />
school where she carries a full load of classes, p<strong>art</strong>icipates in<br />
extracurricular activities such as the school musical, volunteers in<br />
her community, is an active member in Stage Notes, a local drama<br />
organization that not only performs but raises funds for the Urban<br />
Mission. She is also a leader on the softball team. Watching this<br />
student’s dedication to her community and her learning inspired<br />
me. I established a scholarship for her and others who are seeking<br />
the challenge of taking a class at Jefferson while still in high<br />
school. I hope they may begin to realize “There really is more here”<br />
at Jefferson!<br />
Upcoming Sessions at Jefferson<br />
• Fall late session (8-week) classes st<strong>art</strong><br />
October 21<br />
• Winterim (4-week) classes st<strong>art</strong><br />
December 23 online and December 28 on<br />
campus<br />
• Spring semester classes begin<br />
January 25, 2016<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 20
Scholarship Highlight<br />
Donald Miller Memorial Scholarship<br />
In February 2015, Jefferson Community College established the<br />
Donald Miller Memorial Scholarship with contributions from college<br />
faculty, staff, and retirees to honor the memory of their former<br />
colleague.<br />
Don was an admirable man whose life was dedicated to serving<br />
others. He became p<strong>art</strong> of the Jefferson family in 1997 as Dean<br />
of Enrollment Management and Student Life. Before coming to<br />
Jefferson, he served as Dean of Students at the University of Dallas<br />
in Irving, TX, Associate Dean of Students at Colgate University,<br />
Director of Student Activities at SUNY Binghamton’s Harper College<br />
of Arts & Sciences, and as Director of a residence hall at West<br />
Virginia University. Don received his undergraduate degree from<br />
Ohio University and earned a master of <strong>art</strong>s degree in educational<br />
administration from Case-Western Reserve University. In addition,<br />
he completed forty-four hours towards a doctorate in educational<br />
administration at West Virginia University.<br />
Friends at Jefferson recall Dean Miller’s amiable personality and his<br />
welcoming smile. He is remembered by his colleagues for his kindness<br />
and positive outlook. Don retired from Jefferson in 2005 and<br />
returned to his Texas home. Each summer after his retirement, he<br />
would return to the North Country to visit friends and stay on the<br />
lake at Cape Vincent, something that he and his wife, Pat, enjoyed<br />
so much. Don is dearly missed by his family and friends.<br />
The Jefferson Community College Foundation is thankful to the<br />
many individuals who helped establish this scholarship and is honored<br />
to be able to continue Dean Miller’s commitment to students<br />
at Jefferson Community College.<br />
Pavers, A Perfect Way to Make a Mark on<br />
Campus!<br />
Community members and Jefferson students, alumni, faculty and<br />
staff are invited to leave their mark on campus with a personalized<br />
commemorative paver. Honor a graduate, friend, or favorite professor,<br />
remember a loved one, celebrate a special occasion or thank<br />
someone special. Engraved pavers, available in three different<br />
sizes, will be placed in the area surrounding the Haas Clocktower,<br />
a focal point at the center of campus, to be enjoyed for years to<br />
come.<br />
Contact the JCC Foundation at 315-786-2458,<br />
foundation@sunyjefferson.edu, or go to<br />
www.sunyjefferson.edu/pavers for order information. Pavers are<br />
installed annually during the fall.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 21
A Message from Jefferson’s Alumni Development Officer<br />
Autumn is upon us, sneaking slowly up as the days shorten and the air gets crisp. Many times we think of the<br />
autumn season as a time of harvest, a time when life begins to retreat, a time to prepare for the long barren<br />
days of winter in the North Country. However, here at Jefferson Community College, autumn is when new life<br />
abounds!<br />
New beginnings, new challenges, new faces! New ideas to explore, new friends to make, new experiences to<br />
share. As alumni, we often look to the past … back to our days at JCC, back to our carefree college days. But<br />
at this time of year, as we begin a new academic year, it is time for alumni to look forward by making a new<br />
commitment to ‘pay it forward’ through our gifts of funds and mentorships. Every college depends on their<br />
alumni to help keep costs down for students, and Jefferson Community College is no exception. But, for our<br />
alumni, it’s not just about making college affordable and making important opportunities available for today’s<br />
students. It is also about passing along the experiences that shaped our lives. By sharing of our experiences<br />
through mentoring, we give insight and vision to students at the very beginning of their college path.<br />
Jefferson alumni share a strong commitment to JCC, giving of themselves to enrich the lives of new students,<br />
which is truly an investment in the future of our community!<br />
Edie A. Roggie<br />
Alumni Development Officer<br />
Jefferson Community College 2015<br />
Distinguished Alumni<br />
Bauer, Class of 1988, who received the Jeffersonian Award for her<br />
volunteerism, civic involvement, and humanitarian undertakings.<br />
Congratulations to these extraordinary individuals!<br />
To see a complete list of all of the JCC Distinguished Alumni recipients<br />
honored through the years, visit our website at http://www.<br />
sunyjefferson.edu/alumni-friends/past-distinguished-alumni.<br />
Left to Right: Renee Bowers, Michael Steele, Courtney Bauer<br />
Jefferson Community College held its annual Distinguished<br />
Alumni and Cannoneer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on<br />
Thursday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Watertown Elks Lodge.<br />
Three distinguished alumni were recognized for their professional<br />
achievement and exemplary commitment to their community and<br />
Jefferson Community College.<br />
The 2015 Distinguished Alumni honorees are: Renee E. Bowers,<br />
Class of 1982, who received the Professional Achievement Award<br />
for her significant professional growth and leadership abilities; Michael<br />
D. Steele, Class of 2000, who received the Rising Star Award<br />
for exhibiting a promise for continued success; and Courtney A.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 22<br />
Alumni Advisory Council<br />
Highlight<br />
Philip James ’14, knew that he wanted<br />
to go into either business administration<br />
or accounting, but didn’t exactly know<br />
which one to choose. Philip looked at<br />
multiple universities and colleges, private<br />
and public, in an effort to decide. He had<br />
not considered JCC because he thought<br />
he wanted to attend a four-year school,<br />
getting a bachelor’s degree and a job all in<br />
a matter of four consecutive years. On the<br />
advice of his parents, he decided to look at<br />
JCC to see what was offered there.<br />
Philip st<strong>art</strong>ed attending JCC as a full-time student in the spring of<br />
2012. In an effort to learn more about the field of accounting and<br />
on the advice of his accounting professor, Philip transferred into<br />
the A.A.S. in Accounting in the fall of 2013. During his tenure as a<br />
student at Jefferson, Philip was involved in multiple committees,<br />
clubs, events, and campus activities. The most important role that<br />
he held was the student representative on the Board of Trustees,<br />
which governs the College. In this position, Philip served as the<br />
voice of the entire student body, working with administration,<br />
faculty and most importantly, the students. Philip also enjoyed
working with other students through his employment with the<br />
Learning and Success Center (LSC) as a student worker. While<br />
working at the LSC, he was p<strong>art</strong> of the Campus Orientation and<br />
Registration Educators (CORE) group that headed up the entire<br />
New Student Orientation each spring and fall. CORE employees<br />
are some of the first people that the new student sees when they<br />
come to orientation!<br />
In the spring of 2013, Philip was approached by a fellow student<br />
to add his name to the ballot to run in the Student Government Association<br />
elections for the student trustee position, which he won,<br />
beginning his term July, 2013. Throughout Philip’s term as trustee,<br />
he met regularly with administration to discuss student concerns<br />
and thoughts and ideas for growth. This was a position that Philip<br />
enjoyed immensely, learning about policy, strategic growth and<br />
what makes JCC the best community college in the area!<br />
After graduation, Philip was asked to sit on the Alumni Advisory<br />
Council, which he did with the utmost commitment and enthusiasm!<br />
He is currently working full-time as a finance clerk for a<br />
non-profit organization and is pursuing a bachelor’s in business<br />
(BS), with the hope of pursuing a master’s in accounting (MSA) or a<br />
master’s in business (MBA). Philip’s career goal is to become a certified<br />
public accountant and he credits JCC for helping to make his<br />
dream possible, writing “Jefferson Community College made me<br />
who I am today! Thank you JCC for all you have done for me and<br />
for all 20,000+ graduates!”<br />
Alumni Wine Cruise - Ahoy, Mates!<br />
A great group of JCC alumni toured the beautiful waters of the St.<br />
Lawrence River on the alumni wine cruise, July 16, 2015, guided<br />
by the wonderful folks at Coyote Moon Vineyards, Clayton, NY and<br />
hosted by John and Betsy Penrose and Marie Hess.<br />
Alumni-Owned Business Highlight: Caring for<br />
Our Community<br />
Bethany Hughes, ’03, and Amy Kepler, ’03, became fast friends<br />
while attending Jefferson Community College, each going on<br />
to graduate with honors from the University of Phoenix with a<br />
master’s in general psychology. The two friends recently opened<br />
the Social Adult Day Center, Croghan, NY, to provide services to the<br />
elderly. With the help of their family and friends, they renovated<br />
the facility, having their grand opening in April 2015.<br />
Amy, an Army wife, moved back to her native Wisconsin, where she<br />
owns and operates two similar, larger facilities, and serves as owner/overseer<br />
to the Croghan facility. Bethany resides in Croghan,<br />
and operates the newest facility as executive director. The two<br />
p<strong>art</strong>ners are in constant communication, and are assisted in the<br />
Croghan facility by JCC graduate Crystal Roberts ‘14, assistant<br />
director, who is also currently a student at Keuka College at JCC.<br />
The mission of the Croghan Adult Care is to provide local families<br />
with safe, uplifting respite care for their elderly and disabled family<br />
members. Programming and activities are kept fresh and interesting,<br />
and the business has just st<strong>art</strong>ed to focus on overnight respite<br />
care, as well. P<strong>art</strong>icipants are encouraged to work on social and<br />
daily skills, getting involved in <strong>art</strong>s, baking, exercise, and community<br />
outings.<br />
Amy and Bethany credit the strong business foundation they<br />
received at Jefferson as well as their strong friendship, as keys to<br />
their business success. Their commitment to their community is<br />
one exemplified by many JCC graduates!<br />
The captain and crew stopped the boat over the location of the<br />
sunken ship that the cannon, now centrally located on the JCC<br />
campus, was retrieved from and donated to JCC in 1967. A recovery<br />
team was sent down from the 479th Engineer Battalion, Fort<br />
Drum, to extract the cannon. It was then delivered to the campus<br />
and the facilities dep<strong>art</strong>ment built the carriage for it.<br />
This is a picture of several of the alumni in attendance on the wine<br />
cruise over the location of the sunken ship that once carried JCC’s<br />
proud piece of American history!<br />
Left to right: Danny Haycock (River Guide), Bryon Perry, Audrey Oakes, Jayne<br />
Perry, Mallory Scriber, Jan Godfrey, Philip James, Jeffrey Godfrey, Marie Hess,<br />
Jeff Perrine<br />
Left: Bethany Hughes, right: Crystal Roberts<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 23
Alumni Notes and News<br />
Jonathan B<strong>art</strong>holomew, ’97, has been named vice-president<br />
and managing financial consultant at NBT Financial Services,<br />
working at Syracuse Park Place office. Jonathan has over 12 years<br />
of experience in the financial services industry, according to the<br />
Post-Standard, and previously served as a financial consultant at<br />
Community Investment Services Inc.<br />
Bridget Fetterly, ’06, was recently honored by the C<strong>art</strong>hage<br />
Lions Club with the Uplinger Award, bestowed to individuals<br />
for exceptional community service. Bridget served four years in<br />
the Army, and currently serves as a C<strong>art</strong>hage Savings and Loan<br />
assistant vice-president.<br />
Patrick Bourcy, ’87, is the senior vice-president of Wegman’s,<br />
Rochester, NY. Patrick also sits on the Board of Directors at<br />
‘Foodlink’ in Rochester, a national model for food distribution/<br />
production to bring nutritious, fresh foods to low-income families.<br />
Mary Ann Sayyeau, ’67, was crowned the very first Lewis County<br />
Dairy Princess in 1965 and recently helped the organization<br />
celebrate 50 years of supporting the dairy industry in Northern<br />
New York.<br />
Robert Tebo, ’67, was inducted into the Tupper Lake Lumberjack<br />
Hall of Fame. After graduating from JCC and then St. Lawrence<br />
University with a master’s degree, Bob served for over 32 years<br />
in the athletic program at Tupper Lake Schools. Bob has seen so<br />
many give so much of their time and support to not only him,<br />
but to future athletes, reinforcing that it truly does take a whole<br />
community to bring a successful athletic program to our children.<br />
Ramon Blanco-Pabon, ’13, recently graduated from basic combat<br />
training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC.<br />
Sue Lyman Herse was a member of the first class of JCC. She<br />
transferred to SUNY Oswego and taught school at South Jefferson<br />
High School for 27 years. Sue has been the town historian for<br />
Adams for over 25 years and is currently collaborating on a book<br />
titled “Stone Houses of Jefferson County”.<br />
Mary Wilsie, ’00, recently competed her MBA degree from Capella<br />
University. Mary was a high honors office technology program<br />
student at JCC, and has worked for many years in healthcare<br />
administration.<br />
And JCC “Love at First Sight” Story!<br />
Michael Krickmire, ’70, and his wife, Mary, a graduate from<br />
Jamestown Community College, met at SUNY Brockport when<br />
they both were sporting t-shirts that read “JCC”. The ensuing<br />
friendship led to a 38+ year love affair! The couple married in 1977<br />
while still in graduate school, according to the Democrat and<br />
Chronicle and they have been working together in the theater<br />
community for over 30 years in the Rochester area, teaching<br />
students the passion of the theater. They were recently honored<br />
with the prestigious 2015 Rod Marriott Award for Lifetime<br />
Achievement in Theater Education from the NYS Theater Education<br />
Association.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 24
Upcoming Alumni Events<br />
SETH AND THE MOODY MELIX<br />
A CONCERT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES<br />
2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2016 • JCC Sturtz Theater<br />
$3 in advance ($2 for Alums and Military);<br />
$5 at door; 25% discount for groups of 50 or more<br />
An interactive, multicultural journey designed to engage children’s<br />
love of music and learning while promoting character education.<br />
Songs address social and peer interaction, healthy living, the world<br />
around us, and much more. Seth Warden is a 1995 LaFargeville<br />
Central High School graduate. After graduating with a Master’s in<br />
education from Albany’s College of St. Rose in 2010, Seth teamed<br />
up with percussionist Brian Melick, and violinist Doug Moody, to<br />
create songs that are not only fun and engaging, but are educational<br />
at their core.<br />
Upcoming Campus Events<br />
RJ Mitte, Star of AMC’s<br />
Breaking Bad, To Give<br />
Keynote at JCC<br />
Leadership Day<br />
October 28<br />
RJ Mitte played the role of Walter<br />
White Jr., a character who has cerebral<br />
palsy, on the AMC drama<br />
Breaking Bad and it was a role he<br />
could personally relate to! The<br />
22-year old actor was diagnosed<br />
with a mild form of cerebral<br />
palsy at the young age of three.<br />
After spending his toddler years<br />
in leg braces, working with speech therapists and surviving as a<br />
victim of severe bullying, RJ moved to Los Angeles with his family<br />
and through a local talent agent, was cast in the Hannah Montana<br />
show and then Everyone Hates Chris. RJ uses his success as<br />
an actor, producer and model to help advance opportunities for<br />
others with disabilities through organizations including I Am PWD<br />
(Performers With Disabilities), the National Disability Institute’s Real<br />
Economic Impact Tour, United Cerebral Palsy and PACER’s National<br />
Center for Bullying Prevention. He speaks to students at colleges<br />
and high schools across the country to inspire acts of strength and<br />
kindness.<br />
RJ will give the keynote address at Jefferson’s Annual Leadership<br />
Day on October 28, 2015. The program was launched in 2008 to<br />
enhance and develop leadership skills of high school and college<br />
students. In addition to a keynote address, JCC’s Leadership Day<br />
program features sessions on team building and goal setting.<br />
In 2013, JCC’s Leadership Day Program received the Northeast<br />
Region Program of the Year designation by the Association for the<br />
Promotion of Campus Activities. Area high schools interested in<br />
learning more about JCC’s Leadership Day Program should contact<br />
the JCC Admissions Office at 315-786-2277.<br />
NCWF Coffee House Reading –<br />
Thursday, October 29<br />
The JCC English Dep<strong>art</strong>ment will hold a weeklong North Country<br />
Writers Festival (NCWF) beginning Monday, October 26. The<br />
festival will feature daily contests and visiting authors. On Thursday,<br />
October 29, a coffee house reading will take place to honor<br />
the winners of the 2015 writers contest. The public is welcome<br />
to attend! Coffee and refreshments will be provided. For more<br />
information about NCWF events, visit www.sunyjefferson.edu or<br />
contact the JCC English Dep<strong>art</strong>ment at 315-786-2328. The NCWF is<br />
sponsored by the JCC Faculty Student Association.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 25
Michelle D. Pfaff was appointed to the Jefferson Community College Board of Trustees in 1999 by then-Governor George Pataki and is in<br />
her third term as trustee. She served as chair of the Board from 2002-2004, chair of the Personnel Committee from 2008 to 2015, chair of<br />
the Budget and Planning Committee from 2001-2003 and currently serves on the Personnel Committee. Michelle holds a bachelor of <strong>art</strong>s<br />
degree in economics and history from St. Lawrence University. In 2010, Michelle retired from a 35-year career in banking serving most<br />
recently as vice president of Community Bank. Michelle remains active in several North Country organizations while she and her husband,<br />
Dave, spend their free time traveling. Recently, we chatted with Mrs. Pfaff on her tenure as trustee.<br />
Has your view of the College changed since you first joined the Board of Trustees?<br />
To quote the College’s tagline, ‘There’s More Here.’ More educational opportunities, a more inclusive community for learners of all ages,<br />
more student success.<br />
How, if at all, do you think the community’s view of the College has changed over the years?<br />
I like to think they also see ‘there’s more here’ – from courses and traditional degree programs, to seminars and workshops for career<br />
and personal development, to the Center for Community Studies surveys and speaker series, to events like the Fort Drum Rally held on<br />
campus in March.<br />
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen occur at the College?<br />
The onset and subsequent growth of online courses is a big change. Also, the development of the Higher Education Center.<br />
During your 17-year tenure as a trustee, of what accomplishments are you most proud?<br />
I’m proud at how responsive the College is to the needs of the community. Over the years we have offered degrees in EMS, dental<br />
hygiene (through a p<strong>art</strong>nership), a weekend option for the nursing program and developed more flexible courses, in p<strong>art</strong>icular those offered<br />
on Fort Drum. The Higher Education Center brings bachelor’s and master’s programs to the community through p<strong>art</strong>nerships with<br />
other colleges. And, the variety of non-credit courses for career and personal development continues to grow. Personally I’ve enjoyed<br />
many workshops including the Great Decisions seminar and ballroom dancing.<br />
I’m also proud of the high marks that students give the College after they leave Jefferson – our rankings for quality of education and the<br />
variety of student life activities are the highest among JCC’s peers in SUNY. But, perhaps I’m most proud that Jefferson has the highest<br />
graduation rate of all community colleges in New York!<br />
What challenges lie ahead for Jefferson?<br />
Enrollment will always pose a challenge. High school populations are flat or declining. Like most community colleges, we see fluctuations<br />
due to the cyclical nature of the economy, but unique to Jefferson are the ups and downs related to what is happening on Fort Drum with<br />
both deployments and sequestration.<br />
What is your favorite activity or event at Jefferson?<br />
My favorite event is the annual Recognition Celebration held in May. It is a fun event where we have the opportunity to recognize faculty<br />
and staff and celebrate their contributions and dedication to the College.<br />
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 26
In the Spotlight<br />
Associate Professor of Computer Science Jack Donato joined Jefferson in 1990 and currently chairs the computer science/energy dep<strong>art</strong>ment.<br />
He holds an associate’s degree from Jefferson Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the Institute of Technology at Utica/<br />
Rome and a master’s in education from SUNY Potsdam. Jack also received a 2015 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.<br />
Who do you consider your mentor and why?<br />
Dr. Charles Echelbarger, who was a philosophy professor at Oswego, really changed my view of teaching. It was a class in critical thinking<br />
and Dr. Echelbarger asked questions all semester. Not once did he <strong>state</strong> anything - he just kept asking us questions. It was very, very<br />
powerful. It caused us to think and examine the topics for ourselves and discover the content he was teaching. I try to emulate that<br />
experience for my students at Jefferson.<br />
What is your favorite annual campus event or activity and why?<br />
My favorite “event” is not really an event per se’. I like the end of the second week of classes. The students know you a bit better and you<br />
know them a bit better. They are less reserved, but they are also not feeling the pressure of the grades and assignments, etc. It is the time<br />
of the semester where there is a nice classroom environment that allows us to dig into the material and discuss it without the pressure<br />
and angst of the outcomes.<br />
What is your favorite book and why?<br />
I read a lot. OK, my Mom reads a lot as she can finish a novel in a day - she works in a library so she has access to lots of new books. I read<br />
technical stuff. Computer science changes quickly, which means I have to keep up on it. If you think about the technology you were<br />
using 27 years ago (when I st<strong>art</strong>ed teaching) and what it looks like today, you would say it has changed dramatically. It would stand to<br />
reason that the stuff under the hood has had to change with it, right? There you go - I read a lot.<br />
What do you enjoy most about teaching computer science?<br />
I believe every topic in every discipline can give you something to make you better prepared. I do love my discipline, but my favorite<br />
p<strong>art</strong> of teaching is when the student sees the “light bulb” come on and it does not have to be the topic at hand. There are things students<br />
learn that are every bit as important as the course material.<br />
What is your most significant personal accomplishment?<br />
My children are what I am most proud of personally. They are well-adjusted,<br />
good people. I adore them and enjoy watching them grow.<br />
Who is your favorite superhero and why?<br />
I am not too sure I have a favorite superhero. I have enjoyed all of the<br />
Avenger-related stuff lately, but I still like the idea of the odd-ball, off-the-wall<br />
ones like the Tick, and the ones from Mystery Men (Mr. Furious, the Shoveler,<br />
etc.). I think I like them because they are kind of ordinary people who want to<br />
help make things better. They aren’t in the lime-light and they want to help<br />
out. They are more substance than show. I like that in people.<br />
If you could give your students one piece of advice to carry throughout their<br />
lives, what would it be?<br />
There is no short path to effective change. If you have a goal, make a realistic<br />
plan and then follow it. I truly believe people can be anything they desire, but<br />
the other p<strong>art</strong> of that idea is that they have to work for it. And, please, do it<br />
right. An old adage comes to mind, “There is never enough time to do it right,<br />
but there is always time to do it a second time.”
Jefferson Community College<br />
1220 Coffeen Street<br />
Watertown, NY 13601<br />
(315) 786-2200<br />
www.sunyjefferson.edu<br />
Our Vision<br />
Jefferson Community College will be a dynamic educational leader, transforming<br />
lives and our community.<br />
Our Mission<br />
Learning is the focus of Jefferson Community College. Through excellence in<br />
teaching, innovative services, and community p<strong>art</strong>nerships, the College advances<br />
the quality of life of our students and community.<br />
Volume Thirteen • Fall 2015