The cast of the JCC Uncommoners’ production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been selected.

The comedy will be performed at 8 p.m. on November 11, 12, 18, and 19 in JCC’s Scharmann Theatre. A matinee performance will be given at 2 p.m. on November 13. Tickets can be purchased by calling JCC’s box office, 716.338.1187.

JCC students and area performers chosen for the production are Hillary Belin and Maddie Schlick of Jamestown, Daman Holland of Randolph, Amanda Wickmark, Michael Hawk, and Raleigh Hawk of Fredonia, Gabby Carr of Dunkirk, Michael Correy of Cassadaga, and Steve Wendell.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical comedy, focuses on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the spelling bee, run by three equally quirky grownups.

“Manya: A Living History of Marie Curie” will be presented by actress Susan Marie Frontczak at 7 p.m. on September 20 and September 21 at JCC's Cattaraugus County and Jamestown campuses.
 

Three JCC faculty members were promoted with the start of the 2011-12 academic year:

Theresa Baginski and Amber Kautzman were promoted to associate professor. Sarah Kelley was promoted to assistant professor.

Ms. Kelley joined JCC’s faculty in 2006 as a reading instructor on the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses. She earned an associate’s degree at JCC, a bachelor’s degree at Keuka College, and a master’s degree at Mansfield University.

Ms. Baginski, who teaches Spanish, earned  bachelor’s degrees at Niagara University and master’s degrees at the University of Buffalo and U.S. Army War College. She began teaching at JCC as an adjunct in 1996 and as a full-time faculty member in 2002.

Students named to the dean’s list for the spring 2011 semester at JCC's Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses earned at least a 3.50 average, equal to a B plus or better, in 12 or more semester hours of study. Named to the list were:

Sharise Peacock of Cuba has begun serving her term as the student representative to the JCC board of trustees, a post to which she was elected during the spring.

Ms. Peacock is the daughter of Sheila Hartle-Peacock of Cuba and Larry Peacock of Wellsville. A graduate of Cuba-Rushford Central School, Ms. Peacock is majoring in fine arts at JCC. She has been a member of the residence hall council, sustainability committee, and Phi Theta Kappa.

Following graduation, Ms. Peacock intends to transfer to either the Pratt Institute or the State University of New York at Purchase.
 

JCC has received what President Gregory T. DeCinque described as "an outstanding report" including numerous commendations from the commission charged with overseeing the quality of its instructional programs and operation.

"Educational accreditation is a quality assurance process by which colleges and universities are evaluated every ten years by an external body to determine if specified standards are being met," Dr. DeCinque explained. JCC's accrediting body is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

In addition to having its accreditation reaffirmed, the report JCC received from the commission in late June noted that it had met all 14 standards. The Middle States review is a multi-year process involving the preparation and submission of an extensive self-study report and culminating in a visit from a team of evaluators. JCC's commission visit took place in April.

The 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III men’s golf championship, held in early June at the Chautauqua Golf Club, was highlighted by the induction of Greg Fish into the NJCAA Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

JCC’s Faculty Student Association and college program committee will sponsor a performance by mezzo soprano and hometown artist Dawn Pierce at 2 p.m. on July 10 in the Cutco Theater on JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean.

Ms. Pierce, a graduate of Portville Central School, will perform “My Native Land,” a program of beloved American music including folk and art songs, opera, spirituals, jazz, and musical theatre with Greek pianist Charis Dimaras. Proceeds from the concert will support a new FSA initiative to promote the arts and incorporate more community-wide cultural programs in the Olean area.

Admission is $10, general admission, and $5, senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at JCC’s campus store or by calling 716.376.7514 to reserve them at the box office.

Several individuals were recognized for their contributions and service to JCC during a recent annual staff luncheon.

The President’s Award for Excellence, presented by JCC president Gregory T. DeCinque, was given to Edward Cole, senior programmer/analyst, and Michael Goon, maintenance mechanic I. The award reflects the recipient’s self-improvement, efforts on behalf of JCC, and excellence in professional activities.

Dr. DeCinque announced that Goon also received the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.

Gene Danielson, who retired on June 1, was recognized for 29 years of dedicated service as resident manager of JCC’s Sheldon House.

Employees recognized for their years of service to JCC included:

JCC faculty members Gregory Rabb and Karen Weyant received the 2011 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence.

Rabb received the award for excellence in teaching while Ms. Weyant was honored for excellence in scholarship and creative activities.

Faculty, librarians, and professional service employees who received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award were honored with a certificate and cast bronze medallion. The awards are announced after a SUNY advisory committee reviews nominations from faculty, students, and colleagues throughout the 64-campus system.

Rabb, associate professor of political science, has been a member of the JCC faculty since 1986. He earned a juris doctorate at the State University of New York at Buffalo, a master's degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a bachelor's degree at Canisius College.

For the 12th straight year, JCC will host the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 3 men’s golf championship at Chautauqua Golf Club June 6-10.

Practice rounds will be held on Monday with competition rounds scheduled Tuesday through Friday. Tee times are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon. Team and individual score sheets will be posted. Several of the competitors are All-American and region medalists.

Daniel Powers, a 1984 JCC alumnus, delivered the keynote address at JCC's 35th commencement at the Cattaraugus County Campus on May 20 and 61st commencement at the Jamestown Campus on May 21.

The ceremonies honored, collegewide, 625 spring 2011 graduates, 199 December 2010 graduates, and 63 summer 2010 graduates.

JCC Trustee Awards, which recognize highest academic achievement in each degree area, were presented to Penny Chaffee of Russell, PA, Associate in Arts-Liberal Arts & Sciences: Social Sciences; Brittany Chase of Celoron, Associate in Applied Science-Business: Business Administration; Brenda Hoglin of Jamestown and Kyle Jordan of Kennedy, Associate in Science-Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics & Sciences; Stephanie Johnson of Warren, PA and Donald Pool of Jamestown, A.S.-Human Services; Travis Kuhns of Kenney, A.S.-Individual Studies; and Wayne Wilson of Warren, PA, A.A.S.-Mechanical Technology.