The Weeks Gallery at JCC’s Jamestown Campus will hold an “ArtBop” at the college and in downtown Jamestown on October 3 to celebrate the opening of Homegrown Excellence: The Weeks Gallery Salutes Regional Artists.

The exhibition, on display through December 8, features artwork by JCC alumni and faculty Nate Arnone, James Colby, Deb Eck, Peter Goergen, Theresa Heinz, Don Hill, Yu Kanazawa, Deb Lanni, Marilyn Martin, Justin Sorensen, Helene Stolzenberg, and William Waite.

Tickets for the event can be obtained through JCC’s box office, 716.338.1187. Admission is $10 for the general public, $8 for area students and senior citizens, and $6 for JCC Faculty Student Association members.

The exhibition is funded by JCC, JCC Faculty Student Association, JCC Foundation, the Arthur R. Gren Company, and the Southern Tier Brewing Company.

Students named to JCC's spring 2009 part-time student dean’s list earned at least a 3.50 average, equal to a B plus or better, in six to 11 credit hours of letter-graded work. Named to the dean’s list are:

Allegany Joanna Abraham, Brandon Barndt, Faith Benson, Abigael Blumenthal, Kalyn Burgess, Angela Capra, Michael Carr, Erin Coatney, Mark Fischer, Matthew Ghent, Joseph Groele, Nyssa Hoard, Danielle Kellogg, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Julie Liguori, Lauren Piccioli, Joshua Shulman, Richard Trietley, Cody Vreeland, Christine Wittmeyer, Aaron Young, Steven Young
Arcade Randy Hinz, Daniel Wright
Ashville Michelle Gibbs, Patty Josephson, Lauren Norris
Astoria Jimmy Pena
Austin, PA Jessica Watson
Baldwinsville Jeffrey Parker
Belmont Daniel Hanchett

A donation by Jamestown Electro Plating will enable JCC to resume offering a chemistry lab component that lacked needed equipment.

Jamestown Electro Plating owners Jay and Alison Churchill have provided an atomic absorption spectrometer, which will be put to use when fall semester classes begin later this month. An AA spectrometer uses light absorption to measure the concentration of gas-phase atoms.

Jonathan Bilinski has been named assistant coach of the men’s soccer team at JCC's Jamestown Campus.

Bilinski was a member of the first JCC men’s soccer team to compete in Region 3 Division 3 playoffs in 2004. After graduating from JCC in 2006, he continued his soccer career at Medaille College where he was named to both the all-conference and scholar all-region teams.

Bilinski became a semi-professional soccer player after graduating from Medaille in 2008. He was a starting goalkeeper last year for the Fort Wayne Fever team, which competes in the USL Premier Development League. Bilinski has tried out for several other United Soccer League teams.

Information on the men’s soccer team and JCC’s athletic program can be obtained by calling 338-1265.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher will visit JCC’s Jamestown Campus on August 17.

Dr. Zimpher, who pledged to visit all of SUNY’s 64 campuses in her first 100 days as chancellor, will meet with JCC administrators, faculty, staff, students, and trustees as well as local and area elected representatives.

“JCC is honored that Dr. Zimpher will visit our Jamestown Campus,” said JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque. “Taking the time to visit every SUNY campus and interact with those actually delivering direct educational and training service to citizens of New York demonstrates her commitment to making SUNY the best system of higher education in the world.”

Final auditions and callbacks for the JCC Uncommoners’ fall musical production, The Producers, will be held August 26 and 27, beginning at 7 p.m., in Scharmann Theatre.
Information on the auditions can be obtained by calling JCC theatre director Robert Schlick, 716.338.1153.

Auditioners will do cold reading from the script and should come prepared to sing a song from memory. An accompanist will be provided. All auditioners will be taught a short dance routine to perform. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended. A copy of the script is on reserve at the front desk of Hultquist Library at JCC.

Rehearsals begin September 1 and will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Performances will run on selected dates November 6-22.

An open house will be held at JCC's North County Center on Bennett Rd. in Dunkirk from noon until 6 p.m. on August 12.

JCC’s degree and certificate programs, admissions procedures, financial aid opportunities, and student services will be outlined during the afternoon.

The JCC North County Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Additional information on the program can be obtained by calling the JCC North County Center, 366-2255.

JCC professors Robin Middleton and Kaye Young recently presented two workshops at the On Course National Conference in Raleigh, NC. The On Course program focuses on ways to increase academic success and retention by creating active, responsible learners.

Ms. Middleton, who also serves as JCC’s coordinator of advisement, and Ms. Young, who coordinates the college’s Main Street tutorial center, outlined ways to increase student engagement in “Strategies to Engage Students in the Learning Process.” With the use of the “jigsaw,” a learner-centered strategy, participants learned more than 20 simple, easy-to-use learner-centered strategies that can be implemented before, during, and after class to generate greater student participation and involvement.

JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque has been elected president of the Institute for Community College Development (ICCD) board of directors at Cornell University.

ICCD, a collaborative program between Cornell and the State University of New York, provides leadership programming and research support for current and future community college leaders. The activities of the institute are guided by a board of directors comprised of community college presidents from Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. The presidents are joined by SUNY system administration and faculty administrative leaders from Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).

Several students at the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Hewes Educational Center had the unique opportunity to explore crime scene investigation with JCC alumna Deneen Hernandez, a forensic examiner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

During her visit in May, Ms. Hernandez led students through three crime scene scenarios: a crime de jour, an intelligence gathering exercise, and a shredded document/cryptanalysis reconstruction.

Ms. Hernandez, who graduated from JCC in 1984, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the State University of New York at Fredonia and a master’s degree in criminal justice at Buffalo State College. She received the JCC Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005.

JCC's 2009-2010 budget was approved by the college's board of trustees on July 21. The new budget, which totals $29,606,000, is 6% larger than the college's original 2008-2009 spending plan. JCC's new fiscal year begins September 1, 2009.

“Given the turmoil of the economy worldwide, this was yet another challenging budget to build,” said JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque. “We are disappointed and dismayed that the state aid rate for community college students remained at $2,675 per full-time equivalent students, exactly where it has been for the last two years. The state has also forced community colleges to pick up mandated expenses while eliminating a number of forms of state aid through recent years. This places the state contribution well below its promised 40% share of expenses and means that our students continue to be asked to bear a larger burden through their tuition.”

A total of 425 students were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2009 semester at JCC's Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses. The students named to the list earned at least a 3.50 average, equal to a B plus or better, in 12 or more semester hours of study.

Allegany Laura Chapus, Chelsea Collins, Nicole Hopkins, Susan Threadgill, Brandon Wyche
Ashville James Bimber, Shawn Burham, Tasha Carlson, Caitlin Homan, Brent Johnson, Amber Lussier, Rebecca Nies, Elizabeth Rauh, Daniel Rensel
Belfast Brittney Histed, Dustin Schuld
Belmont Mariah Evans, Max Evans
Bemus Point Christopher Brown, Haley Erickson, Jordin Erickson, Danielle Micek
Black Creek Heidi Conklin
Bolivar Christina Baldwin, Jennifer Childs, Shawn Foster, Jody Graham, John Snyder

Leadership Cattaraugus will sponsor a Youth Leadership Camp for interested middle school-aged students from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 17-20 at JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus.

Focused on leadership development skills and team building activities, each day will feature a recognized community member speaking with the students on leadership. Activities will include a team building exercise on the ropes course at St. Bonaventure University as well as sessions on communications skills, personal values and strengths, and community service projects. Tuition is $5.

Started as a collaboration in 2004 among the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, JCC, The Rehabilitation Center, and St. Bonaventure University, Leadership Cattaraugus strives to help emerging and future leaders make Cattaraugus County a better place to live and work.

Nearly 40 Dunkirk Middle School students participated recently in the third annual Great Outdoor Adventure, an educational field experience coordinated by JCC’s North County Center and Dunkirk City Schools.

The program, sponsored through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program grant, provided visits to the New York & Lake Erie Railroad, Walking With Dinosaurs, and Grand Lady Cruises: Ecological Discovery Tour. Students’ activities at each venue were designed to enhance their understanding of natural history and science.

The Great Outdoor Adventure program is a reward provided to those students who actively participated in the many after school programs offered throughout the school year as part of the 21st Century grant.

“Working again for the third year with the DMS students was a true joy,” said Jaimee Gustafson, lead instructor for the Great Outdoor Adventure.

The women’s soccer team at JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus will conduct a free all-star soccer clinic from 5 to 7 p.m. on August 8 at the polo fields located next to the water treatment plant at 1332 River St., Olean.

The session, open to girls ages six through 12, will allow participants to train with the 2009 JCC Jaguar team and coaching staff. Players are asked to bring a ball, shin guards, and a refreshment.

The registration deadline is August 5. To register, contact Ryan Deppa at 585.403.1987 or 716.376.7529 or RyanDeppa@mail.sunyjcc.edu.

Top high school seniors from Chautauqua County are participating in the Summer 2009 Scholar Enrichment Program on JCC's Jamestown Campus.

Recently recognized by the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, JCC's program was created last year through a discussion between JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque and several area school district superintendents.

"The school districts encouraged JCC to create additional academic offerings in science and math to challenge top high school seniors," said Nelson J. Garifi, executive director of marketing and academic initiatives, who coordinates the program. "We initiated the program last summer with courses in engineering and biotechnology. This year, we're offering a three-credit course in health science."

The State University of New York Council of SUNY Community Colleges and SUNY’s Office of University Life selected JCC as the 2008 recipient of the Outstanding Student Affairs Program Award for new student/first year programs.

“I am very proud of the efforts of the JCC Counseling and Career Development Center faculty and staff as well as the leadership of assistant dean Monica Moore in the development of the online advisement preparation session,” said Eileen Goodling, vice president and dean of student development.

“The APS sessions are an important component in JCC’s efforts to offer students the type of information they need to be successful,” she added. “The online version allows technology to be used in ways that increase ready access, enable self-pacing, and offer an alternative format to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of all of our students. It is a win-win situation.”

JCC's new Summer Undergraduate Research Institute provided students ample opportunity to explore environmental and biomedical research methods and skill development during May and June.

SURI, designed to expose JCC and area high school students to the thrill of scientific discovery, also introduced 21st century research skills to improve both knowledge and marketability. SURI’s interdisciplinary approach included examination of scientific literature and the design and performance of experiments.

Funding for SURI was provided through JCC and a federal Department of Education grant through JBL Associates.

Participants in the biomedical research area were directed by Jacqueline Crisman, assistant professor of biology and coordinator of JCC’s biotechnology program. The students explored apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death in bone marrow stem cells.

Gregory Rabb, associate professor of political science, was a presenter at recent programs on international education and peace and conflict studies.

During a NAFSA conference for international educators at the University of Rochester, Rabb outlined the online global negotiations simulation which students from JCC’s Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses participate in with other community college students across the U.S.

The five-week interdisciplinary simulation provides students with the opportunity to explore and negotiate four topics of international concern. Rabb, who is JCC’s coordinator of global education, has guided various international simulations for several years.

Jacqueline M. Crisman, assistant professor of biology and coordinator of biotechnology, participated in the recent National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program conference in Atlanta.

The conference, sponsored by the Biotechnology Institute, is designed to educate teachers, students, and the public about the promise and challenges of biotechnology. Participants join a network of advisors, or "teacher-leaders," committed to teaching biotechnology to students and serving as resources for other teachers.

Dr. Crisman toured the Georgia Tech Nanotech Facility and other biotechnology sites near Atlanta. She participated in sessions on genomics and RNA interference as well as laboratory exercises that can be used to recruit students into biotechnology programs.

Harold Weiss Jr. will discuss and sign copies of his book, Yours to Command: The Life and Legend of Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald, at JCC's Hultquist Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 28. The program is open to the public.

Dr. Weiss retired from JCC in 1990 after a 31-year tenure teaching history, government, and criminal justice. He has a long-time interest in the history of western law and order, particularly the Texas Rangers.

Yours to Command chronicles McDonald’s achievements as a Texas Ranger in the late 1800s and early 1900s and explores the perceptions others had of him.

McDonald became captain of Company B of the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers in 1891. Under his command, the Rangers were involved in several incidents from the Texas Panhandle to South Texas.

JCC honored 12 alumni who have distinguished themselves in education during a recent awards banquet on the Jamestown Campus.

The honorees, selected for recognition by administrators within their school systems, included: Robert Anderson ’90, Gowanda Central School; Peter Bardo ’70, Ripley Central School; Paula DeJoy ’88, Southwestern Central School; Angela Eddy ’88, Friendship Central School; Tambra Hallett ’95, Jefferson Middle School; Michael James ’71, East Aurora High School; Alicia Jankowski ’80, Salamanca Middle School; Veronica Kobinski ’75, Randolph Central School; Amanda LaJoie ’96, Scio Central School District; Charlotte Martines-Cappellini ’69, JCC; Laura Neratko ’97, Brocton Central School; and Mel Swanson ’75, Sherman Central School.

JCC will offer its English Immersion Program for non-English speakers July 24-August 14 at the Jamestown Campus. The registration deadline is July 17.

Begun last year, JCC’s program features intensive training in English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation as well as listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for individuals planning to study or work in the area.

Tuition and fees for the non-credit program is $1845, which includes materials, on-campus housing, ground transportation, and some meals. The program cost for those who have other housing arrangements is $885.

Funding may be available to community members via Chautauqua Works to help offset the costs for the English Immersion Program, if certain qualifications are met. More information can be obtained at Chautauqua Works offices at 23 E. 3rd St., Jamestown, 661-9553, and at 323 Central Ave., Dunkirk, 366-9015.

President Gregory T. DeCinque presented awards to three adjunct faculty members at the close of the 2008-09 academic year.

The President’s Award for Excellence for adjunct faculty was presented to Colette Haight. Michelle Buhite received the adjunct faculty and distinguished adjunct faculty awards while Aimee Brunelle received the distinguished adjunct faculty award.

Ms. Buhite, an adjunct music and communications faculty member, earned an associate’s degree at JCC, bachelor’s degree at SUNY Binghamton, and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at Clayton College of Natural Health. She also served as JCC’s director of collaborative learning.

Area youngsters age 12 and under are invited to display their patriotism and artistic ability in “Chalkin’ Proud America,” a chalk art competition being sponsored by the JCC Cattaraugus County Campus Alumni Association as part of the “Taste of Olean” celebration at JCC from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 26.

Each youngster will be provided with chalk and asked to create a patriotic sidewalk drawing in a designated space. Competition entry is free, and winners will be selected at 3 p.m. Winners in each age group will receive special prize.

For additional information, contact the JCC alumni office, 716.338.1056.