Geneseo Scene

Summer 2012

geneseo scene

A magazine for alumni, parents and friends of SUNY Geneseo

Edgar and Cook

Legendary Professors

Medal of Distinction • Beyond the Rink

geneseo Summer 2012

scene CONTENTS

FEATURES 8

World-class history For 42 years, renowned scholar and professor Bill Cook inspired thousands of students with his passion and talent. As Cook retires, his close friend and collaborator Ron Herzman provides an intimate portrait of him.

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Our Socrates Professor Bill Edgar quietly shaped the lives of many of his students and colleagues. Those whom he touched reflect on a true renaissance man.

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Beyond the rink Eat. Sleep. Play hockey. Being an Ice Knight is nearly 24/7. A photo essay of a weekend road trip explores how such intensity creates bonds like family.

20 Closer to a cure A scientist leading the fight against cancer earns Geneso’s highest honor.

DEPARTMENTS 3 25 32

One College Circle Alumni News Class Notes

COLUMNS 2 7 22

President’s Message Letters to the Editor Perspectives Philosophy Professor David Levy ’94 reflects on how Bill Edgar lives on in his own classroom and the power teachers have on students.

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Random Profile: One Cup Mission Driven: Alumni and students build a school in Nicaragua.

Table of contents photography: Keith Walters ’11 The midnight show: Students watch a thunderstorm pass on the College Green.

Postmaster: Please address changes to the Collins Alumni Center, McClellan House, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454-1484.

Standard-class postage paid at Lebanon Junction, KY 40150

geneseo scene

Vol. 38, No. 1; Summer 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Standing on the shoulders of giants reat teaching by a devoted faculty is the hallmark of a Geneseo education. This kind of teaching is truly transformational. It makes a lasting difference in students’ lives, on campus and long after graduation.

This holds especially true for Distinguished Teaching Professors Bill Cook and the late Bill Edgar — two intellectual giants beloved and admired by five decades of Geneseo graduates. In sharing their wisdom and passion, they A new day: President Christopher C. Dahl, John Gleason ’87 and Jack Kramer have given all of us a true vision ’76 announced the National Alumni Council on campus April 27, 2012. of liberal learning at its finest.

In this issue, we pay tribute to these two legendary professors who have forever altered the academic landscape of Geneseo. There is a reason why teachers like Cook and Edgar dedicate their entire careers to the college: As much as they challenge their students, their students challenge them.

For professors, that is the best of all possible worlds.

As national data repeatedly confirm, Geneseo’s professors are here precisely because they want to work with extraordinary students. With 18 Distinguished Teaching Professors and 86 recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching currently on the faculty, we can be confident that the next generation of Geneseo legends is in place and ready to carry on the tradition.

Yet, there is more to do. We are excited to add fresh talent to the faculty in business with the new Edward Pettinella Endowed Professorship, made possible by the generosity of this 1973 alumnus and former Foundation Board chair. We are deeply grateful to Ed for designating the major portion of his recent $1 million gift to enhance business education for the 21st century.

Of course, we all stand upon the shoulders of our extended alumni family, now 54,000 strong and growing every year. In April, we formed the National Alumni Council, created by the Geneseo Foundation Board and chaired by John Gleason ’87, a global financial services industry executive for more than 25 years. Council members are a national representative body of alumni volunteers committed to advancing alumni engagement with Geneseo.

To that end, the energy and enthusiasm shared by our alumni remain astounding. We held our 16th and final regional kick-off for Shaping Lives of Purpose: The Campaign for Geneseo on June 2 in Boston, completing our historic coast-to-coast launch strategy. I am pleased to report that we have already raised more than $19 million toward our $22 million goal. My thanks to all our donors for their generous support!

To Bill Cook, Godspeed in your retirement. To Bill Edgar, your legacy will endure as long as there are Geneseo graduates in the world. To all our alumni, parents and friends, your support ensures that the vital work of shaping lives of purpose at Geneseo will continue far into the future.

G The Geneseo Scene is published

by SUNY Geneseo, Division of College Advancement, Office of College Communications.

Kris Dreessen, Editor dreessen@geneseo.edu Carole Smith Volpe ’91, Art Director volpe@geneseo.edu Contributing writers: James Anderson ’71 Ron Herzman Anthony T. Hoppa David Irwin David Levy ’94 David Merli ’94 Dan O’Brien ’73 Victoria Soto ’12 Barbara Stock ’90 Gary Towsley Contributing photographers: Kris Dreessen Keith Walters ’11 Christopher C. Dahl, President Anthony T. Hoppa, Assistant Vice President for College Communications

Alumni Relations Office Michelle Walton Worden ’92, Acting Director of Alumni Relations Tracy Young Gagnier ’93, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Megan Cheever ’03, Alumni Outreach Coordinator Alumni Relations Office at Collins Alumni Center McClellan House SUNY Geneseo 1 College Circle Geneseo, NY 14454-1484 Phone: (585) 245-5506 Fax: (585) 245-5505 alumni@geneseo.edu

Parent Relations Office Tammy Ingram ’88, Director of Parent Relations Erwin 202 Phone: (585) 245-5570

Cordially, Contact the Scene at scene@geneseo.edu.

Visit the website at www.geneseo.edu/geneseo_scene Phone: (585) 245-5516

Christopher C. Dahl

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geneseo scene

PHOTOS BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

One College Circle Bald for Bucks

CAMPUS NEWS

Matthew Hayes ’13 and Chip Matthews, right, director of the College Union and activities, laugh as they get their heads shaved to raise money for the American Cancer Society and to show support for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Members of Geneseo’s College Against Cancer club organized the event to promote the annual Relay for Life on campus, in which teams of students walk throughout the night at the Wilson Ice Arena for contributions. This year, Geneseo’s Relay for Life raised more than $74,000 — the most raised by a college in the Finger Lakes region.

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Geneseo’s hidden history A grand entry Our newest alumni Preserving memories News in brief Summer 2012

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ONE COLLEGE CIRCLE

CAMPUS NEWS

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

Academic innovations: Court Street transition Professors Olympia Nicodemi, left, Wes Kennison ’79, right, and students are preserving Court Street history in a new course, which included interviewing Margaret Vangalio ’51/MLS ’68, center, and others of the now defunct Italian immigrant neighborhood of Geneseo.

ourt Street, now known for its student housing, was once home to Beansville, a community of Italian immigrants from the late 1800s to the 1960s. They literally helped build Geneseo.

Over the years, Beansville evolved from families and small businesses to college buildings, a jail and a sewage plant, but continues to remain a part of Geneseo’s hidden history.

Margaret Vangalio ’51/MLS ’68, is one of its remaining descendants, whose stories were collected by Geneseo students.

“They are very motivated,” says Vangalio, 82, who lived in Beansville as a child. “They’ve been working very hard and they really are uncovering a lot of things. It will be very

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special to me.”

Students in the inaugural Court Street: The Pilgrimage course partnered with Geneseo Town Historian David W. Parish and County Historian Amy Alden as they examined and mapped the cultural, business and transportation evolution of the neighborhood from 1872 to present. They interviewed former residents to preserve stories and traditions of Beansville.

In the end, they added to the historical record as much as they used it. The beauty, says Faculty Fellow in the Office of International Programs Wes Kennison ’79, is that students are using skills they have acquired in their majors in a real-world setting to record memories of the

neighborhood before they are forever lost to time.

Kennison and Olympia Nicodemi, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Mathematics, created the interdisciplinary course. Despite being longtime Geneseo residents, they say they learned alongside the students.

One distinct feature of Court Street they discovered: Through all of the physical changes, its personality has never wavered. It has always been one of transition.

Immigrants or Geneseo students, Court Street is a place where people get their start.

“Diverse populations come into the neighborhood, stay for a while, and then transition out as different people,”

Nicodemi says.

The students created a joint writing project dedicated to Court Street history, which will be available online. The course is a sort of service project — a gift from the students to the local community, says Kennison.

He and Nicodemi hope the course will inspire students to continue to find out more about where they live.

“I feel like a lot of people come here and leave here and never really learn about where they just were,” says Tobias ScottKillian ’13, a geography major who specialized in mapping the area. “I’ll look at the world a little differently — try to see what other people don’t see.”

— Victoria Soto ’12

Doty Hall: Geneseo’s new entrance The college is getting a grand new front door. Renovation is well underway on Doty Hall, where many campus offices are projected to move in early 2013.

“Doty has always appeared to be part of campus, even though it wasn’t,” says George Stooks, assistant vice president for facilities and planning. “Now it is and will provide an entrance that is truly ours.”

Moving to Doty from Erwin and other locations will be the president’s office; the admissions office; college advancement, including college communications and alumni relations; virtually all of administration and finance, including purchasing, accounting and human resources; and the Small Business Development Center.

The provost will have a satellite office at Doty but her primary office will remain in Erwin, which also will house other student-related functions such as financial aid and international student services.

“Doty’s architecture mirrors much of the campus,” says Stooks, “so the renovated building will provide visual continuity and place offices front and center that have a lot of public contact.”

New additions to Doty will

be a state-of-the-art recital hall with seating for 216 and a new all-purpose meeting area, the Tower Room. The building also is incorporating numerous energy-efficient elements, including geothermal heating and cooling as part of Geneseo’s commitment to sustainability. Seneca residence hall was the first building on campus to feature geothermal heating. Monroe Hall and Letchworth Dining Hall will also have geothermal heating and cooling.

Stooks says the move into Doty will occur in stages rather than a mass arrival.

Positioned on the southeast part of campus next to the bypass, Doty was the Geneseo Junior-Senior High School from 1933-73 and then became state property for various functions, most recently serving clients of the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. That office has moved its operation to Holcomb Hall, previously an elementary school on campus.

The office will return to Doty and rent one floor of the renovated building. The $32 million project is made possible through the SUNY Construction Fund.

— By David Irwin

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

Geneseo celebrates: Class of 2012

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

s Bennett Marano ’12 prepared for graduation, he couldn’t believe his four years at Geneseo were really ending.

“We go to bed as freshmen, and then suddenly you blink and you’re wearing the cap and gown. It doesn't matter how hard we try — college will always be something that you take for granted until it hits you that it’s over,” he said.

On May 12, Marano was among more than 1,300 seniors who received their diplomas and are going on to higher degrees, careers, family and other life adventures.

They celebrated in two ceremonies at the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena, with speakers Bill Cook, Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, and New York Congresswoman Kathy Hochul.

A world-renowned scholar and teacher, Cook retired this year after 42 years at Geneseo.

Highly regarded as a worldclass medieval historian, Cook has lectured and led courses for the National Endowment for the Humanities and other organizations. He also is a prolific author of books and articles. He and Distinguished Teaching Professor of English Ron Herzman were the first recipients of the Medieval

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Academy of America’s CARA Award for Excellence in Teaching Medieval Studies.

Cook titled his afternoon commencement address to students, “Don’t Sell Your Humanities Books Quite Yet.” Hochul addressed students at the morning ceremony.

Representing the 26th Congressional District in western New York, she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security. She also is a cofounder the Kathleen Mary House, a transitional home for victims of domestic violence and serves on its board of directors.

The college also conferred an honorary doctor of science degree upon social psychologist Richard Nisbett, the Theodore M. Newcomb Distinguished University Professor at the University of Michigan, a noted authority on how culture and social context affect thinking.

Seventy-two graduate students celebrated their achievement on May 5. Robert Boyd, lecturer and director of Geneseo’s School of Business internship program, delivered the keynote address.

— By Kris Dreessen

Summer 2012

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ONE COLLEGE CIRCLE

Spotlight on Student Service

NEWS IN BRIEF

Preserving memories for families’

The Geneseo Knights finished the year with six SUNY Athletic Conference championships.

The men’s swimming and diving team won its 14th consecutive championship title.

Geneseo has won 18 of the last 22 swimming and diving competitions. The women’s swimming and diving team won its fifth consecutive title, and 19th win in 22 years.

The men’s and women’s crosscountry teams won the top title in the SUNYAC. Women’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field were also conference champs.

The college’s record is nine SUNYAC titles.

Alumni relations leader retires Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Rose Anderson retired in June, after having led the launch of U-Knight, Geneseo’s online community, greatly increasing event ANDERSON attendance and creating the 18 alumni regional committees whose volunteers spearhead alumni gatherings nationwide.

“Rose’s energy and enthusiasm have literally taken our alumni programs to a whole new level,” said President Christopher C. Dahl. “That’s evident across the board, but especially with Summer Reunions, where attendance has risen dramatically. We’re grateful for Rose’s many contributions and wish her the very best in retirement.”

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PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

Athletes are six-time champions

Michael Roff ’12 looked up to his grandfather, Richard Wissmann, in many ways. An Army veteran, Wissmann earned his high school equivalency diploma and became a successful mechanic, firefighter and chaplain.

“He was motivated, incredibly driven and he wanted to make the world a better place,” says Roff, an English literature major.

“That made him a hero in my eyes.”

ROFF Roff interviewed his grandfather years ago. That tape is cherished, he says, now that his grandfather is gone. Roff created Heard@Geneseo to give other families the same gift.

Roff organized 26 student volunteers, who spent dozens of hours interviewing 13 local senior citizens about their lives. They transcribed the recordings and produced books for the

Michelle Walton Worden ’92 is serving as acting director of alumni relations.

Student externship program debuts in Chicago During its 25th anniversary of offering upperclassmen opportunities to meet and be mentored by successful alumni, the Geneseo Externship Program expanded to Chicago.

Alumni shared career, networking and other information with participants in the Windy City in March. Their generosity doubled the number of students who were able to participate in the 2012 externship program. Fourteen students had a similar experience in Boston.

The Chicago program was possible thanks to the generosity of Jeffrey Burkard ’89, Jeff Cramer ’86, Gary Grose ’87 and Paul Lambert ’91.

seniors and their families as keepsakes.

“I thought about how important that interview was for my family and how great it would be to give back to the community by giving other people something that was lasting from someone they cared about,” says Roff.

Roff received an undergraduate research grant provided by The Geneseo Foundation to purchase voice recorders and produce the books. Shaping Lives of Purpose: The Campaign for Geneseo is strengthening Geneseo’s endowment and programs that benefit students, such as research grants.

Roff is working to make Heard@Geneseo an official Geneseo club. Students and seniors have gained new perspective, and that’s the best part, he says.

“It has exceeded all my expectations,” he says. “We really wanted a transformative experience. Part of that is opening your frame of reference.”

— Kris Dreessen

Math professor rated among best in nation For 38 years, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Mathematics Gary Towsley has helped students learn math and how it fits into other disciplines. He has brought math into a comprehensive worldview, teaching courses such as History of Mathematics and Poetry and Cosmology of the Middle Ages.

His philosophy and style have earned him a place in the new book, “The Best 300 Professors.”

Professors were chosen by the publishers in partnership with RateMyProfessors.com, which provides students a platform to review their professors.

Geneseo service wins national award For the sixth straight year, Geneseo has earned a place on the President’s 2012 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and for the third straight year received a “with

distinction” commendation. It is the highest federal recognition the college can achieve for commitment to bettering communities through community service and service-learning.

Several ongoing initiatives were recognized, including students’ collaboration with business leaders to revitalize the nearby village of Mt. Morris and offering academic mentoring to city school students.

Students blog about Geneseo life Students are sharing what it's like to be at Geneseo in a new series of writings on Geneseo’s website, “Voices from the Valley.”

Kala DeStefano ’13 and other students blog at sunygeneseo.wordpress.com about their daily lives and epiphanies. Their experiences mirror those of many alumni, who revel in experimenting and gaining new perspective at Geneseo.

LETTERS

Letters to the Editor We want to hear from you! The Scene welcomes feedback and encourages discussion of higher-education issues, content and your thoughts about Geneseo. Send letters, which may be edited for space, to scene@geneseo.edu or to the Scene editor, SUNY Geneseo, Roemer House, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454.

U-Knight reconnects longtime friends I was recently able to easily find a long-lost friend using UKnight. I have become close again with Florence Mason Conrad, who was a counselor at Geneseo during my years, from 1956 to 1960. Flo had an apartment in the Student Union and always cooked waffles and bacon for so many of us.

She still hears from many alumni and prides herself on keeping in touch. She told me about a student she wanted to find but only knew her married name. With just two name searches, I found Flo’s old friend — and all the information she needed to reconnect.

We were amazed. How fortunate we are to have a tool like U-Knight at our disposal.

— Helen LiFeber-Rosener ’60/MS ’66 Mentors influence students, sometimes in understated ways Like scientist Tony Meunier ’70 who was profiled in the winter issue, I, too, credit much of my career success to the inspiration provided by Distinguished Service Professor of Geology Richard Young. I count myself lucky to call him both a mentor and friend. My enthusiasm for geologic research was awakened during my work-study project, handcoloring copies of his dissertation maps. Mentors influence students in ways that are not

always obvious. My decision to move from Rochester and pursue a master’s in geology at Utah State University is an example. I could not imagine teaching geomorphology at an upstate New York community college without experiencing geology in the eastern and western United States like Dr. Young. Little did I know this decision would mean a wonderful career in geology, but one very different from what I anticipated when we moved!

— Jerome V. DeGraff ’67

remembered relevant catch phrase of Wendell’s that has stuck with me all these years.

Using critical analysis enables one to anticipate plan of action shortcomings so a remedial back-up is readily available. This concept of critical analysis has been extremely useful to me in owning and operating my small business for 27 years and as founder of the Colorado Veterans Monument dedicated at the Colorado state capitol.

— Tim Drago ’65

Firefighting is a proud Geneseo tradition What a great article on students in the Geneseo Fire Department. It brings back such memories. I was a student firefighter, too, while at Geneseo. It caused my dad and mom no little distress, no doubt, as I’d roar out of the house at 15 Main, headed for the firehouse when the sirens blew. More than one professor at Geneseo had the experience of my pager going off in class, too!

— Mark Jakubauskas ’86

Geneseo makes alum proud 20 years later The winter issue is terrific.

Keith Walters’ photography is exceptional. The cover shot is world-class, and even better that it features Geneseo students photographed by an alumnus. The Letchworth State Park photo and “Everyday Heroes” firefighting photos are also highlights. It’s been almost 20 years since I graduated, but I’m just as proud of Geneseo today as I was then.

— Patrick Tremblay ’93

Professor’s lessons shaped alumnus’ success After attending the Geneseo alumni event in Denver in February, I thought about how Geneseo helped shape my life.

One day in Wendell Rhodes’ anthropology class, he talked about “prophylactic pessimism.” It was an easily

Profile brings back memories of favorite professor I was thrilled to see my favorite professor, James Somerville, in the winter issue. I was an English major, but his history classes were so interesting.

What I remember most about his classes are the role-play sce-

narios. They involved hours of research in the days before the Internet, but they were fun to perform. One time, we pretended to be parents on opposing sides of the issue of spanking our children. Dr. Somerville would ask us questions pertaining to the issue then allow our classmates to ask us questions. We had to be able to answer both sets of questions convincingly. I was very happy to see him looking so well in the magazine and still wearing a button-down sweater over his turtleneck.

Some things don’t change!

— Christine Roberts Marte ’90 Geneseo family legacy My wife and I are thrilled that our son Billy was accepted to Geneseo’s class of 2016. With his interest in medicine and microbiology, the Integrated Science Center will provide him with a perfect environment for learning as well as research. Just as importantly, many of my closest and longlasting friendships began at Geneseo. Janet and I anticipate that Billy will have a similarly rewarding experience.

— Bill Schutt ’81

Summer 2012

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For 42 years, he has been a world leader in medieval and Renaissance history, a character larger than life on campus who made even the most obscure points of

BILL COOK

days gone by a page-turner.

As the beloved Bill Cook retires, his close friend,

neighbor, and teaching and research partner, Ron Herzman, shares what makes him extraordinary.

By Distinguished Teaching Professor of English Ron Herzman

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PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

“The moral I draw from this story is that with Bill, more than with most of us, there is a direct line between sizing up a situation and doing something about it. ...”

— Ron Herzman

think you’ve got to start with the clothes. The “what” is easier to describe than the “why.” In coming to terms with the Bill Cook wardrobe, the “what” might include, but not be limited to, the following descriptors: colorful, imaginative, flamboyant, psychedelic, weird, eclectic, multi-cultural, bizarre, unique, creative. Did I mention colorful?

People who do not know him well are sometimes astounded to learn that the startling combinations of purples, oranges, yellows, reds and greens — mixed in with some browns and grays and blues to throw you off balance — are not the random product of some sartorial lottery system. Like every other part of Bill’s life, careful thought and rigorous decision-making govern the process of choosing a daily wardrobe.

Pretty scary.

The “why” is more complicated. Why does he dress that way? It’s a question I’ve been asked by folks in and outside the campus community for as long as I have known him, which is a long time: We taught our first course together in 1973.

Needless to say, there are many theories. One student from days gone by told me that when he was a freshman, Cook said to his class, “I dress this way so that when you go home for Thanksgiving and your parents ask you about college, you have something to talk about.” That works.

My own theory is much more pedestrian: bad eyesight. What looks over the top to us looks normal to him. What looks normal to us looks dull to him. I even have empirical evidence. The other day as we met up on the quad trudging toward Sturges to teach our Dante course together, a team-teaching gig that we have been doing since 1974, I noticed we were both wearing pink ties. Mine was, admittedly, less pink than his, more of a peach-ish pink, or maybe a salmon-ish pink. His was neon pink, pink that you can spot from another galaxy pink. Nonetheless, two ties from more or less the same color palette.

I asked him what color my tie was. He said “beige.” To be pink, in Cook’s eyes, is not to be wishy-washy about it. My theory has the advantage of going beyond the clothes to say something about the guy wearing them. Compared to Bill Cook, we all look pretty dull.

In the classroom, when Bill Cook speaks, people listen.

As a brilliant lecturer for more than four decades, Bill has galvanized students by his unique combination of energy, knowledge and wit. Watching him ply his trade for close to 40 years (thanks to our team-teaching I have heard more Cook lectures than anyone else on the planet), I continue to marvel at his ability to find just the right anecdote to turn the details of history into a compelling narrative. I don’t know if he is able to make the phone book interesting, but I do know that he can do it for a list of popes or for the struggles between Guelfs and Ghibellines in Dante’s Italy. He can do it so that he totally engages those with no prior knowledge or experience in the Middle Ages, while at the same time making that same materiPHOTO BY RYAN DONNELL al sparkle for those who are taking their third, fourth, or fifth Cook course.

Maybe the thing I admire most about his teaching is that I have observed that brilliant lecturers often are not much interested in the students who hang around at the bottom of the intellectual food chain. Bill, on the contrary, is a teacher who is as genuinely and deeply concerned with C students as he is with A students, and the number of C students who return for another course with Bill is a remarkable testimony to his teaching. Even more remarkable are Bill’s students who have become his lifelong friends. That number could fill the largest lecture hall in Newton and is in no way limited to those who were stars in his classes.

Outside the classroom, when Bill Cook speaks, people listen.

He has done more on-site teaching than the rest of the Geneseo faculty put together, to more different kinds of groups in more parts of the world — from church ladies to world leaders, from convicted felons to Trappist monks, from PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11 town clerks to Fortune 500 CEOs, from Geneseo Central School to Harvard and Berkeley, from Livingston County to China, Africa and Japan. When Cook is lecturing — in a church or in a museum — crowds gather.

When Cook and Herzman first took our show on the road in the ’70s, it was to do courses on the Middle Ages in Europe

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PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

Distinguished Teaching Professor Bill Cook, left, and Distinguished Teaching Professor of English Ron Herzman sport matching purple suit jackets for their final Dante class.

for our Geneseo students. That was for him the beginning of an extraordinary second career as a teacher whose classroom is the world. There are now literally generations of Geneseo students — and students from many other places — who have seen medieval Europe through Bill’s eyes. I, like many others, students and friends, have travelled with Cook down narrow dirt roads to find the only person who has the key to the church with a fresco that no one else seems to know about.

couldn’t do it. Whatever pep talk I gave my body, my body said no. I came close. I had nothing to be ashamed of. But I just couldn’t do that last one.

There’s a moral here: What separates Cook from the rest of us is stamina.

Physical stamina for sure, but maybe even more important than his physical stamina is that Cook’s stamina also is both intellectual and moral. When he teaches, Bill is, to be sure, gifted with a kind of built-in radar for knowing his audience.

“For me and for generations of Geneseo students, it has been great fun. It will be interesting to see what happens next.”

— Ron Herzman Once, when we were saddling up to take a ride through Tuscany to see how many Romanesque churches we could visit in a day, Cook said, matter of factly, “You probably won’t be able to keep up with me.” He was right, but I think one of my proudest accomplishments is that I almost can. I remember one buddy trip we took together in Istanbul. Walking with Cook is not a job for sissies, but mosque after mosque, church after church, I was keeping up and feeling pretty good about myself. We were on the home stretch, heading back to the hotel.

I made it, I told myself, I made it. And then he remembered that there was one more church he needed to see. I just 10

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But a lot of what seems to be instinctive and intuitive in his lectures is really the result of careful planning and very broad and deep reading. Whether in his courses at the college or in the Bill Cook traveling road show, he is constantly rethinking, revising and catching up with the latest scholarship. Bill has a passion for reading that is mind-blowing. He is constantly inventing new courses, widening his range, teaching courses on subjects that he hadn’t even thought about when he arrived at Geneseo in 1970 as a newly minted assistant professor of history.

I think it is also important, though perhaps more difficult, to talk about his moral stamina. Most of us, I think, want

to do the right thing most of the time.

We try to tell the truth, we try to treat others fairly, we try not to be jerks, at least too often. Very few of us, though, have the energy to consistently put into practice what we preach. Cook does. He has spent his career trying to figure out, with the help of friends like Plato and St. Francis of Assisi and Dante and Thomas More, and Martin Luther King and Shusaku Endo, what he thinks he should be doing, and then by golly he goes ahead and does it.

There is a direct line between what he studies and teaches and the way he tries to conduct his life.

So, as a signal example of practicing what he teaches, in his late 30s he adopted his first son, thus setting in motion the process of becoming the paterfamilias for a multiethnic, multicultural, multiracial tribe of children and grandchildren and spouses that has now grown to such an extent that to be at a Cook Thanksgiving dinner is to be at a National Geographic special.

In 1972, I got into a car with a guy named Bill Cook, a colleague I had met maybe one or two times before, to drive to Kalamazoo, Mich., then and now the home of the world’s biggest medieval conference. (The town isn’t named KalamaZoo for nothing). That might have been the most important car ride of my life.

By the time we got there, we had agreed to team-teach a course, and the rest is, as they say, history (or, in my case, literature). I don’t know how much he remembers of the trip but one moment stands out for me some 40 years later. He told me about writing a letter to, and then meeting with, the parents of a Geneseo student who had committed suicide. He didn’t do this because he was asked to by the dean of students, or even because he had been particularly close to the student. He did it because he thought that, in the face of an unspeakable tragedy, it was the right thing to do. “Who is this Cook person?” I asked myself. “I need to get to know him better.”

Forty years later I am still trying to figure out exactly who he is, but one thing I do know: the link between seeing what one ought to do and finding a way to do it is as strong in Bill as it is in anyone I have ever met. And that moral imperative has been the driving force behind such diverse enterprises as becoming a single father many times over, running for

Congress, creating the Marco Polo dinner to fundraise for needy children, giving away huge chunks of his money to people in need, and supporting the education of so many of his charges.

In 1975, Bill and I took a group of Geneseo students to Italy to study Dante. At the time, Bill was just beginning to do serious research on St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan movement, research that has become the central scholarly enterprise of his life. I was just beginning something of the same sort of journey with Dante. Like Cook and Herzman, Dante and Francis make a great team, and they intersect at a number of places. One of them, not surprisingly, is Assisi, and we were there with our group one very hot August day to look at the famous frescoes of the Life of Saint Francis that adorn the walls of the upper church of the basilica to see what they might have had to say about Dante.

Q&A

On a scholarly level it was a very successful day. What we talked about there with our students — the relationship between the frescoes and the life of Francis written by St. Bonaventure — became the meat of the first substantial article that we co-authored. But the day sticks in my mind for another reason.

Outside the entrance to the basilica, in the blazing sun, Italian supermodels, or at least what passed for supermodels in the 1970s, were busy modeling fur coats.

You don’t need to know too much about the life of Saint Francis to know that there is something seriously wrong with this picture: Francis who talks with Brother Wolf; supermodels in ridiculous poses in front of one of the most sacred spaces on the planet who were, in sweltering heat augmented by the elaborate lighting that accompanies a photo shoot, wearing sister mink and brother fox. I

thought it was weird. Cook, going more directly to the heart of the matter, thought it was blasphemous. And so he began to scream at them.

The moral I draw from this story is that with Bill, more than with most of us, there is a direct line between sizing up a situation and doing something about it, and he is not afraid to get in your face if he thinks the occasion deserves it.

I think we need to end with the clothes.

The intellectual and moral rigor that I have been describing here makes Bill seem to be a very formidable person. And that he is. But there is also a sense with him that what you see is what you get.

When you see him, your first thought is, man, I don’t know what this is all about, but whatever it is, it’s going to be fun.

For me and for generations of Geneseo students, it has been great fun. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Parting Words: An exclusive Q&A with Bill Cook

Q: What would you tell students about the value of studying the distant past in the 21st century?

A: We need people who see the big picture … to understand that the things that happen in our society aren’t just based on a context of one year or 10 years, but sometimes on hundreds of years of patterns of thought and institutional development. The number-one skill you need to succeed in the 21st century is to be able to see things from the view of people who start with a different set of premises than you do.

Q: How does your personal research of medieval and Renaissance church history and the topics you teach inform the choices that you have made throughout your life?

A: People often ask me, ‘What is your hobby?’ My answer always is, ‘I don’t have hobbies, because a hobby in some way means to get away from what you do most of the time and I never want to do that.’ My life as a person of the church, as a citizen, as a campaigner for Congress and lots of other things has been thoroughly informed by the things I’ve studied. I don’t need a hobby. I live my hobby.

Q: What are your proudest moments as a Geneseo professor?

A: What measures a college is your student body in general. What are their lives like and how are they contributing to society? Everywhere I go I meet alumni who are doing good things, not just professionally but in their communities. It’s wonderful to have that sense of how many of our students are doing good things in the world.

Q: Have you had an epiphany while teaching at Geneseo?

A: Lots of them. I went with Dan Schultz ’04 as he worked on his senior honors thesis in Latin American liberation theology in Lima, Peru. A priest took us to the barrio, where people are living in makeshift huts with no water, electricity or sewage.

I said, ‘This is really depressing.’ The priest said, ‘You don’t understand anything. This is a place of hope. These people move from the countryside and know what they are going to have to live in but they’re doing this so their kids can get some education and have a chance to move up in the world and live a better life. These people are making extraordinary sacrifices. These people are hopeful.’

That was an Aha! moment. I read it like I suppose most Americans would, and I read it wrong. If I hadn’t gone with my student, I’d be as ignorant today as I was in 2004 when I had that experience.

Q: If St. Francis of Assisi were on campus, what might he say?

A: The first thing he would say is, “Peace be with you,” because that’s what he always said. He would not criticize people, I think, for having fancy clothes or a nice car, or anything of that sort. He would say that if you want to discover in the deepest way what it means to be human, you need to put those things aside. You need to — you need to go hug a leper. You don’t need to send just a check to the leprosy society. You need to go embrace somebody who is radically other; someone who perhaps you’re afraid of because the first time you embrace the leper, you embrace the leper. The second time you embrace the leper, you embrace another human being.

To hear the complete interview with Bill Cook about his life and other questions about his 42 years at Geneseo, and to hear his farewell speech, visit go.geneseo.edu/cookinterview.

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View our photo gallery and tributes to Bill Edgar at go.geneseo.edu/billedgar

Our socrates Bill Edgar was a visionary who quietly shaped the lives of hundreds of students — and Geneseo’s future.

By Kris Dreessen uring his 36 years at Geneseo, William J. “Bill” Edgar led individual students as well as the philosophy department. His groundbreaking innovations in interdisciplinary teaching and honors opportunities have become a lifeblood of Geneseo’s vision for extraordinary education.

An award-winning teacher many times over, acclaimed author and philanthropist, Bill was revered by his colleagues, students and alumni.

In 2009, Geneseo renamed the honors program the Edgar Fellows Program in his honor.

His death Nov. 10, 2011, was a deep loss.

Bill Edgar was a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy, as well as life. Those who knew him continue to be inspired by his knowledge, his wisdom, his demeanor and the passion he brought to everyone around him. He and his wife, Associate Professor of Philosophy Stacey Edgar, who still teaches, often gave of themselves so others could discover their own dreams.

He was a visionary. Teacher. Mentor. Inspirer.

Dream facilitator. Those who knew him remember him as a true renaissance man.

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TOWSLEY

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

Visionary When I joined the mathematics faculty in 1974, Bill and a handful of others were team teaching a new course, Synthesis. Faculty from philosophy, music, history, physics and other disciplines combined to help students find connections between various areas of knowledge and to explore themes across topical boundaries.

What my colleagues were doing was extending the boundaries of learning and initiating a way of looking at our educational mission.

Geneseo’s two interdisciplinary humanities courses grew out of Synthesis. Since 1980, every student has graduated with these courses, which are designed to approach significant issues from diverse standpoints and methods.

As a member of the College Senate when faculty debated all aspects of this humanities curriculum, I saw Bill’s vision. After the “new core” was approved, I was involved in its implementation and worked closely with Bill. I team-taught with Bill on several occasions. Together we developed the Roots of 20th Century Science course that became part of our honors program, now called the Edgar Fellows program.

Team teaching with Bill and watching his efforts over the years showed me the importance of introducing students to important topics and issues that are not contained in one discipline, and showing the myriad ways you can approach a subject. Looking at the list of interdisciplinary majors and minors now offered at Geneseo, it is clear that I am not the only one affected by Bill’s vision.

— Distinguished Teaching Professor of Mathematics Gary Towsley

Teacher Dr. Edgar told us we could call him “Bill” but I never did.

As a painfully shy undergraduate, I found all professors and, frankly, most humans, to be scary. I strove for invisibility. Joining the first group of the honors program in 1987 thwarted this goal. Although I rarely participated in 14

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class discussions, it would have been impossible to remain unengaged when Dr. Edgar was at the helm.

The main objective of the course was to determine whether critical reasoning is even possible, while using critical reasoning to carry out this examination. The objective itself was paradoxical! This is emblematic of his STOCK approach to teaching philosophy: Look the problem in the eye, embrace any weirdness it entails, and get on with solving it.

He presented the history of ideas as a great conversation, driven by problems, attempts to resolve them, and critiques of these attempts. The conversation might not lead to easy answers, but progress could be made.

As students, we never felt like spectators. We were invited to join the inquiry. The goal was not just to learn about philosophy, but to do philosophy.

Dr. Edgar “sold” philosophy by doing it brilliantly and having fun while doing so. Although not a major, I took a few of his courses and wrote my honors thesis on a philosophical topic. I went on to get my doctorate in philosophy.

I’ve been teaching at Gallaudet University for more than a decade. My teaching style isn’t much like Dr. Edgar’s. Instruction at Gallaudet is done in American Sign Language, which sets up a different physical dynamic, and technology is more prominent. But every now and then, I step away from the PowerPoint, sit on the desk facing my students, and chat with them about some perplexing problem. That’s when I think of Bill.

— Barbara Stock ’90

Mentor The first day of class, I was lying across the desk at the front of the classroom, posing for friends. I was full of myself. Bill walked in; I scrambled to my feet and to a chair. He cast a wry smile in my direction as if he understood clearly what I was all about. Then he offered a paradox or two to introduce us to ancient philosophy — probably Zeno. By the end of class I was captured, humbled and attached to what was to become my lifelong journey and my profession.

That summer, I helped Bill and Stacey build an addition onto their house. In the summers that followed, we built a garage with an apartment that would also be my off-and-on home — first in the waning years of my undergraduate days and then, again, when I returned to teach at Geneseo for a year.

Neither Bill nor I knew much ANDERSON about building houses, but off we went. Calm and patient in the face of unforeseen obstacles, Bill moved us forward, joking that the pharaohs would be underwhelmed by our expertise. We talked of Parmenides and Aristotle as if they were just around the corner.

One afternoon, we were putting up a sheet of paneling.

We over-thought things and cut the hole for the outlet

box in the wrong corner. It was the only time that I saw Bill angry. He put his hammer gently on the floor, removed his nail apron, and, without a word, walked to the house. It was a masterful display of self-control. His good judgment, patience, calm endurance, sense of self, regard for others — all these things I saw in him throughout those summers and in the years that followed.

Thanks to Bill’s courses, I entered graduate school with a foundation that set me apart. His drive toward the rock-bottom fundamental questions explains it. But more important were the “building lessons” of those summers: how to be patient with students — the meek, the arrogant, the unruly; how to gently guide off a wayward path to a path of promise.

Early in my career, I would ask myself, “How would Bill handle this situation?” I imitated. Eventually, his insights became second nature and the core of my way of teaching and living with others. I am not a copy of Bill. I could never carry off the dignity with which he moved through the world. Still, the “building lessons” are part of me.

This is my last semester in the classroom after nearly 40 years of teaching university-level philosophy. My kids are off to college; I hope someone like Bill finds them, sees in them whatever it was that Bill saw in me, and gives them the kind attention and love I was so very lucky to receive.

— James Anderson’71

Inspirer By the time I arrived at campus more than 40 years ago, Bill had already mastered the art of teaching critical reasoning.

During my years as a philosophy major, we were asked to take positions on the vexing issues, which emerged from our readings and defend those positions. We were expected to support our positions with logic or empirical evidence and discouraged from relying on popular opinion, religious dogma or other commonly held beliefs we brought with us from Palmyra, Plainview or Plattsburgh. For Bill, the truth was not determined by a mere show of hands.

One of the great things about his teaching was that he never told us he was going to train us to use critical reasoning; those skills just evolved as a by-product of the Socratic method he employed. Bill’s students have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers. I am confident that the one skill all of us have O’BRIEN in common is our ability to use critical reasoning and empirically based decision-making in our lives, regardless of our calling. In my case, the skills that I learned with Bill prepared me for law school and still help me every day in my work as a courtroom lawyer.

While teachers who can impart substantive knowledge to their students are valuable, teachers like Bill — who can guide their students how to think like rational human beings and solve problems — are priceless. By encouraging us to question our beliefs and to rely on reason, rather than blind faith, Bill helped enlighten us. After all, isn’t that why we went to college?

— Dan O’Brien ’73

Dream facilitator I did two smart things my first semester at Geneseo. I met Bill and Stacey Edgar, and I asked James Kirkwood to teach me to play the double bass. He generously agreed.

Over the years, I got more serious about music. As graduation approached, I faced a problem: I wanted to take a shot at music as a career, but I needed a lot of practice time.

Bill and Stacey offered me the apartment over their garage. "Take the place for free," they said. "Practice all you want. We know you’re figuring out what to do and we thought a free place to stay would help.”

What a year. While I put in practice time, Bill fixed the place up. Stacey underestimated my share of the electric bill. They pretended this wasn’t any imposition, as if Bill had nothing better to do than thaw out frozen pipes or repair the roof. They did whatever needed to be done — all of it with friendly smiles and big hearts.

In the end I decided to pursue philosophy instead of music. Bill and Stacey never pushed that option, but they influenced my choice by having enviable lives.

I learned a lot that year about music and about the power of generosity and kindness. When I think of Bill, as I often do, I think of someone who would give his own time and energy, even his own home, to help someone pursue a dream. I don’t think he cared very much about what I ended up doing, but he gave me the chance to make the decision in the right way.

Over the years, Bill and Stacey offered that home to many students and friends, giving them all a place to stay and, with that, a chance to follow a muse or re-examine life. It is one of the most valuable gifts we could have been given.

— David Merli ’94

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

MERLI reflects on a recent visit in the Edgar’s garage apartment.

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BEYOND

RINK

THE

PHOTOS BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

The Ice Knights gather for an inspiring team huddle following an early-morning walk and stretch in the hotel parking lot in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

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he first students Colin DeJersey ’13 met on campus were his hockey teammates.

He immediately liked them.

Good thing.

He spends most of his waking hours with them — at daily practices, on Friday and Saturday nights skating in front of hundreds of cheering classmates, and taking marathon bus rides to face opponents across New York.

They eat together. Study together. Win and lose together.

“It feels like you’re living together,” says Colin. “We’re really close.”

His teammates have become confidants and best friends.

Being part of such a close-knit team has changed Kaz Iwamoto ’13. He says he’s not as selfish; he looks out for his teammates and is a mentor for younger players, as upperclassmen were for him.

“I grew up,” says Kaz. Then, like now, being part of a team was a huge part of the Geneseo experience for players.

“It’s hard to describe those four years. They are a small snapshot of my life, but the impact that they had on me was tremendous,” says Geneseo Hall of Famer Jeff Stitt ’81.

Since 1981, Jeff has reunited with Ice Knights of all eras on campus for the annual alumni hockey game. “You might as well turn back the clock,” says Jeff. “It feels the same.”

Intense training and countless hours spent together foster a lifelong kinship among Knights, which mirrors the treasured experience many student-athletes have at Geneseo.

College Photographer Keith Walters ’11 captured an intimate snapshot beyond the game periods on a road trip to explore how such memories are made.

— Kris Dreessen

T Players joke as they gear up for the Potsdam game.

Home again in Geneseo at 3 a.m.

Teammates laugh on the bus trip to Potsdam.

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View the entire hockey experience photo essay and a special video from the 2011 alumni game at: go.geneseo.edu/beyondrink.

Cory Gershon ’12, left, and Danny Scagnelli ’12 bump fists pre-game.

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“I hope this remains a close part of my life.”

— Colin DeJersey ’13

Most of the team conks out on the way to Friday night’s Potsdam game.

Coach Chris Schultz ’97 helps the team develop a strategy against Potsdam based on what he knows about the team, in one of two away games the Ice Knights played in a 24-hour period.

Players fit in a workout Saturday morning before reviewing the previous night’s game tapes.

Teammates help each other stretch.

Carb-loading before the second away game of the weekend.

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Sharpening skate blades before the Friday night game.

Defenseman Peter Mott ’15 enters the game.

Carson Schell ’14 brings the puck around the net at Plattsburgh.

Captain Jimmy Powers ’12 gives final strategy before hitting the ice against SUNY Potsdam in the first of two away games. He was injured and didn’t suit up to play.

Players reflect on the 2-0 loss against Plattsburgh.

Peter Mott ’15 falls asleep on the trip home in the wee hours.

Coach Chris Schultz ’97, a former Ice Knight, delivers a final speech before the third period against Plattsburgh. The team lost 2-0.

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The walnut base that holds the Medal of Distinction was created exclusively for Geneseo by Tom Moser ’60, president of Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers.

PHOTO BY BRIAN BENNETT

One step closer to a cure Geneseo awards the Medal of Distinction to an alumnus whose research led to a life-saving cancer drug this year.

BY ANTHONY T. HOPPA

It could have been a sign — or merely a coincidence. Either way, the irony of events on Jan. 19, 1982, is not lost on research scientist William Henzel ’76. The same day that a 4.7-magnitude earthquake in New Hampshire rattled his home in Boston, he received a phone call for a job interview.

In San Francisco.

Unfazed by the East Coast tremor — and the probability of more out West — Henzel visited Genentech, a leading biotechnology firm. His goal as a protein biochemist was to develop new tools for protein structure determination. After three years researching insect proteins as a senior research assistant in the biology department at the University of Massachusetts, he was ready for the next challenge.

“During the interview, I sensed that everyone at Genentech was pushing technology to do creative things,” he remembered.

“When I received an offer, something inside me told me I needed to do this.”

Henzel went to California and never looked back. For 21 years, he focused solely on the future. As senior scientist, he managed his own laboratory research team at Genentech, concentrating on protein identification research and exploring analytical technologies to determine protein structure critical to the discovery of new medicines.

Henzel’s legacy is his concept of peptide mass fingerprinting using mass spectrometry to identify experimental proteins. In 1989, Henzel’s lab determined the sequence of a new protein enabling it to be cloned, 20

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which allowed Genentech biologists to develop a human antibody.

The discovery led to Avastin, a breakthrough cancerPHOTO BY MIHN TRIEU fighting drug that Geneseo awarded William Henzel ’76 the Medal of Distinction for his scienprevents blood vestific work that led to development of a breakthrough cancer-fighting drug sels from forming and for his passion to inspire future generations as a school teacher. near a tumor, thus starving it.

“I was on the cutting edge of science ing and for that we are very grateful,” said because I worked in a company where all Dahl. “His research, evidenced by more scientists were on the cutting edge,” he said. than 130 scientific publications and three In 2002, the American Society of Mass U.S. patents, has moved us closer to a cure Spectrometry awarded him its Distinguished for cancer.”

Contribution Award for his work in the Henzel attributes his success to more than field. Given such success, Henzel could have the firm academic foundation provided by worked on virtually any project.

Geneseo faculty. He also credits his faith, Instead, he felt called to share his passtrengthened on campus through his sion for science with young students. He involvement with the InterFaith Center. taught biology during lunch at a nearby Though he lives 2,700 miles away, Henzel high school until 2003, and then retired cherishes fond memories of his alma mater, from Genentech to devote all his energy where he met his late wife, Bonnie Crandle to teaching. He continued teaching for ’76. In her memory, he has established a two more years. scholarship for students majoring in English Today, he volunteers at a local middle and history. school, teaching biology and earth science.

“Geneseo was a beautiful environment For his exceptional professional achieveand a wonderful time of learning,” he said. ments and contributions to society, “It provided me with the basic knowledge President Christopher C. Dahl awarded and confidence that all scientists need. I am Henzel the Medal of Distinction — honored and humbled to have received the Geneseo’s highest honor — at a San Medal of Distinction.”

Francisco alumni event in March.

“Like all scientists, Bill is constantly learn-

ICONS OF GENESEO

Aunt Cookie’s: A simple recipe for success,

with a side of memories

BY VICTORIA SOTO ’12

Bernadette Roughneen ’12 steps up to the counter at Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop and orders her favorite — turkey.

She watches as Alyssa Wurzburg ’12 slides a fresh roll into the oven until the edges turn dark brown with a crispy, golden center. Wurzburg smoothes mayo across the bottom bun then adds onions, lettuce and a splash of oil. She sprinkles some salt.

Pepper. Next up, slices of ruby red tomatoes and provolone. Finally, she layers the main feature — six juicy turkey slices.

One more coating of mayo on top and then she closes, cuts and wraps the warm sandwich before she hands it over.

In a booth beside her sorority sister, Roughneen dives in and looks out the window, watching students walk past on Main Street on their way to lunch or campus.

Twenty-two years ago that could have been Angie Sayles ’92. She ordered the same exact sub from Aunt Cookie’s with her friends all the time.

“I was always a turkey person,” she says.

“Sometimes I would get the Italian mixed sub.

Cookie’s quick bites • Italian rolls ordered per year:

More than 20,000 • Pounds of turkey gobbled per year:

5,700. Poor turkeys!

• Farthest-traveling sub: A gentleman

in the military flew a sub to Japan!

• Sweetest Cookie’s moment:

A marriage proposal.

• How often people ask if there’s an Aunt Cookie: Frequently. Most don’t

believe there is a real Aunt Cookie.

• Oddest order: Tuna with turkey.

People like to be creative or can’t decide which is their favorite sub so they combine the order.

• Aunt Cookie’s own favorite?

Tuna on Italian roll with pickles.

Hold the onion.

— Scott Yarnes, owner

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

Carolyn Yarnes — the real “Aunt Cookie” — opened the Geneseo sandwich institution in 1971.

Her son, Scott Yarnes, now proudly runs Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop.

I guess that was probably after a crazy night.”

For 41 years, Aunt Cookie’s has been a beloved institution.

Before Aunt Cookie’s, 76 Main St. was a general store, a grocery store, then the Normal Grill in 1931 with a candy kitchen attached. It finally opened as the Genesee Valley Restaurant in 1937.

On Aug. 4, 1971, Aunt Cookie — less widely known as Carolyn Yarnes — opened the eatery with a partner, specializing in submarine sandwiches.

“If I’m introduced to someone they’re like, ‘Oh, the real Aunt Cookie? I never knew there was a real Aunt Cookie!’” she says.

She’s been called Cookie since she was 2 and even worked at a sub shop on Main before opening Aunt Cookie’s with her former boss. She took it over and at one point operated four more sub shops — in Brockport, Ithaca, Alfred and Delhi.

Cookie eventually sold those and kept the original Main Street location.

When she wanted to retire, her son, Scott Yarnes, felt it had to be kept in the family.

He took over the reins in 1999.

“We have a good product and we’ve been very consistent over the years,” says Yarnes about its longevity. “We really haven’t changed. We buy quality goods and put out a decent sandwich for a decent price.”

Simplicity and consistency. They are the magic ingredients. Even the menu hasn’t changed much. “It’s never been broken so we haven’t fixed it,” says Yarnes. “It just works.”

Perhaps it’s not the toasted roll, or the popular turkey sub that makes Aunt Cookie’s so important, but all the memories that 76 Main St. has helped create.

Aunt Cookie’s is embedded in Geneseo alumni’s memories and experiences.

Whether it is their classic subs or toasted buns, it seems the magic between two pieces of bread has played a part in a Geneseo student’s college experience and has helped alumni to relive their college years.

“Going back 20 years later, there’s something about it,” says Sayles. “You can go back and sit there in the same booth and look out the window and remember.”

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PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

PERSPECTIVES

A WHOLE-HEARTED COMMITMENT David Levy, associate professor of philosophy at SUNY Geneseo, is a 1994 alumnus. He didn't come to Geneseo with thoughts of becoming a philosopher, but his experiences with beloved professor Bill Edgar profoundly transformed him. He was hired to fill the faculty position vacated when Bill retired in 2005. As he guides students to discover the nature and value of inquiry, he is hopeful that the life lessons Bill taught him are being passed on. By David Levy ’94 ill Edgar changed my life. He showed me a different set of values, a different way of life. Through his relationship with Stacey, with the college, and with his students, he showed me how loving and learning reinforce each other and impart lasting meaning to one’s life.

I didn’t come to Geneseo to have my life changed. I came to become a lawyer. I’d do my time at college, get my credentials, and go about the business of making money. This was what my parents wanted; I had no idea that anything else was possible.

I first met Bill in 1990 in his Welles Hall office, shortly after receiving a letter that invited me to join Geneseo’s Honors Program. There was something immediately reassuring about him. This great man shook my hand, smiled at me, and knew who I was. The time he shared with me that day would be just the first of countless acts of generosity from which I would benefit.

Perhaps this is the appropriate place to dispense with the obvious: Bill was an exemplary teacher. He was a citizen and leader of the college who left an indelible mark on all that he touched. He shaped Geneseo’s General Education program, helping to found the Western Humanities sequence. He conceived of the Honors Program and had the will to see it put into place. He chaired the philosophy department for 27 years. Bill gave all of himself to the college in

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these ways. He gave all of himself to his colleagues, and especially to his students.

As a teacher, Bill gave — and inspired — a whole-hearted commitment to inquiry.

John Dewey describes the attitude of whole-heartedness, in part, this way: “Genuine enthusiasm is an attitude that operates as an intellectual force. A teacher who arouses such an enthusiasm in his pupils has done something that no amount of formalized method, no matter how correct, can accomplish.”

It was impossible to sit in Bill’s classroom, or in his office, or in Bill and Stacey’s home, and not be inspired by his passion for learning.

I was fortunate enough to take a class with Bill my first semester at Geneseo, a small honors seminar called The Nature of Inquiry. I got to know a group of outstanding students as a result of Bill’s ability to make us each feel comfortable asking questions and challenging ideas. I think we each also got to know ourselves: what we valued, what we took for granted, what we were willing to consider. By the end of that first semester, I was changed. I declared my philosophy major and started to think about devoting my life to teaching this most ancient discipline. (My father’s response was to send me magazine clippings, illustrating how much less money I’d earn during my lifetime if I were to become an academic, rather than an attorney. Those articles never addressed the trade-up in terms of happiness.)

My most vivid memory of Bill’s passion for inquiry dates to the fall of 1993, when he first offered his new course in the Philosophy of the Arts. Several of my friends and I enrolled in the course. On the first day of the semester, we felt privileged to share the moment with Bill; we anticipated the skillful way in which he would guide us to a deep appreciation of beauty and art.

Bill began that first class meeting by inviting us to consider the status of various aesthetic concepts such as art, beauty and harmony. One of my peers challenged Bill’s assumption that one concept in particular qualified as an aesthetic concept. Bill listened — really listened — to this objection; he expressed openness to learning that his own considered opinion was wrong.

In that moment, Bill was not our superi-

Distinguished Te aching Professo r Emeritus Bill Ed PHOTO PROV Edgar and Asso IDED gar, left, Associa ciate Professor te Professor Stac David Levy ’94 photo on his offic ey at his Geneseo gr e desk at home. aduation. Levy ke eps the

“I know just how privileged I am to have been entrusted with the task of doing for my students what Bill did for me.”

— David Levy ’94 or, though he remained our teacher. By demonstrating what it is to engage in inquiry humbly, Bill taught us all to keep an open mind, and to find value in the process of inquiry itself. I remain grateful to Bill for those lessons, and I do my best to present myself to my students in just this way.

When I was fortunate to be hired for a tenure-track position in Geneseo’s Philosophy Department — to fill the faculty line that would be vacated when Bill retired — I wrote to Bill and Stacey. I expressed my gratitude for all they had done for me.

I began, “I wonder if you know how much you have shaped my life.” Today, I wonder if Bill ever knew just how many lives he shaped. I suspect that he did, and I suspect that he felt privileged to have been entrusted with the opportunity to do so. In my classroom, in my office, I know just how privileged I am to have been

entrusted with the task of doing for my students what Bill did for me. Bill helped me to realize that Geneseo is exactly where I am supposed to be.

Whether I am teaching humanities, an upper-level seminar on Plato’s moral psychology, or business ethics, I present myself to my students as sharing in their process of inquiry. Yes, I have read the texts many times before and have already considered a range of arguments. But that doesn’t mean that I have all the answers. What I do have is a passion for inquiry itself — a sense that there is something valuable and transformational in asking questions and carefully considering a broad range of responses. I learn from my students as much as they learn from me.

What I wish they could know is that I didn’t always have this passion. It had to be developed and cultivated; it required the influence and model of my teachers. It required Bill.

Perhaps some of my students will develop a similar passion and will use it to approach whatever path of life they choose. They will listen, consider, and have the courage to create conditions that will have lasting impact. They will take a piece of Bill with them.

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RANDOM PROFILE

One Cup Jim Colucci Class of 1970/1973

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ONE CUP Inspired by the idea that everyone has a story to share, we offer the “random profile.”

Each issue, we don a blindfold and throw a dart at a map of the United States to choose our state, then take aim again to choose a lucky alum. We catch up, relive memories and share life insight, like we are talking over coffee.

Up next ... Ontario, Canada.

Could it be you?

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QUICK FACTS Home: Wichita, Kan. Graduation years: 1970 and 1973 Degree: Psychology (1970) and elementary education and special education K-12 (1973) Family: Children — David, Ellen and Jay. Seven grandchildren. Wife, Janice Knox ’73, who died in 2004.

How you describe Geneseo: A close-knit campus where students and staff have camaraderie and care about one another.

Favorite campus hangout: The Student Union.

Best Geneseo memory: There are many but the best one is meeting my wife, Janice, the love of my life.

Most important life lesson you learned at Geneseo: Know how to work hard, play hard and keep the balance.

What you would tell incoming freshmen or graduating seniors: Seniors: Never give up on finding your dream job. Go out there to make a difference but remember to respect your fellow workers who have been there before you. Their wisdom can add to making you a better person.

ILLUSTRATION AMANDA LINDLEY

ever teach to a standardized test. You limit the scope and depth of what you are teaching. A professor shared those words of wisdom with Jim Colucci ’70/’73 while he was earning his bachelor’s degree in special education at Geneseo.

He lived by the philosophy throughout his 31 years as a special education teacher, helping children in elementary and middle schools in New York and Kansas reach their potential — sometimes beyond what others assumed they could do.

“I treated each of them as individuals,” says Jim. Jim earned two bachelor’s degrees at Geneseo — psychology and special education. Geneseo, he says, “was the best of times for me.”

Of course much of that is attributed to meeting the love of his life while hitchhiking from his apartment in Mt. Morris to campus.

His future wife, Janice Knox ’73, recognized him from class, and offered him a ride.

“We were married that following August of 1972,” says Jim. “We had a really good, almost 32-year marriage and I can thank Geneseo for my wife.”

Janice passed away in 2004.

Jim and Janice both graduated in 1973 with special education degrees. Jim taught in Ilion, N.Y., before they moved to Janice’s native Kansas, where they each taught in Pratt and Wichita. Jim went on to earn a masters’s degree in educational psychology.

Along the way, he helped hundreds of students with physical or mental disabilities to catch up despite their challenges. Jim says he made sure the students mastered a skill before moving on and started with them at their level, not the grade level they were placed. Maybe it took longer, but those students “got it,” which he says is all that mattered. Many went on to earn college degrees and have successful careers, and returned to express their thanks.

“Geneseo was the foundation for my own education, and when I started getting experience I put up the frame,” says Jim. “I never forgot that. A lot of my philosophy in teaching and my beliefs in children came from Geneseo.”

The greatest reward, he says, was seeing a student’s excitement when he or she learned something that seemed unattainable.

He will always remember a thankful call from the father of a young girl. He told Jim that doctors said his daughter would never be able to read. Despite that, he found her laughing in her room, with a book.

She told him, “Mr. Colucci is teaching me to read. This one is funny.”

Now retired, he focuses on his love for music and his children and grandkids. He plays more than six instruments — mostly folk and bluegrass — and enjoys experimenting with “finger style,” the art of playing without a pick, which he learned from a Geneseo professor nearly 40 years ago.

It’s another example of a small teaching moment that stayed with him for life. In turn, Jim appreciates the foundation he laid for his own students.

“I have no regrets. I think I have made a difference in some kids’ lives.

I planted a lot of seeds and a lot of those seeds grew,” says Jim.

PHOTO PROVIDED

By Kris Dreessen

PHOTO BY DAN DIBERNARDO ’73

Alumni News ABOUT THE ARTIST: Dan DiBernardo ’73 loves photographing Americana and aspects of the American culture. “Far Field” shows a landscape of Gettysburg National Military Park and the Statue of Brig. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, who helped turn the tide of battle by helping to capture Little Round Top. “I am blessed with being able to see the beauty of form, color and texture in the everyday,” says DiBernardo, who manages national accounts for Gannett Direct Mail Solutions in Lancaster, Pa. DiBernardo has exhibited his photographs in juried fine art and craft shows in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as galleries in the Lancaster area. His images have won several photo contests, including first place in the landscape photo category of the Annual Clipper Magazine Fine Art & Photography contest.

See more of Dan’s work at www.photoartbydan.com Share your artwork with us! Send a short bio and a link or examples of your work to scene@geneseo.edu.

ALUMNI NEWS

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Alumni event photos Breast cancer fighter The sky’s the limit Class Notes Summer 2012

25

GENESEO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Upcoming

The Office of Alumni Relations

Alumni Events

is always looking for regional event ideas and event sponsors. Contact the office at alumni@geneseo.edu if you would like to work with us on an event.

July 13-15, 2012 GENESEO CAMPUS SUMMER REUNION Celebrating class years ending in 2 or 7 MTC Alumni and all former RAs. GAA Awards to be presented: Honorary Membership Bob O’Donnell Excellence in Education Award Roberta Ford ’62 Distinguished Service Award John Gleason ’87 Outstanding Young Alum Eric Hinman ’02 August 8, 2012 ALBANY REGION Saratoga Day at the Races August 18, 2012 LONG ISLAND REGION Long Island Picnic August 23, 2012 ROCHESTER REGION Red Wings Game (Family Friendly) Events planned for fall 2012 include the following regions: Buffalo, Chicago, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Long Island and New York City

Sept. 21-23, 2012 GENESEO CAMPUS HOMECOMING WEEKEND Featuring: • 2012 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees: Richard Woodward ’71 men’s basketball Stanley Janas ’72 - men’s basketball Amy Cleary ’97 - swimming Griffin Coles ’00 - men’s basketball • Greek Hall of Fame • 140th Anniversary Celebration of Clio Sorority • Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Weekend October 20-21, 2012 GENESEO CAMPUS Parents Weekend

Long Island region Family Ice Skating and Broomball Event hosted

by Kristian Nielson ’99, Michael ’03 and Nicole McGowen ’04 Dellavecchia

Don’t miss out!

It is very important that you keep Geneseo informed of your current mailing address. You will receive event invitations and notifications based on the address we have on file, the address where this issue of the Scene was mailed. If the address on the back of this magazine isn’t up to date, you might be missing out. Use the card in this issue to update us, or email alumni@geneseo.edu.

GENESEO ALUMNI REGIONS • Albany Region • Buffalo Region • Chicago Region • Colorado Region • Florida - East Coast Region • Florida - West Coast Region • Los Angeles Region • Long Island Region • New England Region • New Jersey – Northern Region • New York City Region

• North Carolina Region • Philadelphia/New Jersey – Southern Region • Rochester Region • San Francisco Region • Syracuse Region • Washington, D.C. Region • Westchester/Connecticut Region • Community Advocates for SUNY Geneseo

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Alumni Weekend Coach Shawn Monahan, left, Karin Meuwissen ’03, Leslie Nieble ’11, Tracy Wangelin ’10, Alyssa Polosky ’11, Khadija (Kiki) Campbell ’11, Brittany Finkle ’11, Arin Belden ’04 and Coach Scott Hemer.

See who you missed and view more photos of many events! go.geneseo.edu/alumniphotos Visit our alumni homepage: alumni.geneseo.edu

Men’s Ice Hockey Alumni Weekend 26

geneseo scene

Boston Externship Reception hosted by Dan Spiess ’90 Student externs and alumni externship volunteers.

Omega Beta Psi Challenge Weekend and Greek Hall of Fame Recognition.

Men’s Rugby 30th Reunion Jeff Meadows ’82, left, team founder and Emeritus Professor of English John Hoey, John Truehart ’83 and Jon Culpepper ’86.

Rochester region Geva Theatre Production and Alumni Reception hosted by Bruce Jordan ’66 New York City region exclusive tour of the Museum of the City of New York and luncheon hosted by Carla Warne-Marino ’85

Geva Executive Director Mark Cuddy, left, Bruce Jordan ’66, Dan O’Brien ’73 and President Christopher C. Dahl.

Buffalo region Alumni Reception and Sabres Game, reception hosted by Steve Vanuga ’88 and Steve Sharkey ’95 Steve Sharkey ’95, left, Ann Galbraith ’89, Steve Vanuga ’89, right, and Michelle Walton Worden ’92, Rose Anderson, Tracy Young Gagnier ’93 — all from Alumni Relations.

New England region Alumni Networking Reception Summer 2012

27

Los Angeles region Alumni Reception hosted by Bill Simone ’83 Jana Simone, left, and Bill Simone ’83.

New York City region Alumni and Parent Reception hosted by Joseph Carr ’82 President Christopher C. Dahl, left, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Distinguished Teaching Professor Bill Cook and Joseph Carr ’82.

New York City region Alumni, Parent & Friend Reception hosted by Dan Sharkey ’92 Dan Sharkey ’92, Matt Mullaney ’88, Graham Bailey ’88 and John Camiolo ’86 P’14.

New Jersey — Northern region Alumni Happy Hour

Suffern, N.Y., Parent and Alumni Reception hosted by Stephen and Ilene Smith P’14 Ilene and Stephen Smith P’14.

These photos are just a sample from the many events on campus and across the country.

To view the complete photo gallery, visit go.geneseo.edu/alumniphotos Geneseo alumni homepage: alumni.geneseo.edu

Arizona Alumni Happy Hour More than 25 Geneseo alumni and friends gathered in Phoenix, thanks to volunteers Sean Martin ’87, Chuck Parsels ’90, Tim Picciott ’08, Greg Fombelle ’06, Tim Tobin ’89 and Heather Bierley Picciott ’09.

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geneseo scene

Regional Campaign Launch Events Right: Colorado region Campaign Launch Event sponsored by David Wolf ’97, Kristin Allan, Esq ’99, John Rose ’73, Matt Rush ’89 and Lang, Allan & Company Frank Vafier ’74, left, Marlene and John ’73 Rose and Zigrid and Matt ’89 Rush.

Florida — West Coast region Campaign Launch Event hosted by A.D. Scoones ’75 David Miller ’90, left, Erin Cooper Parilla ’94, Kevin Gavagan ’75 and Jim Sheehan ’71.

North Carolina region Campaign Launch Event hosted by Dan Ward ’87, Domenic “Pony” Polzella ’86, John Spencer ’86, Devin Van Riper ’05, Bob Hogan ’82 and George Speedy ’71

Los Angeles region Campaign Launch Event hosted by Robert Muller ’83 Frank Vafier ’74, left, Lissy L’Amoreaux ’96, Bob Muller ’83, President Dahl, Ronna Bosko, Jeff Ross ’83, Ben Chin ’00 and Bill Simone ’83.

Devin Van Riper ’05, left, Brian Murray ’06, Dominic “Pony” Polzella ’86 and Tom Matthews.

San Francisco region Campaign Launch Event hosted by Gerry Rhodes ’74 Chris Rolletta ’91, left, Zach Kearns ’89 and John Busher ’89.

Chicago region Campaign Launch Event and Chicago Externship Reception hosted by Jeff Burkard '89

Summer 2012

29

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI PROFILE

A leader in the fight against breast cancer Being in the right places at the right times in her career has been a genuine boon for Dr. Christine T. Mroz ’68 and for the many women she has cared for as a physician for more than 40 years.

She is the medical director and co-founder of the MrozBaier Breast Care Clinic in Memphis, Tenn., but the work she is doing today as a highly respected breast cancer surgeon was not on her early career radar.

Mroz says she planned on being an English teacher, “but I encountered a couple of sci-

ence faculty members who got my attention and put me onto a different path.”

Among them were biology Professor Daniel Meyer. His science course was required when Geneseo was transition-

Mroz, and she majored in biology with a minor in chemistry.

At SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, a first visit to the operating room hooked her on surgery. She entered the surgical residency program at the

“Cancer is increasingly a managable disease.”

— Dr. Christine T. Mroz ’68 ing into a liberal arts college.

Meyer saw her potential and asked if she had considered medical school.

“I told him no,” said Mroz, “but Dr. Meyer’s planting the thought into my head was all I needed for the turnaround.

He convinced me I had the aptitude.”

Geneseo had no pre-med program so Meyer and others put together a program for

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, the only woman in her class.

“I really didn’t feel any discrimination anywhere in my career because I was a woman,” said Mroz. “There was a general feeling that women were just as capable as men as physicians.”

She pursued general surgery, and after her residency joined a practice in Memphis with another Mayo Clinic surgeon.

class of ’68 Dr. Christine T. Mroz PHOTOS PROVIDED

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geneseo scene

Because general surgeons typically handled breast cancer cases, that became her specialty and her practice grew quickly.

Mroz’s first husband passed away, and at a grief support group meeting she met businessman Joseph Baier Jr., whose wife had recently died of breast cancer and he wanted to help other women survive the disease. They married and combined her clinical expertise and his business acumen to start the Mroz-Baier Breast Care Clinic, which serves some 6,600 patients a year as one of the most successful clinics of its kind in the country. Mroz herself manages half of the patients at the clinic each year.

“It’s amazing the progress we have made in breast care the past couple of decades,” says Mroz. “Radical mastectomy used to be the only treatment, but we now have much less invasive surgical procedures and targeted therapies that are producing survival rates that are better than before, and improved mammography techniques are making a difference. I’m quite blessed to be on the ground floor of helping to develop these new approaches.”

Mroz says the world is winning battles against cancer, but it’s a tough war. About one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.

“It seems to be an everchanging disease and probably will be a problem for a long time,” she says, “but we are making strides, especially in breast cancer. Cancer is increasingly a manageable disease.”

— David Irwin

High-flying entrepreneur Tony Wiederkehr ’87 personifies one of those ubiquitous motivational posters — the kind that promotes values through striking photos and pithy messages. In his case, attitude determines altitude.

It’s an apt description for Wiederkehr, who pilots glider planes when he’s not working as president of AeroMech Inc., the aviation consulting firm he founded in Everett, Wash., in 1995.

“We focus on flight test engineering primarily for the general aviation sector,” Wiedekehr said. “The business jet community is full of individuals who want to customize their airplanes.”

AeroMech’s client list also includes worldwide airlines such as Air Canada and Delta Airlines, the United States military, and aerospace companies.

Growing up in Balston Lake, N.Y., Wiederkehr developed his career interest “watching my dad fix and build absolutely everything.” That included their cars, house — and a fiberglass sailplane built from scratch.

“I remember when Dad would announce that he was going glider flying and asking which of the kids wanted to come along,” said Wiederkehr.

“Whatever was on my schedule didn’t matter after that!”

Not surprisingly, Wiederkehr was determined to become an aeronautical engineer. As a high school senior, however, he encountered a roadblock: a solid understanding of physics.

His solution was to study physics before going to engineering school. Once he discovered Geneseo and its 3-2 engineering program, his search was over.

When he wasn’t in class, lab or the library, he trained in the gym and weight room with his basketball and indoor track team-

class of ’87 Tony Wiederkehr PHOTO BY KRIS DREESSEN

mates. He worked in the biology lab, took photos for the Lamron and served as jazz director for WGSU. At night, he worked the door at the Inn Between and Gentleman Jim’s Tavern.

“I tried to do as much as feasible and my professors encouraged that,” he said.

ing lifelong lessons, and for meeting his wife, Annette Orbinati Wiederkehr ’88, who also ran track.

“Probably the biggest lesson I learned is to identify opportunities and take advantage of them now,” he emphasized. “Don’t wait and think the opportunity

“Probably the biggest lesson I learned is to identify opportunities and take advantage of them now … Don’t wait and think the opportunity will present itself later.”

— Tony Wiederkehr ’87 He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from The Ohio State University, which led to his first job with the Boeing Co. in Seattle. He credits Geneseo with provid-

will present itself later.”

Following his own advice, he obtained his glider license in 1988. He earned a master’s degree in computational fluid dynamics from the University of Washington in 1994. Along the

: Watch highlights of the 2012 Engadin Skimarathon at go.geneseo.edu/engadin

way, he and Annette raised three children.

In 2004, Wiederkehr discovered a new passion: crosscountry ski racing. He joined his father in Switzerland to compete in the Engadin Skimarathon, the world’s largest cross-country skate skiing event — and has returned every year since. He also competes in adventure races in the Pacific Northwest.

Wiederkehr stays connected to Geneseo as a Roundtable Athletic Association board member and physics alumnus to help mentor students. In 2010, the Geneseo Alumni Association honored him with its Professional Achievement Award.

“Returning to campus is always an enjoyable experience,” he said. “The memories come back quickly, almost overwhelmingly. I remember the people most of all … they made Geneseo what it was, and what it is, for me.”

— Anthony T. Hoppa Summer 2012

31

ALUMNI NEWS

Class Notes 1940s

1980s

increase customer loyalty. David Juzwick was recently promoted to

Anna M. Baan ’45, a longtime librarian for private and public schools and corporate and military libraries, is enjoying retired life and connecting and playing bridge with alumni from the 1960s who spend the winter near her home in Sun City, Fla.

Class of 1982 — celebrating their 30th reunion and Class of 1987 — celebrating their 25th reunion July 13-15, 2012.

Bill Shelp ’83 and Bonnalinn Myers are happy to announce their marriage on Jan. 28, 2012.

Denise Reed Lamoreaux ’84 is program director for Hewlett Packard’s Learning and Development Coaching and Mentoring Global Connections, which she developed. Denise is a certified executive leadership coach and a senior-level trainer at Hewlett Packard. Heather Gehring Garbarino ’86 traveled to Bhutan to participate in a medical mission. She worked with an international team of doctors and nurses as they performed cleft lip and palate surgeries. Jennifer Yost Kretovic ’86 was elected to City Council in Concord, N.H. Sheryl Leonard ’86 was one of 29 finalists for 2012 Oklahoma’s Top Executive Assistants Honorees. Christopher Dufour ’87 recently accepted a position at The Sloan Consortium in Newburyport, Mass., as a business development representative. He was previously employed at Penn State University as an educational planning and strategy manager.

Michael Chiulli ’88 and Nanette Miller are happy to announce their marriage on March 17, 2012, in Geneseo, N.Y., where they live. Several other alumni from the 1980s and 1990s attended the wedding. Jacquelyn Hibbard ’89 was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ and is serving as the clinical manager at Colorado Community Hospice in Denver.

regional sales executive at BlueCross Blue Shield of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Thomas Kudarauskas and Karen Dinga Kudarauskas ’94 are happy to announce their marriage on Dec. 22, 2011, in Atlanta, where they live.

1960s Joseph Ridky ’63 recently

retired from the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where he was a psychologist and head of psychological services for 33 years.

1970s Class of 1972 — celebrating their 40th reunion and Class of 1977 — celebrating their 35th reunion July 13-15, 2012.

Jim Sanford ’72 retired after serving more than 38 years with the Department of the Army as military and as a civilian. He spent his career at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland in a variety of positions and finished his career as director of risk management for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program. Jane Edmister Penner ’73 will serve as librarian for the fall Semester at Sea voyage “Atlantic Exploration,” in which college students earn credits at their home institutions by attending classes while exploring Europe, South America and Africa on a live-aboard ship. Jane has been a librarian at the University of Virginia for 24 years.

Dennis O’Connor ’79 recently earned professional accreditation as a certified member from the American Association of Airport Executives. After completing managerial staff positions at three airports and a year of flight duty for a sightseeing tour over Hollywood, he is the airport manager for the Hardeman CountyBolivar airport in Tennessee.

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geneseo scene

1990

1991 Jacqueline Ballard Fisher is the

founder and chief corporate officer for KC Edventures LLC, a website that helps parents, educators and visitors to Kansas City discover fun and learning adventures. Pamela Nitto Kurkoski was recently promoted to curriculum specialist from speech-language pathologist/professional development at Atlanta Speech School in Atlanta.

1992 Celebrating their 20th reunion July 13-15, 2012.

Dr. Michael Cairo’s book, “The Gulf: The Bush Presidencies and the Middle East,” will be published by the University Press of Kentucky. It is the inaugural book in the new UPK series “Studies in Conflict, Diplomacy, and Peace.”

Cairo is an associate professor of political science at Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky. Kristi Niemeyer Graff recently accepted a position at NBC Universal in New York City as executive assistant to the chief financial officer.

1993 Christopher Dailey was recently

promoted to deputy superintendent at Batavia (N.Y.) City School District and will become the superintendent of schools in January 2013.

Gareld “Lee” Gallagher authored

his second book, “Precision Marketing: Maximizing Revenue Through Relevance.” It focuses on best marketing practices in delivering relevant marketing campaigns, which drive top line results and

1994 Jennifer Fosberry recently had her children’s book, “Isabella: Girl on the Go,” reach number eight on the The New York Times

best-seller list during the week of April 1, 2012. The story is about how a day in Isabella’s backyard takes her around the world.

Karen Dinga Kudarauskas and Thomas Kudarauskas ’90 are happy to announce their marriage on Dec. 22, 2011, in Atlanta, where they live. Michael Rogers is the principal investigator on a recently awarded National Science Foundation grant of $1.2 million to Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., to prepare 18 additional physics and mathematics high school teachers who will teach in high-needs schools.

Jason Smith was appointed superintendent of schools at the Lyndonville (N.Y.) Central School District.

1995 John Dow was recently promoted to vice president of the Press Office at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Kevin Gallagher is the chief financial officer at the Cooney Waters Group Inc., a healthcare communications business in New York City.

1996 Jonathan Hickey recently accepted a position with New York State United Teachers in Rochester, N.Y., as a labor relations specialist. April Andrews Kehoe is a high school English as a Second Language teacher and was recently recertified by the National Board for Professional Teaching. Patrick Kelly and Julie Bassett Kelly are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Evie Noelle, born on Dec. 20, 2011, in Maine.

1997 Celebrating their 15th reunion July 13-15, 2012.

Stephanie Austria and John Tigue are happy to announce their marriage on Oct. 15, 2011.

Belinda Lincoln Cole and Matthew Cole are proud to

announce the birth of a baby boy, Brogan Finnegan (“Finn”), born on June 27, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y. Danielle Langton Ellingston and Damon Ellingston are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Persephone Jenefer Ellingston, born on Feb. 18, 2011.

Danielle recently accepted a position at the Washington State Department of Commerce in Seattle as a state trade and export promotion grant manager. Tiffani Kaminski received a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of New Haven on Jan. 14, 2012. Her first master’s degree was in cellular and molecular biology. Roger Mattioli and Isabel Mattioli are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Diego Gonzalo, born on Jan. 31, 2011, in Charlottesville, Va. Roger was recently assigned as the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe/Africa Staff Judge Advocate in Stuttgart, Germany.

Jennifer Norton and Michael Greenberg are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Jonah Nathaniel Greenberg, born on Sept. 4, 2011.

Scene around the world Submit your images to scene@geneseo.edu with a subject line of “Scene Around the World.” See the complete photo gallery at go.geneseo.edu/goworld.

Carol Freund ’78 climbing the Solheimajokull Glacier on the Katla volcano in Iceland.

Anna Mellace ’10 viewing the sunrise over Mt. Bromo in East Java, Indonesia.

1998 Mark Backofen and his wife, Victoria, are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Brooke Ann, born on July 5, 2011, in Dallas.

Michelle Blakemore Faroni

accepted a position at The Furniture Trust, a nonprofit organization in Boston, as manager of education and outreach. She recently was employed at Fort Point Project Management as project manager. Kristin Ford Cyre and Jeff Cyre are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Kaitlyn Ann, born on Nov. 5, 2011. David Friedman and Norman Candelario are happy to announce their marriage on March 23, 2012, in Bronx, N.Y., where they reside. Todd Goho and Lisa Goho are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Allison Grace, born on Dec. 9, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y. Todd recently accepted a position at Alfred-Almond (N.Y.) Elementary School as principal. Marybeth Page Moses and James Moses are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Andrew James, born on Feb. 23, 2012, in Billings, Mont.

Christine Anderson Williams ’84 at the leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.

Sandi Gutmanstein Hoffman ’87 scuba diving in Belize at Turneffe Atoll, on a site called Aldo’s Anchor.

John Wischhusen ’90, left, and Dr. Jason Heller ’91 in Amsterdam.

Shannon Rabideau ’08 and Kasey Hundt ’06 on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos in May 2011.

Chip Ryan ’73 and his wife, Bobbie, in Red Square, Moscow, during a Russian river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

Summer 2012

33

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

1999 Cara McKay Barnwell and Dan

Barnwell are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Molly Claire, born on Dec. 25, 2011.

Emily Clasper is the system operations and training manager at Suffolk Cooperative Library System and was named by Library Journal as a 2012 “Mover and Shaker” for excellence in technology leadership within libraries. Maureen Kessler Diehl and Richard Diehl are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Abigail Marie, born on May 3, 2010, in Buffalo, N.Y. Molly Dinneen and Jordan Thomsen are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Avery Erin Thomsen, born on June 27, 2011, in New York City. Kathleen Park West and Brian Ward were married on Jan. 15, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y. They are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Cecelia Mae, born on July 2, 2011, in Rochester.

2000 Kyle Carter and Erin Carter are

proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Emma Rose, born on July 17, 2011, in Lansing, Mich. Ericka Utegg Graves and Adam Graves are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Evan Joseph Graves, born on Feb. 6, 2012, in Corning, N.Y. Kelly O’Coyne Huss and Joseph Huss are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Joseph Blase, born on Nov. 16, 2011, in Canandaigua, N.Y. Gail Lovette and Joseph Racine are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Violet James Lovette Racine, born on Nov. 27, 2011, in Charlottesville, Va. Christina Laycock Perrotta ’00 and Tim Perrotta, of Rochester, N.Y., are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Molly Angeline, born Feb. 1, 2012. Cristina is an event coordinator for Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Anne Pope Stacy and John Stacy are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Trinity Helen Margaret, born on Nov. 21, 2011, in Rome, N.Y. Stephanie Janosick Vitale and 34

geneseo scene

Nicholas Vitale are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Sophia Grace, born on Aug. 11, 2011.

2001 Kathryn DeFilippo received a mas-

ter of science degree in higher education and student affairs administration from Buffalo State College and accepted a position at Medaille College in Amherst, N.Y., as a financial aid counselor. Erin Barry Lam and Joseph Lam are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy,

baby, Kamden Christopher, born on Jan. 1, 2012. Lisa also recently earned National Board Certification in literacy: early and middle childhood. Megan Carlucci Zarchy is serving as the Nassau Music Educators Association 2012 Division 2 Orchestra chairperson in addition to serving as the Long Island String Festival Association newsletter editor for her second year. She began a two-year term as NMEA Division 2 vice president last April. She is responsible for organizing the 6th Grade All-County Music Festival.

Summer Reunion July 13 -15, 2012 2011 brought back more than 800 alumni!

Register now at www.geneseo.edu/reunion or Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 585-245-5506 or e-mail: alumni@geneseo.edu.

Brayden Joseph. He was born on Feb. 6, 2012. Gary A. Marshall, Jr. is an associate with Goldberg Segalla LLP in the firm’s Garden City, N.Y., office, representing clients in general litigation. His legal experience includes personal injury involving auto accidents and labor law. He received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. Adam Tabelski and Rachael Tabelski are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Adrian Matthew, born on March 13, 2012.

2002 Celebrating their 10th reunion July 13-15, 2012.

Kelly Crane Jobin and Robert Jobin are happy to announce their marriage on June 18, 2011. Kelly is a housing coordinator for Schenectady Community Action Partners in New York state.

Christopher Kvam accepted a position as an assistant district attorney with Monroe County in Rochester, N.Y. Lisa Cloen Pratt is proud to announce the birth of a

2003 Amanda Bogucki Caminiti and Jordan Caminiti are proud to

announce the birth of a baby girl, Mayanna Lynn, born on May 1, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y. Anthony Cook III recently accepted the position of principal at Seton Catholic School in Rochester, N.Y. He was previously employed at Aquinas Institute as the dean of students and an eighth-grade social studies teacher. Kristine Dugolinsky Cropper-Alt and Zachary Cropper-Alt ’04 are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Chase Douglas, born on Sept. 20, 2011, in Middletown, Conn. Amber Lynn Stoiber Miller and Eric Miller are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Margaret Anne, born on Jan. 24, 2012, in Buffalo, N.Y. Carrie Emery O’Leary and Jonathan O’Leary are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Maggie Rose, born on Sept. 18, 2011, in Niskayuna, N.Y. Bradford Reid recently accepted a position at

Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy LLP in Rochester, N.Y., as an associate. Christine Crowley Scott and Mark Scott are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Liam James, born on Dec. 5, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y. Jeffrey Smith Jr. and Linda Smith are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Jack Martin, born on Aug. 30, 2011, in Rochester, N.Y.

2004 Zachary Cropper-Alt and Kristine Dugolinsky CropperAlt ’03 are proud to announce

the birth of a baby boy, Chase Douglas, born on Sept. 20, 2011, in Middletown, Conn. Sharon Hysick Ambrose assisted as a researcher for the book “Being George Washington” by Glenn Beck. Johanna Schaefer Denniston and Dr. Kyle Denniston are happy to announce their marriage on Oct. 15, 2011, in Albany, N.Y. They reside in Omaha, Neb. Jill Carney Holcomb graduated with a master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University in Florida. Tre Jerdon-Cabrera and Cristhians Cabrera are happy to announce their marriage on May 28, 2011, in Greenbelt, Md. They reside in Laurel, Md. Tre was recently admitted to the University of Maryland’s master’s of social work program, where he will concentrate in management and community organization and specialize in social action and community development. Sara Vose Philipson and Brent Philipson are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Jocelyn Belle, born on Jan. 27, 2011, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Evelyn Rodriguez received a master’s degree in social work in May 2010 from City University of New York Lehman College.

Rob Sanford is a sixth-grade teacher at Honeoye Falls-Lima Central (N.Y.) School District.

2005 Jeffrey Chien recently accepted a position at Bio-Optronics in Rochester, N.Y., as an information technology manager. He was recently employed at Windstream as a product support technician.

Carly Wisotzke Dlugoszewski

and Chad Dlugoszewski are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Mark Christopher, born on Feb. 5, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. Jonathan Kaplan recently became the owner of LeRoy Discount Liquor & Wine in LeRoy, N.Y. Logan Rath was recently promoted to resource sharing librarian from digital services librarian at The College at Brockport, State University of New York. Zachary Staff and Betsy Staff are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Hayden Andrew, born on Nov. 8, 2011, in Binghamton, N.Y. Jennifer Stone Ward and Kevin Ward ’06 are proud to announce the birth of a baby, Chloe Justine, born on Nov. 8, 2011, in Tampa, Fla.

2006 Andrew Guignon and Katherine Hinman Guignon ’07 are proud to

announce the birth of a baby boy, Sean Robert, born on Sept. 25, 2011. Kevin Ward and Jennifer Stone Ward ’05 are proud to announce the birth of a baby, Chloe Justine, born on Nov. 8, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. Ashley Wilson Wiese and Michael Wiese are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Kimberly Claire, born on Nov. 28, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. Ashley earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of South Florida in 2011.

2007 Celebrating their 5th reunion July 13-15, 2012.

Amy Williams Di Bari and Jeremy Di Bari are happy to announce their marriage on July 23, 2011, in Lake George, N.Y. They reside in Cortland, N.Y. The wedding party included other 2007 alumni. Katherine Hinman and Andrew Guignon ’06 are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Sean Robert, born on Sept. 25, 2011. Jenna Nigro Gutman and Kevin Gutman are happy to announce their marriage on Sept.

24, 2011, in Montauk, N.Y. There were more than 30 fellow Geneseo alumni present. Lauren Holupko recently joined Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C. in Albany, N.Y., as an associate attorney. Lauren was

Submit your class note or notice at

go.geneseo.edu/classnote

Shirley Eaton ’57, Jan. 29, 2012 Elizabeth Marshall McCadden ’58, Jan. 8, 2012 Jean Ahlers Witzel ’58, March 30,

2012 Judith Wolcott Stasch ’59,

Nov. 3, 2011 Gary Lavigne ’62, Feb. 24, 2012 Joanne Reina ’66, Dec. 8, 2011 Terrin Hover ’67, July 28, 2011 Elizabeth Hubbell Sommerfield ’68, Dec. 21, 2011 Francis Basta ’69, Feb. 26, 2012 Eleanor McDonald Frank ’69, July

admitted to practice in New York state in February 2011. Emily McDonald McDonnell and Joe McDonnell, a former U.S. Army service member, are happy to announce their marriage on Aug. 14, 2011. They reside in Albany, N.Y. Jaclyn Lemp Munio and Justin Munio are happy to announce their marriage on July 31, 2011, in Sayville, N.Y. They reside in Mansfield, Mass. John Seifts is a reading teacher at Rome (N.Y.) City School District’s Strough Middle School. Andrew Sigond is a hospital and community services specialist at the Center for Donation & Transplant in Albany, N.Y., where he works closely with hospitals and communities to promote and enable organ and tissue donation.

Timothy Koury are happy to announce their marriage on July 29, 2011 in Gasport, N.Y. They reside in Lockport, N.Y. Denyel recently accepted a position at Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, N.Y., as the alumni development specialist.

Sean Roche received a master’s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University in Boston in January 2012. Jennifer WolfeHagstrom will attend Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in the fall.

25, 2011

2010

3, 2011

2008

2011

Heather Macaluso Di Fino and

Nicholas Duell recently accepted a position at Chicopee Comprehensive High School (Mass.) as a chemistry teacher.

Joseph Di Fino are happy to announce their marriage on Nov. 5, 2011, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo, N.Y. Several Geneseo alumni participated. Maria Korogodsky and Joshua Manley are happy to announce their marriage on Sept.

17, 2011, in Hamilton, N.Y. Clayton D. Waterman, an associate in the Global Insurance Services Practices Group of Goldberg Segalla LLP, has been admitted to the New York State Bar. He focuses his practice on insurance coverage analysis and reinsurance and is a frequent contributor to the law firm’s newsletter and blog. Caitlin Curran accepted a position at New York State Insurance Fund in Melville, N.Y., as a case manager.

Natalie Thorpe recently accepted a

position at Lumsden & McCormick LLP in Buffalo, N.Y., as a staff accountant.

IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI Claribel Sutton Easton ’32,

March 6, 2012 Helen Howard Minster ’34,

Oct. 7, 2011 Dora Leach Ferguson ’37,

March 3, 2012 James Jackson ’38, Feb. 18, 2012 Viola Keem Gorruso ’39, Aug. 13,

2011 Elizabeth Kniffin Johnston ’39,

Nov. 29, 2011 Mary Saunders Saeger ’39,

Feb. 5, 2012 Phyllis Fox Higgins’40, April 21,

2012.

2009

2011

Larkin Kimmerer received a mas-

Marjorie Jayne McLymond ’43,

ter’s degree in nutrition and a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University in 2011 and is a programs manager at Foodlink Inc. in Rochester, N.Y. Denyel Beiter Koury and

July 1, 2011

Marian Murphy Hines ’42, Dec. 2,

Frances Irvine Gage ’46, Jan. 29,

2012 Janet Rose Straub ’47, Dec. 22,

2011

James Howland ’69, Nov. 25, 2011 Thomas Hempton ’72, Jan. 14,

2012 Donna Steele Wright ’73, Nov. 2,

2011 Janet Foster ’74, Dec. 13, 2011 Teresa Craig Altmann ’75, Nov. 8,

2011 Barbara Thomas Russell ’75, July Winona Snyder ’75, Feb. 28, 2012 Alan Manning ’80, Sept. 20, 2011 Michael Sementilli ’84, Oct. 19,

2011 Lori Waterhouse Cheal ’88, Feb.

10, 2012 Jennifer Amie Napuli Fraidstern ’99, April 8, 2012 George Stoltman ’03, Jan. 29, 2012 FACULTY Helen Foster, professor emerita,

died Nov. 23, 2011. In her 36 years at Geneseo from 1957 to 1993, she served as acting chair and chair of the Special Education Department.

James Jackson ’38, professor emeritus of education, died Feb. 18, 2012. He was principal of the former lab school from 1965 to 1971, when he became a full-time professor in the Department of Education. He retired in 1973.

Linda Kirkwood, lecturer emerita

of music, died Jan. 19, 2012. She taught viola and chamber music in the School of the Arts for 34 years and retired in September 2011.

Richard Reilly, associate professor emeritus in biology, died Feb. 8, 2012. A faculty member for 35 years until his retirement in 1995, he was instrumental in establishing what is now the Spencer J. Roemer Arboretum.

Robert Hall ’51, March 8, 2012

Summer 2012

35

MISSION DRIVEN

Building opportunities in Nicaragua

PHOTO BY YACARELY MAIRENA-DAVILA

Geneseo alumni, students and staff unite to help open the first school in a mountain community.

Jeanine Stewart Lupisella ’87/MS ’92, left, Kellan Morgan ’06 and Scene editor Kris Dreessen celebrate the elementary school they and other volunteers built in El Sauce, Nicaragua, during the official opening in February.

By Kris Dreessen

S

ince 2006, Geneseo students have made a difference volunteering in El Sauce, Nicaragua, living with families as they gain new perspective helping with community development initiatives as part of the college’s growing service-learning program.

Most recently, students, alumni, staff and supporters of the unique partnership united to help families in nearby Las Minitas realize a dream — to open the first-ever school in their community.

“It has been a really amazing experience to come together for something so important to the future of another community,” says Kellan Morgan ’06, Geneseo’s resident director in El Sauce. “People in Las Minitas have been dedicated to improving their lives for years and they’ve been successful with little formal education. The school brings a sense of pride.”

Children from Las Minitas used to have to walk at least 45 minutes on mountain paths and roads to class in another settlement. Families — who are subsistence and 36

geneseo scene

small-crop coffee farmers — petitioned the government for four years to get their own teacher. At first, he taught in a backyard.

Fathers then built a shelter using salvaged wood, but without access to other resources, families would never have a permanent school.

Morgan and Yacarely Mairena-Davila, an El Sauce volunteer, headed up efforts through Enlace Project, a nonprofit organization they created to assist economic development in El Sauce.

Last fall, the group raised $11,500 — $5,000 more than the goal — to build a oneroom, brick school house for 37 children in grades 1-6. Geneseo students held an a capella concert, backyard barbecue and a Spanish Club spelling bee to support it.

Alumna Jeanine Stewart Lupisella ’87/MS

: View school photos and Jeanine’s Nicaragua blog at go.geneseo.edu/minitas

’92 and her husband, Robert Lupisella — who are elementary school principals near Geneseo — created a Nickels for Nicaragua campaign in their schools and raised thousands with bottle drives and other efforts.

Inspired by Geneseo’s partnership with El Sauce, they not only raised money, they spent a month with their daughters, Caroline, 6, and Elise, 8, building the school alongside Morgan, families and other volunteers, including Scene editor Kris Dreessen.

Jeanine’s son Brian also helped.

“One of my lifetime goals has been to help as many children as possible have the opportunity to receive a free education. I believe it is one of the keys to understanding differences, tolerance and eventual peace in our world,” says Jeanine Lupisella. “My family wanted to immerse ourselves in the project. This experience enabled us to learn in a way that cannot be replicated in a school or our home.”

Adapting to life without electricity or running water and a daily diet of rice and beans was a challenge, but it became easy to overcome the lack of luxuries we take for granted, says Lupisella. They have made lifelong friends and will always reflect on the influence El Sauce had on them, she says.

“The experience is an anchor to our family life,” says Lupisella. The Lupisellas are now leading efforts to build a school in nearby El Guayabo.

On Feb. 11, Las Minitas families gathered for the official opening to share in the celebration with Morgan, Lupisella and other volunteers. It was rewarding, says Lupisella, to see the kids so excited.

With the extra money raised, volunteers were able to equip the school with resources not typically found in Nicaraguan elementary schools — more than 200 books, wall maps and other supplies. A latrine and fence are being built.

It has been a true collaborative effort that demonstrates Geneseo’s belief in giving to others and being leaders in the community. Each year, the experiences that students — and now alumni — have in El Sauce build interest in the vision to help a lesser-developed community achieve its goals, says Morgan.

Jane Mannheim Claud ’69/MLS’70

Giving back for the strong foundation Geneseo provided

By Kris Dreessen ane Mannheim Claud ’69/MLS’70 wanted to be a librarian since seventh grade. Her librarian was a role model and her guide to books, which opened new worlds.

“There is always something different that is given to you,” says Jane. “… Books take you everywhere you want to go.”

At Geneseo, Jane says she received the solid education and mastered the skills to be successful in her career for 33 years — flexibility, the ability to understand other people’s perspectives, and willingness to be a leader and team worker.

For many years after graduation, she helped Geneseo High School students develop their love for research and reading and proudly collaborated with Milne Library staff. Jane later moved to Pompano Beach, Fla., serving as a middle-school librarian until 2006.

“What I cherished most were the times I turned a kid onto reading,” she says. “The times when a kid who really didn’t think there were any books for them found there was not just one book but many.”

Jane has attended Geneseo alumni events since 1985. While attending a Shaping Lives of Purpose: The Campaign for Geneseo event last fall, she was inspired by a fellow alumna’s gift to the campaign.

“I felt I had a duty to give back. I decided Geneseo is the best place. It gave me a very good start in life,” says Jane. “Geneseo is not only my college but it was my home for many years. It’s part of my blood.”

Jane has arranged for a gift to the college through her estate and makes annual contributions for initiatives at Milne Library. For 2012, she is supporting LILAC2, the award-winning Library Instruction Leadership Academy, which provides intensive mentoring and training on teaching methods to school, college and public librarians in the region. Specifically, her gift will be put toward fees for the lead presenter, an education professor whose expertise in pedagogical theory provides the academy's foundational structure.

Jane is proud to help a new generation of librarians make the most of resources for students.

“It feels like a legacy,” she says.

J

PHOTO BY SUSAN STOCKER

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