Newsmakers for the week of October 8, 2001
Newsmakers for the week of
October 8, 2001

The following student enrolled at Syracuse University was named academic peer advisor for the College of Visual and Performing Arts for the 2001-02 academic year: Richard Ugino of Hilton. Student peer advisors help first-year students with the academic, social, cultural and emotional transition from high school to college. Peer advisors, who must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be considered for the position, maintain their relationship with their advisees throughout the academic year.

The following area student enrolled at Syracuse University has been named academic peer advisor for the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications for the 2001-02 academic year: Courtney Weins of Hilton. Student peer advisors help first-year students with the academic, social and cultural transition from high school to college. With the support of the peer advisor, first-year students learn the academic policies of the school and university, acquaint themselves with school and university support systems and services, and explore academic program options.

New York State AFL-CIO President Denis M. Hughes has appointed Rochester lawyer Steven V. Modica to a newly created Workers' Compensation Task Force. Modica, who represents construction workers in Workers Compensation, Social Security Disability and Personal Injury matters, was one of only four lawyers selected statewide by the AFL-CIO to serve on this Task Force.

The Task Force will be co-chaired by Tom Hobart, president of the New York State United Teachers and Ed Mallory, president of the New York City and New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. The Task Force will be comprised of labor leaders and Workers Compensation experts from across the state.

Modica's office is on Ridgeway Avenue in Greece. He resides in Spencerport with his wife, Lorrie, and their daughter, Anne.

Michael P. Risewick has graduated from the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) at Fort Rucker, Daleville, Alabama, and has been appointed to the rank of warrant officer one. The candidate received training and experience in leadership skills, Army customs, doctrine, tradition, and tactics, drill and ceremonies, professional ethics, physical training, time-stress-people management skills, and a variety of other military academic subjects. He is the son of Jack and Mary Risewick of Rochester and a 1979 graduate of Gates Chili High School.

Nathan W. Thompson has graduated from Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Advance Camp at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Washington. He is currently a student at SUNY Brockport. Thompson is a 2000 graduate of Monroe Community College and a 1998 graduate of Hilton High School. He is the son of Gary and Beverly Thompson.