Newsmakers for the week of June 6, 2004

Scott Atkinson, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at SUNY College at Brockport, was awarded the William Troy Memorial Service Award at the SUNY Financial Aid Professional (SUNYFAP) Conference in Glen Falls. This award is the highest award, offered by SUNYFAP for dedication to the profession and outstanding service to the organization.

Atkinson, of Chili, received this award because of his significant long-time commitment to SUNYFAP and the profession. He has served the college since 1986.

Christine McGovern, daughter of Michael and Jayne McGovern of Windmill Trail, Rochester, has been named to the spring 2004 dean's list at St. John Fisher College with a 4.0 GPA. She was also inducted into Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in psychology, and will be a senior majoring in psychology in the fall of 2004.

Several members of the St. John Fisher College baseball team earned Empire 8 All-Conference recognition. Named to the Empire 8 First Team was local resident and third baseman Mike Palermo of Spencerport and relief pitcher Jason Miles of Hamlin, a Kendall High School graduate. Starting pitcher Ryan Shekell, a graduate of Churchville-Chili, was named to the Empire 8 Second Team.

Palermo played in 31 games, starting 22 contests and had 30 hits and 14 RBI on the year. In early April, the freshman was named as the Empire 8 and ECAC Player of the Week.

Miles, who owns a perfect 3-0 record on the year, has pitched in 11 games, while starting four contests. He leads Fisher with two saves and a 2.40 ERA.

Shekell, a 2003 Honorable Mention selection, is 4-4 on the year with a 2.54. ERA. The junior ranks second on the team in both innings pitched (60.1) and strikeouts (51).

Graduating nursing students were honored at Genesee Community College's twenty-seventh annual Capping and Pinning ceremony on May 21. Graduates received Genesee Nursing program pins and stripes for their nurse's caps. The students who recently completed their first year of the College's Nursing program received their nurses' caps in recognition of their achievements.

Genesee Community College is graduating its 33rd nursing class this year. The following area residents graduated: Corrisa R. Baker, Bergen; Ursual D. Isaac, Brockport; Julia Bugbee, Holley; Laura Morgan, Byron; Michele L. Corke, Kent; Susan DiDomenica, Spencerport; Tiffany M. Rose, Holley; Laurie Ann Ruday, Kent; Dawn Gorrow, Byron; Elaine R. St. John, Hamlin.

The Nursing Leadership Award is presented to a graduate in recognition of outstanding leadership and professionalism. Elaine St. John of Hamlin was this year's recipient.

A number of students in the two Nursing classes were recognized for their membership in Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for junior and community college students. Graduates who belong to PTK include Laurie Ruday, Kent.

First year students who belong to PTK include: Catherine Barnes, Churchville; Rosemary Lynch, Churchville; and Christine Peters, Bergen.

Eugene D. Nichols, a 1998 Brockport High School graduate and fall 2003 college graduate, received his bachelor of science degree in forest biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in association with Syracuse University, and his associate in applied science degree in natural resource conservation: law enforcement from Finger Lakes Community College. He has accepted a position as botany technician with Colorado State University, in Fort Drum, New York.

Ashley M. Rath has completed her freshman year at SUNY Oswego where she received the Sheldon Leadership award. Sheldon Leaders is a group on campus which meets to strengthen techniques and team building skills. Sheldon Leaders organize a 24 hour relay to raise money for the Tom Chapman scholarship which is awarded to a graduate student, and they also donate money to a different organization each year. This year an animal shelter benefited from their donation. Rath was also named to the dean's list for the spring semester.

The 18 year old is the daughter of Tom and Pam Rath of Hamlin and a graduate of Kendall Central School class of 2003. She is also the granddaughter of Charles Groves and the late Betty Lou Groves and Marilyn Rath and the late Luther Rath, all of Hamlin.

At the Master's Hooding Ceremony on May 15, at Buffalo State College, Kevin Cragg Heise received a master of science degree in Student Personnel Administration. He also received two graduate student awards: an Academic and Scholarly Achievement Award and a Contribution to Student Personnel Administration and Buffalo State College Award.

While a graduate student, Heise received local and national awards from the American College Personnel Association for his presentations of his workshop, "Whose Job is it Anyway? Improvisational Comedy and Higher Education." He also was a residence director during the 2003-2004 school year.

Heise is the son of John and Sandy Heise of Holley. He is a 1998 graduate of Holley High School and 2002 graduate of Fredonia State College where he received a degree in history and social studies.

He has accepted a position with the University of New Hampshire and will be moving to that area this summer.

Keri Sexstone, daughter of John and Patricia Sexstone of Ogden, has been named to the spring 2004 dean's list at St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

Sexstone, who just completed her junior year, is a childhood and special education major.

To be eligible for the dean's list at St. John Fisher College, a student must have attained at least a 3.3 grade-point average for the semester.

Senator George D. Maziarz (R,C, North Tonawanda) has named Kyle McGonigal of Kendall a recipient of the New York State Achievers Award. The award recognizes an individual's ability to overcome personal physical challenges and honors their accomplishments in their community.

"The Achievers Award is an honor that recognizes the triumph of individuals over sometimes daunting physical challenges. It is bestowed on those whose efforts serve as an example of courage, personal excellence, and achievement for our entire community," Senator George Maziarz said.

McGonigal, a Kendall High School senior, was nominated for the award by the ARC of Orleans County, which has helped Kyle achieve many of his successes. His love of sports led to a work-study position with the SUNY Brockport Athletic Department, and both paid and volunteer work with the Rochester Red Wings and the Batavia Muck Dogs.

The New York State Senate Achievers Awards are presented each year in conjunction with Senate Disabilities Awareness Day, an annual event sponsored by the Senate to raise public awareness of the efforts and accomplishments of citizens with physical disabilities.

Michael Palermo, a freshman at St. John Fisher College and a member of the St. John Fisher Cardinals baseball team, was named to the Empire 8 Conference-First Team-Third Base. Earlier in the season, Palermo was named Empire 8 Conference player of the week, March 29, and Eastern College Athletic Conference player of the week, March 30. He is a 2003 graduate of Spencerport High School.