geneseoA magazine for alumni, parents and friends of SUNY Geneseo

sceneSummer2011

Brainpower: The science behind your best memories

Roots of SuccessGeneseo’s Goldwater Scholars

A final semester in photos • A center for transformation

FEATURES8 The roots of their success

Students from Geneseo have a rich history of earning one of the most distinguished science awardsin the nation. Our Goldwater scholars reflect on howtheir undergraduate experiences shaped their lives.

13 Journeys of transformationOur most defining experiences happen outside of theclassroom and outside of our comfort zones. An ambi-tious new initiative provides students with real-worldcollaboration and life-changing moments.

14 17 weeksPhotographer Keith Walters ’11 captures memories of afinal spring semester at Geneseo.

19 The highest honorHollywood A-lister Glenn Gordon Caron ’75 blazed his own path in film and TV. The college honors hiscontributions with the first Medal of Distinction.

DEPARTMENTS3 One College Circle

25 Alumni News

32 Class Notes

COLUMNS2 President’s Message

7 Letters to the Editor

20 Athletics

22 Perspectives

24 Random Profile: One Cup

Cover art: ©iStockphoto.com/Dan Leap

Table of contents photography: Keith Walters ’11

Late-night on Main Street is a Geneseo tradition. Students gatherat Mama Mia’s at 2 a.m. on a Friday.

geneseosceneSummer 2011

CONTENTS

Postmaster: Please address changes to the Collins Alumni Center, McClellan House, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454-1484. Third-class postage paid at Rochester, NY 14606

2 geneseo scene

Vol. 37, No. 1; Summer 2011

The Geneseo Scene is published

by SUNY Geneseo, Division of

College Advance ment, Office of

College Communications.

Christopher C. Dahl, President

Michael J. Catillaz, Vice President

for College Advancement

Anthony T. Hoppa, Assistant Vice

President for College Communications

Kris Dreessen, Editor

Carole Smith Volpe ’91, Art Director

Contributing writers:

Terry Bazzett

Lisa M. Feinstein

Anthony T. Hoppa

David Irwin

Peter Wayner ’11

Alumni Relations Office

Rose G. Anderson,

Assistant Vice President of

Alumni Relations

Michelle Walton Worden ’92,

Associate Director of Alumni

Relations

Tracy Young Gagnier ’93,

Assistant Director of Alumni

Relations

Francis E. Zablocki, Online

Community Manager

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

Contact the Scene at

scene@geneseo.edu.

Visit the website at

www.geneseo.edu/geneseo_scene

Phone: (585) 245-5516

t a time when hard economic realities dominate the news, Geneseo holds fast to the trans-

formative power of a liberal arts education. And never before has there been a greater need

to exercise it. Our courage and our willingness to think big — the very qualities that have

guided this college since its founding — have not diminished in the face of multiple challenges.

In fact, quite the opposite is true. Those traits are at work in a major

new initiative that harnesses many of the forces that make a Geneseo

education so special and powerful. As you will read on page 13, the

Center for Inquiry, Discovery and Leadership takes our tradition of

innovation to a new level and underscores the importance of invest-

ing in students’ lives to shape the future.

Imagine an academic experience that extends the challenge of the

classroom into the dynamic and demanding work environment — in

the U.S. and abroad — where learning takes place in hospitals, schools

or corporate office buildings that demand hands-on involvement and

collaborative thinking.

Add to that an organiza-

tional structure that fully integrates traditional academics

with student development. By fostering partnerships

among faculty, staff, students and professional mentors,

the center will provide life-changing opportunities.

Think of the many benefits afforded to students who

serve as Geneseo’s ambassadors in fields such as leader-

ship, entrepreneurship, scientific research, the arts — virtu-

ally anything — and all supported by competitive grants to

pursue their passions through a variety of projects.

Such a concept truly brings all facets of a Geneseo

education together. The center will be a catalyst that allows our students to excel, in their

own unique ways, thereby fulfilling our mission to educate the whole person.

In this current climate of fiscal uncertainty, there has never been a greater need for entrepreneur-

ial solutions to help secure Geneseo’s future. The Center for Inquiry, Discovery and Leadership will

strategically align resources to help Geneseo students leverage their talents and achieve their great-

est potential.

This already happens on a smaller scale, reflected in a variety of student accomplishments span-

ning academic programs and departments. For example, biochemistry major Ben Peterson ’12, who

hails from Wisconsin, is the latest Geneseo student to be honored with the prestigious Goldwater

Scholarship for scientists. As our 15th Goldwater scholar (see page 8), Ben continues an impressive

Geneseo tradition and becomes a role model for future students.

Certainly, this year has tested Geneseo’s creative, can-do spirit but with your continued support,

it will never falter.

We resolve to provide outstanding experiences that produce real-life results for our students,

regardless of shifting economic circumstances and changing headlines.

That is what we have always done — and what we will always do.

Cordially,

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEgeneseoscene

Christopher C. Dahl

A

“This is what we do …”

“Our courage and our willingnessto think big —the very qualities that haveguided this college since itsfounding — have not dimin-ished in the face of multiplechallenges.”

Summer 2011 3

PHOTO BY KEITH W

ALT

ERS ’11

One College Circle

Survive the zombie hordes!Sean Endress ’13, a psychology major, stands guard against the dead during a battle of the game Humans vs. Zombies on the College Green.A moderated game of tag that was started at Goucher College in 2005,

Humans vs. Zombies is played on campuses around the world and at Geneseo infall and spring.Humans must ward off zombies with fake swords and Nerf toys. If a zombie

touches Sean, he must switch his arm band to a head band and join the fracas asa brain-eater. Read more about the game at http://humansvszombies.org

4 Turn the tassels!

5 Lessons from leaders

5 Student wins government grant

6 News in brief

CAMPUS NEWS

CAMPUS NEWS

ONE COLLEGE CIRCLE

Class of 2011 President LindsayPundt says her experience atGeneseo has taught her thebeauty of perseverance and thatthe reward is always on the way.“I will miss it all,” she says.

“… It’s definitely a bittersweetfeeling to be leaving a placeI’ve called home for the pastfour years.”Pundt celebrated her gradu-

ation — and said farewell —with approximately 1,200 newalumni in two identical cere-monies May 14 at the Ira S.Wilson Ice Arena.Graduate students in account-

ing, education, and communica-tive disorders and sciences cele-brated their achievement at aseparate ceremony May 7. Commencement speaker

Jeffrey J. Clarke ’83 addressedstudents about “Choices for the

Next Decade.”“Jeff has had an extraordinary

career inbusinessandfinance,and heunder-stands thechalleng-ing globalenviron-ment ourgraduateswill enter,” says PresidentChristopher C. Dahl. “He is awonderful example of thepower of a Geneseo liberal artseducation. He shared with thegraduates a compelling messageabout life and education, as theywill follow in his footsteps asGeneseo alumni.”Clarke is CEO and president

of Travelport, a broad-basedbusiness services company serv-

ing thetravelindustryand cor-porationsworld-wide.During his26 years ofstrategic,financialand oper-

ational experience with high-tech firms, he has served asexecutive vice president atHewlett-Packard and chief finan-cial officer at Compaq. Heserves on several boards of direc-tors, including The GeneseoFoundation, Orbitz Worldwideand the World Travel andTourism Council.

At the graduate degree com-mencement, Rev. Iris BanisterMS ’70, an accomplishedauthor and motivational speak-er, spoke on “Success Comes inCANS.” Banister served theRochester, N.Y., school districtin various roles for more than32 years and has won numer-ous awards for her volun-teerism and expertise.The college also conferred

an honorary doctor ofhumane letters degree uponauthor and poet J. D. “Sandy”McClatchy, a professor ofEnglish at Yale University,president of the AmericanAcademy of Arts and Lettersand the leading opera libret-tist of his generation. He deliv-ered Geneseo’s Phi BetaKappa lecture in 2009.

— Kris Dreessen

4 geneseo scene

Class of 2011 celebrates, says farewell

PHOTO BY BRIAN BENNETTGraduates received their degrees during Geneseo's 145th commencement May 14 in the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena.

BANISTERCLARKE

From Bob Viglietta’s class-room in Ankara, he was only aday’s bus journey away fromthe European Union or theIraq border. It’s Turkey’sunique position — as a bridgebetween Europe and Asia anda culture that has such a richhistory — that intrigues him.Viglietta ’12, a political sci-

ence and sociology major,recently finished his junior yearstudying abroad at HacettepeUniversity in Ankara. This sum-mer, he will immerse himself inthe Turkish community as oneof a highly selective group ofstudents chosen for a CriticalLanguage Scholarship.The U.S. Department of

State offers all-expense-paid,intensive training in 17 foreign countries whose languages are considered critical for defense, businessand other world issues.

Viglietta says his selectiondemonstrates that Geneseo stu-dents are extremely competi-tive for such distinguished pro-grams. The key is to work con-sistently toward your goals.“The honor is great but the

lesson is greater,” he says. During his seven-week

scholarship, Viglietta will livewith a family in Izmir,Turkey’s third-largest city, andattend a university.Viglietta is the third Geneseo

student to win the prestigiousscholarship. In 2009, MarkSimeone ’10 received a scholar-ship to study in Russia and Jim

Kuras ’09 studied in Turkey.There has long been faculty

support for such opportuni-ties, says Cynthia Klima, asso-ciate professor of languagesand literatures. She workedwith all three students ontheir applications and guidedKuras on a Turkish languageindependent study. “The entire languages and

literatures faculty takes pride in,and is very proud of Bob andthe exceptional accomplish-ments of its alumni,” says RoseMcEwen, associate professorand chair of languages and liter-atures. Languages alumni alsohave recently won Fulbrightgrants and were hired by thegovernments of Spain, Chileand France for teaching posts.

— Kris Dreessen

Study abroad

Exploring beyond our borders in Turkey

Jackie Dycke Norris ’92 did suchan outstanding job as PresidentObama’s senior adviser for theIowa caucus campaign duringthe election that First LadyMichelle Obama chose her tobe her chief of staff. Norris soon moved into the

position of senior adviser at theCorporation for National andCommunity Service. Now a con-sultant, she is launching ABillion+Change, an initiative bythe nation’s business communi-ty to augment corporate philan-thropy with pro bono resources.On March 2, she returned

to campus as the keynotespeaker at the third annualWomen in LeadershipConference.

Eight alumnae in fields asvaried as media, finance, cor-porate consulting and collegeathletics discussed challengesconfronting women serving inleadership roles.“As I forged through my

journey in politics, there’s alot of lessons I learned alongthe way,” says Norris. “I thinkit’s important to share the lessons you learn about lead-ership, about the work/familybalance, about getting aheadwith other people.”In previous years, the confer-

ence has welcomed back ErikaRottenberg ’84, vice president,general counsel and secretary ofLinkedIn, the world’s largestprofessional networking compa-

ny, and Laurie Baker ’85, seniorvice president and chief operat-ing officer of Summit FederalCredit Union in Rochester, N.Y.The conference is one ofdozens of events each year atwhich alumni mentor students.As the keynote speaker,

Norris emphasized the impor-

tance of a positive attitude,the need to get involved andtake risks, and the firm beliefthat women must stick togeth-er. Ultimately, she says, it’s “allabout helping women findtheir voice to engage in thebroader world around them.”

— Peter Wayner ’11

Summer 2011 5

Success 101

Alumnae share lessonsabout leadership

PHOTO PROVIDED

Bob Viglietta ’12 is studying in Turkey on a U.S. StateDepartment grant.

A positive attitude and willingness to take risks are a few lessons JackieDycke Norris ’92 has learned in her career. She and other alumnae spokeabout finding success at Geneseo’s Women in Leadership conference.

PHOTO BY BRIAN BENNETT

6 geneseo scene

Geneseo hockey: 1,000games and countingIn 1974, Geneseo Club IceHockey members playedtheir first game and starteda beloved tradition.In February, fans packed

the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena tocheer the Ice Knights on asthey ushered in a milestone— the college’s 1,000thhockey game. The collegealso celebrated as HeadCoach Chris Schultz ’97earned SUNYAC Coach ofthe Year honors.Hockey became a Geneseo

intercollegiate sport in 1975-76.Over the years, students andsupporters have led cheeringsections and pep bands. Thegames are a staple of extra-curricular life.“The four years I spent at

Geneseo were the best fouryears of my life,” says former

player Mitch Stephens ’07, afirst-team All-American for-ward. “I loved the hockey,the university, the town —just a great experience that Iwill cherish forever.”

College honors alumnuskilled in war on terror Members of the college com-munity and the family of Lt.

MohsinNaqvi ’05gathered onMarch 9 tohonorGeneseo’sonly knowngraduatekilled in the

war on terror.Naqvi, a combat medic and

Urdu interpreter, was killed inSeptember 2008 on activeU.S. Army duty inAfghanistan.

The college paid tribute tohim with memorial ceremoniesin March and the presentationof two plaques: one to bemounted in Milne Library inNaqvi's memory and one givento Naqvi's family. Naqvi emigrated from

Pakistan with his family andbecame an American citizenat age 16. He posthumouslyreceived the Combat InfantryBadge, the Bronze Star withValor and the Purple Heart.

Geneseo bolsters nationalreputation The Princeton Review has againnamed Geneseo one of thenation’s top 50 “Best Value”public colleges and universities. The college has consistent-

ly been included on the list,which features 50 public and50 private colleges and uni-versities, evaluated on criteria

covering academics, cost ofattendance and financial aid.

Students lend a hand inlocal townsStudents’ love of communityservice spurred this year’sGeneseo Goes to Town event,in which students lent a handin all 17 towns and nine villages in Livingston County.It is the newest initiative

that builds on the college’stradition of community partnership. Teams of students maintained trails, supported library book salesand performed other services.Last year, Geneseo students

spent a total of nearly 79,000hours — the equivalent of nineyears — volunteering indiverse areas.

Student presents researchon Capitol HillDavid O’Donnell ’12 wasamong just 74 college stu-dents from across the nationwho presented their researchon Capitol Hill and discussedit with U.S. senators and rep-resentatives as part of theCouncil on UndergraduateResearch’s annual Posters onthe Hill event in the spring.

O’Donnell’swork exam-ined thedevelopmentof FIGHT(Freedom,Integration,God, Honor,Today),founded in

Rochester, N.Y., in the 1960s,and how FIGHT demonstratedkey themes of the Black Powermovement in organizing.Last year, he used a

Geneseo FoundationUndergraduate SummerResearch Fellowship to studythe Black Power Movement inRochester.

NEWS IN BRIEF

ONE COLLEGE CIRCLE

Victory! Geneseo players run to celebrate with teammates after winning the SUNYAC basketball championship. It’s the team’s fourth title. Geneseo hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA Division IIITournament, losing in the second round.

PHOTO BY KEITH WALTERS ’11

NAQVI ’05

O’DONNELL ’12

Summer 2011 7

Gratitude from JapanThank you, Geneseo, for allthe kind words and warmthoughts for Japan followingthe tsunami. It was a big sur-prise and a great encourage-ment. People from Geneseo— professors, friends — haveall sent emails and theirhearts. On Facebook, I sawactivities organized on campusby students and off campus byalumni.I loved Geneseo but now I

realized why I loved it. Theschool has such nice peopleand educates students to belike that. I am proud of SUNYGeneseo and love it muchmore than ever.I am living in Tokyo, so I

didn’t get much trouble. Lots of people lost their

towns, homes, families —everything. Your prayers,thoughts and love — every-thing will be our power.Thank you again, from the

bottom of my heart.— Akiko Shimojima ’00

Late faculty member inspired in many waysWhen I was a student, assistantprofessor Harry L. Welshofertaught Latin American andmedieval histories. He wasabove all a teacher, though hewore his erudition lightly.I didn’t learn much

medieval history from Harry.He gave me a C, but he wasable to make me a passable

lab in the basement of Erwinor The Lamron office anytime Iwasn’t asleep or in class. If Igot off campus, I often wentto Letchworth, usually to

researchtheGeneseeValleyCanal andits aban-doned tun-nel, nowhome to abazillion

bats. Does anyone rememberthe disco bar on Court Street?At the end of each term, weall had fun reading — or put-ting together — The Normal.I’ve since earned a master’sdegree, but I don’t hold anydear heartstrings for thatplace. They’re all attached toGeneseo, still.

— Stuart Strickland ’81

Correction:In the winter 2011 profile ofNorwood “PJ” Pennewell ’80,longtime Geneseo AssistantProfessor of Dance Emerita NonaSchurman was incorrectly identi-fied. Ms. Schurman encouragedPennewell to try out for GarthFagan’s dance company. We regretthe error.

sailor and taught me how tocook a 2-inch-thick steak. But Ilearned a lot more as well. By example, he taught sub-

jects that were more ineffable.If Harry enjoyed life fully, healso lived a good life. He was aserious teacher who didn’ttake himself seriously. He wasa model of integrity and treatedeveryone with respect. He knewhow to listen. He clearly livedwith joy. I don’t think I havebeen anywhere nearly as suc-cessful at living as he was andhe would probably give meanother C. Geneseo was, and I hope

still is, a place where crossingthe social barrier between fac-ulty and student was not thatdifficult. Sometimes it waspossible to go beyond theusual invitation to a facultymember’s backyard barbecueand develop a serious friend-ship. If you were really fortu-nate, that friendship couldlast a lifetime. I continue tobe grateful that I had thatopportunity with Harry.

— Gregory M. Talcott ’68

Alum uses professor’steachingsI enjoyed the recent articleabout Norwood “PJ” Pennewell’80, a noted Garth FaganDance member. It was especial-ly nice that he rememberedNona Schurman, assistant pro-fessor emerita, who taught atGeneseo in the 1970s.

My major was speech com-munication, not dance, but Itook her modern dance class-es because I enjoy movementexploration. Nona was aheadof her time in 1973. Sheexplored many principles ofbody movement, includingelements of pilates, yoga andrelaxation response. Shebegan and ended each classwith life lessons. Her teachingmethods encompassed thedancer as a whole being. Sherevealed to us, over time,highlights of her amazing lifeas a dancer and teacher.I saw Nona nearly 20 years

later at a dance performanceof “Shakers” at Geneseo. Ishared with her that I use herwarm-up exercises in the poolwhen I lead water exerciseclasses for seniors. We explorelife lessons along with bodymovement, just as Nona did.Nona’s unique teaching stylecontinues on, many years later.

— Patrice Lockhart ’76

Geneseo tugs heart-strings 30 years laterI attended Geneseo from1976-1981. If you were therethen and saw a guy on a unicy-cle, it was probably me. Mybest memory is cycling acrossthe tundra during the ’77 bliz-zard, trying to get back to myroom. The pavement was clearbut the gale-force wind hadme leaning waaaay over. I wasalways in either the computer

LETTERS

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

Letters to the Editor

8 geneseo scene

Ben Peterson ’12 is entering his senior year with two years of research examining plant proteins andneuron function already under his belt. This summer, he’s expanding his perspective on how nature works in his first internship, at the

University of Buffalo, exploring how the tiny C. elegans worm senses and how its tiny neurons fire.Such research could lead to a better understanding of how the human brain functions.

He also has earned one of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships for aspiring scientists — the BarryM. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program award.The scholarship commemorates the late Arizona senator by awarding $7,500 to select college students

who will pursue careers in the physical sciences, mathematics and engineering, thus ensuring a source ofhighly qualified professionals in those fields.Peterson is the latest — and 15th Geneseo student since

1991 who has won the scholarship.“The achievements of our Goldwater scholars in their academic

work and as leaders in society highlight the talents of our students and reflect what a Geneseo education offers,” says Carol Long, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Fromtheir first day on campus, our students are invited to engage withtheir faculty and student colleagues to explore real problems andto answer big questions.” Mastering fundamentals of solid research early at Geneseo,

Peterson says, helped him win that first internship. “There area lot of opportunities to get experience like this early on atGeneseo,” says Peterson, who aspires to become a universityprofessor.In their careers, Geneseo’s Goldwater scholars have gone on

to help put their alma mater on the map for 20 years with their innovative ideas and global reputations.Brian DeMarco ’96, a world-class scientist of ultracold quantum gases, helped discover a new form of

matter in 1999, just three years after graduating from Geneseo. As an associate professor of physics at theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, DeMarco leads groundbreaking studies that can lead to inno-vations in technology and energy conservation. (Read his profile on page 10.)Without a doubt, say DeMarco and the other Goldwater scholars, the same opportunities Peterson has

found at Geneseo are responsible for providing a foundation for their own success.“Looking back on my life and the opportunities Geneseo gave me, I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Dr. Michael

Duff ’97, a radiation oncologist at Cancer Care of Western New York. “I can’t imagine a better education.”•••

The Roots of Their Success

The professors at Geneseo had a very profound impact on me.When I left Geneseo, I felt like

I had all of the tools I needed tobe the person I wanted to be.Geneseo is one of the best

decisions I ever made in my wholelife. It really impacts everything.”

— Amy Cocina, M.D. ’99,Vassar Brothers Medical Center

By Kris Dreessen

Geneseo’s Goldwater scholars say their undergraduate opportunities gave them thefoundation to become world-class researchers, innovators and celebrated teachers.

Geneseo’s Goldwater Scholars

Making their markIn 1991, Rebecca Surman ’93 was the firstGeneseo student to win a Goldwater award.She discovered her calling working

beside Distinguished Teaching Professorof Physics Stephen Padalino in thecharged particle accelerator lab and laterearned a summer internship at ArgonneNational Laboratory, one of the U.S.Department of Energy's oldest and largestnational centers for science and engi-neering research. Ultimately, she chose to be a professor

of physics and astronomy at UnionCollege, where she works exclusively withundergraduate students studying how theheaviest elements such as gold and plat-inum are formed.An author of dozens of publications

who lectures throughout North Americaand Europe, Surman won UnionCollege’s 2007 Stillman Prize forTeaching — chosen by students.The most recent Geneseo Goldwater

alumni is Jessica Gucwa ’07, who is pursuinga doctorate in cellular and molecular medi-cine at Johns Hopkins University School ofMedicine. The program more directly linksthe advances Gucwa and other researchersare making in killing leukemia cells in thelab with patient treatment.“It bridges the gap between clinical

medicine and basic science research,”says Gucwa, who began leukemia researchon an internship as a Geneseo student.“It’s a newer approach to things. You getmore of the whole picture.”Geneseo’s Goldwater scholars excelled

in biology, biochemistry, math andphysics at Geneseo — and all have established equally impressive resumes. Each has earned an advanced degree in

mathematics, medicine or a physical science,distinguishing themselves in varied fields. The group includes physicians and

researchers who specialize in disease pre-vention and treatment. Heart specialistsand veterinarians. Celebrated teachers at

colleges and universities who are tacklingAmerica’s science education gap.Esteemed researchers examining ele-ments and matter that advance technolo-gy and affect all life on Earth. (Find outwhere they are on page 12.)Scott Meckler ’06 followed an

entirely different direction tobecome a marketing maven at oneof the world’s largest onlineprinting companies. Though Meckler was a

math major at Geneseo,he explored as manyareas as he could — taking music, creativewriting, philosophyand language.Studying such diverse

topics gave him the ability, he says, to seethe world with a new perspective. That liber-al arts foundation wasvital after he earneda master’s degree intheoretical mathe-matics and thenswitched gears toprivate industry —in an entirely new career. “Everything felt like it

started to come together,” saysMeckler, marketing analystat Vistaprint. “If I had justtaken math, I’m not sure Iwould have seen that so much. The value of the liberal arts education is that you notonly see connections, you start to form connections.”

•••The foundation of success Why do Geneseo studentshave such a rich trackrecord of Goldwater suc-cess? It begins with talent,says Distinguished Teaching

Summer 2011 9

The Roots of Their SuccessARTWORK BY ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/DAN LEAP

10 geneseo scene

Professor of Biology Robert O’Donnell.During his 24 years at Geneseo, he has taught thousands of

students and collaborated with more than 120 on cancer-relatedand other research studies. He never fails to be impressed. In anintimate liberal arts environment, he says faculty can provide students with opportunities often reserved for graduate studentsat larger institutions.“We get a lot of outstanding students who are able to really

stand out in a brilliant way and get support to pursue theGoldwater Scholarship, go to esteemed labs, and be competi-tive at a national level,” says O’Donnell. “It’s a mixture ofopportunity for undergraduate research and the students’innate ability to do that type of work.”The college’s commitment to the student experience is evi-

dent in its steady investment through the years, including $53million to build the state-of-the-art Integrated Science Center. Last year, The Geneseo Foundation helped to fund more

than 300 research grants, 372 scholarships, 132 student awards,leadership seminars and a variety of other initiatives — acrossall disciplines.Kathryn Weiss ’02 used a Foundation travel award to develop

her passion for neuroscience. She first examined growth ofglial cells of the rat brain with O’Donnell, and when a leadingneuroscience researcher delivered a lecture on campus, sheaimed high. The award allowed her to secure a spot on the lec-turer’s team in the United Kingdom, studying neuron regener-ation in fish.“Every opportunity builds on the next one,” says Weiss, a veteri-

narian who is pursuing advanced training in animal neurology.According to Geneseo’s Goldwater scholars, this level of sup-

port — providing opportunities for practical experience out-side class early in a student’s education — is key.Through their experiences, they built on their skills and

knowledge and found their niche. Looking back, the scholarssay it wasn’t the equations they solved or the samples theyexamined that defined them.It was the professors.“The professors pushed me to strive to be the very best I can

be,” says Duff.They are masters at identifying how to engage undergradu-

ate students in research in meaningful ways, says DeMarco.And their gentle guidance inspired, says Amy Cocina ’99.

•••Giving back, in the Geneseo traditionAt Geneseo, Cocina says Professor Harold Hoops gave just theright balance of knowledge, guidance and freedom to buildher confidence so she could reach her own best decisions.She can’t imagine her life now, without that mentoring.“He helped me really believe in myself,” says Cocina. “ …

When I left Geneseo, I felt like I had all the tools to be whoev-er I wanted to be ... and I felt very prepared.”Cocina still draws upon Hoops’ soft-handed approach as an

internist at a Poughkeepsie, N.Y., hospital. She takes pride in teach-ing patients about their conditions, so they can confidently makethe extremely tough decisions. (Read her profile on page 11.)“That style has influenced how I help people come to grips about

their conditions or make decisions about their care,” she says. Surman, DeMarco, Summer Raines ’03 and Matthew Fleming

’04 have chosen to give the next generation of scientists thesame outstanding education they received at Geneseo.

Brian DeMarco ’96Ultracold science pioneer

Higher degrees: Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder, physicsNational Research Council post-doctoral fellowship —National Institute of Standards and TechnologyPosition: Associate professor of physics at the University ofIllinois at Urbana-Champaign and director of the cold-atomquantum simulation research group.

As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado-Boulder,DeMarco and his advisor JILA Fellow Deborah Jin produced theworld’s first fermionic degenerate gas of atoms — a new form ofmatter in which atoms behave like waves.The discovery provided new ways physicists can study and under-

stand superconductors — materials that can operate at tempera-tures around the boiling point of nitrogen, or minus 320 fahrenheit. The journal Science named the achievement among the top 10 sci-

ence discoveries of 1999. DeMarco was 25.“It made me realize that you can accomplish very new things as a

scientist,” says DeMarco. “Nothing is really out of reach.”A world-class researcher in the field of ultracold quantum gases,

DeMarco continues his groundbreaking studies on the physics ofsuperconducting materials at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.High-temperature superconductors are used in MRI machines

and are beginning to be used to transport electricity more effi-ciently, but mysteries abound about how they work, saysDeMarco. Figuring out how they can operate at even highertemperatures may be a catalyst for better use of superconductorsin technology and society to address energy conservation andneeds, says DeMarco. His team is one of a handful of labs in the United States and

Europe that cools ultra-cold atom gases to a billionth of a degreeabove absolute zero and traps them in a crystal made of light tostudy their properties.“That’s colder than even the farthest reaches of interstellar space,

which is the coldest thing we know about in the universe,” saysDeMarco, who lectures throughout North America and Europe.“These experiments are at the leading edge of what people can do.”

:watch a video and read more about DeMarco’s workgo.geneseo.edu/LiveScience

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Summer 2011 11

Summer Raines ’03 cut her teeth in teaching as a chemistryand biochemistry assistant at Geneseo, running review sessionsand labs.“It quickly became something I loved to do,” she says.As a post-doctoral fellow, Raines is taking the mission of the

Goldwater Scholarship to heart. Raines believes the United Statesis lagging behind many countries in science education and worksto encourage more students to enter the field of science.Raines is a member of the postdoctoral Academic Science

Education and Research Training program at the University ofNew Mexico. This fellowship is fully supported by the NationalInstitutes of Health through its Institutional Research andAcademic Career Development Award. The program is designedto get scientists into classrooms and combines traditional laborato-ry research with a strong teaching component to encourageunderrepresented minority students to pursue science as a career.In the lab, Raines is examining ways to remove virulence

genes from Candida albicans, the primary yeast pathogen inhumans, to help prevent diseases. She is also preparing toteach in a New Mexico college that predominantly servesNative American students. Raines also is employing active-learning methods she utilized

when organizing science fairs and other outreach while pursuingher doctorate.“It’s important to show that science is fun and it’s important,”

says Raines. “You have to give real-world examples and show themwhy they should find it interesting and care.”Ultimately, Raines wants to teach at a college just like Geneseo,

where small classes allowed her to form one-on-one relationshipswith professors.“Research shows that students who take an active part in

their own learning retain more information and are more successful in their post-undergraduate careers,” says Raines. “I think small colleges like Geneseo are best at fostering thiskind of learning atmosphere.”

As an internist at one of the biggest hospitals in the HudsonValley, Dr. Amy Cocina ’99 cares for patients in all levels of care,from asthma attacks to cancer treatments.She came to Vassar Brothers Medical Center last summer, after

completing a three-year residency in internal medicine at The Mt.Sinai Medical Center, one of the oldest and most distinguishedteaching hospitals in the United States.She began her career at Princeton studying how protein cells

in cancer behave, but ultimately chose to use her affinity forteaching and research working in primary care. “I really love teaching patients about their illnesses and helping

them cope and make good decisions,” says Cocina. “I’ve found itso rewarding to be a part of people’s lives and helping familiesthrough that.”As a Geneseo student, Cocina studied the biochemical proper-

ties of algae with Professor Harold Hoops, from whom she ulti-mately found inspiration for her style as a doctor.“He really listened to me and helped me to make good deci-

sions,” says Cocina. “I can honestly say that I would not be theperson I am today without Dr. Hoops. He helped me believe Icould do whatever I wanted to do.”Hoops’ gentle teaching approach stuck with her: She real-

ized on her own what she needed to learn and improve.Cocina incorporates that style into her patient relationships.Patients know their bodies best; if she listens, she will find theanswer. When she can’t cure them, she knows she can helpthem make good decisions.She remembers treating a World War II veteran recently. A

fighter all his life, he wasn’t recovering from kidney and heart fail-ures. Cocina worked with him and his family so they were com-fortable with the course he chose. He died on his own terms, sur-rounded by family.“When you can help someone through something,” says

Cocina, “that’s what I live for.”

Amy Cocina, M.D. ’99 Thoughtful patient care

Higher degrees: Princeton University, master of artsThe Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, doctor of medicinePosition: Internist at Vassar Brothers Medical Center,Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Summer Raines ’03Bridging the science education gap

Higher degrees: University of Wisconsin-Madison, doctorate inbiochemistryPosition: Post-doctoral fellow at the University of New Mexico

PHOTO BY JOHN SUMROW/UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

PHOTO PROVIDED

12 geneseo scene

• Rebecca Surman ’93(physics) Associate professor ofphysics and astronomyat Union College, with afocus on computationalnuclear astrophysics.

• Elizabeth Hile ’94 (biochemistry)Assistant professor inthe department of physical therapy at the University ofPittsburgh’s School of Health andRehabilitation Services.She also is a specialist in neurology.

• Brian DeMarco ’96(physics)Assistant professor ofphysics at theUniversity of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign,leading groundbreakingresearch on ultracoldquantum gases.

• Kurt Schillinger, M.D. ’96(biochemistry)Cardiovascular fellow atPenn CardiovascularInstitute.

• Michael Duff, M.D. ’97(physics) Radiation oncologist atCancer Care of WesternNew York.

• Richele Abel Watkins ’98(biochemistry) Stay-at-home motherfor her two children.

• Amy Cocina, M.D. ’99(biochemistry)Internist at VassarBrothers Medical Centerin Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

• Kathryn Weiss, D.V.M. ’02(biology)Veterinarian at Red Bank VeterinaryHospital in Red Bank, N.J. She begins anintensive animal neurology internship atCanada West Veterinary Specialists inVancouver this summer.

• Summer Raines ’03 (biochemistry)National Institutes ofHealth-supported post-doctoral candidateat the University of NewMexico for a dual compo-nent of biochemistryresearch work and teaching, with a focus onunderserved populations.

• Matthew Fleming ’04(biochemistry)Completing his doctor-ate program in cellularand molecular physiol-ogy at Yale Universityand is beginning post-doctoral work at Yale researchingpotential treatment ofthe leading geneticcause of mental retardation.

• Daniel Welchons, M.D. ’06(biochemistry)General surgery intern atBrigham and Women’sHospital at HarvardMedical School.

• Scott Meckler ’06 (math) Marketing analyst atVistaprint, a marketing,printing and promotionalmaterials resource to 9million customers.

• Amy Zielinski Becker ’06,M.D.(biology) First-year resident ininternal medicine at theUniversity of RochesterMedical Center inRochester, N.Y.

• Jessica Gucwa ’07(biochemistry)Doctoral candidate in

cellular and molecular medicine at JohnsHopkins Medical Institute graduate center.

• Ben Peterson ’12 (biochemistry) Aspires to become a university professor.

Geneseo’s Goldwater Scholars… Where are they now?

Surman says her experience at Geneseonot only motivated her to choose to teachat an undergraduate institution, but alsoinspires the way she teaches.“My experiences at Geneseo have

absolutely shaped how I approach my jobas an instructor, academic adviser andresearch supervisor,” says Surman. “I tryto model my teaching style after myfavorite Geneseo professors, who taughtintellectually demanding courses withgreat passion for their discipline andequally great concern for their students.”Such desire is contagious.Fleming will soon defend his doctoral dis-

sertation at Yale University and is continu-ing to research how a specific type of drugmay be able to treat fragile X syndrome, theleading genetic cause of mental retardation. Fleming aspires to teach cellular and

molecular physiology at a research institu-tion, but never considered that path untilhe came to Geneseo. He says he wants toshare the same excitement with studentsthat Geneseo faculty shared with him.Raines is also preparing for a career in

teaching that blends research with out-reach to provide better science educationfor under-represented populations andminorities. (Read her profile on page 11).

•••Potential to make a differencePeterson, Geneseo’s latest Goldwaterscholar, isn’t sure what his focus ofresearch will be — cell metabolism orneurobiology. He’s just getting started.But he knows he wants to teach and tokeep asking questions to “contribute tothe body of science as a whole.”That nature of inquiry can be tedious,

says DeMarco. He knows the countlesshours every scientist spends tighteningnuts and bolts for experiments. He alsoknows the reward.As a Geneseo student, DeMarco didn’t

know he would transform the way the worldcan study superconducting physics. But hebelieved he could. He passes that messageon to his own students, and, by example, toGeneseo students including Peterson.“You, as an individual, can really have that

opportunity,” says DeMarco. “I tell my stu-dents that now … You can really have a bigimpact — and it can be you who does it.”

SURMAN

GUCWA

PETERSON

COCINA

MECKLER

FLEMING

DEMARCO

DUFF

WEISS

RAINES

:View more Goldwater photos onlinego.geneseo.edu/goldwater

Summer 2011 13

Russia after his junior year. He is now earn-ing his master’s degree at the Center forRussian, Eurasian and East EuropeanStudies at Georgetown University, with acertificate in refugee and humanitarianemergencies. He will intern at the U.S.embassy in Moscow this fall.“I definitely have found my purpose,” says

Simeone. “My first experience in Russia in2008 was transformational for me. Withoutit, I don't think I would be where I amtoday. It opened my eyes and my mind to

so many more possibilities."Such defining learning experiences —

those outside of the traditional class settingand outside of our comfort zones — arethe foundation for Geneseo’s new initiativein student development.The Center for Inquiry, Discovery and

Leadership will be a home for students and

A lways fascinated with Russia, MarkSimeone ’10 was first able to studythe country’s language at Geneseo.

He explored Moscow for the first time on asummer study-abroad journey withProfessor of Political Science andInternational Relations Robert Goeckel.Those four weeks started a path of

discovery for Simeone.“The country was so much more complex

than I imagined and there are so many dif-ferent realms of culture, politics and eco-

nomics,” he says. “Through personalencounters with Russian students andpoliticians, I realized Russia is a countrythat will continuously become more impor-tant for global politics.”Those Geneseo experiences helped him

earn a U.S. State Department CriticalLanguages Scholarship to live in southern

faculty to collaborate with individuals andorganizations playing critical roles in busi-ness, government, industry, the arts andother fields.The center creates a forum for dynamic

sharing of knowledge and learning bybringing professional leaders to campus,and enabling students, in turn, to pursuefocused learning opportunities with individ-uals and organizations — internationally, ineconomic development, in anything theycan imagine.The experiences expose them to new

ideas and ultimately change their under-standing of the world — and what conse-quence they can have in it, says GeneseoProvost Carol Long.“The center will give our students stellar

opportunities to blend real-world experi-ences and inspirational personal and pro-fessional encounters with their rigorous lib-eral arts education,” says Long. “The centerand its support for student engagement willgive Geneseo students the insight and edgethey need to lead in the 21st century.”Center initiatives focus on several

endowed program areas, including provid-ing student research and internship oppor-tunities and a residency and lecture seriesthat brings successful innovators and lead-ers to campus. The center also will providementoring and assistance for students whoapply for Fulbright awards and other highlycompetitive national and internationalgrants and fellowships.Student ambassadors also will play an inte-

gral role in center programming. They willreceive a stipend to pursue projects of theirown design that will be the signature experi-ence of their Geneseo education, says Long. Long will lead the initiative as the college

seeks private gifts and contributors to estab-lish endowments that enable opportunities.A board of advisers, comprised of successfulleaders of business, public policy organiza-tions and other fields, will provide counseland direction.“The learning and leadership experi-

ences are intellectual, ethical and personal— and that’s what has always madeGeneseo special and different,” saysPresident Christopher C. Dahl. “This initia-tive brings together bright minds of stu-dents, faculty and professionals who, inturn, will impact their communities andultimately, the way we think.”

Journeys of transformationGeneseo’s ambitious educational initiative provides students with defining life experiences.

By Kris Dreessen

The experiences expose them to new ideas and ultimately change theirunderstanding of the world — and what consequence they can have in it.

ILLUSTRATION BY CHAD J. SHAFFER/STOCK ILLUSTRATION SOURCE

From her first day on campus, Lindsay

Pundt knew Geneseo would leave a lasting

impression.

“The people, the atmosphere, the setting

— everything fits. It’s going to be hard to let

go,” she says.

New traditions. Best friends. Broomball.

Late-night on Main Street. Discussions about

politics, literature and life in the wee hours.

Photographer Keith Walters ’11 (at left)

captured the moments shared by every

Geneseo student, and those that make every

student’s “home away from home” unique.

“I have been fortunate enough to capture

what will be some of the best times of our

lives,” says Keith, a business major with a

passion for photography. “You don’t realize

how quickly your undergraduate studies pass

until you are faced with the reality of picking

up your cap and gown a month before

commencement. Even though the days are

getting longer, they feel much shorter.”

Class of 2011:The final semester

14 geneseo sceneWEEKS

17 Photos by Keith Walters ’11

Summer 2011 15

Members of the men’s basketball team lead a round of cheering for the women’s team, as they win the SUNYAC 2011 championship game at home.

Josh Carney ’12 and Sawyer Green ’11 build a snowman on the College Green.WEEKSStudents cheer at the BioOlympics cockroach races.

Women’s basketball shows breast cancer awareness.

16 geneseo scene

Main Street, 1 a.m.

Students dance at thesold-out spring concert

with Ke$ha and 303.

Summer 2011 17

Friends host a Sunday brunch in the townhouses.

Full moon over Sturges. The championship broomball game.

Royal Lady Knights raise money for Japan earthquake/tsunami relief.

18 geneseo scene

Dan Nattell ’11 helps Lauren Kanick ’11try on her graduation gown in line atSenior Salute Days.

Students savor the warm spring day at Fall Brook.

Cramming for final exams in Milne Library, at 10 p.m.

Summer 2011 19

college recently awarded him the Medal ofDistinction.The new award is the highest honor

Geneseo gives to alumni. It recognizesexceptional achievement and contributionsto society, and characterizes a life of conse-quence and purpose that betters the cir-cumstances of others.Caron has supported the college as well

as the AIDS Project of Los Angeles, theAmerican Foundation for AIDS Research,and the New York City Ballet, among otherorganizations.“Glenn Gordon Caron has used his talent,

passion and curiosity to create a body of workthat includes films with leading stars andiconic television programs that will hold theirown places in entertainment history forever,”says Jack Kramer ’76, Geneseo Foundationboard president. “He also has made impor-

Geneseo awards the Medal of Distinction to an alumnuswho has made a major mark in Hollywood.

When Glenn Gordon Caron ’75dreamed up a comedy about aformer model’s fiery relationship

with a detective in her investigation agency,people told him it was too unconventionalfor primetime.Caron made “Moonlighting” anyway. With it, Caron made television history

and launched Bruce Willis’ career when hecast him as the wise-cracking lead. Sincethen, Caron has worked with some of thebiggest stars — and become a Hollywoodname himself. A producer, writer and director, Caron

earned best-writing accolades from theWriters Guild of America in 1988 for thoseinnovative “Moonlighting” scripts. The serieswon seven Emmys and three Golden Globes.Caron went on to produce, write and

direct feature films and TV shows andfounded Picturemaker Productions. Hemost recently earned primetime success with“Medium,” a CBS and NBC drama about awoman who communicates with the dead. To honor Caron’s personal success,

career achievements and philanthropy, the

tant contributions to causes that help othersand advance the arts for future generations.Geneseo has always taken great pride in edu-cating the whole person. Glenn and futureMedal of Distinction recipients are testa-ments to this value, and elevate Geneseo inthe nation and world.”Caron says his experiences at Geneseo

gave him “the self-confidence and skill sets”to fulfill his dreams and stick to his creativevision. Geneseo, he says, provided an envi-ronment in which he could experimentand “feel safe enough to fail.”“I met amazing people who taught me to

trust my instincts, to take chances, and ifyou don’t know something, throw yourselfinto the task of learning it,” says Caron.Those include performing arts Professor

Emeritus Terry Browne, who let him stagehis own productions, and Tom Matthews,director of leadership, education, develop-ment and training, who allowed him todevelop the Kino film society. The club isstill active on campus nearly 40 years later. Friends, faculty and supporters gathered

in New York City in January to celebrateCaron’s honor, but the notorious East Coastsnowstorms prevented him from flying in.Instead, he participated via Internet toaccept the award. Seeing everyone, he says,brought back a flood of memories.He says those who influenced him during

his days at Geneseo “all left a mark. All con-tributed in some way to my success. To myability to write. Direct. Produce. Be a hus-band. A father. Be a citizen … People askme from time to time what it is I learnedwhile I was at Geneseo. I always answer thesame way: I learned to be me.”

by Kris Dreessen

:View photos of the New York Cityaward event go.geneseo.edu/caronNYC

Watch the video honoring Carongo.geneseo.edu/carontribute

The highest honor

PHOTO PROVIDED

Writer, producer and director Glenn Gordon Caron ’75 says he learned to be himself at Geneseo. He isthe first recipient of the Medal of Distinction, the college’s highest alumni honor.

The walnut base that holds the Medal ofDistinction was created exclusively for Geneseoby Tom Moser ’60, president of Thos. MoserCabinetmakers.

“People ask me what I learnedwhile I was at Geneseo. Ialways answer the same way: I learned to be me.”

— Glenn Gordon Caron ’75

PHOTOS BY BRIAN BENNETT

from the locker room and field to trans-late to the boardroom. “Soccer may notalways be there,” he says, “but the thingsyou learn through soccer will be.”Last year, Marzo was able to meet, net-

work and be inspired by successful stu-dent-athlete alums including MichaelGibeault ’85 at Choosing to Lead — TheAnnual Athletics Leadership Dinner.Created in 2009, alumni from all over thecountry are invited to campus to serve asrole models for Marzo and other student-athletes who will soon choose what theirpersonal success looks like.

20 geneseo scene

Tune into any NCAA game andyou’ll hear that 380,000 collegeathletes are turning pro in a field

other than sports. Andy Marzo ’11 is one of them. A busi-

ness administration major, he begins hismaster’s degree this fall at ClarksonUniversity. He wants to become an environ-mental consultant in the growing field ofalternative energy. He played soccerthroughout his years at Geneseo. Guidinghis teammates as captain during his senioryear, Marzo discovered insights about whattrue leadership means.“It comes down to knowing people

individually and knowing what motivatesthem,” he says. “It’s not one size fits all.” Someday, Marzo expects those lessons

More than 30 alumni — from businessexecutives and company founders to teach-ers and coaches — have participated. The2009 event was for female student-athletes;in 2010, for men. This year’s April dinnerwas for male and female athletes.“When you make a professional connec-

tion, you have opportunities for job place-ment, you have resources for the field ofstudy that you’re in, and you have mentor-ing opportunities,” says Marilyn Moore,athletic director from 1999 to 2010.It was Moore’s vision to create the din-

ner. James Leary ’75 provided the oppor-tunity with the James N. LearyEndowment for Leadership in Athletics,which supports the event. A formerGeneseo basketball player himself, Learyknows how lessons from athletics tran-scend field and court.“I don’t think there’s anything tougher

that I’ve gone through in my professionalcareer than a Saturday morning basket-ball practice,” he says. The physical andmental exhaustion was intense, he says,but he pushed himself through.As executive director at Akin Gump

Strauss Hauer & Feld, a $750 million pro-fessional services firm, Leary has had hisshare of professional challenges. ThoseSaturday morning workouts taught him, hesays, to “work hard and persevere,” and it’sgotten him where he is today.Gibeault also has found his niche, as vice

president of national projects at RobertHalf Legal, a major supplier of legal profes-sionals to law firms and corporate legaldepartments in North America. A Geneseoswim team captain in 1983 and 1984, hewas honored to relate his own revelationsto students at the 2010 event. “Success isn’t measured by money or

title but it’s really measured by (finding)something you enjoy every single day,” hesays. “Buckle up and go for the ride —it’s worth it!”Alison Lewis ’09 is taking those ideals

to heart. The dinner reinforced theirimportance, she says.She has developed a leadership train-

ing program for team captains at HilbertCollege as part of her graduate assistant-ship while she pursues her master’s insports administration at Canisius College. “That’s what my leadership skills from

athletics have taught me — to go out, notbe afraid, and do what I want to do in life.”

Blue Knights soccer co-captain Andy Marzo ’11 anticipates that what he learned on the field will helphim in the board room. Alumni who attend an annual leadership dinner share insight with student-athletes on how to be a successful leader.

PHOTO BY KRIS DREESSEN

ATHLETICS

From the locker roomto the board roomAlumni share their lessons of personalsuccess with student-athletes

By Peter Wayner ’11

Geneseo sports round-up —www.geneseo.edu/athletics

Summer 2011 21

Geneseo professors have always encouraged students to be activein class, on campus and in the community.

The Fund for Geneseo • Erwin 11 • 1 College Circle • Geneseo, NY 14454

Today, your participation is essential.The college receives less than a third of its budget fromNew York state. Alumni and parent gifts to The Fund for Geneseo and The Parents Fund make undergraduateresearch, study abroad, internships, scholarships, athletics and so much more possible — to transform every student’s experience.

Bill CookDistinguished Teaching Professor of History

since 1970

Please support The Fund for Geneseo.To make a gift, visit giveto.geneseo.edu or call (585) 245-5503.

Participate.

22 geneseo scene

In my kitchen, there is an old ceramiccookie jar. It’s off-white and coveredwith brightly painted cookie shapes,

with a ceramic walnuthandle on the lid.Manufactured by Los

Angeles Pottery in the1950s, this gaudy littlepiece was known by thedescriptive but ratherunimaginative name,“Cookies All Over.” It

was one of the most popular cookie jars ofits day and is now a prized collector’sitem. I don’t know what one of these jarsis worth, and I don’t care.It’s priceless to me. Though it seldom

holds cookies anymore, it always holdssomething more important — memories. Those memories are of my carefree child-

hood days — most notably the glorious daysI would help my mother bake. I close myeyes and hear the mixer. I feel the heat ofthe oven. I smell the vanilla, cinnamon andnutmeg. The old jar contains those preciousmemories from childhood.As life progresses, memories seem to

become more precious. They connect usindelibly to our past and allow us to revisitonce-in-a-lifetime events again and again.Reliving joyous memories humors us in goodtimes, and comforts us in troubled times. So what is it that makes for a good mem-

ory and what helps us gather and retainthese instances with wonderful detail? Whyare memories of our college years so vivid,so vital, decades after graduation?First, let’s look at how such memories

are formed. Many brain structures con-tribute to the process. This is not surpris-ing, as memory formation and recall arecomplex and crucial functions. To simpli-fy explanations of complicated humanbehaviors, such as memory recall, weoften consider animal models that seemmuch simpler and more intuitive. The survival of any animal requires

memory for a wide range of essentialactivities. Animals must remember whattypes of food can be consumed andwhere those foods have been found.They need to remember where their shel-ter is and where predators lurk. Theyneed to use all of these memories to

avoid harm in the future. For all of those basic functions of mem-

ories, a common thread runs throughthose events that merits the most securestorage and vivid recall: emotions.Emotions are often linked to memories ofgreat importance. It’s also true for humans. What affects

us the most, we remember the best.To that end, there is a quirky little

structure in the brain called the amyg-dala. It influences emotions, mediatesexpression of anger and anxiety, andplays a crucial role in forming memoriesassociated with all types of emotionalevents. It also can be stimulated or “trig-gered” by external environmental cues,such as emotion-evoking sights andsounds, to recall emotional memories. While we don’t rely on amygdala func-

tions to help us survive the way other ani-mals do, this system and its primitivefunction still persist in our brains. More anovelty than a necessity for you and me,amygdala function can still be enjoyed. Itcan literally produce a physical sensationof our memories.

PERSPECTIVES

How do we choose experiences to become great memories and why arethose from our college years so vivid? Associate Professor Terry Bazzett,trained in neuroscience and biopsychology, reveals how we remember whatwe do and how everyday things we encounter let us relive beloved times.

goodold‘The

days’By Terry Bazzett

Terry Bazzett, associate professor of psychology at SUNY Geneseo, is a biopsychologist

who specializes in the influence of genetics on normal and abnormal behaviors. He is the

author of An Introduction to Behavior Genetics, a textbook used in courses around the

country. A postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan for five years before he came to

Geneseo, he studied animal models of human neurodegenerative disorders. He has always

been intrigued by the workings of the brain, including memory formation and recall.

[[

BAZZETT

Summer 2011 23

The amygdala can be triggered by a cuefrom the past — often by smells. There’sno mystery to the sensation of déjà vu. Inall likelihood, it’s an amygdala replay ofan emotional memory that you hadlocked away, triggered by a smell, taste orsome other sensation.Déjà vu brings a bonus — a lighthead-

edness, or emotional arousal broughtabout by memories stored but notrecalled for many years. These are emo-tions and memories tied together andreplayed in the moment. We don’t needit, but it’s a novelty we can still savor.This can be especially true for experi-

ences we remember so vividly from col-lege. But why are these college memoriesso emotionally charged, decades later?Technically speaking, the transition

from adolescence to young adulthoodbrings with it a variety of emotion-provok-ing hormone changes. It is also a timewhen we experience true independence.At Geneseo, alumni ventured away from

home for the first time and felt the men-tal arousal associated with being chal-lenged to gain new knowledge, and the

euphoria associated with succeeding.Making close friends and exploringromances tops off a rich stew of some ofthe most emotional experiences of a life-time. You can bet that amygdala function-ing was in high gear at that time.Beyond the memories of eccentric pro-

fessors, late-night talks and cram sessionswith classmates that you readily remem-ber, there are many more memoriesstored safely away that you are probablynot consciously aware of today.This has certainly been my experience

on occasions when I have been fortunateenough to revisit my own alma mater. Onthose occasions, my strolls through cam-pus were punctuated by a barrage of invig-orating memories and emotions. I alsofound those sensations rather curious, as Iusually recall my undergraduate years asquite labor intensive and financially chal-lenged. In this regard it is refreshing toget an amygdala’s perspective, as a con-trast to how the rest of my brain mightremember that part of my past. You see, there is another phenomenon

known as “state dependent learning.”

Physically being in a place where some-thing was experienced can actually aid inrecalling events. This is the reason somany students want to sit in the samedesk for a test they sat in during each lec-ture period. Our brains constantly usecues to help us remember.Being in the place helps take us back to

the experience.So to you, our alumni, I offer this: Come

back to campus when you have the opportu-nity. Look again at the bear perched atopthe Main Street fountain. Listen to theSturges tower bells. Smell the pizza and subsbeing prepared in your favorite haunts. Experience some amygdala-driven emo-

tions. Let the memories rush back andrecall the special times you enjoyed. Thesensation of an amygdala moment is aunique exploration of your subconscious. You might be surprised just how much

positive energy was filed away in yourdeep brain structures during yourGeneseo experience. And you will likelyopen the doors to many more memoriesyou thought you lost in the years sinceyou celebrated your own graduation.

PHOTO PROVIDEDPHOTO BY CAROLE SMITH VOLPE ’91

PHOTO BY BRIAN BENNETT

PHOTO BY KRIS DREESSEN

Experience some amygdala-driven

emotions. Let the memories rush

back and recall the special times

you enjoyed. The sensation of an

amygdala moment is a unique

exploration of your subconscious.

24 geneseo scene

Toni Lamberti ’06 stood at the fence under the baking sun

and loops of razor wire, watching the inmates. On the

other side, terrorists and other prisoners in the Iraqi jail

showed their resentment.

“As soon as they would see me, they would start throwing rocks

at me and say ‘Mushkila! Mushkila!’ which means ‘bad,’” she remem-

bers. “Being female, being American and being Christian — you

could see the hatred. If there wasn’t a fence between us, you could

see in their eyes what they would do to me.”

This was Iraq’s Camp Bucca, where Toni spent a year in 2008-

09 with the 168th Military Police Battalion. Her unit was among

those responsible for closing the prison, which once held 26,000

inmates, she says. Her team had to decide which prisoners should

be released and which prisoners should be in other facilities.

It was a tremendously difficult job, punctuated by the stress of

war. But she faced it. Toni’s determination was awakened, she says,

as a Geneseo student, when she spent her final semester studying

at Shanghai Teachers University in China on a Geneseo program.

“It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life,” she says.

It didn’t seem like it immediately.

Toni was the only Geneseo student who went that semester.

She spoke zero Chinese and nearly no one spoke English. She

was terrified until one day she forced herself to take a subway

train solo.

“That,” she says, “was the start. I like to throw myself out of

my comfort zone.”

Toni called on that attitude when she joined the Tennessee

National Guard in 2007. She had always wanted to serve her country

and the Guard allows her to stay near home in the Nashville area.

Now, Toni works in human resources for the Guard full time.

During active duty, her role is in intelligence. She says she can’t

fully discuss those duties, but closing Camp Bucca was one of

them. Though the mission was accomplished successfully, with all

personnel surviving and significant progress made in training Iraqi

soldiers, those days stretched Toni’s endurance.

“It’s pretty unnerving,” she says. “I really feel like hatred

breeds hatred. Being there and seeing how much they hated

me, it was very hard not to feel the same way about them.”

This was especially difficult because she prides herself on having

an open mind. “It’s taken me a very long time to realize the

difference between hatred and mistrust, but there definitely

is a difference,” she says.

Her reconciliation with these feelings and overcoming all of

the other obstacles are part of the Guard’s appeal for Toni.

“Here I am three years later, and I probably will be in for life.”

Lessons from IraqToni Lamberti, Class of 2006

Home: Nashville, Tenn.

Graduation year: 2006

Degree: Bachelor of arts

with a major in psychology

How you describe Geneseo:

A very small, quaint and

quiet town.

Favorite campus hangout:

The square and Sturges

Best Geneseo memory:

My study abroad experience

in Shanghai, China

Most important life lesson

you learned at Geneseo:

Nothing is absolute.

What you would tell incom-

ing freshmen: I would tell

them to remember that

what they think they want

and what they think they

know will change five times

just in the time they are in

college — and five more

times after graduation.

What you would tell graduat-

ing seniors: Change is good.

Embrace it and do one

thing “outside the box” just

so you know that you can.

Favorite saying: Minds are

like parachutes. They don’t

function properly unless

open.

One Cup

PHOTO PROVIDED

ILLUSTRATION AMANDA LINDLEY

RANDOM PROFILE

By Peter Wayner ’11

QUICK FACTS

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 ... Kentucky.

Could it be you?

ONE CUP

It’s true!We really

do!

Summer 2011 25

26 Alumni event photos

30 Queen of all trades

31 The ultimate spell caster

32 Class Notes

ALUMNI NEWS

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER:Benjamin Gajewski ’07 has long enjoyed photography and the outdoors. His image at dusk of a dead oak tree in fall in the town of Geneseo capturesthe beauty found in all stages and landscapes in the natural environment.A former photo editor of The Lamron, Gajewski took special interest in

productions by the School of The Arts. Gajewski now is the stewardship direc-tor for the Genesee Valley Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works toprotect habitat, open space and farmland in the Genesee River watershed. Aresident of Geneseo, he continues to photograph for the School of The Artsand always finds time to preserve moments in nature with his camera.You can see more of his work at northstreetstudios.exposuremanager.com

Share your artwork with us! Send a short bio and a link or examples ofyour work to scene@geneseo.edu.

Alumni News

Upcoming

Alumni Events

GENESEO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

26 geneseo scene

The alumni relations office has identified 19 key regions across

the country where we have strong representation of Geneseo

alumni. We are continuously planning a variety of events in these

areas. There have been more than 45 alumni events, on and off

campus, since January 2011 and we’re not slowing down.

Check the alumni homepage frequently — and make it your

homepage — so you don’t miss out.

We are always looking for regional event ideas and event

sponsors. Contact us at alumni@geneseo.edu if you would like to

partner with us.

Keep in touchYou will receive event invitations and notifications based on the

address Geneseo has on file (the address where this issue of the

Scene was mailed). Be sure the address on the back of this

magazine is up to date — or you may miss out.

July 8-10, 2011SUMMER REUNIONgo.geneseo.edu/reunion

August 11, 2011Saratoga Day at the Racesgo.geneseo.edu/saratoga2011

August 14, 2011Geneseo Day at the Philliesgo.geneseo.edu/phillies081411

Other Summer EventsBuffalo Bisons baseball gameNew Jersey PicnicLong Island Clam Bake

September 23-24, 2011HOMECOMINGgo.geneseo.edu/homecoming

October 21-22, 2011PARENTS WEEKEND

GENESEO ALUMNI REGIONS

Albany, N.Y.New England Buffalo, N.Y.ChicagoColorado

Community Advocates for SUNY GeneseoFlorida/East CoastFlorida/West Coast

Los AngelesLong IslandNew Jersey

New York City North CarolinaPhiladelphia

Rochester, N.Y.San Francisco Syracuse, N.Y.

Washington, D.C.Westchester County, N.Y./Connecticut

Who did you miss? See more photos!These are a sample of the hundreds of photos from events

across the country and on campus. View the complete photo

gallery online at go.geneseo.edu/alumniphotosVisit our Geneseo alumni homepage: alumni.geneseo.edu

Geneseo, N.Y. Ysaye Barnwell ’67/MS ’68 Pre-Community SingReception sponsored by Bank of CastileCommunity Advocates: Debra Grose Hill ’75, Geneseo assistant vice president for advancement, left, Holly Brandow Mullin ’87, Marilyn Lyon,Cynthia Oswald, Philip Natoli ’74, Elizabeth Porter and John Linfoot,Geneseo director of special development.

Geneseo, N.Y. Men’s Basketball Alumni WeekendPhil Thrall ’66, left, Dan Farberman ’80, Pat Moriarty ’78, Paul Rich ’81and Gary Witter ’75.

Boston Alumni Networking EventKelly McKernan ’92, left, Kristina Sym ’07, Thomas Pethybridge ’06 and Steve Donnelly ’10.

Washington, D.C. Alumni Networking ReceptionRachel Gaylord ’04, Ryan Smith ’02 and Michael Parks ’01.

Syracuse, N.Y. Alumni Professional Networking Event co-sponsoredby Janet Callahan ’76 and Tom Cambier ’01Dan O’Brien ’73, left, Eric Hinman ’02, Tom Cambier ’01, Janet Callahan ’76 and

Geneseo Vice President for College Advancement Michael Catillaz.

Rochester, N.Y. Alumni Night at the AmerksJohn DiSarro ’07, left, Patrick Cronin ’10, Theresa Traver ’09 and Phillip Heiler ’10.

Summer 2011 27

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.Alumni and ParentNetworking Receptionco-sponsored by IlanaSmith ’02 and StaceyHarris ’03

Buffalo, N.Y. Alumni Night at the Sabres, pre-game dinnerco-sponsored by Mark Kane ’80 and Bruno Lombardo ’00Jonna Laker Kane ’05, left, and Jason Kane ’05, Mark Kane ’80,Matthew Kane ’11 and Audrey Donahue Ramage ’80.

Boston Alumni andModel U.N. Student

Reception sponsoredby Dan Spiess ’90

Melinda Berry ’88, left,Amelia Alberghini

Angella ’96, Paul Furcinito’88, Professor of PoliticalScience and InternationalRelations Robert Goeckel,

Dan Spiess ’90, Tracy Strauss ’96

and Sarah McGuireSobieraj ’93.

Chicago Geneseo Alumni Regional CommitteeMike Denesha ’66, left, Gary Grose ’87, Megan Wolfinger ’97, Jeff Burkard ’89, Kimberly Bares ’90, Ronna Bosko, Geneseo senior director for college advancement, and Paul Lambert ’91.

Nyack, N.Y. Alumni and ParentNetworking ReceptionRobert Kinney and Jane Lawrence P ’13 andCarl Potts P ’14 .

28 geneseo scene

New York City Premier Alumni Event sponsored by Dan ’86 and Nancy Wentworth ’86LoughranChristian Lopez Ponch ’96, left, Wendy Wick ’95, William Baker ’96, Tanya Woldbeck Gesek ’93 and Jill Abbate Sulkes ’93.

Denver, Colo. Alumni Hockey Night at the Avalanche, pre-game reception

co-sponsored by Amy Hogan ’96Matt Rush ’89, left, Amy Hogan ’96 and

John Linfoot, Geneseo director of special development.

New York City Winter Social EventKatie Ohea ’08, left, Jason Gerasia ’07, BrianMalone ’05 and Matt Kellen ’04.

New York City Premier Alumni Eventsponsored by Dan ’86 and NancyWentworth ’86 LoughranPresident Christopher C. Dahl, center, with spon-sors Dan Loughran ’86 and Nancy Loughran ’86.

Summer 2011 29

Scotch Plains, N.J. Alumni and Parent Networking ReceptionDavid Goodman ’89, left, Lisa Imbro Siracuse ’89, Kim Guenter Faber ’88,Geneseo assistant vice president for advancement, and Debra Edelman P’10.

New York City Alumni and Student Externship Reception

Port Washington, N.Y. Alumni and Parent Family Skating Event

Rochester, N.Y. Alumni Networking Reception co-sponsored by Mark Cronin ’88 and John O’Malley ’85From left, Distinguished Teaching Professors Ronald Herzman(English) and William Cook (history) and event co-sponsors Mark Cronin ’88 and John O’Malley ’85.

Raleigh, N.C. Alumni Networking Reception

ALUMNI PROFILE

30 geneseo scene

ALUMNI NEWS

You can’t help but like YsayeBarnwell ’67/MS ’68. Her charisma captivates

crowds and has bolstered acareer ranging from educationto health care to music. She isbest known as a composer andvocalist in the Grammy Award-winning, internationallyrenowned, all-women African-American ensemble SweetHoney in the Rock.She has been with the group

for 32 years and has writtenmany of the songs they perform.Their music ranges from spiritu-als and gospels to blues, jazz andhip-hop. Their schedule takesher to all parts of the country.“Sweet Honey has been an

amazing journey for me,” saysBarnwell, a native New Yorkerwho lives in Washington, D.C.“It’s a wonderful way to engagea number of people aboutmany things.”It was through a fluke that

Barnwell became a part ofSweet Honey. After completingher bachelor’s and master’sdegrees at Geneseo in speechpathology and a doctorate at theUniversity of Pittsburgh incranio-facial studies, she earneda master’s degree in publichealth at Howard University andalso taught at Howard’s Collegeof Dentistry. Geneseo conferredan honorary doctorate ofhumane letters on her duringcommencement in 1998.She also studied sign lan-

guage at Gallaudet Universityand in 1979, an unexpectedcareer-changing moment cameone day as she sang a solo inchurch while simultaneouslysigning the words.“It happened that one of the

founding members of SweetHoney, Bernice Johnson

Reagon, was at the service andcame to me afterwards to inviteme to audition,” says Barnwell.“I thought she was talking tosomeone behind me! The audi-tion lasted about a month …

and I was asked to join. Itopened up a whole new life forme that I had not anticipated.”Barnwell spends much of her

time offstage as a master teacher

and clinician. She conducts hercommunity vocal workshopsworldwide, including a short-ened version on the Geneseocampus in March for about 200participants. She invites mem-

bers of the communityto gather — even ifthey have no singingexperience — to raisetheir voices and learnabout African-American culture andtraditions.Barnwell also has

acted in a televisionseries and appeared inthe 1998 film“Beloved,” whichstarred Oprah Winfrey. As an African-

American student in the ’60s,Barnwell says her Geneseo edu-cation happened on many levels.“There were very few black

people on campus and none in

the community and it was prettyshocking and difficult,” she says.“In spite of that, I got a goodeducation academically but alsoa deep education on race rela-tions, which shaped much of myperception of the world.”She gives special credit to fac-

ulty members Robert “Doc”Isgro in music and the lateYvonne Rosedale in speechpathology for motivating her.She sang in the ChamberSingers under Isgro’s directionfor five years and he taught hermuch about music.Barnwell hears from many

people about the impact hermusic has on them, which shesays is very inspiring.“I will continue doing this

until I can’t anymore,” shesays. “Retirement is not in myvocabulary.”

— By David Irwin

class of’67/MS ’68Ysaye Barnwell

Ysaye Barnwell ’67/MS ’68:Queen of song, queen of all trades

PHOTO BY BRIAN BENNETT

PHOTO BY BRIAN BENNETT

Ysaye Barnwell ’67/MS ’68 leads theGeneseo Community Sing in March.

More than 12 million peopleworldwide play and are fans ofMagic: The Gathering. That’slike the entire population ofPennsylvania heaving “shivanmeteors” and drinking“alabaster potion” to stay strongwhile whittling away their oppo-nents’ life points to zero to win.Elaine Ferrao Chase ’95 was

among the first to play Magic,the world’s first trading-cardgame. She was an elementaryeducation major at Geneseowhen it was released in 1993.“I got hooked on it pretty

severely,” says Chase. Chase was able to parlay her

passion — and keen sense forstrategy — into one of the topgame careers in the world.Starting as a player and judge,

she has ascended the ranks inlittle more than a decade tobecome the global brand direc-tor for Magic: The Gathering atWizards of the Coast, a sub-sidiary of Hasbro Inc. She expected to be an educator.“I come from a family of

teachers,” she says.Chase started as a substitute

teacher at her hometownschool in Rockland County,N.Y. In her free time, she con-tinued to play Magic. She wasso good, she competed in twoMagic Pro Tours and went onto excel as a high-level tourna-ment judge and organizer. In1999, a contact at Wizards invit-ed her to join the company. “It was a dream come true,”

says Chase. “It was sad to leaveteaching because I do loveworking with children andhelping them grow and learn,but the opportunity to gowork for my favorite gamecompany was a little too muchto resist.”Chase first determined tour-

nament rules and policies. She

then spent four years as agame developer before takingon brand manager positionsfor Wizards’ licensed tradingcard games division. She wasnamed global brand director

for Magic in March 2009.As brand director, Chase

leads the strategic direction,marketing, product develop-ment and financial profile for

Magic worldwide. That includesoffices in the United Kingdom,Belgium, France, Australia andJapan. The game has beentranslated into nine languagesand is sold in 70 countries.

Magic is one of Hasbro’s“mega-brands,” alongsideTransformers and GI Joe.“At the end of the day, I still

play games for a living, it’s just

a different kind of game,” saysChase. “They involve market-ing plans and consumerinsights and spreadsheets andstrategizing business plans.”As a developer, Chase helped

to create Harry Potter and otherlicensed trading-card games. Itwas “the best job in the world,”says Chase, but she moved tothe business side to challengeherself and participate inMagic’s bigger picture.Chase says her gaming back-

ground and her Geneseo edu-cation lend valuable insight toher career. She used what shelearned as a teacher toimprove Harry Potter andother child-based games andmarketing plans. As a player,she honed a keen ability tomake quick connections andpredict outcomes needed inleading Magic.She has also drawn upon a

nugget of wisdom shared byDistinguished TeachingProfessor of MathematicsOlympia Nicodemi: You can’tbe a good teacher until youfind something you strugglewith yourself.“I did take that to heart,

every step of my career,” saysChase. “Even packing up theU-Haul and moving across thecountry (to work for Wizards)was trying to move out of mycomfort zone and presentmyself with new and interest-ing opportunities.”

— Kris Dreessen

Chase has drawn upon a nugget of wisdom shared by math Professor

Olympia Nicodemi: You can’t be a good teacher until you find

something you struggle with yourself.

Summer 2011 31

Elaine Ferrao Chase ’95: The ultimate spell caster

class of’95Elaine Ferrao Chase

Geneseo’s Magic cardIf there were a Magic card inthe decks that sym-bolizes Geneseo,says Chase, it wouldbe the Tolarian. “It’sthe highest profileinstitute of learningin Magic,” she says.“The card is so powerful, infact, that it was banned fromtournament play.”

PHOTO PROVIDED

32 geneseo scene

1991Celebrating their 20th reunion July 8 and 9, 2011.Eric Collins and Allison Collinsare proud to announce the birthof a baby boy, Brady Christopher,born on May 12, 2010, in Newton,Mass. Scott Kuhn received a mas-ter’s degree in business adminis-tration from Southern NewHampshire University in January2011 and was a member of DeltaMu Delta International BusinessHonor Society. Eric Osganianand Amy Osganian are proud toannounce the births of Nellie,born on Sept. 26, 2007, andCamille, born on July 10, 2009.Kristi Lee Smith Streamer com-pleted the training and require-ments for the family developmentcredential offered through theCenter for the Study of Culture,Health and Human Developmentat the University of Connecticutand recently accepted a position atLe Roy (N.Y.) Central SchoolDistrict as a school counselor forpre-kindergarten through grade 3.

1992Penny Valenzano Elliott recent-ly accepted a position atConstellation Brands in Victor,N.Y. as change management lead.

LauraWischoffSnyder,director ofmarketingfor theaccountingfirm ofPorterKeadleMoore, is

vice chair of the 2011 board ofdirectors of Emerge ScholarshipsInc. Emerge is a nonprofit organi-zation that provides academicscholarships to deserving womenwhose educations have beeninterrupted, who have overcomesignificant challenges and whogive back to their communities.Correction: Donna Otto and

1960sFredricka Gaube Remza ’66recently published Ride the Wave, asequel to The Journey to Mei withits settings in upstate New Yorkand Cape Town, South Africa. Al Sciarrino ’68 published thenovel Vincent Black Lightning, 1952.

1970sJames Swarts ’71/MA ’76 hasbeen elected to the nationalSteering Committee of HistoriansAgainst the War. RosemarySchenk-Sanborn ’72 traveledwith high school students on afour-month exchange with theJinshan School in Beijing, China.Warren Barlowe ’74 is an obses-sive-compulsive disorder behaviortherapist in private practice onLong Island. He is also a perform-ance artist in Brooklyn, a sidewalkastronomer and an activist inpeace and social justice causes.Tom Ingrassia ’74 launched thebusiness Mental Massage in part-nership with award-winning mas-sage therapist Jared Chrudimsky.A fusion of guided imagery andphysical massage in a group work-shop, it is designed to help clarifyand set personal and professionalgoals, reduce stress and enhancemind/body balance. FrankSutliff ’79 is a member of theboard of directors and executivecommittee of the board of theSchool Administrators Associationof New York State.

1980Maris Burton received her mas-ter’s degree in professional coun-seling in June 2009. She passedthe national certified counselorexam in September 2009 and is acounselor in a private practice.

1982Lisa Robinson Schmitt recentlyaccepted a position at Simply YouJewelry as a business developmentmanager.

1985Sandra Ayala is an assistant pro-fessor of special education atSonoma State University in

California.MargaretPeggySchickrecentlyaccepted aposition attheUniversity ofSouthernMaine inPortland asdirector ofannual giv-ing andalumnidevelop-ment.RachelTaber-Hamiltonrecently

became the 16th rector of TrinityEpiscopal Church in Everett,Wash. She is the first female rec-tor since the church was foundedin 1892.

1987Stephanie Norton MacIntoshand Michael MacIntosh are proudto announce the birth of a babygirl, Kiera, born on June 15, 2009.

ClassNotes

Rachel Taber-Hamilton

Margaret Schick

Patrick O’Shea are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Samuel Otto O’Shea, born onApril 6, 2008.

1993Eileen Bien Calabro was recentlypromoted to director of editorialdevelopment at PearsonLongman, a publishing company,

in New YorkCity. JillAbbateSulkes wasrecently pro-moted tohead offinancialand profes-sional liabil-ity from

managing director of financialand professional liability at Marshin New York City. Marsh is theworld’s leading insurance brokerand risk advisor.

1994Tammy Brandstetter is proud toannounce the birth of twin boys,Keegan and Cayden, born onDec. 4, 2010, in Rochester, N.Y.

1995Kristen Bauer Maniscalco wasrecently promoted to PowerSystems Division finance manager atABB Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. LeaSetegn accepted a position atUnited Way of Greater Richmond& Petersburg (Va.) as director ofpublic relations and is happy toannounce his marriage to Jess Kahnon Sept. 6, 2009, in Richmond, Va.Alex Vicente and Tina Vicente areproud to announce the birth of ababy girl, Olivia Nicole, born onJuly 19, 2010.

1996Celebrating their 15th reunion July 8 and 9, 2011.Gerard Cagayat recently startedMountainview Home Solutions in

Jill Abbate Sulkes

Laura WischoffSnyder

New, in

Class Notes!To make your re

ading

experience personal,

announcements for m

arriages,

births and adoptions

are

included in the traditi

onal

Class Notes.

In Memoriam

announcements follow

.

ALUMNI NEWS

Summer 2011 33

the Seattle metro area as theowner and real estate investor.Jennifer Campbell and ToddBaker are proud to announce thebirth of a baby boy, Alexander,born on Jan. 13, 2011, in Buffalo,N.Y. Daniel Kim and JenniferScrafford ’97 are proud toannounce the birth of a baby girl,Ellina Leah Michaela, born onNov. 13, 2010, in Falls Church,Va. Cathleen Tobin Koshykarrecently accepted a position atSoleo Communications Inc. inFairport, N.Y., as general counseland is also happy to announceher marriage to Roman Koshykaron May 15, 2010, in Mendon, N.Y.Brendan Morgan was recentlypromoted to director of com-modities trading at DeutscheBank in Houston. KathleenHysick Schmitt and BrianSchmitt are proud to announcethe birth of a baby boy, AndrewDavid, born on Aug. 4, 2010, inRochester, N.Y. Mary CatherineWoods Tischler and JamesTischler are happy to announcetheir marriage on Oct. 23, 2010,in Montauk, N.Y. Mary is an assis-tant general counsel for CBSCorp., handling pre-broadcastreview for “CBS News,” as well aslitigation for all of the company’ssubsidiaries including the CBSTelevision Network, Showtime,CBS Radio and Simon & Schuster.

1997Amy Barmore Pasley and TimPasley are proud to announce thebirth of twin boys, Timothy Jacob“T.J.” and Elijah Bruce “Eli,” bornon April 5, 2010, in Rochester,N.Y. Lisa Decker Schneider andJoseph Schneider are proud toannounce the birth of a baby girl,Eva Marie, born on Dec. 16, 2010,in Langhorne, Pa. JenniferScrafford and Daniel Kim ’96 areproud to announce the birth of ababy girl, Ellina Leah Michaela,born on Nov. 13, 2010, in FallsChurch, Va. Michael Shiffer andRaina Shiffer are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Ryan Michael, born on Oct. 6,2009, in Chapel Hill, N.C. CarySilverman and Robin Lang are

proud to announce the birth of ababy boy, Max Adrian, born onMarch 1, 2011, in Baltimore. TinaPepe Stern and Erik Stern arehappy to announce their mar-riage on June 6, 2006, inHenderson, Nev. They live inWeston, Fla. Marlene FanningYolango and Frank Yolango areproud to announce the birth of ababy girl, Kaitlyn Juliet, born onOct. 4, 2010.

1998Rebecca Bertrand Benz andBrian Benz are proud toannounce the birth of twin girls,Peyton Elizabeth and LaurenRebecca, born on Dec. 7, 2010, inNorfolk, Va. Frank Giallorenzorecently accepted a position atthe city of Coral Gables in Floridaas assistant human resources

director. Kimberly ThompsonGlas is proud to announce thebirth of a baby girl, AbigailDavies, born in Fairfax, Va., onOct. 19, 2010. She also recentlyaccepted a position at theDepartment of Commerce inWashington, D.C., as deputy assis-tant secretary for the Office ofTextiles and Apparel.

1999Elizabeth Buchholz Clark andTodd Clark are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Colby James, born on May 3,2010, in Rochester, N.Y. RobynWalker recently accepted a posi-tion at Catholic Relief Services inBaltimore as a data analyst. DarcyScott Weeden and KevinWeeden are proud to announcethe birth of a baby girl, Abigail

Grace, born on March 2, 2010, inSchenectady, N.Y.

2000Beth Coffiner Goldman andJustin Goldman are proud toannounce the birth of a baby girl,Sarina Elyanah, born on Jan. 12,2010, in Albany, N.Y. LorrieStreblow Mallaber and MatthewMallaber are proud to announcethe birth of a baby boy, BenjaminThomas, born on May 24, 2010.Kelly O’Coyne and Joseph Hussare happy to announce their mar-riage on Aug. 7, 2010, in Webster,N.Y. They live in Ontario, N.Y. EliPhillips and Emilie JansenPhillips are proud to announcethe birth of a baby boy, EricSamuel, born on Sept. 3, 2010.Alyssa BlickensderferQuintilone and MichaelQuintilone are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Landon John, born on Nov. 29,2010, in Williamsville, N.Y.Amanda Fisher Tulich andStefan Tulich are proud toannounce the birth of a baby girl,Eve Grace, born on July 7, inBoulder, Colo.

2001Sean Fitzsimons and SaraFitzsimons are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Max William, born on Dec. 23,2010. Aimee Cocke Herring andMichael Herring are happy toannounce their marriage onMarch 13, 2010. KathrynEldridge Iannello and JohnIannello are proud to announcethe birth of a baby girl, CoralineVictoria, born on March 18, 2010,in Flagstaff, Ariz. Mieko Ozekiand Josh Blumberg were marriedin Delhi, N.Y. Mieko also recentlyearned a degree in sustainabilityand environmental managementafter completing her capstonecourse and conducting researchon the implementation of studentgreen funds in North America.Bridgit Hirsch VanEpps andMichael VanEpps are happy toannounce their marriage on Aug.5, 2010, in Half Moon Cay, the

• Celebrate the Sciences

• Greek Hall of Fame and

Greek ReunionsPhi Kap 55th Anniversary and

Sig Ep Reunion

• Alumni Happy Hours

• Sports Hall of Fame

• School of Business Reception

• Dr. Ronald Herzman Tribute Ceremony

Sign up now at go.geneseo.edu/homecoming

Bahamas. They reside inWatertown, N.Y.

2002Casey Dokoupil and ElizabethManghi are happy to announcetheir marriage on Oct. 9, 2010, inRichmond, Va., where they live.David Loreto was recently promot-ed to associate director of admis-sions at D’Youville College inBuffalo, N.Y. He and Audrey Bradyare also happy to announce theirmarriage on June 6, 2010, inLetchworth State Park (N.Y). Theylive in Kenmore, N.Y. DanielleCarlin Pierce and Colin Pierce areproud to announce the birth of ababy boy, Ethan Gerard, born onMay 30, 2010, in Rochester, N.Y.

2003Kathryn Dudek and MathieuGagnon-Oosterwaal of Montrealare happy to announce their mar-

riage on Oct. 30, 2010, in Buffalo,N.Y. Stacy Fravel Gidley andBrian Gidley are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Jake Allen, born on Aug. 1, 2010,in Rochester, N.Y. Kathleen Knuthwas promoted to lieutenant in theNew York City Fire Department

EMSCommandin August2010.JosephPatituceand Meganare proud toannouncethe birth ofa baby boy,

Joseph Thomas, born on Nov. 11,2010. Joseph is a managing partnerand president of Patituce &Associates LLC.

2004Scott Bartels recently accepted aposition at HSBC Bank in Buffalo,N.Y., as an assistant vice president,senior specialist in marketing.Scott Butler recently accepted a

position at Lake Erie RegionalHealth System (Irving) of NewYork as vice president of market-ing and community relations. Heis also proud to announce hismarriage to Lindsay Butler onDec. 5, 2009, in Penn Yan, N.Y.Tim J. Conheady and JessicaStarr are proud to announce thebirth of a baby boy, Lucas Declan,born on Nov. 28, 2010, inRochester, N.Y. Tim was recentlypromoted to director of clinicalinformatics at CDS Unistel Inc. inWebster, N.Y. Malena SotoCropper and Daniel Cropperare proud to announce the birthof a baby boy, Liam Douglas, bornon March 6, 2010, in Asheville,N.C. Matthew Dunn recentlyaccepted a position at LycomingCollege in Williamsport, N.Y., ashead coach of the women’s soccerteam. Sheri McKenna McMullenand Nicholis McMullen are proudto announce the birth of a babygirl, Keira Lyn, born on May 11,2010, in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

2005Jennifer Sisbarro Arnold andMark Arnold are happy toannounce their marriage on July17, 2010, in Ithaca, N.Y. JamieBosket was recently named asso-ciate vice president of GeorgeWashington’s Mount VernonEstate in Mount Vernon, Va.Janine Giordano Drake and JoshDrake are happy to announcetheir marriage on Sept. 19, 2009,in Urbana, Ill. Courtney StevensKing and Christopher King areproud to announce the birth of ababy boy, Joshua ChristopherStevens, born on April 18, 2010,in Rochester, N.Y. Lindsey SmithMetzger and Jacob are proud toannounce the birth of a baby boy,Ryan Joseph, born on Dec. 7,2010, in Buffalo, N.Y.

2007Sarah Chambers accepted aposition at the American RedCross, Greater Rochester (N.Y.)Chapter, as a development coor-dinator. Kristina Dion and David

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

Kathleen Knuth

Abramo arehappy toannouncetheir mar-riage onOct. 23,2010.JessicaDixonDudley and

Michael Dudley of Clay, N.Y., are happy to announce their marriage in Geneseo on June 12,2010. Robert Eckstrom received a juris doctorate fromWashington and Lee UniversitySchool of Law on May 8, 2010,and was admitted to the VirginiaState Bar last December.Nicholas Young joined JaeckleFleischmann & Mugel LLP, a full-service corporate law firm, as anassociate in the business and cor-porate practice group. AllisonLane received a master’s degreein public communication fromAmerican University. SarahWilliams Morris and Dave Morrisare proud to announce the birthof a baby boy, Matthew Michael,born on Sept. 5, 2010, in

Rochester, N.Y. John Seiftsreceived a master of science ineducation from SUNY Cortlandand is employed by the Utica(N.Y.) City School District.

2008Ivan Cash recently accepted aposition as art director at Wieden +Kennedy in Amsterdam, theNetherlands. Karen Merrill earnedcertification as a certified publicaccountant and is an auditor withPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP inRochester, N.Y. Sarah Osterlingwas recently promoted to market-ing coordinator at the FingerLakes Tourism Alliance in PennYan, N.Y. Emy Rustin Sewnauthand Andrew Sewnauth ofIrondequoit, N.Y. are happy toannounce their marriage on June26, 2010, in Geneseo.

2009Kimberly Skeggs recentlyaccepted a position at St. Louis(Mo.) Public Schools as third-grade teacher. Rachel Gamma isteaching high school math atNewburgh (N.Y.) Free Academy.Jordan Gross is pursuing a mas-ter’s degree in hydrology and bio-geochemistry at SUNY College ofEnvironmental Science andForestry in Syracuse, N.Y.

IN MEMORIAMALUMNIE. Mattice Spencer ’37, Jan. 22,2011Alice Newton Spring ’39, Nov.15, 2010Sylvia Martin Crary ’41, Jan. 13,2011Carlyne Naber McCallister ’47,

March 2, 2011Margaret Burmeister Davison’49, Dec. 7, 2010Phyllis Austin MacDonell ’50,Dec. 26, 2010Audrey Montgomery Algier’53, Dec. 11, 2010William Hite ’61, Dec. 2, 2010Nick Past ’63, Dec. 31, 2010Susan Cowilich Brackett ’66,Jan. 10, 2011John Nuthall ’75, Nov. 30, 2010Frank Mochol ’78, Jan. 11, 2011Thomas Ryan ’78, March 9, 2011Rosita Munger-Grun ’80, Dec.8, 2010Robert A. Adamo ’83, March16, 2011

STUDENTSJay Young Choi, April 15, 2011Joseph Glantey, March 23, 2011

FACULTYHarry L. Welshofer, assistantprofessor of Latin American andmedieval history from 1961 to1968, died Feb. 25, 2011.

Send your class note or notice togo.geneseo.edu/uknight

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Sarah Chambers

36 geneseo scene

Scene around the worldAre you packing to cruise the Nile or adventure in theAmazon? Rediscovering America on a drive? Take a photo of yourself with the Scene on vacation,business or other trips and submit them for our feature. Send your images to scene@geneseo.edu with a subject line of “Scene Around the World.”

Barbara Combes Ingrassia ’74/MLS ’75 andThomas Ingrassia ’74 aboard the Queen Mary 2“somewhere in the North Atlantic Ocean,” sailingfrom New York City to Southampton, England.

Linda Hughson Pacelli ’71 and Doug Dixon ’71explore the ancient city of Carcasonne, France.

Caroline G. Robinson ’83 at the Temple of Karnak inLuxor, Egypt.

ALUMNI NEWS

Rev. James L. Swarts ’71/ MA ’76 in Agra, India for sunrise at the Taj Mahal during a tour throughnorthern India and Nepal.

Narina Crain Schulz ’04 brought the Scene tothe top of Machu Picchu at 8,000 feet. Shewas studying the culture while pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Roosevelt University.

Marty Gerby Davis ’66 remembers Geneseo during ahike at the Arenal Hanging Bridges in Costa Rica.

Kelly Lange ’92 at the opera house in Sydney, Australia.

The Pekariks met in Niagara Hall. Fourteen years later, Geneseo is still a strongpart of their lives.John Pekarik ’98 lived in Niagara Hall during his first two years at Geneseo,

and while he appreciates the education he received at college, some of John’s favoritememories center on the people he met. “I remember weekends when one of us would be the night host at Niagara. We’d

hang out and order pizzas,” says John. “I’m still friends with a lot of those people today.”One of them became his wife.John met Stacy Mason Pekarik ’99 during her freshman year, but they didn’t start

dating until 2003. Married in 2005, they are now the proud parents of a baby boy,Matthew. Stacy is a kindergarten teacher and John works for the IRS.Stacy credits her professors at Geneseo for nurturing her love of teaching.“David and Elisabeth Rogers knew what we were going through because they had

been teachers themselves,” she says. “They made us better teachers.”As a political science major, John considered Professor Jeffrey Koch an inspiration.Today, he still works with Koch as a member of the Political Science Alumni

Cabinet, providing field experiences and internships for students.The Pekariks also are loyal supporters of The Fund for Geneseo and

the Ella Cline Shear School of Education. In fact, Stacy andJohn bear the proud distinction of having given back tothe college for 12 years — every year since Stacy’s sen-ior year.“Geneseo for me was the opportunity to grow and

mature that I had never had before,” says John. “If Iwere going to choose a period that defined me as anadult, it would be the four years I spent in Geneseo.”Geneseo was and is an integral part of their lives. “You chose to go to Geneseo for a reason. You

chose to stay and graduate. Think about what madeyou make those decisions and think about how your

experience there influenced your life. Thoseexperiences fundamentally defined who youare. That’s why it’s important to give back,”John says.

Stacy Mason Pekarik ’99 and John Pekarik ’99,

with their son, Matthew.

PHOTO BY RONNA BOSKO

:Make a difference ...visit giveto.geneseo.edu

By Lisa M. Feinstein

A match made at Geneseo

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