For Immediate Release—Friday, August 25, 2006
Contact:
Mary E. McCrank
Media Relations Officer
(585) 245-5516
mccrank@geneseo.edu
New school year at SUNY Geneseo begins today with
opening convocation and moving in day
GENESEO, N.Y.—A modern state-of-the-art science
building, 11 days of activities and a traditional convocation will welcome new
students at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Approximately 5,342 students prepare to begin classes at the
135-year-old institution, which has been recognized by four national
publications in the past month for being one of the most outstanding public
liberal arts colleges in the country. New students will start moving into the
residence halls at 8 a.m. today—Friday, Aug. 25.
President Christopher C. Dahl will address members of the
college community during his Opening Convocation address to be delivered to
faculty and staff at 3 p.m. today. Dahl and Beth McCoy, associate professor of
English, will address Geneseo's first-year class at the New Student
Convocation, at 7 p.m. Sunday, August 27, on the College Green. The title of
McCoy's speech is "Doing the Work That You (Do Not) Want To Do."
Incoming class is academically accomplished
Geneseo continues to attract high school graduates who have
achieved remarkable accomplishments. This year's first-year class of 1,073
registered students enters Geneseo with impressive academic credentials,
according to Director of Admissions Kris Shay and Director of Institutional
Research Catherine Renner. The mean combined SAT averages this year are 1292,
an increase over last year's average of 1281, and the mean combined ACT average
this year is 28, up from 27 last year, according to preliminary data. In
addition, the mean high school average remains steady this year at 93. The most
popular majors of the incoming class are biology, business and childhood
education.
Integrated Science Center opens for classes in September
The college's Integrated Science Center will be open for the
first day of classes on Monday, August 28. The $53 million project includes
102,000 square feet in the new building and renovations to the adjoining Greene
Hall. The Center—which will house the departments of geology, biology,
chemistry and physics—will affirm Geneseo's position as the leader in
science and technology research. The facility will boast a rooftop astronomy
deck and 2,700 square foot greenhouse adjacent to Newton Hall. With 16 teaching
laboratories designed to accommodate specific courses of study, 30 additional
labs are custom designed for research to be conducted in each field. The
college broke ground on the project in November 2003. An official opening will
be held Nov. 9-10.
Volunteerism instilled in new students during first weeks
on campus
More than 170 first-year students will perform volunteer
service during their second weekend away at college, said Celia Easton,
associate dean of students and professor of English. The Geneseo 100 Volunteers
program started last year and had an overwhelming response this year. The
students will spend the morning of Labor Day—Monday, Sept.
4—helping people in need by doing yard cleanup, painting, trail clearing
and serving senior citizens. This program helps new students meet their
classmates while also promoting volunteerism as a way of life at Geneseo. The
students will meet at 9 a.m. in the lobby of the College Union before heading
out to volunteer.
Fifteen students named Presidential Scholars
The first group of Geneseo's Presidential Scholars will be
inducted in a ceremony Sept. 11. Fifteen students entering their senior year
were nominated by faculty members and reviewed by faculty and students before
being recommended to Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Katherine
Conway-Turner. The students must have a GPA of 3.6 or higher and be involved in
the college and greater community, said Conway-Turner. The students will
receive certificates and special Geneseo pins during the ceremony at the
president's home.
Week of Welcome offers students variety of activities
The college will welcome the return of its students
beginning today with 11 days of activities ranging from athletic activities to
field trips to seminars. "WOW: Week of Welcome" will run from Friday, Aug. 25,
through Monday, Sept. 4. The Department of College Union & Activities has
planned numerous events and activities to welcome and inform new and returning
students and to build community. Today's activities include a reception from
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the president's home on Main Street, an all-campus
picnic from 4:30-6 p.m. on Sturges Quad and a crafts program from 9-11 p.m. In
addition, students, faculty and staff will discuss "Letters from Young
Activists: Today's Rebels Speak Out," required reading for all first-year
students, from 4:45-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in locations throughout campus.
More information on the reading program can be found at http://summerreading.geneseo.edu/.
Other events throughout the week will include a giant water slide, trips to the
New York State Fair and Six Flags Darien Lake and a service project for Habitat
for Humanity from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3. A full list of activities can be
found at http://wow.geneseo.edu.
Geneseo lauded in four national publications in past
month
Four national publications, including three well-known and
highly respected national college guides, have again acknowledged the
outstanding liberal arts education offered at Geneseo. The New York Times called Geneseo one of the nation's "hidden gems" that
"is increasingly seen as a first choice for high achievers." The college made
the list of 20 colleges and universities nationwide that "are alternatives to
the usual suspects," or the "brand-name institutions." In the 2007 edition of
"America's Best Colleges," published by U.S. News & World Report, Geneseo is ranked No. 14 out in the category "Best
Universities – Master's" for the northern region. U.S. News takes into account both public and private colleges
and universities in this category. Geneseo also appears at No. 2 among the "Top
Public Universities – Master's" for the northern region. Geneseo also was
profiled in the 2007 edition of The Princeton Review's Guide to "The Best 361
Colleges." The Review named Geneseo a Best Northeastern College. Geneseo also
was ranked in the 2007 "Fiske Guide to Colleges."
2006 awards for excellence presented to faculty and staff
at Opening Convocation
The following awards for excellence are to be presented to
Geneseo faculty and staff at the president's annual opening convocation today:
Roy L. Doane of Wellsville, assistant vice president for
facilities and planning—President's Award for Outstanding Professional
Service; Amy Sheldon of Groveland, assistant professor of geological
sciences—President's Award for Excellence in Academic Advising; Wendy
Knapp Pogozelski of Geneseo, professor of chemistry—President's Award for
Excellence in Research and Creativity; Isidro Bosch of Geneseo, associate
professor of biology—Harter Faculty Mentoring Award; and Jacalyn Eddy of
Nunda, lecturer of English—Joseph M. O'Brien Award for Excellence in
Part-Time Teaching.
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