Top News Articles

Contact: Peter Voorhees, news@TC3.edu
External Programs and Communication
607.844.8222, Ext. 4351

• TC3 Hires New Lacrosse Coach
• TC3 Releases Spring 2008 Dean's List
• TC3 Reaches Contract Agreements with Two Unions
• TC3 Honors Distinguished Alumni
• Faculty, Staff Receive Awards at Commencement
• Graduating Students Honored
• TC3 Alumnus Urges Class of 2008 to Follow Their Own Unique Path
• TC3 Honors Roger Wood as Friend of the College
• More News

7/22/2008

TC3 Hires New Lacrosse Coach

Former All-American at Cortland and Assistant Coach at West Point and USNA to Lead Panthers

DRYDEN, NY – Former All-American J.E. Bert Severns is the new head coach of the Tompkins Cortland Community College lacrosse team. He replaces Larry Siany, who stepped down after last season due to health reasons. Severns takes over immediately, including directing the TC3 lacrosse summer camp the week of July 28-August 1.
 
Severns is a 1972 graduate of Cortland State, where he earned All-American recognition on the lacrosse team. He was an assistant coach for both soccer and lacrosse teams at the United State Naval Academy from 1976 to 1980 and was the head soccer and lacrosse coach at Alfred University from 1980 to 1984. From 1984 to 1990 he was the assistant athletic director and assistant lacrosse coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has coached over a dozen All Americans, led his Alfred soccer team to an ECAC championship, and helped both the Army and Navy lacrosse teams to the NCAA national semifinals.
 
In 1990 he left coaching to pursue a career in the sporting goods industry, working his way up to his current position of national sales manager for Diadora America. He says the time away from coaching has made him more anxious to get back to coaching.
 
"The passion you have for the sport leads you back to it," says Severns. "I missed being on the field with the kids. As you get older you realize that you can give more to the kid just by giving guidance."
 
As would be expected with his coaching background, Severns emphasizes discipline, conditioning, and teamwork.
 
"I want my teams to be sound fundamentally, but I allow the players to grow individually. My players can do what they need to do," says Severns. "I'll give them the fundamentals to grow. We will be very disciplined and our players will know where to be. And they will be in shape – they might not enjoy that part of it, but they will be in shape."
 
The hiring was announced by TC3 Director of Athletics Mick McDaniel. "We are very excited to have Coach Severns on board," said McDaniel. "In addition to his impressive resume as a player and a coach, he is a man of tremendous character who will help our student-athletes grow both on and off the field. He is exactly the right person for this job at this time and we couldn't be more pleased."
 
The 2008 season was the first in 30 years for TC3. The Panthers went 3-9, beating established teams and playing close games with several teams that ended up making the NJCAA Region III playoffs. For 2009 and beyond, Severns says his priority will be to recruit players looking to get better.
 
"In a recruit I'm looking for a player who is committed to becoming a better player and making his team a better team," he said. "If he has a passion for the game, he will fit right into our program. If he has passion, he will become better. We can make him a better player while he's at TC3."
 

Top News Articles

back to top

7/17/2008

TC3 Releases Spring 2008 Dean's List

375 Students Honored

DRYDEN, N.Y. – TC3 has released the Dean's List for the Spring 2008 semester. Provost and Vice President of the College John Conners announced a total of 375 students have received the honor. The Dean's List recognizes matriculated students who have demonstrated high academic achievement by attaining a GPA of 3.5 or better while completing at least 12 credit hours during the semester. For part-time matriculated students, they are eligible each time they complete a block of 12 hours with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
 
Spring 2007 Dean's List
 
Alpine
Anna K. Thompson
 
Apalachin
Michael Travis Counts
David P. Schlee
 
Auburn
Jessica J. Blank
 
Bainbridge
Michelle E. Scheidegger
 
Barton
Jesse P. Grace
 
Berkshire
Casey J. Davis
Justine Lindsey Lewis
Jennifer Rose Reminick
Rebecca A. Simon
 
Binghamton
Nicole J. Paixao
Veronica M. Weir
 
Bronx
Michael Earl Brisbane
 
Brooklyn
Bejahda R. Lovelace
Rui Min Zhang
 
Brooktondale
Christine L. Alexander
Gabriel M. Barr
Eli Gabriel Fuller
Joseph Alexander Graterol
Roy E. McCarthy
Kathryn E. Merlino-Haner
Amy S. Morris
Barbara A. Odell
Amanda R. Pero
Bethany Rachel Resnick
 
Candor
Peter G. Ahart
Jacob D. Johnston
Maria B. Kilanowski
Zachary D. Lambertson
Dylan R. Vendryes
Barbara C. Wolcott
 
Castle Creek
Nicole Marie Zigmont
 
Cayuga
Kendra L. Middleton
 
Cayuta
Candice L. Ozolins
 
Cincinnatus
Tabitha L. Scoville
Jesse J. Wildman
 
Cleveland
Shannon B. Williams
 
Corning
Jenna L. Duell
 
Cortland
Jason L. Adams
Stephanie Agurkis
Johann M. Allen
Victoria Androshchuk
Sarah Anastasia Barnard
David B. Barrows
Carol L. Bradley
Kendall Brug
Phillip C. Chapman
Cassie L. Clark
William L. Diescher IV
Alissa M. Dippolito
Rose Louise Dovi
Nichole L. Fazi
Samantha B. Fickett
Ashriel S. Frasier
Michael B. Freeman
Hannah R. Gibbs
Meghan E. Gillespie
Jon T. Golley
Joshua P. Henry
Tamara D. Holladay
Robert Joseph Johnson
Oksana Kalytyuk
Patrick A. Leach
Lauren Kay Liotta
Raymond C. Mack
Jana Marchuk
Kimberly A. Massery
Tyler Allen Narby
Felicia Elizabeth Nieves
Nicholas A. Nowalk
Rebecca J. Peck
Mark R. Pflug
Deidre H. Plumley
Danielle E. Sabol
Blaze Douglass Sanders
Pamela J. Shepard
Daniel B. Smith
Chris J. Spadolini
Joshua Spector
Carol Dawn Stivers
Mark S. Storrier
Tamara M. Thorne
Kyle P. Usifer
Amanda Ann Van Vorce
Laura K. Van Winkle
Nancy J. Wood
Rachael L. Wormuth
Vitaliy I. Yanchuk
Shannon M. Yaw
 
Delancey
Kimberly A. Conklin
 
Dryden
Theresa A. Alexander
Lindsay Clare Becker
William C. Blinn
Kaitlin Elizabeth Bookhout
Peter William Cooper
Danielle Fink
Rebecca B. Halladay
Perri J. McGowan
Beth A. Neira
Jennifer Ann Norton
Seth M. Paddock
Andrew W. Sober
Christopher L. Strauff
Peter J. Warner
Leslie R. Welch
Kyle Steven White
Zoryana Y. Yuz'vak
 
East Northport
Denise L. Taddonio
 
Eldred
Ashley M. Tice
 
Endwell
Timothy M. Burford
 
Fairport
Gregory L. Storey
 
Floral Park
Angela C. Wessels
 
Freeville
Michael L. Aiken
Marci Calabretta
Megan E. Cosgrove
Cody C. Currier
Johanna Anne Decker
Veronica Y. Edwards
Stephanie L. Forbes
Thomas W. Gibbons
Jessica L. Hines
Benjamin P. Ramirez Reed
Nicole K. Ramos
Chloe M. Scutt
Anna R. Tate
Tracey J. Totman
Adam R. Vanslyke
Brenton Alpha White
Kristin J. Wilcox
 
Gardiner
Katelyn F. Hornbeck
 
Groton
Kimberly S. Brothers
Kimberly A. Costa
Kathryn B. Fuller
Donna R. Good-Pinkowski
Mallory A. Goyette Luciano
Kayla J. Hays
Carrie E. Howard
Mitchell T. Jacobs
Bryant G. Munson
Kurt A. Parker
Timothy Ernest Parsons
Jennifer M. Phelps
Kimberly Louise Reilly
Karol L. Riese
 
Guilford
Kari L. Baldwin
 
Harford
John C. Chevalier
 
Homer
Dawn M. Battista
Ann M. Brown
Benjamin David Cote
Shannon L. Davis
Dana M. Evangelista
Jessica L. Joseph
Michelle Rebecca McMahon
Kurt A. Sears
Joanne Elizabeth Speicher
 
Interlaken
Ivan P. McKittrick
 
Ithaca
Amber J. Adams
Matthew R. Addy
Stephen H. Albonesi
Elizabeth D. Amezcua
Seung Hyun An
Katherine E. Anderson
Angela B. Arthun
Tazio Asta
Khaled M. Attia
Brandon D. Baker
Kayla R. Baker
Nathanael Baker
Gordon C. Begent
Jordan C. Bigelow
Huldah R. Boruchowitz
Cheyenne Cardamone-Knewstub
Stephanie Chichester
Erika L. Clark
Benjamin J. Currens
Christiana Deirdre Dahlberg
Giovanni A. DeJesus
Amber Dew
Abigail S. Dubovi
Stephanie Dvorak
Carrie Lynn Eastman
Nadia A. Elqasem
Jasmine T. Fields
Jason M. Fuller
Kevin J. Galbreth
Jeffrey Lynn Gearhart
Toby L. Girard
Jonathan E. Goodman
Megan E. Gray
Derek M. Hall
Jacqueline M. Hardwick
Patricia L. Heckart
Kelsy C. Henne
Linda C. Hindall
Tang-Ling Hsu
Beverly A. Hubbard
Aaron Carlton Hutchins
Andrew P. Inglin
Robert J. Inglin
Nancy Joelle Jacoby
Julianna Johnson
Ozana Kalman
James P. Keegan
Ronald S. Kemp
Karla F. Kesel
Christian Faith Ketchum
Wichittra Khammee
In Sook Kim
Junha Kim
Yongjeong Kim
Jeffrey L. King
Konstantin I. Korobov
Roman I. Korobov
Scott C. Kozak
Brian T. Lamb
Ryan A. Latham
Keun-Young Lee
Weihong Li
David K. Lim
Janette Luby
Adam MacDonald
Heidi M. Marks
Kasey M. McKelvey
Amy Sue Meenen-Stoel
Pamela Milosevich Mercado
Jessica L. Mohr
Susan Mae Moore
Jessica R. Murphy
Peter Ozolins
Bethani Pallace
Preeti A. Panda
Thea I. Pettitt
Mario Ramos
Madelin K. Ricks-Benas
Zhao Rong
Kelly Nicole Saeli
Leticia S. Savage
Johnathon T. Schultz
Cory W. Seelman
Erica A. Serling-Sutton
Todd Andrew Shirley
Jennifer K. Sibley
Akossiwoa S. Sinon
Mark Slattery
Kuyheang Sok
Jack Alan Sonnenberg
Richard M. Southworth
Jennifer A. Sullivan
Matthew Evan Talbot
Joshua M. Tawney
Andrew Z. Tennenbaum
Jasmine K. Tourance
Karen Christine Uber
Matthew Valvo
Marius Van Wyk
Wyndie Louise VanDerzee
Sandra L. Voorhees
Darnell M. Webbe
Christopher T. Weingarten
Zhendong Weng
Jilian Arielle Wheeler
Kurt Patrick Wigmore
Nydia V. Williams
Jacob A. Yale
 
Johnson City
Ashley M. Weidner
 
King Ferry
Katherine L. DeVine
William Alfred Marsh
 
La Fayette
Kevin A. Finniss
 
Lansing
Tyler S. Clark
Lauren V. Grover
Katherine C. Hatfield
Melissa D. Jones
Mark Ole Peterson
Jesse Forker Ruoff
 
Lisle
Amanda L. Ostrander
 
Little York
Ashley Ann Hunter
 
Locke
Joanne W. Baum
James R. Bower
Megen Anne Foster
Zachary T. Hargett
 
Lockwood
Jenna L. Wright
 
Lodi
Brenda L. Teeter
 
Long Beach
Brock Michael Kosiner
 
Marathon
Sean Eli Baker
Donald F. Barry
Michelle M. Drake
Casey J. VanDeWeert
Amy L.. White
Christopher E. Williams
 
Massena
Christina M. Barber
 
McGraw
Sherri A. Carrow
Thomas W. Frutchey
Nathan A. Metzler
Jennifer C. Preston
Kevin A. Wall
Tiffany N. Whible
 
Melrose
Bryan Holland
 
Mount Upton
Joseph B. Crawford
 
New Hartford
Barbara Marie Nackley
 
Newark Valley
Thomas J. Malone
Charles E. Stebbins
 
Newburgh
Jonathan T. Connolly
 
Newfield
Donna M. Brown
Ethan W. Chaffee
Andrew S. Charnley
Gabrielle A. Cook
Cassey L. Cornish
Stephanie A. Depue
Marc Ian Evans
 
North Pitcher
Samantha A. Magarian
 
Northville
Rachel S. Reile
 
Odessa
Bethany J. Eddy
 
Oswego
Aaron F. Holden
 
Ovid
David J. S. Harris
Heather L. Reed
 
Owego
Thomas A. Baker
Nathaniel Luke Hills
Paul H. Kwiatkowski
 
Port Jervis
Matthew J. Gokay
 
Preble
Daniel R. Lajoie
 
Rockhill
Frances Lydia Reyes
 
Schenectady
Gabriel Emilio Guzman
 
Scipio Center
Joanna Lynn Krueger
 
Seneca Falls
Caroline M. Gilmore
 
Sidney
Scott D. Frazier
 
Slaterville
Lori L. Shockey
 
Spencer
Emerson F. Caiza-Zabala
Ana B. de la Rosa Sanchez
Anna K. Hollenbeck
Kira S. Larsen
Sara M. Merrell
Virginia L. Smith
 
Trumansburg
Kandi S. Bower
Debra A. Chase-Wegner
Justin Christopher Friends
Brandon J. Goldsberry
Deborah J. Hoover
Gregory R. Hovencamp
Michelle Nicole Jacot
Timothy J. Manheim
Kelly A. Minor
Mary C. Novitsky
Elly Marie O'Brien
Hannah Lucille Potts
Rachel M. Ray
John R. Soderquist
Michelle Stepp
Tracy E. Vesley
Elsa T. Wright
 
Truxton
Marlo Young Colletto
Abigail O. Perry
 
Tully
Victoria C. Van Slyke
 
Tupper Lake
Jessie L. Kavanagh
 
Unadilla
Denise Bailey
Stephanie A. Ray
 
Utica
Joseph Costantino
 
Van Etten
Joann M. Lehman
 
Walton
Merwis M. Askerzadah
 
Wappingers Falls
Zachary Mark Austin
 
Wayland
Brittney Sue Wilson
 
Willseyville
Kyle J. Carr
Sarah L. Delmage
Jacob P. Kelly
Susan E. Myers
Patricia M. Van de Bogart
 
Winthrop
Kimberly C. Gale
 
OUT OF STATE
 
Prescott, Arizona
Kari A. Irwin
 
Anaheim, California
Eui Chul Shin
 
Baltimore, Maryland
Yani Hu
 
Marshfield, Maine
Emily M. Sanders
 
Chesterfield, Missouri
Tzlil Hadass
 
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Aurora J. Moritz
 
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Bethany M. Gregory
 
Charlotte, Vermont
Tabitha W. Koerner
 
OUT OF COUNTRY
 
JAPAN
Kaoru Takasaka
 
REPUBLIC OF CHINA
An-Chu Chin
 
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Yoon Sun Bae
Jae Yoon Kang
Donghyuk Kim
Taehyung Park
Nak-Young Song
 
SPAIN
Laura Ilarraza Crespo
 
VIETNAM
Hang Pham
 

Top News Articles

back to top

6/26/2008

TC3 Reaches Contract Agreements with Two Unions

Faculty and Administrators Have New Five-Year Deals

DRYDEN, N.Y. – Tompkins Cortland Community College has reached agreements on new five-year contracts with the unions representing faculty and administrators. The contracts with the Faculty Association and the Professional Administrators Association each run from September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2013. The unions, the TC3 Board of Trustees, the Cortland County Legislature, and the Tompkins County Legislature have all approved the agreements. The Faculty Association agreement covers approximately 86 employees, while the Professional Administrators Association deal affects approximately 50 employees. The salary increases are a combination of percentage and fixed dollar increases each year, which has a greater beneficial effect for staff in lower salary grades. On the whole, the average pay increase over the five years of each contract is 3.9 percent.
 
"Both of these agreements are the third consecutive five-year contracts and are very mature," said Walter Poland, TC3 vice president for global initiatives and the College's chief negotiator. "There were not a lot of serious or unidentified issues that a younger contract might have."
 
Both union presidents agreed the contracts are good for both sides. "This is a very satisfactory contract, especially for the economic conditions that we're in," said Darlene Finn, president of the PAA. "I am very pleased that the benefits package didn't change and we made some improvements to the early retirement incentives," said Faculty Association President Scott Ochs. "We negotiated a fair contract for our employees."
 
Highlights:
 
The contracts include an early retirement incentive, which is anticipated to save the College more than $300,000 over the five years of each agreement.
 
The Faculty Association contract modifies the responsibilities of the department chairs in terms of assessment and advisement to provide better service to students.
 
The Professional Administrators Association contract creates a labor management committee, which is intended to facilitate communication on issues of mutual concern.
 
Both contracts are five-year agreements, providing certainty to the budgeting process. This is the third consecutive five-year contract for both unions.
 
Salary increases are smaller in the early years of each contract, with gradual increases over the life of the agreement. This helps the College in the short term and allows early retirement savings to help offset the larger increases in later years.
 

Top News Articles

back to top

6/3/2008

TC3 Honors Distinguished Alumni

Ayotte, Hinkle, and Wilson Recognized

DRYDEN, N.Y. – Amy Hamilton Ayotte, Larry Hinkle, and Valerie Wilson have been named recipients of the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award at Tompkins Cortland Community College. The Distinguished Alumni Award goes to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and volunteer service. The honors were announced at a recent ceremony on the main campus.
 
Ayotte, who graduated from the liberal arts and sciences: social science program in 1997, works as a senior probation officer for the Cortland County Probation Department. She was nominated by co-worker Jerry Benson, who cited her high level of professionalism and knowledge in allowing her to give guidance and advice to children and parents in crisis situations. Ayotte is a member of the International Sociology Honor Society and an active volunteer in the community, including with the Youth Assist Program at Family Counseling Services, the construction of a children's playground at Dexter Park in Cortland, and at various Cortland Youth Bowling Association events.
 
Hinkle is a three-time graduate of TC3, earning a liberal arts and sciences: social science degree in 1982, a recreation leadership degree in 1989, and a liberal arts and sciences: general studies degree in 1997. He is a member of both the TC3 Panther Hall of Fame and the Cortland High School Wresting Hall of Fame. He is the former athletic director at the College, a position he also has held at Cincinnatus and Norwich high schools, and in 2001, he authored and published a book on youth coaching. Hinkle is currently the Assistant Principal at Dryden Central Middle School and has been very active in helping the youth in his community. He serves as a member of the Town of Dryden Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee, served as a member of the Dryden Youth Recreation Committee, and organized and directed the first annual golf tournament to raise money for the Dryden HANDS (Helping A Needy Dryden Student) program. He also has volunteered for many years in Vermont at Camp Ta Kum Ta, a recreational camp for children with cancer. Hinkle was nominated by his wife, Janice.
 
Wilson, a 2005 nursing graduate, was nominated by Alan Pedersen, vice president at Cayuga Medical Center. Wilson has been employed at Cayuga Medical Center since 1999, starting as a hospital aide before deciding she wanted to become a register nurse. She was able to balance her family of three children and her job while going to TC3 full time as a student. Wilson is described as a positive role model for fellow employees, one who goes above and beyond for her patients.
 
The TC3 Distinguished Alumni award was first presented in 1991. With the addition of Ayotte, Hinkle, and Wilson, 21 TC3 alums have now been honored.
 

Top News Articles

back to top

5/22/2008

Faculty, Staff Receive Awards at Commencement

DRYDEN, N.Y. – Five faculty and staff members were honored for excellence during the commencement ceremonies at Tompkins Cortland Community College Thursday.
 
Deborah Amidon-Staley, associate professor of biology, received the Chancellor's/Trustees' Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was honored for her commitment to teaching and dedication to students, both in the classroom and out as an advisor for the TC3 chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Amidon-Staley joined the faculty in 1982.
 
Kristine Altucher, director of institutional research, received the Chancellor's/Trustees' Award for Excellence in Professional Service. She was cited for her willingness to take on challenges to help the College move forward, notably serving as co-chair of the College's Middle States Self-Study. Altucher started at TC3 in 2003.
 
Patrick Mercer, adjunct instructor of recreation leadership, received the Trustees' Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. He was recognized for his instructional abilities and administrative interests. His role in curriculum updates was also noted in his award nomination.
 
Renae Moore, secretary, received the Trustees' Award for Excellence in Classified Service. She was credited with providing exemplary service and meeting the highest standards of excellence in her work.
 
David Stevenson, athletics coordinator and men's head basketball coach, received the Faculty Student Association Award for Employee Excellence. A new award, Stevenson was honored for his unparalleled work ethic and dedication.
 

Top News Articles

back to top

5/22/2008

Graduating Students Honored

DRYDEN, N.Y. – Several members of the Tompkins Cortland Community College Class of 2008 have been honored for academic achievement, community involvement, and personal success.
 
The Hushang Bahar Award was presented to John Richard Yaw of Brooktondale. This award, established in memory of the college's founding president, recognizes a member of the college community who has achieved significant personal accomplishments. The criteria include overcoming challenges and obstacles to excel.
 
The Henrietta K. Stoeppler Award was given to Lauren Liotta of Cortland. This award, sponsored by professor emeritus Dr. Lucille Baker in honor of her mother, goes to an outstanding non-traditional female liberal arts graduate who intends to complete a baccalaureate degree.
 
The Hubbard Award, in recognition of a nurse or social worker who has elected to pursue a career in geriatrics, went to Jody Prezioso of Cortland.
 
The Thomas Edison Award went to Anita Vaughn of Ithaca. The award recognizes the perseverance and academic achievement of a graduating student who began his or her career by taking primarily pre-college courses.
 
Tammy Cox of Brushton received the Looseleaf Publishing Company Award. Sponsored by Looseleaf Law Publications, the award honors a student who has shown outstanding dedication and enthusiasm in attaining a paralegal law degree.
 
The West Publishing Company Awards went to Gregory Storey of Fairport and Jessica Smith of Key West, Florida. The awards, sponsored by West Publishing, recognize outstanding scholastic achievement in paralegal studies.
 
The District 3 New York State Nursing Association Award was presented to L. Christine Payton of Groton and the District 4 New York State Nursing Association Award was presented to Jo Speicher of Homer. The awards are presented to nursing students who demonstrate exceptional individual growth and commitment.
 
The Florence Nightingale Award went to Sherries Davis of Cortland and Jennifer Rockwell of Trumansburg. This award recognizes demonstrated nursing excellence.
 
The TC3 Nursing Faculty Award for demonstrated academic and clinical excellence in the holistic care of clients went to Hannah Potts of Trumansburg.
 
The Kathryn A. Dunham, RN Memorial Award was presented to Kelly McGill of Marathon and Lynn Gehr of Cortland.
 
The Athena Art Award recognizes the highest GPA in a fine arts program. Nicole Marie Zigmont of Castle Creek was honored.
 
The Spirit of Nursing/Linda Reynolds Award went to Tim Reynolds of Trumansburg. The award, in memory of Linda Reynolds, honors students who have demonstrated perseverance, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude in his/her studies.
 
The Women and Gender Studies Award went to Joyce Lynn Stanton of Cortland. The award is given to the women's studies graduate who has shown the ability to meaningfully integrate classroom theory and practical experience.
 

Top News Articles

back to top

5/22/2008

TC3 Alumnus Urges Class of 2008 to Follow Their Own Unique Path

DRYDEN, N.Y. – Find your passion, remember you are unique, and don't listen to people who say you can't succeed. TC3 alumnus Robert DuBois delivered that message to the Class of 2008 as part of his address during commencement ceremonies at Tompkins Cortland Community College Thursday. The College celebrated its 39th commencement in front of over 1,200 people in the College's new gymnasium.
 
DuBois, a liberal arts and sciences graduate from TC3's class of 1979 who is now a leader in his field of aquatic ecology, talked to the class about how TC3 shaped his life. "I was a terrible student in high school," he said. "Statistics show that only one out of every 100 people in the world get a chance at a college degree. I had squandered several chances before coming here and learning how to learn."
 
After graduating from TC3, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Cornell University. He is very successful in his career, and he offered some simple advice to graduates. "I learned how important it is to find your passion in life," DuBois told the graduates. "We're all poised to make a unique contribution in life. Finding your passion means finding a career that is a good fit for who you are."
 
He said the key to happiness is doing something that matters to you. "Once you've found your passion, head for it like a heat seeking missile and don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your dreams," said DuBois. "My wish for you is that you will find your passion, persevere through obstacles, and through it all, maintain your enthusiasm."
 
The audience also heard from a member of the graduating class. Justine Lewis talked about what she learned at TC3 and what she hopes for her classmates. "We can use the degree we've earned here at TC3 to gain wealth or power, or we can use it to achieve the most coveted type of success…. The one I hope you carry with you, tucked in your heart. It's all about really living our lives, never forgetting that this life is not a dress rehearsal – it's the real deal."
 
President Carl Haynes concluded the ceremony by noting the significance of the event for both the graduates and the College. "You are the first class to celebrate commencement in this wonderful new facility. In turn, yours will be the last class to have experienced the College as it was – before the construction walls went up and the ground before our feet was broken. We have undergone a great transition together."
 
Haynes continued "As we prepare to celebrate 40 years of service to the community this coming fall, we look back on what has been perhaps our most pivotal year and know that the Class of 2008 will have left its imprint on TC3 in the most positive of ways."
 
"As you take the next step in your life, your relationship to TC3 will grow even stronger," said Haynes. "We hope we have given you the guidance to help you succeed not only in your professional or academic pursuits, but also to thrive as leaders, developing and utilizing your greatest talents, while seeing those talents in others and helping them to succeed."
 

 

Top News Articles

back to top

5/22/2008

TC3 Honors Roger Wood as Friend of the College

DRYDEN, N.Y. – Roger Wood, vice president of BorgWarner Inc. and president of BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions Systems, was honored as the 2008 Friend of the College at the Tompkins Cortland Community College commencement ceremonies Thursday.
 
The Friend of the College is an honor bestowed at Commencement upon community members and others who have served the College with special loyalty and dedication.
 
Wood was the chairman of TC3's first-ever capital campaign, Think of the Possibilities. The $3 million campaign was launched in 2003 while Wood was president of BorgWarner Morse TEC in Ithaca. Despite receiving a promotion that moved him away from Ithaca, Wood remained involved and even returned on occasion to ensure a successful conclusion of the effort.
 
"Mr. Wood has shown incredible dedication to TC3," said TC3 Board of Trustees chairperson Roxann Buck while introducing Wood at the ceremony. "Using his leadership abilities, tireless energy, incredible professional networks, and passion for the College, Mr. Wood has offered generous philanthropic support to TC3."
 

Top News Articles

back to top