Experiential Learners of the Year Named
At Keuka College, experiential learning is a core focus and the 140-hour annual Field Period internship is one of the primary arenas where hands-on learning comes into play.
Each year, one freshman and one upperclassman earns Experiential Learner of the Year honors for demonstrating initiative, development of a broad and varied portfolio of work, and personal reflection on the skills learned during the Field Period experience.
Marquart, seated, and Torres.
The six nominees for 2012 were nominated by academic advisers, created a portfolio of work in essays, photographs and other media, and were honored at a luncheon April 27. During the May 5 Honors Convocation ceremony, the winners were named: freshman Lelia Torres of Stockton and sophomore Sarah Marquart of Auburn.
Torres’s first-time Field Period experience was quite a coup, as she was the first freshman from any college or university to land a Field Period internship with the Chautauqua County Office of Probation (CCOP). (more…)
The Cream of the Experiential Learning Crop
Keuka's Class of 2012 Experiential Learner of the Year nominees are flanked by Eva Noberg-Sarver, interim Field Period counselor, and President Jorge L. Diaz-Herrera. The nominees, from left: Junelle King, Sarah Marquart, Kelsey Marquart, Lelia Torres, and Kelsey Tebo. Missing from photo: : Jenna Chapman.
Editor’s Note: The 2012 Experiential Learner of the Year award nominees were recognized at an April 27 luncheon. The freshman and upperclass winners will be announced at Honors Convocation, Saturday, May 5. Here is a capsule look at the nominees:
Jenna Chapman
Jenna Chapman of Gorham was nominated by Professor of Communication Anita Chirco for a combination of personal and professional experiences that enabled the junior organizational communication major to “move herself beyond her comfort zone.”
Professionally, Chapman has conducted internships with the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program and Lollypop Farm, where she promoted the welfare of animals. Her personal service to the community also includes a role as founder and president of Keuka’s Equestrian Club.
This January, Chapman conducted a two-part Field Period, assisting the manager of a Canandaigua restaurant, Peppers Deli and Pastas, with several marketing initiatives. She also conducted an internship at Buffalo Spree Publishing.
At Peppers, Chapman helped design coupons for a menu-mailer to drum up local business, created flyers for the new owner, and built a Facebook page for the restaurant, and launched a “like our page” promotion. At Buffalo Spree Publishing, she worked on revisions and fact-checking for the annual Performing Arts Guide handbook and wrote feature articles for the company’s Forever Young publication for those ages 50 and up, and for the mainstay publication, Buffalo Spree magazine. (more…)
Spirits High for 15th CSCY Day of Service
Volunteers conduct service for non-profit sites around Yates County for CSCY (by Case Hamilton '12)
On Sunday, Ashley Ortiz worked with a team of fellow Keuka College students to clean inside the sanctuary of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Penn Yan, and plant a few flowers and greenery in the beds outside.
Ortiz, front row, second from left, and the volunteers cleaning St. Luke's church. (by Hung Do Le '12)
The freshman occupational therapy major was one of about 175 volunteers – including youth, families, seniors or Keuka students – who came together Sunday for Celebrate Service … Celebrate Yates(CSCY), to perform community service tasks at non-profit sites around Yates County.
This year marked the 15th anniversary of the event, which is a collaboration between the College and the Yates County Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers team up on a variety of tasks, including painting, cleaning, and minor repair work for the non-profits. It was clear Sunday that even chilly temperatures could not dampen spirits.
“It’s just nice to be able to help the people that are around the College,” Ortiz said, adding that in her hometown of Olean, volunteer service enjoys strong support as well. “I’m sure they appreciate us coming out, even if we are only doing a few ‘little things.’ Every little bit helps in some way, especially if you keep doing this every year – it adds up.” (more…)
Top Student Worker, Boss Honored
Keuka's Student Employee of the Year, Ron Burd (third from right), with supervisors (from left) Eva Moberg-Sarver, Terry Fingar and Kathy Waye. Also shown are Director of Student Employment Sally Daggett and President Jorge L. Díaz-Herrera. (photos by Case Hamilton '12)
A “dependable and wonderful multitasking student” and a “detail-oriented staff member who takes time to listen to students and lends her support and guidance” were the respective recipients of the 2012 Student Employee and Work-Study Supervisor of the Year awards, respectively, at the Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
Senior political science/history major Ron Burd and Administrative Assistant for the Division of Occupational Therapy (OT) Sandy Teague were selected by two separate panels of judges.
Burd was nominated for the award by Executive Director of Alumni and Family Relations Kathy Waye, Office Manager for Alumni and Family Relations Terry Finger, and Admissions Events Coordinator Eva Moberg-Sarver. (more…)
Alicia Pakusch a “Tremendous Asset” to Two Divisions
By Amanda Harrison ’12
Editor’s Note: This is the sixth of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
Alicia Pakusch, a senior adolescent education major, has received numerous awards and recognitions during her four years at Keuka.
Now, she’s being nominated for another: Student Employee of the Year.
Pakusch, who works for the education and social work divisions, was nominated for the award by her supervisor, Paulette Willemsen, secretary in the education division.
According to Willemsen, Pakusch is “a tremendous asset to the education and social work divisons,” and said she is “dependable, reliable, hard-working, and [comes] to work on time and with a positive attitude. She has excellent communication skills, is extremely organized, reliable, and computer literate.” (more…)
The Great Communicator
By Amanda Harrison ’12
Editor’s Note: This is the fifth of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
Ashley Larimore ’13 is a superb communicator, which is one reason she was nominated for the Student Employee of the Year Award by her supervisor, Kristen Harter, admissions counselor.
Larimore has worked in the Office of Admissions for three years, and according to Harter, has grown during this time into an excellent and dependable worker.
“Ashley is able to learn what admissions material we have and introduce it to new students in a very effective way,” said Harter. “She is able to communicate via phone, email, and in person with all prospective students.”
Larimore also uses these communication skills to help prospective students and their parents feel at home at Keuka College.
“Her personal communication stands out to our students and even more to our students’ parents,” said Harter. “Ashley has the ability to connect with all types of families and make them feel at home at Keuka College.”
Around the admissions office, Larimore is seen as a leader and a hard, dedicated worker.
“She is always willing to help any of our staff members to complete a project and cover when a staff member may be out of the office,” said Harter. “She volunteers many extra hours to the admissions office to help any of our staff members meet deadlines or complete important projects.”
As an admissions counselor, Harter is out of her office recruiting students approximately five months of the year. During this time, Larimore’s job becomes even more important, and she has met that expectation with exemplary work.
“She has the ability to start new projects, answer emails and phone calls professionally, and represent Keuka College,” said Harter, who added that her nominee also trains student employees in the admissions office.
According to Harter, Larimore completed a Field Period with the admissions office in 2010 to “learn more about our office and the admissions process for prospective students.”
“I believe that Ashley will not only continue to succeed, but will also continue to make our institution an even better place,” says Harter. “She understands the importance of self-motivation, and has the confidence and ability to learn and adapt to new things in the work environment. She believes in herself and has full support of those in the campus community who know her.”
Library Lingo
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
Carol Sackett, circulation supervisor in Lightner Library, says “it is sometimes difficult to find a student that represents the higher goals that place them in the status of the Student Employee of the Year category.”
However, she says senior Charlie Clark fulfills these goals with “grace and style,” and Sackett is confident in her nomination of the Cheektowaga resident for the award.
Clark, a unified childhood/special education major, has worked as a student circulation desk and lab assistant for two years and has “always been one of the backbones of our student workers in the library,” said Sackett. “She is cheerful and continuously inspires other workers to do their best. She possesses superior leadership skills and has been a wonderful mentor to all workers.” (more…)
Ruscio Garners Raves as Web Assistant
Editor’s Note: This is the third of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
Erica in her art studio in Allen Hall
When the Keuka College Class of 2015 arrived on campus in the fall of 2011, there weren’t many people they could greet by name. But thanks to the wonders of the web, junior Erica Ruscio was an exception.
That’s because the Middlesex resident was already familiar to incoming students who had read her blog posts for Eye on the Storm, the official blog for undergraduate admissions at Keuka, and interacted with Ruscio on the class’s official Facebook group page.
But Ruscio is far more than a social media butterfly, says Webmaster Pete Bekisz, for whom Ruscio works as a web assistant. Since she first began writing for Bekisz as a freshman, she’s penned some 130 posts for Eye on the Storm, enticing readers with advice such as The College Admissions Essay: How to Successfully Write One Without Having a Mental Breakdown. (more…)
“Ambassador” Burd
Editor’s Note: This is the second of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
According to Kathy Waye, executive director of alumni and family relations, the Office of Alumni and Family Relations at any college or university plays an important part in the success of the institution.
So it is “vital” that the students who work in that office are great ambassadors for Keuka, she said.
There is no doubt in her mind that senior Ron Burd fits the criteria. That’s why she—along with Terry Finger, office manager for the Office of Alumni and Family Relations and Eva Moberg-Sarver, admissions event coordinator—nominated Burd for the Student Employee of the Year award.
Burd, a political science/history major from Penn Yan, has worked for the alumni and family relations office for two years.
“Our alumni, families, and community members really enjoy their interaction with Ron,” said Waye. “He is great at multi-tasking projects which is necessary in our office. He always gives 110 percent to any project that he is given.”
Burd is responsible for answering questions, running reports, typing, filing, planning and working special events, and contacting alumni, families, and community members.
“When his projects are complete, he doesn’t hesitate to see if someone else in the office needs assistance, a true sign of a team player,” said Waye.
“What makes Ron even more special is he also works for admissions,” said Moberg-Sarver. “Ron originally started working for admissions over his January break in 2010 as a student ambassador, helping us with special events, and evening and weekend visits. During that time he became far more than an employee for six weeks. He was hired as a summer employee last year and has been asked to return again this year.”
While working in admissions, Burd’s primary responsibilities include answering questions, making phone calls, giving tours, and sending mailings. But most importantly, says Moberg-Sarver, he helps students feel comfortable during their campus visits.
“He is always willing to help in any way that he can,” said Moberg-Sarver. “He is a dependable and wonderful resource for students who are looking at Keuka.”
Fingar says she “can’t emphasize enough that Ron is a congenial and reliable person. He wants to make a difference with his life, and you can sense his confidence and genuine expectation to succeed.”
Waye agrees.
“He is committed and willing to give his best in everything in which he participates,” she said. “He shows great drive and initiative, he delights in the work he does, and he completes the work in a highly professional manner.”
According to Moberg-Sarver, Burd is considered a valuable member of both staffs.
“Not only is he remarkably prompt and reliable in performing his various duties as a student assistant and student ambassador, he goes beyond his job descriptions in many ways,” she said. “He doesn’t hesitate to make suggestions to make the projects in each office a success.”
Waye says Burd takes challenging courses and excels in them.
“He has made the Dean’s List, and values learning for learning’s sake,” she said. “He is an excellent student who is always willing to help a classmate when needed. His demeanor makes him very approachable.”
In addition to his academics and work-study positions, Burd is active in several extracurricular activities including Student Senate, the Political Science and History Club, and the Multicultural Student Association (MSA), which he serves as vice president. He is a starter on the men’s soccer team and is a member of the Health and Fitness Club, Intramural Advisory Board, and the Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice Club.
Added Waye: “Ron is one of those students that you know will make a difference in the world. We are excited to see what he achieves. The sky is the limit for this young man.”
The Consummate Mail Clerk and More
Editor’s Note: This is the first of six profiles of nominees for the 2012 Student Employee of the Year award that will be presented at the Annual Student Employment Awards Luncheon April 16.
According to Teri Spoor, IKON site supervisor, Tyler Moran, a senior adolescent English/special education major from Sandy Creek, deserves the Student Employee of the Year award for several reasons.
Moran has worked in the mail room as a mail clerk for two years, and while his job description says he is responsible for the distribution of all mail on the Keuka campus, and assisting with copy jobs as needed, Spoor says Moran does much more than that.
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