Keuka College faculty, staff, and vendors kicked off the Spring 2023 semester at the College’s bi-annual Community Day on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Part celebration, part reflection, Community Day was an opportunity for the more than 150 attendees in the Geiser Dining Commons and online to reconnect, welcome new employees, and honor those with milestone anniversaries before the College begins on-campus instruction on Monday, Jan. 30. “I am so grateful to be part of this community and be here with you as we kick off the new semester,” said College President Amy Storey, who emceed the event.
President Storey delivered a State of the College address; reiterated the College’s mission, vision, and values; and provided brief financial and admissions updates. She also offered several points of pride, including an operating surplus for the fourth year in a row and an increased number of new students to the College for the upcoming semester.
Senior biology major Daniela Aguilar, left, poses with College President Amy Storey during Community Day. The audience heard a brief message from Daniela, who praised the faculty for giving her all of the support she needed to succeed.
The audience also heard from senior biology major Daniela Aguilar, who thanked the staff and faculty for playing a “tremendous” role in the lives of the students and helping them succeed. She also shared that because of the support she received at the College, she believes she will have an edge over other students when applying to graduate schools, and that a Field Period opportunity at Keuka College led to a year-long independent research project and becoming a member at the Rochester Academy of Sciences.
In addition, a new College-wide initiative, the Keuka College Expo, was introduced. The May 5-6 expo is envisioned as a celebration of student, faculty, and staff scholarship, creativity, and experiential learning. The lineup includes demonstrations, displays, posters, talks, and other examples of College-related intellectual and creative endeavors taking place on and off campus.
Director of Community Standards & Student Intervention Tim White, left, and Director of Student Leadership & Engagement RaKim "RahK" Lash listen to presentations during Community Day.
Community Day also provided a forum to commemorate members of the Keuka College community with milestone anniversaries and acknowledge the sustained and noteworthy accomplishments of the College community.
Five-year service awards were presented to:
- Assistant Professor of Social Work Dr. Sekai Turner
- Registrar Katey Cheplick
- Business Office Accounting Supervisor Kayla Robinson ’16
- BSW Field Director and Program Coordinator Melissa Vangellow ’16
10-year service awards were presented to:
- Associate Professor and Program Director of Nursing Dr. Susan Bezek ’01
- Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Cassie Hey
- Associate Professor of Social Work Christopher Clinton
- Director of Financial Aid Stacia Dalaba ’18 M’2
A 15-year service award was presented to Associate Professor of Social Work Dr. Julie Burns.