The State University of New York Board of Trustees announced Monday the appointment of John B. King Jr. as the 15th chancellor of SUNY.
King
King brings to the position decades of experience as a leader in education administration and policy at the local, state and national levels. He has championed expanding access to high-quality, affordable education.
“As we work to continue to transform SUNY to meet the needs of the next generation of students and New York’s economy, we need a leader who understands how to balance striving for both excellence and equity,” said SUNY Chairman Merryl H. Tisch, in a statement. “John King has a proven record of doing both.”
King’s selection was the result of a year-long global search.
He replaces Deborah F. Stanley, former president of SUNY Oswego, who has been serving as interim chancellor since December 2021 when Jim Malatras resigned from the position after receiving backlash over the release of text messages showing he mocked one of the women who later accused former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.
King will move back to New York and begin his new role in January.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke about the appointment during her visit to Rochester this morning.
“I wanted an individual that would re-establish the preeminence in SUNY education,” she said. “We have slipped.”
King is currently the president of The Education Trust, a nonprofit organization that promotes high academic achievement for all students in early childhood, K-12 education and higher education.
Prior to his appointment to that post in 2017, King served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama.
King began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher in Puerto Rico and Boston, Mass. and as a middle school principal.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in government from Harvard University, a J.D. from Yale Law School, as well as a Master of Arts in the teaching of social studies and a doctorate in education from Teachers College at Columbia University.
An Applied Technology Center will be built on the Brighton campus of Monroe Community College (photo courtesy of Monroe County).
Construction of an Applied Technologies Center (ATC) on the Monroe Community College Brighton campus has been approved, meaning students will have enhanced opportunities to train for high-demand, skilled-trades jobs and integrate with other STEM programs.
The Monroe County Legislature on Tuesday night approved $35 million in funding for the building, which will replace what county officials say is an outdated building on West Henrietta Road. The new facility will connect ATC students with the college’s existing science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs.
“The four pillars of building Monroe County’s future are public safety, public health, economic/workforce development and infrastructure,” County Executive Adam Bello said in a news release. “The new ATC facility builds on our country’s ongoing efforts to train people for high-demand jobs such as automotive technician, precision tooling, heating, ventilating and air conditioning technician and solar panel technician.”
The new programs are intended to help fill the void in the trades industries, where a shortage of skilled workers continues to grow as the current workforce ages out and fewer workers enter the fields.
“Skilled trades workers are in short supply, our economy needs them and companies are willing to pay good money for them,” Bello said. “This new center will give students practical hands-0n training and help accelerate the availability of workers our economy needs to thrive.”
The legislature gave unanimous approval to the proposal and authorized the county to enter into a contract with the state Dormitory Authority to purchase fixtures and equipment. The State University of New York will reimburse the county for half of all project costs.
“Thanks to Monroe County’s investment in technological innovation, education and training, more Monroe Community College students will have opportunities to learn in simulated, real-world environments and earn industry-recognized credentials in high-demand career fields,” MCC president DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said. “MCC is grateful for the Monroe County Legislature’s and Monroe County Executive Bello’s support of our shared focus on lifting up residents across all ZIP codes and bolstering
our local economy.”
(left to right) Allen Williams, Adam Bello, Jim Malatras, DeAnna Burt-Nanna and Robert Duffy. (provided)
Monroe Community College President DeAnna Burt-Nanna was joined Thursday by State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras to announce the start of construction on the $11.4 million Finger Lakes Workforce Development (FWD) Center on MCC’s downtown campus.
The FWD Center will be operated with industry and partnerships with Genesee Community College, Finger Lakes Community College, BOCES, Rochester Institute of Technology and Manufacturing Association, Greater Rochester Enterprise Inc., the state Department of Labor, RochesterWorks! and Monroe County. The state-of-the-art facility will train at least 2,500 students in various in-demand careers in manufacturing and technology. The center is expected to open in early 2022.
Also at Thursday’s announcement were SUNY trustees Robert Duffy and Christy Fogal, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, the regional state legislative delegation and local officials.
“Because of skills gaps, there are critical workforce shortages across our state and SUNY will help fill that growing need. Today’s start of construction of the Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center is a key example of our SUNY for All program — going into communities too often left behind; bringing multiple colleges together under one roof to leverage the individual SUNY campuses’ strength to provide students more opportunities; and connecting students who will be ready for work, with the Department of Labor and public industry partners ready to connect them to in-demand, well-paying jobs,” Malatras said in a statement. “Thanks to the investment from New York state, we can make this a reality and start to fill the 20,000 open jobs in the Finger Lakes region.
“We have to give the community a chance at economic opportunities, and not only provide high-quality education to our students, but set them up for success, which is exactly what will take place at this center. I thank President Burt-Nanna and her campus leadership team, trustees Duffy and Fogal, Monroe County Executive Bello, our state legislative delegation, and all our partners for their advocacy and support of this project,” Malatras added.
The FWD Center has been designed to focus on short-term and accelerated training programs that place individuals in high-demand jobs within advanced manufacturing, information technology, health care, skilled trades apprenticeship and professional services. It will serve as a home to critical training programs for all learners: credit and non-credit-based programs and customized training to meet the needs of an employer.
A recent survey conducted by the state Department of Labor found that 48 percent of New York employers ranked the lack of qualified applicants as their main barriers to hiring.
“As Industry 4.0 changes the way all of us live and do business, it’s critical that employers have access to a workforce that is able to use smart technologies in business environments. The Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center will be home to affordable, high-caliber education and training programs that will be accessible to diverse learners across the region, preparing them for in-demand tech-oriented careers that pay living wages and are less vulnerable to future displacement,” Burt-Nanna said. “With a 60-year track record of putting people back to work, Monroe Community College is excited to be part of a regional effort in developing the next generation of skilled technicians and moving the economy forward.”
The project is budgeted at $11.4 million, with $6 million coming from a SUNY2020 grant and $5.4 million coming from the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative.
“Today’s announcement is a cause for celebration — SUNY is creating clear education-to-career pathways for our students and helping the economy move forward after all the hardships faced by businesses throughout New York State due to the pandemic,” Duffy said. “The Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center shows what can be accomplished when elected officials, the workforce and higher education all work together to support a common goal. Our students who take courses at the center will receive hands-on learning experiences that will prepare them to enter into a job feeling confident to succeed.”
Undeveloped sections on the fifth and sixth floors of the MCC downtown campus at 321 State St. will be renovated to accommodate the 50,000-square-foot FWD Center. MCC conducted 22 focus groups with more than 80 regional stakeholders and employers to determine the impact of new technologies on Finger Lakes businesses and the skills these employers most need in their workers.
“The Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center will be a great resource for our community as we begin to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative center will strengthen the regional workforce through training, educating and teaching the necessary skills for careers in technology and advanced manufacturing,” said state Assemblywoman Sarah Clark. “Thank you Chancellor Malatras, President Burt-Nanna and County Executive Bello for this investment in our region and our workforce.”
The FWD Center is strategically designed and will not be fully built out at launch in order to support a variety of programs and allow for quick modification of the space to meet the specific needs of regional employers. Flexible space will be created for labs related to robotics, mechatronics, augmented reality and virtual reality, smart factory/automation and skilled trades, as well as the Career and Education to Employment Services Center. The design will enable the FWD Center to adapt to changing needs in industry.
The State University of New York plans to develop a system-wide action plan to increase diversity, equity and inclusion at its schools.
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras and the SUNY board of trustees have appointed Teresa Miller, SUNY’s senior vice chancellor of strategic initiatives and chief diversity officer, in collaboration with the SUNY Empire Shirley Chisholm Center for Equity Studies to develop an action plan by the end of January 2021 and to focus on concrete and implementable programs to increase diversity at SUNY’s 64 campuses.
“To build a more inclusive university system, we must collectively confront serious issues of discrimination, harassment and the marginalization of individuals in our community,” Malatras said in a statement Friday. “SUNY’s commitment to equal justice for all is unshakeable, but there is more work to be done. Now more than ever we need action and not just words.”
Malatras urged the SUNY community’s involvement in the development of its comprehensive action plan. SUNY students, faculty and staff will be asked to provide feedback and additional proposals.
The chancellor also recognized the actions taking place in its colleges and universities with the promotion of “64 Actions on 64 Campuses” taking place to lean into racial equity and justice.
“Shirley Chisholm said it best by imploring us to stop complaining on the sidelines and getting in the game to make progress by implementing ideas. This process will therefore be focused on listening and then acting, and I have great faith in Dr. Miller and the Shirley Chisholm Center for Equity Studies to develop a robust program,” Malatras said. “Since the Board of Trustees implemented a sweeping Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy, SUNY has made great progress toward becoming the most inclusive institution of higher education—and it serves as a strong foundation for what we need to do today to continue our pursuit to be a more equitable institution.”
SUNY’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy was approved by the board of trustees in 2015. SUNY Board Vice Chairman Cesar Perales and Trustees Marcos Crespo, Eunice Lewin, Stanley Litow and Camille Joseph Varlack will provide recommendations and be consulted as the final system-wide action plan is developed.
Goals for the diversity, equity and inclusion action plan include:
• Assessment of racial equity gaps across SUNY
• Curriculum development towards racial equity and literacy
• Review of the chief diversity officer’s role on every campus
• Increasing diversity:
-Hiring: administrators, faculty and professional staff
-College Council representation
• Prior learning and transfer credits, and
• Improving campus life:
-Expanded leadership institutes modeled off of the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute
-More inclusive clubs, and
-Increased access through seamless pathways, Early College High School and expanded Educational Opportunity Program
“As the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education, it is SUNY’s responsibility to lead in issues of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Miller said. “As we reflect on the racial inequities plaguing our nation, and the events of this past year, we re-dedicate ourselves — and take pride in — furthering our commitment to racial equity, equal access and opportunity.
“Our partnership with the Shirley Chisholm Center for Equity Studies and campus chief diversity officers, as well as engagement from the broader SUNY community, will help us start to forge the path forward to ensuring that students throughout our system from every walk of life are heard and represented as we work to achieve our goals of an increased diverse staff, closing racial equity gaps and improving the campus climate at each of our institutions.”
Last week, the SUNY community, including 1,300 — now more than 2,200 — people and Malatras, issued a statement on the importance of diversity training in opposition to the White House Executive Order prohibiting training on “divisive concepts.”
When Malatras was appointed, he asked the board for a 25 percent pay cut and to receive a salary of $450,000 and a $60,000 housing allowance. He has asked that the additional $170,000 be directed every year to the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program for underrepresented students and PRODiG program to increase faculty diversity across SUNY campuses.
State University of New York colleges and the University of Rochester will close down most in-person classes and teach the rest of the semester online in an effort to reduce the possibility of spreading the COVID-19 virus, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.
In the evening, Rochester Institute of Technology also announced it would extend this week’s spring break by another week and then begin teaching classes March 23 online or through course redesign.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Wednesday afternoon that he has also asked companies in the New York City area, where the state’s population is densest and closest to the biggest cluster of confirmed coronavirus cases, to consider having employees work at home, or in shifts to reduce densities and risk of exposure. He also urged means of public transportation to double their cleaning schedules, noting information on how long the virus remains active on surfaces has been conflicting.
University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf, in a letter to the campus community Wednesday afternoon, asked that non-essential visitors postpone visits for the rest of the semester, including to the Memorial Art Gallery, owned by the university. Requests for visiting researchers would be postponed for six months.
The letter also said that the University of Rochester Medical Center is talking with state health officials about whether visitations there need to be curtailed.
The number of cases in New York as of Wednesday afternoon was 212, with 121 of them in the New Rochelle area, just north of New York City. No cases have been detected on any of the local campuses nor in Monroe County.
The SUNY system also includes City College of New York campuses. In the Rochester area, it includes the College at Geneseo, College at Brockport, Monroe Community College, Finger Lakes Community College and Genesee Community College.
As for other local colleges:
St. John Fisher is taking travel and food-serving precautions, a spokeswoman reported. In addition, it has announced webinars Friday and Monday for faculty on how to use available technology for creating online lectures.
Similarly, Roberts Wesleyan College said it was preparing to continue classes remotely if necessary, but mostly operating as usual.
Nazareth College is on break until Monday, but the college’s coronavirus task force is meeting daily to consider whether other steps are needed, a spokeswoman said.
The shift to online learning would begin March 19 for the SUNY schools and March 18 for the University of Rochester. The announcement came during spring break or right before the break for some schools. UR announced that it was adding two days to the break for Eastman School of Music students so they don’t have to return before online instruction starts.
For the public schools, UR and RIT, students were being urged to return to their permanent addresses to complete their studies online. However, if the students are unable to go home, especially because of health-related restrictions in their home communities, their dorms will remain open. UR and RIT said food service would continue for those students on campus.
RIT added that students with on-campus jobs will still have work jobs available. Faculty were expected to report to work, but non-essential meetings were prohibited.
Cuomo said of state dormitories, “They’re not evicting anyone. They’re not closing the dorm and kicking you out.”
Most campuses had already been under some self-imposed restrictions limiting the size of gatherings. In Wednesday’s written announcement to the UR community, Mangelsdorf and other academic leaders listed this change: “essential meetings specifically related to the administrative, academic, or performance obligations of the University are limited to 100 participants until the end of the semester. Everyone is expected to cancel, postpone, or ‘virtualize’ all other meetings.” Some small seminars for graduate students and researchers may continue but are limited to 25 people, the notice said.
Cuomo said decisions had not been made about scheduled SUNY sports competitions and graduations.
Authorities were also discussing whether the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade would be canceled, he said, adding that such as step may not be necessary in smaller cities where the number of cases is smaller or non-existent. Boston and Chicago have canceled their parades.
A second wave of SUNY students studying abroad in countries most affected by the coronavirus arrived overnight at the College at Brockport, this time from foreign-study programs in Japan and Korea.
In an update to the Brockport community late Monday afternoon, Brockport President Heidi Macpherson said about 14 students were coming from Japan and South Korea. The first group arrived from Italy over the weekend and are now quarantined in Gordon Hall.
A college spokesman said on Tuesday that the group now includes a total of 31 students.
Last week SUNY called back some 300 students from abroad, including China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Some students have opted to be quarantined at their homes.
Macpherson said because so many people in the community have offered to help support the students during their 14-day quarantine, the college has established a website with information and a place to share messages. While the college is providing toiletry and snacks, the webpage noted donations of additional snacks, and books, magazines and other entertainments would be welcome. The web address is brockport.edu/life/health_center/community_support.
“I want to express my gratitude to the individuals and teams who have repeatedly exceeded all expectations over the last several days as we have welcomed our SUNY guests to Gordon Hall. I have been touched, not only by the efforts of our campus community, but by the generosity and support of our surrounding communities,” Macpherson said.
None of the students have shown symptoms of being infected with the virus, Macpherson said, but remained quarantined from the community and each other as a precaution. Brockport’s Gordon Hall was selected as a quarantine site because it was empty and close to needed services.
One of the students’ birthday is Tuesday, so the college provided a cake and wrapped gifts to her, and cupcakes to the other Gordon Hall residents, while community members were scheduled to sing “Happy Birthday” to her outside the dormitory Tuesday afternoon.
In related news, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday that New York has now surpassed the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state (approximately 150), where the country has experienced the most deaths so far. New York had one more case of disease than Washington, but only eight hospitalizations and no deaths, he said. He offered perspective by noting this year’s deaths due to influenza have been much worse nationally. Most of New York’s confirmed cases have been related to large gatherings in New Rochelle, Westchester County.
A new financial aid and educational support program is available in New York that provides more flexibility for incoming or returning college students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Empire Opportunity Program was announced over the weekend by SUNY Empire State College, which will begin with 60 students at its Buffalo campus and online starting in the fall semester. Other campuses will be added later.
Unlike other state educational opportunity programs, this one is available to full-time and part-time students and to students of any age who are either starting college or returning to their studies.
“With the changing demographics of today’s college student, SUNY Empire State College’s new program will provide the same successful opportunities to the growing population of adult student learners and students at all stages of life,” said Guillermo Linares, president of the NY State Higher Education Services Corporation.
SUNY Empire EOP will offer:
–Financial aid, such as stipends for full-time and part-time students;
–Dedicated professional and peer tutors;
–Student success mentors from enrollment through graduation;
–Summer orientation;
–Year-round workshops on topics such as resume writing and self-marketing;
–Early-degree planning.
Education is a critical rung in the ladder of success, building a strong middle class and improving lives,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. “This expansion to SUNY Empire will make it easier for New York’s students to get the education and support they need in the manner that best suits their lives — whether that’s on a campus, online or a combination of the two.”
Students must meet financial and academic guidelines to be included in the program. They also must be residents of New York for at least 12 months. Information is available from Empire State College’s website at esc.edu/eop.
“SUNY Empire’s new EOP initiative will put a college degree within reach for many New Yorkers, especially adults and returning students, who may have thought a higher education was impossible,” Dana Brown, the program’s new director. “This is an important step toward achieving the full promise of higher education as a path to a better life for all, not just some.”
More than five dozen businesses, community colleges and organizations will share $3.4 million in funding for workforce development this year as part of the state’s historic $175 million Workforce Development Initiative.
Funding is provided by the state Department of Labor, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the State University of New York. Since launching in May 2019, nearly $6.5 million has been awarded.
More than one-third of the 61 organizations awarded funds this year are in the Finger Lakes region, including:
Berry Global
Bonduelle Americas
Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic
Creative Food Ingredients
Cutco Corp.
Harbec
Lifetime Assistance
Markin Tubing
McAlpin Industries
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative
Optimax
Orolia
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
Park Ridge Nursing Home
Pfisterer Lapp
Prestolite Electric
Rochester General Hospital
Rochester General Long Term Care
Spectracom
University of Rochester Medical Center
Unity Hospital
“These awards will help ensure that thousands of workers across the state are not only prepared for the jobs of today, but are ready to take on the jobs of tomorrow,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release. “New York’s workforce must adapt to the rapidly changing, modern economy and the Workforce Development Initiative will give our workers the edge they need to stay competitive.”
The professional training projects are supported by SUNY community colleges across the state, including Adirondack, Broome, Corning, Dutchess, Fashion Institute of Technology, Genesee, Jamestown, Monroe, Nassau, North Country, Tompkins Cortland and Westchester. Projects funded through the state DOL include sites in the Finger Lakes, Long Island and New York City. Projects funded through NYSERDA are all located in New York City.
“Developing a strong workforce pipeline is a significant issue facing communities all across New York State,” said DOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “This initiative helps address that by ensuring that industry leaders are engaged with the education and training providers from early on in the process, resulting in the creation of meaningful training programs that will have a real impact on the problem.”
The state’s Workforce Development Initiative was announced last May and is designed to support strategic regional efforts that meet businesses’ short-term workforce needs, improve regional talent pipelines, enhance the flexibility and adaptability of local workforce entities, expand apprenticeships and address the long-term needs of growing industries.
Geneseo Professor Harry Howe has been named a distinguished teaching professor by the State University of New York.
Harry Howe
Howe, professor of accounting at SUNY Geneseo’s School of Business, is one of 13 SUNY faculty members receiving distinguished honors this year. The designation recognizes masters of teaching who also demonstrate “outstanding service to students, and commitment to their ongoing intellectual growth; scholarship and professional development; and adherence to rigorous academic standards and requirements.”
The SUNY board of trustees noted that Howe “creates a highly interactive classroom setting where students develop essential proficiencies for their future profession” and also lauded his support and mentorship for students, along with continuing relationships with alumni that benefit current students.
Howe has taught at Geneseo since 1995, and directs Geneseo’s master’s level accounting program. He advises several accounting student organizations.
“Professor Howe is a deeply engaged educator whose passion for teaching and learning is legendary,” said SUNY Geneseo Provost Stacey Robertson. “His commitment to mentorship of students extends well beyond their undergraduate years at Geneseo and has resulted in a devoted alumni network that eagerly supports current students. We are proud and delighted to have another exceptional faculty member named to the highest teaching rank in SUNY.”
New York’s U.S. senators announced today that the state college system will be receiving nearly $8 million in federal funds to boost job training in advanced manufacturing, particularly for under-served and unemployed populations.
The grant goes to the Research Foundation for the State University of New York System and will be used to create a SUNY New York College Apprenticeship Network to provide pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training.
“This $8 million federal investment is great news for the 30 SUNY community colleges throughout New York State. With these crucial funds, the SUNY system will be able to rev up its new apprenticeship program and help New York students throughout the state get on-the-job training and, more importantly, good-paying jobs,” said Sen. Charles E. Schumer.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The pre-apprenticeship programs will especially benefit people that are underrepresented in this field — such as women and people of color. Pre-apprenticeship and work-based learning programs create pathways to the workforce through hands-on experience and on-the-job training. This helps ensure that New Yorkers have the skills to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow and helps bring local development to our communities.”
Training through the network will combine online coursework and on-the-job teaching, the senators said.
Genesee Community College has recently completed articulation agreements that pave the way for students at the community college to move into four different bachelor’s degree programs at Rochester Institute of Technology and Alfred State College.
The four programs are just the latest among 200 such articulation agreements GCC has with other higher education institutions. The new agreements focus on construction management at Alfred State; and nutritional sciences, exercise science, and dietetics and nutrition at RIT’s College of Health Sciences & Technology.
Often referred to as a “two-plus-two” program, transfer agreements between community colleges and bachelor’s degree colleges can save students between $5,000 and $10,000 in their first two years compared to attending a four-year school all four years. The transfer programs, however, require students to follow a carefully managed plan so they are eligible for the transfers after two years.
“The transfer process can appear daunting to a first-time transfer student,” Kristen Hargrave, transfer coordinator at GCC said. “But the SUNY Transfer Paths and articulation agreements between two and four-year schools map out very specific courses to maximize the student’s tuition dollars and minimize the number of semesters it takes them to earn their degrees.”
Typically, students who plan to transfer accomplish most of their general education requirements at the community college, along with some designated courses that align with the transfer program they plan to attend. For that reason, the college advises students to meet with a transfer counseling center as soon as they know they want to go on in school.
According to GCC, approximately 40 percent of graduates transferred to another college after earning an associate’s degree.
The State University College at Brockport received a grant of more than $220,000 from the state, it was announced on Thursday, (Feb. 8) to fund a training program for facilities workers to become more knowledgeable in energy efficiency.
Brockport will develop a training program for using the digital energy data management system, known as New York Energy Manager, or NYEM, which is located in Albany and operated by the New York Power Authority. The grant comes from the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority.
“Sustainability and strategic partnerships are two themes within my vision for SUNY, and this training program is an example of these themes at work,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina J. Johnson. “Thank you to President (Heidi) Macpherson and the SUNY College at Brockport team for creating a training program that is scalable throughout SUNY, and will have a significant impact on our ability to reach state and national benchmarks in energy efficiency.”
Johnson noted that SUNY represents more than 40 percent of all state-owned buildings, making the colleges a fitting place to demonstrate new methods of energy conservation.
“We anticipate a reduction in our annual energy spend by at least 5 percent as a result of this project, saving approximately $260,000 per year,” Macpherson said. “One of our strategic goals is to be a sustainable institution for the 21stcentury, and this program moves us further down that road.”
NYEM gathers energy-use data from participating buildings and performances an analysis on hidden costs and inefficiencies of energy usage and also provides guidance on becoming more efficient. Johnson said the training program could be offered throughout the SUNY system later on.
Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of NYPA, said the organization is “excited to partner with SUNY on this initiative, which will enable us to further leverage New York Energy Manager to reduce energy use for our customers across the state.”
Special events are scheduled Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Wegmans store in Geneseo to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
A cake will be cut at 11 a.m. at the store, 4287 Genesee Valley Plaza. Music will be played by a brass quintet from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and historic displays will be set up at sampling stations throughout the store. Face painting and balloon animals for children will also be available.
Customers may enter a drawing for one of five $50 gift cards and a “king-size food basket” similar to the ones given away when the store opened in 1967.
Wegmans opened its Geneseo store at Livingston Plaza in 1967, employing 30 people and using five checkouts. The store was torn down and a new one built at its present location in 1993, more than tripling its size. The store now employs 300 people, and has at least 15 registers. It also has provided more than $900,000 in college scholarships to its employees since opening.
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