SUNY Empire State College Genesee Valley Region Celebrates 40 Years

President Davis, left and Dean Franz, right, recognize Margaret Corbin '72 for her service to the college and the center.

‌(ROCHESTER, N.Y. – May 2, 2012) The State University of New York Empire State College’s Genesee Valley Center celebrated 40 years of service at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.

“We opened our doors on January 14, 1972,   and we were on Prince Street.  Margaret Corbin was the center's first alum,” said Jonathan Franz, dean of the Genesee Valley Center. “Today the college continues to serve the people of the greater Rochester region by providing access to affordable public higher education of the highest quality to residents who otherwise might be unable to earn a degree in a traditional classroom setting and schedule.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter,state Sen. Joseph E. Robach, Assemblyman Joseph P. Morelle, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and City of Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards all expressed their support and gratitude for the college’s Genesee Valley Center through letters of congratulation and continued support.

Darryl Porter of Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards' office presents Dean Franz with a proclamtion in honor of the center's 40th anniversary.

In addition, the United Nations Association of the United States of America, the Hamamatsu Foundation for International Communication and Exchange, Yasutomo Suzuki, mayor of Hamamatsu Japan and Yury Bobryshev, mayor of Veliky Novrogod, Russian Federation, all sent letters recognizing the Genesee Valley’s 40th anniversary.

The letters are available for review here.GVC 40th letters of Support (PDF 2,824kB)

The event included a one-night showing of alumni, student and faculty artwork created especially for this event.

Sharon Grigsby, '72 center was recognized for her service by President Davis, left and center Dean Franz, right.

‌In addition to honoring Corbin ’72, the 40th  anniversary award ceremony recognized Genesee Valley alumni Sharon Grigsby '78, Debbie Oberhofer '05 and Shelly Stam '08,'10 for their service to the Genesee Valley Center and the college.

Additional information on the alumni honorees is available in the event program.GVC 40th Program (PDF 395kB)

Music was provided by jazz musicians and alumni Bernie Heveron '97 and George Collichio '95.

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