GENESEO, N.Y. – Classes are underway for the 2016-17 school year at SUNY Geneseo as the College welcomed the Class of 2020 and other new students to campus during the weekend.
Drawing from a talented pool of close to 8,800 applications, an estimated 1,241 first-year students and 283 transfer students have enrolled this semester, joining an estimated 4,003 returning undergraduates. Graduate student enrollment is estimated to be 84 for a total estimated full-time and part-time enrollment of 5,611.
The Class of 2020 is bringing impressive credentials to Geneseo. The mean high school average for the class is 93, which has been consistent the past several years and is the variable that most reliably predicts student success. The mean SAT score for entering freshmen is 1233, which is 16 points higher than last year’s entering class.
SUNY Distinguished Professor of History Michael Oberg challenged students to be "intellectually fearless" in his keynote address during New Student Convocation.
New students sign the Class of 2020 banner during First Knight festivities following New Student Convocation.
“Our Class of 2020 has brought strong academic strengths as well as impressive records of leadership and service,” said Meaghan Arena, Geneseo’s vice president for enrollment management. “Geneseo’s reputation for having outstanding academic programs, one-of-a-kind learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom and faculty of the highest caliber has attracted yet another talented group of students.”
New and returning students had a full weekend of activities on campus. Near-perfect weather greeted new students for Move-in Day Friday. It was full day of activities Saturday, including the annual First-Year Olympics competition.
Students and families received help from Geneseo athletes and Student Life staff volunteers on new student Move-in Day.
First Year Olympics. Photo by Annalee Bainnson
Student convocation marked the official beginning of the school year Sunday evening, where students heard a keynote address from Michael Oberg, Distinguished SUNY Professor of History at Geneseo.
“I would urge you to the utmost of your ability to try to be intellectually fearless and to have the courage to not shy away from those things that seem to extremely difficult,” Oberg advised. “To be honest, curious, inquisitive, and relentless to be sure, but most of all, in terms of the questions you asked, the evidence you consider, the ideas you engage with, and the theses you advance, to be as fearless as you can be. Now, on this campus, in this country, in this global community, more than ever.”
Delivering alumni greetings to the new students was Jessica Savage '98, managing partner for account services at Dixon Schwabl, an advertising, public relations and digital media agency in the Rochester, N.Y., area. Savage credited Geneseo for the success she has enjoyed and the many lasting friendships she established as a student.
After convocations, new students gathered on the College Green for the First Knight Celebration, highlighted by food, fun and games, culminating in a fireworks display.
SUNY Geneseo President Denise A. Battles delivered her keynote address “Geneseo 2021: Planning for Our College’s Future” at faculty and staff convocation Friday afternoon. Battles recently completed her first year as president and reviewed the College’s many recent accomplishments while rolling out a new five-year strategic plan.
“While the current state of our College is comparatively strong, in many ways we have arrived at an important crossroads, with the five years leading up to our 2021 sesquicentennial representing a pivotal period in Geneseo’s evolution,” said Battles. “The decisions we make, the priorities we set, and the actions we undertake during these next five years we have a profound effect on charting our collective future.”
President Battles also recognized recent 2016 award recipients:
2016 Award Recipients
SUNY Board of Trustees Distinguished Professorship Honors
Lynette Bosch, Distinguished SUNY Professor of art history
Christopher Leary, Distinguished Teaching Professor of mathematics
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Meredith M. Harrigan, associate professor of communication
George A. Marcus, associate professor of physics and astronomy
Kevin T. Militello, professor of biology
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Rachel B. Hall, professor of English
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FACULTY SERVICE
James G. McLean, associate professor of physics and astronomy
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADJUNCT TEACHING (CONFERRED IN MARCH)
James G. Bennett, lecturer in philosophy
Todd Goehle, lecturer in history
Jim A. Tiller, lecturer in music
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Alexandra M. Carlo, clinical director for Lauderdale Counseling Services
Michael C. Mooney, director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CLASSIFIED SERVICE
Lori Morsch, Theatre and Dance Department secretary
DR. CAROL AND MICHAEL HARTER ENDOWMENT FOR FACULTY MENTORING AWARD
Daniel Ross, academic excellence librarian
WILLIAM R. COOK SUPPORTED PROFESSORSHIP IN THE HUMANITIES AWARD
Alice Rutkowski, associate professor of English
JAMES AND JULIA LOCKHART SUPPORTED PROFESSORSHIP FOR RESEARCH/CREATIVE ENDEAVORS AWARD
Kathleen Mapes, associate professor of history
DR. SPENCER J. ROEMER SUPPORTED PROFESSORSHIP AWARD
Scott Giorgis, professor and chair of the Department of Geological Sciences
Faculty promotions announced at the convocation included Kodjo Adabra to associate professor of languages and literatures and Kristen Gentry to assistant professor, both with continuing appointment; Pamela Kurau to associate professor of music and James Kernan to associate professor of geography; and Monica Schneider to professor of psychology and Kevin Militello to professor of biology.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
College Communications
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu