2015-16 completed events 

Knight's First Day of Service [GISP Event] (Sapphire)

Saturday, September 12, 8:00 – 1:30 pm | MacVittie College Union Ballroom

Knights First Day of Service is a program for new transfer and first-year students who will begin their studies at Geneseo in the fall. This volunteer effort gives you the opportunity to give back to Geneseo and the county helping people or programs. Projects may include painting a barn, cleaning up a trail in Letchworth State Park, serving a senior citizen, or organizing books at the library. We'll identify a project for you, and you'll make new friends! We plan this event near the beginning of September in memory of the victims of the attacks of 9/11.

Instructors: Center for Community & GOLD Leader Mentors - Staff Members; Samantha Hebel - Coordinator of Student Leadership, Volunteerism and Service, Center for Community

 

Confederate Battle Flag and Freedom of Expression: Constitution Day Event [GISP Event] (Gold) or (Diamond)

Thursday, September 17, 3:00 – 4:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room

On December 15th, 1791, the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified, establishing such concepts as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. Nearly 225 years later, first amendment rights continue to provoke widespread debate throughout the country, especially when it comes to the public display of the Confederate battle flag on state and federal lands. In this workshop, a panel comprised of faculty members will discuss applying the first amendment in the 21st century and the debate surrounding controversial symbols like the Confederate battle flag. 

Instructors: Dr. Catherine Adams - Associate Professor, History Department; Dr. Justin Behrend - Associate Professor, History Department; James Moor - Lecturer, Political Science & International Relations; Dr. David Gordon - Associate Provost

 

Labyrinth Walk on Monday September 21 in the MacVittie College Union Ballroom--all day long.  
What to do when you walk a labyrinth (it's entirely up to you).  Did you miss the labyrinth?  Did you know you can sponsor a labyrinth visit (it's portable!) in your residence hall?  See Tiffany Brodner in the Department of Student Life for further information.

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER: Exploring Faith & Culture Week 2015.
Campus and local faith and cultural groups particularly invite you to visit during the week of September 20th.  No prior affiliation, knowledge, or experience needed!  Keep the list for future visits!  

Revisiting Transculturalism: The Emperor's New Clothes [Social Justice Series] [GISP Event] [Cultural Harmony Week Event] (Opal)

Monday, October 19, 2:30 – 3:45 pm | MacVittie College Union Ballroom

Our world is forever evolving in all kinds of ways from shifts in geography and landscapes to the ways in which members of groups observe, engage and contemplate these changes. Dr. Bolles' presentation will look at a number of events in a handful of cultures and societies to illustrate this evolution. This Cultural Harmony Week Event is sponsored by the Anthropology Department, Black Studies and Comparative Literature (English Department).

Instructor: Dr. A Lynn Bolles - Professor, Department of Women's Studies at University of Maryland College Park

 

Superpowers Across the Planet: Mystics in India and Iceland [GISP Event] [Cultural Harmony Week Event] (Opal)

Tuesday, October 20, 4:30 – 5:30 pm | Riviera Theater, Center Street, Geneseo

This Cultural Harmony Week lecture will focus on the impact of globalization on religion. Dempsey's presentation will be on Mystics in India and Iceland. Corinne Dempsey is the Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Rosemary Benton Chair for International Studies, Nazareth College. This event is also supported by the Geneseo Interfaith Service Project. Co-sponsored by the Departments of Sociology and Philosophy 

Instructors: Corinne Dempsey - Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Nazareth College; Rosemary Benton - Chair for International Studies, Nazareth College

 

Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede of the Rochester Zen Center,  "An Introduction to Zen Buddhism and Meditation."      Sponsored by Asian / Asian American Studies and Programming.

Tuesday, October 27 from 11:30-12:45 pm, Alice Austin Theatre.

 Roshi's annual visit is one of Geneseo's most popularly attended events, and it is the only venue outside of the Rochester Zen Center at which Roshi agrees to speak publicly!  Please feel welcome to join us and learn about Zen Buddhism and how the practice of meditation can have a positive impact on your life.  All students, faculty, staff, and the public are welcome to attend his talk which will be given this year in the ALICE AUSTIN THEATRE in Brodie Hall.   Students are encouraged to bring pillows to get comfortable on the floor on the stage -- entirely appropriate for a presentation on Zen — but you can also sit in a seat in the theatre itself if you prefer.  For more information, contact Dr. Randy Kaplan.

MacVittie Lecture: Dr. William Cavanaugh, "Does Religion Cause Violence? " [Social Justice Series] [GISP Event] (Diamond)

Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 – 8:00 pm | Doty Recital Hall

Is something peculiar in religion that gives it a tendency to promote violence? Our guest speaker will argue that there is no reason to suppose that religious ideologies are more inclined than secular ideologies to promote violence, because there is no essential difference between the two. Secular ideologies can and do inspire as much lethal devotion as religions. Dr. William T. Cavanaugh is the Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology and Professor of Catholic Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. His degrees are from the universities of Notre Dame, Cambridge, and Duke. He is the author of six books, and the editor of two more. His books and articles have been published in nine languages. 

Instructor: Dr. William Cavanaugh - Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul University

 

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Challenge to Israel [Social Justice Series] [GISP Event] (Opal) or (Diamond)

Wednesday, November 18, 2:30 – 3:30 pm | MacVittie College Union Room 322/323

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues unabated. Both sides feel aggrieved and seek justice. The Palestinian BDS strategy to pressure Israel has become global and is being debated on many college campuses. How should Geneseo students respond? 

Instructor: Dr. Edward Drachman - Professor, Political Science and International Relations

Freedom of Expression: Embrace It or Waste It GISP Dinner and Dialogue [GISP Event] (Diamond)

Tuesday, February 9, 5:30 – 7:00 pm | Interfaith Center, Franklin Street, Geneseo

The Fifth Annual Geneseo Interfaith Service Project (GISP) Community Dinner & Dialogue is one of the featured events in the GISP Series. A faculty panel and participants from across multiple faith communities will share their perspectives on freedom of expression in the context of current political and social justice challenges and crises. All campus and community faith groups and individuals are invited to participate in the discussion and enjoy a free meal courtesy of the Philanthropic Chefs and the Center for Community. Students and community residents may register for the dinner beginning December 1. 

Instructors: 
Dr. Carlo Filice, Philosophy Dept., Dr. Megan Brankley Abbas, History Dept.

Students can register for this event at gold.geneseo.edu.

Community members can register for this event atgo.geneseo.edu/interfaithdinner

 

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 SPECIAL EVENT: 

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE
JANUARY 18, 2016

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Leadership & Service [Social Justice Series] [MLK Jr. Day of Leadership & Service ] (Diamond)

Monday, January 18, 9:45 – 3:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Ballroom

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Leadership and Service will take place in the MacVittie College Union from 9:45 am to 3:00 pm on January 18, 2016. This day of leadership and service is planned as an inter-generational and interfaith event with SUNY Geneseo students and area senior citizen volunteers learning and working together on an important community outreach efforts. Signing up for this "workshop" includes registration and participation in the entire program from the opening keynote at 10:00 am through the service projects in the afternoon ending at 3:00 pm. The program will begin with a keynote address by Dr. Emilye Crosby on "Dr. King and the Movement, and Why It Matters Today." One hour GOLD workshops will follow at 11:15 am and all participants must select and register for one of the five topics. Lunch is included with special guest, Lulu Westbrooks-Griffin, who will share her story as a young black girl arrested and imprisoned for protesting at a whites-only movie theatre in Americus, Georgia in 1963. After lunch, volunteers will make 400 soups kits, rice packets and hygiene kits for food pantries; backpack lunches for low income K-12 students in area schools; fleece blankets for veterans; and greeting cards for migrant families and veterans. The program will also feature musical selections by student soloists. The GOLD Program at SUNY Geneseo is partnering with Student & Campus Life, Center for Community, Multicultural Programs & Services, Volunteerism & Service Learning, Residence Life, Student Life, Student Association, Geneseo Interfaith Service Project (GISP), Campus Auxiliary Services, Livingston CARES and the Livingston County Office of the Aging to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Instructors: Dr. Emilye Crosby - Associate Professor, History; Lulu Westbrooks-Griffin - Civil Rights Activist

 

MLK Jr. Day of Service Workshops:

Community Resource Mapping [CIDD] [MLK Jr. Day of Leadership & Service ] (Sapphire) or (Diamond) or (Jade) *Required Workshop
Monday, January 18, 11:15 – 12:15 pm | MOSAIC
Civic engagement begins with mapping your community. Every community has a unique history, a specific demographic composition, overlapping organizations and institutions and a particular matrix of human economic and geographic resources. This workshop will provide a conceptual and practical understanding of how individuals and/or groups may overcome obstacles and leverage resources to accomplish goals and positive change through civic and community engagement. Please note that this workshop is required for the Diamond Certificate and an option for the Sapphire and Jade Certificates. 
Instructor: Wes Kennison - Class of '79, and Faculty Fellow for International Studies
 

Giving a Global Voice to Emancipation: How Does Martin Luther King Jr.'s International Vision Influence Leaders Today? [MLK Jr. Day of Leadership & Service ] (Opal) or (Diamond)
Monday, January 18, 11:15 – 12:15 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room
In the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Psalms was the songbook that reminded the ancient Hebrew community of their victories and struggles as they faced the challenges of their time. Dr. King lifted up voices from America, West Africa, India, Ancient Greece and Rome to mind us of how far we have come and how far we still must go to live up to the foundational principles of equality and freedom. The past year's celebration of American emancipation raises key issues for global leadership today. Every time we revisit the documents that outline our democratic values, we must wrestle with the ways in which our generation has or has not lived up to those ideals. McClure will explore a variety of ways in which these texts have been used to inspire civic activism and the development of regional identity as it pertains to leadership in government, education and business. 
Instructor: Glenn McClure - Lecturer, English
 

Press 1 for Volunteers [MLK Jr. Day of Leadership & Service ] (Opal) or (Diamond)
Monday, January 18, 11:15 – 12:15 pm | MacVittie College Union Room 319
Seeing a need for Veterans to have access to a 24 hour hotline that could address their emotional and mental well-being, Vic Bridges spear-headed an extraordinary effort. Bridges was told that no one would call a Veteran's crisis hotline. Today, the hotline at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center has over 500 employees and serves Veterans from all around the world. This workshop will include excerpts from a feature documentary, "Press 1," that tells the history and background of the program. Participants will engage in conversations with hotline responders featured in the documentary and hear from Vic Bridges, herself. 
Instructors: Vic Bridges - Program Management Officer, Canandaigua VA Medical Center; Kelly Mohrman - LCSW, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Canandaigua VA Medical Center
 

Servant Leadership [CIDD] [Town Gown Success] [MLK Jr. Day of Leadership & Service ] (Gold) or (Sapphire) or (Diamond)
Monday, January 18, 11:15 – 12:15 pm | CU 322/323
Robert K. Greenleaf defined servant leadership as the natural feeling by an individual to serve first and everything else will fall into place. This leadership model values the education, inspiration and development of others and the direct relationship it has with servant leadership. In a relaxed, fun, and participatory atmosphere, participants are given a brief introduction to the concept of servant leadership, are offered examples of servant leaders, and then encouraged to explore other leaders and leadership opportunities for the elements of servant leadership. One of the principle benefits of this workshop is that it provides a different context and new language for participants to learn in discussing and analyzing leadership. 
Instructor: Tamara H. Kenney - Director of Student Care Svcs & Title IX Coord for Students, Student & Campus Life
 

Volunteerism, Engagement & Service [The Golden Ticket to Success] [MLK Jr. Day of Leadership & Service ] (Amethyst) or (Sapphire)
Monday, January 18, 11:15 – 12:15 pm | GOLD Leadership Center, MacVittie 114
Volunteerism is an active form of exercising leadership for the common good. This session is an introduction to volunteerism, community engagement, and service learning. You will learn a conceptual framework for volunteer service and explore the myriad of opportunities to volunteer in the Geneseo and Greater Livingston and Monroe County area or the Livingston County CARES programs and projects in Harrison County, Mississippi. Learn how to get the most out of your volunteer experience by choosing a volunteer and service opportunity that will benefit you, as well as the recipients. This workshop is required for the Sapphire Certificate but not for the Amethyst.
Instructor: Samantha Hebel - Coordinator of Student Leadership, Volunteerism and Service, Center for Community  the surrounding community while meeting and working with other new students. Students spend a Saturday morning at locations around Livingston C

 

Geneseo Goes to Town Day of Service

April 16, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Check back for more details or contact Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Hebel in the Center for Community, 353 MacVittie College Union.