General

It's rarely an ordinary day in one of Professor William Snyder's classes—he might be taking students electrofishing local streams, giving a lecture in the college's wildlife museum, demonstrating innovative recycling ideas, or hosting an interactive, live bird demonstration. The colorful professor, revered by students for his enthusiasm and interactive learning techniques, is the recipient of this year's Morrisville State College Distinguished Faculty Member Award.

Morrisville State liberal arts students were recently honored for their achievements during the 14th annual Liberal Arts Tea. The event is part of the college's annual celebration of academic excellence.

Three Morrisville State faculty/staff members were recently honored with Chancellor's Awards for Excellence by the State University of New York and SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher. Receiving the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service is: Benjamin D. Ballard, of Manlius The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service recognizes faculty members for excellence in teaching techniques, scholarship and professional growth, student services and academic standards.

Morrisville State will host a variety of events for farmers and consumers during the 2014 Grasstravaganza which will be held on campus July 17-19. The conference, Pasture Soil Health Creates Wealth, will feature a trade show, soil health stations and presentations by national and local grazing and soil health experts who will cover a range of topics.

There’s no hiding the heart-wrenching emotion in Leah Siciliano’s voice and in her eyes as she reflects on her 10-day journey to Guatemala. The rotating photos on her computer screen of children laughing and embracing the kindness of strangers is a keepsake of beloved memories. Nicole Johnson shares the same sentiment.

Chenango County Dairy Ambassador Lily Marshman kept herself busy assisting hundreds of students and community members who attended Morrisville State's annual Ag Day this year. The six-year-old Oxford resident helped serve ice cream then turned her attention to petting goats and sheep who shared the limelight along with horses, a calf, cow and turkey throughout the day. A table scattered with various vegetable seeds, “a greenhouse in a glove,” also drew a curious crowd.

The best and brightest eleventh- and twelfth-grade student automotive technicians from across the state will race against the clock to correctly identify and fix vehicles that have been “bugged” on purpose. When it is all said and done, one team will drive away the winner of the FORD/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition being held at Morrisville State on May 13.

DATE: Saturday, May 17 TIME: 1 p.m. LOCATION: Morrisville State College Recreation Center APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF GRADUATION CANDIDATES: 725

Two Morrisville State students, Taylor McDowell and Anthony Piniella, recently participated in SUNY's Innovative Exploration Forum: Undergraduate Research in New York State's Public Higher Education System, in Albany. The event brought together students from each SUNY campus to showcase research projects that students have been working on to SUNY Administration officials and state legislators, so they may better understand and support the academic programs.

Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley will be the keynote speaker at Morrisville State's commencement, which will be held Saturday, May 17 at 1 p.m., in the college's Recreation Center. An experienced law enforcement official, Riley was a member of the New York State Police for 28 years, serving as a criminal investigator, gaming unit investigator and a uniformed trooper. He was also a K-9 handler for 18 years, for both narcotics and explosive detection dogs, and worked on numerous search and rescue details.