General

An interactive display of high-tech farming that integrates live fish and plants will be among Morrisville State's attractions at this year's Great New York State Fair. Crafted by faculty, staff, and students, the unique display is part of the Onondaga Lake exhibit: “Onondaga Lake: A Fresh Gateway to a New New York,” a 3,000 square-foot marvel in the Center of Progress Building that takes visitors on a journey from the early years of Onondaga Lake to its current cleanup.

The USA Football Network, Inc. announced its 25th annual pre-season All-American teams Thursday, naming Morrisville State College’s senior defensive lineman David Williams (Central Islip, N.Y.) and senior offensive lineman Nate Ryan (Staten Island, N.Y.) to its teams. Williams, a pre-season fourth team selection, earns the honors for the first time following a second team all-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) performance last season.

Morrisville State's dairy judging team recently participated in Scotland's prestigious Royal Highland Show. The five-student team earned a spot in the show, Scotland's top agricultural event, after placing second at the World Dairy Expo. At the Royal Highland Show, Morrisville's team judged four classes of cows and gave oral reasons on two of them. Students were scored in pairs with Scott Smith, of South Plymouth, NY and Duncan Bailey, of Fillmore, NY, placing second overall. Bailey also placed second overall with his individual score.

Lisa Iannello, of New Berlin, has joined Morrisville State as the grant coordinator. In her new role, Iannello will be responsible for researching and securing grant opportunities from local, state, federal, and philanthropic agencies and corporations, in addition to monitoring grants and coordinating grant reports.

A local teacher is among those who received a 2013 Friend of Children Award from the Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County. Mary St. Pierre, of Erieville, a preschool teacher at The Children's Center at Morrisville State, received the award recently during a Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension recognition dinner.

The Children's Center at Morrisville State will hold its fifth annual ChildRUN 5k race on Saturday, July 13. The event will also include a one-mile Fun Run/Walk. Registration for the race begins at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at Bailey Hall, located on Route 20 in Morrisville.

Dave Tucci has had his share of the limelight through his hot rod business, having been featured on national television shows like TNN's Trucks, ESPN, Street Rodder and the popular Monster Garage. This week, Tucci, the owner of Tucci Hot Rods in Marcy, a leader in the industry for its creative, innovative and customized designs, was at the Morrisville State campus teaching automotive instructors the tricks of his trade.

Two Morrisville State students were recently awarded the Bridget Kate Publicover Scholarship. The scholarship, based on academic achievement and campus involvement, is awarded annually by the Morrisville College Foundation to an equine major(s). Publicover died in a campus accident in 2004. The award honors the equine student's spirit and enthusiasm which reached beyond horses on the Morrisville State campus where she was also team manager of the men's hockey team. Receiving the award were:

Morrisville State will host more than 1,100 high school junior boys and staff at this year’s Boys State government camp, sponsored by the American Legion, June 23-28. Classified as a Leadership Action Program, Boys State accepts young men with outstanding qualifications in leadership, character, service and citizenship who reflect on the image of the youth of America.

Deng Kiir was 10 years old when he fled the violence of his country. He walked two months from Sudan to Ethiopia in hopes of a better life. Today, Kiir, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who were forced to flee their homes and families, shared one of the greatest journeys in his life—graduating from college. Kiir was among students who graduated during Morrisville State College's 102nd commencement exercises held today. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.