General

Students at Morrisville State College are rolling up their sleeves to help out on campus and in the community during a month of service which is already in progress. During the “April Month of Service,” students are performing tasks and services needed by residents in neighboring areas. Events will also roll over into May. On April 29 and May 1, free oil changes for the elderly will be performed by the School of Science and Technology, from 1-5 p.m. Clients were pre-selected through the Madison County Office for the Aging.

State Sen. David J. Valesky will address Morrisville State College students during the college's 102nd commencement ceremony May 18 at 1 p.m. in the recreation center. Valesky, who represents the 53rd Senate District, comprised of Madison County and parts of Oneida and Onondaga counties, was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2004.

Morrisville State College will hold its first ever western horse sale on April 13 at the Nancy Sears Stowell Arena on Swamp Road. A preview/demonstration of sale horses begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by the sale at 1 p.m. So far, approximately 20 reining, pleasure and hunter prospects are up for auction, including top consignments from the college's own western breaking and training program.

Horse manure is gaining attention on the Morrisville State College campus—and it's not for its common use as a fertilizer. The stable waste is instead being considered as a source of energy. Ben Ballard, assistant professor of renewable energy and director of the college's Renewable Energy Training Center (RETC), along with students in the college's renewable energy programs, are studying the viability of converting the tons of stable waste produced at the college's equine facilities weekly into an alternative energy source.

Four students from the accredited dietetic technician program at Morrisville State College recently reached outside of their classroom to help veterans at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango. The students volunteered their time and expertise, providing helpful nutritional information to 11 soldiers from Fort Drum experiencing low-level TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) who will be entering into civilian life within the next year.

Morrisville State College will be hosting more than 30 employers at the 2013 Job and Internship Expo for students and alumni on March 28, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., in Madison Hall. During the expo, employers representing a broad range of industries will be available to answer questions about their companies, hiring practices, and current and potential part- and full-time positions, internships and volunteer opportunities. The event is free.

Barbara Roback, of Hamilton, NY, has joined Morrisville State College as the career planning and development officer. In her new role, Roback will drive campus-wide efforts to prepare students for successfully pursuing employment and educational goals leveraging their hands-on experience gained through Morrisville’s “living classrooms.” She will also collaborate with employers, faculty, alumni, and college consortiums on events and platforms to connect students and alumni with career opportunities.

Morrisville State College will be exhibiting the work of painter Lynette K. Stephenson in the Butcher Library Gallery. The exhibition titled, The Red Cross Series, will be available for public viewing until April 7. Inspired by uncontrollable tragedies that are aspects of the uncertainty of life, Stephenson's paintings, most of which originated from her imagination, are mixed with photographs and old first aid manuals.

There wasn’t much doubt in Paige Jerrett’s mind what she wanted to do when she grew up. The shiny western belt buckle, cowboy hats and hours she and her father spent watching rodeos painted the picture. “I remember sitting on the couch while my father French-braided my hair and we would spend the afternoon watching rodeos,” Jerrett said. Being a cowgirl wasn’t all she had in mind. Jerrett had her sights set on going to college, making her mark in the community and promoting the sport of rodeo.

The Morrisville State College Theatre Department and Student Government Organization (SGO) will present the musical, Grease, in the Little Theatre of the John W. Stewart Center for Student Activities (STUAC) on the Morrisville State College campus. Show times are: March 15-17, and 21-23 at 8 p.m. A matinee performance will be held March 17 at 2 p.m.