General

Ginger and Sean MacRae had their eyes focused intently on Grace, a four-year-old mare whose name complemented her docile demeanor and elegance in the show ring. “We really like her temperament,” said Ginger MacRae about the poised horse up for auction during Morrisville State College's first western sale held April 13 at the Nancy Sears Stowell Arena. The MacRae's, of Morrisville, ended up the highest bidders and won Grace, who will be a trail riding horse and a companion horse to another they have at home.

Looking for a fun activity to do with the whole family? The public is invited to participate in “Don't be a Spectator. Be a Sport,” a family fun night on May 2, from 6-8 p.m. in the recreation center at Morrisville State College in honor of Screen-Free Week. Screen-Free Week is an annual event in which parents, children, teachers, and others across the nation turn off screen media (TV, video games, computers, cell phones) and celebrate the magic of being unplugged.

A Morrisville State College professor is among those who was recognized during the Alltech North American Lecture Tour. Dr. Clyde Cranwell, of Morrisville, NY, assistant professor and director of Morrisville State College's thoroughbred racing program, received an agriculture educator award from Alltech during a symposium held in Syracuse, one of 23 stops in the Alltech North American Lecture Tour.

Morrisville State College will host Ag Day on April 18. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most events will be held in the academic quad (in front of Marshall Hall). Participants can learn more about agriculture, see horses, dairy cows, sheep and goats, take a hay ride around campus, and sample Morrisville State College's homemade ice cream during the annual event. There will also be face painting.

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.