General

Sitting at a desk enveloped in natural light in a lofty architectural studio, Morrisville State College student Antwon Ward placed the finishing touches on the model of a wooden pavilion he designed in class. Nearby, a faint buzz of saws filled a hallway along with echoes of voices coming from a grand atrium where students gathered to chat, tweet, and finish homework before class. The impressive building, flooded with bright and soaring spaces, is the college's new design center and the home of its architectural studies and design program.

Morrisville State College will host prospective students and their families during Saturday open house events March 26 and April 16. The college will offer a variety of activities designed to introduce students to Morrisville State College and assist them with their college search process.

As Morrisville State College celebrates its 100th commencement ceremony this year, a man noted for creating much of its pomp and circumstance and seeing the college through nearly half a century of growth and change is returning to address graduates. Lawrence “Larry” Baker, of Hamilton, N.Y., will give the keynote address during the college's ceremony May 14 at 1 p.m. in the new athletic stadium. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors in the recreation center.

Sister Shuzy will be making her debut at The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse this year showing off her foal to thousands of passers-by. The standardbreds will join three other four-legged favorites (Ace, Banjo and Jessie) inside Morrisville State College's building during the popular fair which runs Aug. 25-Sept. 5.

Brendan Kelly, of Clinton, N.Y., assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Morrisville State College, has been selected to serve as chair of the Iroquois Chapter of the New York Society of American Foresters' (NYSAF) Executive Committee.

Jeriluanne “Jeri” O'Bryan-Losee is making a bald statement for her 40th birthday. The Morrisville State College Norwich campus staffer is shedding her shoulder-length locks to benefit children's cancer research and awareness. O'Bryan, of Sherburne, N.Y., is among many who will shave her head in return for donations to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports cancer research. The foundation raises the core of its funds through its signature worldwide head-shaving events, most held the week of St. Patrick's Day.

Sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow sculpting are among the activities Morrisville State College students will be partaking in during Winter Fest, Feb. 19. Events, which are free and open to the public, will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building and the Morrisville-Eaton Elementary School baseball field, both located on Eaton Street.

Morrisville State College, in partnership with Norse Energy Corp, is hosting two free informational workshops on potential careers in the natural gas industry. The workshops will be held at the college's Norwich campus Feb. 16, from 6-7 p.m., in the community room of Roger Follett Hall, and at the Morrisville campus March 9, from 6-7 p.m., in Charlton Hall, room 125.

Michael Oot, of Munnsville, has been appointed by former Gov. David Paterson to serve on the College Council at Morrisville State College. Oot, an attorney and partner in the firm of Oot & Stratton, with offices in E. Syracuse and Sherrill, is an active member of the local community, serving as co-founder, board member and vice president of the Stockbridge Valley Educational Foundation, a New York state not-for-profit designed to raise funds for the enhancement of the educational experience at the school. Oot also served as past president of the Stockbridge Valley Central School Board.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Richard J. Carreno, of Manlius, N.Y., interim president at Morrisville State College. He is serving currently on a part-time basis as assistant to the president. His appointment is effective Jan. 13, 2011. Morrisville State College President Raymond Cross will step down in February 2011, after 13 years as president of the college, to become chancellor of University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin Extension.