General

Morrisville State College students will be among thousands of participants from all over the world taking part in the 2011 International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Global Game Jam (GGJ) Jan. 28-30. And for the second year, the college is hosting teams on its campus, inviting amateurs, professionals, students, faculty, hobbyists and anyone with a passion for making games to participate. This year, there are more than 150 GGJ host locations across the globe. Morrisville is one of only five host sites in New York state.

Morrisville State College's Norwich campus will host a public speaking program by alumnus and well-known powerful speaker, Fred Ashforth, on Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon in Roger Follett Hall. Ashforth's program, How to Become a Powerful Presenter: So Your Audiences Will Listen, Remember and Act, intended for individuals in leadership, management, sales and marketing, development, human resources, public relations, research and development, will teach how to communicate more effectively, connect with audiences and generate income from speaking.

David Rogers has been named vice president for academic affairs at Morrisville State College. Rogers, of Nelson, N.Y., has served as dean of the college's School of Business since June 1999. During that time, he has been instrumental in providing leadership for curriculum and program development and has provided strong guidance for the department. He has also led the school in the development and creation of the Morrisville State College Entrepreneurial Institute (MSCEI) and Morrisville VentureConnects, now offered through a partnership with The Tech Garden.

Lucy and Michael Kessler's maroon Chrysler PT Cruiser is much more to them than a set of wheels. It represents the effort and work of many hearts and hands. The Kessler's are one of 75 working families who have received a vehicle through the Keys to Work program, a partnership with Morrisville State College, Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Madison County, and Alliance Bank.

Morrisville State College Professor Dr. Emad Rahim was recently recognized for his entrepreneurial endeavors. Rahim, of Syracuse, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and small business management, received a 2010 Entrepreneurship Teaching Excellence Award from the Experiential Classroom XI Program and has also been named a 2011 Beyster Institute Scholar Fellow.

Mark Ashton has seen and performed his share of car repairs as an automotive instructor at Morrisville State College and through his work in the auto industry. But none have had the profound impact as what he has been a part of through the Keys to Work Initiative with Madison County Community Action Partnership (CAP). Ashton, an instructional support associate, heads Morrisville State College's effort in the initiative—providing needed repairs on vehicles which CAP helps community members obtain, based on need, to secure transportation to work.

Enrico D'Alessandro, University Police chief at Morrisville State College, is the recipient of the 2010 Oneida County Arson Task Force Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented to D'Alessandro, of Frankfort, N.Y., during the organization's annual fall arson seminar which gathered insurance personnel, fire and police investigators from around the area.

Whether you're a maple syrup lover or a chocolate or coffee connoisseur, Nelson Farms Country Store has the holiday fix or gift idea for that person who has everything. Again this year, the store, which is the retail arm of Nelson Farms, Morrisville State College's small-scale food processing plant, is tailoring gift baskets filled with savory delights to tempt any palate.

Morrisville State College President Raymond Cross announced today that he will resign in February 2011, after 13 years as head of the college, to become chancellor of University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin Extension. In an e-mail letter to the college community, Cross wrote poignantly about his memories, the people and his time at Morrisville.

Eleven Morrisville State College students were among those who participated in the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge held recently in Batavia, N.Y. The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is an innovative three-day event, designed by a team of industry and university professionals, to promote the future of the dairy industry. Morrisville State College was among 12 northeast colleges and two Canadian universities that participated in the eighth annual event which was held Oct. 28-30.