Annual Campaign: Genesee at 40

The campaign theme, Genesee at 40, celebrates the past and creates enthusiasm to continue to a bright future.

The College was established by a voter referendum in November 1965; the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York officially authorized the establishment of Genesee Community College in April 1966.  The first classes were taught in 1967 in temporary quarters that previously housed the Valu Discount Store on West Main Street.

The College has been developed from rudimentary beginnings to a sturdy, spacious main campus in Batavia with six satellite campus centers throughout its four county operating area.  As the 40th anniversary celebration continues the College offers 61 career, transfer and certificate programs with the full and part-time student enrollment of 6503.  An independent economic impact study concluded that Genesee Community College contributes annually an estimated $501 million to the region’s economy.

The fortieth anniversary is an opportunity to remember past achievements and to look to the future.  Anniversary observances began with a convocation ceremony to honor the milestone of 40 years in the life of the College in spring 2007.

The Genesee Community College Foundation faces five compelling challenges:  excellence, access, economic vitality, community involvement, and capital resources.

We meet these challenges through our annual fund raising campaign. And we work closely with our supporters to create special funds, often bearing the names of donors or donors' loved ones, that help meet these challenges on a long-term basis.

The current annual fund raising campaign has a goal of $285,500. Here's a look at the specific needs we're trying to fulfill during this year's campaign:

  • Excellence. When talented students leave our communities, Genesee Community College loses top student leaders and our communities lose future civic and business leaders. We are committed to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence at Genesee Community College, and providing financial support to students with exceptional talent and leadership potential. By encouraging top local students to begin their education here, we enhance Genesee's competitive position - and we prepare these students to lead our communities in the future.

    Need:
    35 President's Scholarships - $68,025
    10 Honors Program Stipends - $3,000
    40 Special Talent Scholarships - $37,500


  • Access. While many financial aid opportunities exist for students today, several hundred prospective students each year "fall between the cracks" of existing financial aid programs and cannot begin or continue their education. We are committed to providing a Genesee Community College education to all qualified and deserving students living in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, regardless of their ability to afford a college education.

    Need:
    67 Need-Based Scholarships - $46,700
    42 Emergency Assistance Grants - $8,500


  • Vitality. The region's industries and service organizations are continually threatened by a shortage of highly skilled employees and managers. Locally, a particularly acute shortage of health care and technology-related professionals is emerging. We are committed to promoting economic vitality and growth of industry in the region. In particular, we believe that by creating new scholarships that promote study in fields critical to the well being of our communities, we will strengthen local business and industry, and fortify the local workforce.

    Need:
    15 Corporate and Organization Scholarships - $18,500
    70 Career Scholarships (e. g. Tourism and Hospitality,
    Health Care, Law Enforcement) - $21,575


  • Involvement. Without strong citizen involvement, our College and communities will not be able to maintain their competitive positions in the years ahead. We are committed to providing new avenues for community and volunteer involvement in the life of the College.

    Need:
    70 Community-Sponsored Scholarships and Grants - $7,200
    75 Alumni Legacy Awards - $12,000
    70 Citizenship and Recognition Awards - $20,000
    10 President's Innovation Awards - $37,500


  • Capital. Capital resources for higher education have diminished in recent years. We are committed to providing the capital resources that foster superior education and service to students at Genesee. Our Investing in Our Future helped the College construct a new technology building and our Build a Legacy initiative helped construct a new student union. The Foundation stands ready to collaborate with the College in meeting future capital challenges, and to insuring that Genesee remains among the top tier of the nation's community colleges.

    Need:
    Capital Support - $5,000

Every dollar committed to the Genesee Community College Foundation's annual campaign is both an economic and a human investment. Every scholarship awarded by the College to a student, for example, triggers additional financial assistance and student aid - often many thousands of dollars. Every gift helps strengthen our communities, and changes and enriches the lives of students forever.

Total Fund Raising Campaign Goal: $285,500