Class of 2016 Begins College Journey
Dori Farthing, assistant professor of geological sciences, addresses Geneseo's student convocation.
GENESEO, N.Y. - - SUNY Geneseo welcomed 998 new freshmen to campus this week as students moved into their residence hall rooms, attended Weeks of Welcome activities and met their professors for the first time in class.
"We continue to see new students with strong academic credentials and well-rounded backgrounds," said Kris Shay, director of admissions.
The academic profile confirms the observation: The mean high school average for the class is 94; the mean SAT score (composite of critical reading and math) is 1333. For the past several years, Geneseo's average has been about 300 points higher than the national composite average for all U.S. college students taking the test.
"These students are not only academically strong but bring backgrounds as government leaders, talented athletes and accomplished writers and performers," said Shay. "We are so fortunate on this campus to see such diversity."
Geneseo's admissions committee selected the entering class from more than 9,000 applications. Total estimated enrollment this year will be 5,560 (5390 undergraduates and 170 graduate students).
Once again, the applicant pool was so strong that the college reluctantly denied admission to many highly-accomplished students. Rather than turning them away, Shay identified the top group of applicants from the waiting list and offered them admission to the spring term. Last year, more than 100 students accepted the offer and joined the Class of 2015 in January, taking the place of students graduating at mid-year or studying abroad.
"This year, 24 of the students that will be joining the Class of 2016 in January are spending the fall term studying abroad in Siena, Italy, through the college's abroad bridge program," said Shay.
First-time students are joined by a strong class of transfer students and 45 international students from 15 countries.
During student convocation Aug. 26, Geneseo faculty member Dori Farthing, assistant professor of geological sciences, addressed "It Is My Great Pleasure to Recommend...," providing valuable advice to new students about the importance of starting early in their college careers to nurture the letters of recommendations they will need to succeed.
"Think about each professor or staff member as a potential recommender, and also remember that recommendation letters are bigger than grades," said Farthing.
She also recommended that students make sure recommenders are aware of their work outside of the classroom.
"Don't be merely a biology major or an English major," said Farthing. "Be a global citizen-volunteer and seek service opportunities here. Also be a scholar of the liberal arts. These experiences enhance your classwork and enhance your soul."
At the opening faculty convocation Aug 25, Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl recognized recent 2012 award recipients:
SUNY Board of Trustees Distinguished Professorship Honors
Beth McCoy, Distinguished Teaching Professor of English
Linda House, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Communicative Disorders and Sciences
SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Alice Rutkowski, associate professor of English
Shuo Chen, associate professor of economics
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
Kenneth D. Kallio, associate professor of psychology
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
Anthony J. Macula, professor mathematics
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Calvin J. Gantt, director of Access Opportunity Programs
Rebecca Lewis, assistant provost for international programs
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service
Donna Gerould, agency program aide in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation
President's Award for Excellence in Academic Advising
Paul Pacheco, associate professor of anthropology
President's Award for Excellence in Research and Creativity
Michael Oberg, professor history
President's Award for Outstanding Professional Service
Charles Matthews, director of the college union and activities
Drs. Carol and Michael Harter Endowment for Faculty Mentoring Award
Edward Pogozelski, associate professor of physics
Joseph M. O'Brien Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching
Elizabeth Falk, lecturer in the School of Education
Art Hatton Award for Excellence in College Advancement
Ronald Herzman, Distinguished Teaching Professor of English
Andrea Klein, director of scheduling, events and conference services
Media contact:
David Irwin
Media Relations Manager
(585) 245-5516
Irwin@geneseo.edu