Each year, some 4,400 Geneseo students contribute 205,000 community service hours — equal to 1,220 weeks of round-the-clock volunteering. It's an effort that consistently earns the college a place on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
On March 22, the Advisory Committee on Volunteer and Service Programs recognized organizations and community partners engaged in volunteer service, including several student groups and students who have shown commitment and had significant impact.
George Sullivan ’07, a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State, returned to campus to discuss how “Community Starts with You,” in which he stressed that “the essence of community is taking responsibility for others.” He also said Geneseo is an incubator for leadership and service.”
At Geneseo, Sullivan was a GOLD mentor, a volunteer on the inaugural Livingston CARES trip to Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina, and served in the Geneseo Fire Department. He continues that service now, as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Prince George's County, Maryland. In his role at the State Department, Sullivan is responsible for supporting platforms and Operations in the Middle East, including Jordan, Syria and Oman. Sullivan’s expertise includes planning and executing large-scale events, leadership development and crisis management.
President Denise A. Battles, Associate Dean of Leadership and Service Tom Matthews, and community leaders Mayor Richard Hatheway, Town Supervisor William Wadsworth, and Chairman of the Livingston County Board of Supervisors Eric Gott, welcomed guests. Vice President of Student and Campus Life Robert Bonfiglio gave closing remarks.
Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2017 awards:
Aoife Andrews '17, Melissa Belsky '17, Maidot Gizaw '18 and Leinni Mejia '17 — coordinators of the Health Packs for Migrant Farm Workers and the Sharing a Blanket on Thanksgiving Day projects in 2016, which provides assistance to migrant workers and their families.
Kelsey Costello '17 — chief of operations for Geneseo First Response, who recently won the National Collegiate EMS Provider of the Year award.
Tanvir Hayat '17 — A tutor and English instructor at Refugees Helping Refugees.
Emily Herschbein '18 — Created the STEAM Fair for the Geneseo Elementary School to inspire children to be interested in science, and is involved in the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, National Residence Hall Honorary, and Office of Student Volunteerism and Community Engagement.
Tristan Hynes '18 — a lieutenant in the Geneseo Fire Department, where he serves as an EMT.
Lecturer in Spanish Elizabeth Silvaggio-Adams — is the volunteer coordinator for the New York Museum of Transportation, and the faculty advisor for Common Hope, which supports educational programs for kids in Guatemala.
Back Bay Mission — a nonprofit organization that provides leadership, logistical support, training and hospitality in Biloxi, Miss., for volunteer groups such as Livingston CARES.
Enlace Project Geneseo — a student group that promotes economic, cultural and educational ties between Geneseo and El Sauce, Nicaragua.
National Residence Hall Honorary, Blue Knights Chapter — is the Geneseo chapter of an honor society for 1 percent of Geneseo’s active student leaders.
SUNY Geneseo Pride Alliance — a student group that creates understanding and inclusivity on campus, including organizing events and Safe Zone training.