LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - JULY 15, 2018 Info Tech Dedicated to your success: w Experienced, accessible faculty w Transitional support w World-wide partnerships w Travel, internships and job shadowing Computer Information Systems Computer Support & Operations Computer Systems & Network Technologies Computerized Drafting & Design Computer Repair Web Design More than 70 degrees and certificates: w Launch a business w Enter the workforce prepared FALL SEMESTER BEGINS AUGUST 20 ! Apply today at www.genesee.edu GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION 7 Campus Locations and Online! Albion • Arcade • Batavia • Dansville Lima • Medina • Warsaw Careers in 81 Lake St., LeRoy Fully Insured 768-6578 Walkways • Retaining Walls • Hardscapes • Lawn Care • Landscape Trees & Shrubs • Pruning, Mulching • Lawn Fertilization Your Hardscape Specialists! Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Sat. 8am-noon bubbaslandscape.net Residential & Commercial Call for Bulk Material Delivery & Pricing! Just Completed! This could be you! *FREE Quotes* • Bulk Mulch • Topsoil • Play Sand • Stone • Compost 'Beyond Expectations' As Genesee Community College's 50th graduating class crammed for finals, one stu- dent worked harder, practiced longer, collaborated more and without realizing it-embodied the College's "Beyond Expecta- tions" brand with quiet dignity and integrity seldom seen. Lifelong Bergen resident, Lauren E. Stumpf was born in 1994 with Cerebral Palsy, and has relied on a wheelchair for mobility for most of her life. But this challenge never much slowed Lauren down, nor damp- ened her spirited disposition. With hard work and dedication, she has enjoyed great success. She graduated from Byron-Ber- gen Schools in 2012 and months later enrolled at GCC with plans to earn a degree in Human Ser- vices. Lauren's determination has always been a mark of her char- acter and integrity, first by prov- ing her doctors wrong by far exceeding their projected life expectancy of just five-years. Then at GCC she excelled in her coursework and quickly made friends across campus. Several months before graduation, Lauren decided she wanted to make the ceremony even more special by surpris- ing her family and friends with another significant accom- plishment-walking across the Commencement stage to ac- cept her diploma. To that end, Lauren began doing exercises to strengthen her muscles, and she contacted her friends who were enrolled in GCC's Physi- cal Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Together, with guid- ance from their professors, they helped Lauren by monitoring her progress, educating her about proper posture and exer- tion levels to ensure she rested appropriately and did not injure herself. As Lauren proudly walked across the stage, the crowd cheered, applauded and many people jumped to their feet with enthusiasm and support. She shook hands with keynote speaker Dr. Kristina Johnson, the new SUNY Chancellor, whose speech included a mes- sage about optimism and rising to her own challenge of being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lym- phoma. Lauren's determination in- spired the GCC's admissions office to capture her story in a short video that would illustrate her resolve. It also will inspire others to meet their challenges head-on and realize the many resources available to help make their dreams a reality. Lauren's story is proof that good news travels fast and far. After posting Lauren's story on the College's social media channels, there were more than 4,500 views in just one week. This included a message from Buffalo State College who is looking forward to having her on their campus this fall, as she begins her next challenge. Lau- ren will be enrolled in Buffalo State's Special Education pro- gram, in part, as a tribute to her close friend who also enrolled in the program but sadly passed away before she graduated. "After Buffalo State, I want to get a job as a special educa- tion teacher and possibly go back to GCC as a professor for the developmental disabilities class," Lauren said. And to that GCC remarks, "Bring it on! We can't wait to see you." 1 Church St. | LeRoy, NY 14482 | 768-2201 | www.lpgraphics. EMBROIDERY MAKES GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR FAMILY • FRIENDS • ETC. CUSTOMIZED T-SHIRTS • HATS • JACKETS • TOWELS