News & Announcements (page 3)
December 2007: Biological sciences going strong at NCCC
For 40 years, North Country Community College has very much been a center for scientific studies, constantly helping its students prepare for careers in an increasingly science-oriented world. North Country's full time Biological Sciences faculty is comprised of Dr. Peter Biesemeyer at the Malone campus; Dr. Anne Lincoln, Dr. Rich Martin, Dr. Judith Steinberg, and Susan Moss in Saranac Lake. The Ticonderoga campus is staffed by two adjunct instructors.
“We are very fortunate at North Country to have the tremendous background our Biology faculty does,” said North Country Community College President Gail Rogers Rice, Ph.D. “Their exemplary education and broad experience bring a diverse wealth of knowledge into the classrooms and laboratories, further underscoring North Country’s continued dedication to the best possible instruction in this academic area.”
Peter Biesemeyer
Ph.D., Professor of Biology
- Began at North Country: Fall, 1985.
- Background: Faculty member of joined biology department of Manhattan College/College of Mount St. Vincent.
- The best part about being an North Country instructor: “The students and the people I work with.”
- Favorite course to teach is Microbiology.
Question: North Country science courses are invaluable for, and often geared toward, a number of degrees offered here (at NCCC) – how do you feel about that?
Answer: “It’s bonus, because those courses are taken by the allied health majors and they’re the best!”
Additional comments: “Wish I could cite the reference but, for what it’s worth, I believe there was a study by SUNY Central which showed that North Country Math-Science transfers to SUNY four-years did as well or better than native students in terms of academic performance and graduation rates.”
Anne Kendall Lincoln
Doctor ofVeterinaryMedicine (D.V.M.), Associate Professor of Biology
- Began at North Country: 1995.
- Background: Associate’s Degree from Champlain College, Bachelors Degree from University of Vermont, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.
- Favorite course to teach is “any type of biology related to medicine.”
Additional comments: “I am currently within one semester of finishing a Master’s degree in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida. My husband and I have a farm in Willsboro where we grow pasture-fed beef , organic potatoes, and produce maple syrup.”
Judith Steinberg
Ph.D., Professor of Biology
- Began at North Country: 2004.
- Background: Science Teacher at two Catholic high schools, going back to 1977.
- The best part about being an NCCC instructor, “The diversity of courses I get to teach, and the caring, dedicated faculty.”
- Her favorite course to teach is Adirondack Biology (“It is a ‘work in progress’ as I learn more about this area.”)
- “I enjoy working with students who are majoring in Math / Science and those students who are taking science to fulfill non-core requirements. It is fun giving them a peek into what all science includes.”
Questions: North Country has announced a proposed Environmental Science program and degree, with hopeful approval by Fall 2008. What will be the North Country approach to ENV SCI? What will make it a stand-out from any others in the SUNY system?
Answers: “Our ENV SCI program will either be a terminal 2-year degree or transferable to a 4-year program. Other SUNY schools have Environmental Science and Environmental Studies programs, but ours is located in the Adirondacks with its three biomes available for study.”
Who will be instructing these courses? Susan Moss and myself.
Richard Martin
Doctor of Pediatric Medicine (DPM); BS, Education; BA, Biology
- Began at North Country: 2004.
- Background: “I taught at Hudson Valley Community College, Berkshire Community College, and Russell Sage College. I’ve taught 21 different types of science courses – and was also a podiatrist in South Dakota and Southern California.”
- Favorite course taught here at North Country: Anatomy and Physiology
Question: Given a local history that involves medical science and health, how do you see your educational efforts reaching into the future?
Answer: “I enjoy working with the healthcare students. I have worked with Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Massage Therapy, and Chemical Dependency students. I enjoy both the feeling that I’m helping them and the knowledge that they will in turn use that knowledge to help other members of the community. So, I know that my job makes a positive contribution to society.”
Additional comments: Am currently writing a book on life history; (local artist and North Country instructor) Carol Vossler is doing the illustrations.
Susan Moss
M.S.T., Zoology; M.S., Zoology; B.A., Biology
- Began at North Country: 2007.
- Earlier experience: Associate Professor of Biology, Madisonville Community College, Madisonville, KY; degrees received from Universities of Florida and Oklahoma.
- Favorite course taught at North Country: “I most enjoy courses that cover a wide range of biological topics, such as general biology, and courses that focus on the natural world, such as environmental science.”
Question: The courses you teach are invaluable for, and geared toward, a number of degrees offered here at NCCC – how do you feel about that?
Answer: “I think that’s great because biology is something that everyone should know something about. Everyone graduating college should have a basic understanding of how the human body functions, how ecosystems function, and how humans are impacting the planet. They should also understand the foundations of what we know and how we learn things in biology: evolution and the scientific method.”
What she likes most about being an instructor here: “I like that it is a small school. I can focus on teaching and helping my students understand the material. The beautiful setting is certainly an added bonus. I’m a Florida native, however, so I’m a little worried about surviving my first Saranac Lake winter. Assuming I don’t freeze solid, I’m looking forward to enjoying a lot of fun years at North Country.”
NCCC and Adirondack Arc announce internship program
North Country Community College is pleased to announce a new internship opportunity with The Adirondack Arc starting in the Spring 2008 semester. A leader in the field, The Adirondack Arc is a not-for-profit agency offering comprehensive services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Franklin and Hamilton counties. Up to three NCCC second year students will be funded under this program. Students selected for this internship will have their Spring ’08 tuition and book costs covered by the agency in return for their service.
According to Joe Keegan, NCCC’s Coordinator of the Human Services, "North Country Community College is extremely fortunate to have such partners as The Adirondack Arc. These internships are an incredible opportunity for our students, positioning them directly within, and preparing them for the workforce." Applications are being sought from sophomore level Business, Nursing or the Human Services majors at NCCC who are in good academic standing. Interested students may obtain an application from:
Joe Keegan
Assistant Professor/Coordinator – Human Services
North Country Community College
PO Box 89
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
(518) 891-2915, ext. 220
jkeegan@nccc.edu
--> The deadline is Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, no later than 4 p.m. <--
December 2007: Sliding her way to the top
Anne O’Shea, a student in North Country’s Sports and Events Management Program, recently secured a spot on the USA Skeleton World Cup Team. The following is an e-interview with O’Shea, as well as Coordinator of the Sports & Events Management Program and alsoO'Shea’s Academic Advisor, Larry McFaddin,by North Country’s Assistant Dean for Institutional Advancement, Bruce Young.
BY: Where are you from originally – or, where do you call home now?
AO: I am from Port Jefferson Station, NY, on Long Island. I have lived there all my life and although I am rarely there, I still call that home. Lake Placid is my second home; I’ve made so many good friends (up here) especially from spending my freshman year at Plattsburgh with the track team for a year.
BY: Now that you made it onto the “A” team, and the Fall-07 semester is almost over, will you be staying in the area to train, or are you off to … elsewhere?
AO: I will still continue to live at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. After NCCC I will be continuing my schooling at SUNY Empire State College studying Business Management or Marketing. I enjoy spending time training in Utah, but the track closes early (February). Lake Placid will stay open until the very beginning of May, so I can continue sliding and most likely start working (at a local clothing store) again along with school.
BY: What will your next year or two look like?
AO: My next few years will consist of constant training along with the season. As long as I continue to improve my training and in ourteam trials each year, I will hopefully end up on the World Cup Team for the coming years before the Olympics. My ultimate goal is the 2010 Olympics. As long as I do my best everyday to get there, I will be satisfied with the results.
BY: Assuming all goes well and you stay healthy, how long do you envision being on the Skeleton Team?
AO: My main plan is to stay involved competing in Skeleton until after the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, although I may decide to stay in the sport until 2018. I plan on sliding until I don’t find it fun everyday. Now I go out to the track and love what I do: I love my teammates and coaches, I think I have a great life, I get to travel the world doing something I love, seeing new places and meeting really great people.
BY: Are there regular tests and trials to stay on the team?
AO: We have sprinting tests that we have to pass at least twice during the summer months. We do a 30-meter and a 60-meter run and have to get a fast enough time to get a good enough amount of points. As a team we train with our Strength and Conditioning coach all summer before the season starts again. We test all of our Olympic lifts in the weight room, but they are mainly for the coach to make sure we are doing our best and improving during the summer.
BY: When you are done, where do you see yourself afterwards?
AO: This may sound odd to some people, but as much as I’ve thought about my life after Skeleton I haven’t decided exactly where it would lead me. It’s almost like I can’t look 10 or more years ahead in my life because I have to put everything I have into what I am doing now. But when I really think about it, I have always wanted to work with a college team. I would love to do the advertising or public relations for a large school. I always wanted to go to a big school and run track, so I would love to work with a track team. Or even build up a program at a smaller school that doesn’t get a lot of recognition.
BY: Has NCCC helped you, or made your life better suited for whatever is to follow?
AO: NCCC has done so much for me. All of my teachers understood my being gone most of the time and are faxing or emailing my tests to me. I am so grateful that I have been at NCCC, especially this semester. I was in class for about a month and I am learning a lot as the semester goes on about how to balance my training, team events, and homework. If I didn’t have instructors who were helpful, I don’t know if I would be able to do it. I’ve missed at most 2 weeks of school at a time before making the World Cup and there is a great difference. It is more serious and I wouldn’t want to do this without the support of the school. I have made good friends here, and whenever I come back from a trip everyone is anxious to know how I did and is very excited for me. It means a lot and has helped me grow as a person. It is always a good feeling knowing people are behind you.
BY: How do you see your Sports and Events Management degree working for you?
AO: I see my Sports and Events Management degree working with my Olympic endeavors. Being on a US team you learn a lot -- about how the programs work, how to get sponsors, how to make travel arrangements. Anything you could think of. I am planning on using this to get a job with a college or maybe even a professional team of some sort, or maybe working with the US Olympic Committee. From first hand experience, I would love to improve how sports are handled. I think sports (and the various athletes) would get more out of working with someone who has already been where they want to go.
BY: Now to Larry McFaddin -- Larry, how long have you known Ms. O’Shea?
LM: Anne has been in the program and my advisee for a year and a half.
BY: Tell us something about the program she’s enrolled in.
LM: The Sports and Events Management Program at NCCC is a very viable and exciting program. The location of NCCC in the Adirondack Park and Olympic Region with its diverse and wide array of recreational, leisure, and sport opportunities is a perfect match and is reflected in our curriculum. The ability and willingness of NCCC to work with students from varying backgrounds -- including Olympic-level athletes to achieve their career and life goals -- is a testament to the College.
To that end we are in the process of developing 3-credit, 8-week courses to accommodate our ownNorth Country student-athletes, as well as athletes competing for national team spots, and other students who have time and scheduling constraints.
BY: Describe her for us, please.
LM: Anne is a very dedicated and hard working student and world class athlete. Trying to compete at the national level is very difficult and time-consuming; therefore, combining that with also getting a college degree is inspiring. Anne’s ability to organize her time and compartmentalize her tasks is outstanding.
BY: Where you see her going?
LM: Anne hopes to graduate in December from NCCC with a degree in Sports and Events Management. She intends to pursue a four year degree as well as continue her career with the USA Skeleton Program. Anne has proven she is adept at multitasking, and I feel she will be highly successful wherever life takes her.
Dec. 1, 2007: Word from Anne O'Shea in Calgary
"World Cup is a lot different than the other race circuits I have done -- more intense but I love it. We had our first race on Thursday in Calgary, Canada and I placed 10th. I couldn't have been more excited getting a top ten finish at my first ever world cup race! Now on to bigger and better things -- two of my favorite tracks: Park City, Utah, then Lake Placid! I can't wait."
Nov. 15, 2007:Anne O'Shea, secures a spot on the USA Skeleton World Cup Team:
A student in NCCC's Sports and Events Management Program, secured a spot on the USA Skeleton World Cup Team this past weekend in Utah by placing 3rd in the first race and winning the second race.
O'Shea sent an e-mail message to Larry McFaddin, Coordinator of the Sports and Events Management Program: "Hey Larry, I just wanted to keep you updated on how tfhe races in Utah went. I placed 3rd and 1st in them! I made the World Cup team and I just wanted to let you know! I am so excited I can't even believe it, I worked so hard! Talk to you soon! Annie.
McFaddin adds, "Anne has been working diligently the past few years to make the top team. When you see Anne, congratulate her on this fantastic accomplishment!"
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