HCCC in the 1990’s
May 1990
Henry P. Testa receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Robert M. Francis receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Valerie H. Prescott receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship.
June 1, 1990
Dr. Robert Campo, Dean of Students, retires.
Fall 1990
“Seniorversity” is established in coordination with Herkimer County Office for the Aging and Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
January 2, 1991
James Hayes is appointed Dean of Student Services.
February 1, 1991
Robert Kane is appointed Dean of Administration.
February 18, 1991
The new 33,000 square foot Technology Center and Criminal Justice Laboratory is dedicated, providing classroom and laboratory space for study in Radio & Television, Computer Science, Computer Assisted Design, Occupational Therapy and Travel & Tourism.
March 23, 1991
HCCC men’s basketball team wins the NJCAA national championship.
1991
The women’s field hockey team wins the NJCAA national championship.
May 1991
Barbara M. Bouchard receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Guy S. Corriero receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
June 1991
Dr. Faye Lenarcic, Professor of English, is named Utica YWCA’s Woman of the Year in Education.
July 18, 1991
HCCC becomes the latest of New York State’s 16 rural services institutes established by the state office of Rural Affairs.
August 1991
A Freshman Seminar is initiated to help all new, full-time students to adjust successfully to the many challenges of college life.
Fall 1991
Construction of Campus Meadows student housing project is finalized.
1991 - 1992
Of New York State’s 20 community colleges, HCCC graduates the highest percentage of students after two years of study.
1991 - 1992
A Health Services Office staffed by a registered nurse is established.
May 1992
The men’s lacrosse program wins its third NJCAA national championship.
May 1992
Michael A. Oriolo receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Helen A. Pannes receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
September 1992
The off-site program, which already includes Mt. Markham and Dolgeville schools, expands to include Little Falls High School.
October 1993
The first annual Accessibility Awareness Week is held on campus.
February 1993
The FCC approves a station construction permit for the college’s new FM station, WVHC, which went on the air in October.
February 1993
Dr. Antoinette Cleveland assumes responsibility as Dean of Academic Affairs. She succeeds Dr. Faye Lenarcic who served as Interim Dean in the fall of 1992.
May 1993
The men’s lacrosse team wins its fourth NJCAA national championship in six years.
May 1993
Katherine A. Schwabach receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Laura W. Thompson receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
July 1993
HCCC hosts the first annual Independence Day celebration on campus for the community, offering music, food, and fireworks.
Summer 1993
MSA continues accreditation through 1998, accepting the College’s periodic review report.
1992 - 1993
A comprehensive campus strategic plan is developed.
1992 - 1993
Communities 2000 program is launched to assist local communities in identifying and managing solutions to specific community problems.
1992-1993
Ten of fourteen varsity teams qualify for post-season competition this year.
1993 - 1994
An Honors Seminar with an interdisciplinary range focusing on student’s career interests is inaugurated.
1993 - 1994
Three athletic teams earn “Academic Team of the Year” status, having the highest team grade point averages in the nation.
1993 - 1994
An employer assessment survey notes 96 percent of employers consider HCCC graduates equal to or better than graduates from other two-year schools.
May 1994
K. Bruce Ward receives the Alumnus of the Year award at commencement.
May 1994
The men’s lacrosse team wins its fifth NJCAA national championship (third consecutive) and its eleventh straight Region III championship.
May 1994
David H. Champoux receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. William E. Pelz receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
June 1994
The College establishes men’s and women’s varsity cross country teams to begin competing in the 1994-95 school year.
August 1994
HCCC offers an opportunity for students to earn a four-year degree through SUNY Empire State College via television.
1994 - 1995
HCCC’s graduation rate ranks highest among reference institutions and is one of the highest among all community colleges in New York State. HCCC also has the highest full-time faculty to student ratio of any SUNY community college.
September 1994
HCCC opens the Old Forge Education Center to address the educational needs of Town of Webb residents.
September 1994
Three area high schools, Herkimer County BOCES, and HCCC connect through fiber optic lines for televised educational programs.
October 1994
The Ilion School District joins HCCC and other local school districts involved in the distance learning network through interactive television.
October 1994
The HCCC Professional Association urges the College Trustees to keep pay and campus facilities above average. The faculty union has been without a contract since September 1993.
November 1994
The men’s soccer team wins its first NJCAA national championship (undefeated 25 - 0 - 0).
November 1994
HCCC receives $83,180 in state monies to be used for equipping the distance learning classrooms at the College and the Town of Webb schools.
November 1994
Herkimer County begins planning for a 911 system and the College offers space to house the 911 center.
December 1994
The College moves ahead with phase II of an energy-saving project. The preliminary phase of the project has saved 11.8 percent in energy consumption.
January 1995
HCCC’s “Communities 2000” program aids the local planning process by helping Herkimer business owners, property owners, local government representatives, and residents to develop a plan to revitalize North Main Street.
February 1995
The Bookstore holds a grand reopening after an expansion and makeover project.
March 1995
Lacrosse Coach Paul Wehrum is inducted into the Lacrosse Foundation Upstate New York Chapter Hall of Fame.
April/May 1995
HCCC establishes a website on the World Wide Web providing visitors with a broad range of information about the College.
May 1995
The men’s lacrosse team wins its sixth NJCAA national championship (fourth consecutive).
May 1995
The women’s field hockey, men’s cross country, and men’s lacrosse teams are named NJCAA National Academic Teams of the Year.
May 1995
Robert E. Schultz receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
June 1995
President Williams announces a proposed $9.1 million construction project for the college campus to address the most critical needs for additional space and facilities. The plan is the first phase of a $22 million Master Plan which will send HCCC competitively into the 21st century.
June 1995
The College implements a pilot project of a four-day work week during summer months to realize cost savings. The initiative reduces costs by more than $35,000.
July 1995
The Herkimer County Legislature overwhelmingly approves $2.25 million for the expansion and renovation of HCCC. The balance of the $9.1 million project cost will come from sources outside of Herkimer County.
August 1995
The HCC Foundation donates 97.5 acres to HCCC, at no cost to the College or the County. The donation is accepted by the Board of Trustees prior to going to the County Legislature for approval.
October 1995
The men’s soccer team defeats SUNY Delhi giving the Generals their 41st consecutive win and breaking the NJCAA record. They end their season by running that string up to 44 consecutive wins, a new national record, and they also hold the national record for consecutive shutouts.
November 1995
The men’s soccer team wins its seventh Region III title and its second consecutive NJCAA national championship (undefeated).
January 1996
A shuttle bus begins operation to transport students from the community to the College. The transportation services are provided by the Herkimer Area Resources Center.
February 1996
James Garnsey steps down as chairman of the HCCC Board of Trustees, and Gary Luther is named to the Board in his place. James Marsh is selected to be the next chairman.
March 1996
HCTV cable channel 10 is Herkimer County’s co-op between HCCC and Time Warner Cable, running a variety of programs on weekdays and providing the Herkimer County residents the means to communicate events and information at other times.
1995-1996
The men’s bowling, women’s bowling and men’s soccer teams are named NJCAA National Academic Teams of the Year.
April 1996
College trustees approve a proposal for a four-day work week this summer, one in a series of actions to close a $394,742 budget gap. The proposal is also approved by the County Legislature.
1996
HCCC student Christopher Taylor receives the Distinguished Chapter President award (25 awarded out of 1200 chapter presidents), and Leanne Jardine receives the Robert Giles Distinguished Advisor Award at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention, Washington D.C.
May 1996
Donald Kane Jr. receives the Alumnus of the Year award.
May 1996
Three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee, one of the most important dramatists of contemporary world theater, presents a lecture at HCCC’s McLaughlin College Center.
May 1996
The men’s lacrosse team wins its seventh NJCAA national championship (fifth consecutive).
May 1996
Debra M. Sutliff receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Paul Wehrum receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. James R. Cofrancesco receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship.
June 1996
HCCC students are selected to join over 1000 students from various schools throughout the country to participate in the Walt Disney World College Program during their summer vacation.
August 1996
HCC Foundation Scholarship award winners are announced. Since its inception in 1982, the Foundation Tuition Scholarship Program has given nearly one-half million dollars to Herkimer County’s brightest high school students.
October 1996
A live debate with candidates for the 23rd Congressional District airs on the College’s television station, HCTV.
October 1996
HCCC students conduct an economic development survey, interviewing business and industry leaders in Herkimer County on behalf of HCCC’s Communities 2000 program. Results are analyzed by the College, County officials, and business leaders to determine how to improve the area’s business climate and create more jobs.
November 1996
The cross country team wins the NJCAA national championship title.
November 1996
A reception is held to honor Alumnus of the Year Rose Marie Battisti.
November 1996
The men’s soccer team wins the NJCAA National Championship title.
January 1997
Distance learning is demonstrated in Old Forge. The network consists of 11 distance learning classrooms covering a 1500 square mile region in Central New York providing educational opportunities for students in rural communities.
April 1997
HCCC’s television and radio stations, HCTV and WVHC respectively, simulcast a live conversation between HCCC students, alumni journalists and Congressman Sherwood Boehlert. The program originates from HCCC’s Ormond Drake Television Studio and is produced by the college’s Advanced Video Production class.
April 1997
At the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention, Dallas TX, HCCC’s chapter receives the Scholarship Hallmark Award (five awarded out of 1200 chapters) and the Top 100 Chapter Award.
May 1997
Frank J. Menapace receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Thomas M. Cuneo receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
May 1997
William J. Evans receives the Alumnus of the Year award.
July 1997
HCCC sponsors an Eastern European trip for area residents and students.
July 1997
HCCC celebrates its 30th anniversary in conjunction with the fifth annual Independence Day Celebration at the College made possible through the generosity of many sponsors from throughout the community.
July 1997
HCCC President Ronald Williams and Kamei School Owner-President Takeo Kamei sign an agreement allowing Kamei graduates to complete an associate degree at HCCC in one year of study in a variety of programs.
July 1997
Dr. Williams is elected president of the Association of Presidents of Public Community Colleges.
September 1997
Enrollment for fall 1997 is 2467, an increase of 3.1% over fall 1996 and 666% above the College’s enrollment when it opened in fall 1967 with a total of 322 full and part-time students. International student enrollment has increased from 12 in 1996 to 48 in 1997. Students represent various countries including Ghana, Japan, Dominican Republic, Sweden, Egypt, Russia, Poland, Trinidad & Tobago, El Salvador, India, Kenya, Bosnia, Haiti, Taiwan, Belarus, Vietnam, China, United Kingdom, Honduras and Mexico.
October 1997
The Board of Trustees approves a resolution allowing HCCC to be a proposed site for the E-911 Building.
November 1997
Governor Pataki appoints James D. Accattato of Frankfort as a Trustee.
November 1997
The Women’s Field Hockey team wins the NJCAA national championship title.
March 1998
HCCC’s Upsilon Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society wins several awards at the New York Region Annual Convention including the Leadership Hallmark Award, four-star level in the five-star Chapter Development Program, and Most Distinguished Member - Kenneth Gates of Herkimer. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, HCCC’s chapter is named Most Distinguished in the New York Region.
March 1998
Associate Professor Lorraine Martin is named to Marquis Who’s Who in the World 1998.
April 1998
At the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention, Nashville, TN, HCCC’s chapter advisor Leanne Jardine receives the Continued Excellence Award for Advisors, and the chapter receives the Top 100 Chapter Award.
1997-1998
The women’s field hockey and women’s track & field teams are named NJCAA National Academic Teams of the Year.
May 1998
James I. Marsh is re-elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
May 1998
The track & field team wins a NJCAA national championship title.
May 1998
Rosalie N. Scalise receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Suzanne Goodrich receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
May 1998
Melissa Bennett receives the Alumnus of the Year award at commencement.
June 1998
Campus Safety adds a bicycle patrol to cover the campus, nature trail, athletic fields, and adjoining property.
July 1998
The State Education Department approves two new academic programs, jointly registered with SUNY Oneonta, allowing HCCC students opportunities to earn a bachelor’s degree on the HCCC campus.
July 1998
HCCC and Buffalo State College cooperate in a state-of-the-art distance learning program that brings a Master’s in Adult Education program to HCCC through a fiber-optic network.
July 1998
HCCC’s Director of Athletics, Sid Fox, is chosen as a representative for the National Alliance for Two-Year College Athletic Directors.
August 1998
The Board of Trustees meets in Old Forge to introduce Trustees to the College’s new office facility and familiarize them with programs being offered by the College in the northern part of Herkimer County.
September 1998
HCCC’s Faculty Student Association pays off a loan from Herkimer County a year early. The $292,999 loan was used to renovate and expand the Bookstore from 600 to 3,500 square feet.
October 1998
HCCC is reaccredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The evaluation team completed their visit to the campus in March 1997, and included in their report the following: “The faculty, staff, and administration at HCCC are committed to the students that they serve and are a hard-working, dedicated group….we were most impressed with both the success of the teams engaged in athletic competitions as well as the performance of the athletes in the classroom…The Colleges facilities are first rate and…it seemed obvious to us that the brightness and cleanliness of the entire facility bespeaks a sense of pride by all concerned. . . We are confident that while HCCC can look back at its previous successes it is also capable of looking to the future with an even greater sense of excitement.”
October 1998
HCCC receives a $20,000 grant to extend its Communities 2000 program throughout the West Central Adirondacks. The grant was made by the Herkimer and Oneida Counties Community Foundation, which said that Communities 2000 is “a true investment in the people of a region…who are…developing ... a clear vision…of…future.”
November 1998
Professor Thomas Lenahan is awarded the Richard L. Lewis Service Award at the Criminal Justice Educators Association of New York State.
December 1998
E-lacrosse magazine publishes a story on Lacrosse Coach Paul Wehrum. The article reviews his history as a player and coach, noting that he was the assistant coach for Team USA, winner of the 1998 World Championship, and as HCCC’s coach won seven national titles, 15 consecutive NJCAA Region III championships, and had three undefeated seasons to date.
February 1999
Dr. Patricia A. Pietropaolo is appointed Dean of Academic Affairs.
March 1999
WVHC-FM expands programming to 24 hours a day, 7 days/week. The station continues live student operations 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, and has added automated hardware/software to help provide new programming in jazz and classical music for the remaining hours.
March 1999
HCCC alumnus Rose Marie Battisti of Little Falls is among seven honorees named 1999 Outstanding Alumni by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
March 1999
SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence are given to HCCC students Betsy Gekonge, Jan Marie Fuhrer, and Melissa Cobb.
April 1999
Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team awards are received by HCCC students Jan Marie Fuhrer and Betsy Gekonge.
April 1999
At the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention, Los Angeles CA, student Barbara Roberts received the George Bierkoe Distinguished Member (10 awarded out of membership exceeding 75,000), and the HCCC chapter received the Top 100 Chapter Award.
April 9, 1999
HCCC students, including lacrosse players, participate in a Habitat for Humanity house painting project in Middleville.
April 20, 1999
James I. Marsh is re-elected chairman of the HCCC Board of Trustees.
May 1999
The men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams are named NJCAA National Academic Teams of the Year (1998-99).
May 1999
John D. Bullis receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Leanne W. Jardine receives the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
May 1999
Daniel J. Burling, Assemblyman, receives the Alumnus of the Year award.
May 1999
HCCC launches its Internet Academy with six complete degrees online (Travel and Tourism (AAS), Liberal Arts and Sciences: General Studies (AA), Criminal Justice (AA), Criminal Justice (AAS), Business: Business Administration (AA) and Business: Business Administration (AAS).
May 1999
HCTV wins an award from The Communicator Awards in the 1998 Video Competition in the Cable Television/Community Access category for an entry entitled “Adirondack Scenic Railroad Inaugural Run.” There were 3,209 entries from 47 states and other countries.
May 1999
The State University of New York’s Chancellor Ryan is the keynote speaker at HCCC’s Commencement.
May 1999
The Generals Campaign, a public-private partnership to create educational access and opportunity, is launched. The campaign will establish two endowments comprising more than $3 million to support student scholarships and instructional technology.
June 1999
The College holds ribbon cutting and dedication ceremonies for the $9.1 million expansion to the McLaughlin College Center and Physical Education Building. A “sneak peak” of the corporate training facility for local business people is co-sponsored by the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce.
June 1999
Nine people who were instrumental in the development of HCCC are named the first recipients of the Torchbearer Awards. A reception and ceremony take place in the College Center where plaques honoring each of the honorees are unveiled. Recipients of this prestigious honor are Bess Cristman, Virgil E. Johnson, Frederick Jurer, Harold Luther, Dr. James Anderson, Richard Jorrey, Robert McLaughlin, Anthony Cosentino, and Dr. Donald Gavagan.
July 1999
HCCC freezes tuition for the fourth straight year, keeping its full-time tuition ($2,250) among the lowest in state for community colleges (comparative average = $2,404).
August 1999
New degree programs in Arts Management & Art Studies are approved by the New York State Education Department.
August 1999
Isabella S. Crandall, Herkimer, is appointed to the Board of Trustees.
September 1999
The Board of Trustees passes a resolution to acquire and manage previously privately-owned student housing.
September 1999
West Canada Valley High School becomes the fourth high school to participate in HCCC’s off-site program.
September 1999
The HCC Foundation Generals Campaign receives a $300,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. Over 97 percent of the College’s faculty and staff have pledged support for the campaign as well.
October 1999
The College hosts a Year 2000 (Y2K) teleconference to cover Y2K concerns regarding utilities, banking, 911, health care, emergency preparedness, legal issues and community outreach.
October 1999
The College is awarded more than $80,000 in grants to provide training for employees of more than 25 Herkimer County companies. Assembly Minority Leader Fasco announced the grants and said that this is a demonstration of “ideal partnership between private industry, education, and government.”
November 1999
The Internet Academy exceeds enrollment projections, and expansion is planned for spring 2000.
November 1999
Mohawk Valley Community College President Schafer serves lunch to the HCCC soccer team after losing a wager with Dr. Williams on the outcome of a Region III championship game between MVCC and HCCC (HCCC 4 - MVCC 1).
November 1999
The HCCC men’s soccer team wins the NJCAA National Championship.
December 1999
The Telecommunicator Training program for Emergency 911 centers is established.