It was part reflection, part celebration – but mostly celebration – as Keuka College’s staff and faculty gathered for Community Day on Friday, Jan. 28. The bi-annual event is an opportunity for employees to reconnect ahead of the beginning of on-campus instruction, which began on Monday, Jan. 31.
“I am thrilled to see each of you,” said College President Amy Storey, who emceed the gathering of some 100 College faculty and staff at the Geiser Dining Commons (another 50 joined in online). “Being with you all gives me a renewed sense of energy and optimism on campus.”
During the event, President Storey welcomed new employees; reiterated the College’s mission, vision, and values; and provided brief financial and admissions updates. She also shared the status of the College’s re-accreditation process and offered several points of pride.
In addition, a new College-wide initiative, the Joy Project, was introduced. It aims to strengthen a sense of belonging and resilience through shared positive experiences. Audience members were encouraged to find and document things around campus that make them happy and share them with the rest of campus.
Keuka College
The event included a video greeting from Keuka College Student Senate President Olivia Costa '22.
The audience also heard videotaped messages from Student Senate President Olivia Costa ’22 and Madison Hogue ’21 M’22, who serves as a New Student Mentor. Olivia thanked the faculty and staff for their resilience and continued support of students, while Maddie shared what community at Keuka College means to her.
Community Day also provided a forum to commemorate members of the Keuka College community with milestone anniversaries and acknowledge the sustained and noteworthy accomplishments of the College community.
Five-year service awards were presented to Senior Instructional Designer David Dial, Program Manager for the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts Megan Granata, and Senior Employee Relations and Benefits Specialist Kimberly Luke. A 10-year service award was presented to Program Manager of Nursing Linsey Shepardson M’15; a 15-year service award was presented to Vice President for Advancement, Communications, and Technology Pete Bekisz ’12; and a 20-year award was presented to Athletics Office Manager Sue Losey.
Additionally, six members of the College’s staff and faculty were honored with a glass acorn. The acorn is a token of appreciation passed among colleagues in recognition of their embodiment of one or more of the College’s values:
- Associate Registrar Dawn Beckley
- Director of Student Accounts Mary Ellen Griffiths
- Associate Director of Human Resources Brittany Murphy M’19
- Marketing and Communications Manager Gretchen Parsells
- Administrative Assistant for the School of Health and Human Services Sandy Teague
- Director of HEOP Dr. Lisa Thompson
