Editor's Note: Every member of the Class of 2008 has a story about his or her experiences at Keuka College and plans for the future. We couldn't publish all of those stories but here are 12 of them and they give us a good idea of the kind of people the College is producing.
Meghan Bartholomew, Unified Elementary Education (Spanish Minor)
Meghan Bartholomew is one of only two education students who will graduate with disciplinary honors (Division of Education and Social Work).
To achieve honors in education, students need to complete individual research on a topic in education, write a paper, and present their findings to a committee.
The topic of Bartholomew’s research was “early foreign language instruction.”
She conducted a summer Field Period in Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico, in 2007, where she spent a week at a private school. During the Field Period, Bartholomew realized that Mexican students began studying foreign language early on, which led to greater proficiency in their second languages.
A winner of the Dr. Aileen Lougee Prize in Foreign Language, Bartholomew will head to the University of Rochester this fall, where she will pursue a master’s degree in literacy.
Secretary of Sigma Lamdba Sigma (the College-wide honor society), Bartholomew is also a member of the Council for Exceptional Children/Special Education Club. She has worked as a writing tutor as well an RA (resident assistant). She is historian of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society (education).
Brady Begeal, Organizational Communication
The Keuka College SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team’s latest victory—cracking the top 16 in the nation—ranks No. 1 on Brady Begeal’s list of College high points.
Begeal has been a member of SIFE’s presentation team for two years.
He credits the organizational communication program for his strong public speaking skills, critical thinking and analytical abilities, as well as his writing and interviewing skills, which he plans to put to use as a lawyer.
Begeal is “99 percent sure” he’ll attend AlbanyLawSchool in the fall, though he was accepted to other schools. Law is something he’s been interested in since high school.
His junior year Field Period with a district attorney solidified his career choice.
One of two organizational communication students to be graduating with disciplinary honors, Begeal has been a member of the baseball team all four years, serving as captain for two years. He’s also a member of the cross country team, serving as captain for one year.
A member of Sigma Lambda Sigma, the College-wide honor society, Begeal is also member of Lambda Pi Eta (communication studies honor society). He served on the Student Athletic Advisory Council, taking on the role of vice president for the organization this year. He was a consultant for the Achieving a College Education program. He has worked as a game day assistant and weight room attendant for the athletics department all four years and he was named the Dana Schillinger Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
Nicole Bondellio, English (Minor in Psychology, Concentration in Creative Writing)
Nicole Bondellio is the consummate student athlete.
The 2004 and 2007 North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Women’s Soccer Player of the Year, was named to the All-NEAC first team all four years, Bondellio finished her career as the all-time leader in goals, assists, and points.
Bondellio is one of three English students to be graduating with disciplinary honors. A member of Sigma Lambda Sigma (the College-wide honor society), Sigma Tau Delta (English honor society), and Chi Beta Phi (psychology honor society), Bondellio has worked as a writing tutor and also in the registrar’s office.
Bondellio has been working an Americorps Vista Volunteer since December. Her one-year placement is at the Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning, where she works with young adults.
Brian Cobb, Adolescent English/Special Education
One of three seniors to be named Outstanding Student Teacher for 2007-08, adolescent English/special education major Brian Cobb will spend the days following commencement back at PennYanMiddle School.
The Poughkeepsie native taught eighth grade English at the school for eight weeks during one of two student teaching placements (the other placement was in a 9-12 resource room at GenevaHigh School). Penn Yan asked him to come back and serve as a long term substitute for the last five weeks before summer break.
In addition to student teaching, Cobb has excelled in his studies. A recipient of the Board of Trustees Scholarship, Cobb is president of Sigma Lambda Sigma, the College-wide honor society. Cobb is also president of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society (education), and a member of Sigma Tau Delta International Honor Society (English).
In addition, he was a member of the Arion Players (drama club) all four years, serving as secretary for two years and president for two years. He acted in and served as technical director for seven performances.
During his four years, Cobb also participated in Symphonic Band, CAB (Campus Activities Board), and Secondary Education Club (serving as secretary). He tutored writing, served as a mentor to freshman students, and was a desk worker in various residence halls as a student employee for residence life.
Shannon Furlong, Unified Elementary/Special Education
Shannon Furlong is someone who enjoys helping others—especially children.
A participant in Big Brothers Big Sisters and a Girl Scout leader, Furlong worked as a lifeguard and water safety instructor on campus, administering swim lessons to children of the community. She also was a note taker for fellow Keuka students and a mentor to freshmen.
A recipient of the Board of Trustees Scholarship, Furlong—who joins Bartholomew in graduating with disciplinary honors (her research was on the "effectiveness of Head Start")—is a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success, President’s Leadership Circle, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, and National Scholars Honor Society.
Furlong is the recipient of a 2006 Rotary Youth Leadership Award and was named the Outstanding Sophomore Childhood Education Major that same year.
She served as secretary to the Special Education Club this year (vice president last year and treasurer sophomore year). She served on SAAC junior year and was a member of the American Sign Language Club her freshman year.
Jeremy Hourihan, Management (Concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship)
Student trustee and well-roundedness go hand-in-hand.
“Well-rounded” certainly describes Jeremy Hourihan. So does “leader.”
In addition to being a student trustee, Hourihan is president of the College’s team and treasurer for the Class of 2008. The winner of this year’s Outstanding Management Award, Hourihan plans to attend AlbanyLawSchool in the fall. He has aspirations of opening his own practice one day, as well as his own “family” business.
During his four years, Hourihan has also served as a consultant for the College’s ACE program, a note-taker for Academic Success at Keuka (ASK), a member of the College’s Strategic Planning Committee, a student instructional technology assistant, a mentor, and a member of the President’s Leadership Circle.
A member of Sigma Lambda Sigma (College-wide honor society) and Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society (business), Hourihan is the recipient of the George H. Ball Achievement Award, Keuka College Golf Classic Scholarship, Diocese of Rochester Scholarship, and Katherine Gillette Blyley Memorial Scholarship.
His Field Periods were spent helping Chinese students establish SIFE teams at their own universities, acting as marketing manager for Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises, backpacking through Europe, and participating in business development activities at Yates County Industrial Development Agency.
Matthew Piché, Biochemistry
According to Professor of Biology Marianne Jahnke, who chairs the Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical Education, it’s not every year that a student from the division graduates with honors.
The process for achieving disciplinary honors is a rigorous one. Students must complete four credits of research, submit a paper explaining his or her research, and deliver an hour-long presentation to the faculty.
Matthew Piché was approved for divisional honors after the May 15 presentation of his research titled “Development of a PCR Based System for the Analysis of Plant DNA, and the Identification of Genetic Modification.”
Piché plans to attend chiropractic college following graduation, though his research “opened up a whole new array of careers.”
Vice president of the Class of 2008 and president of the Fishing Club, Piché is also a member of Symphonic Band (drums). He also plays drums in Modus Tollens, a rock band consisting of four other Keuka students, which has played at Spring Weekend the past three years and performed at a number of club events. A member of the SIFE team, Piché played on the lacrosse team his freshman year.
Thanks to his Field Periods, Piché will graduate a world traveler. He participated in a backpacking Field Period to Europe with three friends his junior year. This year, he traveled to China with SIFE team to help Chinese students at Keuka’s partner universities establish SIFE teams of their own.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Piché. “The Chinese students were so interested in us and what we had to say.”
Nancy Pierson, Unified Childhood/Special Education
As president of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)/Special Education Club, Pierson has organized the Buddy Walk on campus for the past three years.
The National Down Syndrome Society established the Buddy Walk to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
Her leadership skills earned her place in Sigma Alpha Pi, the leadership honor society. She is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society (education).
The 2007-08 Mentor of the Year, Pierson has worked as a student ambassador for the Office of Admissions since her freshman year. She aspires to teach in the Rochester area following graduation.
Christina Rekczis, Early Childhood Education
Despite the demands of being a wife and mother, Christina Rekczis has excelled as a full-time student.
One of three winners of this year’s Outstanding Student Teacher award, Rekczis was named Outstanding Junior in Early Childhood Education last year.
A member of Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society, Rekczis completed her student teaching at Keuka LakeSchool and WatkinsGlenCentralSchool District. She hopes to get a teaching job following graduation and has already “gone on a few interviews” and is “waiting to hear back.
“If I don’t find a job right away, I plan on substitute teaching and just taking a year off from school to be a mom and a wife,” said Rekczis. “Then, I will pursue a master’s degree.”
Ruth Sanford, Unified Childhood/Special Education (Concentration: English)
Unsung Senator (Commuter Senator), Student Teacher of the Year, Vice President of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society (Education), and Outstanding Junior in Childhood Education.
All titles held by Ruth Sanford, who is also a recipient of the Fred and Harriet Taylor Foundation Scholarship and the Penn Yan Keuka Club Scholarship.
In addition, she is a member of the Council on Exceptional Children/Special Education Club.
Sanford student taught sixth grade at NaplesElementary School during her first placement, where she developed an integrated English Language Arts unit plan in addition to creating weekly and daily lesson plans, and teaching lessons and unit plans in different subject area. During her second placement teaching fourth, fifth and sixth grade special education, Sanford utilized a range of teaching and classroom behavior techniques.
Sanford will attend St. JohnFisherCollege in the fall, where she will pursue a master’s degree in literacy (birth-grade 12).
Scott Smith, Criminology/Criminal Justice and Sociology
Senior Scott Smith never expected to be hired right after his last semester of classes at KeukaCollege.
But that is just what happened to the criminology/criminal justice and sociology major.
After completing four Field Periods in various law enforcement careers, Smith, a Blossvale resident, accepted a position with the New York State Police.
“Not only is law enforcement something I have always wanted to, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,” said Smith.
According to Smith, preparing for this job academically, outside of the police academy, is “nearly impossible.”
But he credits the classes he took at Keuka for laying a foundation for the criminal justice system.
“I learned how the court system works and gained a basic knowledge of the Constitution and the rights it affords us,” said Smith. “Perhaps the classes that have helped me the most were those that taught a general idea of what to expect talking with a victim of a crime, dealing with victims, and how to handle oneself around the victim of a crime.”
Along with his Keuka classes, Smith says his four Field Period experiences “helped immensely.”
For his first Field Period, Smith participated in a ride-along program with an agency near Blossvale.
“I spent my sophomore Field Period in a county jail near my hometown,” said Smith. “This was a very good experience because it showed me what jail was like for the inmates, and helped me become more comfortable around people that have committed different crimes.”
Smith took his junior year Field Period and worked in a state-run correctional facility for juveniles.
“For my senior year, I again did a ride-along program,” he said. “I was trying to gain as much experience as I could, knowing this would be the job I would do someday.”
While still a full time Keuka student, Smith was able to complete six months of academic field training at the Finger LakesLawEnforcementAcademy (Canandaigua).
Christen Steinkamp, Organizational Communication and Marketing
Christen Steinkamp’s Field Period with Roc Loop, combined with her senior practicum in Web design (with College Webmaster Pete Bekisz), led to the realization that online journalism is her calling.
A digital college newspaper owned by the Democrat and Chronicle and sponsored by a number of area colleges, Roc Loop provides student interns the opportunity to write and take photos/video for the site.
She helped Bekisz re-design the campus life section of the College’s Web site to include more interactive features and forums to provide students a place to post “items they are selling” as well as other information.
Her efforts with Roc Loop as well as Bekisz earned Steinkamp this year’s C. Maxwell Plaisted Award Journalism. She was awarded the Bettsy Watson Wallis Memorial Prize in Humanities her sophomore year.
One of two organizational communication students to be graduating with disciplinary honors, Steinkamp was accepted to graduate programs at RIT and Syracuse and is leaning toward the program in communications and media technology at RIT, which begins this fall.
This summer, Steinkamp, a two-year mentor, will be back at Keuka, serving as mentor coordinator.
A member of Sigma Lambda Sigma (the College-wide honor society) and president of Lambda Pi Eta, Steinkamp is a three-year member of the College’s Dance Team, serving as coach this year, assistant coach her junior year, and captain her sophomore year. She was secretary of the Student Senate her sophomore and junior years.
-- Tanya Cornell-Kestler
