The-Laker-Issue-Spring-2022

the LAKER | 21 Adrienne O’Brien , Ph.D., a long-time donor and supporter of FLCC passed away Nov. 14, 2021 at the age of 86. Barbara Risser, Ed.D., retired president of the College, met Adrienne after she retired and moved to the Finger Lakes. “She was full of energy, had a great sense of humor and a real zest for life,” Barbara said. Adrienne studied at Hunter College in New York City, where she served as student body president and graduated in 1957 with a major in history. She spent the next 15 years teaching at high schools in New York and New Orleans and at Cabrini University in Radnor, Pa. From there, Adrienne attended Villanova University, completing two master’s degrees, one in political science and the other in educational administration. She began working on her doctorate at the University of Southern California and completed it at Syracuse University. Adrienne worked at the New York Institute of Technology as a professor of communication arts for 37 years, retiring in 2011. While at NYIT, she served as the first dean of the School of Media and Arts for more than a decade. “When Adrienne moved to Canandaigua, she was drawn to FLCC and reached out to me to learn more about the College,” Barbara said. “She often would talk with me about the tremendous need for community colleges and technical colleges in the higher education landscape.” Adrienne was particularly interested in the FLCC viticulture and wine technology program and regularly attended College events. “I think she felt at home there,” Barbara said. In anticipation of her 50th class reunion, Joan (Johnson) Hastings ’70 wrote a poem to share with her Community College of the Finger Lakes classmates. Joan enjoyed her time dodging Main Street traffic to attend classes, which were held in Canandaigua storefronts until the main campus opened in 1975. Raised in Phelps, she said her community college experience helped her mature and choose a career path. “I don’t think I was quite ready out of high school to go to a bigger college,” she said. After graduation, she transferred to SUNY Brockport to study education. For 27 years, she enjoyed the unconditional love and enthusiasm of pre-kindergarteners she taught at the Geneva General Child Care Center. She is still in touch with many of her CCFL friends and sees one of her favorite professors, Ray Smith, who taught mathematics, in the grocery store. Joan’s husband, Steve, graduated from CCFL the same year. They met again several years later and married on July 11, 1981. Their daughter, Heather, graduated from FLCC in 2004 (the College’s name changed in 1992) and their son, David, is a member of the class of 2008. Though her 50th reunion was canceled due to the pandemic, she shares here the poem she had intended to recite to her classmates. Reach out to Joan at joanhastings523@gmail.com. Fifty Years In the spring of nineteen hundred seventy We sat in the auditorium of Canandaigua Academy We were considered the first full graduating class To receive our associate degree They called us “the pioneers” We had classes at the YMCA, Sommers, and Perego Our library was in a house on Parrish Street We walked (or ran) to get to and fro. During those two years we made many new friends Couples were formed and some became husband and wife We had fraternities, sororities, and played cards in the lounge And enjoyed our wonderful new college life. Some of us went on to a four-year college To pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree While others went straight to the workforce Such as in an office as a secretary. I am proud to say that friends I made while at CCFL Are still close friends of mine today Yet I am sad that I’ve lost touch with others Who have moved or since passed away. Unlike high school, we don’t have a yearbook to browse To remember our time spent at CCFL We don’t have an alma mater to sing We will have to rely on stories we can tell. Tonight as we celebrate our 50th reunion I see faces that I have not seen since graduation Yet as we dine and drink and reminisce I feel a closeness once again. Congratulations to the CCFL Class of 1970! To get in touch with us regarding reunion planning, email alumni@flcc.edu Adrienne O’Brien with friend Don Barton at FLCC’s 50th Anniversary Gala in 2018. A tribute to the class of 1970