from the president 2 | theLAKER President Robert K. Nye Chief Advancement Officer Brie Chupalio Director of Development Michelle M. Robbins Editor/Chief Writer Lenore Friend Director of Public Relations and Communications Contributors Laura Alishauskas Jaylea Ransom Design and Layout Sarah R. Butler Photography Rikki Van Camp Cover photo illustration by Sarah Butler with images courtesy of Jim and Kathy Bullis and John Bateman The Laker is produced by the Advancement and Communications offices at Finger Lakes Community College. Views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or official College policies. Finger Lakes Community College does not discriminate based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. ` Connect with us Finger Lakes Community College 3325 Marvin Sands Drive Canandaigua, NY 14424 Email: alumni@flcc.edu (585) 785-1454 www.facebook.com/fingerlakescommunitycollege @flcc_connects @flcc_connects President Robert Nye, right, with Kiki Wilson ’06, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Dear Fellow Lakers, When we talk about lifelong learners at FLCC, we mean people like Jim and Kathy Bullis, the alumni on the cover of this edition. Jim ’78 and Kathy ’78, ’84 met for the first time while piling into cars with other students headed to the Florida Everglades for the Unique Ecological Communities travel course in 1978. There, they discovered the power of immersing yourself in a new environment. The richness of the experience stuck with them, and 46 years later, they signed up for an FLCC travel course to Africa. This was not a sight-seeing tour. This was a three-credit class that involved getting up as early as 4:30 a.m. for a strenuous day of touring wildlands. For the record, they both got an A-. Beyond the in-depth look at the ecology of a South African game preserve, the Bullises enjoyed the camaraderie that comes with sharing new experiences. Most of their traveling companions were more traditional college-age students curious about the couple’s own FLCC experiences and their 42-year marriage. Such life-changing experiences are often rare, but immersive experiences don’t have to be. Many students participate in internships to get out of their comfort zones, learn new skills, and get a different perspective. Blue Mitchell’s internship at the Wegmans Organic Farm left him looking forward to transferring to a bachelor’s program in horticulture. It all starts with inquiry, one of FLCC’s four core values. There is no telling where exploration and study can take you. The recap of the Alumni and Foundation Awards, starting on page 16, provides more examples of alumni following their interests and curiosity, often to a place that benefits the rest of society. Nick Dietschler ’14, recipient of the Outstanding Conservation Alumni Achievement Award, conducts research to save our eastern hemlock forests from an invasive insect. Nikima Glatt ’11 was recognized with the Outstanding Nursing Alumni Achievement Award for giving medical and mental health support to victims of the Maui wildfire in 2023. We are pleased so many have started their journey of inquiry at FLCC. As with the Bullises, we welcome our alumni back anytime to share their experiences or have new ones with us! Proud to be a Laker! Robert Nye President, Finger Lakes Community College
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