News Briefs: October 18, 2023

SUNY Delhi Receives Grant

DELHI—SUNY Delhi has been awarded a $400,000.00 grant by the Heckscher Foundation for Children, a private New York City-based foundation that supports programs for underserved youth and aims to create jobs for young adults in New York State. Through the Heckscher Foundation Challenge, Delhi’s mechatronics program is partnering with JBT Corporation to invest in workforce development to help meet the demand for skilled workers in manufacturing. The majority of the grant will be used to procure state-of-the-art lab equipment for robotics, pneumatics and hydraulics technologies to support applied learning. JPT has committed to hire 25 graduates and help to develop curriculum updates.

“Through this generous grant, SUNY Delhi is thrilled to be able to partner with JBT Corporation to strengthen workforce development for our unique mechatronics program and help fill the technical skills gap in the manufacturing industry,” said Delhi Acting President Dr. Mary Bonderoff. “Investing in curriculum advancements and state-of-the-art equipment for robotics, pneumatics and hydraulics technologies will allow mechatronics students at SUNY Delhi to become leaders in their field and, in turn, benefit their communities in New York State and beyond. Our partnership with JBT Corporation aligns with SUNY Delhi’s commitment to providing applied learning opportunities while also strengthening our role as a frontrunner in producing a highly qualified workforce for the technical sector.”

SUNY Oneonta Unveils Food Pantry

ONEONTA—SUNY Oneonta opened the new Red Dragon Food Pantry on the bottom floor of Hunt Union on Friday, September 15. It provides Oneonta students, faculty, and staff free access to nonperishable food, basic-needs supplies, and fresh produce from local farms.

Shelves will be restocked on a regular basis with food from The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. A partnership with Unadilla Community Farm, a nonprofit that grows crops solely for food pantry donations, will allow for fresh produce deliveries each week. Oneonta business Vêsucré will provide protein breakfast cups for the pantry as well. Findings from the National Center for Education Statistics recently revealed that 22 percent of undergraduates experience food insecurity, over double the rate among average U.S. households.

Pumpkin Glow Is October 29

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association announced that this year’s Pumpkin Glow will be held on the Village Hall porch from 6-7 p.m. on Sunday, October 29. Community members are invited to bring carved or decorated pumpkins and a candle, if necessary. The Pumpkin Glow is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call (607) 547-9777 or visit www.cooperstownart.com.

Free Open Gov’t Class Offered

NEW YORK STATE—The New York Coalition for Open Government will hold a free Zoom training regarding executive sessions at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 19. Under New York’s Open Meetings Law, public bodies are allowed to meet behind closed doors only for very specific and limited purposes. Executive sessions are often convened incorrectly, which can keep the news media and the public improperly in the dark. The hour-long training session will explain the law’s requirements. Register to attend at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAud-ivqD0vH91EFza1nBW9pF4A2R99X6S5.

Ground to Perform at FAM

COOPERSTOWN—Storyteller and cultural educator Perry Ground will present a family-friendly performance of Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) legends at Fenimore Art Museum’s Longhouse at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 3. Ground is a member of the Onondaga Nation and has been a storyteller and educator for more than 25 years; he is widely known in Central New York for his vivid descriptions, rhythmic voice, and active stage presence. The program features traditional stories that have been told for centuries and reflect the history, customs and beliefs of the Haudenosaunee people. Tickets are $6.00 for children and $10.00 for adults; they may be purchased at the door or on Eventbrite.com.

Bassett Warns of E-mail Scam

OTSEGO COUNTY—Bassett Healthcare Network issued a warning to the community on Friday, October 12, notifying the public of recent e-mail scam activity. Criminals have posed as representatives or recruiters from A.O. Fox Hospital and attempted to steal money and personal information from victims. The scam e-mails often follow a script that reads, “A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital is pleased to extend an offer of employment to you for the full-time position of [position]” and prompts the victim to send scans of their personal documents. According to the release, Bassett Healthcare Network will never ask job seekers for any form of payment or personal documents prior to a genuine job offer. Anyone who receives an e-mail of this kind should report it immediately to Privacy Officer Trina Silver at (607) 547-7900 or patrenia.silver@bassett.org.

GOHS Annual Auctions Return

ONEONTA—Greater Oneonta Historical Society announced that its largest fundraiser, the 17th Annual GOHS Benefit Auctions, will be held the evening of Saturday, October 28 at the Quality Inn on Route 23 in Oneonta. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the live auction begins at 6 p.m. There will also be a silent auction. Admission is free and there will be food and drinks available for purchase.
Items in the auction include jewelry, craft works, gift cards, tickets and wines. After the live auction, GOHS will draw raffle tickets for a $50.00 gift certificate for next year’s auction as well as the 50/50 raffle; participants must be present to win.

In addition to the live auction, GOHS will offer an online auction from 5 p.m. on Friday, October 20 through 7 p.m. on Friday, October 27. It can be found at http://www.32auctions.com/GOHSAuction2023. The two auctions will feature different items. Organizations, businesses, families and individuals who wish to sponsor the event, donate items or receive more information should contact the GOHS History Center at (607) 432-0960, directormm@oneontahistory.org, Brzozowski@oneontahistory.org or loraine.tyler@oneonta.edu.
The History Center is located on Main Street in Oneonta.

Hartwick President To Step Down

ONEONTA—The Hartwick College Board of Trustees announced that President Darren Reisberg will step down at the end of the fall 2023 semester to take a position as senior counselor to the chancellor at Vanderbilt University.

Dr. James H. Mullen Jr. will serve as interim president, effective Saturday, December 16, while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
The board’s full statement and a list of Reisberg’s accomplishments at Hartwick can be found at allotsego.com.