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April 1, 2021

>>President Heidi Macpherson has announced that plans are in place to celebrate the SUNY Brockport Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 22. Unfortunately, it is still premature to announce any other details about the celebration. We plan to honor the Class of 2021 in the most fitting manner that SUNY, state, and local health standards permit. As more and more individuals become vaccinated, positivity rates drop across the state, and more of our economy re-opens, these standards continue to evolve. We will announce Commencement details as soon we are able to do so. We know that the Class of 2021 would like to celebrate its accomplishments in person. We share that desire. The best way to help make that a reality is to remain vigilant and continue to follow health and safety protocols. Wear your face coverings, wash your hands, get tested weekly, avoid large gatherings and, when it’s your turn, get vaccinated.

Members of the Class of 2021: For additional details regarding your application for graduation, cap and gown purchasing instructions, senior celebrations this semester, and more, see the recent email from the Office of Alumni Engagement in your student email inbox. Are you graduating and didn't receive that email update? Please email the Golden Eagle Senior Council at gesc@brockport.edu to start receiving graduation updates.

>>The mission of Scholars Day is to foster a culture of student scholarship through increased participation in and celebration of scholarly activities. This year’s event will be celebrated virtually over the span of two weeks starting Monday, April 19, at 7 am and ending at 5 pm on Friday, April 30. More than 220 creative activities will be showcased; this includes a variety of asynchronous poster, verbal, and performance presentations, and live verbal and performance presentations. All are invited to participate by viewing and engaging the college community by commenting on various presentations over the course of Scholars Day.

This webpage will allow you to view Scholars Day beginning April 19.

>>See all that's in store this spring by making Brockport Today — the college's new hub for news, events, and information — the home page on your Internet browser. Each day, you’ll find the most pertinent content that has been submitted by campus community members to the Brockport Today news portal. You’ll also find the most recent content created by the Office of College Communications, including news, feature stories, social media, videos, and more.

February 11, 2021

>>As we head into a new semester, the Bringing Brockport Back website features everything students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends of the college need to know about SUNY Brockport's commitment to making this spring both safe and successful. Together, let's #ProtectTheNest on campus and in our surrounding community.

>>Associate Librarian Logan Rath has been helping seniors, teachers, and in-person teaching faculty secure appointments for their COVID-19 vaccinations through the NYS Department of Health’s website. His secret: a browser plugin that refreshes the page and notifies when an appointment becomes available. He developed this process in consultation with a friend who works for Rochester City School District's Office of Instructional Technology. Together, they’ve been successful in securing over 200 appointments for people in need. In order to help as many people as possible, he has posted directions with screenshots online so that anyone can adopt this process.

>>Phase II of the North Campus Revitalization project — spanning from the Brown Building to the high rises — is well underway. This large-scale infrastructure and beautification project will greatly impact all of campus for the better part of two years. Expect to see new ways of getting around campus, new gathering spaces, new accessible entrances to all buildings, new green space and trees, new lighting and signage, and more begin to come to life on campus.

December 3, 2020

>>All are welcome to join in celebrating our newest alumni by tuning into Virtual Commencement on the Brockport website homepage tomorrow, December 4, at 6 pm. The undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will individually recognize each grad, including submitted photos and videos. Enjoy special appearances by:

• 2020 grads Erika Curtis and Ali Eltayeib, who will share the undergraduates' honest and funny reactions to their unusual senior year.
• Graduate student Michelle Thomas, who will deliver the student speech during the graduate ceremony.
• President Heidi Macpherson, who will officially welcome the Class of 2020 to the ranks of Brockport alumni.

>>The college's annual Gifts of Gratitude campaign is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to serve the local community during the holiday season. Several families in the Brockport Central School District have been identified as families in need during the holiday break because their children receive free or reduced meals. To participate, make a gift online, choose the "Designate My Gift Elsewhere" box, and specify "Gifts of Gratitude." Items purchased using these donations, including holiday meals, winter gear, and more, will be safely delivered to the families in need. Even the smallest donations can go a long way. Please make your contribution before December 11. Thank you for helping SUNY Brockport be a college engaged with its community!

October 1, 2020

>>It's Spirit Week! Don't miss out on virtual and in-person events today, Friday, and Saturday for students, alumni, faculty, staff, emeriti, and community members. See the full schedule, and read highlights below.

The first-ever Ryan Giglia Spirit Awards competition, in memory of Ryan Giglia '95/'99, is closing in! Follow along on Instagram to take part in this community celebration of #BportPride and cast your vote for the finalists of the most-spirited superlatives. Tomorrow afternoon, October 2, Michele Giglia and Ryan junior will announce this year's winners. Stay tuned!

Also tomorrow (Friday, October 2), is Ellsworth's Drive-Thru Birthday Party! Cruise through campus in your vehicle (or walk) to be part of the celebration lineup, wish Ellsworth a happy birthday, and grab a wrapped cookie and free tie-dye mask from a safe distance. Decorated windows and music are encouraged. Volunteers will be wearing gloves. The cookies will be prepared fresh by Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation, and the masks were hand-dyed by members of Brockport Student Government. All are welcome — even the whole family. To join the party, line up in Lot N-1 by Hartwell Hall (if driving) or by the Rakov Center for Student Services (if walking) starting at 2:30 pm, and follow guides.

Also tomorrow, wear your favorite Brockport gear in celebration of our world-wide Green & Gold Day. Together, let's make a sea of green & gold across the globe in celebration of our collective spirit and resilience. In a year of unknowns, one thing is known: Golden Eagles thrive when they flock together. Share photos that capture your and your friends' and family members' Bport pride using the hashtag #BportTogether.

September 3, 2020

>>We're back. And being back looks much different from ever before. All areas of our campus community have implemented changes in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Everything you need to know about SUNY Brockport's commitment to making this semester both safe and successful — as we all work together to #ProtectTheNest on campus and in our surrounding community — is on the Bringing Brockport Back website.

May 7, 2020

>>Add a touch of Brockport to your virtual meetings, hangouts, and happy hours this summer with custom campus-themed Zoom backgrounds. The Office of College Communications has created six to choose from. Download the Bport backgrounds for Zoom.

>>The student staff at 89.1 The Point has been working overtime to provide listeners in the area with pertinent local information regarding COVID-19 through a series of conversations with people in the know, including President Heidi Macpherson, the United Way, Willow Domestic Violence Center, the Rochester Red Wings, and many more. Listen to any or all of the conversations.

>>On April 28 and 29, the SUNY Brockport Physical Plant collected donations for a local food bank during the "Load the Loader" food drive. The results: enough non-perishable food items to fill the back of a pickup truck twice over for those in need.

>>The Port, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube will continue to bring you the latest from SUNY Brockport throughout the summer. Next up is the Virtual Senior Toast on @brockport Instagram Live on Friday, May 15, at 4 pm. Stay connected all summer long for both fun and educational content as well as Fall 2020 plans.

April 2, 2020

>>Even while we're apart, let's come #BportTogether.

On April 23, be one of the Golden Eagles everywhere showing off virtual green & gold pride. Wear your favorite Brockport apparel for #BportTogether: Distance Spirit Day. Stay tuned to social media for info.

March 5, 2020

>>April 8's Scholars Day will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Now's the time to submit your call for proposal (by tomorrow), register for presentation tip workshops throughout the month, sign up to be a volunteer, and more.

>>On April 23, #bportgivesback. During this 24-hour giving challenge, the following campus priorities will compete for $25,000 in challenge money through a donor participation contest:

1. The Fund for Brockport
2. Academic Programs
3. Brockport Athletics

Once midnight hits, you have 24 hours to cast your vote by making a gift to the area that's most meaningful to you. Join the celebration by showing your support, participating in mini challenges throughout the day, and attending on- and off-campus parties:

• Faculty & Staff Philanthro-Pie Party: 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom
• Student Philanthro-Pie Party (pie your friends and professors): 3:30 to 5 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom
• Regional "Bport Gives Back" Parties: the evening of April 23 in various cities

>>Members of the college community recently came together to participate in the Polar Plunge®, which supports year-round sports training and competition, health, and inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Brockport participants took the plunge in their green and gold, raising a total of $3,572 for the cause.

December 5, 2019

>>SUNY Brockport is again participating in one of the Village of Brockport's finest traditions: the Brockport Holiday Parade of Lights. This year's parade will take place at 5 pm on Sunday, December 8. All students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to join the College's float and march in the parade, which will begin at the roundabout on Main Street and conclude at Sagawa Park. This is a great opportunity to engage with our local community. Your participation will aid in efforts to create a vibrant presence from the College at the event. The line-up for participants will take place at 4 pm near Strong West.

October 3, 2019

>>Registration for the 19th Annual Diversity Conference on Thursday, October 17, is open. The theme this year is "Creating and Sustaining an Inclusive Community." About the keynote speakers:

• The morning address will be given by Denise Frohman, a poet and performer from New York City. A CantoMundo Fellow, she’s received residencies and awards from the National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures, Leeway Foundation, Blue Mountain Center, and is a Tin House Workshop alum.
• The evening keynote will be given by Francisco Cantú, who is also the APS Summer Reading author. Raised in the Southwest, and a student of US/Mexico relations, Francisco Cantú wanted to see the realities of the border up close. He enlisted as a US border patrol agent in 2008 and spent the next four years working in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. During blistering days and frigid nights, he and his partners apprehended migrants who were risking their lives to cross to a new country.

See the full conference schedule, and register online.

>>Take part in the College's annual celebration of scholarship and activity, Scholars Day, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Submission for student proposals are open from November 1, 2019 through March 6, 2020. Submit your proposal to be part of a performance, verbal presentation, panel session, or poster presentation. Faculty and staff are encouraged to include Scholars Day presentations and/or session attendance as part of their syllabi for the Spring 2020 semester and to consider opportunities to let students actively participate in Scholars Day. Volunteers for this year’s event are still needed. Please consider volunteering to introduce speakers, monitor presentation schedules, assess posters, or lend a hand at registration.

>>Run, walk, or roll to benefit the military servicemember and veteran scholarship at SUNY Brockport. Your participation on November 2 honors not only our military veterans, but all active duty, retired, and reserve military personnel and their families who have given of themselves. Veterans Affairs representatives will be on site. The first 150 paid registrants will receive T-shirts. Register online.

May 2, 2019

>>May marks the release of the final Port e-newsletter of the 2018-19 academic year. Stay tuned to the Port home page throughout the summer for the latest news and stories, and be sure to keep some important summer and fall dates on your radar:

Friday, August 23: Welcome Week begins
Monday, August 26: First day of classes
Thursday, September 5: The release of the next Port e-newsletter
Thursday–Saturday, September 26–28: Bport Homecoming & Family Weekend (a schedule of events and registration details will be available in June)

Summer is a great time to visit campus for a tour and information session.

Check out the 2019-20 academic calendar for more key dates.

>>Commencement 2019 promises to be an exciting celebration of student accomplishments on Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18. The graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will recognize graduating students while highlighting tradition, college pride, and community spirit. The celebrations will be streamed live on the College's website, so family and friends can join them from anywhere in the world. Follow the Commencement buzz through the social media hashtag #bport2019. Questions? Email commencement@brockport.edu.

>>More volunteers are needed to make the undergraduate Commencement ceremonies a success. Visit the Commencement volunteer page to learn more about the roles needed and sign up by Friday, May 10. The ceremonies will take place Saturday, May 18, at 9:30 am (School of Education, Health, and Human Services) and 2 pm (School of Arts and Sciences and School of Business and Management) in the SERC Field House. As a thank-you, a buffet-style lunch will be available on Commencement day from 10:30 am to 1 pm in the Tuttle South Gymnasium. This is your opportunity to be part of the most exciting time of year for our graduating students and their families.

>>Brockport explored the realities of solitary confinement through a virtual reality experience at Brockport Downtown. Learn about the jail within the jail in this video spotlight.

>>Through the SUNY's Got Your Back initiative, SUNY is working to pack 100,000 bags for victims of domestic violence at different state colleges across New York. Brockport packed a thousand. Take a look.

>>Join the campus community in taking steps toward relationship violence at the 7th Annual Purple Run 4K Change: Wednesday, May 8, in the Campus Mall (rain location: Seymour College Union Ballroom). The event is free for students and $5 for faculty, staff, and community members. Register online.

>>The annual Trash-to-Treasure initiative, a collaboration between the Office of Community Development, Facilities and Planning, and the Office of Residential Life, will be taking place May 8–31 on campus. Students will again have an opportunity to donate their unwanted used and new clothing, household items, food, and toiletries before leaving campus for the summer. Every item collected is donated to local non-profit organizations and agencies. Last year, 45,384 items were collected and donated to more than 30 non-profits.

Take advantage of three ways to get involved:

1. Donate your unwanted new or used items
2. Volunteer to be a donation collector and/or sorter
3. Accept donations as a non-profit organizations/agency

Learn more about the event and what items are needed, sign up to volunteer, or sign up to accept donations for your non-profit organization.

April 4, 2019

>>Scholars Day 2019 is Wednesday, April 11. This annual celebration of scholarship and creative activity provides an opportunity for students, as well as faculty and staff, to present scholarly and creative work, practice disciplinary techniques of public presentation, learn from fellow scholars and artists across disciplines, engage with members of the College community in educationally meaningful events, and support a campus culture of intellectual initiative and academic excellence. A signature campus event, Scholars Day provides students intellectual enrichment and an opportunity for professional development while illustrating the academic excellence at the heart of the Brockport experience. Register for Scholars Day and/or browse the day's schedule.

>>The Center for Global Education and Engagement will host its 17th Annual International Festival on Thursday, April 11, from 4:30 to 7 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom. Enjoy international food, student performances, and a night of global celebration. This event is open to the public. Tickets are free and available at the BSG box office.

>>Commencement is our opportunity to celebrate student success. Each year, dedicated volunteers team up to make this important occasion a success. Join the team to make a significant contribution, give students a personal sendoff, and meet or reconnect with members of the campus community. The Graduate Commencement is Friday, May 17, at 5 pm in the SERC Field House. The Undergraduate Commencements are Saturday, May 18, at 9:30 am and 2 pm in the SERC Field House. A variety of important jobs need to be filled by volunteers from the College community. Whether you like to work inside, outside, with students or with their guests, there's a match for you. Browse volunteer opportunities and sign up for one or more shifts by Friday, May 10. A buffet-style thank-you lunch will be provided to all who participate in the excitement on Saturday.

>>The College will celebrate its first Lavender Graduation on Friday, May 3, at 4 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom. This event is an informal graduation ceremony celebrated by more than 200 universities across the country to honor and celebrate LGBTQIA+ students and allies. It is a time to celebrate student accomplishments and contributions. Brockport's ceremony will include a keynote speech by Laura Clark '12, a presentation of awards, and recognition of graduates, who will have the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive a special certificate. Alumni, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate and cheer on students as they cross the stage. Learn more about the ceremony and Laura Clark.

>>Join President Heidi Macpherson and the Brockport Foundation to dedicate the following spaces on Friday, April 26:

• John Scott Atkinson Carillon — 10 am in Hartwell Hall, Lobby (outside Dance Theater)
• Stephen E. Nash ’69 Enrichment Room — 11 am in Tuttle North, 2nd Floor
• Raj Madan Café — 2 pm in Drake Memorial Library, former Aerie Café

>>Since 1982, the Honors and Awards Ceremony has recognized thousands of extraordinary students in all areas of the College for their outstanding academic achievement. The annual ceremony will take place this year on Friday, April 26, at 3:30 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom. Learn more.

>>From April 5 through April 12, the Office of Community Development will join hundreds of universities, nonprofits, and faith communities in honoring the National Week of Conversation. The annual global initiative brings together people of all stripes with the goal of mending society's frayed social fabric, encouraging all to #ListenFirst to understand. 

The schedule:

Friday, April 5: Conversation Kick-Off Event, noon – 1:30 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom

Monday, April 8: National Week of Conversation Table and pledge to #ListenFirst, 11 am – 4 pm in the Union Main Lounge

Tuesday, April 9: T-Shirt Design, 11 am – 1 pm in the Union Main Lounge (while supplies last)

Wednesday, April 10: Scholars Day

Thursday, April 11: Mending the Social Fabric Table, 11 am – 4 pm in the Union Main Lounge

Friday, April 12: Cards to Congress, 11 am – 1 pm in the Union Main Lounge

December 6, 2018

>>Give back to the local community by participating in Gifts of Gratitude this holiday season. Several families part of the Brockport Central School District have been identified as families in need during the holiday break. The Office of Community Development is collecting donations and creating baskets as a gift of gratitude for those families. Drop off food and clothing in the Seymour College Union, Room 203, from 8 am to 5 pm until December 14.

>>Celebrate another installment of campus beautification at the Lower Quad grand opening tomorrow, December 7, at 3:30 pm. Enjoy free winter treats, hot chocolate, a snow sculpture competition, and more between MacVicar Hall and McLean Hall.

November 1, 2018

>Run, walk, or roll this weekend to benefit the military servicemember and veteran scholarship at SUNY Brockport. The 7th annual Veterans 5K this Saturday, November 3, at the Special Events Recreation Center (SERC) welcomes all participants. The first 150 paid registrants receive race T-shirts. Register online or by submitting the paper registration form.

October 4, 2018

>>Each month, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosts and supports several on-campus and local events open to all faculty, staff, and students. Those happening this month include a multicultural mixer (today from 3 to 5 pm in the Seymour College Union), a four-day workshop focused on liberation from gender oppression, two events in support of individuals with disabilites, a screening of the film Salam Neighbor, and more. See the full listing, including dates, times, and locations.

>>Faculty and staff: Now is your opportunity to support the causes you care about. The State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) and the Faculty and Staff Campaign kicked off together on October 2. Complete the pledge form coming to your mailbox soon, or support the Faculty and Staff Campaign or SEFA any time online. The Faculty and Staff Campaign runs from October 2 – June 30, 2019, and offers more than 700 options to foster excellence at the College by supporting specific departments, campus programs, scholarships, athletic teams, etc. The SEFA Campaign runs for a shorter time frame and provides an opportunity to support hundreds of external community charities through the United Way. In the spring, President Heidi Macpherson will invite all donors of either campaign to join her for a no-cost Hot Dog Day on Thursday, April 18.

September 6, 2018

>>Bring your family and friends to Bport Homecoming & Family Weekend, September 13–15, on campus. Saturday highlights include the parade through the Village, Homecoming Festival, tailgate for alumni and friends, football game against St. Lawrence University, alumni athletic games, and more. Celebrations and reunions will honor several special groups over the course of three days, including the Department of History, the Educational Opportunity Program, the Honors College, former resident assistants and resident directors, Brockport Alumni Who Are Faculty And Staff (BAWAFAS), the 50th-reunion Class of 1968, the Hartwell Society, and legacy families. See the full schedule, and register online for individual activities.

The Village of Brockport is Glowing Green for Homecoming! Watch for green lightbulbs in front of local homes and businesses as a display of community spirit throughout September. Lightbulbs are available for pickup on the third floor of the Allen Administration Building (across from the SERC).

>>Both Eagle Hall and the Academic Success Center, two new additions to campus, are officially open for living and learning. Back-to-back ribbon cutting ceremonies on August 30 welcomed members of the College community as well as Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Senator Robert Ortt, and Senator Joseph Robach for celebrations and tours of the state-of-the-art facilities. Read about the Academic Success Center in this edition of The Port.

>>The Department of English will bring five authors to campus for the fall 2018 season of the Writers Forum. Readings take place in the New York Room in Cooper Hall, with the exception of Writer's Voice on November 7, which will be held at the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center.

• September 19: Stephanie Powell Watts
• October 3: Elena Passarello
• October 17: Weike Wang
• November 7 (Writer's Voice): Cornelius Eady
• November 28: Anne Panning

The first 30 years' worth of Writers Forum interviews were recorded in analog formats, and the English department is now in the process of digitizing and captioning these recordings in order to preserve them and make them widely accessible. You can help by making a donation to the "Adopt An Author" Writers Forum Digitization Project online or by sending a check made payable to the Brockport Foundation, with fund # 567.01 noted. Thank you for your support in preserving this remarkable, 51-year history.

>>The Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC) is celebrating 50 years of providing quality, tuition-free career and academic training to community members in Rochester and surrounding areas. With the help of community support, REOC graduates have gone on to become successful nurses, secretaries, chefs, teachers, security guards, salon and barbershop owners, surgical assistants, and child care works, to name a few. Join in celebrating the achievements of this program and its alumni at the REOC 50th-Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 6, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Tickets may be purchased online for $65/person or $650 for a table of ten.

If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising opportunities, contact Pam Callan at pcallan@brockport.edu or (585) 327-4010.

>>The College’s Rochester presence has moved from the MetroCenter to the 5th floor of the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center. Now known as Brockport Downtown, the facility is home to undergraduate and graduate courses for Brockport students. The building is located at 161 Chestnut St. and is comprised of:

• the REOC Welcome Center (1st floor)
• REOC IT services (2nd floor)
• computer labs, classrooms, and a student lounge (3rd floor)
• REOC administrative offices, classrooms, and a student lounge (4th floor)
• Brockport Downtown (5th floor)
  • administrative offices
  • IT services
  • classrooms
  • student lounge
  • faculty and staff lounge
  • BASC services (i.e., Eagle One ID cards and printing)
  • library services
  • remote tutoring services

May 3, 2018

>>Commencement 2018 promises to be an exciting celebration of student accomplishments on Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. The graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will recognize graduating students while highlighting tradition, college pride, and community spirit. The celebrations will be streamed live on the College's website, so family and friends can join them from anywhere in the world. Follow the Commencement buzz through the social media hashtag #bport2018. Graduating students, there's also a Class of 2018 Facebook group for you. Find details on all ceremonies at brockport.edu/academics/commencement. Questions? Email commencement@brockport.edu.

>>More volunteers are urgently needed to make the undergraduate Commencement ceremonies a success. Visit the Commencement volunteer page to learn more about the roles needed and sign up by Friday, May 4. The ceremonies will take place Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 am (School of Education, Health, and Human Services) and 2 pm (School of Arts and Sciences and School of Business and Management) in the SERC Field House. As a thank-you, a buffet-style lunch will be available on Commencement day from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Tuttle South Gymnasium. This is your opportunity to be part of the most exciting time of year for our graduating students and their families.

>>May marks the release of the final Port e-newsletter of the 2017-18 academic year. The website will continue to be updated throughout the summer, but more sporadically, so be sure to keep some important summer and fall dates on your radar:

• Thursday, July 26: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra performance in the SERC
• Saturday, August 25: Saturday of Service
• Monday, August 27: First day of classes
• Thursday, September 6: The release of the next Port e-newsletter
• Thursday, September 13, to Saturday, September 15: Homecoming & Family Weekend (a complete schedule of events and registration details will be available at brockport.edu/life/homecoming during the summer)

Summer is a great time to visit campus for a tour and information session.

Check out the 2018-19 academic calendar for more key dates.

April 5, 2018

>>This Wednesday, April 11, is Scholars Day 2018. This annual celebration of scholarship and creative activity features undergraduate and graduate student presentations and involves faculty and staff from across the College. A signature campus event, Scholars Day provides students intellectual enrichment and an opportunity for professional development while illustrating the academic excellence at the heart of the Brockport experience. The event enables students, as well as faculty and staff, to present scholarly and creative work, practice disciplinary techniques of public presentation, learn from fellow scholars and artists across disciplines, engage with members of the College community in educationally meaningful events, and support a campus culture of intellectual initiative and academic excellence. Browse the Scholars Day schedule.

>>Since 1982, the Honors and Awards Ceremony has recognized thousands of extraordinary students in all areas of the College for their outstanding academic achievement. The annual ceremony will take place this year on Friday, April 20, at 3:30 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom. Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Cultures Skye Paine will deliver the faculty address. Meet this year's award recipients.

>>Commencement is our opportunity to celebrate student success. Each year, dedicated volunteers team up to make this important occasion a success. Join the team to make a significant contribution, give students a personal sendoff, and meet or reconnect with members of the campus community. The Graduate Commencement is Friday, May 11, at 5 pm in the SERC Field House. The Undergraduate Commencements are Saturday, May 12, at 9:30 am and 2 pm in the SERC Field House. A variety of important jobs need to be filled by volunteers from the College community. Whether you like to work inside, outside, with students or with their guests, there's a match for you. Browse job descriptions and sign up for one or more shifts by Friday, May 4. A buffet-style thank-you lunch will be provided to all who participate in the excitement on Saturday.

>>April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Help bring awareness to campus in one or both of these ways:

• Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to share their sexual assault stories at "Bringing Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment To Light" on April 12 from 6 to 8 pm in Cooper Hall, New York Room. Those who do not feel comfortable sharing are welcome to submit a narrative (optionally anonymous) that can be read by someone else. Narrative submissions are due today. If you are interested in participating, please contact (315) 399-2897 or pcbrockport@gmail.com. Anyone is welcome to attend the event and join the discussion about promoting safety, acceptance, and health on campus.
  
  
• The Center for Select Respect and RESTORE Sexual Assault Services are collecting "Letters of Hope" to be displayed during the month on campus. Consider sharing a few words of hope and support to those who have experienced sexual assault. To submit a letter, you can:
  • Send it via email to cholcomb@brockport.edu. (Your contact information will not be disclosed without your consent.)
  • Drop off or fill out a letter at the Center for Select Respect (Seymour College Union, Room B124) and place it in the "Letters of Hope" mailbox.
  • Stop by Center for Select Respect tabling events.

>>The annual Trash-to-Treasure initiative, a collaboration between the Office of Community Development, Facilities and Planning, and the Office of Residential Life, will be taking place May 1 through May 25 on campus. Students will again have an opportunity to donate their unwanted used and new clothing, household items, food, and toiletries before leaving campus for the summer. Every item collected is donated to local non-profit organizations and agencies. Last year, 17,621 items were collected and donated to more than 30 non-profits. Volunteers are needed to help make the event a success, so please consider volunteering to collect items from the residence halls or sort the donations once they have been collected.  Sign up online to volunteer.

March 1, 2018

>>Bport Gives Back is in its final countdown! Support the College's 24-hour challenge before noon EST by giving in honor of someone who has changed your life. The Golden Eagle family has one more challenge to crush in order for our Hollywood alumni — William Fichtner '78, Jesse Goins '74, Jim Goldthwait '82, Stu Krieger '73, and Larry Slade '85 — to collectively contribute an extra $4,000 for our students. Time is running out, so please show your Brockport pride by giving online or calling (585) 395-7777!

>>Student Union and Activities invites all members of the campus community to take a walk through the Tunnel of Oppression in the Seymour College Union Ballroom on March 6 or 7 from 11 am – 7 pm or March 8 from 11 am – 3 pm. The Tunnel is designed to examine the intersection of identity, culture, and community while educating event participants about the oppression and marginalization of various groups in society and on campus. Explore a series of scenes that will challenge you to think more deeply about the importance of inclusivity and the societal effects of oppression, power, and privilege. Interested in volunteering on March 5, 6, or 8 to assist with setup, day-of operation, or cleanup? Register to volunteer online.

February 1, 2018

>>Tilly is on Twitter! Since early December, President Macpherson's pup has tweeted about adventures with Mom, the Macpherson vacation to Florida, fun in the snow, and more — with no shortage of selfies. Follow Brockport'sFirstDog @BrockportTilly.

>>Bport Gives Back, the College's third 24-hour giving challenge, kicks off on February 28. Once the countdown begins at noon, you have 24 hours to visit alumni.brockport.edu/give and support the College in honor of someone or something important to you. Faculty and staff donors will receive a Bport Gives Back pin to wear during the challenge, and all donors will be entered into a raffle for Brockport spiritwear. To give in person, stop by the 24-hour challenge table in the Union Main Lounge, where you can grab coffee and a cupcake.

December 7, 2017

>>Each of the Lakeside Beikirch Nursing Home residents in Brockport will receive a gift this holiday season courtesy of Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation (BASC) team members. This program, called “Presents for Residents,” is now in its fifth year and organized by Executive Administrative Assistant Jean Gilman, who works closely with the Beikirch staff to identify gift ideas for each nursing home resident. Gifts range from blankets to puzzles to note card sets and more. This year, BASC team members also decorated picture frames for each of the residents to include with their gifts, which will be delivered December 15.

November 2, 2017

>>Help support the College's Veteran Student Scholarship by participating in the 6th annual Veterans 5K Walk, Run or Roll on Saturday, November 4. Veterans, students, faculty, staff, and alumni receive discounted tickets, and T-shirts will be provided to the first 150 paid registrants. The race starts at 8 am behind the SERC and includes a free Fun Run for Kids. Register online or by mail.

>>The North Campus Revitalization Project, which began in May 2016, is ahead of schedule and nearly complete. The $12-million campus renovation initiative has added green space, improved signage and accessibility, developed needed infrastructure, created new gathering spaces, will add 200 new trees, and more. The North Campus Opening Celebration was held Friday, October 20, during Homecoming & Family Weekend, to celebrate the newly renovated mall between Edwards Hall and the Seymour College Union. Progress has been documented since summer 2016 through photos and drone footage.

October 5, 2017

>>The College will hold its 17th annual Diversity Conference today, October 5. The all-day conference will feature two keynote addresses and host panels, performances, workshops, and speakers that address "Intersectionality in Justice and Equity." Sister Grace Miller of the House of Mercy, known for her activism and dedication to social justice, will deliver the morning keynote address at 9:15 am in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom. The evening keynote by Chief Executive Officer of Robin Hood, veteran, and acclaimed author Wes Moore is at 7 pm in the Special Events Recreation Center. Walk-in registration is welcome throughout the day.

>>Eagles Unite is on. Three unique campus priorities need support throughout the month. Give to the Costa Rica Service Learning Trip, the Brockport Athletics Travel Fund, or the Professional Clothes Closet to help reach the $25,000 goal before October 31.

>>What's in your attic? The Friends of Drake Memorial Library will host an Antique Appraisers Roadshow on Saturday, October 14, from 9 am to 6 pm in the Seymour College Union, Ballroom. Have your heirlooms, collectibles, and other treasures appraised by leading antique experts, including alumnus Robert Meringolo '73. All appraisals are $5 per item, with a flat fee of $25 for five items or more. With questions, contact Jamie Beers-Wilson.

>>Student Union and Activities, Brockport Student Government, and the Office of Alumni Engagement collaboratively hosted a "Brockport Day" at the Rochester Public Market on Saturday, September 23. More than 50 students, alumni, and staff congregated at a green and gold gathering spot to connect and take photos with Ellsworth. The director of the market Jim Farr '96 addressed the group with the inspiring story of his journey.

>>The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is partnering with State University of New York College Admissions Professionals (SUNYCAP) and SUNY System Administration to host Operation Inform (OpInform) on Monday, October 16, in the Seymour College Union. Each fall, OpInform serves as a professional development opportunity for school counselors with a series of programs across New York State. The program at Brockport will feature a variety of workshops and a chance for counseling colleagues to converse and explore current topics in higher education. More than 200 counselors from across western New York and 40 SUNY college representatives will be in attendance.

September 7, 2017

>>Career Services will offer 'Lunch with a Career' sessions on September 18 and October 9 from 12:15 to 1:15 pm in the Rakov Center for Student Services, Career Services Workshop Room 101. Enjoy a free lunch in an informal setting while connecting with mentors who have found success in their chosen fields. Please register online.

• September 18: Agathi Georgiou is owner and operator of full-service event planning company Agathi & Co. and the Rochester event space Arbor Loft. Georgiou will share her insight with students who are interested in becoming event planners, working in the wedding industry, or owning a business.
• October 9: Brockport alumnus Zachary Ferrara '13 is an athletic director, coach, and NCAA Division III pole vault national champion. Those interested in pursuing a career in athletics are welcome to join him for lunch.

>>Next month, help send Brockport students soaring by supporting #EaglesUnite. Throughout October, three unique campus priorities will need united support. Learn about them now, and in October, don't forget to show your support for the one that speaks to you most:

1. Send nursing students to Costa Rica for an unforgettable, international Service Learning Experience.

2. Send Golden Eagle athletes into fields of competition regionally and nationally through the Brockport Athletics Travel Fund.

3. Send soon-to-be Brockport graduates into the work force, outfitting them for job interviews by contributing to the Professional Clothes Closet.

May 4, 2017

>>Commencement 2017 promises to be an exciting celebration of student accomplishments on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13. The graduate and undergraduate ceremonies will recognize graduating students while highlighting tradition, college pride, and community spirit. More than 5,000 guests are expected to attend. The celebrations will be streamed live on the College's website, so family and friends can join them from anywhere in the world. Stay up-to-date on Commencement news through the event page on Facebook or by following the Twitter hashtag #bport2017. Graduating students, there's also a Class of 2017 Facebook group for you. Find details on all ceremonies at brockport.edu/academics/commencement, and sign up to volunteer today for any or all of them. Questions? Email commencement@brockport.edu.

>>May marks the release of the final Port e-newsletter of the 2016-17 academic year. The website will continue to be updated throughout the summer, but more sporadically, so be sure to keep some important summer and fall dates on your radar:

• Tuesday, May 16: Transfer Information Day
• Saturday, August 26: Saturday of Service
• Monday, August 28: First day of classes
• Thursday, September 7: The release of the next Port e-newsletter
• Friday, October 20, to Sunday, October 22: Homecoming Weekend (a complete schedule of events and registration details will be available at alumni.brockport.edu/homecoming during the summer)

Summer is a great time to visit campus for a tour and information session.

Check out the 2017-18 academic calendar for more key dates.

April 6, 2017

>>Scholars Day 2017 will take place Wednesday, April 12. This annual celebration of scholarship and creative activity features undergraduate and graduate student presentations and involves faculty and staff from across the College. A signature campus event, Scholars Day provides students intellectual enrichment and an opportunity for professional development while illustrating the academic excellence at the heart of the Brockport experience. The event enables students, as well as faculty and staff, to present scholarly and creative work, practice disciplinary techniques of public presentation, learn from fellow scholars and artists across disciplines, engage with members of the College community in educationally meaningful events, and support a campus culture of intellectual initiative and academic excellence. Browse the Scholars Day 2017 schedule.

>>Renovation of the Albert W. Brown Building, which will house a self-contained Academic Success Center for students at its north wing, has recently begun. Scheduled to be completed in fall 2018, the 13,200 square-foot center will provide integrated student support services in a centralized campus hub, bringing together offices that had previously been housed in four separate locations: The Office of Academic Advisement, the Student Learning Center, the Office of Student Retention, and the Office for Students with Disabilities. The center will offer assessment and testing services, tutoring, retention services, advising, support for students with disabilities, and major exploration resources. Student success, student retention, and graduation rates are expected to be positively impacted once the new center is active.

>>A four-event series called Celebrating Entrepreneurship will take place on campus from April 12 through April 26, kicking off with the fourth annual Pettis Family Business Plan Competition on Scholars Day from 2:10 to 3:30 pm and 3:40 to 5 pm in 221 Hartwell Hall. Student teams will present business plans in front of a panel of judges for a chance to compete in a statewide business plan competition and win a $2,000 cash prize. The next day, Brockport alumni Lizzie Clapp ’06 and Ronnie McClive ’06, co-owners of Rochester’s Le Petit Poutine, will serve lunch from their food truck and speak about their entrepreneurial career journey from 11:30 am to 1 pm in the Alumni House parking lot. On April 20, Jan Pisanczyn of the Small Business Development Center will present a workshop in 114 Seymour College Union from 3:30 to 5 pm on essential steps for business start-ups, covering the business planning process and an overview of typical financing options and requirements. The series will culminate on April 26 with a Q&A and book signing with Cupcake Wars winner, Shark Tank contestant, Amazing best-selling author, and alumna Heather Saffer ’10 from 6 to 7 pm in the Seymour College Union Ballroom.

>>An undocumented status can immobilize a student’s access to higher education. ADELANTE (“go ahead” in Spanish) Student Voices provides rising sophomore, junior, and senior undocumented high school students in the Lake Ontario region an opportunity to attend a summer program that equips them with the skills needed to navigate their college application process. SUNY Brockport hopes to bring 16 undocumented students to campus for a 10-day stay this summer. The total estimated cost per person for double occupancy lodging and meals is $548. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please visit the ADELANTE Student Voices website.

>>The Office of Community Development is striving to collect a minimum of 300 books with diverse representation for kindergartners through sixth graders during its I S.E.E ME (Strengthen, Empower, Encourage) book drive, underway until April 21. Books will be donated to Discover Charter School in Rochester, New York. All are welcome to drop off new or gently used books at 203 Seymour College Union. With questions, contact senior Keara Knight.

March 2, 2017

>>On Sunday, February 12, Brockport had a strong presence in the Rochester Polar Plunge at Ontario Beach Park. This annual event, held across the country during the winter, raises money for charitable organizations. Brockport students, faculty, and staff bravely went into the semi-frozen lake to raise donations for the Special Olympics. Organizations involved were: Brockport’s Magic The Gathering, EuroSim, Club Gymnastics, Brockport Student Government, the Physical Education Club, and Inter Greek Council. Offices involved were: Advancement, Residential Life/Learning Communities, and Student Union and Activities. As a whole, they raised $5,300 for the cause, placing in the top 10 teams.

February 2, 2017

>>The College community is deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Yu, who served as president of SUNY Brockport from 1997 to 2004. Yu is known for having raised the academic profile of the College during his tenure, introducing and guiding mission review and strategic planning initiatives. His efforts gave rise to the Extraordinary Academic Scholarship program that proved instrumental in attracting top students to apply to the College. Yu's lasting impact on our institution will not be forgotten, thanks especially to the establishment of a scholarship in his name. If you want to help perpetuate Yu’s legacy of achieving new levels of excellence at the College, please visit alumni.brockport.edu/give to support his scholarship with an amount of your choosing. Be sure to enter “Dr. Paul Yu Extraordinary Academic Scholarship Fund” in the designation box. You also have the option to submit a check made payable to the Brockport Foundation, including the scholarship name. Your generosity will support an incoming freshman who demonstrates academic excellence.

October 6, 2016

>>Renowned fiction writer, poet, and essayist Margaret Atwood visited Brockport September 28 as part of the 50th season of the Writers Forum. She spoke with a small group of creative writing students in the afternoon and gave a reading to a crowd of approximately 1,100 in the SERC Field House that evening. President Heidi Macpherson and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Earl Ingersoll, both Atwood scholars, interviewed the author on stage after her reading, including questions of their own along with those previously curated from freshmen, who read Atwood’s classic The Handmaid’s Tale as their Summer Reading Program book. Browse the photo gallery from Atwood’s visit.

>>The College held its 16th annual Diversity Conference on October 6. Its theme was “Building Community through Diversity: A Global Lens.” Will Dillard-Jackson, a senior double majoring in dance and communication, produced a special video that was shown during the conference. Take a look.

Last Updated 7/29/21