Some of the TRY Program’s longest-serving and most dedicated volunteers will be honored at the third annual Founder’s Award Dinner on Sept. 25 in Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. Sheila Benoit, Don Schrems and the North Presbyterian Church Mission Committee will receive awards at an event featuring live music, dinner and a live auction.

“Don and Sheila’s work not only makes our girls feel well cared for and loved, it also provides the girls with an important example of the kind of selfless and productive adults they can aspire to become,” said Sister Janet DiPasquale, TRY director. TRY recognizes the Mission Committee of the North Presbyterian Church for its ongoing commitment to TRY. WBEN’s Dominic Cortese will call a live auction following the dinner and awards ceremony. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a wide variety of exciting items; proceeds will benefit the TRY Program.

S. Scott Mason, owner of the Mason Funeral Home in Westfield, was elected president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association at the organization’s annual meeting, which concluded last week in Bolton Landing. A licensed funeral director in New York state since 1991, and licensed in Pennsylvania since 1984, Mason will serve for the 2009-10 term.

Mason is a member of the executive committee and the board of directors of the organization. He also is a member of the association’s Audit and Government Affairs committees. He serves as chairman of the Mortuary Science Advisory Committee for the State University at Canton and is a member of the school’s College Foundation Board and National Funeral Directors Association, Chautauqua County Funeral Directors Association, Funeral Ethics Association and the American Academy of Bereavement. Active in civic affairs, Mason is a board member of the Westfield Development Corporation, a member of the Westfield Rotary Club and the Westfield Fire Department Exempt Fireman’s Association.

Seven Genesee Community College faculty and staff members have received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award, recognizing outstanding contributions. They were honored at a reception at the Batavia Campus last month. The six faculty members are: Maryanne Arena, director of fine and performing arts; Cindy Francis, collection development librarian and library management system administrator; Barry Garigen, professor of criminal justice; Kathy Palumbo, professor of nursing; Barbara Shine, assistant professor of business; and Roberta Taggart, assistant professor of human services. Additionally, Marilyn Dickinson, executive secretary to the executive vice president for academic affairs, was also honored with an award.

Arena, who came to GCC in 2004, is a professional actor and has been directing and teaching theater for many years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University and a master’s degree in acting and theater from Brooklyn College. Arena created the Summer Youth Theatre Camp at GCC.

Francis came to GCC in 1993 as a part-time library circulation desk clerk. She holds an associate degree from GCC in liberal arts, a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in library science from the University at Buffalo.

Garigen has more than 32 years’ experience in the criminal justice field. He coordinates the criminal justice program at GCC and served with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for more than 24 years, holding various positions and retiring as the undersheriff in 1996. He holds an associate degree from GCC, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Empire State College and a master’s degree in public administration from Brockport State College.

Palumbo is currently the director of the nursing program and a professor of nursing. She first came to GCC as a temporary instructor in 1984. She returned to GCC as an associate professor in 1990, and was promoted to full professor in 2007. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in nursing from the University at Buffalo.

Shine has worked at GCC for more than seven years. Her first position at GCC was director of Workforce Development at the BEST Center, which she held for three years.

Taggart is a licensed practical nurse and is a state-certified alcohol and drug counselor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services, a community service administration degree from Empire State College and a master’s degree in human relations and addiction counseling from Westbrook University.

Dickinson began her career at GCC after graduating from the college in 1970.