General

The work of renowned sports sculptor and painter, Jim Ridlon, former NFL star and Syracuse football standout, coach and announcer, is on exhibit at Morrisville State. The display of nine abstract collage paintings will be available for public viewing until Sept. 3 in the Donald Butcher Library Gallery. Summer viewing hours for the gallery are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The public is also invited to a reception for Ridlon on Aug. 28, from 3:30-5 p.m., in the gallery.

Devon Schott has his career mapped out ahead of him. The 19-year-old Morrisville State student wants to land his dream job as a chef and eventually open his own restaurant. His goals came into focus when a new associate degree in culinary arts management was launched by the college this semester. “I am so excited about this,” the Long Island native said. “It will bring a whole new culinary aspect to my experiences and will give me the chance to learn so much more about the hospitality industry.”

The Morrisville State campus will be a flurry of activity as it welcomes a new class of freshmen, transfer and returning students during Welcome Weekend Aug. 22-25. Classes begin Aug. 26 at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. Student athletes will be assisting with helping new students move items into their residence hall rooms. Freshmen move-in is scheduled for Aug. 22.

An interactive display of high-tech farming that integrates live fish and plants will be among Morrisville State's attractions at this year's Great New York State Fair. Crafted by faculty, staff, and students, the unique display is part of the Onondaga Lake exhibit: “Onondaga Lake: A Fresh Gateway to a New New York,” a 3,000 square-foot marvel in the Center of Progress Building that takes visitors on a journey from the early years of Onondaga Lake to its current cleanup.

The USA Football Network, Inc. announced its 25th annual pre-season All-American teams Thursday, naming Morrisville State College’s senior defensive lineman David Williams (Central Islip, N.Y.) and senior offensive lineman Nate Ryan (Staten Island, N.Y.) to its teams. Williams, a pre-season fourth team selection, earns the honors for the first time following a second team all-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) performance last season.

Morrisville State's dairy judging team recently participated in Scotland's prestigious Royal Highland Show. The five-student team earned a spot in the show, Scotland's top agricultural event, after placing second at the World Dairy Expo. At the Royal Highland Show, Morrisville's team judged four classes of cows and gave oral reasons on two of them. Students were scored in pairs with Scott Smith, of South Plymouth, NY and Duncan Bailey, of Fillmore, NY, placing second overall. Bailey also placed second overall with his individual score.

Lisa Iannello, of New Berlin, has joined Morrisville State as the grant coordinator. In her new role, Iannello will be responsible for researching and securing grant opportunities from local, state, federal, and philanthropic agencies and corporations, in addition to monitoring grants and coordinating grant reports.

A local teacher is among those who received a 2013 Friend of Children Award from the Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County. Mary St. Pierre, of Erieville, a preschool teacher at The Children's Center at Morrisville State, received the award recently during a Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension recognition dinner.

The Children's Center at Morrisville State will hold its fifth annual ChildRUN 5k race on Saturday, July 13. The event will also include a one-mile Fun Run/Walk. Registration for the race begins at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at Bailey Hall, located on Route 20 in Morrisville.

Dave Tucci has had his share of the limelight through his hot rod business, having been featured on national television shows like TNN's Trucks, ESPN, Street Rodder and the popular Monster Garage. This week, Tucci, the owner of Tucci Hot Rods in Marcy, a leader in the industry for its creative, innovative and customized designs, was at the Morrisville State campus teaching automotive instructors the tricks of his trade.