Letters to the Editor

BURLINGTON, VT (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Champlain College student Andrew Bruhns a resident of Ballston Spa, NY, played a part recently in helping to create a new Irish job initiative called "Hireland" while studying abroad a Champlain College's Dublin campus. The idea, first formulated in Spring 2011, was launched this past January and is more than halfway to its goal of encouraging businesses in Ireland to hire 5,000 workers.Bruhns, majoring in Business, was a part of Hireland co-founder Lucy Masterson's non-profit marketing class at Champlain College Dublin and worked with her and fellow classmates to brainstorm ideas for the initial launch. Students, along with members of the business community, developed a social media presence, produced promotional videos, and set up blogs. Bruhns, like many other students involved, gained first-hand experience working on the creation of a grassroots non-profit.The concept of Hireland is to inject positive thinking about solutions to the problem rather than dwelling on the enormity of the unemployment numbers in Ireland. The simple goal is to convince small and large businesses in Ireland to pledge to hire at least one unemployed person this year. Eventually Hireland hopes to create of 5,000 new jobs for Ireland's skilled unemployed workforce in the first half of the year. In the first month of the effort, Hireland had more than 2,500 pledges and 150 actual jobs created through the program. Learn more at http://www.hireland.ie/Once word of Hireland reached the U.S., a sister initiative was started called UHireUS. The U.S. group launched its website www.uhireus.org in December and hopes to create one million jobs in the United States in 2012. The plan was also announced at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York in September 2011.About Champlain CollegeSince 1878, Champlain College has provided career-focused education to students from its hilltop campus in Burlington, Vt. Champlain's distinctive educational approach embodies the notion that true learning only occurs when information and experience come together to create knowledge. Champlain offers traditional undergraduate and online undergraduate courses, along with online certificate and degree programs and eight master's degree programs. Champlain offers study abroad programs at its campuses in Montreal, Quebec and Dublin, Ireland. Champlain College will be included in the Princeton Review's "best colleges" guidebook, "The Best 376 Colleges: 2012 Edition." Champlain was named a "Top-Up-and-Coming School" by U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" and was ranked in the top tier of 2012 Regional Colleges in the North. For more information, visit www.champlain.edu.

NEWARK, DE (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Christine Sloat, of Ballston Lake, graduated from the University of Delaware's College of Health Sciences.Sloat was among the newest members of the University of Delaware's Class of 2011 whose achievements were celebrated during Winter Commencement ceremonies held Sunday, Jan. 8 in Newark, DE.Sloat graduated in front of an audience of more than 4,000, which included more than 500 other new Blue Hens, as well as UD faculty, administrators and members of the UD Board of Trustees.The University of Delaware, founded in 1743, is one of the most popular universities in the U.S. Our student body encompasses nearly 17,000 undergraduates, 3,700 graduate students and 850 students in professional and continuing studies from across the country and around the globe.Other Achievements for Christine Sloat from Ballston LakeChristine Sloat, of Ballston Lake, Graduates from the University of Delaware -- 02/2012Christine Sloat, of Ballston Lake, Named to Dean's List at the University of Delaware -- 01/2012

BINGHAMTON, NY (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Matthew Kaylor, a student athlete at Binghamton University, was named to the fall 2011 Athletic Director's Honor Roll after achieving semester grade point averages (GPA) of 3.30 or higher.Matthew Kaylor, who is on the Wrestling team and pursuing a major in Social Studies Adolescence Edu, hails from Ballston Spa, NY, and attended Burnt Hills high schoolBinghamton University is one of the four university centers of the State University of New York. Known for the excellence of its students, faculty, staff and programs, Binghamton enrolls close to 15,000 students in programs leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It's flourishing NCAA Division I athletics program is a vital part of the campus community, strengthening school spirit and inspiring loyalty and pride.

ALBANY, NY (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Stephen C. Geiger, a resident of Ballston Spa, NY (Zip Code 12020) has earned a(n) Bachelor of Science, Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College.Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering technology and electronics engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Excelsior's degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Excelsior's bachelor's degrees in accounting (NYS CPA Track) and business are recognized by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is the first exclusively distance learning-based program to be admitted to full membership in to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).

ALBANY, NY (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Robert James Eaton, a resident of Malta, NY (Zip Code 12020) has earned a(n) Bachelor of Science, Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College.Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering technology and electronics engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Excelsior's degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Excelsior's bachelor's degrees in accounting (NYS CPA Track) and business are recognized by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is the first exclusively distance learning-based program to be admitted to full membership in to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).

ALBANY, NY (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Alan Scott Brandenburg, a resident of Malta, NY (Zip Code 12020) has earned a(n) Bachelor of Science, Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College.Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering technology and electronics engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Excelsior's degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Excelsior's bachelor's degrees in accounting (NYS CPA Track) and business are recognized by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is the first exclusively distance learning-based program to be admitted to full membership in to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).

ALBANY, NY (02/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Anne Gardner-Handy, a resident of Ballston Spa, NY (Zip Code 12020) has earned a(n) Bachelor of Science in Business from Excelsior College.Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering technology and electronics engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Excelsior's degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Excelsior's bachelor's degrees in accounting (NYS CPA Track) and business are recognized by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is the first exclusively distance learning-based program to be admitted to full membership in to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).

WORCESTER, MA (02/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Jessica Legere of Ballston Lake, NY was named to the Becker College Dean's List for fall 2011.Becker College is among the top colleges in the U.S. and Canada for video game design, as ranked by The Princeton Review, and host of the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI). Becker serves nearly 1,800 students from across the country and around the world and offers 29 diverse, first-quality degree programs that launch careers, from nursing to veterinary science, and a variety of adult learning options. With campuses in Worcester and Leicester, Mass., Becker traces its history to 1784 and has over 22,000 alumni worldwide.

ELMIRA, NY (02/16/2012)(readMedia)-- On Thursday, Jan. 26, Elmira College held its 2012 Winter Convocation, recognizing 123 Honor Scholars whose continued excellence earned them recognition as a Cowles Honor Scholar and Honor Scholar of the Class of 2012, 2013 and 2014.Ann Goodenough '14 of Ballston Lake, has earned recognition as a Honors Scholar. Ann is majoring in Environmental Sudies and is the daughter of David and Jeanne Goodenough.To achieve standing as a Cowles Honor Scholar, students must be members of the Class of 2012, have attended at least two terms and hold a 3.6 cumulative grade point average.Honor Scholars are members of the Class of 2013 and 2014, who after attending for at least two terms, hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.8.Other Achievements for Ann Goodenough from Ballston LakeElmira College Recognizes Ann Goodenough '14 of Ballston Lake at Winter Convocation -- 02/2012Ann Goodenough '14 of Ballston Lake, NY named to Dean's List at Elmira College -- 05/2011Ann Goodenough '14 of Ballston Lake, NY named to Dean's List at Elmira College -- 02/2011

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Amanda J. Bianconi of Ballston Spa, a senior public relations major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Amanda Bianconi from Ballston SpaAmanda J. Bianconi on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Amanda J. Bianconi on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012Amanda J. Bianconi Interns Through SUNY Oswego -- 11/2011

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Kayla M. McCune of Ballston Spa, a sophomore elementary education major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Kayla McCune from Ballston SpaKayla M. McCune on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Kayla M. McCune on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Chelsea M. Spataro of Ballston Lake, a senior marketing major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Chelsea Spataro from Ballston LakeChelsea M. Spataro on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Chelsea M. Spataro on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Ashley N. Lefebvre of Malta, a junior business administration major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Ashley Lefebvre from MaltaAshley N. Lefebvre on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Ashley N. Lefebvre on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Lisa R. Cassidy of Ballston Spa, a senior biology major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Lisa Cassidy from Ballston SpaLisa R. Cassidy on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Lisa R. Cassidy on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012Ballston Spa resident receives Oswego scholarship -- 07/2009

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Alyson M. Napiorski of Ballston Spa, a sophomore elementary education major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Alyson Napiorski from Ballston SpaAlyson M. Napiorski on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Alyson M. Napiorski on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Shannon E. Donahue of Ballston Spa, a senior creative writing major, has been named to the President's List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. Students who achieve grade averages of 3.80 and above on the 4.00 scale are named to the President's List, the top 6.3 percent of Oswego students.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Shannon Donahue from Ballston SpaShannon E. Donahue on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Shannon E. Donahue on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Charles A. Stulck of Ballston Spa, a sophomore cinema and screen studies major, has been named to the Deans' List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. To be included on the Deans' List, students must have a semester grade average of 3.30 to 3.79.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Charles Stulck from Ballston SpaCharles A. Stulck on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Charles A. Stulck on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Cassamira L. Gearing of Ballston Spa, a sophomore elementary education major, has been named to the Deans' List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. To be included on the Deans' List, students must have a semester grade average of 3.30 to 3.79.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Cassamira Gearing from Ballston SpaCassamira L. Gearing on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Cassamira L. Gearing on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Rachel M. Rigney of Ballston Spa, a senior business administration major, has been named to the Deans' List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. To be included on the Deans' List, students must have a semester grade average of 3.30 to 3.79.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Rachel Rigney from Ballston SpaRachel M. Rigney on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Rachel M. Rigney on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012Rachel M. Rigney a Candidate for SUNY Oswego Graduation -- 11/2011Rachel M. Rigney Interns Through SUNY Oswego -- 11/2011

OSWEGO, NY (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Rebecca L. Guess of Ballston Spa, a freshman biology major, has been named to the Deans' List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego.The President's and Deans' lists represent the academic top 24.4 percent of the Oswego student body. To be included on the Deans' List, students must have a semester grade average of 3.30 to 3.79.Admission to SUNY Oswego is competitive. U.S. News named it among the "Top Public Regional Universities in the North" for 2012, the Princeton Review and USA Today named SUNY Oswego to their 2012 list of 150 "best value" colleges and universities in the nation, and the Princeton Review included Oswego in its 2012 college guidebook "The Best Northeastern Colleges."A 151-year-old comprehensive college in the State University of New York system, Oswego enrolls more than 8,000 students in its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; School of Business; School of Communication, Media and the Arts; and School of Education.Other Achievements for Rebecca Guess from Ballston SpaRebecca L. Guess on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 02/2012Rebecca L. Guess on SUNY Oswego Honor Roll -- 01/2012Rebecca L. Guess to Attend SUNY Oswego -- 07/2011Rebecca L. Guess Receives Oswego Scholarship -- 07/2011