Events

In this presentation to the Ithaca Rotary Club, we will explore the vital intersection of Basic Education and Literacy with the arts, focusing on the transformative impact of arts education in fostering creativity and healing. We will highlight the Community School of Music and Arts as a beacon of this philosophy, showcasing our role in enriching the community through accessible arts programs that enhance the lives of learners of all ages. Join us to discover how integrating arts into education cultivates well-rounded individuals and strengthens community bonds.

Megan Omohundro (She, her, hers) / CSMA's Executive Director

Megan Omohundro is an enthusiastic leader who has extensive non-profit experience in interdepartmental collaboration, programming, operations, fundraising, and leveraging community partnerships. She received her B.A. in dance from Hollins University and is passionate about arts education. Megan utilizes the values of curiosity, creativity, and connectivity within her role as an artist, arts educator and non profit executive. Expanding creative exploration within any community in which she lives and finding ways to care for the individual within a collective, are her priorities. She aims to support all stakeholders at CSMA and ensure that the school is a safe, enjoyable and relevant space to grow creative expression in Tompkins County. 

Carrie Natale / CSMA's Director of Programming & Exhibits 

As the Director of Exhibits and Programming at CSMA, Carrie Natale brings her experience working in the education field and interacting with the local community.  She is a former dance and baton twirling studio owner, well-versed in connecting the community to the arts.  During the pandemic, Carrie made the bold decision to return to college.  In December 2023, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Empire State University. She believes that the arts have a place in every aspect of our lives and is happy to help others find joy within the arts too.  Carrie wants to help create a strong sense of belonging and support for the faculty and students of CSMA.

Leslie Tabor serves as the Director of the Tompkins County Public Library. Under Leslie’s leadership, annual library visits increased by over 35,000 and annual materials use increased by over 42,000 in 2023. Leslie believes that public libraries are essential for healthy communities and that libraries are for everyone. She received her Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University’s Information School, where she first fell in love with the Finger Lakes region after weekend trips to the Friends of the Library Booksale and downtown Apple Harvest Festival. Leslie’s career includes working with the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, program management for the City of Norman (OK) and Cleveland County (OK), and a few years as a parking consultant. She and her husband Steven both worked for the Phoenix Public Library before moving cross-country to Ithaca with their dog, Slyde. Leslie enjoys birdwatching, Star Wars, gardening, and live music in her free time. She hopes everyone has a public library card and that they use it often!

Come and join us for our ever-popular club session when our 3 inbound students introduce themselves to our club.   Our students this year are...

• Isa from Mexico
• Filip from Sweden
• Stanley from Taiwan

We'll learn about them, their home countries, and their goals for exchange.

See you there!

Mike McGovern has served as the Chair of Rotary International’s PolioPlus Committee since October 2014. In this role, he is the volunteer leader of Rotary’s largest humanitarian project, the global eradication of polio.  Rotary is the spearheading partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has donated over $2.0 billion to ending polio and has worked with other partners to reduce the number of polio endemic countries from 125 in 1988 to 2 today. Mike also represents Rotary on the Polio Oversight Board.

Mike joined Rotary in 1986 as a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA. He served as club president, district governor, district foundation chair, Council on Legislation delegate,  Rotarian Action Group chair, Rotary Leadership Institute division chair, international training leader, Institute convener, RI committee member and chair, trustee and vice chair of the Rotary Foundation, and director and vice president of Rotary International. He began serving as the global chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute on 1 July 2020.

 He served his entire career with the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine beginning as an intern in 1977 and serving as town manager from 1985 to 2016. His Rotary classification was "Town Government."  During his career he also led several boards including the Maine Municipal Association, the Maine Town and City Management Association and ecomaine and served on committees of the International City and County Management Association.     He currently serves on the board of Park Danforth, a not for profit retirement community and as chair of the Diocesan Review Board of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Mike is a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation and a recipient of the Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritourious Service.

He has served on regional boards for teh United Way and the American Red Cross.

In celebration of Foundation Month in the Rotary world, Dana and Don will be sharing some of the life-changing work that the Foundation has made possible, both around the world and here at home, as well as the recent international projects sponsored by CNY Rotary clubs.

Don Reese is a member of the Utica Rotary Club, was District Governor in D 7150 in 2002-03, and is CNY Rotary Foundation Committee Chair.

Dana Jerrard is also a member of the Utica Club, was D7150 DG in 2021-22, and is currently serves as Secretary of CNY Rotary.

Elizabeth Brando, an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is a nonprofit executive skilled at leading efforts to strengthen fiscal support of mission-critical activities. As a leader in strategic planning and fundraising, Elizabeth has raised millions for higher education, cultural institutions, and Native-led causes with additional experience in multinational banking and project management in Silicon Valley. She earned her MBA from University of Arizona and attended Columbia University for coursework in art history.

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Finkelsztein discovered his passion for medicine while researching Chagas disease during medical school. His journey led him to the U.S., where he continued his work at Weill Cornell Medicine, studying sepsis with a focus on improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Finkelsztein chose to bring his expertise to Ithaca, where he not only treats patients with complex infections but also mentors internal medicine doctors. He’s also dedicated to public health as a Tuberculosis Consultant for Tompkins County.

Beyond his medical work, Dr. Finkelsztein is known for his love of cycling, running, competing in local amateur cycling races. and spending time with family and friends.

Delmer Padgett, a native of Candor, NY, holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and an administrative certification from Hood College. He began his career as a high school vocal music teacher in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., where he advanced to department chair and Academy Head for the Visual and Performing Arts, as well as Academy Coordinator.

Delmer transitioned into administration as an Assistant Principal, focusing on equity and access for all students. In 2022, he returned to New York to serve as the Principal for Career and Technical Education at TST BOCES. After just one year, his dedication and leadership earned him a promotion to his current role as Director.

Delmer is deeply passionate about providing hands-on learning opportunities and fostering strong partnerships with the community, ensuring every student has the tools to thrive in their chosen career path

Christine Alexander is the new Principal of the P-TECH Academy at TST BOCES, located on the campus of Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). Her leadership aligns with her philosophy of providing students with innovative educational opportunities, as the academy's curriculum is centered on Project-Based Learning—a model she has taught and led for eight years.

A firm believer in "service over self," Christine is an active volunteer in her community of Auburn, NY. She contributes her time and artistic talents to organizations such as Zonta, Habitat for Humanity, The Matthew House, and Auburn Little League. Christine is also proud to share her passion for service with her two sons, who join her in giving back to their community.

Matt Hartz, a native of Lansing, NY, holds a Bachelor's degree in Health & Physical Education from Ithaca College, and a Master's Degree in Inclusive Education from Syracuse University. He began his career as a special education teacher at Lansing Middle School, then transitioned to Health, Physical Education & Special Education at TST P-TECH Academy. While teaching at P-TECH, Matt shifted into the role of Business Liaison for the last two years. Over the summer, Matt earned the Work-Based Learning Certificate from SUNY Oswego and made the jump to Work-Based Learning Coordinator for TST BOCES Career & Technical Education and TST P-TECH Academy.

Michael I. Kotlikoff is the interim president of Cornell University and professor of molecular physiology.

Prior to his appointment, Interim President Kotlikoff was Cornell’s longest-serving provost, holding that office from August 2015 to June 2024.

He is a veterinarian and biomedical researcher whose laboratory’s work in cell signaling and heart repair was continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health for over 35 years. He was the founding chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and chair of the Mammalian Genomics Life Science Initiative, and served as the Austin O. Hooey Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine from 2007 to 2015.

Dr. Amy Kremenek currently serves as the fifth president of Tompkins Cortland Community College, a two-year residential college of the State University of New York (SUNY) located in Dryden, New York. Appointed in 2022, she has focused her leadership on a four-part strategy of student enrollment and retention, institutional resources and assets, campus engagement and participation, and community partnerships and collaboration. The College currently serves approximately 5,000 credit students, with 11% growth in enrollment over the past three years.   

In 2022, Dr. Kremenek was named an Aspen New Presidents Fellow, one of just 26 community college presidents nationwide selected for the program by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. She is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute of the League for Innovation in the Community College.

Prior to joining Tompkins Cortland, Dr. Kremenek served more than 15 years as Vice President at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York. Her leadership experience in higher education includes Enrollment Management, Workforce Development, Student Recruitment, Human Resources, Government Relations, Early College/Dual Enrollment Programs, Marketing, and Development/Alumni. Prior to her service in higher education, she worked in various professional roles in health care and public utilities.

Dr. Kremenek serves on the Board of Directors for the Cortland Business Development Corporation, the Ithaca Area Economic Development organization and the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Public Affairs and Citizenship at Syracuse University, and a Doctorate of Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.