Events

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.

Join us on Wednesday the 29th for lunch at Old Mexico!

...because 7 days without Rotary makes one weak...

Rotary and ReUse continue their partnership with Mega Sort Parties to raise funds for local Community Grants, Youth Exchange, and International projects. Volunteers will sort and price donated items, with a portion of sales benefiting these initiatives.

Join us as we have a representative from Rotary's HANWASH program tell us about how Rotary partners with the government and people of Haiti to address critical needs for water, sanitation and hygiene.

HANWASH | Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative

Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish is the 10th president of Ithaca College, a position she assumed in March 2022. She joined the College in 2018 as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Prior to joining Ithaca, Dr. Cornish was associate provost for undergraduate studies at Goucher College in Baltimore, Md., from 2014 to 2018.

As provost and then president at Ithaca, Cornish led the College through the COVID-19 pandemic and a strategic plan, “Ithaca Forever,” that included an academic prioritization plan to align academic programs with student interest and need, and to align the size of the faculty with the size of the student body.

Today, Cornish is laying the groundwork for a new strategic plan that will build upon Ithaca’s commitments to promoting hands-on learning from day one as part of its academic programs; to providing a welcoming and supportive campus environment for all; and to engaging in community partnerships that improve the quality of life in its home city and surrounding areas. In broad consultation with the College's constituencies, Cornish will look to refine resource stewardship and allocation, as well as pursue opportunities to diversify revenue.

During her time as Ithaca’s president, Cornish has launched programs that improved student retention and graduation rates; she created a Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to help build understanding and fuel creativity among students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds; and she expanded career service programs into a Center for Career Exploration and Development that begins working with students during their first year on campus. 

Cornish began her career in the Baltimore City Public Schools, serving 15 years as a middle school English teacher and then principal. She joined the Goucher College faculty in 1998.

Cornish holds a doctorate in language, literacy, and culture from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; a master’s degree in education with a concentration in urban and diverse learners from Goucher College; and a bachelor’s degree in English, also from Goucher. Her research interests include new teacher induction, culturally responsive teaching, and campus responses to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.