PCS Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 2018
Dr. Edward J. Leach
Who would have guessed that being named “Most Talkative” at Pavilion Central School (PCS) would actually turn out to be a beneficial trait? When Edward Leach was a seniorat PCS in 1975, he was voted “Most Talkative” by his classmates.Being comfortable talking to people, as well as being a good listener and learner, has served Edward well. It’s his ability to connect with people—as well as other key factors—that has led to Edward earning a PhD and becoming the executive director of an international community college membership organization.
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When he reflects back on his time at PCS, Edward remembers his fellow classmates being a “great bunch of kids” who he loved hanging out with and from whom he learned a lot. He also recalls having teachers who cared about their students and who treated him like everyone else. “I learned a lot of life skills from my classmates and teachers at PCS, and those skills have helped me in countless ways throughout my life,” said Edward.
When Edward left high school, he admits he had no idea where his life was headed. He had been a decent student, but he knows he could have worked much harder in his classes. And while Edward’s Mother and Father were outstanding role models when it came to demonstrating how to work hard, raise a family, and be good neighbors, neither parent knew much about higher education, having never gotten beyond the few grades in school themselves. Plus, since he was the eldest of five siblings, Edward did not have anyone whose footsteps he could follow into higher education.
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However, largely due to the work ethic instilled in him by his parents, Edward did have a job lined up starting graduation night. While his classmates partied and celebrated, Edward worked the midnight shift making Cool Whipat Birdseye in Avon, New York. He worked the next several years in various factories,on the back of a garbage truck, and other low-skilled, low paying jobs. At the same time, thanks to a friendship with a high school classmate, Edward got involved in Tae Kwon Do, weightlifting, and other forms of physical fitness, to the extent that he entertained the idea of opening his own gym.
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However, one day, the factory where Edward was then working called all of its employees together and informed them that the plant was closing and moving to Canada. Having worked at the factory for four years, Edward received some severance, vacation, and profit sharing pay. As luck would have it, at this same time, Edward read in the Batavia Daily News that Genesee Community College had received a grant designed to help displaced workers go to college so they could learn new skills and return to the workforce. Edward recognized the name of the financial aid director (Craig Muehlig), so he decided to visit GCC and talk to Craig about taking the classes needed to open his own gym.
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One of the first courses Edward took was titled Introduction to Athletic Training—a basic sports medicine course—and he was immediately hooked! With the help of the college’s work study program, outstanding faculty, and fellow students, Edward earned his Associate’s degree in two years. He then decided to pursue athletic training, which required a four-year degree. After two years pursuing his Bachelor’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University, Edward became a Certified Athletic Trainer and graduated with the highest grade point average in EKU’s Exercise and Sport Science Department.
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While at EKU, Edward learned that colleges and universities offered graduate assistantships that paid students to take classes while they got hands-on work experience in their area of interest. Edward applied to a handful of graduate programs around the country before deciding to accept an offer from Miami University (Ohio) that allowed him pursue his Master’s degree while doing his graduate assistantship in their sports medicine department. Edward remained at MU for a year and worked with their football, track, wrestling, and hockey teams while he earned his degree.
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Armed with a Master’s degree, Edward first headed up the sports medicine department at Queens College in New York City and then Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida before returning to GCC to serve as an instructor and athletic trainer. Despite being happy to return home, Edward discovered a passion for educational administration at while GCC and was encouraged by friends and administrators at the college—individuals who were graduates of the Community College Leadership Program at The University of Texas at Austin—to follow in their footsteps by moving to Austin, Texas and pursue his Doctoral degree.
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After earning his PhD in Educational Administration with a minor in Community College Leadership at UT Austin, Edward first served as the Director of Human Resources at a community college in Ocala, Florida before becoming the Vice President for Human Resources and Provost for Special Programs and International Education at a community college in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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After a few years working at community colleges, Edward was asked to join the League for Innovation in the Community College (League), an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate innovation in community colleges around the world. While serving as a vice president at the League, Edward ran the largest annual conference for the community college sector, served as the co-principal investigator for multi-million dollar National Science Foundation and Department of Education grants, and served on a variety of advisory boards, including for Microsoft, Compaq, the National Workforce Center for Educational Technology, and others.
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Currently, Edward serves as Executive Director for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), an organization widely recognized as “The country’s leading provider of professional development for community college faculty, staff, and administrators.”
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When Edward thinks about what few, if any, plans he had when he graduated from Pavilion Central School and where he is today, he realizes how fortunate and blessed he’s been. First, we was fortunate to grow up with parents (and in a town) who passed on good values (i.e., honesty, work hard, respect, perseverance, responsibility, humility, gratitude, and more). Edward also recognizes he was fortunate to graduate from a school like PCS where the curriculum and teachers prepared students well for life after school. Between 50% and 75% of students entering community colleges across the nation are not academically prepared to be successful in college-level courses. The percentage of students needing remediation in one or more subject area is definitely on the higher end of the range for students who do not start college until they are 26 years old, as was the case with Edward. Yet, despite not entering GCC until a full eight years after graduating from high school, the academic foundation established by PCS allowed Edward to bypass remediation and test directly into college-level courses. Edward also knows that he’s fortunate that GCC is the type of institution that recognizes and fulfills its role in the community, including finding ways to retool displaced workers so they can go on to live full and productive lives. And last, but far from being least, Edward is blessed to have had so many friends and family members in his life who have helped at every step along his journey.
There are many people who are deserving of being in the PCS Alumni Hall of Fame. Certainly, Dr. Edward J. Leach, who attended Pavilion Central School from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and who now works with community colleges from across North America and beyond to help them help their students be successful, is an excellent role model for all people everywhere.
Sue Kinney
“Bloom where you are planted” might well be Sue Kinney’s motto. In high school, she was involved in Girls’ Athletics, Writer’s Club, and Chorus for 4 years, but became more active in her Junior and Senior years, adding Adventures in Knowledge, Future Teacher’s Club, National Honor Society, Pavilion Times (newspaper), Model Congress, and participation in both Jr. and Sr. plays. Granted two Regents scholarships forced a choice: nursing or teaching? Because of 800 hours of babysitting a year and a lifelong desire to be like her favorite teachers, Geneseo and a degree in education was the obvious (and excellent) choice. Then, for most of the year following college graduation, Sue worked at Strong Memorial Hospital, as an EKG tech. Convinced by a patient that she belonged in a school, and refreshed by the break from classrooms, Sue got her first teaching job, in Brockport at the Campus School, teaching Kindergarten and first grade with some wonderful teacher and administrator mentors.
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That job was a gateway to a career that looked pretty mainline, but involved a few challenges. At the Campus School, the staff were encouraged to build diverse learning structures and engage in new methods of teaching. As part of a team, Sue opened the doors to the outside, literally if the weather allowed, and individualized a child-centered curriculum that modeled itself after British Primary Schools. Suddenly the team found themselves traveling to schools all over Western New York helping educators individuate and open their classrooms, while keeping within NY curriculum guidelines. Sue received her Masters in Education from Brockport, and thrived there for four years, learning and growing every day.
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After spending a year in Florida, teaching 3- and 4-year-old preschoolers and their parents in a Migrant Ed program, Sue returned to New York to take a position at Gananda Central School, in Walworth teaching 1st & 2nd graders for 10 years, and 5th & 6th graders for two. Teaching in a brand new school district and a HUD “New Community” meant some fancy dancing, starting with the fact that teachers weren’t allowed in the building until the day before the buses dropped off the first students, and then only with hard hats: the C-of-O didn’t come until 2 AM that day. All 12 of the teachers wore many hats, of necessity: teaching multiple grade levels, developing curriculum and teacher evaluation systems, securing funding, and working with BOCES and community members to blend seamlessly with the new community, the Walworth and Macedon schools from which Gananda was formed, and the larger Finger Lakes systems. Sue had her own key to the building, working often until late at night in meetings.
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Somehow, during that time, Sue decided she wanted to have a family, so she joined the Council of Adoptive Parents, met families made by adoption, and went through home study. In 1980 she welcomed two little boys from Korea, Nick and Ben, who were 5 and 7 at the time. Since the government of Korea frowned on single parent adoptions, Sue always thought that God opened a window for her and the boys to walk through, though the truth is probably closer to some sleight-of-hand performed by the agency in Pennsylvania who brought her children home. In 1985, she brought her family back to Pavilion, spending the next 20 years watching curriculum and society change, the boys blossom in the smaller community, and teaching at a number of grade levels at PCS, finishing as she started with 4 years in Kindergarten. There were many committees, awards and various recognitions along the way, but the sweetest parts were watching the children grow, her own and others. She became prouder of her school and community than she had ever thought possible as a teenager when all she had wanted was to get away. Pavilion has finally taught her what a comfort and opportunity a sense of place really bestows.
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Since retirement, Sue has walked a number of other paths: taking art classes at GCC, enjoying (and sometimes teaching) water aerobics at the YMCA, traveling, serving for 10 years on the Pavilion Planning Board, belonging to Kiwanis, and becoming involved at church. That led to volunteer work, which now includes coordinating ordering and deliveries from Foodlink, donations and expenditures, paperwork (including grant-writing), and volunteers at the Pavilion Community Food Pantry, to serve food-insecure families and snacks for hungry kids at the school. It also involves networking with a number of other organizations and all the area churches. Sue also organizes volunteers for Red Cross Blood Drives, is involved in Cub Scouts through a grand-nephew, and spends every possible bit of time with her family, especially Nick who is newly returned to the US after living most of the last 20 years in Korea, and Ben, now father to 5- and 7-year old Aiden and Brody, who are so like their daddy and uncle were at that age.
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Pavilion Central School taught Sue more than a solid foundation in academics; there was self-reliance and the value of hard work, trying something new and playing nicely with others. She learned the benefit of experiences from teachers and the opportunities they made available, like Adventures in Knowledge, inter-scholastic sports, and All-State Chorus, which opened new doors for her. She learned to be responsible for her decisions, and to trust in a leap of faith and her ability to learn new skills when needed. She was encouraged to learn from her mistakes and clean up her messes. And she wanted to be like the best of her teachers: Thomas Prescott, Helen MacConnell, Berniece Thomas, Sarah Simpson, Louise Lynch, Helen Christner, Connie Argulski, Margaret Smith, and many others. Believing that loving others and giving your best self freely are the easiest path to a successful life, Sue grows happier and more blessed with each passing year.
Edward J. Spence
In the fall of 1983, Grenada was home to many American nationals. Responding to a threat to those Americans by the pro-Marxist government there, President Ronald Reagan ordered US troops to that island country in 1983. An American teenager, watching the television that October, saw the United States Marines as they secured the safety of the Americans there and helped defend the public who could not defend themselves. He was struck by the confidence and skill of the Marines, and the compassion they showed to those they were helping. This is how Ed describes the event, and it was then that he felt the first stir of real Patriotism and the desire to become a Marine.
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Before he was even old enough to have his driver's license, Ed began volunteering with the Veterans Administration in Batavia. His parents, Donna and (the late) Jefry Spence, provided the transportation back and forth as Ed visited veterans and provided an interested listener to them as they related their stories and experiences. In addition, once he was working with the vets, and seeing a need there, and also among young people with whom he interacted, he arranged for vets to be paired with high school students in a Buddy Program, thereby benefitting the veterans who needed people with whom to interact, and youth who needed to help themselves by helping others.
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Ed came to Pavilion Central School as a sophomore in 1984. While at PCS, Ed was a member of the wrestling team, and under Mr. Grillo's coaching, he was chosen captain of the JV team and served as captain for three years. As a senior, he had an undefeated wrestling season. In addition, he received the Most Spirit Award for wrestling all three of his years on the team. He also played on the PCS baseball team for three years and participated in track his senior year. While participating in these school-related activities, Ed, now able to drive himself, was also still working with the veterans in Batavia, accumulating over 500 volunteer hours with them. He was a diligent student, always attentive in class and always treating his teachers and his peers with courtesy and respect. His willingness to give all that he could and to encourage others to do the same was an outstanding characteristic of his high school years. In his junior year, he joined the US Marine Corps and participated in their pre-induction program, meeting once a month to learn about the Marines and their mission. Shortly after high school graduation in June, 1988, Ed left for boot camp where he was to apply his desire to do the very best that he could in service to his country. He graduated sixth in his platoon of 72 Marines at Parris Island. Ed served six years active duty in the Marines, receiving a Certificate of Commendation for his service. While stationed in North Carolina, Ed volunteered with a city fire department not too far from the base. With the Havelock Fire Department Ed received Fireman of the Year recognition. In 1990, Ed lost his infant son, Nathan, in an accident involving a drunk driver. It was this tragic event which led Ed to take paramedic training, which he did at Duke University, while still a Marine.
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Following active duty, Ed returned to the Batavia area to begin assimilating into civilian life again. He volunteered with the Stafford Fire Department prior to being hired by the City of Batavia Fire Department in January, 1994. Ed received his training for paramedic (Duke University) and fireman (fire science classes with Empire State College and Corning Community College, and various classes at the Rochester Fire Academy). He was appointed acting lieutenant and he served as fireman/paramedic – whichever was needed for Engine Company 14 and Medic 20. While working in the fire department, Ed was still in the USMC Reserves until 1997. During the severe flooding in Binghamton and other parts of the Southern Tier in 2005, members of his Reserves unit were deployed with FEMA to help with rescues and clean up. During the ice storms in our area in the same year, Ed served as Incident Commander for Batavia and Genesee County. It was his job to coordinate all of the emergency responses during that time, handling over 300 calls for assistance. Help was sent for downed trees, downed live wires which were sparking, home bound people who required oxygen but were without power, house fires, vehicle accidents and medical calls to name some. Following the storm, Ed oversaw all of the paperwork necessary for application for FEMA funding, which he was able to secure in the sum of $350,000.
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As the tragedy of 9/11 unfolded, a call was sent out for help. Ed, along with others from the City of Batavia Fire Department, were among those responding. They arrived in New York City at 6:30 PM on the day the Towers were hit. Upon first arriving in New York and seeing the destruction, Ed said, “We were completely overwhelmed. It was a pile of rocks with smoke rising and people scrambling to do whatever they could.” Mission one for Ed and his group was rescue. Soon after, Mission two began – recovery. Being in New York at that time and seeing the destruction, the loss of lives in the Towers, feeling the anguish over the attack on our country moved Ed, yet again, to do what he could do to help in a way with which he was familiar. He enlisted in the US Army National Guard 2/108th Infantry Battalion stationed out of Batavia, then out of Geneseo in 2001.
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The National Guard Unit in which Ed enlisted was later ordered to Afghanistan to become a part of the US Army 27th combat brigade. In 2007, during a training exercise for the deployment, Ed was hurt, herniating four discs in his back, resulting in permanent injury. As a result, Ed was medically retired from the Army in 2010. Speaking of the mission to Afghanistan which his buddies completed, Ed recalls with sorrow, “We lost 12 guys on that deployment.” A friend of Ed's, calling him one Memorial Day since then said, “Eddie was thinking about the men with whom he had trained and bonded, and he mourned the ultimate cost paid by those who chose to serve.”
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Following a year bound to a wheel chair, Ed's life took another direction in service to others, beginning with joining the Masonic War Veterans group. When it was Ed's turn to become commander of the post, he organized a fundraiser to help an organization that had been a contributor to his recovery when he was first injured. Operation Injured Soldier, OIS, is an organization that addresses PTSD and other similar kinds of issues soldiers face once they return to civilian life after separation from the military. The result of that fundraiser was a fishing trip for 32 injured Veterans. After that trip, Ed was asked by OIS board member, Larry Thume, to volunteer to become a part of OIS, organizing activities for veterans to help them cope with their experiences as soldiers, and for their families learning to cope with a returning soldier. Ed was eventually promoted to the Northeast Regional Director of OIS covering Maine to Pennsylvania. His volunteer work included setting up hunts, fishing trips, retreats, and family gatherings. Ed organized fundraisers in all the states in his region in addition to planning the events for veterans. At the same time, he was also helping with another organization which takes vets on retreats, provides counseling and has classes for the whole family to help the soldier in their family. This is Project New Hope, a Lions' Club initiative.
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In 2016, Ed resigned OIS to take over as director of a new project for veterans. Warrior House was initially begun by Middleport resident, Peter Zeliff, Jr., as a place where veterans could heal from injuries of all kinds, including PTSD, depression and anxiety. It was originally intended to be a hunting club and it was equipped with bunks for sleeping, kitchen facilities and so forth. This has expanded into much more. With Ed as director, and Mr. Zeliff providing backing, the plan now includes housing for homeless veterans while they await permanent housing and assistance in securing benefits from the Veterans Administration. In addition, veterans can receive counseling and medications that may be prescribed. Calls from needy veterans are taken at any time of the night or day and immediate assistance is arranged by Ed, with the help of his considerable number of contacts, to address whatever issue is presented. Transportation to and from appointments can be provided. Facebook requests for furniture, bedding, clothing, are often sent out by Ed, asking his friends and acquaintances for help, and there is ALWAYS a positive response. This response is as much a tribute to Ed and how his friends and acquaintances feel about him in addition to what he is doing for the Veterans. At Christmastime, Ed coordinated 28 meals and gifts for 58 children who would not have had a Christmas. Whatever the need, Ed and his wide range of friends and contacts (professional and personal), give of their time and their resources, to better the lives of our many veterans. Recently Ed remarked, “This year, Warrior House is proud to be self-sustaining, with recent fund-raisers netting over $53,000. We are grateful for all of the continued support we receive from our communities and from all of our volunteers who give their time and resources to benefit our veterans, and from Peter Zeliff who donated Warrior House and the surrounding grounds.”
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Ed resides with his wife of 12 years, Wendy, daughters Brittany, Alyssa, Katie, Eryn, and grandson, Jackson. He and Wendy are members of the Methodist Church of Akron, whose congregation is also much involved with Warrior House. Ed and his daughters have begun a construction business with the aim of finding work for veterans. Thus far, three veterans have found a job with him. And so it continues, Ed being able to do the things he does for our veterans and in doing for them, he is able to heal himself. Having “been there,” he is an individual who clearly understands some of life's tragedies and the special needs of veterans. He has found so many ways to accomplish so much for others.
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Semper Fidelis (Semper Fi) – always faithful. This motto of the United States Marines is one that Ed embraces.
President John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address in 1961, said to all of us: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” This might be the kind of question Ed would pose. “What can we do for our country? What can we do for each other?”
Ken Weaver
Ken Weaver grew up in Pavilion, and graduated from Pavilion Central High School in 1987. While in school, he participated in wrestling and track and field. Outside of school, Ken was active in the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed spending time outdoors exploring New York’s woods, streams, lakes, and wetlands. He had an interest in nature and the environment at a very young age, with an ambition of becoming a marine biologist like Jacques Cousteau. While he never pursued a degree in marine biology, he did end up in the environmental field.
Determination and perseverance are hallmarks of Ken’s personality. These are traits that he displayed at an early age. During the summer between 6th and 7th grade, Ken was struck by a motorcycle while riding his bicycle. He was hospitalized and restricted to bed for several months due to multiple fractures to his left leg. Ken worked with tutors and teachers to successfully keep up with his school work during his recuperation. He was also determined that his injuries would not alter his personal goal to become an Eagle Scout. He remained active in scouting throughout his recovery and even earned his hiking merit badge while on crutches.
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Ken earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from SUNY Geneseo. He additionally pursued a minor in mathematics after being told by an advisor that his math skills were not strong enough to major in biochemistry. This background in mathematics would serve him well later in his career. Ken furthered his education at SUNY Brockport where he earned a Master of Science degree in Aquatic Ecology.
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Following graduate school, Ken joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He has been with the Department for over 20 years. Ken is currently the Administrator of the Standards Development Section within DEP. The Section is tasked with administering and revising the state’s surface water quality standards under the Clean Water Act; that is, developing water regulations that support healthy and abundant fish and wildlife and ensure that Floridians and visitors can safely recreate in and on the water. Ken’s approach towards developing water quality standards is to always “follow the science”. He believes that the most defensible and even-handed regulations are developed when the scientific approach is agreed upon upfront through a transparent public process. Ken always aspires to make objective, fair, and reasonable regulatory decisions.
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Ken initially joined the Department in 1998 as a member of the Everglades Technical Support Section. At the time, the Section was tasked with developing a phosphorus water quality criterion to protect the Everglades from the excessive growth of plants, such as cattails, and noxious algae, which were threatening the natural function of the iconic wetland. The development of the phosphorus criterion was mandated by both the Everglades Forever Act and a Settlement Agreement. The Everglades Forever Act mandated that the Department develop a phosphorus criterion by 2000. Ken worked with a team to determine the level of phosphorus necessary to protect the natural Everglades. His major contribution was the development of a 4-part test to access attainment of the phosphorus criterion. Ken used his statistical knowledge to design the test to balance the need for a protective standard with the need to minimize the occurrence of false positive results. Although the Everglades phosphorus criterion was challenged in state court, the Department prevailed in the challenge thanks partially to Ken’s expert testimony during the hearing. Ken specifically testified on the statistical basis of the criterion, why it was justified, and the basis of the 4-part test. His testimony helped convince the judge that the criterion was reasonable and based on sound logic.
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In 2003, Ken developed a statistical-based method for assessing and reporting on the water quality conditions in the Everglades. Earlier methods to assess the water quality had been criticized as being arbitrary by a peer review panel. Ken’s approach was well received and endorsed by the peer reviewers and is still used today to annually report on the status of water quality in the Everglades. Ken has been asked to speak about his Everglades work at numerous national meetings.
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Ken was named Florida’s nutrient criteria development coordinator following the successful defense of the Everglades phosphorus criterion. Florida, like all other states, was tasked with the development of numeric nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) criteria to protect its streams, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. The development process in Florida was expedited due to the requirements of a Federal Settlement Agreement. Ken and a team of scientists worked between 2011 and 2015 to develop and successfully adopt numeric nutrient criteria for all Florida’s streams, lakes, estuaries, and springs. Florida now has the most comprehensive numeric nutrient criteria in the nation. Ken developed the statistical approaches used to derive criteria for the various waterbody types. His approaches were designed to balance the need for protective criteria with uncertainty. Many of Ken’s approaches are now incorporated into U.S. EPA guidance and training materials to help other states develop their own numeric nutrient criteria.
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Florida’s initial numeric nutrient criteria were challenged in state court. Ken provided extensive expert testimony on the derivation of the criteria, including the statistical justifications. The state prevailed in this litigation and the criteria were upheld.
In 2016, Ken led the effort to revise the state’s human health criteria. Human health criteria are health-based water-quality standards the U.S. EPA and states set to ensure people can safely eat fish and seafood, and drink potable water from surface waters. Ken developed a probabilistic risk-based approach for human health criteria derivation that is groundbreaking in the field of water quality standards development. He explains that the advantage of the probabilistic approach, over the standard approach, is the ability to focus attention on the range of potential risks to the population rather than specific inputs. Ken presented a highly detailed summary of the state’s human health criteria development process at several public meetings. The subject was highly controversial and emotional; however, he maintained his composure throughout the meetings and patiently and clearly explained the information to the public. His efforts resulted in the state successfully updating their human health criteria for the first time since 1992. Additionally, this approach is being considered for use by numerous other states, and Ken has been invited to speak about his approach by Washington and Alaska.
Ken is often asked to lend his expertise to support other programs. For example, he was asked in 2015 to provide expert testimony on surface water quality standards, statistics, and aquatic ecology in a lawsuit involving a challenge to a wastewater permit in the Florida Keys. His testimony helped the state win the case and allowed the wastewater facility to continue operations without costly upgrades.
Ken stays physically active and remains an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys hiking, landscape photography, and travelling to the mountains. He has been working in his free time to improve his photography skills, and is currently taking online photography and photo editing courses.
Ken and his wife Cheryl live in Crawfordville, Florida, which is south of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle. They have two adult daughters: Rebecca and Kimberly.