Past Fellows
To date, thirty-seven project proposals have been submitted, of which ten have
received Fellowships. A list has been compiled (alphabetically) that includes
the applicant’s name and the project title of those who have served as fellows
and a very brief project description. Routinely, the selection committee is faced
with the task of choosing recipients out of a group of both newly emerging and
long-standing community leaders, and their equally impressive proposals.
Holly Adams, Brooktondale, NY
Ms. Adams worked to further her goal of developing
a Clown Doctors Program particular to this community and its members. Clown Doctors
work in hospitals, nursing homes, cancer treatment centers or other organizations
where people are trying to recover from an illness, whether physical or mental.
The Clown Doctors Program would enable participating healthcare organizations
and individuals to develop different modes of communication, while interacting
with patients in ways that foster empowerment, growth and joy.
LeGrace Benson, Ithaca, NY
As a representative of the Ithaca HOURS organization,
Benson submitted a proposal that sought to identify and implement ways for lower-income
populations in the county to utilize Ithaca Hours – an alternative currency system
backed by skilled services. Specific goals were to identify and implement ways
for lower-income populations to participate in the Ithaca Hours program, while
seeking to expand the places where Ithaca Hours can be used, based on the needs
of this population.
Michael Bleeg, Rochester, NY
Mr. Bleeg’s Community Centered Living proposal focused
on providing transitional housing in the greater Rochester area for a varied group
of residents, including those in drug and alcohol recovery or people with mental
or physical disabilities.
Marcie Roe Bishop, Ithaca, NY
She is currently the Principal of Spencer-Van Etten Middle School. Her tenure
with the school district has led to the building of a new Middle School that provided
a facility for a diverse community constituency. Her proposal introduces middle
school age students to a practical understanding of what constitutes intellectual
and personal discipline in making choices and how to explain those choices in
scientific and religious communities. In addition, the proposal seeks to engage
families and the wider community in a discussion of the skills necessary for the
development of intellectual and personal discipline, and to expand the opportunities
for middle school students and local residents to relate to persons of other cultural,
religious, or intellectual backgrounds.
Gino Bush, Ithaca, NY
In the fall of 2000, Mr. Bush began leading support groups
for male students at Ithaca High School to discuss life skills topics that included
discussions around drug and alcohol education, racism, families, and school. His
Community Involvement at Ithaca High School proposal sought to expand these support
systems and groups to reach a larger audience, with possible expansion to the
middle schools.
Gary Ferguson, Ithaca, NY
His proposal seeks to undertake the first steps in
a long-term research project to systematically examine and address a number of
critical issues that relate specifically to sustained and successful downtown
revitalization and viability. His objective is to research and provide the Ithaca
community with data and information currently not available that represents both
cities with exemplary and successful downtowns, as well as those who have struggled
and failed; he will also provide extensive information on the contributing factors
that will allow for sound development in this community.
George Ferrari ’84, Ithaca, NY
His proposal seeks to address the changing climate
and status of community-based nonprofit organizations in the United States today.
He will do this by researching and analyzing the environment from an economic,
legal, organization management, and community organizing perspective. The outcome
will provide a better understanding of the forces that are affecting nonprofit
organizations today, and recommendations for new operational strategies, as well
as procedures and increased resources for planning and advocacy.
Carl Feuer, Ithaca, NY
Mr. Feuer’s The Working Poor in Tompkins County proposal
sought: to ensure that all working people be paid at least a living wage; to identify
which jobs, industries or sectors were most heavily low paid; identify the demographics
of the working poor; and how this affects their lives and the choices they are
forced to make.
Paul Glover, Ithaca, NY
Mr. Glover’s Survey of Community Dental Clinics proposal
sought to explore and summarize features of the hundreds of dental clinics serving
low-income sectors throughout North America. The information would hopefully
lead to the formation of a dental clinic in this community, of which one-third
of the residents do not have health insurance, and an even greater number do not
have dental insurance.
Jean McPheeters, Brooktondale, NY
Her proposal sought to enhance collaborations
between Cornell and the economic development community while utilizing the work
of Richard Florida, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. McPheeters planned
to research several communities, identified by Florida, that have been successful
in using new technology to enhance their economies and then to establish written
goals to begin developing and working toward a successful economic development
strategy for this region.
Alan (Fe) Nunn, Ithaca, NY
He is the Founder and CEO of the Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP),
demonstrated his long-term commitment to nurture and educate underserved youth
in the Ithaca community. His proposal undertakes to develop a qualitative means
of tracking a child’s personal and academic development through exposure to the
performing arts. Involving interactions between children, families, and their
teachers this effort will determine the effect that the performing arts has on
a child’s overall character and development.
Cal Walker, Ithaca, NY
He sought to further a collaborative project The Village
at Ithaca Initiative. This initiative was created to address the much-publicized
underachievement of Black and Latino students, both in the Ithaca City School
District and across New York State. This program seeks to ensure that groups
and organizations committed to eradicating Black and Latino under achievement
work collaboratively and strategically to build a climate of excellence and to
advocate for additional school policies and practices. His specific goals were
to evaluate and assess similar programs, as well as other initiatives undertaken
by selected colleges and universities with their school districts, and to utilize
and implement these best practices in this community.
Each spring applications are sought for the upcoming academic year. Eligible
candidates must reside in Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Seneca, Schuyler,
Tioga or Tompkins County.
For an application, please contact
http://www.psc.cornell.edu.
