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Dr. John Trombetta has spent a lifetime serving his country and his community. The Onondaga Community College professor's resume includes 45 years teaching at all grade levels between kindergarten and college, 26 years as a Public Affairs Officer in the United States Navy, 34 years with the Navy section of the New York State Defense System, and 14 years on the Town of Camillus Planning Board. "I've always had a burning desire to assist and aid those in need and put my skills forward, to always support institutions and communities."

Onondaga Community College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has created an "Adulting 101" series of classes aimed at helping students gain the skills they need for a successful transition to adulthood. All of the classes are free, fun, and invaluable. The series begins next month with "Cooking with Casey," a Zoom cooking class with College President Dr. Casey Crabill. Class will be Thursday, November 5th at 6 p.m. All of the Zoom information is at the bottom of this story.

Onondaga Community College has assembled an outstanding group of Student Government leaders this semester. They are responsible for providing support for student clubs and organizations, student leadership development, and campus-wide activities which are limited due to the pandemic. Student officers meet monthly with College President Dr. Casey Crabill to discuss issues important to fellow students.

The fall 2020 semester student officers and the degree programs they are enrolled in are:

• Degree programs: Humanities, Criminal Justice
• High School: Central Square, class of 2019

Seven months ago Mackenzi Maxwell was in a bad place. The pandemic had arrived and campus was closed for in-person learning, making all classes online for the remainder of the semester. "I fell off the wagon. I relapsed in my depression and in my eating disorder. I didn't want to ask for help because I didn't want to admit I needed it. I knew my professors would understand but I didn't want to admit it to myself or anyone around me so I spiraled."

Central New York needs auto technicians and Ryan Beckley, '98 is ready to help solve the problem. The Baldwinsville High School and Onondaga Community College graduate is the new Coordinator of the College's Automotive Technology degree program. "My goal is to help each of our students develop a relationship with an industry partner so that when they graduate they will walk into a full-time job. It's my life goal right now."

The professors Dori LaRue, '11 learned from while she was a student at Onondaga Community College inspired her to be exactly where she is today. "I knew eventually I wanted to teach here because of those relationships I had built with my teachers. I want to make my students want to do well the same way my professors made me want to do better."

Christopher Ellis, '14 and Richard Whitney, '13 are days away from a potentially life-changing moment. They are among the leaders of SparkCharge which makes portable rapid electric charging units. A SparkCharge charging unit, when plugged into a car, can generate 15 miles of range in just 15 minutes, which is 8 times faster than standard wired charging stations. On the night of Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m.

COVID-19 has changed life on the road in ways Bill Bonnell, '83 could never have imagined. Bonnell is the Coordinating Producer for Saturday night Prime Time Football on the ESPN family of networks and the College Football Playoffs. His season started Labor Day weekend in Annapolis, Maryland and he's traveled to a different college football outpost each week ever since. "It's really strange not having anyone in the stadium but it's great to be back doing football."