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��Ӱֱ�� State President Dr. John M. Anderson recently showed his support of student involvement in college initiatives by presenting a personal check for $101 to the upcoming “Pennies for Pets” student drive, a campaign to raise money in support of the college’s “Campaign 101.” In recognition of the College’s 101st commencement, ��Ӱֱ�� State and the SPCA serving Allegany County and the Hornell Humane Society have joined forces throughout the spring to encourage 101 animal adoptions by the college’s commencement on Sunday, May 13.

“As I contemplated Commencement 2012, the College’s 101^st, I couldn’t get Disney’s 101 Dalmatians out of my mind,” Anderson said recently. “When I realized that, in essence, it was a story about animal cruelty, I asked myself what we, as a college, could do to mitigate animal mistreatment in our area. Enlisting the help of our veterinary technology faculty as well as the local shelters, we decided upon ‘Campaign 101,’ an effort to encourage the adoption of 101 pets from the two shelters by May 13. One aspect of this plan is the continuation of our students’ and faculty’s work in providing medical care for the shelter animals, including spaying and neutering, which, ultimately, makes the animals more adoptable. The second aspect is encouraging faculty and staff as well as the local communities to consider adopting a pet in the next few months!”

Using this theme as a springboard, student leadership jumped into the project with both feet (all paws). Because the estimated cost of spaying/neutering 101 animals is $6,000, students hope to help offset that cost by having each ��Ӱֱ�� State student contribute 101 pennies toward that goal. Students will be provided a pair of penny wrappers (donated by Steuben Trust) with a request that they are returned with 101 pennies inside. Steuben Trust has graciously agreed to “count the funds” free of charge. Additionally, collection jars will be placed throughout campus where amounts of more than a penny will be gratefully accepted.

Pictured here, accepting Anderson’s check, l-r: Meghan Smith (holding Smokey), Hornell, business administration; Chris Biela, ��Ӱֱ�� Programming Board president, Franklinville, mechanical engineering technology; and Taylor Binkowski (holding Gilbert), East Amherst, veterinary technology. Gilbert and Smokey are visitors from the Hornell Animal Shelter and will be available for adoption soon.