Sept. 16, 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the vote to create FLCC

A South Bristol town supervisor led the way to the creation of Finger Lakes Community College.

“Throughout the long and distinguished history of Ontario County, few dates shine forth more brilliantly than September 16, 1965 – the date upon which the Board of Supervisors voted overwhelmingly to establish an Ontario County community college.”

So wrote George M. Ewing Sr., the editor of The Daily Messenger, in an editorial in the edition the day after the vote, which was 17 to 2 with two supervisors absent.

Ewing had been among the citizens who had cajoled the county for more than a decade to provide a local option for higher education. When Resolution No. 163 to create a college passed, he was effusive in his praise:

“Ontario County will never forget what those 17 supervisors who voted in favor of the college have done for us. Their action last night will insure the continued growth, strength and prosperity of Ontario County.”

For the record – and to prove Ewing right – here are the 17 men whose action has not been forgotten:

Wilfred Ward of Bristol

Earl Mastin of Canadice

Robert E. Foster of the town of Canandaigua

Walter E. Neenan of the town of East Bloomfield

Elwyn C. Herendeen of Farmington

Theodore A. Curtis of the town of Geneva

Joseph P. Paulsen, first district of the city of Geneva

Francis J. Picchi, third district of the city of Geneva

Sidney W. Thomas of Gorham

Thomas F. Loughlin of Hopewell

Richard Shekell of Manchester

Christopher Ruthven of Phelps

Philip J. Rowley of Richmond

Ward H. Robbins of Seneca

Arthur B. Hawkins of South Bristol

Edward M. Guinan of Victor

Harold J. Shafer of West Bloomfield

South Bristol’s Arthur B. Hawkins deserves special note as the supervisor who chaired the Ontario County Education Committee that recommended establishment of a college.

Arthur B. Hawkins Hawkins and four other supervisors were appointed on July 30, 1964, by Chairman Philip Rowley to “study a two-year program of post-high school training aimed at developing competencies in the technical area of employment and also additional instruction in liberal arts.” He was joined by Supervisors George Hayes of the city of Canandaigua, Richard Shekell, Joseph Paulsen and Elwyn Herendeen.

Ten citizens were invited to serve: Dorothy Harris of Stanley, Kathryn MacAniff of Phelps, Helen Maney of Geneva, Lyle Brown of East Bloomfield (who later became a trustee), Frank Dolence of Geneva, Roy Everson of Clifton Springs, Raymond Hughes of Canandaigua, Russell May of Honeoye, Charles Rose of Victor and Howard Samuels of Canandaigua.

Ten of the citizens and four of the supervisors supported the committee’s report, later to be called the Hawkins Report, recommending that Ontario County sponsor a community college. Hawkins himself made the motion to establish the as-yet unnamed college at the Aug. 26, 1965, meeting of the board of supervisors. After some debate, he asked that Resolution 163 be “laid over,” a procedural motion that delays voting to the next meeting. Three weeks later, 16 other supervisors voted “aye” to his initial motion.

RESOLUTION NO. 163 Authorizing Community College

WHEREAS, A community college in the State of New York may be established by a county if approved by the Board of Trustees of the State University under Article 126 of the New York State Education Law; and,

WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees of the State University of New York has suggested that a community college sponsored by the County of Ontario should have an enrollment of five hundred students within four years; and,

WHEREAS, a survey of the high school students in said county shows that there is a graduation class of approximately one thousand students each year; and,

WHEREAS, At least sixty percent of these graduates will profit by further education, and a survey shows that at least two hundred fifty students each year would attend a community college located in said County; and,

WHEREAS, The Board of Supervisors will have to make available sufficient funds at least a year in advance for the operation of such a college and provide capital funds for building, equipment, and library books for it; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors of Ontario County hereby establish a Community College in said County, subject to the approval of the said Board of Trustees; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be directed to forward to the State University copies of the survey made in 1960 and revised in 1965, and any other information requested by the said Trustees; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That there be appropriated and placed in the Budget for the calendar year 1966 sufficient funds which are estimated at approximately $58,600.00 for the operation of said College for the first year and approximately $42,000.00 for capital costs for establishing said College in order to make available the County’s share for such operation and capital costs; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a certified copy of this resolution be sent by the Clerk of this Board to the said Board of Trustees, Albany, New York.