Genesee Community College President Dr. James M. Sunser paid a very special tribute to the late Richard C. Call during the facility's dedication Sept. 7 as its official name - Richard C. Call Arena.
Dr. Sunser followed Laura J. Bohm's welcome and spoke about "Beyond Expectations," in honoring Richard C. Call to a highly distinguished group in attendance that included representation from many facets that included local elected officials to board of trustee members, as well as many family members of the honoree.
The event also showcased the new Student Success Center via an open house where shuttle service was provided between venues, but the evening belonged to Richard C. Call and his legacy.
Throughout his life, Richard C. Call maintained a deep commitment to the well-being of the community and the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming (GLOW) region. He was a steadfast supporter of charitable causes in our region, and he maintained a lifelong commitment to the profession of agriculture.
Dick was a longtime supporter of Genesee Community College. He served with distinction as a member of the Board of Directors of the GCC Foundation, and his involvement with the Foundation contributed greatly to the College's growth and success.
He was also an early advocate for the creation of a multi-purpose event center. He saw the tangible benefits such a center would bring to students, the wider community and our regional economy. He encouraged local citizens to support the creation of an event center, especially his friends and peers in the agricultural industry.
As Dick wished, this structure celebrates the contributions of our agriculture pioneers and leaders, whose resilience and innovation have made our community strong.
It is fitting that this structure – the Richard C. Call Arena – bears the name of a man who left his own historic legacy on the vocation and community he loved and who advocated so mightily for its creation.
