CTE Hall of Fame

The Career and Technical Education Hall of Fame recognizes the personal achievements of former GST BOCES students who demonstrate an understandable connection between their BOCES experience and career choice achievements. Anyone who has successfully completed an Adult Education, Alternative High School or Career and Technical Education program is eligible for the Hall of Fame. Applicants are eligible for nomination after the sixth year following their program completion. Inductees are selected by the CTE Advisory Council, which is made up of business and community leaders.

The 2009 Hall of Fame winners

Evelyn (Lynn) Austin

Evelyn (Lynn) Austin is a 1989 graduate of Southside High School. She attended the Dental Assisting program at the Bush Education Center from 1988 to 1990 and graduated with honors. While in the program, Lynn was vice president of HOSA and accumulated an exceptional amount of internship hours – 1,030.

Following graduation, Lynn attended Monroe Community College and became a New York State-licensed dental assistant, eventually achieving DANB national certification.

Twenty years after first working with Elmira orthodontist Dr. Ron Bellohusen as a student in the BOCES program, Lynn is a dental assistant in his office today. She continues to exceed the required amount of continuing education hours each year and often shares her skills with students in the GST BOCES Dental Assisting program. Lynn is active in her community, is a Girl Scout leader and is involved with her daughter's parent-teacher organization.

Nathan Dwyer

Nathan Dwyer, a graduate of Corning East High School, completed the Machine Trades program at the Coopers Education Center in 2004. During his senior year, Nathan won the state VICA competition for machine trades and placed well in the national competition.

After graduation, Nathan attended the Pennsylvania College of Technology at Williamsport, earning both an Associate's degree in Machine Tool Technology and a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering. He graduated magna cum laude a semester early because of the 13 college credits he earned at BOCES.

After completing his first year of college, Nathan began his career with Synthes in Horseheads as a summer intern. Nathan continued to work for Synthes throughout his college career, and upon graduating he was hired full-time as a manufacturing engineer. Nathan was recently selected to be part of a group tasked with setting up a new manufacturing facility in China.

Nathan visits the Coopers Machining classroom regularly to share his career experiences with current students.

Dr Erin Murphy

Dr. Erin Murphy, a 2001 graduate of Hornell High School, participated in the New Visions Health Exploration program on the Wildwood campus from 2000 to 2001. She is now a physician doing her residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

After graduation, Erin attended the University of Rochester, where she earned a 3.6 grade point average and a Bachelor's degree in molecular genetics. While in college, Erin worked as a research assistant in the department of microbiology and immunology as well as in the clinical research department in the emergency room at University of Rochester Medical Center. She went on to attend Upstate Medical University in Syracuse for her Doctor of Medicine.

Even with the demands of her career, Erin has always made time to volunteer. As an undergraduate, she volunteered at the Golisano Children's Hospital and at St. James Mercy Hospital. While in medical school, she volunteered at free clinics and at a local food pantry. In the spring of 2007, Erin traveled to Costa Rica with a medical mission where she helped provide basic care and distribute pharmaceuticals to the local population.

In her current residency in Abington, Pa., Erin sees both outpatient and inpatient ob-gyn patients, holds office hours seeing uninsured patients in a clinic, operates, delivers babies and performs examinations.

Erin also teaches medical students while they are on their ob-gyn rotation. In addition, she helped start the new Electronic Medication Reconciliation program. After her residency, Erin hopes to obtain a fellowship further specializing in her field.

Michael Sincock

Michael Sincock, a graduate of Elmira Free Academy, participated in the Mechanical Technology program on the Bush campus from 1976 to 1979. He now is the president and owner of Bouille Electric in Elmira.

Since completing the BOCES program, Mike completed a four-year IBEW Apprentice Electrician's program, graduating at the top of his class, and obtained Journeyman Electrician status with IBEW. He received his Master Electrician's license in Ithaca and earned a New York State Fire Alarm and Security System Installer's license. He is a NECA member, a hobby machinist and has his private pilot's license.

Mike also has been very active in coaching youth baseball and soccer and still coaches youth hockey. He is the former president of the Elmira Jackals Youth Hockey league.