Tammy Austin-Ketch and Carmen Presti will be inducted into Niagara County Community College’s Distinguished Alumni Gallery at the NCCC Foundation Inc.’s annual Scholarship Gala on Oct. 27.

Austin-Ketch is a 1990 nursing graduate who continued her education at University at Buffalo, the school’s press office said. She is a clinical assistant professor in the family nurse practitioner program at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing.

She also works as a nurse practitioner in the Migrant Health Program at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, as well as at a private family practice office in Niagara Falls and the Tuscarora Indian Health Center.

Presti and his wife, Christie, established the only primate sanctuary in New York state in Niagara Falls. Eager to promote the need to protect primates, Presti works to present the sanctuary’s outreach programs throughout Western New York.

In conjunction with NCCC, he maintains an internship program and each semester trains a new crop of students from the animal management program in the upkeep of primates. Presti graduated in 1985 with a degree in math and science.

The gala is taking place at Conference Center Niagara Falls. Tickets are $75 per person, and the event is open to the public. Call 614-5910 for more information.

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Niagara University’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, in cooperation with the university’s Office of Continuing and Community Education, will host a series of fine dining events for the community over the next two months.

This is the seventh year of the college’s interactive “Spotlight on Chefs” dining series showcasing guest chefs and student managers, the school’s press office said. The events will be held in the Statler Dining Room on the fourth floor of St. Vincent’s Hall.

The dining events will be held Oct. 17-18 and 30-31, and Nov. 1, 6-8, 13-15 and 27-29. There will be seating times at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. A special etiquette dinner with John Bourdage will be held Oct. 16.

Reservations for each event can be made by calling 286-8181.

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Niagara County Community College health studies majors and the NCCC Human Services Club are collecting used cell phones to promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

NCCC is collaborating with the Niagara County Domestic Violence Intervention Program to collect retired cell phones to be refurbished for victims of domestic violence to dial 911 in emergency situations, the school’s press office said.

Students, employees and community members can donate used cell phones and accessories through this month, regardless of condition, in bins throughout campus.

If you would like a receipt for tax purposes, include your name and address and one will be mailed to you. Call 614-6776 for more information.

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High school students and their parents are invited to a National Christian College Fair from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church, 8180 Greiner Road, Williamsville.

The fair includes representatives from more than 30 Christian colleges and a financial aid workshop. Events are free and open to the public.

This annual event is sponsored by the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals. For more information, call (585) 567.9354 or write to timothy.boland@houghton.edu.



Contact reporter Paul Lane

at 282-2311, ext. 2251,

or lanep@gnnewspaper.com.