What's in a Name?

The word "Genesee" comes from a Seneca Indian word meaning "Beautiful Valley". The Genesee River was a uniting feature of Western New York even before the nexus of the Erie Canal turned Rochester into the first "boom town." In addition to the beauty of the river and it's spectacular gorges, in summer, Western New York is one of the lushest greenest places on earth. Selecting the name "Beautiful Valley" identifies this project with our region and pays homage to the Seneca's appreciation of nature. Rochester has long been associated with social activism, innovation and creativity. It was the home of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony and the birthplace of photography and xerography. This city on the Genesee River is poised to play a leading role in the evolution of education.