AUBURN - Community members mingled at a reception hosted by the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Thursday evening to welcome the two newest leaders in local education.

Joseph D. “J.D.” Pabis, superintendent of the Auburn Enlarged City School District, and Dr. Daniel Larson, president of Cayuga Community College, were the chamber's guests of honor at a welcome reception sponsored by the Government Affairs Council, during which the two men met with those who have a stake in education.

“This is hosted for J.D. Pabis and Dan Larson as a welcome to these individuals and to give our chamber members and the general public a chance to meet with them in a relaxed, informal setting,” said Terri Bridenbecker, executive director of the chamber.

More than 50 people RSVPed, said Bridenbecker, with 20 more expected from the community for the meet and greet.

“We have an infusion of a lot of people with talents and gifts and leadership,” said Ginny Kent, an Auburn school board member. “We want them to feel welcome. This is an opportunity for Mr. Pabis and Dr. Larson to get to know the people and also it gives the community access to them. It's a gesture from the Chamber of Commerce to help support education in the community, which is part of our mission, along with business.”

“I think (the reception) shows the strong support for the person leading the school district,” Pabis said. “I personally don't think it's because of J.D. Pabis. It's because of the person leading the district.”

But beyond a welcoming by community members, the reception was an opportunity for community leaders to discuss ways to better the area and act on it.

Auburn Mayor Timothy Lattimore took the opportunity to talk with Pabis about consolidating resources in mutual efforts. Representatives from Nucor, Auburn Memorial Hospital, First Niagara Bank and other local businesses shared their evening with Pabis and Larson to introduce themselves and discuss community initiatives.

Larson says sharing resources strengthens the community.

“There is great strength in numbers,” he said. “Working together to achieve mutual goals is a great approach.” And CCC, he added, will play a part in that, providing leadership and support for community initiatives.

“If you walk around the room, you see different representatives from the community, people from all walks of life,” said Pabis. “It gives everyone an opportunity to work with the superintendent, who is the educational leader of the community.”

Larson began his three-year term as the leader of the community college on Aug. 1. Pabis was appointed in July to lead Auburn schools. He began his five-year term on Aug. 1.

Ryan Foley, a student trustee on the CCC Board of Trustees attended the reception, which he saw to be more for the community than for the Larson.

“I think he's already set up as president,” he said. “He's taken control, taken the lead over everything. He's in full force and this is just to make sure everyone in the community knows him and makes sure he's welcome.”

And if that was the point of the reception, Larson believes it has done just that.

“This is a very welcoming community,” he said. “In the two months I've been here I've had opportunities to talk with people and make connections with them. I talked with them about what's on their minds and how the college can help.”

And if Larson wasn't enjoying the reception enough, he said, the summertime weather in what should be crisp autumn finished it off.

He took a sip from his drink, and mingled once again.

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.