The Bergen Community College Newsletter 2015 & 2016 NCMPR Medallion Winner
Commencement 2017 • Volume 4, Issue 3
Commencement Caps 2017
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he temperature may have soared into the 90s, but the class of 2017 didn’t break a sweat at commencement 2017. More than 2,000 students completed their goals of earning a college degree May 18 at MetLife Stadium — the College’s second commencement ceremony at the home of
the New York Giants and New York Jets. Bergen has ranked No. 1 in New Jersey for associate degree graduates for three consecutive years. Led by valedictorian Marilyn Heiner, a 71-year-old widow who earned a 4.0 GPA and attended 180 straight home and away Giants games during the 1970s and 80s with her deceased husband Don, she reflected on his support of her education. “I have scored the touchdown of my Super Bowl,” she said, “and my husband has a sky view seat.” In a unique moment at the College’s 48th annual graduation, President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., presented Bergen County Executive
President, Students Honored C
lass of 2017 graduates Daniela Liberato and Nadia Vaso became the sixth and seventh Bergen students in the last four years to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 per year for college. Chosen from 3,000 applicants, they represent two of only 55 U.S. community college students selected. In addition to Bergen’s Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter earning 16 awards at Phi Theta Kap-
pa’s national conference, Bergen student Amanda Karpinski was elected international president of the honor society, making her the first Bergen student to hold that office. Also among the College’s honorees, President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., became one of only 19 community college presidents to receive the 2017 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for her support of student success initiatives. n
James J. Tedesco III with an honorary degree, officially making him part of the class of 2017 as well. Former College trustee and current Bergen County Freeholder Germaine Ortiz delivered the keynote address, making her the first freeholder in county history to do so. During her remarks, she stressed unity. “In the current days of wall building, I believe we need to see more bridge building,” she said. “We should find more of what we have in common rather than emphasize what makes us different.” Graduates will now transfer to some of the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities, while others will immediately enter the workforce. Bergen alumni rank No. 11 in the U.S. for mid-career salaries, according to PayScale. n
FACULTY FOCUS
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Professors Emeriti
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eserved for the institution’s most influential and impactful educators, Dorothy Altman, Ph.D., Jeanie Payne, Ph.D., and Kevin Sullivan have joined 45 peers in earning the rank of professor emeritus. Honored during a May 5 luncheon, this year’s inductees span disciplines — literature, biology and history — and accomplishments — the NISOD Award for Teaching Excellence, commencement grand marshal and a Fulbright Fellowship among them. A six-member committee of current faculty selects inductees based on recommendations from academic divisions. The program began in 1988. n
Campus Calendar Young Playwrights Festival June 8, 7:30 p.m., Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre “Will Reading” Premiere June 21, 7:30 p.m., Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre tickets.bergen.edu College Closed July 4, All Locations Summer 2 Classes Begin July 5 & Aug. 7, Multiple Locations my.bergen.edu
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8 1. Ten students notched top recognition in two categories at the National Model United Nations conference at the organization’s headquarters. 2. For his dedication to service, student Isaac Reyes was named a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow. 3. Asian Heritage Month featured The New York Times op-ed editor James Dao as the keynote speaker. 4. More than 120 students received $163,875 from the Bergen Community College Foundation to continue their education. 5. Vice President of Academic Affairs William Mullaney, Ph.D., recognized faculty achievements at the scholars dinner.
9 6. The academic awards ceremony honored class of 2017 graduates who achieved distinction. 7. In what began as a Community Health class project, Alexandra Frontin helped East Rutherford join the “Stigma-Free” mental health awareness initiative. 8. For the second consecutive year, Bergen students won the Rutgers Business School-Newark New Jersey County College Case Competition. 9. Donors took a step back to the era of the “Rat Pack” while raising $90,000 in scholarships at Club Monte Carlo.
Fall Classes Begin Sept. 1, Multiple Locations my.bergen.edu
InsideBergen is a publication of the Office of Public Relations. Send feedback to lhlavenka@bergen.edu.