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The Bergen Community College Newsletter 2015, 2016 & 2017 NCMPR Medallion Winner
CONNECT. NJ’s most social community college. 20,000+ followers. Join the conversation. | Summer 2018 • Volume 5, Issue 3
Commencement Closes 50th Celebration P
utting a cap on both the College’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration and the Bergen tenure of the graduates in attendance, commencement recognized the achievements of the class of 2018 and the institution’s five decades of success stories May 17 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Guest speakers Gov. Phil Murphy, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III and Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders Chair Thomas Sullivan joined President Michael D. Redmond, Ph.D., and Grand Marshal Ursula Parrish-Daniels, Ed.D., in celebrating students such as valedictorian Zaina Laaroussi. “Do what you love in life because life is too short to just be mediocre,” she said. Meanwhile, Gov. Murphy expressed his support for community colleges. “It’s places like Bergen Community College,” he said, “where an education has been put within reach of everyone who wants it.” As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, commencement began with a procession of current and former faculty, staff and students and featured videos, special recognitions and musical performances. Student Alex Czechowicz sang the alma mater , including two new verses he wrote, and U.S. Air Force veteran Katalina Escobar performed “God Bless America.”
Looking to the future, 200 members of the class of 2018 donned philantrophy cords for supporting the $50 for 50 fundraising campaign — and scholarships for the next generation of Bergen students — by donating $20.18 each. Outgoing Student Government Associ-
ation President Sibora Peca led the class in the ceremonial turning of the tassel, signifying their graduation. Sixty members of the class of 2018 earned 4.0 GPAs and will now transfer to some of the nation’s top four-year colleges and enter the workforce. n
Honors Excellence
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Thank you! More than 400 members of our Bergen community left a lasting legacy as part of the $50 for 50 campaign, providing future student scholarships and educational support. Watch for the donor wall unveiling in the fall!
ergen’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter not only received Distinguished Chapter honors at the organization’s Centennial Convention, but also the following awards: • Student Elda Pere won the election for international president; • Student Won Joon Kang won the election for international vice president; • Vice President of Academic Affairs William Mullaney, Ph.D., won the distinguished administrator award; and • Student Amir Ali earned distinguished chapter member honors. n
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Faculty Focus — Professors Emeriti O
Student Lindsey Njanja earned a spot in the 2018 Community College Summer Enrichment Program at the National Institutes of Health, a three-month residency to work in a state-of-the-art research environment. … Class of 2016 graduates Angelica Flores and Laura Zottarelli served as “Ignite” speakers at Rutgers University’s Mark Conference. Class of 2016 valedictorian Anthony Tellez worked as a planning captain. …The U.S. Department of State recognized Bergen as one of the nation’s top institutions for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program; the College ranks ninth in the country among associate degree granting institutions for awardees. … More than two dozen elected officials visited the main campus for “A Legislative Lunch” in April to discuss the mission of community colleges, lunch prepared by culinary students and tours of the campus. … Student Daniel Currier won the 10th annual speech competition for his presentation of his work, “Weaponized Emotion.” … Center for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Co-Director Nvair Beylerian presided over the 103rd Armenian Genocide Remembrance program in Times Square in April. … The Child Development Center earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a leading early childhood education professional organization.
nly 51 educators have earned the rank of professor emeritus at the institution. The College celebrated the latest inductees, Judith Rae Davis, Ed.D., Bonnie MacDougall, Ph.D., and Joan Tscherne, Ph.D., during a May luncheon. Selected by a committee of their peers, Davis, an English professor for 29 years, served as chair of the department, while also leading the general education, strategic planning and faculty development committees. MacDougall mentored students at all levels of learning during her 29-year career, teaching a range of classes from English-as-a-Second-Language to honors Shakespeare. Tscherne held positions such as physical science coordinator, department chair and interim dean of science during her 28-year career.
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The professor emeritus program began in 1988 with the induction of former dean Alan Buxton. Selection relies on many factors, including exemplary teaching and scholarship. Professor Kate McGivern leads the five-member committee charged with choosing honorees after receiving nominations from academic divisions and faculty. n
1. Almost 700 families visited the main campus April 12 for a comprehensive open house. 2. Almost 400 guests attended the 50th anniversary gala at the Venetian April 19, including Freeholder Mary Amoroso, President Michael D. Redmond, Ph.D., U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III and Freeholder Germaine Ortiz. 3. Apparel design students transformed the main campus into a red-carpet runway made for Manhattan during their annual fashion show May 3.
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8 4. After establishing an endowment through the Bergen Community College Foundation, Jon Boffa helped dedicate a memorial garden at the main campus for his beloved late wife, Brenda, a former horticulture student. 5. Members of the “founding faculty” hired prior to 1978 organized a dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary and support student scholarships. 6. The Bergen Community College Foundation awarded $200,000 to 169 students at the spring scholarship awards ceremony in May.
9 7. Trustees Sheetal Ranjan, Ph.D., Vice Chair Gerard L. Carroll and Chair Carol Otis represented Bergen at the Association of Community College Trustees’ Community College National Legislative Summit. 8. The Retired Employees Association hosted its spring luncheon April 27; attendees included Marie Kaplow, John Patierno, Ph.D, and Jeanie Payne, Ph.D. 9. Students showed off their work at the annual STEM C2 Research Summit April 13.
InsideBergen is a publication of the Office of Public Relations. Send feedback to lhlavenka@bergen.edu.