SUMMER 2009
THE LIBI LOG Commencement
2009 July 18,
Congratulations to you for all you have achieved, and congratulations to your families, friends and other loved ones who have supported you, cheered you, cajoled you, pushed you, and loved you. Without them you might not be sitting here about to receive your diploma from LIBI. This is, in many ways, as big a day for them as it is for you!
For just a minute bear with me and think back to the day you started at LIBI. Remember the fear, the second-guessing, and the doubt? Many of you have overcome great hurdles to reach this milestone in your lives. Some of you have struggled with learning differences, while others had to adjust to a new life in America; some of you have endured serious personal and family issues, the loss of family members or friends, financial setbacks, illnesses, and all kinds of challenges that at times may have seemed insurmountable. You have had long nights, difficult exams, challenging papers, and for those of you in the court reporting program -- your fingers might have ached from trying to get to that magic 225…Yet, you have worked hard and persevered and become the successful and accomplished people that you were always meant to be. Well done! You are about to fly in a world for which your education has prepared you. But, you will not fly – you will soar. You will soar because you are an educated group with intellectual curiosity and the skills and mind to be a meaningful part of this world. Graduates, this is my first year as the President of your, soon to be, alma mater…you and I are about to fly on our own--you as graduates of our great college, and I, as its president. I know you are prepared and I know you will do great things. President Foote
LIBI was honored to have as guest speakers join:
LIBI GRADUATION Dom also stands out in the field as one of the first East Coast reporters ever to use a computer for transcription and has testified as a reporting expert several times during his career. He has also assisted software developers during the groundbreaking creation of Case Catalyst and the Windows version of CaseView.
John Liu: Mr. Liu strongly believes that quality education is key to the future of each of our school kids as well as key to the future of our city as whole. As a member of the Council's Committee on Education, he insists on raising standards in our public schools, increasing reliance and trust in our teachers, and investing city resources in our future generations. He has also provided millions of dollars to fund high-tech upgrades to local schools.
The Long Island Business Institute is fortunate to have Dom as a member of our Court Reporting Advisory Board.
LIBI
Kevin Kim: Mr. Kim grew up in Bay Terrace, and is a proud product of the NYC Public School System (P.S. 150, I.S. 25, Townsend Harris H.S. at Queens College). Mr. Kim currently works as the Deputy Director of Community Affairs for Congressman Gary L. Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.). His previous professional experiences include working as a federal law clerk, a corporate attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell, and a founding partner of Yoon Suh & Kim, LLP.
SUCCESS
STORIES
Teri Pape wanted nothing more than to be a court reporter when she graduated high school. As a young girl of 18, she had made her plans and nothing was going to stand in her way - even the fact that she had a hearing disability. Doctors had told her that she would be deaf by the age of 30. But 30 is a long way off when you are an 18 year old. Undaunted by her medical diagnosis, Teri applied to a court reporting school and was accepted. When school officials learned that she had a hearing disability, however, they discouraged her from her studies. How could a court reporter write a verbatim record when she can’t hear it perfectly? Teri was told that there was no future for her in court reporting, and she was eventually persuaded to leave the program.
Dom Tursi: Mr. Tursi is a name that is familiar to all court reporters from New York to California and in many other countries. In June, he was one of 40 American Ambassadors who attended a joint conference of United States and Chinese reporters in Beijing. On behalf of the American delegates, he delivered the primary address to this historic international group.
Ten years later, however, and now with a husband and a family, her dream still gnawed at the back of her mind. When her audiologist informed her that new technology had made it possible to correct her disability with surgery, she almost couldn’t believe it. Actually, she didn’t believe it and required strong encouragement from a very persuasive doctor. With her young girl’s dream as one of the reasons, she agreed to have the necessary surgery on both ears.
During his 48 years as a court reporter, Dom has worked in almost every area of court reporting. Back in 1983 he actually retired after 20 years as a New York State official court reporter, but retirement did not last too long. He then began a career as a freelance court reporter and agency principal. During those years, he recorded depositions and meetings around the world, from Southeast Asia to Cairo. In 1997 Dom joined the federal court system working for the Eastern District Court in Central Islip. Dom is still reporting for the federal court system and many of LIBI’s high-speed students complete their internship hours in Dom’s courtroom.
Now becoming a court reporter was a realistic objective. In January 2000, Teri applied to the Long Island Business Institute in Commack and was accepted into the Court Reporting Program. For 4 years she struggled to balance a schedule that included home, husband, and family combined with school, homework and practice, and in 2005 a 20 year-old dream became a reality.
Dom is also a shorthand historian with a prized collection of shorthand books and writing machines. His research into the history of shorthand will shortly be exhibited permanently in his courthouse for the world to observe. His reporting credentials include being three-time New York State Shorthand Speed Contest Champion for writing a perfect paper. Q&A testimony at 280 words per minute, and World Shorthand Speed Champion writing 300 words per minute for five minutes with only 24 errors. This record still stands.
TWO Good Ears
Teri Pape is now a working court reporter for Five Star Reporting Agency. She is living the life she once envisioned for herself. She says she owes her success to having “strong desire, stubbornness, determination, and tenacity,”… and of course, two good ears.
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LIBI PRIDE CONGRATULATIONS – MR. LEE On May 9, 2009, the Long Island Business Institute’s owner, Mr. Leon Y. Lee, was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The National Ethics Coalition of Organizations (NBCO) is a non-profit organization with strategic alliances that allows us to support a range of diverse programs and to ensure a better future for us all by ensuring that every dollar spent goes to creating a better world. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor pays tribute to distinguished individuals from the many that compose America’s unique cultural mosaic. Every year on Ellis Island, this award is presented to American citizens of diverse origins for their exceptional contributions to their communities. Mr. Lee contributed to the community with the opening of the Long Island Business Institute. At the Flushing campus, the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program was inaugurated and spearheaded by Mr. Lee. This program is intended for recent immigrants with employable skills whose lack of English is the primary reason for not being able to be hired for work in the field. The ESL courses take the student from a basic beginner level to an advanced intermediate level, with an emphasis on survival skills and workplace language capabilities. The campuses in both Flushing and Commack help guide the diverse student population to gain the skills needed for modern business and higher education.
Ellis Island opened in 1892 as a federal immigration station where millions of newly arrived immigrants passed through the doors. It has been estimated that close to 40 percent of all current United States citizens can trace at least one of their ancestors to Ellis Island. When Ellis Island opened, a great change was taking place in immigration to the United States. People from all over the globe left their homes abroad with the hope of a greater opportunity in America. Mr. Lee is part of this longstanding tradition. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor signifies inspiration for future generations to endure and preserve the very legacy that each of our different cultures has contributed. Mr. Lee joins a list of celebrated past recipients including U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, May Rudolph Giuliani, Lee Iacocca, Yogi Berra, U. S. Attorney General Janet Reno, Bop Hope, and Frank Sinatra – just to name a few. This award is a tribute to individuals of diverse ethnic origins whose influence and achievements inspire and touch the lives of people everywhere. Mr. Lee’s work has made a lasting impact on the community, and this award is truly something we should all be proud of. Article by Tina Morena Commack Court Reporting Student Tina Morena is a 2009 New York State Horizon Scholarship Winner
LIBI STAFF PROMOTIONS Rosana Lee, who was a Senior Academic Advisor, has been promoted to the position of Assistant Registrar in May 2009. Ms. Lee joined Long Island Business Institute in May 2006 as an Academic Advisor. Throughout the years, she has demonstrated a high level of dedication to advising. Her enthusiasm has been praised by many students whom she has advised and many peers who have worked with her. With her new title, she will oversee and coordinate our advising activities and assist the Registrar to maintain accurate academic records and standards.
JOB FAIR
We welcomed representatives from local businesses to come down and meet with our On May 14, 2009, the students and graduates in order to assist Career Services Office them in their pursuit of employment. Time hosted its first job fair Warner Cable was present, along with of the year. Citibank, Mortgage World Bankers, and a few other companies. Both alumni and students came dressed to impress in their “interview attire” with their resumes in hand. The overall turnout was approximately 45 students, and the event was a great success. We look forward and hope you will join us at our next job fair which will be held in the fall. 3
Rosana Lee graduated with a BA degree in Economics from York College in Canada. She also holds accounting and computer certificates. Before joining LIBI, she had worked in banking, finance, insurance and paralegal professions. She speaks English, Spanish and Chinese fluently.
NEW LIBI FACES
UPcoming EVENTs BLOOD DRIVE
On September 3rd, 2009 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm Long Island Business Institute in Flushing will host our first LIBI Blood Drive. A bus, provided by the NY Blood Center, will be outside of the Main Building. All of the donated blood collected on this date will serve patients at local hospitals in our area. To ensure a great turnout for this event, we are asking all faculty and staff to participate, as well as encourage students to participate. At the beginning of August, the NY Blood Center will be coming to LIBI to hold an information session. Once the date has been scheduled, we will inform the community.
OPERATION SMILE
As part of our efforts to “give back,” LIBI employees were given two dress-down Fridays (jeans could be worn to work) but were asked to donate $5.00 each. We were able to collect and donate $380.00 to Operation Smile. Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide childrens’ medical charity. In 1982, Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker. Operation Smile has been operating since 1982; more than 130,000 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities have been treated by thousands of volunteers. For as little as $240, Operation Smile can change a child’s life by giving the gift of a surgery. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever.
Ms. Quigley holds a BA in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz and an MS in School Counseling from Long Island University. She comes to LIBI with experience in admissions as well as extensive experience working with students in and out of the classroom. She’s looking forward to being a part of LIBI and helping us grow as an institution.
JOIN LIBI IN PREPARATION FOR CONSTITUTION DAY Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a combined event that is annually observed in the United States on September 17. This event commemorates the formation and signing of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. It also recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become US citizens. Help LIBI celebrate September 17th by participating in a Constitution Day poster contest! Sharon Chen is the All students and employees are invited to particinewest member to the pate. To enter you must design a poster showing LIBI team. She is joining the how you have benefited from the freedoms Admissions Department as an embodied in the U.S. Constitution. Admission Representative. The winning poster will be displayed in the Sharon comes to LIBI with 8 library at the Flushing Campus. The winner years of experience in assistwill receive a patriotic goodie bag. ing the admissions department from Touro Entries should be sent to Karen Saggio at the main college. campus. All entries should be submitted by September 1st. Good Luck!
THE WINNERS
Name LIBI’s Fish
1st Place: Flibi Submited by: Jean Ajello. 2nd Place: Herby Submited by: Frank Castro 3rd Place: Ponder Submited by: Kevin Chong Editor: Frank Leone Art Director: Yoselin Yang
Published By Long Island Business Institute
718.939.5100
Queens Campus: 136-18 39 th Avenue, Flushing L. I. Campus: 6500 Jericho Turnpike, Commack www.libi.edu
SUMMER 2009