SUMMER 2011
President’s Excerpts of Commencement 2011 Speech Class of 2011 On behalf of all the faculty and staff, I want to congratulate You and wish you the best in all of your endeavors.
In
a few minutes, you will be LIBI alumni. You’ve done it. I congratulate you—you’ve made this community proud, and I KNOW that you will all continue to do so. Before you enter the world as newly-minted members of the LIBI’s alumni association, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you.
Integrity and Bravery are two concepts often taken for granted. However, I believe that they are the core of society and indeed the bedrock of what has made you successful students. Integrity and bravery are what will continue to make you successful in your careers and your lives. Without Integrity and without Bravery, .success comes mainly from luck. You’re not here because of luck. You are sitting here—about to receive a college degree—because you drew from these two inherent strengths. Let’s face it—you would NOT be here at commencement unless you were constantly true to yourself and to the goal you set when you entrusted your educational future to LIBI. Getting to sit in that seat, wearing that gown, and coming up to this stage to get your degree required a high level of integrity to your goal, to yourself, to your family, to your colleagues. Hand in hand with that fidelity to the goal was a high degree of bravery. You chose, amidst some of the most challenging economic times in the past century, to enter the academic world and to pursue higher education. Certainly College is a logical path, but not an easy one.
It is the path of the brave, especially in this environment, and the path of one faithful to one’s self. You made a contract with yourself to work toward the degree I am about to hand you. THIS is your character. IN all your dealings, I encourage you to exhibit this level of integrity and this level of bravery-be true to yourself and your success will be inevitable. I and the faculty and staff of LIBI have been fortunate to sit in the front row seats as you commenced on your journey. We hate to let you go, but we do so knowing you are READY. Go forth and live well, be someone who can always be trusted and do WHAT is right. Be a person of integrity.
Congratulations and best wishes for all of your tomorrows.
Commack Campus Salutatorian: Melissa Kahane was only 18 years old when she came to LIBI to enroll in the AOS program in court reporting. Melissa always excelled in English and writing classes in high school, so she knew this would be the perfect field of study to put her skills to work. Melissa said that when she began school, she found herself loving every aspect of the programs. She embraced the challenge of learning something unlike any other college program, and she used her determination and ambition to succeed. After only 18 months, Melissa had completed the program with a 4.0 GPA. After a few weeks of interning and support from family, friends and mentors, Melissa is currently a successful freelance reporter with LH Reporting in Brookville, New York. Melissa reflects on her journey to where she is today by saying, “Not only have I gained an amazing career that I am so passionate about, but I have gained confidence, independence and a sense of pride knowing that I am a court reporter, someone so greatly respected in the field of law.”
Commack Campus Valedictorian: Chris Shin graduated from Manhasset High School, and went on to earn a Bachelors Degree from New York University. Chris worked at two very prestigious businesses in the New York Metro area but didn’t feel fulfilled in what he was doing. Chris knew that he needed to make a change, so he researched court reporting. Finally, Chris felt that he had found what he was looking for. Chris enrolled at LIBI in 2009 and began his program in court reporting. Chris said “From day one, I really liked the fact that the program of study at LIBI was very focused and mindful in preparing us to go out and work.” Chris was an outstanding student who really picked up the skills needed quite quickly. After only 18 months at LIBI, Chris graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Chris developed such a love for the field that he felt it was important to “give back.” Chris took advantage of many community service opportunities including being a part of the Gala Opening of the Gallery of Shorthand. Chris was also recognized by LIBI as a recipient of the Court Reporting Program Schola r s h i p . Presently he works as a freelance reporter for Veritext Reporting in Mineola, New York. He is “loving the opportunity to apply and further the training” he’s received at LIBI.
Flushing Campus Salutatorian: Mihaela Gurau was born in Romania where she attended high school. After completing high school, Mihaela from a university in Bucharest. Mihaela traveled around Europe before she came to New York to settle and to “make it here, like the Frank Sinatra song.” Mihaela has a beautiful daughter named Sandra. She worked very hard to provide for her and her daughter, but found life as a single mom challenging. She was hopeful about the possibilities for advancement in her new country, but she realized she had to further her education to find them. Mihaela enrolled at LIBI on the first day she came to visit the school. Mihaela said she felt comfortable at LIBI right away and didn’t feel ashamed being a “foreigner with an accent.” She was amazed at the close-knit community feeling she had being at LIBI because she felt the Flushing Campus was a “miniature melting pot.” While Mihaela studied in the Office Technolgy program, she also found time to help out in the Learning Center. She felt that experience was very fulfilling in helping other students in similar situations to succeed. Currently, Mihaela is working as an office manager at a successful construction company. Miheala cherishes her time at LIBI and will always be thankful for the new direction it provided her in life.
Flushing Campus Valedictorian:
Sunkyung “Arielle” Lee began her studies in 2009 in the Office Technology program. After completing her first semester, she decided that the accounting program better suited to her personality and goals in life. She was very happy to have made that change and completed the program with ease. While studying at LIBI, Arielle worked in both the Learning Center and the Student Success Center. She saw this as a chance to develop and grow as a professional but also to help fellow students find their way to success. After 20 months of study, Arielle is a proud LIBI graduate and is working as a bookkeeper at a successful company. She is applying all the skills and knowledge she obtained from LIBI in her current position. When talking about her experience at LIBI, she says, “This school has provided me with the opportunity to start a new job and has allowed me to live a new life in this new country.” 2
Commack Campus Honors Our Armed Forces Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, two of our country’s major holidays, have just come and gone. They usually bring to mind parades, family barbeques, fireworks, and good summer fun. Yet these patriotic holidays also bring to the hearts and mind of all Americans our country’s armed forces that have protected our country and our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Commack Campus decided we must find a way to show our support for our troops, both home and abroad. With the country in the worst recession since the Great Depression, asking for charitable donations may not be the easiest thing to do; but after LIBI Spring Break, the students, faculty, and staff went into full fundraising mode and set up a Yard Sale/Bake Sale/Raffle. Many at the college brought in items for the Yard Sale. The lunchroom became the home of a conglomeration of goodies from housewares to children’s games and toys all topped with yellow price stickers. Our faculty, to the delight of all, brought in some of the most delicious cookies and brownies you have ever tasted. Staff and students alike donated items to make our fundraiser a success. The raffle tickets were drawn on July 20th with last-minute ticket sales bringing the grand fundraiser total to more than $300. Though charitable causes abound, LIBI Commack’s choice for the monies was easy: donate all funds raised to the USO. The USO is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “provide morale, welfare, and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform.” This writer could think of no better way to show the men and women of the armed forces we care!
Internship Class Visits Nassau Supreme Court On March 25, 2011, Ms. Ann Spessard and 12 students enrolled in the court reporting internship class visited Nassau Supreme Court in Mineola. The students gained first-hand knowledge of where to go and what to do if they were to get a freelance assignment at Supreme Court. Following our visit in the deposition rooms located in the lower level, we headed upstairs to visit with the head court reporter at the official court reporters’ office. Students were given an overview of the job of an official court reporter. The students were very impressed with the environment. Many of the students had questions and were very excited with the prospect of this career. The students reported that this visit was just what they needed to invigorate them to attain the speed of 225, complete all the necessary requirements of the program and enter the field as a court reporter. 3
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT TERRY CANAVAN – COMMACK LIBRARIAN Terry Canavan’s official title is Commack Librarian; but to the faculty, staff, and student body at this campus, she is much more than the Librarian. Ms. Canavan wears many hats at the campus and definitely thinks outside of the box when trying to assist our court reporting students achieve their goals. She is a tremendous asset to the Court Reporting Program. A few years ago Ms. Canavan began acquiring books on tape for the library for students to use when speedbuilding. She knew these books would not only provide an excellent source of new vocabulary while building speed but also an opportunity for students to take dictation from individuals with foreign accents. She was right. The students found these books to be a great tool for practicing, and they are always visiting the library to see if any new books on tape have arrived. The Commack Library Newsletter was created by Ms. Canavan many years ago. This Newsletter contains interesting articles relating to legal matters, keeps students up to date of what’s new and exciting in the field of court reporting, and often includes brief forms and phrases. Information Literacy is another area of expertise for Ms. Canavan. During the semester, she provides an Information Literacy presentation to various classes. A major portion of this presentation is hands-on Internet research. Students gain a wealth of information and knowledge from these presentations. During the spring of 2010, Ms. Canavan was honored by the National Court Reporters Association and asked to present at their conferences in San Francisco and Chicago. She received outstanding reviews from the conference attendees. In September of 2010, the Gallery of Shorthand Reporting opened at the Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, New York. This Gallery contains Ten Epochs of Shorthand which define the origin and evolution of shorthand, The opening of the Gallery was the culmination of many years of research and planning by Dom Tursi, federal court reporter, and Terry Canavan. Ms. Canavan holds a Master’s in Library Science, a BBA in Marketing, and an AAS in Accounting. As one can clearly see, Terry utilizes all of her education and knowledge to aid in the success of our court reporting students.
NEW LIBI FACES
“Jhonatan Aybar, joined LIBI in July as a Junior Career Services Advisor. He graduated from East Central University in the Dominican Republic with an Industrial Engineering BA degree, and also from Long Island Business Institute with an AOS in Business Management”. Jhonatan served as a student worker at LIBI in the bookstore and showed tremendous energy and potential. Please join us in welcoming him to the Career Services Office.
LIBI STARS
Congratulations to Kim DelleCamelie for being the summer LIBI Star award winner. Ms. DelleCamelie is the Career Service Coordinator at our Commack campus. She is a pivotal member of our team always helping our students with refining their resumes, Running Job Fairs and workshops, and helping them find jobs. The Staff, Faculty, and Students would like to thank you Kim for all your hard work, and dedication! You are truly a bright star in our solar system. Congratulations were bestowed on Commack employees for continuous service to the college and dedication to the success of the Court Reporting Program: Karen Santucci 10 years service Linda Rizzo 5 years service Joe-Wilson Torres 5 years service
NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF TWO YEAR COLLEGES, INC.
Professional Business College was this year’s host of The Northeastern Association of Two Year Colleges, Inc. ‘s (NATYC) Annual Conference held on April 14 – 15, 2011, at Thames Hotel, which overlooks the beautiful Hudson River. The theme of the conference this year was “Moving Ahead – Two-Year Colleges Lead the Way.” Mr. Leon Lee, president of Professional Business College, welcomed all to the conference and the events were underway. The following two days were extremely informative and sometimes quite entertaining as the guest speakers touched upon Academic Freedom in Student Learning Outcomes Assessment, Student Development Working Together, Preparing Students for the Classroom, Harding Working Campuses, Teaching and Assessment in the Multi-Cultural Class, Disability Services and the First Year Experience. NATYC’s Conference brings educators together where sharing information and learning new ideas becomes invaluable. NATYC is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining this organization, please email me at fmagarelli@libi.edu.
Mystic Aquarium September 10th
I would like for all of you to please inform your students of our upcoming school trip to Mystic Aquarium on Saturday, September 10th. We will be leaving the school at 8:00 a.m. and should return back to Flushing around 9:00 p.m. depending on traffic. The cost of the trip is $60 to $65 a person and includes entrance into the aquarium, a sea lion show, transportation to and from the aquarium, and an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner. Breakfast and lunch are not included, but the bus does stop at some rest areas where food and refreshments can be purchased, if needed. I am still in the process of hosting some fundraisers to lower the cost of the trip and am aiming for it to be $60 a person. As always, there are no children aloud on this trip and it is only for LIBI students. Please encourage your students to attend this trip because I heard fantastic reviews about Mystic Aquarium and I am sure they would enjoy themselves.
You or a friend could win a paid school trip !!! Spend $2 and possibly win $50, $100 or $200
Do you want to test your luck amongst other competitors? How about a chance to win some money? The Multicultural Club is hosting a raffle in order to raise money for LIBI’s school trips. Each raffle ticket is $2.00, but if you spend $5.00, you’ll get one for free!! What are you waiting for? Come to Room 408 and speak to Anna Venturino for more details and to purchase your winning tickets today. Come on August 18th at 12:00 p.m. to the main building student lounge to see if you are the lucky winner!!!
Editors: M. Houston & F. Leone Art Director: Y. 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 2011