An Open Letter to My Students, Advisees, and Friends

by Barbara Rubin

Shakespeare's popular phrase about departure was never more appropriate. He used it romantically in a popularized exchange between Romeo and Juliet. For me, it signifies a turning point, one of those several significant times in the life cycle (what psychologists call critical stages), when I am giving up my role here at Cabrini College to move on to a new developmental period. I can't do that- move on, that iswithout pausing to reflect on all that has happened in the last 19 years.

In the early '80s when most of you were newly born, Dr. Young and I were busy creating CARe. It was an era when having a learning center on a college campus was a novel idea. Colleges and universities were just beginning to acknowledge the fact that students need a place to tum to (beyond instructors) for academic support. Before that time it was "sink or swim" for students who found themselves in over their heads in academic subjects for which they had little preparation. For us it was a bold idea since we had only the two of us to do it. Dr. Young was a full-time English professor in addition to being Director of General Studies, and I was his part-time assistant. However, with each successful advance we were able to convince the campus administrators that CARe's mission was in keeping with that of the College and that the expenses we incurred were cost effective. The students we supported emotionally and academically and became happy campers fulfilling their own college and career goals. For the most part they stayed in college graduation to a life that is upwardly mobile socially and economically, finding themselves facing a future filled with the freedom that comes with intellectual achievement.

Very quickly it became apparent that the two of us could not do it all. We turned to the Commonwealth and the Act 101 program whose goals were much like our own. Having our effective program in place made it relatively easy to convince the State to grant us funding, and soon Janet Shoemaker joined us as tutorial coordinator, training tutors and securing the match between the student in need and the tutor capable of helping. I recall our delight in finding a math specialist who was not only good with numbers but one who had the social skills to communicate with students. She bad counseling skills that set her apart from the stereotype of the math professional who is blind to the emotional and developmental needs of college-age students.

As we grew more sophisticated in diagnosing the needs of students, it became apparent that some of our students bad special requirements. Dr. Young implored the administration to hire a specialist for students with learning disabilities. She came in the form of Stephanie Bell, a quietly militant advocate for the rights of students with special needs. We had found someone whose motivation and training matched our own.

When the Act 101 agency in Harrisburg was granted the permission to support part-time students, we were able to enlist Doris DeFalco. She was hired to coordinate part-time students serving as their counselor and providing the bonding that is sometimes absent for students who spend so little time on campus. As an added bonus she bas become the professional writing tutor with an enormous following of students who are determined to raise the level of their writing skills.

Our ensemble would not be complete without mentioning the very essential Eleanor DiDonato, administrative assistant to Dr. Young, who in truth is the center of the network helping us to interact in support of all of you.

We are indeed an ensemble working in harmony. That is not an exaggeration. It must be some kind of feat to have spent so much time together over so many years working in support of our students' disparate personalities who are able to maintain a harmonic blend that is mutually beneficial.

It could not have happened without the model that Dr. Young provided, one of participatory management with all of the individuals taking responsibility for fulfilling mutually accepted goals. He does not rigidly proscribe the methods to be used by staff members, but allows staff to develop the talents and training that each uniquely brings to the office, giving full reign to the development of whatever each does best. He is appreciated for his compassion, his instant empathy and his humor. His staff appreciates the fact that he is "flexible, fair and generous." He is "the Pied Piper who stirs up energy, laughter and a large following." For me be bas been mentor, confidante and friend.

It could not have happened without College administrators who supported our endeavors and who truly wanted to put students' needs foremost on our agenda, allowing us the opportunity to attempt what was new and bold even if we were not immediately successful.

Of course, I have saved the best for last. Foremost among all the things that I value in the time I have spent at Cabrini are the students. You have arrived hopeful, eager to succeed, willing to grow and a little tentative (much the

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way I feel about my new adventure). Sometimes you have been first in your family to attend college and have the anxieties that come with all that is unknown. At other times you have been confidant, boisterous and· full of humor. You have shared with me your joys and your sorrows, the good times and the bad. You have been willing to become engaged in the process of becoming individuals capable of establishing goals, planning a course, assessing your options and following through until the objective is attained or you have new goals. Above all you have been adaptive, learning how to make the changes necessary for your success. I have loved watching you pick yourselves up by the bootstraps. Participating in your growth bas been for me the best part of being here. Now I am looking forward to the next adventure. Where will it be? A trip the Khmer Kingdoms? The Amazon and Machu Pichu? Tennis on Long Beach Island? Parenting workshops for young mothers? Courses at the University of Pennsylvania? All of the above, I hope. I am planning on making this next stage every bit as enthralling and growth producing as the one I spent with all of you. Please stop in to say goodbye. I want very much to enjoy a hug much like the ones I have given you in the past. I'll miss you all. "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

Barbara Rubin is retiring after 19 years of service at Cabrini College. She is in the Rooymans Center on TuesdaysThursdays from 9:00-3:00.

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