MAGAZINE
SPRING 2005
RAMAPO Ramapo Chorale:
A “SING”ular Sensation Page 5
Profile on Scholarship Recipients Page 19
Learning Beyond the Classroom Page 6
Vanessa Faxas
DID YOU KNOW? The Bradley Center is one of the newest facilities at Ramapo College. The state-of-the-art facility houses a 18,000 square foot main arena, auxiliary gym, fitness center, rock climbing wall, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and student lounges. Students and faculty enjoy using all that the Bradley Center has to offer.
What do you know about the Bradley Center? 1. How many students, faculty, and staff used the Bradley Center athletic spaces in the first semester? A. 12,524
4. What team won its first ever New Jersey Athletic Conference championship in the history of Ramapo College? A. Men’s Basketball ‘04 - ‘05
B. 5,600 C. 9,700 2. What was the most popular activity in the Bradley Center in the first semester? A. Spinning C. Kickboxing 3. How many participants tried the Edelman Climbing Wall between September 13 and December 7, 2004?
A. 786
B. Women’s Softball ‘04
B. 3,198
C. Men’s soccer ‘03
C. 2,145
Heather Camb, a freshman on the softball team, does
B. Yoga
5. How many people watched the NCAA Conference tournament in men’s basketball at the Bradley Center in March, 2005?
her whole workout at the Sharp Fitness Center. “I love using the elliptical trainer!”
A. 1,200 B. 984 C. 2,512
Brian Halsey, a senior, likes using the weights. “I think it’s a great place to work out and see your friends.”
ANSWERS: 1. A
2. A, Behind spinning, kickboxing placed a close second.
3. C
4. A
5. B
RAMAPO MAGAZINE SPRING 2005 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3 COLLEGE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS William Sanborn Pfeiffer, Ph.D. Interim President Pamela M. Bischoff, Ed.D. Vice President for Student Affairs Victoria H. Bruni, Esq. Vice President for Administration and Finance Cathleen Davey Vice President for Institutional Advancement Martha Ecker, Ph.D. Acting Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
C O V E R
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S T O R Y
BOARD CHAIRS Gail Brady Board of Trustees Bernard Milano Board of Governors Lisa A. Ryan Alumni Association Francis J. Rodriguez Friends of Ramapo
RAMAPO MAGAZINE STAFF Cathleen Davey Editor-in-Chief Bonnie D. Franklin Executive Editor Christine Baker Managing Editor Rosa Diaz-Mulryan Editor Cynthia Burns News Editor Janet Dengel Alumni Editor Kathleen Austin Foundation Editor Rachel McCann Sports Editor Sara Levenstein Intern Design: Byne Graphics/bynegraphics.com Cover: Portrait by Gene Gouss Landscape photo: Joe Salmon Information contained in this magazine can be made available upon request in alternate media. Requests should be directed to: 201.684.7611. Alumni contact and change of address: Janet Dengel at 201.684.7179 or jdengel@ramapo.edu Student Affairs contact: Pam Bischoff at 201.684.7457 or pbischof@ramapo.edu Ramapo Magazine is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications.
505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680 Visit our Web site at www.ramapo.edu
LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Programs that focus on enriching out-of-the-classroom experiences.
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COLLEGE NEWS
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FACULTY NEWS
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FACULTY PROFILE: Barbara Gordon and The Ramapo Chorale
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PROFILE:
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CLASS NOTES
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COURTS AND FIELDS
Scholarship Recipients
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FOUNDATION GRANTS
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SPOTLIGHT: RAMAPO NEWS
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FOUNDATION NEWS
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DATEBOOK
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ALUMNI LEADERSHIP
TSUNAMI RELIEF In response to the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Southeast Asia, service groups at Ramapo College have come together to help. Ramapo Community Volunteers (RCV) was formed to bring various community members together to become better acquainted and to serve the common good through performing service projects. The student-managed Community Service Center (CSC) promotes, facilitates, and organizes community service by members of the Ramapo community, especially students within clubs and organizations. Together, these groups launched a campaign to raise $4,000 for Oxfam International. This is the amount needed to provide a water tank sufficient to meet the needs of 750 people.
COLLEGE NEWS
Timothy W. Schroeder, interim principal, Nathan Hale School in Northvale
NEW BOARD MEMBERS The College recently announced the appointment of four new members to the Board of Trustees. The new members are Sharon K. McGahee, a senior attorney with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Adam J. Sabath, deputy director, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Timothy W. Schroeder, interim principal, Nathan Hale School in Northvale; and Esther Suarez, counsel for Bergen County.
Adam J. Sabath, deputy director, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Sharon K. McGahee, senior attorney with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mercer also has served as acting vice president for external affairs at Western Ontario and acting director of development. A former visiting research scholar at the University of Michigan, he has been a faculty member at the University of Calgary, the University of Detroit, and the University of Windsor. Dr. Mercer received a Law Faculty Teacher of the Year Award at the University of Western Ontario and a Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of University Business Officers.
He is the editor of Products Liability in Canada (Oceana, 1988); and co-author of An Introduction to Business Associations in Canada (Carswell, 1984). In addition, he has authored numerous articles, book chapters, and reviews. His recent publications have focused on the legal profession and legal ethics.
DR. PETER PHILIP MERCER TO BECOME RAMAPO’S PRESIDENT Following an extensive search by a 20-member search committee, Dr. Peter Philip Mercer was chosen by the Ramapo College Board of Trustees to become the College’s fourth president, effective July 1, 2005. Dr. Mercer has served as both dean of the law school and vice president for administration and general counsel at the University of Western Ontario.
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Dr. Mercer earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, an L.L.M. at the University of Cambridge, and an L.L.B. at the University of Western Ontario, where he was awarded honors in English and philosophy. He is currently on a partial study leave serving as principal consultant to the Ontario Ministry of Finance on integrated supply chain management in the Ontario public sector. Ramapo’s new president was chosen from among more than ninety candidates for the position.
Ester Suarez, counsel for Bergen County
STUDENT AWARDED FIRST PRIZE FOR RESEARCH Ramapo College student Rumen Kostadinov won first prize for his research project in bioinformatics at the Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This research was performed under the supervision of Professors Paramjeet Bagga and Lawrence D’Antonio. Kostadinov received second prize last year at the same conference.
CASE AWARDS The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has notified the College of the following awards in District II: Gold Award, Logos: Roadrunner athletics logo Silver Award, Web site: News and Media pages Silver Award, Broadcast Advertising: Benjamin Franklin radio spot Silver Award, Print Advertising: Benjamin Franklin image ad
Dr. Peter Phillip Mercer and his fiancée, Jackie Ehlert, enjoying their turn on the dance floor at the 23rd Distinguished Citizens Dinner.
Silver Award, Fund-raising Publications: Bradley Center seat donation brochure
COLLEGE NEWS
Organizations) from the New
JUDGE ANDREW P. NAPOLITANO Former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Andrew P. Napolitano was the featured speaker in the third of several Author Series talks presented by the Center for Business and Public Policy and the Ramapo College Business Network. He discussed his new book, Constitutional Chaos: What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws, and his experiences on the bench. Dr. Murray Sabrin, executive director of the Center for Business and Public Policy, moderated the event.
Jersey Psychological Association. RCNJ is one of only two higher education institutions in the state to receive this award. Award criteria include: employee growth and development, employee involvement opportunities, support services, and attention to health and safety.
AWARD Ramapo College is the recipient of the New Jersey Healthy Workplace Award (for Midsize Not-for-Profit
MALS 10th ANNIVERSARY The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program, the first of Ramapo’s four graduate programs, is now in its tenth year. On hand for the March 10th dinner celebration, were Professor Emeritus Sydney Weinberg, the program’s founding director, and Dr. Anthony Padovano, its current director.
PHOTO CREDITS Inside Front Cover: Students: Sara Levenstein All others: Len Rubenstein Photography Masthead: Feature photo: John Yao Tsunami Relief: Joe Salmon Pages 2,4,5,6 Joe Salmon Page 3 Top left: Len Rubenstein Photography Page 7: Top: Len Rubenstein Photography Student: Joe Salmon Page 8: Vanessa Faxas: Gouss Photography Images 1,2,3,4 Debbie Spina
PATENTS AWARDED Ramapo graduates Craig Maloney and Dragoslav Grbovic have been awarded a patent entitled “Vehicle Location Device” by the United States Patent and
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HEALTHY WORKPLACE
The 10th Anniversary of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program (MALS) at Ramapo College of New Jersey was celebrated at a dinner held at the Trustees Pavilion on campus. In attendance (L to R): Dr. Sydney Weinberg (seated), founding director and her husband Jerry; Theresa Padovano; Dr. Robert Christopher, professor of literature; Dr. Anthony Padovano, MALS director; Dr. Martha Ecker, acting provost; Gail Brady, chairperson of the College’s Board of Trustees; and Ester Suarez, College trustee.
Dr. Murray Sabrin raises an issue at the Social Security Symposium while Bernard Milano and Paul Miller wait for an opportunity for rebuttal. A wide range of opinions and strategies were offered by the panel, sponsored by the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce. The event, which was attended by over 100 members of the Chamber and guests, was moderated by Tom Dunn, former member of the Board of Trustees.
Trademark Office. Drago and Craig developed their invention as a student project with a grant from the Ramapo College Foundation. Drago, a physics major, and Craig, a business major, were students in the “Invention: Creative, Social, and Legal Perspectives” course taught by Phil Anderson, professor of physics and Cherie Ann Sherman, professor of information systems.
Page 9 Top: Tom Pich Photography Bottom: Office of Specialized Services Page 10 Left: Cooperative Education Office Right: Christine Coisine Page 11 Joe Salmon Page 12 Ellen Kaiden Page 13 John Yao Pages 14,15,16 Joe Salmon Page 17 Provided by individuals Page 18, 19 Joe Salmon Page 21: Provided by Alumni Pages 22, 23: Carlisle Stockton Page 24: Top: Stock photography Students: Provided by Ramapo News Page 25 Toni Morrison - stock Fireworks - Joe Salmon Donna McKechnie - provided by artist Back cover: Overlook: Len Rubenstein Photography Atrium: Joe Salmon
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FACULTY N E W S The quality of Ramapo College’s faculty is enhanced by the extracurricular and research interests they pursue. Their activities enrich their professional knowledge and afford an opportunity to explore personal interests. Their work benefits students, exposing them to a world beyond the classroom, as well as the larger community.
Marta Bautis, associate professor of news/documentary production, premiered Global Tango at the Clearview Theaters in Manhattan. The documentary is about the displacement of Argentineans caused by the country’s latest economic crisis. She directed Nicaragua: The Children Are Waiting, comparing the youth of today to those from twenty years ago, screened at the Latin American Cinema Festival of New York. Another documentary, Historias de Acahualinca, received a Mesquite Award at the San Antonio CineFestival.
Generation Y students, many of whom are college age, have their instructors asking, “Why?” Why do they seem restless and unin-
Dr. James Morley, associate professor of clinical psychology, co-edited a collection of essays published by MIT press, Imagina-
Dr. Jillian Todd Weiss, assistant professor of law and society, completed her doctoral dissertation, “The Cutting Edge of Em-
volved in their learning? Susan Eisner, M.P.A., an associate professor of management, has written and presented several academic papers exploring this phenomenon. Subsequent to her post9/11/01 research into “teaching in times of turmoil,” her research into Generation Y led her to develop learning tools and techniques to engage students: The Performance Contract, The Investigative Report, The Class Game Show, and The Class Talk Show. She has also incorporated the popular television series, “The Apprentice,” into the curriculum and used it as the focal point for a media literacy event, “Apprentice Watch at Ramapo College.”
tion and Its Pathologies with James Phillips of Yale University. The essays discuss the relation between imagination and mental illness. Morley contributed a chapter, “The Imaginary Texture of the Real: Merleau-Ponty on Imagination and Psychopathology.” He also edited and composed the introduction to the spring 2005 edition of the international journal Phenomenology and Cognitive Science on the topic of imagination. He has taught psychology in Connecticut, England, Wales, and India.
ployment Diversity: Adoption of Transgender Human Resources Policies in U.S. Employers.” Her research found that these policies, although serving 0.01 percent of the population, are rapidly proliferating to attract minority talent in the face of sweeping demographic changes. Weiss, an expert on the topic, has written for professional journals, has been quoted in consumer and professional publications, has given numerous conference presentations, and has provided consulting services to Fortune 500 companies.
Dr. Jillian Todd Weiss, assistant professor of law and society
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Susan Eisner, M.P.A., associate professor of management
Dr. James Morley, associate professor of clinical psychology
FACULTY
FACULTY PROFILE:Barbara Gordon Ramapo Chorale: A “SING”ULAR SENSATION
Musical director Barbara Gordon, front left, next to Judy Collins and Russell Walden, at the December 19 Special Holiday Concert.
“Performing with Judy Collins was thrilling,” says Gordon. The Ramapo College Chorale, conducted by Barbara Gordon, offers students an opportunity to perform challenging works from the choral repertoire and to provide music at College events. The Chorale studies works from different cultures, eras, and in different languages, and selections whose musical syntax is atypical. “The student’s experience is both artistic and educational,” says Gordon. The Chorale performed at Commencement last May, sang at Convocation this past fall, and presented their winter concert in mid-December. A highlight was performing two concerts with folk legend Judy Collins. “Performing with Judy Collins was thrilling,” says Gordon. “She was extremely
gracious. The students recognized the performances provided a unique and exciting opportunity.” “It’s an interesting mix,” says Gordon of the forty to fifty members, depending on enrollment. “There are those who read music and have choral experience, some who are voice majors at the College, and others who do not read music and have little ensemble experience.” Generally, Gordon chooses the music to be performed, but she encourages students to bring in selections they have studied and enjoyed performing. Gordon was an adjunct professor at Ramapo College for four years prior to her current position as assistant professor of vocal per-
formance. “I was surprised there were no ensembles other than the Gospel Choir,” she recalls. Her first priority was to strengthen the Chorale. She created Voices, an a cappella madrigal and jazz group for students who wanted to perform more challenging music, and StreetSingers, a musical theater troupe. “I asked students what they would like to see happen in the performance programs,” says the director. “Their honest assessment led not only to the performance groups, but courses.” The revamping of Musical Theater Workshop and the development of Performance Practice in Chamber Music resulted from Gordon’s discussions with students.
Gordon was classically trained at the University of Connecticut and was active in the musical theater program there. She’s presented chamber and solo recitals in the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center and the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as well as in libraries and museums. She received a B.F.A. from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. and Ph.D., both in music, from New York University where she was on the voice faculty for ten years. “Ramapo College is a stronger institution because of the performance opportunities and academic programs offered in the School of Contemporary Arts,” she says.
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FEATURE L E A R N I N G
B E Y O N D C L A S S R O O M
T H E
By Dina Ingber Stein
“How could an actual person fit into the covers of a book? The book is not a continent...it cannot contain so huge a thing as an actual full-size person.” --Pearl S. Buck, novelist
Well-rounded individuals require learning opportunities that go beyond books and reach outside the confines of the classroom. That philosophy is the cornerstone of a Ramapo College education.
As Interim President William Sanborn Pfeiffer noted at his recent State of the College Address, “Ramapo College students will be engaged in a culturally rich learning environment that provides for their intellectual, social, physical, and ethical
community through academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programming.”
perspectives in and out of the classroom. Students will encounter the ‘world’ and begin their journeys as citizens of a global
program that incorporates the College’s long-standing four pillars of learning: interdisciplinary, international, intercultural, and experiential.
The following programs illustrate some of these enriching out-of-the-classroom experiences, beginning with a brand new
B u i l d i n g f o r To m o r r o w : The Leadership Certificate What does it take to be a leader in today’s increasingly complex and challenging world? What is leadership and how can it be nurtured? These are some questions that students in the new leadership certificate program will grapple with, both academically and experientially, within the context of a liberal arts education. As a voluntary extracurricular program with an academic component, students meet individually with their professors to find ways of focusing their scholarship on aspects of leadership relevant to their coursework. Students simultaneously undertake experiential components, including community service, an international or intercultural experience,
leadership retreats or conferences, leadership skills workshops, and leadership roles on campus or in their community. Candidates also create their own personal portfolios illustrating their achievements and write reflective essays demonstrating their growth. One candidate, for example, is interested in understanding how the United Nations can better promote world peace and stability. Currently a member of the Model United Nations (U.N.) Club, he will participate in the Model U.N. in New York over spring break. He also is enrolled in a political science course entitled United Nations in World Politics and will collaborate with his professor in tailoring a related research project.
“It’s a very innovative program, and it’s a pleasure to be in the first group of students getting the certificate. The program is wellrounded, requiring communication skills and community service. Because I plan to enter the business field, I want to gain leadership skills and experience.“ -- Snow Xia, first year student, International Business and Biology
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FEATURE
Leveling the Playing Field: The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)
For Marquita Whitehead, a freshman sociology major, EOF was a dream come true: the chance to get a college education and make friendships that will last a lifetime.
For Marquita Whitehead, a freshman sociology major, EOF was a dream come true: the chance to get a college education and make friendships that will last a lifetime. For Gil Almonte, a senior business management major, EOF has provided a “support system that only a family can give.” For Loella Ross, a senior communications arts major, it has “not only allowed me the unique opportunity to attend college, but has also enabled me to inspire others to do the same.” The EOF Program offers New Jersey’s low-income residents an opportunity for education by providing grants and scholarships, career-planning courses, tutoring, and an array of community service and out-of-classroom experiences. To help participants adapt to the demands of college life, they attend a pre-freshman Summer Studies Academy, living on campus for six weeks and earning up to eleven credits toward their undergraduate degrees. EOF participants also have personal counselors who guide them towards their life goals.
Along with academic skills, EOF promotes leadership skills. Students experience leadership as residence life assistants, class council members, participants in Student Government Association, and in athletic endeavors. Several have been honored with inclusion in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. EOF students also participate in service projects that address environmental problems, world hunger, public safety, human rights, and other problems affecting the community and the world. “College is more than just a classroom and books,” says Carolyn Ochoa, a sophomore biology major. “It is a part of my journey that will test my strength and dedication. EOF has prepared me for these trials and to ultimately reach my goals.”
For Gil Almonte, a senior business management major, EOF has provided a “support system that only a family can give.”
“The EOF program has given me a sense of unity with other students who value and fight for their education. It has given me a boost of confidence in order to pursue and continue my studies.” -- Madelin Taveras, freshman, psychology major
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FEATURE
Getting Involved: Student Development and Student Activities Fraternity and sorority life, participation in a campus club, and performing in a school play are important educational experiences that enhance the spirit in the classroom. Extra-curricular activities offer a vast array of opportunities for the student seeking to foster social relationships, develop critical life skills, and feel like an integral member of the campus community.
Vanessa Faxas
There are over seventy-five clubs and organizations at the College, including those that are academic/career-oriented, cultural, religious, political/advocacy, social, special interest, media, and Greek-letter.
Student Development, which encompasses Student Activities, Greek Affairs, the
What have students learned from involvement in these activities? “I learned the logistics of networking, the value of never burning bridges, and to take every bit of information I learned along the way to enhance myself,” said senior Jodi Stolow. Senior Chrissy
Women’s Center, and the Robert A. Scott Student Center, helps to provide these options and ensures that they complement the Ramapo College mission.
Kerwin adds, “I learned about myself; I am strong, can do things for myself, and have become more confident in interactions and in asserting myself.” 2
1
Is Doing it All Vanessa Faxas, a social work major, doesn’t believe in idle time. Though only a sophomore, she has already
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secured positions as secretary of the Organization for Latino Unity, and as a member of the Student Government Association and the Social Work Club while maintaining a 3.4 GPA. Vanessa is also an alternate student trustee, a
“I learned the logistics of
“I learned about myself; I am
see just how the College functions.
networking, the value of never
strong, can do things for myself,
“Being involved in the presidential
burning bridges, and to take every
and have become more confident in
search has shown me how dedicated
bit of information I learned along
interactions and in asserting myself.”
the faculty and staff are to making sure
the way to enhance myself.”
position that, she says, enables her to
we pick the right leader for Ramapo
— Senior Jodi Stolow
— Senior Chrissy Kerwin
College,” says this resident of North Brunswick. “It’s been interesting, and a great learning experience.”
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Upon completing her studies, Vanessa plans to become “an advocate for diversity and work with the Hispanic community.”
Chinese calligrapher creates scrolls during the campus Chinese New Year celebration.
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Reel Big Fish rocks Ramapo at a student-run spring concert.
FEATURE
Equal Access: Office of Specialized Services (OSS) The best educational programming in the world is of little use to a student who cannot access it, who cannot manage to reach the classroom or hear the professor’s voice, see the blackboard, or absorb material presented. Even before it was legally mandated, Ramapo College demonstrated a strong commitment to providing equal access to students with disabilities by removing both physical and attitudinal barriers. The Office of Specialized Services facilitates equal access to all Ramapo College programs and activities for students with documented physical, sensory, learning, or psychological disabilities. Newly enrolled students with disabilities may choose to register with OSS. Each student is assigned a primary counselor who assesses the student’s needs on an individualized basis and helps to arrange for needed
accommodations. This can range from note-taking and reader services, accessing large print, recorded and Braille materials, adaptive computers, and alternative testing procedures. Matriculated students with disabilities are also eligible to participate in a U.S. Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services Grant administered by OSS. The Grant provides academic advisement, tutoring, computer instruction, independent living, and career counseling. Whether living on-campus or commuting, students with disabilities can expect full involvement in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Student government, the campus radio station and newspaper, community service, internships, clubs and organizations, employment, athletic activities, and cultural events are available to all students.
To Ramapo College: “I wanted to tell you what a help the people of Specialized Services were to my college career. Having become blind later in life, this was my first experience as a blind student. Even before school began, my counselor helped me to relax and to feel that I could call on her for things that might never be a problem for students without disabilities. In class, members of the Office of Specialized Services did a wonderful job making things that are normally visually understood, understandable to my blind eyes. They took the time to hunt down specialized equipment, and instructed me in its use. You cannot imagine how many simple tasks can become a major ordeal for the blind.
The Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (E.P.V.A.) Nets take on Ramapo students, faculty, and staff in an annual event sponsored by the Office of Specialized Services. This event is held every October, in recognition of Disability Awareness Month.
I am about to begin a job as a professional in a social service agency. I could not have gotten to the place where I am without the help of the faithful team of staff members in Specialized Services.” Marlene Thomas, ‘04
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FEATURE
Experiential Learning Ramapo College’s Governor William T. Cahill Center for Cooperative Education and Career Services offers programs to help students understand the value of their education in relation to work. At the heart of the Center is experiential learning, which includes the Cooperative Education and
Service-Learning programs, and the American Democracy Project (described below). Richard Turchick is an alumnus of several of these programs. He now works as project manager at the Merrill Corporation, where he completes the learning circle by employing Ramapo students.
“I am a believer in learning by doing, and encourage all students to take advantage of the amazing opportunities Ramapo provides, ” he says. “I have seen the transformation that occurs when students are placed outside of their comfort zone and are given the room to grow and stretch because of all that Ramapo’s programs afford.” - Richard Turchick ‘02
Learning By Doing:
Cooperative Education
On-the-job training. That is what Ramapo’s Cooperative Education Program is all about. Cooperative Education students are given the opportunity to combine classroom theory with actual on-the-job experiences, working with professionals in their particular field of study. Today, more than 62,000 corporations worldwide employ Cooperative Education students, in positions such as community resource counselor, junior accountant, legal assistant, historical researcher, and Web applications programmer. In addition to acquiring marketable knowledge, students receive competitive wages, develop maturity, and earn academic credit. “The Cooperative Education Program allowed me to gain real-world experience while I was an undergraduate,” says alumnus Richard Turchick. “It also gives companies the opportunity to be co-educators with the College, so it’s basically a win-win situation.”
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Bryan Challener ‘03 worked at BUNAC UK.
For students who want to experience another culture outside the College “Petrie dish,” the International Cooperative Education program exposes them to global experiential learning experiences, through worldwide placements. Program alumna Aracely Santos, who is now a Mercedes-Benz employee and co-op employer, worked in France and spent time at the European Commission in Brussels during
Aracely Santos ‘02 worked outside of Paris at Catholic University in Lille in the international student office.
her placement at the Catholic University in Lille. “The program allowed me to work and live in places I always dreamed about, and I learned that international experience is critical for youth in a post 9/11 world,” she said. “The program gives students the heightened awareness and cultural sensitivity that only an experience living and working with foreign nationals can provide.”
FEATURE
With Liber ty and Justice for All: The American Democracy Project Ramapo College is dedicated to making its students into better citizens of the country and the world. In pursuit of this objective, the College has been inspired by the American Democracy Project. As reported by The New York Times, the Project, a national initiative on the part of The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), seeks to increase undergraduate understanding and commitment to civic involvement, and to focus attention on the civic value of the college experience. The College is proceeding from a distinctly Ramapo perspective, via a variety of curricular and extra-curricular efforts. For example: • Members of a social work class at Ramapo are researching legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage and working with statewide advocacy groups. They plan to bring their findings to a campus forum to debate this topic. • A celebration of music and democracy is in the works, centered on the work of legendary singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie. • Ramapo students are organizing to form the College’s first-ever debate club.
Giving Back: The ServiceLearning Program The Service-Learning Program combines academic work with civic engagement and community involvement. Approximately fifty courses per academic year offer Service-Learning as either an option or a requirement. The Program maintains on-going relationships with about eighty community organizations in the New York/New Jersey area. The Service-Learning Program reflects Ramapo’s commitment to educate students not only for rewarding and exciting careers, but for lives of meaningful engagement and service to their communities, the nation, and the world.
Ognyana Toneva, a first-year student from Bulgaria, is one of the moving forces behind this last effort. “I was a debater in high school, but at Ramapo I didn’t think very much about debating until the American Democracy Project began sponsoring discussions following the presidential debates,” she explained. “When the Project sponsored a faculty debate, I thought, maybe it’s time for a debate club at Ramapo. So I gathered some friends and, with the help of Professor James Morley, we did some outreach to other students. We have already scheduled our first debate.”
Ognyana Toneva’s efforts indicate Toneva’s efforts indicate how the presence of The American Democracy Project serves to extend and deepen the College’s longstanding commitment to help students become more well-rounded, educated, and engaged citizens.
how the presence of the American Democracy Project serves to extend and deepen the College’s longstanding commitment to help students become more well-rounded, educated and engaged citizens.
To meet the Service-Learning requirements of his social issues class, freshman Gregory Elfers sought a project related to the class’s central topic–issues of race, gender, and class. While some students opted to work in a daycare center or help children with disabilities, Gregory chose to work in the office of Congressman Scott Garrett, compiling demographic information about the district’s race, gender, and income breakdowns. “The work really gave me a much clearer understanding of social issues and trends,” said Elfers. The experience is certain to help him in his future career. He plans to become a history teacher.
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FEATURE
S h a r i n g t h e We a l t h : S t u d e n t L i t e r a c y C o r p s “What shocked me most when I volunteered at the high school was the fact that some students could barely read or write. I knew I would be dealing with kids who had trouble reading, but I didn’t expect them to be so far behind.” As a Ramapo College student several years ago, Shari Valenz participated in the Student Literacy Corps, a project that addresses illiteracy among children and adults. The program trains Ramapo College students in the methods and techniques for teaching reading to non-readers, and then places them at several sites, including the Ramapo Ridge Middle School in Mahwah and Paterson’s Eastside High School. The tutors help youngsters acquire the skills that can transform their lives. But in many cases, the lives of the tutors are transformed as well. Shari is a case in point. Today, she is a teacher at Eastside High, the very school where she once tutored, and serves as a liaison for a new crop of Student Literacy volunteers. “The tutors come once a week and stay for several periods. They have the same youngsters in each period, week after week, and those kids really look forward to the sessions,” she explained.
“Many of these kids don’t get a lot of attention at home. To have someone spend time with them oneon-one every week is very important to them.” –Shari Valenze ‘93 L to R: Professors Fran Shapiro-Skrobe and Ellen Kaden.
Ramapo students effect social change one life at a time.
“When a Ramapo student doesn’t show up, the kids get really upset,” said Shari. “Many of these kids don’t get a lot of attention at home. To have someone spend time with them one-on-one every week is very important to them. Often, there is a strong bond that develops between tutor and student that doesn’t end when the semester is over.” Each spring, the program arranges a field trip for the high school students to visit Ramapo. “They have lunch with their tutors and tour the campus,” Shari said. “Many of these kids are seeing woods and hills for the first time. It’s an amazing learning experience for everyone. The tutors learn about the innercity environment, and the kids get to see the tutors on their home ground. It changes everyone’s perspective.” Ramapo students tour the campus with the students they tutor from Eastside High School.
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE
FEATURE
A Break from the Clichés: Alternative Spring Break
On a misty Philadelphia morning
Five hundred miles away in Asheville,
While Janell is assembling the ramp,
in March, Eve Block ‘02 paints a
NC, Janell Bevan ‘04 is pounding
Kim Rude ‘02 is fifteen hundred miles
mural on the wall of an abandoned
nails into the floorboards of a
away in a local village in Oaxaca,
building for a local arts organization
wheelchair ramp that she is helping
Mexico, working with impoverished
situated in the heart of the inner city.
to build for a local senior citizen.
children with developmental
She helped local children to design
Janell takes great pride in her work,
disabilities. She sits in the hot
the mural, which she believes “will
making sure that all of her nails are
Oaxacan sun using textured blocks
help the residents of this community
hammered in straight because she
to teach the alphabet. Kim believes
reclaim their neighborhood.”
sees it as “an opportunity to give a
that her work here has “planted a
gift of mobility.”
seed that is the key to life.”
As students of Ramapo College, Eve, Janell, and Kim took advantage of the opportunity to express their passion to serve through the College’s Alternative Break program, which places teams of Ramapo students in local and international communities to engage in positive social action and education. While some students choose to spend their spring break relaxing on the beach, Eve,
Janell, and Kim are clear examples of other students breaking from such clichés. While performing community service, these students expand their cultural awareness, bring academic learning to life, and create a lifelong service ethic. By grappling with issues as varied as chronic poverty, natural disasters, oppression,
inadequate housing, hunger, and environmental damage, students are able to contribute to the community through hard work and increased understanding. The communities in which students are placed benefit from the tangible work completed, and from the realization that someone noticed their need and cared enough to do something about it.
Lifelong Learning Ramapo College provides students with a greater opportunity for self-knowledge, lifelong learning, and achieving a balance between one’s professional and personal growth. As students graduate, they
will make a seamless transition to life beyond the College, comfortable in their new roles as citizens of the world, because that world has always been an integral part of their Ramapo College experience.
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 13
FOUNDATION G R A N T S RAMAPO COLLEGE FOUNDATION AWARDS AND GRANTS The Ramapo College Foundation is pleased to congratulate the following members of the Ramapo College community who were awarded grants through the allocations process in the 20042005 academic year. Dr. Mary Goldschmidt, director of the First Year Experience
FALL CYCLE Lisa Cassidy, Radical Philosophy Association Conference Lawrence D’Antonio, The History of Elliptic Functions Dorothy Gillman, National Association of Veterans Program Administrators Fall Conference and Veterans Recognition (Unit Grant) Shalom Gorewitz, Kelly Dolak, Imaging the Meadowlands Mary Goldschmidt, Franklin Covey Certification Roger N. Johnson, XVI World Meeting of the International Society for Research on Aggression Donna Kauder, International Cooperative Education Rich Langheim, Presentations at the 2004 System Dynamics Society Conference Edna Negron, Student Attendance at UNITY “A Journalism Experience” Judith Peck, After-School Arts Program for Under-Privileged Youth in Paterson (Unit Grant) Kathleen Mainardi, Parents Council Brochure Melissa Pikulin (student), The Apprentice Events Murray Sabrin, Book Author Series and Post-Election Panel Ruma Sen, Bonnie Blake, Renata Gangemi, Digital Futures/Personal Journeys: Communication Arts in the 21st Century
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Jacquelyn Skrzynski, 2004 Faculty Exhibition Jane Stein, Tango Performance and Workshops Alexander Vengerov, Videoconferencing Into WebCT Based E-Learning Processes Eric Wiener, Meadowlands Research John Yao, 2005 Alternative Break Programs
SPRING CYCLE Daniela Buna, Undergraduate Research in Medical Imaging Charles Carreras, New Alternative Break Program in Juarez, Mexico Lawrence D’Antonio, To present at the Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Mathematics Annual Meeting Susan Hangen, Lisa Cassidy, AIS Colloquium Series featuring James McBride (Unit Grant) Tom Heed, Student Conference at Volgograd State Pedagogical University in Russia (Unit Grant) Megan Kaminskyj, Pre-Med Club President, American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference Henri Lustiger-Thaler, Values and Social Imaginary Project Conferences
RAMAPO MAGAZINE
Dr. Amruth Kumar, professor of computer science
Mandolin Restivo, Men’s Outreach Program Murray Sabrin, Symposium on Campaign Financing and Public Policy Eric Schoenberg, Marketing Club Secretary, AMA International Collegiate Conference Helene Beba Shamash, Old Stone House Costumes Catalogue Ronald Stanley, BRIDGES Program in the Dominican Republic Anita Stellenwerf, SAB 25th Anniversary Alexander Urbiel, To present at Childhoods 2005 International Conference Alexander Urbiel, School District Partnership Lisa Williams, American Culture/Popular Culture Association Conference
Dr. Mary Goldschmidt, director of the First Year Experience, received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to participate in the Seton Hall University Violence Prevention Project. The project’s focus is violence prevention, intervention and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking that women students have at times experienced at New Jersey’s colleges and universities. The three-year $30,000 project
Dr. Michael Edelstein, professor of environmental psychology
provides expert training for campus security personnel, local police, judicial boards, student life staff, student leaders, and all first year students.
A subcontract was awarded by the Department of Information Sciences of the University of Pittsburgh to Dr. Amruth Kumar, a member of Ramapo College’s computer science faculty. The new award, Adaptive Explanatory Visualization for Learning Programming Concepts, is funded by the National Science Foundation through the University of Pittsburgh. Like most of Dr. Kumar’s other funded programs, this one includes research performed by undergraduate students. The total funding for the two-year project is $61,780.
The Ramapo College Foundation was awarded a $15,000 grant by the Charles Edison Foundation to develop model sustainability programs for students in grades K-8. Dr. Michael Edelstein, professor of environmental psychology, will guide the curriculum development project.
FOUNDATION NEWS
The Excitement is Building... Donate an Arena Seat APRIL 2003
WE’RE NEARING THE FINISH LINE! For more than two years an amazing transformation has been underway. And recently, a state-of-the-art recreation facility opened its doors at Ramapo College. The excitement of seeing the magnificently designed Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation
Center in its various stages of construction is matched only by the excitement of knowing that this project is almost complete - it’s already being used and enjoyed by the Ramapo College community for a wide variety of sports and recreational activities.
HELP US REACH OUR COMPLETION GOAL. MAKE YOUR SEAT DONATION TODAY.
AUGUST 2003
Your donation of a seat in this 2,200-seat arena will be a most important one, fittingly acknowledged with a permanent nameplate
affixed to the armrest. You can put the seat in your name, or use it to honor a special individual or occasion in your life.
LEAVE A LEGACY. We’ve worked hard to provide this center for our students. Leave a legacy in your name, or a loved one’s, with the gift of an arena seat which supports construction costs of this $26 million facility. You can
send your donation all at once, or in convenient installments. Just complete and mail the attached form with your seat donation, or go online to: www.ramapo.edu/seatdonation.
NOVEMBER 2003
JUNE 2004
YOU CAN EVEN CHOOSE WHERE YOU WANT YOUR DONATED SEAT TO BE.
Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center features:
As a courtesy to our valued donors, we invite you to choose your donated seat’s location on a first-come, first-served basis. To find out what locations are available, and make your choice, simply visit the Office of Institutional Advancement located in the Birch Mansion on the college campus.
• Adele and Reuben Thomas Swimming Pool • Edelman Climbing Wall • Konica Minolta Spectator Lobby • Kraus Welcome Center • Sharp Fitness Center • SONY Electronics Skybox • Inserra Student Lounge Plus...
ENJOY A FREE THREE-YEAR RECREATION CENTER MEMBERSHIP AT OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.
APRIL 2005
To thank you for your generosity, every seat donor also will receive a free three-year membership to this incredible new center. Your membership—up to a $1,050 value— includes use of the fitness center, indoor pool, rock-climbing wall, indoor jogging track, and brand new locker rooms.
• 1,500 seat-back chair arena with the Prestige Scoreboard • Indoor jogging track • Dance and aerobic studios • Concession Each visitor who uses your seat will immediately know of your generosity, and be reminded that it took the efforts of many to bring this incredible project to fruition.
JUST TEAR OFF THE ATTACHED AND REPLY TO BE A PART OF THE EXCITEMENT!
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 15
FOUNDATION NEWS CREATE YOUR OWN LEGACY A wise man once said, “It is better to give than to receive.” Receiving a gift brings excitement and pleasure. Giving a gift gives even greater joy - knowing that you have enriched someone else’s life. You have valued that person’s achievements and acknowledged his or her importance. Your lasting legacy at Ramapo College ensures that many generations of students will know that you believed in them. You cared enough to make a difference in their lives. The Foundation recently honored seventy-one individuals and organizations that have left a legacy by establishing an endowment or arranging a bequest for Ramapo College students. Many legacy gifts enable you to give and to receive. Give a gift to Ramapo College and receive an income for life as well as tax benefits. Ramapo College has recently established a Planned Giving Task Force, chaired by Millicent Anisfield, to set up and receive these types of gifts.
“People sometimes hesitate to carry out their philanthropic desires for fear that they will deprive their family of needed assets. Those individuals lose that special satisfaction of helping young people to achieve their lifetime goals. They also lose the income tax and estate tax savings that come with planned giving. We understand these competing priorities and can assist donors with careful planning to meet their needs,” said Anisfield. “Philanthropy can be a powerful tool to enhance your estate or retirement planning while benefiting a fine institution like Ramapo College.” Charitable Gift Annuities and Pooled Income Fund Gifts are easy tools to provide you with income for life. Life insurance and simple bequests are valuable options for establishing your legacy. To learn more about the planned giving vehicles offered or for assistance in fulfilling your charitable objectives, please contact Cathleen Davey, vice president for Institutional Advancement at 201.684.7615.
L to R: Planned Giving Task Force Members Joseph Haynes and Dr. Sharon Rubin welcome Joseph Ippolito, Evelyn Pfeiffer, Rebecca Cella, Sharon Pierson-Milano, and Mary Ippolito ’82.
L to R: Dr. W. Sanborn Pfeiffer, James Sorace ’84 and Marianne Dabinett, Dr. Edward Saiff, Andrea and Jeffrey Warren ’73 arrive for the Legacy Dinner.
L to R: Dr. W. Sanborn Pfeiffer, Tom McGurn, Joseph Nothwang, Debra Perry, Tom Purves, Ken Neilson, Bernie Milano, and Cathy Davey at the Distinguished Citizens Dinner.
L to R sitting: Evelyn Pfeiffer, Tim Schroeder, Ronnie Schroeder, Francis J. Rodriguez and Judith Rodriguez. L to R standing: Dr. W. Sanborn Pfeiffer, Sharon McGahee, Lawrence Wilson, Carolyn Merkel, Peter Mercer, and A.J. Sabath.
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FOUNDATION NEWS
Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner Raises More Than $210,000 For Ramapo College Scholarships, Programs, And Research
The Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner, held recently at the Rockleigh Country Club, raised more than $210,000 for student scholarships, College programs
Entertainment was provided by The Happenings, who exploded onto the national charts with their first single, “See You in September.” Recently,
Joseph R. Nothwang is executive vice president of the Hertz Corporation and president of Vehicle Rental and Leasing for the Americas and Pacific.
and faculty research, while honoring four distinguished citizens for their leadership and commitment to higher education: Kenneth T. Neilson, president, Hudson United Bancorp and Hudson United Bank; Joseph R. Nothwang, executive vice president, Hertz Corporation and president, Vehicle Rental and Leasing for the Americas and Pacific; Debra M. Perry,’85, partner at the law firm of McCarter & English, LLP; and Tom Purves, chairman and CEO, BMW US Holding Corp.
Entertainment Magazine listed “See You in September” in the top 100 summer songs of all time. The Happenings continued releasing other hits including “Go Away Little Girl,” and a successful album. They shared the stage with music giants such as The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, John Denver, The Drifters, and The Kingston Trio.
Nothwang is based at Hertz Worldwide Headquarters. He has held a variety of top management positions since joining the Hertz Corporation in 1976. Nothwang serves as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, co-chairs the Parents Council at Skidmore College, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Ramapo College Foundation.
Before the presentation of the honorees, President-elect Peter Philip Mercer was introduced to the 450 guests. Dr. Mercer was selected to become Ramapo College’s fourth president. The program also included remarks by Interim President W. Sanborn Pfeiffer, Vice President Cathleen Davey, student Joe Tropia, and Thomas O. McGurn, chair of the Distinguished Citizens Dinner Committee.
ABOUT THE HONOREES Kenneth T. Neilson has served as president of Hudson United Bancorp and Hudson United Bank since September 1989. He was named chairman of the board in 1996. He is past chairman of both the NJ Bankers Association and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee and Convention Committee of the NJ Bankers Association, the Nominating Committee of the Northern NJ Council of the Boys Scouts of America, and the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation. In addition, he is active with Habitat for Humanity.
Debra M. Perry, Esq. is a 1985 graduate of Ramapo College and a partner at McCarter & English, LLP. Her practice focuses primarily in the areas of pharmaceutical products liability litigation and the coordination of mass tort products liability litigation. Perry regularly appears in state and federal courts addressing issues involving scientific and medical causation, exposure, and the application of statues of limitations and damages. She has been involved in the development of national litigation strategies for the defense of product liability claims in both the mass tort and pharmaceutical products liability context.
DCD chairperson, Tom McGurn and his wife, Carolyn enjoy a dance together to the music of Soireé.
Tom Purves, chairman and CEO of BMW US Holding Corp., is responsible for the BMW Group’s sales and marketing for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce in North and South America. He joined BMW in 1985 and has served in a variety of management positions including managing director of BMW Great Britain Ltd. Prior to his arrival in the U.S., he was a Rover board member, overseeing the global sales and marketing for Land Rover, MINI, MG and Rover brands. Automotive News named Purves an “Automotive All Star.” He is chairman of the board of directors of the Automotive Youth Educational Systems Inc. (AYES).
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 17
ALUMNI L E A D E R S H I P
Lisa Ryan ’84, Chairperson of the Alumni Board of Directors
The connections to Ramapo College do not just stop when you graduate and the Alumni Relations office is working to keep the contact going strong. Janet Dengel ’87, director of annual giving and alumni relations, is working with Lisa Ryan ‘84 chairperson of the alumni board of directors and its members to clarify the mission, goals, objectives and activities of the Alumni Association. The Alumni Board held a retreat in May that began working on a strategic plan that will provide a framework for growth during the next five years for the Alumni Association. The Alumni Association mission is to develop and promote an enduring relationship between the College and its alumni. To reach that end, the Alumni Association has set forth a series of goals and objectives: 18 S p r i n g 2 0 0 5
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GOAL 1:
GOAL 3:
Implement programs and strategies that
To increase overall participation and giving
increase alumni involvement with the
by alumni in the Annual Fund.
College. Objective: a. To sponsor social events based on special interests. b. To enhance our Alumni Business Network program. c. Organize regional alumni chapters.
GOAL 2: To provide support for students. Objective: a. To promote an alumni-student mentoring program. b. To provide networking opportunities for students. c. To continue to support the endowed Alumni scholarship program.
Objective: a. To increase alumni giving to the Annual Fund by one percent each year to reach a long-range goal of fifteen percent of alumni participation in the Annual Fund within three years. b. To establish a Development Committee of the Alumni Association to assist in reaching out to alumni for support. It is important that the Alumni Association prepares to meet the future with clear and measurable outcomes.
ALUMNI
P R O F I L E
Scholarship Recipients
“Before I received this scholarship I had resigned myself to not attending college, much less graduate school...” Ravneet Nagi
Carla DeGironimo ’07, from Old Bridge, New Jersey, is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. At Old Bridge High School, she earned a 4.36 GPA and scored 1310 on the SAT. She is a literature major and hopes to get a secondary education certification. Her involvement at Ramapo College includes being the SGA representative for the freshman class, and membership in Future Educators of America at Ramapo, and she hopes to be a crew member in theater. “My scholarship allows me not to work so I can spend more time studying and become involved in campus activities,” says DeGironimo. She is happy with the faculty and feels that they are approachable, and enjoys Ramapo’s proximity to New York. Even her friends who have visited are amazed at the residence halls, dining facilities, and food at Ramapo College.
From Top: Megan Knowlton ’07, from Cinnaminson, New Jersey; Ravneet Nagi ’07, from Gaithersburg, Maryland; Carla DeGironimo ’07, from Old Bridge, New Jersey
Ravneet Nagi ’07, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, is another recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. She is majoring in bioinformatics, biology, and Spanish. When she attended North Rockland High School, she earned a 97.4 GPA and scored 1460 on the SAT. On campus, she is involved in EMS, Bioinformatics Club, Biology Club, ISO, and Pre-Med Club. She also hopes to join Student Ambassadors and would like to do research with faculty. As an international student, she was unable to get a work visa and therefore not allowed to work while in college. Ramapo was her first choice. “Before I received this scholarship I had resigned myself to not attending college, much less graduate school, because of the costs. Although it may sound trite, I want to sincerely thank Ramapo for providing me with this opportunity. I hope that someday I can be responsible for bringing hope and happiness into someone’s life the way Ramapo College has for me,” says Nagi.
Megan Knowlton ’07, from Cinnaminson, New Jersey, also received the Presidential Scholarship. She is majoring in international studies and theater and has a French minor. With her degrees, she hopes to pursue international law. While attending Cinnaminson High School, she earned a 4.47 GPA and scored 1330 on the SAT. On campus, she is involved with the StreetSingers, Ramapo Chorale, and Model United Nations. With Ravneet, she is starting Ramifications, a club that analyzes science and politics. They are collaborating with American and International Studies, and Dr. Cliff Peterson who has agreed to advise the club. “Ramapo’s faculty is nothing but stellar,” says Knowlton. “They are very supportive and helpful in everything. Ramapo College has offered more than I could have ever expected.”
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 19
CLASS NOTES M A R R I A G E S
A N D
U N I O N S
George Borowski ‘03 to Shana Germann Michael Todd Dolce ‘93 to Janice Lynn Davidson Paul Anthony Durante ‘98 to Christine Ann Racioppi Meghan M. Fannon ‘04 to Francis M. O’Shea Jennifer Shannon Field ‘01 to Roy Christopher McClain Kelly Marie Gambino ’03 to James Longobardi, Jr. Kevin Scott Gold ’99 to Jennifer Allison Cohen Christina M. Hunter ‘01 to Jeffrey Tysh
Michael A. Mazzucco ‘94 to Valerie Bonis Felicia Minervini ’97 to Jed Blasberg Heather M. Morse ‘00 to Jeffrey Keene Gibson Reynolds III ’90 to Cara Marie Egan Cindy Diane Simon ‘98 to Daniel Evan Wohl (photo right) Russell B. Walther ’79 to Stephanie Smith Laura Grace Ward ‘00 to Robert Warren Tarte Melissa Winder ‘02 to Andrew Grubb
‘74
‘76
‘84
‘87
Daniel P. Quinn wrote a collection
Anthony Jannicelli has com-
Christopher Stevenson joined the
Robert Skead recently wrote a
of poems, Organized Labor: Collected Poems, a tribute to the musicians and writers who were an inspiration to him and a testimony to his dedication to the performing arts. His articles have been published in the Italian Tribune, Performing Arts Journal, Theater Journal, and The New York Times.
pleted the Master’s of Administrative Science program at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus law firm as an associate, specializing in land use and environmental law.
children’s book, Elves Can’t Tackle, a sequel to his past book, Elves Can’t Dunk, published by Cross Training Publishing.
Diana Merkel ran for council of North Haledon in November. She runs a consulting business for health care, consumer, and telecommunications companies, and is currently a member of the Girl Scout Council and president of New Jersey Botanical Gardens.
‘85
‘75 Joseph P. Collins h a s b e e n approved to serve as a twelvemonth assistant principal at Indian Hills High School by the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education. He has received the American Chemical Society Award for Excellence in Teaching Science, presented by the Sigma Si Society of Ramapo College. He has almost thirty years of varsity coaching experience at Indian Hills in golf, basketball, and soccer. In January 2000, he was inducted into the New Jersey State Coaches Hall of Fame.
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‘80 Fran Hackett, vice president of administration at OSGU Prudential Financials Group Insurance, was recently honored for completing thirty years of service with Prudential. She maintains a strong relationship with Ramapo College and served as a member of the Ramapo College presidential search committee.
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Cathy Moran Hajo is working on her Ph.D. at New York University and is the associate editor for the Margaret Sanger Papers Project.
‘86 Joseph Phalon has returned as a weekly columnist to Suburban Trends, writing “Phalon’s File,” a weekly political observation column. In addition, he is still senior editor and webmaster for The American Lawyer. He received many awards from the New Jersey Press Association.
‘90 Gibson Reynolds III is a computer consultant for Heating Oil Partners in Darien, CT, a fuel oil distributor. Michael Plick ran for the Township Committee of Cranford in November. He is currently employed by Quest Diagnostics.
‘92 Jan Barry Crumb was named Journalist in Residence at Rutgers University by the North Jersey Media Group for spring 2005. Margaret Faber received her master’s degree in English literature in January 2004. Her thesis examined the manner in which Toni Morrison revisioned the paradigm of the nuclear family in her novels.
CLASS NOTES
I N SUBMIT CLASS NOTES: Do you have an interesting item to share with your classmates? E-mail pjoisher@ramapo.edu.
M E M O R I A M
Lorraine Koroski ‘75 Barbara J. Casey Maulen ‘83 Jason D. Ruchlamer ‘93 Michael W. Branigan ‘03
Fifty word limit. All photos must be 300 dpi.
‘93
‘97
’01
‘03
Stephen Larsen and April Larsen had a son on October 1, 2004. Stephen is an environmental engineer at IMTT in Bayonne. (photo bottom left)
Felicia Minervini and her husband Jed Blasberg have a sevenmonth-old daughter, Kelly. Felicia received her MA and is an adjunct professor of writing and literature at William Paterson University. She also is a human resources consultant. Felicia will work on her doctorate studies in fall 2005.
Maura R. O’Rourke is engaged to Andrew Perry ’00. The wedding is set for April 2005.
George Borowski (photo below) has launched an online shopping store called www.cost-busters.com, which is averaging up to 2,000 hits per day and growing.
Joseph Petta is writing an oral history book about the experiences of Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1975. He currently works part time as a tutor at the Huntington Learning Center.
‘97 Charles Flannery works as a behavior specialist/mobile therapist at Maxis Human Services in Stroudsburg, PA. Peggy Stewart was named New Jersey’s Teacher of the Year 2004/2005, at the State Board of Education’s meeting in Trenton. She has been a history teacher for the past fourteen years at Vernon Township High School.
‘98 Robin Keller had two of her paintings accepted in the 23rd annual Juried Metro Show of City Without Walls in Newark. The show is currently traveling nationally for the next year.
Sanna Lemmetti works in the Office of Admissions at Ramapo College. Christina M. Hunter is a mathematics teacher at Dumont High School in Dumont.
‘02 Anthony Malpero is enrolled in the MBA program at Louisiana State University, specializing in internal audit and finance.
Emily B. Toxie is a visitor’s assistant at the Museum of Modern Art. She continues to make art, and belongs to a group called “Artists Anonymous,” which organizes monthly critiques and annual shows. Jill M. Pantozzi was featured in a special profile on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.
‘00 Heather M. Morse and her husband Jeffrey Keene are expecting their first child in February 2005.
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 21
COURTS AND FIELDS R A S H AW N W I L S O N Following an honorable discharge, Wilson returned home with a new outlook on life. He was given a second chance after being shot in the field, now all he wanted was a second chance at a college degree and a basketball career. After much deliberation with Coach McBreen, Wilson convinced his old coach that he was a new man, a changed man. McBreen convinced Ramapo College that Wilson was different, and this time, he would succeed. “Since his experience in the Army, Rashawn has done a complete 180-degree turnaround. He has matured tremendously, his attitude and work ethic, both on and off the court are incredible, and he has shown that he now has the discipline to get the job done!”
I
n 2000, Chuck McBreen, men’s basketball head coach, recruited Rashawn Wilson out of Dickinson High School in Jersey City to play a big role in the post for the Ramapo College men’s basketball team. A very talented 6’8” player with the skills of a guard, Wilson had proven very difficult to coach, and clearly struggled to be a collegiate student-athlete. Wilson soon left Ramapo College to find himself in a string of parttime jobs and months of being
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out on the streets. Wilson knew he needed to get his life back on track for himself, but more importantly, for his son, Kyelle. Wilson chose the Army, which taught him quickly about life and about the discipline necessary to care for himself and his son. Said Wilson, “The army teaches you how to work hard and cherish what you have before it’s lost.” In September 2004, Wilson was heading down a lonely dirt road in Fallujah to make a standard mail run with nine other
RAMAPO MAGAZINE
American soldiers. Little did he know that day would be the day he received a second chance at life. As the American soldiers traveled the familiar road, two insurgents opened fire on the group. Wilson remembers his life flashing before his eyes when suddenly, the gunfire stopped, and he felt a burning sensation from a bullet lodged in his upper thigh. The Army medic cared for Wilson and cleaned his wound on the side of the road.
Returning to Ramapo College for the spring 2005 semester, Wilson proved himself to be a changed man on and off the court. He averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He helped lead his team to 13-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and 24-5 overall, as well as a ranking of tenth in the nation by D3hoops.com. He also helped lead the Roadrunners to their first NJAC Championship in any sport in the College’s history. With the addition of Wilson to the winningest college program in the state of New Jersey over the past four years, McBreen, along with Wilson, led Ramapo to its second appearance in the NCAA tournament in the last three years.
COURTS AND FIELDS
W I N T E R
H I G H L I G H T S
Senior captain Jerry Roman broke the all-time school record for career blocks on Saturday, February 12 in Ramapo’s 3-1 win over NECVA conference rival Mt. St. Vincent. The record was previously held by Chris Baron, who recorded 325 from 1998-2001. Senior captain Janine Cappadona netted her 1,000th career point on Wednesday, February 16 in Ramapo’s 71-65 conference win over NJAC rival William Paterson. Senior captain Amin Wright recorded his 1,000th career point and 486th point in his senior season on Saturday, February 23 against conference rival Rutgers Newark in a 61-46 opening round NJAC Tournament victory. The Men’s basketball team clinched regular season first place in the NJAC recording a 24-5 overall record, and earned the number one seed in the 2004-05 NCAA Championship tournament. They advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before elimination on March 11, 2005 by King’s College.
NJAC Champions 2004-2005
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 23
SPOTLIGHT R A M A P O N E W S The Student Newspaper
By Sara Levenstein
Christine Medina
Evan Ritman
What’s new about The Ramapo News, the student newspaper? Decisions to upgrade technology and staff recruitment have resulted in a shift in editorial content and design worthy of a front-page news story. “Ramapo News used to read more like a newsletter. Now the staff is handling harder issues,” notes Dan Sforza, technical advisor to the paper and a staff writer at The Record. Pat Keeton, a professor of communications and convenor of the communications arts major says the upgrade of hardware and software and a more experienced staff improved the look and read of Ramapo News. A switch to color in the spring semester has boosted the paper’s appearance. Some of the credit goes to Edna Negron, assistant professor of journalism. She revamped the Newswriting and Writing for the Media courses and created two new ones, Community Journalism and Reporting/Writing for Online Media. As a result, a larger pool of serious journalism students became available. “A constant turnover of students wouldn’t allow for growth,” she says. “The paper has made significant strides toward developing student editors.” Negron also teaches a First Year Seminar course, The Write Stuff: Adventures in Journalism, during which freshmen develop a four-page insert for the paper with assistance from the editors of Ramapo News. Several freshmen joined the paper’s staff their second semester or even as sophomores. The experienced staff members’ outreach to freshman
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and sophomores has provided what Keeton says is “greater depth and more prepared student journalists.” Last year, several juniors were appointed to leadership roles. Joe Tropia and Alison Miller were named co-editors in chief, focusing on business management and staff development as well as writing major news features, while Christina Medina and Evan Ritman concentrated on, among other things, day-to-day assignments and editing. To further hone the staff’s skills, Miller, with help from Medina, is preparing a training guide for her Advanced Project Class this spring.
makes the staff less stressed. “In the past, we dealt with computers crashing and losing our work, causing us to be in the newsroom overnight,” says Miller. “Upgrading eliminated the problem, gets us out of the newsroom sooner, and lets us create an issue with more pages.” The staff plans to upgrade all computer software and to increase the paper’s number of pages to twenty or more. They also would like to create a subscription program for parents and to solicit outside advertising.
The software upgrade to a similar software used in newsrooms across the country, enabled the
“I want the paper to be something that the Ramapo campus can be proud of, something they see as a reflection of the progress and growth the campus has been making,” says Ritman, who is this year’s is co-editor in chief
staff to create better graphics. New technology
with Miller.
DATEBOOK MAY
24 Champagne at Sunset Friends and family of the Class of 2005 gather for a toast made by alumni who return to wish them well and offer congratulations. 6 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE July 7, 14, 21, & 28 Commerce Bank Summer Concert Series, Bandshell. 8 p.m. Alumni Tent Admission is free. Parking is $5.00 per car. Thursday, July 7, 2005, 5:30 p.m. Alumni Tent at the Summer Concert Series. Be part of the summer fun! Renew Ramapo friendships! Make new friends! Bring the whole family – fun and games for children – to an alumni picnic and barbeque. Hear great music at the first Commerce Bank Concert of 2005 plus see a fantastic fireworks display at dusk. The tent will be located behind the McBride House. Barbeque is $15 per adult; $6 for children under 12-years old. July 7 Fireworks
25 Commencement Speaker for the 47th Commencement will be professor Toni Morrison of Princeton University. Professor Morrison received the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 and the Nobel Prize in literature in 1993, among many other honors. The College will award Professor Morrison with an honorary degree.
10 a.m. Bandshell The College’s President’s Award of Merit will posthumously be awarded to Dan Cronin, who graduated from Ramapo College in 1984. He earned a degree in law from Seton Hall University, and then began a selfless career in poverty and family law as an attorney for Bergen County Legal Services. He died in December 2004.
Visit www.ramapo.edu for a full listing of events. Berrie Center Box Office: 201.684.7844 Art Galleries: 201.684.7147 Alumni Events: 201.684.7179 Foundation Events: 201.684.7115 www.ramapo.edu
ACADEMIC DATES MAY 16-23: Final exam week MAY 31-JUNE 30: Summer Session I JULY 5-AUGUST 4: Summer Session II
July 9 Saturday, July 9, Alumni Summer Reunion and Picnic, noon-5 p.m. Trustees Pavilion. African-American and Latino Alumni of the 70’s Reunion at the Pavilion. Hosted by William (Bill) Alexander, Marian Marshall-Howell ‘77, Patricia (Patti) McClenton ‘76, Santa (Sandy) Espinosa-McDowell ‘81, Bruce Medley ‘81, Valerie Porter-Henry ‘77, Brenda Shumpert-Gibson ‘74. Enjoy a barbeque and volleyball, family activities and music, plus campus tours. $20 per person and $10 for children under 12-years old. July 23 Saturday, July 23, 2005, 4-8 p.m. New Alumni Summer Reunion. Join alumni from the past five years at Bar-Anticipation in Belmar. This is the 12th year that new alumni have joined together at the shore for a barbeque and fun.
July 25
Foundation Golf Outing. 11 a.m. Tuxedo Club The 18th Annual Foundation Golf Outing, sponsored by SEIKO CORPORATION OF AMERICA, will be held Monday, July 25 at the Tuxedo Club. This spectacular day features swing sequence photography, sponsored by Stryker Corporation. They will provide a complimentary series of nine photographs representing the most important parts of each golfer’s swing; the Prestige Challenge putting and chipping contest; and “A Dream Season of Golf raffle.” The raffle winner receives a round of golf for three or four golfers at Arcola Country Club, Atlantic Country Club, Ballyowen Golf Club, Fiddler’s Elbow – Forest Course, Ridgewood Country Club and The Tuxedo Club. Proceeds from this important event support the Foundation’s efforts to award student scholarships, offer faculty research opportunities, and fund capital projects on campus. In addition to SEIKO, event sponsors include Century 21 Construction, O’Connor Davies Munns and Dobbins, Prestige BMW/MINI, PSE&G, and Stryker Corporation. Don Mahoney ’73 is chairman of the event. Robert Belisonzi, Eric Bechtel, Kirk Bennett, Steven Coppa, Leo Ehrline, Francis Hackett ’80, Daniel Infanti, Ned Lipes, Ronald Luino, Thomas Mahoney ’86, Thomas McGurn, Joseph Napolitano, Joseph Nothwang, Thomas Palmer, Samuel Prisco, William Rahal, David Repetto, John Smith, Steve Thompson, and Chris Turner serve on the Golf Committee. For additional information, contact the Foundation office at 201.684.7612.
Spring 2005
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RAMAPO MAGAZINE 25
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Hackensack, NJ Permit No. 1037
505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680 Address Service Requested
New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College www.ramapo.edu
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The Overlook, designed by architects at Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor, is Ramapo College’s newest residence hall. Opened in fall 2004, the eight-story residence hall houses 300 students in four-person suites with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a sitting room. Each floor has a lounge; the main lounge has a large screen TV and DVD player. The Atrium, formerly known as Roadrunner Express, has undergone extensive changes to update the look and service of the dining facility. The Atrium now offers stations such as Sky Ranch Grill, Pete’s Arena, Showtime, Sub Connections sandwiches, ”good to go” items, and much more.
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