Fall 2018 Ramapo Magazine by Ramapo College

FALL 2018

RAMAPO COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Students participated in Arching, a tradition where more than 1,500 new students walked through our landmark archway to symbolize the beginning of their journey at Ramapo.

FROM THE DESK of the PRESIDENT Dear Friends, This semester, we welcomed to the College our new Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Stefan Becker. The upcoming academic year under Dr. Becker’s leadership is sure to feature innovative perspectives and ideas. The year ahead also promises some exciting programming as we celebrate the Year of Asia and the Pacific. In early September, the Class of 2022 gathered with their peers, peer facilitators and faculty to listen to an opening address by author Lisa Ko. Her novel, The Leavers, was selected as our summer reading and tells the story of a young Chinese-American boy who struggles with his undocumented mother’s disappearance. The coming-of-age novel explored interdisciplinary themes of belonging, borders, and compassion and lent our students insight into the worlds of immigration and assimilation. Other events dedicated to the Year of Asia and the Pacific will include language happy hours, a themed book club, and global fairs.

President Mercer, Heather Landfield ’15, member of the Honors Alumni Advisory Board and Professor Huiping Li at a gathering of Honors Alumni on August 23. Heather traveled with Professor Li’s class to China in 2015.

Also in September, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved Strategic Plan 2018-21: Fulfilling Our Promise. Fulfilling Our Promise advances our goals of academic excellence, student success and engagement, the cultivation of diversity and inclusiveness, and fostering financial strength. In addition, it embraces innovation as a catalyst for positive change and will undoubtedly push the College to reexamine some of its practices and offerings. September also saw the dedication of the Padovano Commons. The space, the former home of the printshop and mailroom, even earlier the original stone garage of the Birch Estate, now offers a beautiful, flexible, and inviting space for faculty and staff to collaborate during the day and for students to gather in the evenings. I look forward to the year ahead and sharing with you how Ramapo College continues to move forward thanks to the initiative and innovation of our talented students, faculty and staff. Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Peter P. Mercer, Ph.D. President, Ramapo College of New Jersey

President Mercer and alumnus Andrew Schulz ’12 at the Yankees Game this summer.

PRESIDENT’S CABINET Peter P. Mercer, J.D., Ph.D. President Stephan Becker Provost Cathleen Davey Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kirsten Loewrigkeit Vice President for Administration and Finance Nicole Morgan Agard Chief Equity & Diversity Officer Director of Employee Relations Christopher Romano Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Michael A. Tripodi Vice President and General Counsel Brittany Williams-Goldstein Chief of Staff and Board Liaison BOARD OF TRUSTEES William F. Dator Chair BOARD OF GOVERNORS Debra M. Perry ’85 Chair Carolyn Merkel ’78 Chair, Alumni Association Board RAMAPO MAGAZINE Cathleen Davey Editor-in-Chief Mary Cicitta ’07, ’16 Production Editor Angela Daidone Copy Editor Janelle Ferraro ’14 Graphic Designer Carolyn Herring Photography Editor

Student leaders welcomed N.J. Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis, seated left, and Deputy Secretary Diana Gonzalez, seated right, to campus.

SPECIAL VISIT Ramapo College recently welcomed N.J. Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis to the campus. Secretary Smith Ellis, who was accompanied by Deputy Secretary Diana Gonzalez, met with President Peter P. Mercer and other Ramapo representatives before embarking on a walking tour of the campus led by Student Ambassador Calron Dover ’19. “Having the opportunity today to formally introduce Secretary Smith Ellis and Deputy Secretary Gonzalez to the College was both fulfilling and inspiring,” said President Mercer. “Our students, as well as members of the faculty, staff and administration discussed with them a range of issues, including student access and success, state support and funding, and the lifelong benefits of a public liberal arts college education.” Other key topics of discussion included retention and graduation rates, the Equal Opportunity Funding program, Upward Bound Science and Math Program, and grant opportunities, among other state higher education initiatives.

in this issue FALL 2018 | COLLEGE MAGAZINE FEATURE

2 Feature: Year of Asia + The Pacific

DEPARTMENTS

José Hernández ’98 Alexandra Simone Contributing Photographers

Alumni Spotlight

Faculty Spotlight

22 Athletics

Elizabeth Brand Angela Daidone Claudia Esker Contributing Writers

College News

This magazine can be made available upon request in alternate media. 201.684.7611. Alumni contact and change of address: Joanne Favata, Director of Alumni Relations at 201.684.7115 Student Relations contact: Melissa Van Der Wall at 201.684.7457 Ramapo Magazine is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications: Melissa Horvath-Plyman AVP Marketing and Communications

ON THE COVER Dr. Jun Zhang, visiting Fulbright scholar from Anhui University in China, displays a traditional Chinese kite.

Foundation + Grants News

Alumni News

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FEATURE: YEAR OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Students in front of Osaka castle in Japan / Photo Courtesy: Christina Chung

Students wearing Hanbok in South Korea / Photo Courtesy: Christina Chung

Nepali students demonstrate a traditional dance at the Asia and Pacific Opening Ceremony

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

RAMAPO’S INTERNATIONAL FOCUS LEADS TO

GLOBAL CITIZENS Story By: Teri Gatto | Illustrations By: Miriam Sokolska ’22

THE WORLD is getting smaller and, more than ever, we find ourselves interacting with people from different cultures, both in our personal and work lives. “Regardless of what field a student may choose, our students are going to engage with people from around the world,” says Ben Levy, director of International Education at Ramapo College. “It’s not just an issue of language; they will also need an understanding of diverse cultures in order to be successful in today’s multicultural environment.” In 2015 Ramapo developed a plan to internationalize the curriculum in an effort to increase students’ geographic literacy and develop their understanding of global issues. The plan called for the creation of programs and opportunities that build awareness through international education, and foster the growth of the College’s diverse on-campus global community. Levy noted that academic programs that promote student travel are an important component of

SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC During each of the past three years Ramapo has promoted global awareness by choosing a specific area of the world to study, explore and celebrate during the academic year. To date, the College has featured Latin America and the Caribbean, SubSaharan Africa, and Europe. “In 2018 our spotlight is on Asia and the Pacific,” says Levy. “During the school year, students have the opportunity to participate in an on-campus series of educational and social events that celebrate that region.” Student interest in that region of the world has been growing. In the fall of 2017 and summer of 2018, more than 33 percent of the students who took advantage of travel abroad programs or internships chose countries in Asia and the Pacific. Moreover, out of the 112 current international students at the College, 78 percent are from countries in that geographic area.

“Regardless of what field a student may choose, our students are going to engage with people from around the world.” — Ben Levy, Director of International Education the College’s comprehensive internationalization efforts. In 2017, a large number of countries across the globe hosted Ramapo students as they participated in study abroad programs, internships, faculty-led trips and student exchange programs.

A YEAR OF FESTIVITIES AND LEARNING In September, the College hosted an opening ceremony to kickoff its year-long celebration of

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FEATURE: YEAR OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Asia and the Pacific. Among the activities planned for the coming months are a “language hour’’ and a book club hosted by the George T. Potter Library.

PROGRAMS TO CHINA PROVIDE EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVE

“In the ‘language hour’ the College community is invited to participate in weekly sessions dedicated to engagement with the languages from Asian and Pacific countries,” explains Levy. “This is not meant to be a language class. Rather, it is an opportunity to learn about the culture of a specific region as well as to get a feeling for the language spoken there.”

“In China people have the choice between traditional and Western health systems,” says Yan Xu, associate professor of biology at Ramapo College. “I wanted our students, many of whom are interested in medicine, to be able to see how these two systems can work side-by-side. From a public and community health prospective, this is a unique situation and very different from that in the United States.”

For the book club, students are encouraged to read The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. This Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of short stories portrays the lives of Asian-and American-born Indians and the challenges they face as they navigate through two very different cultures. During the fall semester, the library will host several get-togethers where attendees discuss the book.

With that thought in mind, Xu created China: Community Health and Traditional Chinese Medicine, an undergraduate course that will be offered this summer, which consists of traditional academic classes as well as an eight-day trip to Nanjing, China. Included in the course are pre-departure activities that take place in New York City.

In addition, all first-year students are required to read a book that deals with some aspect of Asia and the Pacific. The book is then discussed throughout their first semester.

“The New York City activities include participating in the United Nations’ language program, where our students will be given background on Nanjing and cultural information about the Chinese community,” explained Xu. “Then we will go to Chinatown for a food tasting and visit grocery stores, food markets, traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies, as well as observe local transportation options such and buses, subways, trains, cars, taxis, bicycles or walking.”

This year’s book is The Leavers by novelist Lisa Ko. The novel explores issues around immigration and deportation, as well as cross-cultural adoption. “More than 50 professors will use the book in their classes. Each will approach and explore the book from their unique angle such as literature, history, science, music, or art,” adds Levy.

Students in India celebrating Holi festival

Above and right, Study Abroad in China 2015. / Photos courtesy of Huiping Li

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

IN HER OWN WORDS: STUDENTS REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCES ABROAD

CARLIE VIEMANN ’19 Major | Visual Communication Design Minor | Visual Arts

Carlie Viemann explores the vast New Zealand landscape.

When in Nanjing, the group will visit establishments similar to those they visited in New York City, observe local transportation practices and visit universities that offer degrees in either traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine, their affiliated hospitals and research laboratories. “The course stresses issues of community health,” explained Xu. “I want to highlight the relationship between public transportation, food, aging, and ailments. This is part of the TCM philosophy in which one not only considers treatment of ailments but also focuses on the patient’s total lifestyle and health management.” Students will visit Nanjing Medical University, which offers training in Western Medicine, and Nanjing University, a four-year TCM institution. “At Nanjing University, our students will have the opportunity to tour the campus and visit the herbal gardens and herbariums, as well as take part in sample lessons in acupuncture, Tai Chi and massage,” said Xu. “They will also see first-hand the TCM patient treatment process.” The eight-day trip will be packed with unique opportunities for both personal and educational growth. “When we return, our students will reflect on their trip, write about their experience and compare the two systems,” said Xu. “And most importantly, they will hypothesize how these two systems can work together in modern society.”

RAMAPO PROGRAM BUILDS INROADS IN THE WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST ECONOMY “Leadership, critical thinking and international management are three concepts that are woven into the fabric of our curriculum,” says Tim Landers, assistant dean and director of the Master of Business Administration Program. “Our China Immersion Trip provides students with the opportunity to begin to understand international management, international economics and capitalism. China is a hybrid of sorts, with a centrally planned economy that also enjoys some elements of free-market capitalism.” The China Immersion Trip, which is offered on both the graduate and undergraduate levels, provides students with the opportunity to develop a global business outlook, meet executives and government officials, and immerse themselves in Chinese culture. “At this stage of world history, I think it is crucial for students to have an understanding of the political and global environment we are currently experiencing,” says Huiping Li, professor of International Business at the Anisfeld School of Business at Ramapo College. “No matter what they choose to do after graduating from college – whether they want a career in business, politics or education – students should have an understanding of what is going on in China, the second-largest economy in the world.”

There were not a lot of options for people in the creative field when it comes to travel abroad. I wanted to have a meaningful experience rather than just taking some random courses, so while I was searching I came across an eight-week internship in motion design (animation) in Wellington, New Zealand. I never even dreamed about going to New Zealand, so I did some extra research and the country seemed so amazing that I had to make it happen. I worked for a very small company that produced motion graphics for international companies such as MTV. There were only six or seven people working there; some came from as far as Argentina and Malaysia. As an intern, I was assigned a variety of tasks, such as revising scripts and selecting music for motion design. I also did social media work and photography; anything the studio needed. The trip showed me how small and tightknit the design community is and how in this creative field everyone is connected. It does not matter that the company is in Wellington, New Zealand; they still have clients in New York City and Los Angeles. Today, working with people from all over the world is not a problem because in the digital age files can be shared so easily. You can collaborate on any sort of project. From a personal standpoint, the experience really reinforced my love of art, graphic design and photography. New Zealand is so beautiful. I managed to travel quite a bit on the weekends and I did a pretty good job seeing as much as I could in eight weeks. Everyone should take the plunge and study abroad. It really puts everything into perspective. I can’t stop thinking of where I am going next!

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IN HER OWN WORDS: STUDENTS REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCES ABROAD

INGYIN PHYU ’21 International Student | Burma Major | Finance This was my second study abroad experience. I love the fact that I get to travel to different countries and study their cultures and languages. The whole purpose of study abroad for me is to broaden my perspective and have new experiences. I chose the Japan/South Korea program because the International Business Program is required for my major, and this program’s credits counted towards it. I loved Korea and Japan and had a great time there. I saw a lot of similarities in terms of the culture between these two countries. For example, both Japan and South Korea put importance on seniority in work place and school. I also noticed that in both Japan and Korea, they bow about 45 degrees and say hello but don't shake hands. Japan is surprisingly clean. Even in the cities that attract a lot of tourism, such as Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, it is a rare sight to see a piece of paper or plastic bottles in the streets. My fellow group members were surprised with the transportation of both countries because their subway systems are both convenient and punctual. Also, the trains are clean and fully air-conditioned. This trip helped me to broaden my career perspective. Until now, I thought I would be working at an investment bank after I graduate with a degree in finance. However, now I realize that I should not limit myself to one career path. I encourage all Ramapo students to at least do one study abroad program – short or long period – because it really broadens one's perspective on other countries.

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Ingyin Phyu in Japan in front of sake barrels during her study abroad trip.

Li is perfectly positioned to provide a wealth of knowledge about global business and in particular how it functions in China. Her wide-ranging resume includes working for the Chinese government, Rolls Royce China, and the US China Business Council where she interacted with more than 300 of its members, among them General Electric, Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola and Motorola. Subsequently, Li was recruited by Alcoa, the largest producer of aluminum in the world, to oversee its business development and operations management. After a successful career in the private sector Li, who earned an MBA and Ph.D. from Rutgers University, was recruited by Ramapo College. “I was hired to teach importing, exporting and international business,” she notes. “I looked at the curriculum and realized that it would be very helpful for our students to understand China.” One aspect that makes the China trip unique is the great number of ties that Li has in both government and business. “I have very strong personal relationships in China; many of my classmates were business executives,” says Li. “For example, we will meet with one of my MBA classmates who is from Belgium. He worked in China for almost 30 years and wrote a book about that country.” Li assigns his book to her students. In China they meet with the author, have the opportunity to discuss the book and ask him questions.

“I have another classmate who currently works for Sino-Ocean, the largest real estate company in China,” says Li. “Our students get ready for their meeting with executives of Sino-Ocean by reading a case study on the company prepared by Harvard University, writing an analysis and creating a presentation for the executives.” The executives give the students feedback on the presentations and answer questions about their company. According to Li, the feedback the students get from the executives gives them first-hand insight, and is an invaluable experience, especially for those in the graduate program. “It is Professor Li who makes this trip unique,” says Landers. “Knowing the culture so well, having family, friends, and former classmates there, as well as her extensive ties to the business community… that is what makes her so invaluable and the trips such a success.”

CONNECTIONS HELP FOSTER UNDERSTANDING Ramapo, through its array of on-campus and international programs, ensures that students gain an understanding of people and cultures throughout the world. “Our international programs help connect the ‘over there’ with the ‘over here,’” says Levy. “When you have an understanding of a particular culture, you can use that knowledge in both your personal and professional life. It positions our students to be successful for years to come.”

ASIA + PACIFIC BY THE NUMBERS

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC INFLUENCE RAMAPO STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE GOING AND WHERE THEY ARE FROM INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Out of our 112 current international students at Ramapo College, 78 percent are from Asia and the Pacific region. The top three countries of origin are: Nepal, India and Burma-Myanmar

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS | FALL 2016 - SUMMER 2018 Asia and the Pacific is the second highest destination of students traveling to this region. Top four countries: China, Japan, India and South Korea

DEMOGRAPHICS A recent report from Nielsen has found that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are growing faster than any other ethnic or racial group in the U.S. The report identified that AAPI buying power has increased by 257 percent since 2000, the fastest of all racial groups. In 2017, the group’s buying power hit $986 billion, about 6.8 percent of the U.S. total. That number is expected to grow to $1.3 trillion by 2022.

ENTERTAINMENT According to reports in Huffington Post and Forbes, Warner Bros./Time Warner Inc.’s “Crazy Rich Asians” has earned $170 million in North America alone, making it Hollywood’s biggest romantic comedy in a decade. The Hollywood Reporter said the popularity of Indian films, aka Bollywood cinema worldwide, shows no sign of slowing.

Ramapo College currently offers international opportunities in Asia and the Pacific region to the following countries: Australia

Japan

Singapore

Bhutan

Malaysia

South Korea

Cambodia

Mongolia

Taiwan

China

Nepal

Thailand

Fiji

New Zealand

Vietnam

India

Russia

Indonesia

Samoa

Want to see more photos from students’ experiences abroad? Check out our Facebook photo albums.

K-Pop, Korean pop music, is the biggest trend in music that has gone under the radar for years. Case in point: 40,000 tickets for a concert at Citi Field in early October sold out in eight minutes.

FOOD According to food and beverage experts in QSR Magazine, Southeast Asian cuisine is steadily increasing in popularity, especially with millennial consumers. Vietnamese pho or a delicious bowl of tom kha gai from their local Thai restaurant is the new chicken soup to treat a cold; Malaysian “kaya” (coconut jam, butter and a soft-cooked egg served on toasted bread) is replacing eggs benedict; Taiwanese bubble tea shops are popping up in malls across the country and are a particular favorite on the Ramapo campus.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

ALUMNI S P OT L I G H T

MICHAEL JOHNSEN ’94

Michael Johnsen ’94 grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, a city he says was “rich in diverse ethnicities, which no doubt shaped his yearning for a global career and life.” These days, he’s halfway across the globe, running the Asia region for a company called Arpin International, a 118-year-old Rhode Island-based company which performs international household moving for business leaders posted overseas for work assignments on behalf of their own companies. Arpin has offices in New York, Boston, London, Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore, where Johnson is currently based. As an entrepreneur beginning in the mid-2000s, he started and ran a thriving business that launched foreign food and beverage brands – namely Subway sandwiches and Domino’s pizza — to markets with more than 115 million people in Shanghai and the neighboring province of Jiangsu in East China. We interviewed Johnsen — via email across multiple time zones — about his time at Ramapo and his career path. RAMAPO MAGAZINE: TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT RAMAPO MICHAEL JOHNSEN: I became a proud student at Ramapo College after time in the Marines. I was shipped out to Desert Shield/Storm in 1990 so I was glad to be back living the student life. There were definitely pressures as a student, but it beat living in holes dug into the desert and not showering for a month at a time. Even though I had the GI Bill to help with my tuition, I had two parttime jobs to help pay my way. I was a commuter student, so I wasn’t overly involved in Ramapo student life. But I was learning a lot, meeting new people and was enthralled by the professors - particularly, Professor Bill Frech, a former IBM global executive, who had recently completed his Ph.D. and begun teaching marketing courses at the College. Professor Frech remains a close friend and mentor (as is his wife, Sandy) and both have had a significant effect on my career and life. WHEN DID YOU CHOOSE TO VISIT CHINA? As an undergraduate, my mother kept plugging away at me about studying “International Business.” So, in early 1993, while walking to class, I remember seeing posters on the wall — one said “China Study Abroad” and the other “London.” I had not much knowledge about either place but China sounded “different” so I went to Professor Frech, who was an advisor for the program, and asked “Why China?” He said something about “China is developing quickly including its economic model. They need hard currency,” etc. But I don’t think that he nor too many people at that time could have REALLY known the reasons anyone should go to China in the early 90’s. There was not much precedent. There was no model for a Communist nation with a socialist economy opening up successfully to a capitalist model. It’s hard to imagine these days as we read several articles every day about China and its significant geopolitical role as a world and economic power. But back then, it wasn’t a “thing” yet and its rise as an economy, a nation and a world power was still not comprehensible - a least from the outside.

Michael and his team at an annual community 8K race, team building and guerilla marketing

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FOR A GUY FROM NORTH JERSEY, WHO HAD NEVER EVEN EATEN SUBWAY OR DOMINO’S BEFORE HE SOLD THEM, HIS LEGACY MAY JUST BE INTRODUCING SANDWICHES AND DELIVERY PIZZA IN EAST CHINA.” - MICHAEL JOHNSEN ’94 So with blessings from Professor Frech and my mother, I registered for the first RCNJ Study Abroad to China, thoroughly excited and off to Shanghai we were in May 1993, a group of students who didn’t know each other yet but would share a special time together.

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Michael with Sharon Wollerman, his colleague based in N.Y.C.

1993 study abroad trip to China, led by Professors Cliff Peterson (standing, far left) and Bill Frech (seated far right). Michael is standing directly behind Professor Frech. Personal photo courtesy of Michael Johansen

MICHAEL MAJORED IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, LEARNED A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, HAS AN INTERNATIONAL MBA AND SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES… FOR AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROFESSOR IT DOES’T GET ANY BETTER!” - WILLIAM J. FRECH, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE ONCE YOU ARRIVED? We arrived at Shanghai Normal (Teacher’s) University (SNU) after a grueling 24-hour flight (imagine that smoking was allowed on planes back then!). RCNJ still maintains a strong relationship with SNU, thanks to the ongoing hard work of the incredible Professor Huiping LI, who now runs the China programs for fortunate undergrads and graduate students who take part. We took Mandarin and Chinese Culture courses every day. We ate what the Chinese students ate in their cafeteria which at the time felt “daring” – but wasn’t really. We traveled locally to the tourist cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou and spent a week in Beijing, visiting the amazing tourist sites the capital city has to offer. But at SNU one thing we’d do as students was sit on the rooftop in the evenings and marvel at the number of construction cranes – building structures as far as the eye could see. So, in 1993, Shanghai’s skyline did not look like it does today but it was literally on the rise. HOW DID THAT EXPERIENCE IMPACT YOUR CAREER CHOICE? Beyond the “energy,” I couldn’t explain to friends and family why, but I knew that I wanted to make China a key focus for my career choice. So after I graduated in 1994, I was selected for an opportunity through RCNJ to take part in an informal exchange program to teach English to college students in a village called Huang Gang in Hubei Province. It was incredible. Most people there had never seen a non-Chinese person before and I had amazing experiences living in this small town, eating, drinking, making friends with people who I couldn’t speak with as my Mandarin at the time was so poor. The students themselves were probably the most genuine, innocent people I’ve ever encountered. I remain very touched to have possibly even been a small memory from their own college days. After six months there, back in New Jersey, it was time to get a real job. I got a hold of a book in 1995 which had a long list of U.S. companies with offices in China. I personally wrote to just about every one of them. Thanks to the owner and founder of the company I ended up working for, I was afforded incredible opportunities as a

Michael and his China team at the Bund legendary waterfront tourist site.

young person. I was hired with the vision to eventually go to China for the company but paid my dues with a year in New York and a year in Boston. By early 1997, I was off to Beijing to start up the company’s first office. At the time, I was only 27 years old and Beijing in the late 90’s was an incredible place to live and work. I have lived in Mainland China for 17 years total, learned Mandarin, met my wife Catherine in Shanghai (she’s from Taiwan and was working there as well) and it is also where our three-and-a-half year old twins, Nathaniel and Adrianna, were born. Within the past year, the company has moved us to Singapore where I took on the role of VP for the Asia Region. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. The company I work for is Arpin International. It performs international household moving for business leaders posted overseas for work assignments for their companies. I’ve been in the same industry, working with the same leadership group since 1995. That may sound boring but we have an incredible camaraderie. I took a break from this industry in 2004 to study in a full-time MBA program in Paris. But having had completed the program in a year, I realized that China was still where my heart was and I returned. Within a year, I and a business partner launched Subway (sandwiches) in Shanghai which has a population of 25 million people and later secured the rights and built out Subway in the neighboring province of Jiangsu which has 90 million people. In the process, we secured investment, built a large team and a solid platform for launching foreign food and beverage brands in China. Our final and ongoing project is Domino’s Pizza in China. We secured the opportunity for Domino’s in 2010. There are now more than 150 stores anchored by a strong team of F&B professionals to grow it to the next level of success. So, for a guy from North Jersey, who had NEVER even eaten Subway or Domino’s before he sold them, his legacy may just be introducing sandwiches and delivery pizza in East China. THAT’S A GREAT CAREER STORY. ANY ADVICE FOR RAMAPO STUDENTS? Well, I’d have to say, get a passport. Travel. Expand your horizons. There is a lot to see and learn from. It’s probably more impactful than book learning, which is important, too! Try to find something you like, with like-minded people. Try to take a Study Abroad trip! Over the years, Professor Li has come to China probably 20 times with hundreds of students, undergraduates from various majors and also MBA students. She’s provided me the opportunity to share my story with them, answer their questions and hopefully plant the seed of how enlightening and fascinating a global career and lifestyle can be. We’d love to see more RCNJ grads on this side of the planet. www.ramapo.edu

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

FA C U LT Y S P OT L I G H T

DEAN CHEN

rom September 2017 to June 2018, Associate Professor Dean Chen spent 10 months in Mainland China as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Chen, who teaches China and East Asia Politics, U.S.China Relations, the United Nations and International Politics at Ramapo College, taught graduate courses in American Foreign Policy, Comparative Governments, and International Relations of East Asia and Analysis of Chinese Politics at Jilin University, located in Changchun in the far northeast corner of the country – about 269 miles from the North Korean border. Historically vital, Changchun, Jilin (formerly the center of Manchuria) was once a heatedly-contested strategic spot among the Russian and Japanese forces in the early 20th century.

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Imperial Japan invaded northeast China in 1931 and set up a puppet regime in Changchun, known as the Manchukuo, to support its expansionist policies in China and the Asia-Pacific. The Chinese Communist Party, with the assistance of the Soviet Union immediately after WWII, also benefited from the military and industrial capacities of northeast China to ultimately win the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Chen lived in the faculty dorm on campus with other international scholars. “While people there were great and friendly, the living conditions were not so pleasant,” he said. “Because of the geographical location, the temperature often dropped to 30 and 40 below zero during the winter and early spring months.”

Dean Chen, associate professor (center) and students from Jilin University in Chanchun

Inconvenience was amplified by frequent turn-offs of heater and hot water, probably due to the city’s policies to conserve costs and the university’s plan to renovate the old dormitory buildings. “I spent a lot of time in many, many layers of down clothing.” He was happy to chat about his in-class experience. “The students were smart, diligent and eager to learn about America and the U.S. liberal arts education, but they were cautious in their responses and interaction with me,” Chen said. “I think they had to be careful in what they said and how they expressed themselves as certain topics on politics and international affairs could be sensitive for open discussions there.” Although helpful and courteous, the University’s faculty and staff were also circumspect in their interactions with this young American professor and kept their distance from him. “There was very little interaction, so I spent a lot of time on my own,” he said. Regrettably, Chen was denied a card to the University library and couldn’t have access to its holdings.

CHEN IS GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ‘TEACH ABOUT AMERICA IN CHINA AND BE INVITED TO GIVE GUEST LECTURES IN OTHER CHINESE CAMPUSES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS.’ “While less economically vibrant relative to other parts of China, Changchun is in the process of rapid urban renewal and infrastructure upgrade. Their public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and bullet-trains are pretty good and well networked. Grocery shops, restaurants and Western fast-food and chain stores like McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks and Walmart are

nearby campus, thereby pacifying Chen’s homesickness. Local Chinese food especially hot pot and BBQs were awesome. Food delivery services through APPs on the phone have made life easier, too.” Despite some obstacles and restrictions, Chen felt he made a difference to the students. “They seemed genuinely interested in learning about the subject matter. Their spoken English was quite good—it’s compulsory for Chinese students to learn English since elementary school–but we had to work a lot on their writing. Those exercises went well.” Chen was also in China at major political junctures: the country’s leader Xi Jinping was confirmed for another term as the CCP General Secretary and China’s President. “The removal of the term-limitation on the Chinese president’s tenure led to some mixed and sharp reactions from the international community.” And, there was almost non-stop television coverage of President Trump’s state visit to the country last November. “My students welcomed him coming but didn’t realize that there would be a confrontational approach to their country. By the time I left to come home, they seemed more disappointed than happy.” The heightening of U.S.-China trade tension as well as North Korea’s Kim Jong-un’s charm offensives to America, China and South Korea also gave Chen a frontrow seat to observe these crucial international events. Chen noted that his Fulbright experience in Changchun was invaluable. He’s grateful for the opportunity to “teach about America in China and be invited to give guest lectures in other Chinese campuses and research institutions.” He met many fantastic and interesting people. When asked if he would go back to Changchun, Chen said he would love to return to visit the wonderful friends and people he has met there but chuckled that the freezing weather could be a discouraging factor. www.ramapo.edu

COLLEGE NEWS

PADOVANO COMMONS DEDICATED IN LOVELY CEREMONY The College recently dedicated the Padovano Commons in a lovely ceremony attended by many staff, faculty, students and alumni. The Padovano Commons, located on the site of the former print shop and mail room as well as being the original stone garage of the Birch estate, was completed courtesy of a generous gift from Dr. Anthony T. Padovano, Professor Emeritus, and his wife Theresa Lackamp Padovano, both of whom have been longtime supporters of the College. The building now offers a beautiful, flexible, and inviting space to foster informal dialog and collaboration among faculty during the day and in the evenings provide additional space for students to gather and learn outside the classroom. “After 45 years teaching at this institution, from its inception until just two years ago, I am deeply grateful for the experience of being here,” said Dr. Padovano. “I was a founding member of Ramapo College brought on board when cows and horses covered the property now busy with cars and students. I could not have imagined then that this site would have achieved the growth and beauty we call Ramapo College. The hopes all of us had then have been exceeded and indeed, the hopes I had for this Commons have been surpassed.”

Standing (L-R): Rosemarie, Andrew and Mark Padovano Seated (L-R): Theresa and Anthony Padovano

The Padovano Commons is designed as an informal multi-purpose meeting space that serves, most of all, for people to gather and socialize. “What we need most in life is one another,” Dr. Padovano continued. “We are at our best when we reflect, with those we care about, on what gives us meaning and how well we give ourselves to it…The Latin root of the English word ‘companion’ is sharing a meal with one another. ‘Companion means ‘with bread,’ cum pane. May we find each other often in the sharing of bread together. May this happen many times in the Commons. May what is most common about this place be the friendships that are nourished here.” Said Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer: “It is particularly fitting that this site should previously have contained the Print Shop. The great advantage served by printing, whether in Gutenberg’s time in the mid fifteenth century or in our digital age, is that information that might have remained the exclusive preserve of the few is instead able to be held ‘in common.’ By providing a forum for intellectual engagement and discussion, as well as social interaction, the Padovano Commons continues this theme." 12

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Theresa and Anthony Padovano with (center) Professor James Morley

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

A STUDENT’S REFLECTION As is tradition, all incoming first-year students at Ramapo College are assigned a summer reading selection and an essay to present at the semester’s start. This year’s book, The Leavers by Lisa Ko, struck a very personal chord with Taisei Miles, whose essay “Home is Where the Heart is: Realizations on Love, Home, and Identity” was chosen as one of three winning entries. Here are some excerpts of Taisei’s essay:

AUTHOR LISA KO PRESENTS ‘THE LEAVERS’ AT OPENING CONVOCATION Author Lisa Ko delivered the keynote address at the Opening Convocation in September. Ko’s award-winning book, The Leavers, which was the summer reading selection for first-year students, is a coming-of-age story that explores issues around immigration, deportation and crosscultural adoption.

This coming of age story centered around the disappearance of a young immigrant mother and the emotional world which incapacitates [her son] Deming for most of his adolescence. As a son of an immigrant mother, I have learned to appreciate stories which explore the difficult, sometimes impossible minority experiences in America and their constant struggles to find a home in a country ravished by divided opinion and policy. And it is this emotional world Lisa Ko creates which resonates with me: its moody sense of the past, present, and future transcending, diverging; its uncertain ability to solve the mystery of what is love and what it means to find it.

Ko, who was raised in New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn, discussed her path to becoming a writer and her childhood as an Asian-American daughter of immigrant parents, recounting fond childhood memories of her family telling stories around the kitchen table. She also noted the lack of Asian characters in the books she read growing up which encouraged her to begin creating characters in her own stories with which she more closely identified, adding that news articles of real life people were the “springboards for the characters.” When asked how the book might impact students, Ko said, “I think the themes of belonging and identity and assimilation are things that really everybody can relate to in a way. We can see ourselves reflected … in the characters’ journeys to find that sense of belonging.” Ko also commented on the current immigration situation in the U.S. “We’re especially living in a time when these stories of family separation continue to be very, very timely. Currently, there are about 7,000 parents of U.S. born children who are being deported every month. Of course that has huge reverberations across the country – socially, economically, psychologically.” She offered some advice to the audience: “All the characters have to push up against this kind of struggle to live on their own terms when there are a lot of social and familial and cultural expectations that are being put on them. . . My advice would be to figure out a way to stay true to yourself, to what you want. Be aware of what those expectations are and what you want for yourself.” The Leavers was a 2017 National Book Award for Fiction finalist, won the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, and was a finalist for the 2018 PEN/ Hemingway Award and the 2017 Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Award.

Essay winners Khalisah Hameed ’22, Taisei Miles ’22, Dean of Students Melissa Van Der Wall, and Gabriela Buniowska ’22

I am a physical embodiment of my mother’s hopes for this country. She was an immigrant from Japan, tired of the tight Kyoto streets packed with little, monolithic homes of identical bleakness. But I was born in this country. Reading Ko’s novel is like reading a piece of my history. I question my own childhood and consider all the situations which find correlation with the events in the novel. Ko discusses Deming’s struggle for inclusion. Growing up biracial, I faced frequent attacks from my peers. While others were known for being good at sports, having nice hair, or getting good grades, I was known for my distinct racial background. It was often difficult to transcend this identity as a young adult, and when I began to make progress socially, it always felt empty and unsatisfied. Maybe this story has made it vividly clear, love is not slowly incubated in the safe confines of whatever we call home; rather it is crafted carefully out in the open where the risk of its survival is not only questioned but challenged. www.ramapo.edu

COLLEGE NEWS

NEW FACULTY JOIN THE COLLEGE Ramapo College welcomed several new faculty members for the 2018-2019 academic year. “We are thrilled to welcome our new faculty members to campus and we are looking forward to seeing how their expertise and enthusiasm will enrich the academic life at our institution,” said Stefan Becker, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In the photo are, standing: Carrie Miller and Eman Abdelfaha, both of whom will join the School of Theoretical and Applied Sciences; seated, from left, are Provost Stefan Becker, Tiffany Chiu, who will teach in the Anisfield School of Business, and Lawrence Mascia, who joins the School of Contemporary Arts.

MSW PROGRAM RECEIVES ACCREDITATION Ramapo College has received accreditation for its Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program from the Council on Social Work Education, effective immediately through February 2022. “The goal of our program is to prepare social work professionals to further advocate for social justice and individual well-being, while emphasizing the human compassion component,” said AnnMarie Moreno, assistant dean and director of the MSW Program at Ramapo College. “As advanced generalist practitioners, students will become effective leaders through planning and problem solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and excellence in service to individuals, families, groups and organizations from a global perspective.” MSW student Kylie Dykstra ’18, ’20 at her internship at Christian Health Care Center Ramapo College offers an MSW degree that is affordable and prestigious, combining a rigorous and innovative classroom education along with a community-based practice experience transitioning students to professionals in the field of social work. Program participants gain experience in a wide range of areas, such as eating disorders, palliative end-of-life patient care, the effects of psychopharmacology, and other afflictions.

Students do their field experience in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, assistant living facilities, hospice centers, mobile units employed for home visitation services, mental health agencies, Moreno explained. The program also offers study abroad opportunities. Students have traveled to Ghana, where they examined the needs of the people in rural villages and provide social work services, and to Portugal where they studied policy change on public health issues such as the decriminalization of substance abuse. “This gives them a real sense of the global impact their work can have, and how they can make a difference,” Moreno said. Aaron Lorenz, dean of the School of Social Sciences and Human Services, touted the hard work Moreno and the faculty undertook in earning the prestigious accreditation for the program. “This accreditation is not given lightly,” he said. “The application process was very involved but we passed with flying colors. This is truly a testament to the tremendous work we do here in this program.” 14

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

STUDENTS COLLABORATE ON ECO-CHIC EXHIBIT The work of Ramapo College students and faculty was displayed this fall at the Eco-Chic II Exhibit at the Paterson Museum, located in the Old Great Falls Historic District in Passaic County. The project is a multifaceted program that takes a close look at the harmful impact of plastic bags on the environment. Students from Ramapo’s Introduction to Anthropology class and the Upward Bound Math Science Program researched the use of plastic bags and reusable shopping bags in the spring 2018 semester, interviewing shoppers as well as store merchants. The exhibit is a collaboration between Ramapo College faculty, staff, students, Paterson Upward Bound Math Science high school students, and Rose Orelup, an artist and fashion designer who creates runway looks from items headed to the landfill. (L-R): Sandra Suarez, with Paterson Public High School students Amel Hassan, Ayana Veal and Angelina Huber, all of the Upward Bound Math Science Program

The project, which includes theme-related artwork, fashion designs and other items, was funded by the Paterson County Cultural & Heritage Council which received a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Sandra Suarez, Ramapo College Upward Bound Math Science director, added “Having Paterson high school students attend a college class and interact creatively and professionally with Ramapo College students to create museum-quality work was a unique educational experience for both the high school and college age students who each benefited from honing a myriad of critical thinking and teamwork skills.”

KRAME CENTER HOSTS PRESTIGIOUS MINDFULNESS TEACHER TRAINING The Krame Center for Contemplative Studies and Mindful Living at Ramapo College hosted the Center for Mindfulness UMass Medical School’s Fundamentals Teacher training this summer. Participants from Austria, China, South America and all across the United States attended the event on campus.

and teacher instruction. In the following four days, students participated in an intensive, highly experiential professional training to facilitate further integration of the Mindfulness Tools Program™ through instruction, investigation and dialogue with teachers and other Fundamentals participants.

The Nine-Day Fundamentals is an intensive training on the path to becoming a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) instructor. For the first five days, students were immersed in the Mindfulness Tools Program™, a synthesized format of the eight-week MBSR course that includes intensive meditation, small and large group dialogue and interaction,

Participants enjoyed the Ramapo campus, the abundance of natural beauty, the delicious healthy food prepared to meet a variety of dietary needs, and the support provided by staff. The Krame Center also is working with the Ramapo Green in its Zero Waste Campaign, so attendees participated in the recycling and composting of the food and dinnerware. www.ramapo.edu

COLLEGE NEWS

RAMAPO AND TOURO COLLEGE OF PHARMACY CREATE NEW FAST TRACK PROGRAM PATH Ramapo College and Touro College of Pharmacy (TCOP) in Harlem have created a new pre-pharmacy program that will allow qualified students to earn both bachelor’s and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees in seven years. The program is designed to put students on a fast track, saving time and cost.

(L-R): Alan Blinder, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, Christine Cumming, formerly of Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Charles Steindel, Murray Sabrin, Patricia C. Mosser, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Richard Sylla, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the Stern School of Business, New York University.

FINANCIAL CRISIS: A 10-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE The Sabrin Center for Free Enterprise and the Anisfield School of Business presented “The 2008 Financial Crisis: A 10-Year Retrospective” at Ramapo College in September. Ramapo College’s Murray Sabrin, professor of Finance, and Charles Steindel, Resident Scholar, Anisfield School of Business, served as co-moderators. The symposium addressed why it happened, how it happened and could it happen again. Four national experts on money and banking discussed the events leading up to the housing bust and the reactions of policymakers to the meltdown that caused tens of trillions of dollars of asset values to implode. “I was extremely impressed with Dr. Sabrin’s presentation on the 2008 financial crisis,” said Brian Carenza ’90, who could not attend but watched the presentation online. “The content and the research were so extensive and delivered so well. It makes me even more proud to be an alumnus.”

Seated (L-R): Provost Stefan Becker and TCOP Dean Henry Cohen, PharmD Standing (L-R): TCOP Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment Management, Heidi Fuchs, Professor of Biology, Rena Bacon, and Dean Edward Saiff

“Ramapo College is thrilled to enter into this partnership,” said Edward Saiff, Dean, School of Theoretical and Applied Science. “Students interested in a career in pharmacy will be able to begin their studies here at Ramapo and then move on to the Touro campus for their professional studies. Pharmacists are integral to any health care team and this partnership will offer Ramapo College students interested in the many dimensions of pharmacy a path to a wonderful career.” Students would apply to TCOP during their third year at Ramapo, at the end of which they will be required to have completed pre-requisites in science, math, and economics. Under the articulation agreement, Ramapo agrees to provide counseling, advising and resources to students in the Program. Students admitted to TCOP must satisfactorily complete their first year of pharmacy school to obtain their bachelor’s degree from Ramapo.

“I have been extremely impressed with the work accomplished by these Ramapo students and their mentors, as I know it will serve them well to lead and serve in an evergrowing global society,” said Stefan Becker, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ramapo College. Students, who are juniors and seniors and did their research under the guidance of faculty mentors, presented their works in poster, writing and oral presentation form. They are:

NINE STUDENTS REPRESENT AT COPLAC Nine Ramapo College students were chosen to present at the Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity Conference of the Council of Public and Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) in October. The annual two-day conference was held at SUNY Geneseo, New York. 16

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Justina Celentano, Alexandra Davies, Guadalupe Juarez, Melody Lenda, Emma Lucier-Keller, Madeline Martinez, Joseph Perez, Hyunwook Shin and David Francis Vaughan. Students at COPLAC institutions have the opportunity to present the results of their undergraduate research at regional conferences where they can meet and discuss their work with peers and faculty members.

A LOOK AT THE CLASS OF 2022 Ramapo College welcomed its new students during the traditional Arching Ceremony on September 2. The 1,539 new Roadrunners include first-year and transfer students. The Class of 2022 boasts 955 first-year students, the second largest first-year class in Ramapo’s history and four percent larger than the class of 2021. The talented and diverse Class of 2022 is distinguished by its demographics:

28 PERCENT

were born in the 1990s

students are EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND STUDENTS

72 PERCENT

were born in the 2000s

16%

came through EARLY DECISION

38.3%

identify themselves as non-white

TOP MAJORS Undeclared, Nursing, Business Administration, Biology and Psychology

international students from seven foreign countries

To see more photos and videos of check-in, head to our Instagram and watch the highlight story “Check In 2018”

ALL NEW JERSEY COUNTIES ARE REPRESENTED

Students hail from

NINE d i f f e re n t s t a te s

3.44

INCOMING FRESHMAN CLASS

based on high school records

43 PERCENT IS MALE

the average GPA

57 PERCENT IS FEMALE while

www.ramapo.edu

FOUNDATION

JANE ADDAMS PAPERS PROJECT RECEIVES THREE NEW GRANTS The Jane Addams Papers Project received three grants, from the National Endowment for the Humanities ($250,000 plus $50,000 match offer), the National Historical Publications and Records Commission ($120,429), and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation ($10,000). The grants will help Professor Cathy Moran Hajo, '85, director of the Jane Addams Papers, and her staff to transcribe letters to and from Addams, and post them to the online digital edition of the Jane Addams Papers. In addition to the transcriptions, the digital edition includes links to more information on the people, organizations, and historical events mentioned in the letters. The digital edition is a valuable resource to scholars, teachers, and the general public. Ramapo students like Julia Connelly ’19, center, and Katie McNellis ’19, right, play a major role not only in describing, indexing and transcribing documents, but also researching and writing identifications. They are pictured here with Professor Cathy Moran Hajo ’85.

ARTS COUNCIL FUNDS BERRIE CENTER FOR 17TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR The New Jersey State Council on the Arts recently awarded $31,900 to the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts. The award will support public programming that takes place in the Berrie Center — such as concerts, comedy, film, and School time performances for middle school kids. This is the seventeenth year that the Council has supported the Center, which was just voted “best for live entertainment” in BERGEN Magazine’s annual Best in Bergen Readers’ Choice Awards.

MOBILE FOOD LAB RO LLIN G OU T TO SCHOOLS Students in grades K-8 in Northern New Jersey can now have hands-on food education brought directly to their schools through the Mobile Food Lab, a fun and multi-sensory classroom on wheels. Programs are tailored to specific age groups with Grades K-2 painting with spices, Grades 3-5 exploring flavor profiles and preparing salads using fresh herbs, and Sixth through Eighth graders extracting plant DNA and studying leaf veining systems. Schools can also choose to visit the bus at its home base, the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, where students can see how to grow plants hydroponically through a working vertical farm. The Mobile Food Lab is made possible through a partnership between Ramapo College, Reed Next, an initiative of Oakland-based REED Foundation for Autism, and Newark-based EcoSpaces Education, a program at Philips Educational Partners. In addition to introducing kids to food education,adults with autism will have the opportunity to work in a variety of jobs in and around the Mobile Food Lab and the Meadowlands Environment Center. > mobilefoodlab.org 18

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

RAMAPO STUDENTS INTERN WITH RUSS BERRIE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD HONOREES Since 1997, Ramapo has been home to the annual “Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award,” which has recognized 356 “Unsung Heroes” who have made New Jersey a better place to live. Through a $1 million grant from the Russell Berrie Foundation, the College is strengthening connections with previous honorees and the organizations they lead. This summer, two Ramapo students interned at honoree-led organizations while earning a scholarship. Jacqueline Scheid ’20 served with City Green, an urban farm in Clifton, N.J., founded by honoree Jennifer Papa. Coquette Cruz served at Oasis in Paterson, N.J., an organization that empowers women and children to break out of poverty, founded by honoree Ann Wagner.

Jacquline Scheid ’20, Environmental Studies major, who interned with City Green, an urban farm in Clifton, N.J. run by 2013 Berrie honoree Jennifer Papa

(L-R): Evelyn Peña ’18, Program Manager, Coquette Cruz ’22, Summer Youth Program Intern and Jessica Egger, Director of Education at Oasis: A Haven for Women and Children, Paterson, N.J.

FACULTY MEMBER RECEIVES US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT Students in health care, psychology, and social work will be able to better serve their Spanish-speaking clients, thanks to Ramapo's new Certificate in Spanish for Health Care and Human Services professionals. A faculty member in the program, Dr. Natalia Santamaria Laorden, recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to develop four new courses for the certificate, and hold an annual symposium for bilingual practitioners. The new courses will include a Spanish-language internship and study abroad experience in Colombia. The $154,794 award was made through the Department of Education's Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language program. Students Reilly Cox ’20, Gabriela Romano ’19 and Thomas Perez ’19 use their Spanish in a practice examination under the direction of Professor Natalia Santamaria Laorden (standing).

Photo courtesy Hannah Wunder ‘20

www.ramapo.edu

FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION ALLOCATION PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY CIANJ AS ‘BEST PRACTICE’ The Ramapo College Foundation’s Allocations Program has been recognized by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) and COMMERCE Magazine, which recently held their 5th Annual Best Practices Conference saluting innovation in the workplace. Business executives were asked to share their thoughts on how they empower employees, so they can become sales leaders, innovators, rainmakers, brand ambassadors and effective team players.The Allocations Program was cited for its innovative way to create “workplace heroes at all level.”

ALUMNA NAMED CHAIR OF RAMAPO COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS Debra Perry, ’85, a partner with McCarter & English LLP, has been named Chair of the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors. “I am thrilled to be able to work on the Board with such wonderful members of the community, all of whom are dedicated to Ramapo’s success and the success of the students,” says Debra, who graduated from the College in 1985 with a degree in Psychology. After earning her law degree at Rutgers Newark, Ms. Perry joined McCarter & English in 1990 as a Junior Associate. In 2013 she was named to NJBIZ’s “Best 50 Women in Business,” and for many years has been recognized as a NJ Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters. She is currently a partner and attorney in the product liability group of the Newark, N.J., based firm. Debra is the former chairperson of Life Management, Inc., a non-profit organization assisting elderly citizens in Essex County and has also implemented and coordinated the medical emergency guardianship panel for the judiciary of the Essex County Courts. At Ramapo, Debra received the President’s Award of Merit in 2003 and was honored as a Distinguished Citizen in 2005. She has served on the Board of Governors since 2005, most recently as vice chair of the Board’s executive committee.

“I AM THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON THE BOARD WITH SUCH WONDERFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, ALL OF WHOM ARE DEDICATED TO RAMAPO’S SUCCESS AND THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDENTS.” - DEBRA PERRY ’85

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

“All of us at the Ramapo College Foundation are delighted to receive this recognition from The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey,” said Ralph Mastrangelo, immediate past chair of the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors. “And most importantly we are so pleased to be able to provide the resources to faculty and students that help make the difference in Ramapo’s quest for educational excellence.” The College’s submission is listed below: Ramapo College offers monetary awards through its Foundation’s Allocations Program, which provides an opportunity for staff to advance a project with an emphasis on leadership, engagement and diversity. All staff are eligible to apply for grants ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars. On average, 50 grants are awarded annually and provide opportunities to further enhance Ramapo’s reputation through faculty/student research projects, new international initiatives, presentations at professional conferences, and new programs to support the College’s Strategic Plan. Recent grant awards include researching the ecological and social impact of illegal dumping in the Ramapo Mountains; research on behavior of traders during stressful markets; comparative analysis of effects of mindfulness programs in schools; and faculty-led study abroad programs in Japan, Korea and Portugal. As a result of the program’s success and impact felt, grant awards have increased by 30 percent since 2014. More than 400 students have also directly benefited from grants prepared by Ramapo’s dedicated and caring faculty/staff. Best Practices Awards were given to company and business leaders selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges assembled by CIANJ. The association represents more 900 corporate members and works to advance free market principles.

SUMMER EVENTS HELP FUND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS Events over the summer helped raise critical funds to provide scholarship support for qualified students, fund collaborative research initiatives between students and faculty, and support special programs and projects on campus. The TD Summer Concert Series, sponsored by TD Bank, attracted thousands of attendees who enjoyed tribute-band concerts on the bandshell lawn during Thursday evenings in July. Additional concert sponsors include the Bergen Barracudas Swim Team, The Friends of Ramapo, Liberty Subaru in Emerson, Liberty KIA in Ramsey, Liberty Hyundai in Mahwah and Liberty Genesis in Mahwah.

Thomas M. Hewitt, Sr. ’75 of TD Bank welcomes the crowd.

A steamy summer day didn’t dampen the spirits of golfers who came out for the 31st Annual Ramapo College Foundation Golf Outing, held in July at the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, N.J. “This year’s outing raised a record $136,000 thanks to the support from our sponsors, golfers and the hard work of the Ramapo and North Jersey CC staff,” said Frank Conway, of Franklin Lakes, who served as Golf Committee Chairman. The event was sponsored by Century 21 Construction and the Marino family. Additional sponsors for the outing include Lakeland Bank, DialAmerica, Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets, UPS, and PKF O’Connor Davies LLC.

“I’d like the donors and others who come out for Ramapo events to know that their donations will be put to good use in furthering my education and helping me on my path toward law school and a career in law.” - Eric Cook ’21 Frank and Kelly Conway, Christi Colabella and Chris Conway

THOMAS J. SHARA HONORED AT 31ST ANNUAL GOLF OUTING Thomas J. Shara, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lakeland Bankcorp, Inc. and Lakeland Bank, Oak Ridge, N.J., received the Havemeyer Presidential Leadership Award at Ramapo College Foundation’s 31st Annual Golf Outing at the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, N.J. The Havemeyer Presidential Leadership Award is given to an individual who has offered his or her expertise and whose contributions have touched the lives of the community as well as the students, faculty and staff at Ramapo College. Mr. Shara serves on the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation and the Chilton Medical Center Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, N.J., and on the Board of Directors of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Bankers Association.

(L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Honoree Thomas J. Shara and Frank Conway, Chair of the Golf Committee

www.ramapo.edu

ATHLETICS

TURF FACELIFT The turf field at the College’s athletic complex got a muchneeded facelift over the summer. The new field was officially “christened” prior to the Men’s Soccer home opener on September 5 when the team celebrated a 5-0 win over visiting Lehman College.

Pictured with the team for the festivities is Ramapo President Peter P. Mercer.

RAMAPO ANNOUNCES 2019 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS The Ramapo College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the 2019 induction class. The dinner and ceremony is set for April 27 at the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center on campus. A four-year member of the College's men's basketball team, Corey Brown will be inducted for his outstanding contributions on the court from 1997-2001. He is a 2001 graduate of the College where he earned a degree in Finance. Dr. Walter Brown will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously after many years of service to the College. He served as a professor of history and international studies from 1973-2006. Brown taught for the college until he unexpectedly passed away in March. He was a graduate of Boston University where he earned his masters and Ph.D.

vault. She is a 2013 graduate of the College where she earned her degree in Biology. Head Coach Chuck McBreen is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his exceptional coaching career at Ramapo. He began at the College in 1998 and continues to lead the nationally ranked men's basketball team as they recorded a historic season in 2017-2018 making a trip to the NCAA Final Four. Rob Santaniello quickly made his mark at Ramapo as one of the top men's soccer players in history. He played for the Roadrunners from 2009-2012 and continues to hold the record for goals in a season and career goals. He graduated with a degree in business administration and finance in 2013.

Andrea (Pastiglione) Buser saw success on the softball field from 2002-2006 and graduated in 2006 with a degree in communications with a concentration in graphic design. Her stellar career included helping to lead the Roadrunners to the NCAA College World Series in 2006. Clavon Byrd was a four-year member of the College's football team from 1977-1980 where he played as a running back and defensive back. He was a member of the 1978 team who was ranked #1 among National Club Football Teams by the National Collegiate Football Association. Byrd graduated in 1983 with a degree in business administration. A national champion for the Roadrunner track and field team, Michelle Favre is being inducted for her outstanding career in the field from 2009-2013 where she competed in the pole 22

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Head Coach Chuck McBreen and Corey Brown ’01 at the Athlete Awards Banquet in 2001.

SOFTBALL RAISES AWARENESS FOR HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE The Ramapo College softball team, alumni, family and friends joined together to raise awareness for Huntington's Disease. The team recently supported a current Roadrunner softball family in the Huntington's Disease Society of America Team Hope Walk in Roosevelt Park in Edison, N.J. Huntington’s Disease is a fatal hereditary disease that destroys neurons in the brain. As parts of the brain deteriorate, this affects movement, behavior, and cognition functions. Only 30,000 people in the world have this rare disease. For more information, please visit hdsa.org

SOCCER SUCCESS The Men’s Soccer team enjoyed a highly successful season, posting the best record in the program’s history at 17-4-2 overall. After earning an at-large bid to the NCAA DIII Tournament, the Roadrunners reached the Sweet 16 round where they were ousted by New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Montclair State at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Picked to finish 9th in the NJAC preseason poll, the Roadrunners finished second in the conference earning the #2 seed in the NJAC Tournament. Ramapo advanced to the NJAC Championship for the first time in school history and was ranked #2 in the NCAA South Atlantic Region heading into the tournament.

FIELD HOCKEY WALKS FOR ALZHEIMER’S The Ramapo College Field Hockey Team participated in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's® in October at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park, N.J. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for care, support and research of the disease which has affected some family members of the team. This walk was held in honor of head coach Jennifer Tafro’s grandmother who is suffering with end-stage effects of the disease.

Ramapo made its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in program history (2018, 1997) and traveled to Connecticut College to take on Springfield College in a first-round game. The Roadrunners won 2-0 and earned the first NCAA win in program history before they posted a 1-0 shutout in the second round to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 Round. Junior Joseph Fala led the team with 27 goals and is currently 2nd in NCAA Division III in total goals. For scores, recaps and schedules for all Roadrunner sports, visit www.ramapoathletics.com www.ramapo.edu

ALUMNI + CLASS NOTES

C L ASS N OT E S

WHERE WE ARE & WHAT WE ARE UP TO 1973

1985

1997

SHERYLL G. GRISEWOOD (Life Science) was elected to the board of directors of Oncolix, Inc., a biotechnology company. Until recently, Sherry was managing partner of life sciences research and before that, managing director of corporate finance, at Dawson James Securities, Inc. Sherry is a member of the boards of directors of TapImmune, Inc. as well as Mobitech Regenerative Medicine, Inc. She is a chartered financial analyst and a member of the CFA Institute as well as other professional organizations.

GEORGIA KERESTY (Computer Science) was elected to Clarkson University's board of trustees where she will serve on the audit and internal affairs committee. She is global head of medical sciences & development operations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. From 1997 to 2017, Georgia worked for Johnson & Johnson, most recently serving as vice president and global head of pharmaceutical development & manufacturing services. In addition to her Ramapo College degree, she holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, an M.S. in information systems from Pace University, and an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in operations management from Rutgers University. She also holds an M.Ph. from the University of Southern California. Georgia has served on the board of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging and is a member of the board of Commissioning Agents, Inc.

KATRINE ALIHA BECK (Political Science) co-founded a full-service litigation firm, Fullerton Beck LLP, in White Plains, N.Y. Katrine focuses her trial practice on general liability, municipal law and commercial matters. She earned her J.D. from Albany Law School.

FUN FACT Leo Campbell, Ed.D. gathered his fellow alumni to launch the RAMAPO COLLEGE CLASS OF 1973 (First Graduating Class) Scholarship, an endowed fund that will commemorate the Classâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; generosity in perpetuity.

1976 ANNE L. LOPES (Political Science) joined Brooklyn College as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Previously, Anne served as interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at John Jay College, and before that, she was associate provost for strategic initiatives and dean of graduate studies. She holds a doctorate in political science from Freie Universitat in Berlin, Germany and an M.A. in political theory from Goddard College.

1981 JANINE PAPIN (Fine Arts) received the 2018 Jimmy Award for Inspiring Teacher. The Jimmy Awards are presented by the Broadway League Foundation in honor of James M. Nederlander, the Broadway producer and theater owner. Janine is employed by Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, FL, where she serves many roles, including department chair, auditorium manger and theater teacher. In 2015, she received a fellowship to study at Shakespeare's Globe Theater.

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

1991 GARY THOMAS (Business Administration) has been promoted to chief operating officer of Tyber Medical, LLC in Bethlehem, PA. Gary joined the company in 2017 as executive vice president of operations. Previously, he served as group vice president of portfolio and project management at Biomet, and he has held management positions at Norman Noble, Stryker and Pfizer. Gary also holds a management degree from NJIT.

1993 HERMAN WEISS (Philosophy) is the new chief executive officer of Todos Medical Ltd. headquartered in Rehovot, Israel. Until recently, Dr. Weiss served as vice president of medical affairs and clinical development for Juniper Pharmaceuticals Inc. and before that, he was global medical director of women's health and bone health at Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd. Herman received an M.B.A. from George Washington University and an M.D. from the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

2003 MICHAEL L. ROSENBERG (Political Science) is a candidate for the Fair Lawn council in the November special election. He serves on the Fair Lawn board of education and is involved in the community. Michael is employed as a middle school social studies teacher in Hillsdale, N.J.

2004 JERRY CONATY (Accounting) was named partner with the accounting firm of Holman Frenia Allison, PC in Toms River, N.J. He is a member of the AICPA, the NJSCPA, the Association of Fraud Examiners and N.J. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Jerry earned a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in accounting and professional consultancy from Villanova University. NICOLE PACCIANI (Communication Arts) has been named co-president of the Bergen County Women Coaches Association. Nicole serves as assistant track coach at Fort Lee High School and is the former assistant basketball coach at Northern Valley/ Demarest High School.

2005 MICHAEL P. ALBIN (Psychology), coordinator for academic advisement at Rockland Community College, received the 2018 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence. He serves on several college committees, including: student orientation advisement; registration; Hispanic heritage awards; and Native American heritage. He also earned RCC's 2016-17 Administrative Staff Assembly Leadership Award. Michael holds a master's in counseling from Mercy College.

JESSICA FRIEDMAN (Business Administration) is the new director of the Early Childhood Program at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. She is working towards a master's degree in early childhood education at Touro College.

2006 MATTHEW J. ROBINSON (History) has been named principal of Mount Olive Middle School. Matt had been superintendent for pre-kindergarten to sixth grade for the Stillwater Township School. He holds a master's degree in educational leadership from the College of Saint Elizabeth.

2007 RYAN BABIAK (Accounting), a senior manager at accounting firm WithumSmith+Brown, has been promoted to partner. He is a member of the firm's start-up and emerging growth technology services group. Ryan earned a master's of accountancy/taxation from Rutgers University. He is a member of the AICPA and the NJCPA. ROSS SWITKES (Communication Arts) was named partner of the law firm Trenk DiPasquale. Ross had been an associate with the firm. He was selected recently as a "New Leader of the Bar" by the New Jersey Law Journal. He concentrates his practice in the areas of bankruptcy, debtor/ creditor rights, corporate restructuring and commercial litigation. He earned a J.D. from Seton Hall Law School.

BRIAN SELLA (Contemporary Arts), lead singer of the indie rock band, The Front Bottoms, was recently featured in Bergen Health & Life Magazine as a "famous Bergenite" in the performing arts.

2015 MICHAEL J. HIGH (Law and Society) was appointed a probationary police officer with the West Caldwell Police Department. Michael is a recent graduate of the Passaic Police Academy. He is a member of the West Caldwell Fire Department, First Aid Squad and former Glen Ridge police officer.

2018 PATRICK HARRISON (Environmental Science) was recently featured in The Record for his newly launched business, HarBee Beekeeping LLC, which maintains beehives for suburban homeowners. He is believed to be the first person to start such a business in New Jersey. Patrick was one of the winners of the Innovations in Food Sustainability Challenge held in February at Montclair State University. MATTHEW JOSEPH ROACH (Music) recently joined the Walt Disney Company as an entertainment technician at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

2010 ROBERT J. NOSARI (American Studies) was appointed vice principal of the Timberlane Middle School in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District. He previously taught at Nottingham High School in Hamilton Township. Robert holds a master's degree in educational leadership from The College of New Jersey.

LAURA (SZALAJ) WESTENDORF (Communication Arts, 2007) and her husband, Michael, welcomed a daughter, Valerie Ann, on March 1, 2018.

FUN FACT When the members of the CLASS OF 2019 were just wee babes, the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts was under construction.

In Memoriam

Marriages

NANCY COLLINS ’75 RICHARD A. ERRANTE ’75 RICKIE P. SULLIVAN ’77 STUART J. HUTCHESON ’80

2008 KATHLEEN A. MAHONEY (Psychology) joined the International Association of HealthCare Professionals and will have an article published in its professional journal, Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare. Kathleen is a licensed clinical social worker and alcohol and drug counselor with a private practice in Oakhurst, N.J. She holds an M.S.W. from Rutgers University.

Births

ANN H. RUDOLPH ’80 CAROL ANN JEWELL (Nursing, 2016) married Christopher Perez on June 2, 2018. She is an operating room nurse at Hackensack Meridian Health. MEGHAN MCKEARY (History, 2013) and Michael Pleus were married on July 13, 2018.

SUSAN A. THOMPSON ’81 DONALD B. EVANS ’83 ANDREA C. SOBOTA ’85 RICHARD L. HINES ’86 VINCENT J. WILSON ’86 BARBARA BRIGLIADORO ’89 CHRISTINE BURNS ’89 JOHN M. SCHULTZ ’94 AUDREY WILSON ’94 MARJORY E. LEWIS ’07 GEOFFREY OROZCO ’09 RICHARD SENSBACH ’15 www.ramapo.edu

ALUMNI

Alumni Events Professor Emeritus and sculptor Jay Wholley with Ramapo College alumni and staff gathered at Salem Art Works in Salem, N.Y. to celebrate Jay’s four-plus decade career.

Laura Giustacori ’14

(L-R): Professor Emeritus Jay Whooley, Adjunct Faculty Lori Mehige, Robert Modafferi ’01, Joshua Knowblick ’05, Former Adjunct Faculty Michael Dominick, and Assistant Professor Joel Weisman Photo Courtesy Rachel Dickstein ’19

Members of the Ramapo family enjoyed s’mores, good company and music provided by WRPR at the Alumni Barbecue. The event supported the Student Relief Fund, which helps current Ramapo students with emergency expenses.

Kelvin Crumby ’11 and his family at the Alumni Barbecue

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Young alumni returned to campus to exchange Ramapo stories and business cards at the first GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) networking event, held in the summer.

After a tasty Harvest Dinner on campus, alumni traveled to the Theater District in NYC and enjoyed the Tony-award winning musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once On This Island.â&#x20AC;? Alumni (with the Judge!) went to the Bronx to cheer on the Yankees as they beat the Baltimore Orioles in September.

www.ramapo.edu

TRAVEL WITH RAMAPO

A Literary Tour of Ireland August 1 - August 11, 2019 with Professor Emeritus Donald Fucci

A LITERARY TOUR OF IRELAND OVERNIGHT STAYS Overnight flight Galway four nights Sligo two nights Dublin three nights

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES Nine nights at hand selected hotels Breakfast daily, four-three-course dinners with beer or wine Multilingual Tour Director Private deluxe motor coach Guided sightseeing and select entrance fees

In August 2019, Professor Emeritus Donald Fucci will lead a group through Ireland and discuss the works of William Butler Yeats and James Joyce, to name a few, and explore the Emerald Isle’s rolling hills with stops at castles, pubs and more. The trip begins in Galway and travels through the Aran Islands on the Knock, home of Ireland’s National Shrine and Parkes Castle. Then it’s on to Dublin.

Day 5 - Sligo with stop at Kylemore Abbey Garden and lunch at its famed restaurant. On to Knock, home of Ireland’s National Marian Shrine and tour of Connemara National Parkland, home of the twelve-peak mountain range. Day 6 - Coast of County Mayo to Drumcliffe and visit to the grave of W. B. Yeats. Stop in Innisfree and visit restored, 17th century Parkes Castle. Then a one-hour river cruise before heading back to Sligo. Dinner and evening at a private home where Damien Brennan discusses the life and poetry of William Butler Yeats. Day 7 - Day exploring the city of Dublin and evening performance at the famed Abbey Theatre. Day 8 - Day aboard a Dublin bus with hop-on/hop-off options. Travelers choose among many sites of beauty and culture (options will be provided). In the evening, dinner and a “pint” at a Dublin restaurant to share thoughts about author James Joyce.

Throughout the trip, Ramapo alumni and friends will have time to explore on their own since Dublin has so much to offer. There will be time to learn from Professor Fucci; we will explore the interesting backgrounds of Irish authors and what motivated them to create their works. We will also visit their home towns.

Day 9 - Explore the James Joyce and Ulysses exhibits at the James Joyce Center and a walking tour through Dublin in the footsteps of Joyce’s character Leopold Bloom. On to the Book of Kells housed at Trinity College and optional visit to the National Library of Ireland.

Day I - Travel Day-the group departs from Newark Airport to Shannon Airport.

Total cost of trip will be $4,299 which includes hand-selected hotels and most meals, guided tours, local transportation in Ireland and round-trip air fare.

Day 2 - Arrive in Galway-hotel check-in and welcome dinner. Day 3 - Galway and sightseeing-explore the Cliffs of Moher, drive through Burren and a guided tour of Galway proper (considered the musical center of Ireland). Optional visit to St. Augustine’s Church and Galway Cathedral where masses take place in Irish. 28

Day 4 - Ferry across Galway Bay and guided tour of Inishmore, one of three remote Aran Islands. Opportunity to purchase Irish fisherman’s sweaters. Evening of traditional Irish music in one of the oldest pubs in Galway.

Ramapo College Magazine | Fall 2018

Day 10 - Free day in Dublin; as they in the area, “Enjoy the craic.”

To register, visit goaheadtours.com For more information, please visit ramapo.edu/travel/ireland or call Joanne Favata in Ramapo College’s Alumni Relations Office at 201-684-7115.

FINAL WORDS

Izumi Osawa-Minevich, Program Assistant in the Office of International Education, practices the art of Japanese calligraphy. The calligraphy Waka poem was written by 11th Century female poet Izumi Shikibu. Izumi also runs weekly Japanese Language hours for students. Pictured below, Izumi visited Brandywine Assisted Living residents to share the art and culture of Japanese calligraphy.

"What color is this Autumn wind blowing, That it can steep the deepest hues of feelings inside myself."

ORIGINAL JAPANESE 秋吹くはいかなる色の風なれば身にしむばかりあはれなるらむ SOUND/PRONUNCIATION Akifukuwa Ikanaruirono Kazenareba Minishimubakari Awarenaruramu

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, N.J. 07430-1623 www.ramapo.edu

Giving to Ramapo...It's easier than ever! Ramapo continues its proud tradition of providing the tools which foster excellence in education, and Ramapo College alumni, parents, students, faculty/ staff, friends, and board members are a driving force in supporting the Annual Fund. Ramapo depends on these gifts to support the mission of the College. SO JUST POINT, CLICK, GIVE! www.ramapo.edu/giving/annual-giving

19TH ANNUAL

PERFORMING ARTS DINNER SERIES 2019 Season Benefits student scholarships and special projects at Ramapo College of New Jersey

SHERMA ANDREWS: The Legendary Lady Singers Saturday, March 16, 2019 | 8 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. DENA BLIZZARD AND PAT HAZELL: My Funny Valentine Saturday, April 27, 2019 | 8 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Liz Kloak at lkloak@ramapo.edu or 201.684.6834.