RAMAPO COLLEGE MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2016
FROM THE OFFICE OF
THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, On May 13 we celebrated the achievements of the 1,509 members of the Ramapo College Class of 2016. The Class of 2016 included 65 Educational Opportunity Fund Program participants, 15 Veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard as well as New Jersey Air and Army National Guard, and 99 graduates that have affiliated with our Office of Specialized Services. Further, the class also included international students from eight countries. During the Ceremony, the graduates were commended for their robust record of service and engagement including their participation in undergraduate research, Relay for Life fundraising for Cancer, a Run with Color that supported Ramapo scholarships, awareness campaigns dedicated to the prevention of sexual assault and suicide, rallies protesting discrimination and police brutality, and programs to generate Hurricane Sandy and Nepal relief. Further, the Ceremony was a memorable one with insightful remarks delivered by thoughtful people. Award of Merit recipient Dr. Joseph Barone ’83 encouraged graduates to embrace the “excellent mistakes” they will make in life. Distinguished Professor and Keynote Speaker Dr. Anthony T. Padovano, who you will read more about in the pages that follow, shared with the graduates:
Sincerely,
Peter P. Mercer, Ph.D. President, Ramapo College of New Jersey
“We were privileged that we came to know you, stood by your side and, today, watched you walk into your future. How foolish it is to believe that America has lost its way and to imagine that you walk into a blighted world or that the past was so much better than the present. You are the future of this nation and of our world. You will give this nation and the world few regrets; you will make both of them aware of how much more the future holds for all of us.” Student speaker Lindsay Hughes ’16 noted, “As we entered this institution we all walked under the Arch, some of us bright eyed and ambitious– others timid and scared of what our future at Ramapo would hold. Years later, as we walked back through the Arch, leaving campus in our rear view, I hope we all reflected on the countless memories Ramapo gave us, the lifelong friendships we have made, the education we received that will prepare us for our next step and ultimately the persons we have become during our time at Ramapo.” Between the 2016 Arching and Commencement Ceremonies, more than 10,000 individuals gathered to celebrate with the Ramapo College Class of 2016. As I presided over both ceremonies this year, I was increasingly impressed by the many familiar and new faces that supported our graduates during their time with Ramapo. To the growing number of donors, family members, friends, faculty, staff, alumni, and employers: Thank you for making it all possible.
contents COLLEGE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Peter P. Mercer, Ph.D. President Beth E. Barnett Provost Kirsten DaSilva Vice President for Administration and Finance Cathleen Davey Vice President for Institutional Advancement Christopher Romano Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Michael A. Tripodi Vice President and General Counsel BOARD OF TRUSTEES George C. Ruotolo, Jr. Chair BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The day before Commencement graduates participate in the time-honored traditional Arching Ceremony. Family, faculty and staff cheer on the Class of 2016 as they pass under the Havemeyer Arch.
Ralph Mastrangelo Chair Carolyn Merkel ’78 Alumni Association Board, Chair Audrey Newman ’93 Friends of Ramapo, Chair
RAMAPO MAGAZINE STAFF Cathleen Davey Editor-in-Chief Mary Cicitta ’07, ’16 Production Editor
FEATURES
p. 2
Ramapo Celebrates Commencement
p. 6
Student Engagement Programs Prove Invaluable to College Experience
DEPARTMENTS
Angela Daidone Copy Editor
p. 11
Faculty Profile: Sarah Carberry
Janelle Ferraro ’14 Graphic Designer
p. 12
College News
Carolyn Herring Photo Editor
p. 19
Foundation News
p. 24
Class Notes
p. 25
Alumni Events
Contributing Writers Elizabeth Brand Angela Daidone Rachel Pinton ’01 Contributing Photographers José Hernández ’98 Alexandra Simone 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: Lori Walker at 201.684.7115 Student Relations contact: Melissa Van Der Wall at 201.684.7456
Ramapo Magazine is produced by the Office of Communications and Public Relations.
in this issue
Front cover: Founding faculty member and Distinguished Professor of Literature and Philosophy Anthony T. Padovano, Ph.D.
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COMMENCEMENT 2016
Students celebrate after receiving their degrees.
Anisfield School of Business Dean Lewis Chakrin and Student Trustee Josef Weikl
RAMAPO CELEBRATES COMMENCEMENT
Messages of Hope and Encouragement Conveyed to Class of 2016 Students, faculty and staff, together with cheering families and friends, filled the packed Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., for Ramapo College’s 58th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 13. As family and friends applauded, 1,509 graduates took their place among Ramapo’s more than 30,000 proud alumni. Graduates were encouraged to question ideas, embrace hope, make “excellent mistakes” and take advantage of each moment as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. “I trust the time you spent at Ramapo made you better,” said William F. Dator, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, in the ceremony’s opening remarks. “As you go forth today,” Dator said, “your accomplishments will make us all better.”
‘Embrace the Discomfort’ In his remarks, Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer highlighted the diversity of the Class of 2016: 65 EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) students, 15 Veterans, 99 students affiliated with the Office of 2
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Specialized Services, 13 Ramapo College employees, nine children of faculty and staff; and international students from more than eight countries, including Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Turkey and Vietnam. Mercer urged the grads to “embrace the discomfort and let it move you forward.” Mercer told the crowd that it is the job of a college education to foster discomfort, which “should arise from being engaged by ideas to which we had not previously been exposed.” He encouraged the graduates to “learn from the experiences of others that are different from the experiences we have had ourselves, and question our own judgments and ideologies.”
Grads Encouraged to Make Excellent Mistakes Students, particularly those anxious about missteps in their future career decisions, listened intently to the remarks of Presidential Award of Merit recipient Dr. Joseph Barone ’83. Barone, who graduated from Ramapo College with a degree in Philosophy, described his journey as a series of “excellent
mistakes.” He recounted his wish to go to medical school, to choose general surgery and then urology as a specialty, move to the South to train as a pediatric urologist, and join a private medical practice…all seemingly mistakes, but “mistakes” that propelled him to his current career as a Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at RutgersRobert Wood Johnson Medical School. Barone concluded, “…embrace your future mistakes because those mistakes
are not rocks that you will trip over, they are stepping stones that will take you higher.”
Hope and Humility In his poetic keynote address, Dr. Anthony T. Padovano advised graduates, that “All that we can do is to make the best moves now as far as we are able.” He added, “As you leave us, you sense in your better moments the miracle of friendships, the majesty of our first steps in love, the magnitude of life and all
the energy it generates and the unforgettable memories it fosters.” A distinguished founding faculty member, author, global lecturer and mentor to thousands of students and colleagues, Padovano expressed gratitude and humility for having the opportunity to know the students, share their dreams, and watch them as they walk into their futures. “You will give this nation and the world few regrets.”
(L-R): Board of Trustees member Gary L. Montroy, Immediate Past Chair, A.J. Sabath ‘93, Vice Chair William F. Dator, Distinguished Professor of Literature and Philosophy Anthony T. Padovano, President Peter P. Mercer, Alternate Student Trustee Stephen Geerlof, Board of Trustees members Sharlene S. Vichness, Susan A. Vallario and Bartholomew J. Talamini
your “ …Embrace future mistakes because those mistakes are not rocks that you will trip over, they are stepping stones that will take you higher.” - Dr. Joseph Barone ’83
Graduate with Board of Trustees Vice Chair William F. Dator Board of Governors member Paul Miller and Dr. Joseph Barone ’83
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Christopher, Laura, Lindsay and Nash Hughes
TIME WELL SPENT
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Lindsay Hughes, a Contemporary Arts major from Milford, N.J., was the student speaker at commencement. Lindsay was a student athlete at Ramapo, playing on the women’s lacrosse team for four years and serving as team captain during her junior and senior years. She served as president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, was a member of Chi Alpha Sigma Athlete Honor Society, and worked as a student assistant to the Sports Information Director for three years.
graduates. “From move-in day four years ago, as I stepped out of the car and placed my belongings in a big orange bin, to today as I stand before you, I can confidently say that I am an entirely different person. I’m hoping a better one.”
Lindsay’s message was one of celebration for accomplishing one’s initial goals, but also of growing through the transition. “Today we celebrate the end of a chapter in our lives. We celebrate not only because of the relief we feel having completed our studies but also because it marks an end to four years that have shaped us as individuals,” Lindsay told her fellow
In addition to her Bachelor of Arts, Lindsay earned a Business Essentials Certificate and has been inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, a communications arts honor society. She is enrolled in graduate school to pursue an MBA, and will work as a graduate assistant women’s lacrosse coach at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
2016 Fred and Florence Thomases Award recipient, Grand Marshal and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sarah L. B. Carberry, Ph.D.
“The way we spend our time defines who we are,” she added, describing the choice to spend time at Ramapo College as the common thread that all graduates share. “Moving forward I urge you all to make the most of each second, minute and hour.”
Ramapo College Magazine | Summer 2016
The Master’s Degree in Special Education, under the direction of Julie Norflus-Good, Ph.D., (second from left) prepares students to attain their Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification after completion of all degree requirements. All special education teachers must have dual certification in Teacher of Students with Disabilities and another general certification area. Pictured is the program’s first cohort of 23 students.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS RECOGNIZED Fifty-six students were recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments during the annual Academic Achievement Ceremony at the Sharp Theater in the Berrie Center on May 12. Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer presided over the ceremony. “I want to say thank you to our students who have contributed to the vibrancy of Ramapo College,” said Mercer. “It’s evident how effective the College is in providing hands-on
A smiling and proud Rosa Javier is congratulated by President Peter P. Mercer
learning and access to invaluable resources. I am so impressed with your progress and your accomplishments.” Students were recognized by their respective deans in each of the College’s five schools. In addition, the American Federation of Teachers Local 2274 presented its AFT Graduate School Scholarship Award. This year’s recipient was Amanda Goritski, a social work major in the School of Social Science and Human Services. Grace E. Maute ’17 received the Henry J. Frundt Memorial Scholarship Award, given to a second-or third-year student with an interest in labor studies, social justice or Latin American studies. Altondra J. Williams ’16 was presented with the Lee Sennish Prize, given annually to a graduating female student who demonstrates outstanding fulfillment or visibly improved academic performance over the period of enrollment. For a complete listing of the honorees and photos, visit www.ramapo.edu/aac
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Houda Essafi ’16 feeds a baby goat at Heifer Overlook Farm’s Alternative Spring Break in Rutland, Massachusetts.
(Right): Director of Affirmative Action and Workplace Compliance Kat McGee, ’06 congratulates Megan Chan ‘16 as the recipient of a Leaders in Service Award.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS PROVE INVALUABLE TO COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Before she even set foot in her first class at Ramapo College, Houda Essafi ’16 spent a week on campus as one of 40 “Leaders in Service,” where entering freshmen spend a week volunteering in the community and creating partnerships with local non-profits. Participants in this highly selective program spend more than 300 collective hours in service to the community during the week, planting trees with the NY/NJ Trail Conference, playing with children of farm workers at House on the Hill, and jump starting their leadership roles by meeting with student government and campus leaders. Once classes begin, the “Leaders in Service” work to engage their fellow classmates in service. “During my freshman year, I returned to House on the Hill to volunteer again, helped register students to vote on campus, and continued to hone my leadership skills,” says Houda, who recently completed her freshman year at Ramapo. This spring she also participated in an alternative spring break at Heifer Overlook Farm in Rutland, Massachusetts. “We had to figure out how to feed a family with very 6
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limited food,” said Houda of her experience. “We felt the effects of poverty and hunger, and even though it was only one day and one night, all of us who participated had a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live in poverty and not have enough to eat.” The Leaders in Service and Alternative Spring Break are just two of the myriad programs that Ramapo College offers to foster student engagement. “Whether a student is looking to get involved, complement their area of study, or just get to know other students, our office helps connect students to the community and other cultures –and that’s hard to do in the classroom alone,” says Karen Booth, Assistant Director of Civic Engagement for the Center for Student Involvement, which provides co-curricular programs, activities and services to promote student learning and success on campus. In the most recent Graduating Senior Survey (2015), 45 percent of graduating seniors took part in community service and 40 percent had participated in service learning. Megan Chan ’16 is one of those students.
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR! Service Outreach Adds Rewarding Benefits As a nursing student, Megan had a full schedule of labs and clinical rotations at area hospitals, but she made time for volunteer work. Megan took part in weekly service outreach trips to Oasis, House on the Hill, Jersey Cares, the Lorrimer Sanctuary and Teaneck Tutoring, all organized through the Civic and Community Engagement Center on campus. And while studying for the board exam to become a licensed registered nurse will be her priority postgraduation, Megan will also intern at Kula for Karma, a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic yoga, meditation and stress management to populations with physical and mental health challenges. “I became involved in the College community and beyond through active participation in clubs and offices on campus, but found being of service to others makes me feel my happiest,” said Megan.
Hands-on Experience Offers Career Edge To secure a job after college, educators and employers universally
DAUGHTER, MOTHER AND SON Kelly K. Blake, B.A. in Theater Mary Cicitta, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Matthew Luciano Cicitta, B.S. in Mathematics “I wish I had the opportunity to take a class or two with my mother and sister. It would have even further enhanced my wonderful Ramapo experience,” said Matthew.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER Milixza Martinez, B.A. in Social Science Jillian Ashley Martinez, B.A. in Psychology “We had mother-daughter bonding time over coffee, studying together,” said Milixza, who was able to take two classes together with her daughter.
TWIN BROTHERS Philip Rocha, B.S. in Business Administration Brian Rocha, B.A. in Communication Arts “I had a guaranteed friend,” said Brian, while his twin brother Philip added, “I always had someone to hang out with.”
SISTERS Andrea Sanchez, B.S. in Biology, minor in Latin American Studies Alina Sanchez, B.A. in Social Science, minor in Latin American Studies “Through the good and the bad, my sister and I pulled each other up to make sure we accomplished our goal,” said Andrea. Alina added, “We are the first two in our family to graduate from college. We hope we made our hardworking parents proud!”
COUSINS Deanna Smith, B.A. in Social Work Dana Smith, B.A. in Psychology “Going to the same college as my cousin allowed us to relate more to one another. We both had new experiences and were able to bond over similar memories we shared,” said Deanna.
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hefty budget and created budget proposals. Emma will work as a Research Analyst at Renaissance Capital in Greenwich, Connecticut, post-graduation.
Make the World Your Classroom Bernard Milano, past Board of Governors chair and Director of KPMG Foundation and Gelline DeGuzman ‘16
agree that taking part in an internship, co-op experience, or working with a mentor is critical to finding meaningful employment. The majority of Ramapo students have heeded that advice. Ramapo’s most recent survey of graduating seniors indicated that 73 percent had participated in an internship or cooperative education experience. “I have been able to acquire four great internships that helped me become more competitive as a job candidate,” said Gelline DeGuzman ‘16, who graduated with a degree in Business Administration/Accounting in May. Her involvement with Enactus, an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities, led to an internship with the KPMG Foundation in Montvale, N.J., led by long-time college supporter and past Board of Governors chair Bernard Milano. An additional internship, with the Financial Due Diligence department of KPMG’s New York office, led to a full time offer with the company. 8
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Changing Gears Can Reap Results Joshua Raymundo ‘16 did all the right things academically to land himself an internship at accounting firm Murphy, Miller & Baglieri, where he will continue to work after graduation while he studies for the CPA exam. But he also stood out on campus by excelling in his other greatest interest – music. A member of the Ramapo College Concert and Jazz Band, Joshua was selected to represent Ramapo in the most recent N.J. Intercollegiate Wind Symphony, a first for a Ramapo student. “Join a club focused on something you love,” advised Business graduate Emma Munro ’16, to incoming students. As with Joshua, music also played a central role in her college experience. “My best memories at Ramapo all stem from the Ramapo Music Club,” she said. Emma helped run open mic nights on campus, where musicians were encouraged to experiment musically, share ideas, and enjoy themselves. Emma's number crunching skills came in handy in her role as president of the club, where she managed a
While some of Monica Cuello’s ’16 best memories at Ramapo College were sitting by the pond next to the Salameno Spiritual Center in early mornings, her fondest memories also took place more than 3,000 miles away in Bilbao, Spain. Monica joined more than 110 Ramapo students who studied abroad in academic year 2014-15. As an exchange student living with a host family, she became fully immersed in Spanish and Basque culture. She also had an internship with UNESCO Extea, also in Spain, where she worked in human resources, advertising and event planning, and served as an interpreter. Monica will begin her master’s degree in the fall in Educational Leadership at Ramapo College.
Joshua Raymundo '16
is about “ College finding the person you’ll be for the rest of your life, so explore everything to see if you like it.”
Monica Cuello ’16 and the Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Jersey, Rochelle Hendricks, at the 15th Annual Statewide Diversity in Higher Education Conference held at Ramapo
In addition to offering students oncein-a-lifetime experiences, studying abroad provides global awareness and broader communication skills while contributing to personal growth and independence. Studying abroad also is a great resume builder. More than 65 percent of human resource executives say that study abroad experience distinguishes job candidates, while 75 percent cite it as an important consideration when hiring for junior level positions.
- Monica Cuello ’16 students who need help navigating careers. “RAMP is built on the strong sense of community of which Ramapo is proud to nurture, and bubbled up from alumni reaching out to help current students,” said Stark. The mentoring relationship can take many forms, from limited email or telephone conversations to personal interactions on a short or long-term basis. Most important, a mentoring relationship is built on trust and the willingness to help and
the ability to listen and learn. Finaldi, who manages joint replacement patient education materials at Stryker, connected with current student Na’shimah Allen ’17. “At first I panicked,” said Finaldi, who thought she would have little to offer Na’shimah, who is a biology major and student athlete on the track team. After meeting for coffee in a nook in the Anisfield School of Business on campus, Finaldi felt an immediate connection to Na’shimah,
Alumni Give Back in Mentoring Program Student engagement continues long after students graduate from Ramapo. About a year and a half ago, alumna Jessica Finaldi ’11, ’14, who received her B.S. in Business Administration in 2011 followed by her MBA in 2012, responded to a call to mentor current Ramapo students. Piloted by Debra Stark ’94, ’02, Alumni Career Advisor and Assistant Director of the Cahill Career Development Center, the Ramapo Alumni Mentoring Program (RAMP) formally connects alumni with
Jessica Finaldi ’11, ’14, left, mentors Na’shimah Allen ’17 at Stryker
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and together they brainstormed potential careers, strategized ways to pay back student loans and came up with a professional development plan together to help Na’shimah navigate her college and career journey. ”It feels amazing to have Na’shimah to reach out to me for advice or encouragement,” said Finaldi. She encouraged her mentee to apply for a resident assistant job on campus, and guided her through the interview process, a job Na’shimah landed. She also helped Na’shimah, a first generation college student, to recognize the broader impact of her college education, and think about how she might choose a career that could impact others. “Who knows, one day she may be able to help me with my career!” said Finaldi.
Students Agree: ‘Get Involved’
MENTORING AIDS STUDENT, BUSINESS OWNER ALIKE When Ramapo College Trustee Sharlene S. Vichness needed help bolstering the digital presence of her language training company, Language Directions, she looked no further than Ramapo student Christine Bednarz ’18. As a Communication Arts major with a minor in Information Technology Management, Christine was a perfect choice as a digital media intern. Christine put her classroom knowledge to work at Language Directions, working with staff, vendors and clients, improving the company’s website, posting articles and tweets, and presenting a digital media report. According to Trustee Vichness, “Christine was instrumental and pivotal in increasing our ‘likes’ and ‘follows’ and ‘clicks’ and she provided me with great advice, mentoring -with infinite patience -- on how best to utilize social media to increase visibility for our business.” She added, “Mentoring works in both directions! I enjoyed mentoring Christine on establishing a leadership image and developing a strong vocal presence at school and in the workplace. I know we will continue to be resources for one another in the future.”
When asked for words of wisdom for the incoming Ramapo College class, Philip Rocha ’16 said, “Get involved to help you grow as a person and in your future career,” while his twin brother Brian ‘16 echoed, “The communal component of a number of organizations will help you get out of the freshman year bubble.” And, clearly Ramapo students have done just that. Whether going out into the community here and abroad, taking part in internships or co-ops, or spending their weekends volunteering, Ramapo College students are fully engaged in the total college experience -- from before the time they start classes to long after they graduate.
“Take advantage of the liberal arts mindset at Ramapo. Don't box yourself into one thing. Take classes outside of your major that interest you, pick up a minor in something totally unrelated to your field, or join a club focused on something that you love.” - Emma Munro ’16 The Graduating Senior Survey of 2015 found that 45 percent of graduating seniors took part in community service and 40 percent had participated in service learning.
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FACULTY PROFILE
quite “ ...Really honored to have
been named for this award ... I love working with the students here at Ramapo.”
FACULTY PROFILE
SARAH CARBERRY Assistant Professor Sarah Carberry has always been fascinated with the sciences. Growing up, she was surrounded by it: her mother was a professor of hematology and nursing who eventually went into veterinary medicine. Her dad taught mathematics, “which, in relation to science helps understand the properties of the physical world,” she explained. “So it was all math and science for me as a kid,” said Carberry. “Of course I got the chemistry kit for Christmas one year but when I was in high school, I was more interested in dissection so I originally thought I’d go into biology.” However, she switched gears in college and decided on chemistry as her major. She received her bachelor of science from SUNY Fredonia (N.Y.) and earned her Ph.D. from Syracuse University. She taught one year at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and joined the faculty of Ramapo College in 2009, where she teaches Organic Chemistry I and II (lecture and lab) for approximately 100 students each year. She was most excited to initiate a student research project dealing with olefin metathesis, a specific chemical reaction of carbon bonds that came to the forefront of the industry when it was the subject of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005. “I am fortunate to be able to introduce it into the undergraduate curriculum for biology and science students who are looking to go into advanced fields, like medicine,” Carberry said, adding that the project entails weeks of work in the lab for honors program participants.
In recognition of her dedication to and advancement in the field, Carberry was named the recipient of the prestigious 2016 Fred and Florence Thomases Award. “I was very surprised and really quite honored to have been named for this award,” said Carberry. “It’s validation that I made the right decision. Mostly, I’m excited that Dean [Edward] Saiff and my fellow faculty thought enough of me to nominate me and support me.” The Fred and Florence Thomases Award was established in 1975 as an endowment from founding Ramapo College trustee Florence Thomases and her husband, Fred Thomases. Deans of academic units in consultation with faculty and students make nominations for the award to the Provost, who reviews the nominations and forwards three names to the President for the final selection. “I love working with the students here at Ramapo,” said Carberry, who added that she finds working with students who are not chemistry or science majors most rewarding. “They work so hard and they put their all into the course. I’m very proud of them.” When she’s not in the classroom, Carberry enjoys time with her husband and two small boys, ages 3 and 5. “Yes, we do science experiments in the yard, volcanoes and such,” she said with a laugh. She also likes to cook. “It’s relaxing and it doesn’t have to be so precise. But I’m not so much into baking. There’s too much chemistry in baking and I get enough of chemistry at work.” www.ramapo.edu
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COLLEGE NEWS
KIRSTEN DASILVA NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Kirsten DaSilva has assumed the role of Vice President for Administration and Finance for Ramapo College of New Jersey. As a key member of the senior leadership team, her responsibilities include oversight of the operating and capital budgets, financial planning, accounting and business operations, payroll, procurement and contracting, facilities operations and management, capital planning and construction, human resources, and mail and central receiving operations.
DaSilva joined Ramapo in 2012 as Comptroller in Institutional Advancement, and served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Ramapo College Foundation. Previously, she was Controller with Community Education Centers and spent much of her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. DaSilva is a certified public accountant in New Jersey, member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is a graduate of Montclair State University.
BARBARA HARMON-FRANCIS NAMED EOF DIRECTOR Barbara Harmon-Francis was named director of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) at Ramapo College. The mission of the EOF is to provide access to higher education and support for highly motivated students who exhibit the potential for success, but who come from families/ communities disadvantaged by low income and a lack of access to quality educational preparation necessary to attend college.
RAMAPO COLLEGE CHORALE PERFORMS IN TYLER’S SUITE CONCERT The Ramapo College Chorale, together with the Ridgewood High School choirs, presented the premiere of the new version of Tyler’s Suite, a highly acclaimed nine-piece choral work dedicated to the memory of Tyler Clementi, a talented young musician who died by suicide after becoming the victim of cyberbullying. The concert, held at the Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, N.J., on April 24, benefited the Tyler Clementi Foundation whose main focus is to end all online bullying in schools, workplaces and faith communities using educational partnerships, awareness programs public dialogues and research to create the safe, respectful and supportive social environment that all students and vulnerable youth deserve.
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"Imagine 200 young people – from Tyler's own community – joining their hearts and voices for the New Jersey premiere of the new Tyler's Suite! What could more powerfully send the message that there is no place for bullying in our schools, communities, online or anywhere?” said Lisa Lutter, Chorale Director and Associate Professor of Vocal Music at Ramapo College.
Tyler’s Suite, comprised of the works of nine of today’s top composers and lyricists, including artistic director Stephen Schwartz powerful experience that carries the message that hearts and minds can be moved toward love, acceptance and respect for all people. Tyler was a talented and award-winning violinist who performed in many school and community musical events.
Prior to coming to Ramapo, Harmon-Francis was at Rutgers University for eight years where she worked in the largest EOF program in the state. Previously, she worked at the College of New Jersey and Hudson County Community College in their respective EOF offices. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from the College of New Jersey, where she also came through the EOF program, and served two years in AmeriCorps in Washington, D.C., before earning a master’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. Ramapo College’s Class of 2016 included 65 students in the Educational Opportunity Fund Program.
RAMAPO HOSTS TECH SUMMIT FOR TRI-STATE EDUCATIONAL LEADERS
PRESIDENT MERCER RECEIVES THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION Ramapo College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a threeyear contract extension for President Peter P. Mercer during its May meeting. Mercer, has been at the helm of the College since 2005.
Ramapo College welcomed more than 600 school administrators and superintendents from the Tri-State area when it hosted the Tech for Schools Summit in February. The all-day event was sponsored by EdSurge, an independent information resource firm which helps schools find, select and use the right instructional technology to support all learners. “This was a wonderful opportunity to bring together superintendents and administrators from K-12 on a college campus to discuss the future of technology in the classroom,” said Aaron Lorenz, Dean of the School of Social Science and Human Services at Ramapo College. “Too often there is not enough conversation between K-12 and higher education and we aim to bridge that gap by discussing how we can use the technology of the 21st century in a collaborative and creative way that impacts our students and their lifelong learning.” Board of Trustees Chair George C. Ruotolo, Jr., and President Peter P. Mercer
Board Chair George C. Ruotolo, Jr., said “Mercer has the trustees’ enthusiastic and unanimous support.”
“Ramapo is a highly fortunate College comprised of students, faculty, staff and friends whose passion for the liberal arts has fostered a living and learning environment that is enriched by its diversity of perspective, academic rigor and intellectual camaraderie. Being at the helm of the College for the past decade has indeed been a privilege and a pleasure,” said Mercer. Among the goals of Mercer’s next three years are the renovation of the George T. Potter Library and an increase in graduate enrollment. Ramapo now has about 6,030 students, the vast majority of whom are undergraduates. Mercer projects that enrollment would grow to about 7,000 over the next decade, given the increase in graduate students. Dr. Joseph Travolta
COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN CONFERENCE DRAWS 500 EDUCATORS Ramapo College welcomed more than 500 educators and students when it hosted the New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children (NJCEC) Spring 2016 Conference on March 14. The annual event is the premier special education conference for the state of New Jersey. The conference included more than 40 breakout sessions on topics including: Creative Thinking and Neuroplasticity: Building 21st Century Skills in the Inclusive Classroom; Understanding Cognitive Data: Translating Assessment Results into Successful Academic Planning for Children; a variety of technology workshops from Apple; and PARCC testing, among others. Dr. Joseph Travolta, widely noted for his work with special education students in the field of filmmaking and creator of Inclusion Films, offered the keynote address. Travolta, a Bergen County native, has created camps that educate special needs students on film production and afford them the opportunity to explore their own creativity. Travolta and his “crew” (former special needs students who are working in film production) also met with high school teachers and students to discuss setting goals and how they can accomplish them as they prepare to leave the school setting. Director of the Master of Arts in Special Education at Ramapo College, Julie Norflus-Good, Ph.D., serves as President of the NJCEC. “This was an incredible opportunity for Ramapo College to be hosting this conference,” she said. “We were especially thrilled to have Dr. Travolta as the keynote and to have him speak directly with students and teachers.”
(L-R): Angelica Berrie, Chief Vincent Mann, Julia Quinlan, Faye Zealand, President Peter P. Mercer
RUSS BERRIE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD CELEBRATES HONOREES AT 20TH ANNUAL CEREMONY Unsung heroes from throughout New Jersey earned recognition for their compassion and concern for others as part of the 20th Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award ceremony at Ramapo College on May 6. The top honoree received a cash prize of $50,000; the second place honoree received $35,000 and the third place honoree received $25,000. Eight awards with a $5,000 cash prize each were also announced. Established in 1997 by the late Russell Berrie and managed and hosted by Ramapo College of New Jersey, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award honors Garden State residents whose outstanding community service and charitable contributions made a substantial impact on the lives of others. For a complete list of winners, please visit www.ramapo.edu/news/press-releases www.ramapo.edu
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COLLEGE NEWS
The Upward Bound Math-Science Program (UBMS) at Ramapo College of New Jersey, a federallyfunded TRIO program for low-income high school students with the potential to be first-generation college attendees, celebrated 20 years of success with a gathering of faculty, staff and students who participated in the program. The goal of UBMS is to help promising high school students from Paterson, New Jersey, prepare for and graduate from college with majors leading to science-related careers. With its current grant, Ramapo will service at least 59 students per year through 2017.
2015 Upward Bound participants
Housed in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science at Ramapo College, UBMS features specially designed courses to assist students from their freshman year of high school through graduation. Since 1995, UBMS has served more than 500 students, and since 2008, 70 percent of program participants graduated from or currently attending college. “The best part of working with this group of students is watching them tear apart every stereotype and preconception about inner city students,” said Sandra Suarez, director of the Upward Bound Math-Science program. “Everywhere we go, every college that we visit, and every museum that we tour, I am told they are the best group they have ever had. They are attentive, respectful,
Photo Courtesy: Devinder Sodhi ’16
UPWARD BOUND CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS
informed, inquisitive and engaged in learning. The Upward Bound Math-Science Program is a great opportunity for our students to learn about academia. Not only are they appreciative, they also work very hard to make the most of it.” A major feature of UBMS is a six-week intensive summer academic program in which students take courses in laboratory science, math, computers, language arts and Latin. The academic year program provides tutoring, college visits, field trips and Saturday visits to campus where the participants work with Ramapo College faculty in chemistry and biology labs. Seniors are guided through the college application process, including filing for financial aid.
RAMAPO COLLEGE MAINTAINS BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK AND AACSB BUSINESS ACCREDITATIONS The Board of Trustees of AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) has reaffirmed its accreditation of the Anisfield School of Business at Ramapo College for an additional five year period (2016 – 2020). Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in business and accounting. AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world's business programs. Today, there are 755 business schools in 51 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation. Similarly, 182 institutions maintain an additional specialized AACSB Accreditation for their accounting programs. The Anisfield School of Business strives to provide its approximately 1,300 students with a strong educational foundation for a lifetime of learning and to fully prepare them for career success. As one of the largest schools within Ramapo College, the business school embodies the College’s fundamental commitment to academic excellence, community involvement, interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. 14
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“We are indeed proud to be recognized as a business school that lives up to the very high standards of overall quality required by AACSB,” said Lewis Chakrin, Dean of the Anisfield School of Business, “and we will never stop working to expand and evolve our programs to meet the needs of our students in a rapidly changing business environment.” Ramapo College’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work program also received reaccreditation from the Council on Social Work Education, recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the country. Under the leadership of Eileen Klein, Convener of the BSW, and with the support of the faculty within Social Work, a self-study was written which is designed to demonstrate the program’s compliance with CSWE standards. In addition to the self-study, a site visit is conducted by a CSWE representative. “The site visit occurred in November 2015 and, as we received each and every time in the past, CSWE provided us glowing comments and confirmed our reaccreditation,” said Aaron Lorenz, Dean, School of Social Science and Human Services. Currently, Ramapo College is one of only 509 BSW programs in the country. The next self-study and site visit will be in 2023.
Hannah Reasoner ’17 explains her research project at Scholars’ Day. Hannah is a Presidential Scholar, Communications major, Music minor, Ramapo Chorale Secretary/ Librarian, Ramapo Concert Band President, and member of the Chamber Music Ensemble. (L-R): singer and bassist Nikki Parrot, Ramapo student Emma Munro ’16, Professor Ben Neill, Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer, Alex Sanguesa, Beth Anne Sanguesa (Les Paul’s granddaughter), Gary Paul (Les Paul’s grandson) and Dean Steven Perry cut the ribbon to dedicate the Les Paul Music Studio at Ramapo College on February 27.
LES PAUL MUSIC STUDIO CELEBRATED OPENING Ramapo College celebrated the opening of the Les Paul Studio for Music Recording and Sound Design on February 27. The state-of-the-art studio was funded in part by a substantial grant from the Les Paul Foundation. The opening was marked by a ceremony hosted by Ramapo College’s School of Contemporary Arts. Marc Gidal, Associate Professor of Musicology, made the formal introductions which included Ramapo President Peter P. Mercer; Dean of the School of Contemporary Arts Steven Perry; Associate Professor of Music Industry/Production Ben Neill; Gary Paul, grandson of Les Paul; Alex and Beth Anne Sanguesa, granddaughter of Les Paul; and Chris Lentz, Director of Media Archives, Les Paul Foundation, as well as other representatives of Ramapo College. “Ramapo College thanks the Les Paul Foundation for its commitment to carrying on the legacy of the music giant, Les Paul, who indeed revolutionized the music industry and foresaw the need for students to learn their craft in the proper environment,” said Mercer. “The Les Paul Studio setting is not for budding musicians only – students are learning the basics and honing their skills in sound production, audio engineering and voice technology for a wide variety of industry uses, including film, live performance, music composition and music videos. The names that grace the stages of the Grammys, the Tonys and the Oscars may one day include a Ramapo student who learned his or her craft right here in this very studio.” Established to honor its namesake, the Les Paul Studio is the first of its kind at Ramapo College and was designed so that students who engage and learn in this setting will be able to function and operate any studio in the world. The fundamentals of acoustics, recording technologies and electronics have been incorporated into the curriculum while keeping both analog and digital as part of the formats. Les Paul himself found the warmth of analog sound important yet innovated with new technologies in search of the “sound no one had ever heard before.” The Les Paul Studio features a separate control room and live room with an isolated vocal booth. The control room features an Audient ASP4816 recording console, Pro Tools HD system, and Apogee Symphony audio interface. All levels of Recording Arts courses are taught in the studio as well as audio courses in Communication Arts.
SCHOLARS’ DAY HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT CREATIVITY AND SCHOLARSHIP The fourth annual “Scholars’ Day: A Celebration of Student Creativity and Scholarship,” was held on April 27 in Friends Hall. Poster exhibits were displayed and oral presentations were given at the event, which was followed by a buffet dinner for participants, their guests and faculty mentors in the Alumni Lounges. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Scholars’ Day showcases some of the finest faculty mentored student creativity and scholarly activities undertaken in 2015-2016. There were 41 posters this year, with presentations made by students from all five of the College’s schools. Eighteen majors and two free-standing minors were represented, with a wide variety of project topics. This was a juried event and each poster was recommended by the convening group of the major or minor associated with the project. In addition, the dean of each school selected one poster to be given as both a poster and an oral presentation. Visit the Scholars’ Day web page at www.ramapo.edu/scholarsday to browse the student posters.
SENATOR NELLIE POU VISITS RAMAPO The Student Government Association and the Office of the President welcomed New Jersey Senator Nellie Pou to campus as part of Higher Education Awareness Week. She met with students and discussed issues that impact higher education in New Jersey. Senator Pou is the Vice Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and serves the 35th District of New Jersey.
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COLLEGE NEWS
ATHLETICS ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL SPRING Player of the Year while sophomore Connor Walsh earned NJAC 2nd Team All-Conference honors. Connor also earned a spot on the 2016 NCAA Division III Baseball New York Regional AllTournament team and Jerry D’Andrea was named to the 2nd team by d3baseball.com and 2016 ABCA/Rawlings. Joe was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 36th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 11. Joe was the 1,077th pick overall and one of only 20 NCAA Division III players selected. He will join Seattle’s minor league affiliate, the Peoria Mariners, in Arizona. “It’s always been a dream for me to play professional baseball,” he said. “My father played the game and always told me stories about his minor league experiences; I think it’s cool that I have the privilege to do the same.” Joe led the Roadrunners this season to the NJAC Tournament Championship and second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. He started all 48 games leading the team in batting average (.382), slugging percentage (.466), on base percentage (.479) and hits (68). He set new school records for hits in a career (247) and career-stolen bases (59).
Joe Venturino
BASEBALL CAPS STELLAR SEASON The baseball team had an outstanding season winning the 2016 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships for just the second time in school history, which earned them the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. The Roadrunners were 35-12-1 overall and during the season climbed to number one in the nation by d3baseball.com. Senior Joe Venturino was tabbed as the 2016 Bill Dioguardi NJAC Baseball
MEN’S TENNIS TAKES FOURTH STRAIGHT CONFERENCE TITLE Men’s tennis finished the 2015-2016 season with an overall record of 14-4 and 3-0 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. Ramapo won the GNAC Championship for the fourth straight year earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. Sophomore Willen Feygin was named the 2016 GNAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year. Joining Willen on the GNAC 1st Team Singles All-Conference was sophomore Michael Abelev. Sophomore Adam Patrovics was named to the 2016 All-Sportsmanship Team by the GNAC. 16
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ROADRUNNERS MAKE THEIR MARK AT NATIONALS Three members of the Ramapo College outdoor track and field team competed at the 2016 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Junior Michael Begen led the pack that traveled to Iowa as he placed sixth overall with a throw of 61.16 meters earning All-American honors in the javelin. It was the first time that Michael earned the bid to compete at the national level. Sophomore Jeremy Hernandez competed in the finals of the 1,500-meter run clocking in with a time of 3:56.87 taking 12th overall. This was his third time competing at the national level in his collegiate career. Jeremy earned the right to compete in the finals after finishing the trials earlier in the week in fourth place of heat two in a time of 3:51.98. Sophomore Jessica Cusick rounded out the pack. She was seeded 22nd in the national field with a mark of 1.68 meters heading into the competition. She finished with a 16th place overall clearing 1.62 meters in the high jump. This was Jessica’s first time competing at the national level.
MEDIA COLLISION 2016 The 14th Annual Media Collision, held on May 4, showed student work including symposia, presentations, poster sessions, a design exhibition, film screenings, and an awards ceremony. Juries were formed for each concentration and comprised of practicing professionals and CA alumni. The event reflects the Communication Arts major where stories are told using multiple mediums. Students design the event around a chosen theme and for 2016 students chose an art deco, ”Gotham” style as seen in the artwork used to market the event. “Each year, students’ work in the major becomes more refined and scholarly and accounts for the overwhelming successes our students experience post graduation,” said Professor of Graphic and Multimedia Design Bonnie Blake. Poster shown above was designed and illustrated by Michelle Rincon ’18, Renan Scheffer ’17, Christine Bednarz ’18 and Adiana DeMauro ’18.
Jessica Cusick
Jeremy Hernandez, center
DEBRA STARK CO-AUTHORS AWARD-WINNING CAREER COUNSELING BOOK Debra Stark ’94, ’02, Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Alumni Career Advisor for the Cahill Career Development Center, was the co-author of “Creating Career Success: A Flexible Plan for the World of Work.” The focus of the widelyacclaimed college textbook is to help students develop a self-directed, proactive, flexible plan to launch and manage their careers over the years to come, using the latest technological resources and job search strategies. Through a process of self-assessment, career exploration, and selfpromotion students discover how to connect their skills, interests and values to a variety of possible careers, build relationships, and present themselves in the best possible light to potential employers. “Creating Career Success” was among the medalists in the ninth annual Axiom business Book Awards for 2015.
Michael Begen
Stark collaborated with Francine Fabricant, a career counselor in private practice, and Jennifer Miller, Associate Professor and Counselor in the Career and Internship Center at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. www.ramapo.edu
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COLLEGE NEWS
“I have a great deal of respect for Ramapo and what it’s doing educationally,” said Hiden, who with his wife Ann recently established the Hiden Family College Honors Endowment. “My wife and I decided to establish this endowment fund because we wanted to tangibly recognize the outstanding work being done at the College in a way that helps students and hopefully enhances their academic experience.” [L-R]: Susan Hangen, Director, College Honors Program; benefactors Robert Hiden Jr. and Ann Hiden; Associate Professor Marta Vides, former Director, College Honors Program
RAMAPO SHOWCASES WORK OF COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM Their collaborative work of faculty and students was on display at the annual Ramapo College Honors Program Symposium held this spring in the Trustees Pavilion. In the College Honors Program, intellectual development is inseparable from one’s own growth and development as a whole human being. Students work with faculty mentors who monitor their progress as engaged learners and as contributing members
of the College, as well as the wider community and society. Robert Hiden, Jr., an active member of Ramapo College since 2002, serving on the Board of Governors, as Chairman of the Audit Committee, and as a member of the Finance, Investment, Allocations and Motorcycle Rally committees, was among those in attendance at the College Honors Program symposium this spring.
(Right): Thomas Harden ’16 shows his work to Dean Edward Saiff at the SRS.
15TH ANNUAL STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM This year’s 15th Annual Student Research Symposium (SRS) was held in April with more than 70 students and 20 faculty mentors represented. It is the venue for Theoretical and Applied Science undergraduate research students to showcase their research, present posters and conduct talks describing their work, scholarship and creative activities performed under the supervision of Ramapo College faculty mentors. 18
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The Hiden Family College Honors Endowment funds scholarships to benefit students in the College Honors Program who also exhibit financial need. Funds may be used for tuition scholarship, scholarship for Study Abroad program fees and stipends for students engaged in undergraduate research. David Cifelli ’18, of Millstone Township, N.J., was the first recipient of the Hidens’ generosity. David is a pre-dental Biology major in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Alpha Lamda Delta Honor Society. David serves on the Executive Board of the College Honors Program and several clubs, and is a peer facilitator on campus.
(L-R: - Front Row): Assemblyman Tim Eustace ’78, David Ermann ’16, Sydney Beson ’18, Jacqueline Basile ’20, Adam Schwartz ’16. (L-R: - Back Row): Ian Godfrey ’16, Michelle LaTorre ’16, Zachary Satvros, Cassandra Fenton ’18 and Sara Barsky ’16
PI SIGMA ALPHA INDUCTION Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society, with criteria for membership consisting of at least 15 credits in political science courses (at least one of them at the 300 level), a 3.5 GPA in political science, a 3.2 overall GPA, and at least 64 credits total completed. The student does not need to have declared a Political Science major or minor to qualify. At their recent April induction ceremony, Assemblyman for New Jersey’s 38th District Timothy Eustace ‘78 delivered the keynote address for Pi Sigma Alpha students and other political science students in attendance.
FOUNDATION NEWS
(L-R): Larry and Inez Inserra, Dr. Jacqueline Ehlert-Mercer and President Peter P. Mercer
(L-R): Honoree Chris Turner and Suzy Turner, Krystal Dockery, Jennifer Dockery and Tony DeMareas
Honoree Cindy Schawe and Samantha Schawe
FOUNDATION HONORS THREE INDIVIDUALS AT DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS DINNER The Ramapo College Foundation this spring honored three individuals for their professional achievement, commitment and community service at its 34th Annual Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner at the Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, N.J. The annual benefit dinner, which attracted 448 attendees, raised $241,000—a 31 percent increase from last year-for student scholarships, faculty and student research opportunities and campus capital projects. The 2016 honorees were: Donald Nuckel is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Nuckel Property and Chairman of Nuckel Global Initiative located in Little Ferry, N.J. Among his many philanthropic endeavors is the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program in the Little Ferry School District which is coordinated by Ramapo College. “We know we are going to be making a difference in these kids’ lives, and for kids that are going to be going into STEM in college, we are going to back them up big time,” said Nuckel. “Our foundation identifies an issue in education and finds where we can be helpful. We work through partnerships.” Cindy Schawe ’89 is Vice President of Strategic Marketing at Stryker, located in Mahwah, N.J. She joined Stryker after graduating from Ramapo College and has held executive marketing positions in the company’s Knee and Hip divisions.
Honoree Donald Nuckel and Reilly Nuckel
Stryker is a neighbor of the College and a member of Ramapo’s Business Partners program which provides crucial funding for student scholarships. “Ramapo has touched my academic, professional and personal life in many ways,” said Schawe. “As I’ve grown professionally, I’ve watched in awe at how Ramapo has grown in size, academic standards and diversity. I’m thankful for the difference Ramapo has made in my life and the difference it is making for our future leaders.” Christopher Turner is President of Prestige Management Services located in Ramsey, N.J. He is a member of the Ramapo Foundation Board of Governors and chairs the Concours d’Elegance held on campus in June. Prestige is a member of Ramapo’s Business Partners program and also is a lead sponsor for the College’s Annual Golf Outing. “I am truly grateful and honored to receive the 2016 Distinguished Citizens Award,” said Turner. “As I look out at this great gathering, I am so happy to see so many who share my commitment to continue to help Ramapo College shine as a nationally-ranked College and whose students and graduates are eager to learn, work and succeed.” In addition to family and friends of the honorees, many Ramapo alumni and past DCD honorees also joined College officials, faculty and staff for the event, which included a successful auction, dinner and dancing. www.ramapo.edu
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(L-R): Robert and Mary Bertani and Irene Montella Secretary of the Board of Governors Theresa Salameno and President Peter P. Mercer
UNIQUE EVENT IS THEIR CUP OF TEA Ramapo College hosted a Successful Women’s Event, “Tea & Teach,” on March 9. Theresa Salameno, a member of the College Board of Governors, was the host of the unique event, which drew several dozen guests to the York Room of the Birch Mansion. “I wanted to have an event that would be engaging, light-hearted and a learning experience,” said Salameno. “I thought Afternoon Tea was an ideal subject, and it was such fun!” Guests were introduced to the finer aspects and etiquette of a traditional English Afternoon Tea, complete with finger sandwiches, miniature desserts and, of course, scones. Salameno also discussed the difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea and the Art of Tea Etiquette.
FRIENDS OF RAMAPO ENJOY DESSERT RECEPTION, SPRING CONCERT The Friends of Ramapo hosted a dessert reception on April 30 in the York Room of the Birch Mansion. The annual fundraising event was held prior to the Spring Concert. The musical event, held in the Sharp Theater of the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts, featured the Ramapo Chorale, directed by Professor Lisa Lutter with accompaniment by pianist Itay Goren, and the Concert Band under the direction of Chris Wilhjelm. The Friends of Ramapo sponsor cultural events throughout the year for members and the community-at-large. Fundraising efforts help support the Friends of Ramapo Scholarship for the Arts endowment.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 5K ‘RUN WITH COLOR’ RAISES $9,000 Student Government, Greek Life, alumni, parents, friends and current students in one place made for an amazing atmosphere on this campus that has positively affected each group in some way.” Gifts to the Annual Fund are important to Ramapo’s success because they enable the College to meet immediate needs to fund student scholarships, faculty research grants and special campus projects every year. The 2016 Run With Color featured a 5K run or walk through the College’s beautiful campus, followed by music and refreshments. For event photos, visit Ramapo’s Facebook page.
The Student Government Association of Ramapo College sponsored the 2016 Run With Color on Sunday, April 17. Proceeds of the event benefited the Annual Fund of the Ramapo College Foundation. The SGA set a goal of raising $5,000—“5K for $5K.” The event was a success, gathering 417 participants and raising just over $9,000 for Ramapo. “The event was extremely successful in bringing together the various communities that make up Ramapo College,” says Ramapo College Foundation Student Governor, Megan Patel ’17. “Seeing 20
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Photo Courtesy: Jo Anne Zellers
FOUNDATION NEWS
PRESIDENT’S PARENT COUNCIL ENDS YEAR WITH DINNER MEETING
(L-R): Peter and Louise Riccobene
The President’s Parents Council held its year-end dinner meeting at the Havemeyer House. Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer thanked members of the Council for their generous contributions, including leadership gifts, volunteerism and overall support of the College. Chairperson Andrew Antropow reported on Council activities and Parent Council participation throughout the year as well as the status of the Parents Council Endowment which provided four student scholarships this year. Guest speakers were Aaron Lorenz, Dean of the School of Social
(L-R): Joanne Smith, President Mercer and Kevin Smith
Science and Human Services, Cathy Hajo ’85, assistant professor of History, and student Erin McKenna ’18, each of whom provided their perspective on student engagement opportunities and how families can become involved at Ramapo College. The mission of the President’s Parents Council is to foster and sustain supportive relationships between Ramapo College and parents. This dynamic group of parents represents a wide variety of Ramapo students and families.
STUDENTS AND DONORS CELEBRATED AT ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER More than 400 students and scholarship donors came together at Ramapo’s Annual Scholarship Dinner on April 13 in the Bradley Center. Attendees celebrated the accomplishments of the students and the generosity of the donors who make scholarships possible. More than 380 scholarship awards totaling over $575,000 were presented to Ramapo students this academic year. Lauren Schmidt ’16 addressed her fellow scholarship recipients, and performers Griffin Matthews and Matt Gould presented a concert of songs and stories from their musical “Invisible Thread,” which traces Matthews’ humanitarian journey to Uganda and his impact on the teens he meets along the way. “Donors really enjoy the opportunity to spend time with their scholarship recipients and getting to know them on a more personal level,” said Ramapo Foundation Board of Governors Vice Chair Debra Perry ‘85, Esq., who in her remarks lauded the students as well as the proud parents in attendance.
Dr. Allen Demby and (far right) Rima Demby have established a scholarship to support the financial struggles many students face. The Demby Family Scholarship offers a deserving student a gift of tuition, fees, room and board for a full year. Here they are pictured with their scholarship recipient Pedro Vera ’19.
The Barbara Barnett Memorial Scholarship was established by Beth Barnett, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs (center) in memory of her sister. It was awarded to a Literature major, Misha Choudry (second from right). Also pictured are Misha’s family members and (far right) Board of Trustees member Bartholomew J. Talamini.
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FOUNDATION NEWS
A UNIQUE WINE GLASS AFFAIR
(L-R): Liz and Board of Governors Chair Ralph Mastrangelo, Marilyn Jaehnel-Clark ’79 and Nancy Wernikoff
Liz Mastrangelo, Ralph Mastrangelo, Chairman of the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors, Marilyn Jaehnel-Clark ’79 and Nancy Wernikoff along with 60 other guests enjoyed “A Unique Wine Glass Affair.” Reidel Crystal of America demonstrated how the shape of a glass influences our perception and enjoyment of wine. Hosted by the Ramapo College Foundation Planned Giving Committee, guests also heard about Charitable Giving and Asset Protection opportunities and learned how various estate planning options provide much needed philanthropic support to Ramapo College students while ensuring that a person’s charitable support lives on in perpetuity.
PERFORMING ARTS DINNER SERIES In its sixteenth year, the Performing Arts Dinner Series continues to attract new friends to the College and offers award-winning performances, a wonderful dining experience and an opportunity to support student scholarships. This year’s performances included Jarrod Spector, Eileen Ivers, The Wonder Bread Years with Pat Hazell and The Hot Sardines. The generous sponsors included: Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets, Stryker, Roy and Eileen Putrino, The Adler Aphasia Center, Elaine Adler, Myron Corporation, Liberty Subaru and Liberty Hyundai. For information about the 20162017 season of the Performing Arts Dinner Series, contact Liz Kloak at 201.684.6834, or visit www.ramapo.edu/foundation-events
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Ramapo College Magazine | Summer 2016
Dr. Mary Ann Kezmarsky, President Peter P. Mercer and Paul Kezmarsky
Student Scholar, Angelina Turro ’16 and Performing Arts Committee chair, Roy Putrino
$680,000 GRANT ALLOCATED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE TEACHERS Angela Cristini, assistant vice president of grants and sponsor programs, received a grant from the New Jersey Department of Education to launch the Paterson Ambassadors for Success in Science (PASS) program. The outcomes of the PASS program are expected to be improved science instruction for students in the Paterson school district. Funding for the first year of this two-year project is just over $340,000. Funding for the second year will be similar. In its first year, the PASS program will train 30 elementary school science teachers from Paterson, N.J., one of the most educationally disadvantaged school districts in our state. Cristini and her team will provide professional development for the teachers that will include project-based experiences and curriculum modules based on the State’s rigorous new Model Curriculum, and the national Next Generation Science Standards. The PASS team will lead the teachers in a 10-day institute at the Meadowlands Environment Center during the summer, will spend one day a week coaching teachers in their classrooms, and will conduct four sessions for the teachers on Saturdays during the school year. In year two, participating teachers will then then become “ambassadors” to their fellow teachers, sharing what they have learned with their colleagues in the district.
RAMAPO ATHLETICS AWARDED TWO NCAA GRANTS Ramapo College has received two grants from the NCAA which are earmarked specifically for the Athletics Department. The Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant is a two-year grant program that provides funding for entrylevel administrative positions at NCAA Division III schools and conference offices to encourage access, recruitment, selection and the long-term success of ethnic minorities and women. During each year of grant funding, the NCAA provides $23,660 to support the salary of the hired intern and $3,000 in professional development funding. Recipients are required to provide a $3,700 minimum in-kind gift for each year of the grant. The grant will be used for a full-time 10-month Sports Performance Coordinator position with an expected start date of September 2016.
JANE ADDAMS PAPERS PROJECT RECEIVES $108K GRANT The National Historic Publications and Records Commission, a department of the National Archives, has awarded the Jane Addams Papers Project a one-year grant of $108,240 to support the project's work at Ramapo College. The Jane Addams Papers started work at Ramapo in September 2015, with the goal of creating a digital edition of the correspondence and writings of the founding mother of American social work. “We have made a great start by scanning the documents from microfilm and mounting images and transcriptions online,” said Cathy Moran Hajo, ’85, Editor and Director of the Jane Addams Papers Project at Ramapo. “Students at Ramapo have the opportunity to learn about digital history and historical research by working at the Addams Papers. They describe and transcribe documents, and research and write descriptions of the people, organizations, and events mentioned in the documents to help readers understand the content. Students are also gaining experience in public history work, by blogging and using social media to reach the general public.”
The NCAA Choices Grant provides funding for NCAA member institutions and conferences to integrate athletics into campus-wide efforts to reduce alcohol abuse. NCAA Choices recipients must partner athletics with other campus departments in the development and implementation of effective campus-wide alcohol education projects.
NHPRC funds for 2016-2017 will support the continuation of work on the digital edition, and will allow the project to expand its staff to begin work on the final three volumes of the six-volume Selected Papers of Jane Addams, published by the University of Illinois Press. Hajo said that each of the volumes will include approximately 250 of the most historically significant documents, transcribed and fully annotated. “Volume four will cover the dates 1901-1912, years in which Addams was a leader in the settlement movement, the woman suffrage movement, and the Progressive Party,” Hajo said.
The NCAA Choices grant is made possible through a donation from Anheuser-Busch Inc., and provides funding for a threeyear project with a maximum award of $30,000 across the three years.
“I am grateful to the NHPRC for their support of the Addams Papers, and to our students for the wonderful work they have accomplished in our first year at Ramapo,” she added.
"This is a great step in our overall strategic plan to increase diversity in our staff on campus and one of our goals to better integrate Athletics with the overall college vision and plan," said Christopher Romano, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
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CLASS NOTES
WHERE WE ARE
&
what we are up to 1975
JOE DAILY (Contemporary Arts), radio host and coanchor of Q92 WRNQ-FM in Poughkeepsie N.Y., was honored by the service organization, the Exchange Club of Southern Dutchess County, for his dedicated community volunteer work and local broadcasting for nearly four decades. Joe received the organization's Meritorious Service Award on May 10, 2016.
1978
MARYELLEN DOSTER (Business Administration) has been promoted to senior executive vice president of Boiling Springs Savings Bank. MaryEllen previously held the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer with the bank. She is a YWCA Bergen County Tribute of Women and Industry (TWIN) honoree. She serves on the advisory board and is founding board member of Rebuilding Together Bergen County. She is a member of the N.J. Society of CPAs, the AICPA and the N.Y.-N.J. Chapter of the Financial Managers Society.
1980
MICHAEL CHICO (Business Administration) has been promoted to executive vice president of sales of the Telemundo Station Group, a division of NBCUniversal. Michael had been senior vice president of sales. Michael will continue to lead all sales efforts for the Telemundoowned stations and oversee national sales efforts for the Telemundo affiliate stations. 24
1981
ANDRIETTE L. MATHEWS (Business Administration) has joined Glen Rock Savings Bank as executive vice president/chief financial officer. She has served as the president of the N.Y.N.J. chapter of the Financial Manager Society and is vice president of HomeSharing Inc.
1983
JANE A. GRINCH (Marketing) has joined the law firm of Sokol Behot, LLP in Hackensack, N.J., as partner in the firm's litigation, estate and tax practice. Previously, Jane was owner/partner at Cowen & Grinch for 25 years. She earned a J.D. from Pace University. She is a member of the Bar in New Jersey, the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. Jane is also a member of the Bergen County Bar Association and serves as president of the Community Resource Council of Bergen County.
1984
AMY R. BLOCK (Social Work) has been promoted to assistant vice president, mortgage originator at Lakeland Bank.
1987
CAROL A. ZINGONE (Marketing) is the new president of the Jacksonville chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. Carol has been a licensed real estate agent since 2005.
Ramapo College Magazine | Summer 2016
1990
CAROLINE M. BOKMAN (Fine Arts and Psychology) has joined Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco as its staff accountant. She previously worked for a software company as an accountant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Golden Gate University and a master’s degree in expressive arts therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
1993
MICHAEL MCCAMBRIDGE (Accounting) has been appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer of Roselle Savings Bank. Previously, Mike served as senior vice president, finance at Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. In addition to his Ramapo College degree, Mike earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Delaware. He holds a C.P.A. designation from the State of New Jersey. PETER VESEY (Communication Arts) has been appointed senior vice president of agency partnerships for Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts entertainment company and pay-per-view event provider. Peter had been a vice president of advertising for Fox Sports.
1996
LOUIS PEPE (Business Administration and International Business) was honored in October 2015 by the Association of School Business Officials International with its Distinguished Eagle Award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to his districts and students. Louis is assistant superintendent for business as well as board secretary of the Summit, N.J., Public Schools. He is president of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials.
1997
KATRINE ALIHA BECK (Political Science) has been appointed to the board of directors of Girls Inc. Westchester, an organization that provides comprehensive life skills programs to girls in the Westchester, N.Y., area. Katrine is an attorney and partner in the litigation practice group at Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP in White Plains, N.Y. HOWARD P. BARKIN (Computer Science) won the 39th American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in April in Stamford, Conn. This was his 11th year at the tournament and fifth appearance in the top three. Directed by The New York Times crossword puzzle editor, Will Shortz, the ACPT is the nation's oldest and largest crossword competition. Howard received a $7,000 grand prize for his victory.
ALUMNI EVENTS KPMG ALUMNI LUNCHEON The KPMG Alumni Luncheon for Ramapo alumni working at the company was held at KPMG headquarters in Montvale, N.J. President Peter P. Mercer (center) met with the alumni.
MORGAN STANLEY ALUMNI DINNER Photo Courte sy: Lori Walke r
A Morris County Alumni Dinner was held at Morgan Stanley in Florham Park, N.J., and hosted by Ramapo alumnus Peter Seminara ’00 (far right), for alumni who live or work in Morris County.
UPS ALUMNI BREAKFAST An Alumni Breakfast was held at UPS in Mahwah, N.J., for alumni employed at the company. Professor of Computer Science, Amruth Kumar, spoke about Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
STRYKER ALUMNI LUNCHEON
ang tesy: Pat Ch Photo Cour
The Ramapo College Alumni Association held an Alumni Luncheon at Stryker Orthopaedics in Mahwah, N.J., with Dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science Edward Saiff (left) and Assistant Dean of Nursing Kathleen Burke (second from left), who made a presentation on the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence and renovations to the G-Wing labs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. ALUMNI DINNER A Washington, D.C., Alumni Dinner with President Peter P. Mercer, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cathleen Davey was held at the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, MD., for alumni who live or work in the D.C. area. Board of Trustees Past Chair A.J. Sabbath ’93 attended.
www.ramapo.edu
25
CLASS NOTES
1999
JAN ANDERSSON (Business Administration) has joined Greenleaf Corporation in Saegertown, Pennsylvania,. as global manager, tech team and marketing. Jan previously worked at Kennametal Corp. and Sandvik Coromant where he held positions in product management, marketing, sales and research and development. BARBARA STEINBERG (MALS) recently retired from the Paramus, N.J., Police Department as acting captain, criminal investigation division, after 41 years of service. She graduated from the Bergen County Police Academy in 1979 and became the first female officer in the Borough of Paramus and the 10th female officer in the state of New Jersey. She will teach criminal justice courses at Bergen Community College.
2002
NICHOLAS A. BERNICE (MSET) has been named the new superintendent of the Ringwood, N.J., Public School District effective August 1, 2016. Dr. Bernice has been employed by various Bergen County schools throughout his career. He was recognized as an Exemplary Educator by the N.J. Department of Education in 2015. LAKEESHA EURE (Social Work) was recently featured in a NJSpotlight article about her work as chairman of the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition. As a Ramapo student, she founded a sorority for African American and Latina students (Beta Kappa Sigma) which now has five chapters in regional colleges. Lakeesha is employed as a habilitation counselor at Rutgers University. 26
2003
GILBERT J. BANKSTON (Communication Arts) has been appointed general manager at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, N.J., by Simon Property Group. Gil earned a Certified Shopping Center Manager "CSM" designation through the International Council of Shopping Centers in 2014. He is a member of the ICSC as well as the Institute of Real Estate Management and the U.S. Green Building Association. KENNETH LIGHT (Psychology) was recently featured in Columbia University's Daily Spectator for his teaching as a lecturer in Psychology at Barnard College as well as his expertise at poker; he's been featured on NBC's “Poker after Dark.” CAROL ONYANGO (Biochemistry) has joined Dr. Michael's Dental Clinic in Dubai, U.A.E. Carol is a pediatric dentist. She received her D.M.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Dental Medicine. She also earned an M.P.H. from King's College in London. Prior to joining the clinic, she was the sole pediatric dentist for one of the U.S. Government Health Centres in Germany.
2006
WILLIAM F. LOGUE (Business Administration) was named regional vice president of Tanknology Inc.'s Northeastern U.S. region working in the Mount Laurel, N.J., office. Tanknology provides tank testing and environmental compliance services for the petroleum industry. Bill began his career with the company as field service technician. For the last five years, he has been Northeast operations manager.
Ramapo College Magazine | Summer 2016
JEREMIAH N. KAUFMAN (Music) won first place for his music video, Intergalactic Zombie Hunter, at the N.Y.C. Independent Film Festival in October 2015.
2008
STEVEN L. O'LOUGHLIN (Business Administration) has been named senior director of finance and corporate development at Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a NYSE-listed company headquartered in Manhattan. He is responsible for developing and executing the company's investor relations and corporate communications program.
2009
JORDAN S. DESCAFANO (Law and Society) was sworn in by the Verona, N.J., Police Department as a probationary police officer in December 2015. Jordan previously served with the Hoboken, N.J., Police Department as a special police officer.
1990
SHARON A. GORDON (Business Administration) was recently honored by Executive Women of New Jersey along with 37 other women for their work in advancing women’s leadership. Sharon is a C.P.A. and partner with CohnReznick LLP at its Roseland, N.J., office. She leads the commercial real estate practice and the construction industry practice. Sharon serves on the advisory board of Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners.
ERICA LIM (Communication Arts) is a senior advertising operations campaign specialist at Mashable, a media company.
2010
JENNIFER H. COHEN (American Studies and Literature) recently joined the Suffern Free Library in Suffern, N.Y., as the reference and teen librarian. LAWRENCE N. TOWNES (Accounting) has joined PEF Services LLC in West Orange, N.J., as an accountant with their reporting and compliance team. Lawrence was a senior accountant at Citi private equity fund services and State Street Corporation’s alternative investment services. He is attending Rutgers Business School, studying towards an M.B.A. in finance.
1994
KEITH M. DAWKINS (Communication Arts) has been promoted by Nickelodeon USA to executive vice president of TeenNick and Nicktoons, where he will lead operations for both networks and oversee the group’s recently launched programming initiatives. Keith previously served as senior vice president and general manager for Nicktoons and TeenNick. Keith serves on the College's Foundation board of governors. He also is the president of the Ridgewood, N.J., High School Alumni Association.
MARISSA KOBLITZ KINGMAN (Literature) has joined McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP as an associate in the firm's healthcare group. She earned a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law, Newark where she served as the editor-in-chief of the Rutgers Business Law Review as well as vice president of the Student Bar Association.
2012
CAROLINE L. BYRNE (Communication Arts) appeared on Fox's "American Idol" in January. Caroline is an aspiring professional singer. LAUREN M. MAGURA (Communication Arts) showcased her mobile app creation at the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2016. Her app, Cinematcher, which is in beta testing stage, connects production crew members to television and film projects. MARIA POZNAHOVSKA (Literature) teaches courses in interpretation and argument and is studying towards a Ph.D. in rhetoric at Carnegie Mellon University. She holds an M.A. in rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon and has taught critical reading and writing at Ramapo College as well as ESL and HSE preparatory classes at Bergen Community College.
2013
DANIEL J. O'LEARY (Communication Arts) has been sworn in by the Borough of Oradell as a police officer. He attended the Bergen County Police Academy and was certified in 2014; he has been employed as an investigator by the Bergen County Sheriff's Department.
KYLE TAFURI (MSSM) was named to the 2016 GreenBiz "30 Under 30" list. The list recognizes emerging leaders in the field of corporate environmental management and sustainability. Kyle is senior sustainability advisor for Hackensack University Medical Center. Thanks in part to his work, HUMC has been included in Practice Greenhealth’s list of the top 25 most environmentally conscious U.S. healthcare facilities for the past three years.
2007
GRACE HELBIG (Contemporary Arts) is the new spokesperson for the hotel chain, Marriott International, in a series of humorous online videos. Grace is the host of “The Grace Helbig Show” on E! Network.
2014
ZACHARY J. LISELLA (Business Administration), sales associate at Terri O'Connor Realtors in Allendale, N.J., was named top producer for the month of September 2015. He earned the NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award in 2013 and 2014. Zachary serves as vice president of the Allendale Chamber of Commerce and has chaired the Allendale Festival Day and Car Show. He also volunteers as a student assistant to the Northern Highlands DECA Chapter.
2015
2009
RAVI R. GURUMURTHY (Law and Society) was recently named partner with the law firm of Briseno & Gurumurthy, PLC in Lake City, Michigan. His practice focuses on civil litigation, estate planning, probate law and criminal defense. He also teaches as an adjunct professor at Baker College.
2012
COURTNEY L. BRACH (Communication Arts) has been promoted to associate publicist at Touchstone, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Courtney joined Touchstone in 2013 as a publicity assistant.
JACLYN NICOLE CHAKONIS (Psychology) has joined the real estate firm of Keller Williams Town Life in Tenafly, N.J., as a sales associate. NATALIE M. QUINONES (Psychology) is a candidate for the Ridgefield Park, N.J., board of commissioners. Natalie is a community integration counselor for Advance Housing, a nonprofit organization which serves individuals with disabilities. She is a member of the Ridgefield Park Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
2012 2011
SAMUEL Z. CORMAN (Literature) graduated from Brooklyn Law School in May 2015 and passed the N.Y. State Bar exam. He received a fellowship to work as an attorney for Single Stop, a public interest organization.
MARIA POZNAHOVSKA (Literature) teaches courses in interpretation and argument and is studying towards a Ph.D. in rhetoric at Carnegie Mellon University. She holds an M.A. in rhetoric from Carnegie Mellon and has taught critical reading and writing at Ramapo College as well as ESL and HSE preparatory classes at Bergen Community College. www.ramapo.edu
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CLASS NOTES
2015
BRIAN STEVENS (History) joined the Ramsey, N.J., Police Department as a probationary officer in June 2016 after graduating from the Bergen County Police Academy. Brian, who graduated from Ramsey High School, is one of two candidates chosen to join the force from a pool of more than 200 applicants. NICK WALSH (Theater) directed the play "The Aliens" which was presented by The Theater Project at the Burgdoff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood, N.J., in late March and early April 2016. Nick also directed one of the pieces in The Theater Project's 2015 festival of one-act plays.
MARRIAGES
BIRTHS 2006
2006
LAURA A. GOODMAN (History) married Homero Paniagua on August 9, 2015 at the Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park, N.J. Laura is employed as a guidance counselor at WoodRidge, N.J., Junior/Senior High School.
2010
KARA L. EBENHACK (Communication Arts) married Brian Johnson on September 12, 2015 at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, N.J. Kara is employed by the Dumont, N.J., Public Schools.
SAMANTHA PRYOR HERMACK (Visual Arts) and her husband, Brent Hermack, welcomed their first child, Caroline Gayle, on September 29, 2015.
2002
DANIEL (Political Science) and BETH (Psychology '04) KOTKIN welcomed their son, Jacob Ethan, on February 8, 2016.
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IN M E M ORIAM
GIVING BACK Vitus F. Stablein ’76 of Hunter, N.Y., passed away in December. He served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War and upon his return home, began work at the United States Postal Service. He proudly graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor of Science in 1976 at age 46. Wishing to give back to Ramapo, Vitus researched his options and decided to make a gift of life insurance to the College. He named Ramapo College as the owner and beneficiary of the policy. Remembering the challenges he faced going back to school as an adult, Vitus said, “I wanted the most effective way to help other students. I felt an obligation and a responsibility to give back to Ramapo College.” 28
Ramapo College Magazine | Summer 2016
JOAN A. SLOANE ‘73 DOUGLAS A. LANDAU ‘73 WENDY C. PACKARD ‘74 LILLIAN I. DESIMONE ‘75 ELAINE PROSNITZ-HENDRICKS ‘75 VITUS F. STABLEIN ‘76 DORIS B. MEYER ‘78 THERESA A. GROCHOWSKY ‘78 WILLIAM KONNER ‘79 BARBARA COMSTOCK ‘80 DAVID A. MERRILL ‘81 PAUL J. LUTTMAN ‘82 JOAN C. BADIN ‘83 JOAN M. SHUART ‘84 JEAN F. DALTON ‘85 WILLIAM A. CONNOLLY ‘90 JAMES RIGOLI ‘90 ANITA LAFORTE-ONOFREY ‘92 DARLENE L. QUIGLEY ‘96 ROSEMARIE D’ALESSANDRO ‘99 JOANNA E. RUCH ‘00 ADAM TOHT ‘04 ELAINE J. KELLEY ‘05 KETSY ANNE PIERRE ‘14 LISSELOT SORIANO ‘15
UPCOMING EVENTS AT RAMAPO
KRAME CENTER
for Contemplative Studies and Mindful Living at Ramapo College
OPENING CONVOCATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 | 2 P.M. Featuring guest speaker Claudia Rankine Author of Citizen: An American Lyric Arena, Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center
CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOOT CAMPS Learn the basics of project management and leave with the tools to effectively manage projects. In advanced courses, dig deeper to learn and apply best practices. Register at www.ramapo.edu/cipl/pmbootcamp Wednesdays, September 14 and September 21 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, October 19 and October 26 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, November 30 and December 7 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. ADVANCED PM BOOT CAMP Mondays, December 5 and December 12 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOOT CAMPS – ONLINE! (choose one) Option One: Monday, September 26, Wednesday, September 28, Monday, October 3 and Wednesday, October 5 | Noon - 2 p.m. Option Two: Monday, November 7, Wednesday, November 9, Monday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 16 | Noon - 2 p.m.
17TH ANNUAL PERFORMING ARTS DINNER SERIES The Performing Arts Dinner Series offers exceptional seating and affordable ticket prices through the Ramapo Foundation, combined with a wonderful dining experience, to support student scholarships. For information, contact Liz Kloak at lkloak@ ramapo.edu or at 201.684.6844.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 6:30 P.M. DINNER D.O.A Mysteries in Mind Over Murder
The Krame Center’s mission is to support faculty, staff and students while also serving the greater community as a distinctive center for contemplative and mindfulness practices. FALL 2016 PROGRAMS WEEKLY EVENING MEDITATION SESSIONS * Wednesdays, September 21 - November 16 | 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION EIGHT-WEEK COURSE Thursdays, September 22 - November 17 | 7 - 9:30 p.m. Fridays, September 23 - November 18 | 9:30 a.m. - noon Introductory Lecture* | Thursday, September 15 | 7 - 8 p.m.
INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP* Wednesday, October 5 | 7 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 2 | noon – 1 p.m.
OPEN SILENT MEDITATIONS* Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays | 11:30 - noon
SPEAKER SERIES Wednesday, September 14 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. Cultivating Presence in Relationships Florence Meleo-Meyer, M.S, M.A. Thursday, October 13th | 7 – 8:30 p.m. Forgive for Good | Fred Luskin, Ph.D. Book Signing | 6:30 – 7 p.m.
HALF-DAY SILENT RETREAT Saturday, September 24 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Finding The Stillness Within | Jon Aaron
DAY OF MINDFULNESS* Wednesday, September 28 | 10 a.m. - 6:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 6:30 P.M. DINNER Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon Tribute to the Music of John Denver
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 6:30 P.M. DINNER Pat Hazell’s The Good Humor Men
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 6:30 P.M. DINNER Jarrod Spector & Kelli Barrett
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP Self-Healing for Caregivers Michael Kearney, M.D. and Radhule Weininger, M.D. Friday, November 18 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book Signing | 4 – 4:30 p.m. SPECIAL OFFERINGS FOR EDUCATORS Mindful Learning for Educators Workshop* Jim Morley, Ph.D. and Carol Bowman, Ed.D. Thursday, October 20 | 4 – 6 p.m.
For details, a complete description of all events or for disability-related accommodations, visit www.ramapo.edu/kramecenter * SIGNIFIES A FREE EVENT
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430-1623 www.ramapo.edu
SUMMER CAMPS FOR MIDDLE AND H.S. STUDENTS! From STEM programs to Theater Camp, register your child for camp on the Ramapo College campus this summer! Learn more at: www.ramapo.edu/ramapocamps
Scan this code to see what your child can learn this summer.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED THE 2015-16 ANNUAL FUND!
“
As a student leader, I see the positive impact of your generosity. Thank you to our donors who value the importance of advancing Ramapo’s mission and providing our students with a chance to realize their full potential.”
Erin McKenna ’18
The Annual Fund is critical to Ramapo’s success because it enables the College to meet immediate needs to fund student scholarships, faculty research grants, and special campus projects, each and every year. Your gift sends a positive message to the greater community that Ramapo is strong, vibrant and worthy of investment.
Erin McKenna ’18 Annual Fund Coordinator Student Government Association President Hometown: Midland Park, N.J. Major: Business Administration, Marketing Minor: International Business
IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE 2016-17 ANNUAL FUND, VISIT
www.ramapo.edu/give Questions? Contact Dawn Lozada, Director of the Annual Fund, at dlozada@ramapo.edu or 201.684.7141.