Spring 2013 magazine

Spring 2013

RAMAPO COLLEGE MAGAZINE

The Ramapo Difference: Experience That Counts >p. 2 Where Are They Now? The Class of ’73 Reminisces: >p.6 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: College News > p. 11 Faculty News > p. 15 Alumni News > p. 23 Courts & Fields > p. 30

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 1

4/29/13 8:22 AM

from the office of the president PETER P. MERCER, Ph.D.

contents COLLEGE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Peter P. Mercer, Ph.D. President Beth E. Barnett, Ed.D. Provost Cathleen Davey Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dorothy Echols Tobe, Ed.D. Chief Planning Officer

President Peter P. Mercer (right) congratulates the 2012 Bischoff Award recipients Associate Professor of Marketing Ed-Petkus, Jr. and Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology Maya Poran

(L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Educational Opportunity Fund Program student Jemina Young ’16, Director of EOF Program Lorne Weems and EOF student Troy Reyes Caldwell ’16 at the annual EOF welcome reception at the Havemeyer House

In March 1903, the Harvard Monthly published “The Ph.D. Octopus” by Harvard philosopher William James. The essay criticized society’s expanding obsession with credentialing and its consequential decreasing interest in higher education’s nascent yet preeminent value in developing the student’s personal, social, moral, and intellectual worth.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES George C. Ruotolo, Jr. Chair

A 2012 study by the Lumina Foundation reports that the number of domestic jobs for people with at least some college is growing at a rate of four percent annually while, in contrast, the growth rate for high school-only jobs is zero and those jobs persist at 10 percent below their pre-recession levels. The report goes on to note that the bachelor’s degree is financially worth it, yielding, on average, $1.3 million in additional lifetime earnings.

Carolyn Merkel ’78 Alumni Association Board Chair

While favorable earnings for Ramapo College graduates are significant measures of their success, to James’ point, it is not merely the credential’s ability to yield pecuniary benefits that makes its obtainment a worthwhile endeavor. For example, Ramapo College students benefit from a diverse liberal arts curriculum aimed at building their critical thinking and analytical skills, and this curriculum is both thoughtfully and strategically complemented by a compendium of experiential learning opportunities. On the pages that follow you will read about many of our highly regarded students and alumni like Sam Cruz, B.S. in Marketing from Anisfield School of Business. Sam pushed boundaries by minoring in Biology, becoming a Certified Associate in Project Management and engaging on campus in the SIFE Team, and further engaging in the greater world around him as a study abroad participant in Spain and in China. These experiences, Sam says, led both directly to discovering his passion for marketing and fueling his career with OHAUS, a manufacturer of industrial scales based in Shanghai China.

It is this unique approach to developing the whole student that instills in our graduates the capacity to succeed as good citizens of the world and, only consequently, as desirable sought-after professionals.

I am pleased to share many such success stories with you in the pages that follow.

Thank you for your support.

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

(L-R): Benefactor James Napolitano, Trustee Bill Dator and President Peter P. Mercer at the Holiday Open House at the Havemeyer House

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Frances K. Hackett ’80 Chair

Deborah Richin Friends of Ramapo Chair

RAMAPO MAGAZINE STAFF Cathleen Davey Editor-in-Chief Anna Farneski Executive Editor

President Peter P. Mercer with Diversity Action Committee “Academic Diversity” video, poem, and essay winners.

(L-R): Brooke Jamison ’14, Heather Landfield ’15, President Mercer and Danielle Corcione ’15

DAC Convocation Heather Landfield is a sophomore in the College Honors Program, and a Communications major with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking. She is also working towards completing minors in Visual Arts and Psychology, as well as a Business Certificate. Danielle Corcione is a sophomore and a Literature and Communication Arts double major. She serves as Student At-Large on the President’s Strategic Planning Task Force, Community Service Chair of Ramapo NORML, Treasurer of the College Democrats, Student Ambassador for the Admissions department, and staff advisor to Pine Hall Residence Hall Council. Additionally, she is in the College Honors Program and a member of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program.

Runner up Brooke Jamison wrote a poem titled “Diversity?” She is a junior, majoring in Law & Society with

Mary Cicitta Managing Editor

minors in Psychology and Spanish. Her campus involvement has included working as a desk attendant,

Cynthia Burns Foundation Editor

resident assistant in Laurel Hall and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Carolyn Herring Photo Editor

The DAC Convocation video can be found at YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJPsMI7f6xs&feature=youtu.be

Design: Stamats, Inc. 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: Purvi Parekh 201.684.7254 Student Affairs contact: Miki Cammarata at 201.684.7591 Pat Chang at 201.684.7731

Ramapo Magazine is produced by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.

Front Cover: (Standing): Rick

DeSilva, owner of MV-1 North Jersey, Liberty Subaru and Hyundai, chairman of the Ramapo Rumble Motorcycle Rally, member of the Ramapo Board of Governors, and 2012 Distinguished Citizens honoree, Jamie Thomas ’12 Communications Specialist for MV-1 North Jersey. (Seated): Brian Aceti ’10 and Patrick Cua ’13 who developed a marketing plan for a new van that serves the differently-abled.

student leader for the Equal Opportunity Fund and peer facilitator for first-year students. She currently is a

FEATURES

>p. 2

The Ramapo Difference: Experience That Counts

>p. 6

Where Are They Now? The Class of ’73 Reminisces

>p. 20

Foundation News

>p. 23

Alumni News

>p. 26

Class Notes

>p. 30

Courts and Fields

DEPARTMENTS >p. 11

College News

>p. 15

Faculty News

>p. 17

Planned Giving

>p. 18

Grant News

An article in the previous edition of Ramapo Magazine, Winter 2013, did not include information about Professor Frances Shapiro-Skrobe’s receipt of a Fulbright Scholarship in 1976. Currently a Professor of English at Ramapo College, she served as a Visiting Professor of Linguistics at The Universidad Nacional de Trujillo in Trujillo, Peru. In addition, Professor Shapiro-Skrobe was a member of three Fulbright Selection Committees for English Language Teaching.

www.ramapo.edu

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 2-1

1

4/29/13 8:22 AM

from the office of the president PETER P. MERCER, Ph.D.

contents COLLEGE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Peter P. Mercer, Ph.D. President Beth E. Barnett, Ed.D. Provost Cathleen Davey Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dorothy Echols Tobe, Ed.D. Chief Planning Officer

President Peter P. Mercer (right) congratulates the 2012 Bischoff Award recipients Associate Professor of Marketing Ed-Petkus, Jr. and Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology Maya Poran

(L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Educational Opportunity Fund Program student Jemina Young ’16, Director of EOF Program Lorne Weems and EOF student Troy Reyes Caldwell ’16 at the annual EOF welcome reception at the Havemeyer House

In March 1903, the Harvard Monthly published “The Ph.D. Octopus” by Harvard philosopher William James. The essay criticized society’s expanding obsession with credentialing and its consequential decreasing interest in higher education’s nascent yet preeminent value in developing the student’s personal, social, moral, and intellectual worth.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES George C. Ruotolo, Jr. Chair

A 2012 study by the Lumina Foundation reports that the number of domestic jobs for people with at least some college is growing at a rate of four percent annually while, in contrast, the growth rate for high school-only jobs is zero and those jobs persist at 10 percent below their pre-recession levels. The report goes on to note that the bachelor’s degree is financially worth it, yielding, on average, $1.3 million in additional lifetime earnings.

Carolyn Merkel ’78 Alumni Association Board Chair

While favorable earnings for Ramapo College graduates are significant measures of their success, to James’ point, it is not merely the credential’s ability to yield pecuniary benefits that makes its obtainment a worthwhile endeavor. For example, Ramapo College students benefit from a diverse liberal arts curriculum aimed at building their critical thinking and analytical skills, and this curriculum is both thoughtfully and strategically complemented by a compendium of experiential learning opportunities. On the pages that follow you will read about many of our highly regarded students and alumni like Sam Cruz, B.S. in Marketing from Anisfield School of Business. Sam pushed boundaries by minoring in Biology, becoming a Certified Associate in Project Management and engaging on campus in the SIFE Team, and further engaging in the greater world around him as a study abroad participant in Spain and in China. These experiences, Sam says, led both directly to discovering his passion for marketing and fueling his career with OHAUS, a manufacturer of industrial scales based in Shanghai China.

It is this unique approach to developing the whole student that instills in our graduates the capacity to succeed as good citizens of the world and, only consequently, as desirable sought-after professionals.

I am pleased to share many such success stories with you in the pages that follow.

Thank you for your support.

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

(L-R): Benefactor James Napolitano, Trustee Bill Dator and President Peter P. Mercer at the Holiday Open House at the Havemeyer House

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Frances K. Hackett ’80 Chair

Deborah Richin Friends of Ramapo Chair

RAMAPO MAGAZINE STAFF Cathleen Davey Editor-in-Chief Anna Farneski Executive Editor

President Peter P. Mercer with Diversity Action Committee “Academic Diversity” video, poem, and essay winners.

(L-R): Brooke Jamison ’14, Heather Landfield ’15, President Mercer and Danielle Corcione ’15

DAC Convocation Heather Landfield is a sophomore in the College Honors Program, and a Communications major with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking. She is also working towards completing minors in Visual Arts and Psychology, as well as a Business Certificate. Danielle Corcione is a sophomore and a Literature and Communication Arts double major. She serves as Student At-Large on the President’s Strategic Planning Task Force, Community Service Chair of Ramapo NORML, Treasurer of the College Democrats, Student Ambassador for the Admissions department, and staff advisor to Pine Hall Residence Hall Council. Additionally, she is in the College Honors Program and a member of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program.

Runner up Brooke Jamison wrote a poem titled “Diversity?” She is a junior, majoring in Law & Society with

Mary Cicitta Managing Editor

minors in Psychology and Spanish. Her campus involvement has included working as a desk attendant,

Cynthia Burns Foundation Editor

resident assistant in Laurel Hall and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Carolyn Herring Photo Editor

The DAC Convocation video can be found at YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJPsMI7f6xs&feature=youtu.be

Design: Stamats, Inc. 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: Purvi Parekh 201.684.7254 Student Affairs contact: Miki Cammarata at 201.684.7591 Pat Chang at 201.684.7731

Ramapo Magazine is produced by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.

Front Cover: (Standing): Rick

DeSilva, owner of MV-1 North Jersey, Liberty Subaru and Hyundai, chairman of the Ramapo Rumble Motorcycle Rally, member of the Ramapo Board of Governors, and 2012 Distinguished Citizens honoree, Jamie Thomas ’12 Communications Specialist for MV-1 North Jersey. (Seated): Brian Aceti ’10 and Patrick Cua ’13 who developed a marketing plan for a new van that serves the differently-abled.

student leader for the Equal Opportunity Fund and peer facilitator for first-year students. She currently is a

FEATURES

>p. 2

The Ramapo Difference: Experience That Counts

>p. 6

Where Are They Now? The Class of ’73 Reminisces

>p. 20

Foundation News

>p. 23

Alumni News

>p. 26

Class Notes

>p. 30

Courts and Fields

DEPARTMENTS >p. 11

College News

>p. 15

Faculty News

>p. 17

Planned Giving

>p. 18

Grant News

An article in the previous edition of Ramapo Magazine, Winter 2013, did not include information about Professor Frances Shapiro-Skrobe’s receipt of a Fulbright Scholarship in 1976. Currently a Professor of English at Ramapo College, she served as a Visiting Professor of Linguistics at The Universidad Nacional de Trujillo in Trujillo, Peru. In addition, Professor Shapiro-Skrobe was a member of three Fulbright Selection Committees for English Language Teaching.

www.ramapo.edu

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 2-1

1

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE >BY CHRISTOPHER HANN

The Ramapo

DIFFERENCE: EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS

Samuel Cruz ’12 (third from left) on a visit to Tiananmen Square during his spring break trip to China

I Serafina Riccobono ’13

Students visited Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas to work on an on-site farm to become educated in current sustainability techniques and participate in global poverty learning activities

2

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 2-3

“Without this internship, I wouldn’t be as well-rounded and know as much about how a business works and what it takes to be a graphic designer...”

n the spring of 2012, Rick DeSilva Sr. was looking for some help.

DeSilva owns two car dealerships in northern New Jersey, and he wanted to establish a social media presence for each of them. He also wanted to promote a new vehicle he was selling, the MV-1, an American-made van built for people who are differentlyabled. DeSilva figured the positions would be a great opportunity for enterprising college students seeking a paid internship. But where to look?

Not far, it turns out. DeSilva, who sits on the Board of Governors for the Ramapo College Foundation, called Beth Ricca, director of the Cahill Career Development Center, who arranged to send a few students for interviews.

The first applicant rolled into DeSilva’s office in a wheelchair. “I said, ‘I’m not ready for this,’” DeSilva says, recalling his initial reaction.

The second student also came in his wheelchair. It didn’t take long for DeSilva to realize that these students would be perfect for marketing the MV-1. It was, after all, just the vehicle for them. He hired the students, Patrick Cua and Brian Aceti, and gave them plenty of latitude while, over

the ensuing six months, they waged a multimedia marketing campaign to introduce the MV-1 to would-be buyers.

“I said, ‘Here’s the product. Here’s the deal,’” DeSilva says. “They were there to come up with a marketing plan. They had the product, they had the advertising budget, they had the facility, they had everything.”

Around the same time, DeSilva also hired Jamie Thomas, a senior Communications major, and put her in charge of social media for the dealerships, Liberty Hyundai in Mahwah and Liberty Subaru in Emerson. Thomas set out to create Facebook pages and Twitter accounts and took on other social media initiatives for both businesses.

“She just comes in and works,” DeSilva says. “She is professional from the minute she walks in to the minute she walks out.”

DeSilva’s internships represent just some of the myriad of experiential learning opportunities available at Ramapo.

The College’s Study Abroad program has enabled hundreds of students to spend a semester in Japan, China,

and across Europe and Latin America.

Each spring students in the Alternative Break program take part in community service programs in needy areas.

They’ve helped to rebuild New Orleans neighborhoods destroyed by Hurricane

“She just comes in and works,” DeSilva says.

“She is professional from the minute she walks in to the minute she walks out.”

Katrina, plant trees in the mountains of Mexico, and install solar panels in the Dominican Republic. Nursing and other students take an annual twowww.ramapo.edu

3

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE >BY CHRISTOPHER HANN

The Ramapo

DIFFERENCE: EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS

Samuel Cruz ’12 (third from left) on a visit to Tiananmen Square during his spring break trip to China

I Serafina Riccobono ’13

Students visited Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas to work on an on-site farm to become educated in current sustainability techniques and participate in global poverty learning activities

2

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 2-3

“Without this internship, I wouldn’t be as well-rounded and know as much about how a business works and what it takes to be a graphic designer...”

n the spring of 2012, Rick DeSilva Sr. was looking for some help.

DeSilva owns two car dealerships in northern New Jersey, and he wanted to establish a social media presence for each of them. He also wanted to promote a new vehicle he was selling, the MV-1, an American-made van built for people who are differentlyabled. DeSilva figured the positions would be a great opportunity for enterprising college students seeking a paid internship. But where to look?

Not far, it turns out. DeSilva, who sits on the Board of Governors for the Ramapo College Foundation, called Beth Ricca, director of the Cahill Career Development Center, who arranged to send a few students for interviews.

The first applicant rolled into DeSilva’s office in a wheelchair. “I said, ‘I’m not ready for this,’” DeSilva says, recalling his initial reaction.

The second student also came in his wheelchair. It didn’t take long for DeSilva to realize that these students would be perfect for marketing the MV-1. It was, after all, just the vehicle for them. He hired the students, Patrick Cua and Brian Aceti, and gave them plenty of latitude while, over

the ensuing six months, they waged a multimedia marketing campaign to introduce the MV-1 to would-be buyers.

“I said, ‘Here’s the product. Here’s the deal,’” DeSilva says. “They were there to come up with a marketing plan. They had the product, they had the advertising budget, they had the facility, they had everything.”

Around the same time, DeSilva also hired Jamie Thomas, a senior Communications major, and put her in charge of social media for the dealerships, Liberty Hyundai in Mahwah and Liberty Subaru in Emerson. Thomas set out to create Facebook pages and Twitter accounts and took on other social media initiatives for both businesses.

“She just comes in and works,” DeSilva says. “She is professional from the minute she walks in to the minute she walks out.”

DeSilva’s internships represent just some of the myriad of experiential learning opportunities available at Ramapo.

The College’s Study Abroad program has enabled hundreds of students to spend a semester in Japan, China,

and across Europe and Latin America.

Each spring students in the Alternative Break program take part in community service programs in needy areas.

They’ve helped to rebuild New Orleans neighborhoods destroyed by Hurricane

“She just comes in and works,” DeSilva says.

“She is professional from the minute she walks in to the minute she walks out.”

Katrina, plant trees in the mountains of Mexico, and install solar panels in the Dominican Republic. Nursing and other students take an annual twowww.ramapo.edu

3

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE >CONTINUED

Maritza Guananga ’11

week trip to Sierra Leone, on the West African coast, to conduct health clinics and nursing workshops. Ramapo’s Service-Learning program enables students to volunteer with dozens of nonprofit organizations. And Ramapo’s Cooperative Education program arranges for students to earn academic credit, and often a salary, at internships with local companies and nonprofits, including BMW North America, Sharp Electronics, UPS, the American Cancer Society, and The Valley Hospital.

“One of the most important pieces of the Cooperative Education program,” Ricca says, “is they have a work experience that is supported by faculty and employers, so there is this triad partnership.”

For Patrick Cua, who plans to graduate in January with a degree in finance and economics, his internship at DeSilva’s car dealerships gave him a real-world view into what he’s been learning about in the classroom. “It’s definitely nice to have something outside school not just to learn from, but to gain perspective on,” Cua says. “It makes learning what you’re learning in school that much more 4

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 4-5

President Peter P. Mercer (left) and Rick DeSilva (right) owner of Liberty Hyundai/Liberty Subaru congratulate Carl Thompson, recipient of the Liberty Hyundai/Liberty Subaru Scholarship at the December Performing Arts Dinner Series event

“The internship was that step that allowed me to get the job,” Guananga says. “It’s the whole experience of working in the real world as opposed to learning while sitting in the classroom.” important. You understand, then, the importance of the things you’re doing.”

Senior Serafina Riccobono, a Graphic Design major, contacted many businesses before landing an internship at Carlo’s, a bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the subject of Cake Boss, a reality TV show on the TLC network.

Carlo’s is owned and operated by Buddy Valastro, his wife, Lisa, and his three sisters, including Grace Faugno, a 1989 graduate of Ramapo. Riccobono started her internship on March 6, 2012.

In August Carlo’s hired Riccobono as a part-time employee. Since then, she says, Carlo’s has hired three more Ramapo students as interns.

“They always tell me school comes first,” Riccobono says. “I have a really

great relationship with everyone there.

“Without this internship, I wouldn’t be as well-rounded and know as much about how a business works and what it takes to be a graphic designer in this kind of industry and and the number of hours it takes and the kind of moral support that’s needed.”

For many Ramapo interns, the internship experience provides the proverbial foot in the door. Ricca cites a 2012 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) that highlighted the importance of the internship experience for students seeking full-time work. Nearly three-quarters of the employers who responded to the survey said they prefer to hire job candidates who have relevant

Jamie Thomas ’13

work experience. In a separate NACE study, respondents said that 42 percent of their 2011 college hires started as interns in their own organizations.

That’s the path that Maritza Guananga ’11 took en route to a full-time job with Goldman Sachs. She began in a 10-week internship in the summer of 2010, working in the comptroller’s office, where she interacted with traders to reconcile each day’s profits or losses. Two weeks after she finished her internship, Goldman Sachs called back to ask if she would accept a full-time position after graduation.

“Even if you’re shadowing a person, you’re learning from the person. The skills that you learn— the communication skills, how to talk to people, even how to dress on the job—that’s all those things you learn just by watching, just by putting yourself out there.”

Samuel Cruz ’12 put himself out there in a big way during his time at Ramapo.

His overseas experience eventually led him to Shanghai, where he works today as a product specialist for OHAUS, a global scale and balance manufacturer.

While at Ramapo, Cruz took part in

Study Abroad programs in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Spain, and toward the end of his senior year he and eight other Ramapo students spent nine days in China with Associate Professor of International Business Huiping Li. Cruz fell in love with Shanghai and thought he’d like to return there to teach English or Spanish (he was born in Colombia). A Ramapo professor helped him get an interview with the head of marketing at OHAUS. Later he met the company president, who offered him a job.

“I remember he told me during my interview that either I was crazy or was a risk-taker,” Cruz wrote in an email, “because not too many people would leave everything to venture to a unknown place with a different culture and language.”

Jamie Thomas also saw her internship lead to a bigger reward. “I was never a big fan of being in class listening to lectures,” she says. “I was always more hands on. Doing these internships helped me grow a lot. I learned about office skills, social skills, and life skills.”

And when she graduated in January, DeSilva offered her a full-time job

as promotions manager for both car dealerships and the MV-1. “I’m learning as I go,” she says. “Nowadays it’s an important thing to have a presence online.”

DeSilva planned to bring back Cua and Aceti this spring to begin marketing an updated, more luxurious version of the MV-1. When it comes to hiring Ramapo interns, he sounds like he’s sold.

“From my perspective—and I’ve only been in the business 40 years—it was absolutely an eye-opening experience working with these two guys,” DeSilva says. “I would look forward to just sit with them and hear their stories. My feeling is now no matter where they go, I’ll do anything I can to help them go further, because they’re just great kids.”

www.ramapo.edu

5

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE >CONTINUED

Maritza Guananga ’11

week trip to Sierra Leone, on the West African coast, to conduct health clinics and nursing workshops. Ramapo’s Service-Learning program enables students to volunteer with dozens of nonprofit organizations. And Ramapo’s Cooperative Education program arranges for students to earn academic credit, and often a salary, at internships with local companies and nonprofits, including BMW North America, Sharp Electronics, UPS, the American Cancer Society, and The Valley Hospital.

“One of the most important pieces of the Cooperative Education program,” Ricca says, “is they have a work experience that is supported by faculty and employers, so there is this triad partnership.”

For Patrick Cua, who plans to graduate in January with a degree in finance and economics, his internship at DeSilva’s car dealerships gave him a real-world view into what he’s been learning about in the classroom. “It’s definitely nice to have something outside school not just to learn from, but to gain perspective on,” Cua says. “It makes learning what you’re learning in school that much more 4

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 4-5

President Peter P. Mercer (left) and Rick DeSilva (right) owner of Liberty Hyundai/Liberty Subaru congratulate Carl Thompson, recipient of the Liberty Hyundai/Liberty Subaru Scholarship at the December Performing Arts Dinner Series event

“The internship was that step that allowed me to get the job,” Guananga says. “It’s the whole experience of working in the real world as opposed to learning while sitting in the classroom.” important. You understand, then, the importance of the things you’re doing.”

Senior Serafina Riccobono, a Graphic Design major, contacted many businesses before landing an internship at Carlo’s, a bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the subject of Cake Boss, a reality TV show on the TLC network.

Carlo’s is owned and operated by Buddy Valastro, his wife, Lisa, and his three sisters, including Grace Faugno, a 1989 graduate of Ramapo. Riccobono started her internship on March 6, 2012.

In August Carlo’s hired Riccobono as a part-time employee. Since then, she says, Carlo’s has hired three more Ramapo students as interns.

“They always tell me school comes first,” Riccobono says. “I have a really

great relationship with everyone there.

“Without this internship, I wouldn’t be as well-rounded and know as much about how a business works and what it takes to be a graphic designer in this kind of industry and and the number of hours it takes and the kind of moral support that’s needed.”

For many Ramapo interns, the internship experience provides the proverbial foot in the door. Ricca cites a 2012 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) that highlighted the importance of the internship experience for students seeking full-time work. Nearly three-quarters of the employers who responded to the survey said they prefer to hire job candidates who have relevant

Jamie Thomas ’13

work experience. In a separate NACE study, respondents said that 42 percent of their 2011 college hires started as interns in their own organizations.

That’s the path that Maritza Guananga ’11 took en route to a full-time job with Goldman Sachs. She began in a 10-week internship in the summer of 2010, working in the comptroller’s office, where she interacted with traders to reconcile each day’s profits or losses. Two weeks after she finished her internship, Goldman Sachs called back to ask if she would accept a full-time position after graduation.

“Even if you’re shadowing a person, you’re learning from the person. The skills that you learn— the communication skills, how to talk to people, even how to dress on the job—that’s all those things you learn just by watching, just by putting yourself out there.”

Samuel Cruz ’12 put himself out there in a big way during his time at Ramapo.

His overseas experience eventually led him to Shanghai, where he works today as a product specialist for OHAUS, a global scale and balance manufacturer.

While at Ramapo, Cruz took part in

Study Abroad programs in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Spain, and toward the end of his senior year he and eight other Ramapo students spent nine days in China with Associate Professor of International Business Huiping Li. Cruz fell in love with Shanghai and thought he’d like to return there to teach English or Spanish (he was born in Colombia). A Ramapo professor helped him get an interview with the head of marketing at OHAUS. Later he met the company president, who offered him a job.

“I remember he told me during my interview that either I was crazy or was a risk-taker,” Cruz wrote in an email, “because not too many people would leave everything to venture to a unknown place with a different culture and language.”

Jamie Thomas also saw her internship lead to a bigger reward. “I was never a big fan of being in class listening to lectures,” she says. “I was always more hands on. Doing these internships helped me grow a lot. I learned about office skills, social skills, and life skills.”

And when she graduated in January, DeSilva offered her a full-time job

as promotions manager for both car dealerships and the MV-1. “I’m learning as I go,” she says. “Nowadays it’s an important thing to have a presence online.”

DeSilva planned to bring back Cua and Aceti this spring to begin marketing an updated, more luxurious version of the MV-1. When it comes to hiring Ramapo interns, he sounds like he’s sold.

“From my perspective—and I’ve only been in the business 40 years—it was absolutely an eye-opening experience working with these two guys,” DeSilva says. “I would look forward to just sit with them and hear their stories. My feeling is now no matter where they go, I’ll do anything I can to help them go further, because they’re just great kids.”

www.ramapo.edu

5

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE

Where Are They Now?

’73

T

hey entered the new college as juniors in September 1971, and when they finished their undergraduate careers in May 1973, they became part of the first graduating class at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

They were trailblazers, willing to take a chance on a fledgling institution of higher learning that had yet to educate a single student. They were joined by a young and energetic faculty that was determined to put them first, part of an innovative collaboration firmly rooted in an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

They arrived for their first semester to find a campus that consisted of a former mansion, a new academic building, some parking lots, and not much else. They chose the roadrunner as the school mascot because just about everyone was a commuter.

Science labs were held at a nearby Army site that once housed Nike missiles. In-state tuition (plus fees) amounted to $227 per semester.

They hailed from the Woodstock generation and, as befit the age, theirs was a politically charged campus. Jane Fonda, Ralph Nader, and Daniel Berrigan came as guest speakers. Peace activists Philip Berrigan and Elizabeth McAlister, husband and wife, came to teach.

Forty years after Ramapo conducted its first commencement ceremony, a sampling of the class of ’73 reminisce about their experiences.

6

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 6-7

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

The Class of ’73 Reminisces

They entered the new college as juniors in September 1971, and when they finished their undergraduate careers in May 1973, they became part of the first graduating class at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

undergrad she enrolled in courses being taught by professors only a few years older. A Literature major, she took a job as a student aide in the registrar’s office in 1972. And she never really left. After graduating, she took a full-time job in the same office.

She was appointed registrar in 1989.

But she’s retiring in June after more than 40 years at Ramapo. “That says something for the institution,” Brennan says, “and the people I work with.”

Cynthia Brennan “The buzz words at the time were interdisciplinary and multicultural,” Cynthia Brennan recalls of Ramapo’s early reputation. “It was innovative and experimental. Students were valued for their input in what was being created here. We knew we were part of the beginning of something that was exciting for us.”

Brennan remembers classmates participating in the Student-Faculty Senate and students serving on unit councils that guided each of the College’s schools. As a 22-year-old

Gerry Brennan “You could walk into the Dean of Students’ office and sit down,” Gerry Brennan recalls. “You could call him Bob. You didn’t have to call him Dean Barth.”

For Brennan, a transfer from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, Ramapo was unlike any educational experience he’d ever known. Brennan met his future wife, Maryann Brett (see next page), and became the first editor-inchief of the student newspaper. He says the “innovative” faculty defined

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

>BY CHRISTOPHER HANN

the Ramapo experience. “They gave students a lot of free rein,” he says.

At Ramapo’s first graduation, in May 1973, Brennan delivered a speech chastising the College for not being more responsive to larger societal concerns. “Was that the right tone to strike at the graduation ceremony?

Probably not,” he says. “But it was what I felt very strongly about. I also think it was a recognition of how I got to where I was. In large part it was the people I met at Ramapo, students and professors, who enabled me to think for myself.”

After Ramapo Brennan became a lawyer, specializing in helping indigent clients, and for 10 years, as an adjunct professor, he taught constitutional law at Ramapo. Today he’s the director of the Morris County office of Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey.

Maryann Brett “Ramapo offered something really unique,” says Maryann Brett, who recalls reading about the innovative new college being planned in Mahwah. “Just

the way they described it sounded like it was something I would like to get in on.”

A Psychology major, Brett transferred from now-defunct Tombrock College in Paterson. “Ramapo was so nontraditional. I tried to get a yearbook going, and no one was interested in a yearbook,” she says, recalling the refrain from students. “‘Oh, no, that’s too much like a regular college, and we’re not a regular college.’”

Before the school year began, Dean of Student Activities Ed Henderson Leo Campbell convened a group of students in the “The interdisciplinary approach was York Room at the Mansion to help singularly the biggest takeaway of organize student clubs and other my academic experience at Ramapo,” institutions essential to campus life.

Leo Campbell says. “Throughout It was there that she met a classmate, both my subsequent graduate work Gerry Brennan, who would become her and then my working career, the husband. When they were married, they notion of interdisciplinary actions held a reception in the York Room. was new or foreign to almost She and Gerry raised three daughters everybody. Ramapo very consciously (one of whom took classes at Ramapo) set out to break that mold.” and today Brett works as an assistant in Campbell came to Ramapo after a law office. spending two years in community college and two years in the Army, including a year in Vietnam. He says he

www.ramapo.edu

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4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE

Where Are They Now?

’73

T

hey entered the new college as juniors in September 1971, and when they finished their undergraduate careers in May 1973, they became part of the first graduating class at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

They were trailblazers, willing to take a chance on a fledgling institution of higher learning that had yet to educate a single student. They were joined by a young and energetic faculty that was determined to put them first, part of an innovative collaboration firmly rooted in an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

They arrived for their first semester to find a campus that consisted of a former mansion, a new academic building, some parking lots, and not much else. They chose the roadrunner as the school mascot because just about everyone was a commuter.

Science labs were held at a nearby Army site that once housed Nike missiles. In-state tuition (plus fees) amounted to $227 per semester.

They hailed from the Woodstock generation and, as befit the age, theirs was a politically charged campus. Jane Fonda, Ralph Nader, and Daniel Berrigan came as guest speakers. Peace activists Philip Berrigan and Elizabeth McAlister, husband and wife, came to teach.

Forty years after Ramapo conducted its first commencement ceremony, a sampling of the class of ’73 reminisce about their experiences.

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Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

The Class of ’73 Reminisces

They entered the new college as juniors in September 1971, and when they finished their undergraduate careers in May 1973, they became part of the first graduating class at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

undergrad she enrolled in courses being taught by professors only a few years older. A Literature major, she took a job as a student aide in the registrar’s office in 1972. And she never really left. After graduating, she took a full-time job in the same office.

She was appointed registrar in 1989.

But she’s retiring in June after more than 40 years at Ramapo. “That says something for the institution,” Brennan says, “and the people I work with.”

Cynthia Brennan “The buzz words at the time were interdisciplinary and multicultural,” Cynthia Brennan recalls of Ramapo’s early reputation. “It was innovative and experimental. Students were valued for their input in what was being created here. We knew we were part of the beginning of something that was exciting for us.”

Brennan remembers classmates participating in the Student-Faculty Senate and students serving on unit councils that guided each of the College’s schools. As a 22-year-old

Gerry Brennan “You could walk into the Dean of Students’ office and sit down,” Gerry Brennan recalls. “You could call him Bob. You didn’t have to call him Dean Barth.”

For Brennan, a transfer from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, Ramapo was unlike any educational experience he’d ever known. Brennan met his future wife, Maryann Brett (see next page), and became the first editor-inchief of the student newspaper. He says the “innovative” faculty defined

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

>BY CHRISTOPHER HANN

the Ramapo experience. “They gave students a lot of free rein,” he says.

At Ramapo’s first graduation, in May 1973, Brennan delivered a speech chastising the College for not being more responsive to larger societal concerns. “Was that the right tone to strike at the graduation ceremony?

Probably not,” he says. “But it was what I felt very strongly about. I also think it was a recognition of how I got to where I was. In large part it was the people I met at Ramapo, students and professors, who enabled me to think for myself.”

After Ramapo Brennan became a lawyer, specializing in helping indigent clients, and for 10 years, as an adjunct professor, he taught constitutional law at Ramapo. Today he’s the director of the Morris County office of Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey.

Maryann Brett “Ramapo offered something really unique,” says Maryann Brett, who recalls reading about the innovative new college being planned in Mahwah. “Just

the way they described it sounded like it was something I would like to get in on.”

A Psychology major, Brett transferred from now-defunct Tombrock College in Paterson. “Ramapo was so nontraditional. I tried to get a yearbook going, and no one was interested in a yearbook,” she says, recalling the refrain from students. “‘Oh, no, that’s too much like a regular college, and we’re not a regular college.’”

Before the school year began, Dean of Student Activities Ed Henderson Leo Campbell convened a group of students in the “The interdisciplinary approach was York Room at the Mansion to help singularly the biggest takeaway of organize student clubs and other my academic experience at Ramapo,” institutions essential to campus life.

Leo Campbell says. “Throughout It was there that she met a classmate, both my subsequent graduate work Gerry Brennan, who would become her and then my working career, the husband. When they were married, they notion of interdisciplinary actions held a reception in the York Room. was new or foreign to almost She and Gerry raised three daughters everybody. Ramapo very consciously (one of whom took classes at Ramapo) set out to break that mold.” and today Brett works as an assistant in Campbell came to Ramapo after a law office. spending two years in community college and two years in the Army, including a year in Vietnam. He says he

www.ramapo.edu

7

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE

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Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 8-9

ler arry Koe h Photo C

ourtesy: G

I had not gone to Ramapo College my career would not have manifested itself the way it did,” Mahoney says. “As a student I never responded well to traditional academia. It really set me up for what I consider a wonderful and enjoyable and successful career.”

Mahoney served on the Foundation Board of Governors for 15 years and served as chair of the Golf Committee for much of that time.

Jeff Warren “There was a lot of energy on campus, a lot of creativity, a sense of community,” Jeff Warren recalls. “It was a very exciting time.”

Although most of Ramapo’s inaugural students were commuters, Warren and roughly 60 classmates bunked at the Club 300 Motel, a de facto dormitory on Route 17 in Ramsey. An Urban Studies major who graduated with honors, Warren spent the spring semester of his junior year living and working in Newark, where he helped tenants in disputes with landlords as part of Princeton University’s Semester In The City urban internship program.

In November 1971 Warren and two other Ramapo students (including Gerry

Brennan) appeared on the William F. Buckley television program, “Firing Line.” The Ramapo students questioned Buckley’s guests, the political journalists Rowland Evans and Robert Novak, about their newly published book on Richard Nixon. Warren still has the congratulatory letter he received afterward from Ramapo President George T. Potter. “Questions presented by you and your co-panelists were intelligent and to the point,” Potter wrote.

After graduating, Warren earned a master’s degree in health policy, planning, and administration from New York University. He worked for close to 10 years in the New Jersey state government, including a term as executive secretary of the New Jersey Hospital Rate Setting Commission.

Today he runs a healthcare consulting firm in Randolph, New Jersey.

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

was one of about 25 veterans on campus marketing department. During his senior for Ramapo. He enrolled as a Political when Ramapo opened in September year, he photographed Ramapo students Science major, and his photography 1971. Many of his professors, he says, demonstrating near the Arch during a skills came in handy after he graduated. had left secure positions at traditional student strike. The Record published the He took a job at CBS in New York colleges to be part of the Ramapo photo on the front page. “It was the first and went on to spend 36 years as a experiment. “The faculty was always time I had ever been published,” Galasso cameraman for CBS News, photographing there,” he says, “and the faculty always says. “And from that time I was hooked.” conflicts across the globe, particularly in had an open door policy, and I say this In a long career as a photojournalist at the Middle East. He photographed many almost universally—every single teacher.” The Record, where he still works, Galasso stories for “60 Minutes” and also shot After graduating, Campbell earned has shot Super Bowls and World Series Andy Rooney’s monologues. When Kulin a doctoral degree in educational and traveled to Northern Ireland, the received the President’s Award of Merit at psychology from Rutgers, where he West Bank, Kenya, Malaysia, India, and Ramapo’s 2000 commencement, Rooney taught for several years before working beyond. And it all started at Ramapo. was in attendance. for the Internal Revenue Service (where “I liked the fact that we were starting he helped develop the 1040EZ taxsomething new, as opposed to going Don Mahoney filing form), Price Waterhouse Coopers, to some established place where you “It was a very transient school,” Don and the U.S. Postal Service. Today conform to their history,” Galasso says.

Mahoney recalls. “There were people he’s retired and lives in Arlington, “We were making our own history.” from all over the state. There was Virginia, where he raises his two young a real cross-section of backgrounds, daughters. “The best time to have Keith Kulin geography, and demographics.” kids,” he says, “is when you’re retired.”

“It was really interesting because it was Mahoney credits business such a radical school in terms of the Professor Paul Adams, who founded Carmine Galasso teachers and the curriculum,” Keith Kulin a management internship program “It was such an incredibly beautiful says of Ramapo’s early years. “There were involving a dozen local companies, setting, you know?” Carmine Galasso a lot of seminars. Classes were really small. with helping give scores of Ramapo says. “I’m a kid from Brooklyn originally, It felt sort of pioneering.” students valuable experience in the so to see trees like this was unbelievable.”

Kulin spent a year in Vietnam as a business world.

An Economics major and an avid photographer for the Fourth Infantry After graduating, Mahoney spent 25 photographer, Galasso landed an Division before returning home in 1970 years at Sports Illustrated, retiring in internship at The Record, a Hackensack and enrolling at Bergen Community 2001 as a vice president at Time Warner. newspaper, shooting pictures for the College, then an important feeder school “There’s no doubt in my mind that if

Photo C

(right) al u ercer r P. M a 24th Ann te e P as nt reside is honored P d n s he eft) a ano (l arren ’73 a rd Mil Berna late Jeff W in 2006 en atu congr ished Citiz gu Distin

ourtesy: G

arry Koe h

ler

Photo Courte

sy: Garry Ko

ehler

>CONTINUED

Editor’s Note: Have you seen the people in these old photos? If so, please contact The Ramapo Magazine Team at mcicitta@ramapo.edu Golf Committee Chairman Don ’73 and Tom Mahoney ’86 at the Annual Golf Outing

www.ramapo.edu

9

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FEATURE

8

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 8-9

ler arry Koe h Photo C

ourtesy: G

I had not gone to Ramapo College my career would not have manifested itself the way it did,” Mahoney says. “As a student I never responded well to traditional academia. It really set me up for what I consider a wonderful and enjoyable and successful career.”

Mahoney served on the Foundation Board of Governors for 15 years and served as chair of the Golf Committee for much of that time.

Jeff Warren “There was a lot of energy on campus, a lot of creativity, a sense of community,” Jeff Warren recalls. “It was a very exciting time.”

Although most of Ramapo’s inaugural students were commuters, Warren and roughly 60 classmates bunked at the Club 300 Motel, a de facto dormitory on Route 17 in Ramsey. An Urban Studies major who graduated with honors, Warren spent the spring semester of his junior year living and working in Newark, where he helped tenants in disputes with landlords as part of Princeton University’s Semester In The City urban internship program.

In November 1971 Warren and two other Ramapo students (including Gerry

Brennan) appeared on the William F. Buckley television program, “Firing Line.” The Ramapo students questioned Buckley’s guests, the political journalists Rowland Evans and Robert Novak, about their newly published book on Richard Nixon. Warren still has the congratulatory letter he received afterward from Ramapo President George T. Potter. “Questions presented by you and your co-panelists were intelligent and to the point,” Potter wrote.

After graduating, Warren earned a master’s degree in health policy, planning, and administration from New York University. He worked for close to 10 years in the New Jersey state government, including a term as executive secretary of the New Jersey Hospital Rate Setting Commission.

Today he runs a healthcare consulting firm in Randolph, New Jersey.

Photo Courtesy: Garry Koehler

was one of about 25 veterans on campus marketing department. During his senior for Ramapo. He enrolled as a Political when Ramapo opened in September year, he photographed Ramapo students Science major, and his photography 1971. Many of his professors, he says, demonstrating near the Arch during a skills came in handy after he graduated. had left secure positions at traditional student strike. The Record published the He took a job at CBS in New York colleges to be part of the Ramapo photo on the front page. “It was the first and went on to spend 36 years as a experiment. “The faculty was always time I had ever been published,” Galasso cameraman for CBS News, photographing there,” he says, “and the faculty always says. “And from that time I was hooked.” conflicts across the globe, particularly in had an open door policy, and I say this In a long career as a photojournalist at the Middle East. He photographed many almost universally—every single teacher.” The Record, where he still works, Galasso stories for “60 Minutes” and also shot After graduating, Campbell earned has shot Super Bowls and World Series Andy Rooney’s monologues. When Kulin a doctoral degree in educational and traveled to Northern Ireland, the received the President’s Award of Merit at psychology from Rutgers, where he West Bank, Kenya, Malaysia, India, and Ramapo’s 2000 commencement, Rooney taught for several years before working beyond. And it all started at Ramapo. was in attendance. for the Internal Revenue Service (where “I liked the fact that we were starting he helped develop the 1040EZ taxsomething new, as opposed to going Don Mahoney filing form), Price Waterhouse Coopers, to some established place where you “It was a very transient school,” Don and the U.S. Postal Service. Today conform to their history,” Galasso says.

Mahoney recalls. “There were people he’s retired and lives in Arlington, “We were making our own history.” from all over the state. There was Virginia, where he raises his two young a real cross-section of backgrounds, daughters. “The best time to have Keith Kulin geography, and demographics.” kids,” he says, “is when you’re retired.”

“It was really interesting because it was Mahoney credits business such a radical school in terms of the Professor Paul Adams, who founded Carmine Galasso teachers and the curriculum,” Keith Kulin a management internship program “It was such an incredibly beautiful says of Ramapo’s early years. “There were involving a dozen local companies, setting, you know?” Carmine Galasso a lot of seminars. Classes were really small. with helping give scores of Ramapo says. “I’m a kid from Brooklyn originally, It felt sort of pioneering.” students valuable experience in the so to see trees like this was unbelievable.”

Kulin spent a year in Vietnam as a business world.

An Economics major and an avid photographer for the Fourth Infantry After graduating, Mahoney spent 25 photographer, Galasso landed an Division before returning home in 1970 years at Sports Illustrated, retiring in internship at The Record, a Hackensack and enrolling at Bergen Community 2001 as a vice president at Time Warner. newspaper, shooting pictures for the College, then an important feeder school “There’s no doubt in my mind that if

Photo C

(right) al u ercer r P. M a 24th Ann te e P as nt reside is honored P d n s he eft) a ano (l arren ’73 a rd Mil Berna late Jeff W in 2006 en atu congr ished Citiz gu Distin

ourtesy: G

arry Koe h

ler

Photo Courte

sy: Garry Ko

ehler

>CONTINUED

Editor’s Note: Have you seen the people in these old photos? If so, please contact The Ramapo Magazine Team at mcicitta@ramapo.edu Golf Committee Chairman Don ’73 and Tom Mahoney ’86 at the Annual Golf Outing

www.ramapo.edu

9

4/29/13 8:22 AM

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

COLLEGE NEWS

A REAL PUNK ROCKER!

“Fiery New Jersey rock fivesome with a frontman who sounds like Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, amped to 11.”

-ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“There isn’t anything remotely ‘neat’ about The Monitor.

Instead, it’s a rocking, joyful, epic beast of an album that rattles with energy and pulses with the heart of a raging bull.”

-DELUSIONS OF ADEQUACY “On their second album, New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus split the emotional atom with anthemic chants, rousing sing-alongs, celebrations of binge drinking, marathon song titles, broken-hearted duets, punked-up irish jigs, and classic rock lyric-stealing.”

8.7, Best New Music -PITCHFORK

On November 6, 62 percent of voters approved the $750 million higher education facilities bond on this year’s General Election Ballot. The share allotted for state colleges is $247.5 million with a required 25 percent match from all recipient schools. Ramapo College of New Jersey has been setting aside money in reserve since FY2006, allowing us to meet our 25 percent match. It is the first time in 25 years since a bond for higher education facilities has been passed.

“I extend my sincere thanks to all who contributed their time to this campaign. I want to give special recognition to our two Student Trustees, Nicole Panzica and Anthony Darakjy, for their tireless efforts on organizing and speaking on this initiative throughout campus,” said President Peter P. Mercer.

-ROLLING STONE

-SPIN

BOND REFERENDUM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PASSES

The bond money will be used for much needed capital projects. They include supporting academic programs, renovation of the aging academic buildings, campus-wide upgrades in technology infrastructure, and improving the library.

“Lyrically, history and modern anxiety morph into freedom songs for an age where, then as now, ‘the enemy is everywhere,’ and neither whiskey nor ‘a pretty good GPA’ will save you. But an album this excellent just might.”

“With five songs clocking in at more than seven minutes, often thanks to detours down E Street, it’s a bigidea album that feels small and personable, even as it’s kicking you in the shin.”

>BY DAN GEARY ’13

RAMAPO COLLEGE INITIATES MICROSOFT® OFFICE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

PATRICK STICKLES ’08 A reporter once described Patrick Stickles ’08, the founder and front man for the punk/indie band Titus Andronicus, as precocious and a contradiction. When asked about it, Patrick quipped that he’s a bit too old for precocious. Then he mused, “We’re all a contradiction. All of us have conflicts with the mind, spirit…battlegrounds.”

Stickles totally embraced punk for the individual freedom it allows and as an outlet for his blunt, personal accounts of what it was like growing up a suburban kid who now calls a hipster neighborhood in Brooklyn home. For Stickles, punk “is a rejection of absolute. There is no authority but your own. Your ideas are valid even if they don’t jive with the powers that be, whoever they are.”

As a Literature major he admitted he fancied himself an essayist. He recalled that a Comparative Feminist Theories course taught by Professor Monika Giacoppe “pulled the wool from my eyes about the secret underworkings of patriarchy.” He credited Professor Edward Shannon, who advised him on an independent study project, as “turning me on to cool stuff.”

The progression from Literature to punk is a natural one for Stickles.

Indeed, the band’s name is taken from Shakespeare’s bloodiest play and many of Stickles’ lyrics are laced with literary references. “Literature is like any art. It’s a medium to express one’s self.”

Titus Andronicus was formed in 2005 when Stickles was a student at Ramapo College. He had been accepted to several graduate programs, including those at Ivy League schools, when the band garnered attention.

The student who wanted to become a history teacher pushed beyond his boundaries and opted to pursue musical expression. His lyrics are dark, angry and biting. “I’m like anyone else. I have good days and bad days,” said Stickles. He derives more inspiration from his darker days than lighter.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is offering the official Microsoft® Office 2010 curriculum and practice examinations for pursuing Microsoft® Office Certification. In affiliation with Certiport, the sole provider of Microsoft® Office Certification exams, Ramapo College is also an established Certiport Authorized Testing Center. This means students and adult learners interested in advancing their skills, entering the workforce, or changing jobs are able to attend training to effectively and efficiently use the Microsoft® Office suite and take the certifying exams all in one location.

The College is offering Microsoft® Office Certification training in an evening format in Microsoft® Word, Excel®, PowerPoint®, and Outlook® and students may pursue individual applications or full suite Microsoft® Office Certification credentials as a Microsoft® Office Specialist, Microsoft® Office Expert, or Microsoft® Office Master. Visit the website to learn the details of the requirements and to review the full schedule for each Microsoft® application: www.ramapo.edu/cipl/certificates/ msoffice.html

DIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION AWARD RECEIVED

BY LORNE WEEMS AND DEIRDRE BRIGHT FOREMAN Director of Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF), Lorne Weems and Associate Director of EOF, Deirdre Bright Foreman were lauded the Diversity in Higher Education Award at the 2012 Humanitarian Awards Breakfast presented by The American Conference on Diversity, Greater Bergen County Chapter.

The EOF program offers opportunities of higher education to highly motivated students who come from low-income families or disadvantaged communities where they don’t have access to quality educational preparation to attend college. EOF is designed to promote academic success, social responsibility, and involve students in applying their education to the workforce and graduate study.

By most measures Titus Andronicus and Stickles are successful. There’s the staying power of the band, the booking agent and publicist, being named one of the seven best new bands by Rolling Stone in 2010, rave reviews by Pitchfork, Spin and the Guardian, a national tour and an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and a major spread in the New York Times. Stickles said he doesn’t feel successful. “We’re a humble enterprise. I think it will become apparent in hindsight. If I am a success, it’s because of the impact on lives and on listeners, rather than acclaim in a newspaper.”

Stickles plans are to “make another record, more of the same stuff.”

This spring he and his band mates are gearing up for more touring.

Stickles will use the quiet, down time to write songs. He has been known to pen lyrics while logging miles in the band’s touring van.

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2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 10-11

The Sabrin Center for Business Excellence at the Anisfield School of Business at Ramapo College sponsored a Northern New Jersey Business Outlook on January 30.

(L-R): John Galandak, executive director of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; James E. Glassman, managing director and senior economist at JPMorgan Chase; Robert Topel, vice president of marketing, UPS East Region; President Peter P. Mercer; New Jersey State Senator Kevin O’Toole; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees George C. Ruotolo, Jr.

RAMAPO COLLEGE EXAMINES ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AT NORTHERN NJ BUSINESS OUTLOOK PANEL On January 30, current and future economic conditions for the Northern New Jersey region were examined during the Northern New Jersey Business Outlook event. The event, sponsored by the Sabrin Center for Business Excellence and the Anisfield School of Business, featured representatives from state government, the financial industry, and local business interests reporting on current issues for their sectors and discussing opportunities and challenges for regional businesses in 2013.

The panelists included John Galandak (local business interests), executive director of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; James E. Glassman (economic policy and financial markets), managing director and senior economist with JPMorgan Chase; New Jersey State Senator Kevin O’Toole, who represents the 40th legislative district including Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties; and Robert Topel (transportation and logistics), vice president of marketing, UPS East Region. A networking session was also featured at the event. A business report from The Bergen Record covered the event.

WRITER JOYCE CAROL OATES SPEAKS AT RAMAPO COLLEGE Acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates spoke at Ramapo College on November 12 as part of the Readings at Ramapo Visiting Writers Series, which was organized (L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Joyce Carol Oates, by Associate Professor of and Vice President of Institutional Advancement English James Hoch. She Cathleen Davey conducted a reading of her short stories, “San Quentin” and “Brutal Murder in a Public Place.”

Afterward, she held a Q&A session.

One of America’s most versatile and prolific writers, Oates has produced a large body of work ranging from short stories to novels to plays over the past 30 years. She is the recipient of many awards, including the National Humanities Medal, which was presented by President Barack Obama in 2010. In addition, she has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature three times.

Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program Lorne Weems

Assistant Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program Deirdre Bright Foreman

Oates has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has won the National Book Award and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction. Her most recent works include “A Widow’s Story: A Memoir,” “Mudwoman,” a novel, and “Black Dahlia & White Rose,” a collection of short stories. Currently, she is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University. www.ramapo.edu

11

4/29/13 8:22 AM

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

COLLEGE NEWS

A REAL PUNK ROCKER!

“Fiery New Jersey rock fivesome with a frontman who sounds like Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, amped to 11.”

-ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“There isn’t anything remotely ‘neat’ about The Monitor.

Instead, it’s a rocking, joyful, epic beast of an album that rattles with energy and pulses with the heart of a raging bull.”

-DELUSIONS OF ADEQUACY “On their second album, New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus split the emotional atom with anthemic chants, rousing sing-alongs, celebrations of binge drinking, marathon song titles, broken-hearted duets, punked-up irish jigs, and classic rock lyric-stealing.”

8.7, Best New Music -PITCHFORK

On November 6, 62 percent of voters approved the $750 million higher education facilities bond on this year’s General Election Ballot. The share allotted for state colleges is $247.5 million with a required 25 percent match from all recipient schools. Ramapo College of New Jersey has been setting aside money in reserve since FY2006, allowing us to meet our 25 percent match. It is the first time in 25 years since a bond for higher education facilities has been passed.

“I extend my sincere thanks to all who contributed their time to this campaign. I want to give special recognition to our two Student Trustees, Nicole Panzica and Anthony Darakjy, for their tireless efforts on organizing and speaking on this initiative throughout campus,” said President Peter P. Mercer.

-ROLLING STONE

-SPIN

BOND REFERENDUM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PASSES

The bond money will be used for much needed capital projects. They include supporting academic programs, renovation of the aging academic buildings, campus-wide upgrades in technology infrastructure, and improving the library.

“Lyrically, history and modern anxiety morph into freedom songs for an age where, then as now, ‘the enemy is everywhere,’ and neither whiskey nor ‘a pretty good GPA’ will save you. But an album this excellent just might.”

“With five songs clocking in at more than seven minutes, often thanks to detours down E Street, it’s a bigidea album that feels small and personable, even as it’s kicking you in the shin.”

>BY DAN GEARY ’13

RAMAPO COLLEGE INITIATES MICROSOFT® OFFICE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

PATRICK STICKLES ’08 A reporter once described Patrick Stickles ’08, the founder and front man for the punk/indie band Titus Andronicus, as precocious and a contradiction. When asked about it, Patrick quipped that he’s a bit too old for precocious. Then he mused, “We’re all a contradiction. All of us have conflicts with the mind, spirit…battlegrounds.”

Stickles totally embraced punk for the individual freedom it allows and as an outlet for his blunt, personal accounts of what it was like growing up a suburban kid who now calls a hipster neighborhood in Brooklyn home. For Stickles, punk “is a rejection of absolute. There is no authority but your own. Your ideas are valid even if they don’t jive with the powers that be, whoever they are.”

As a Literature major he admitted he fancied himself an essayist. He recalled that a Comparative Feminist Theories course taught by Professor Monika Giacoppe “pulled the wool from my eyes about the secret underworkings of patriarchy.” He credited Professor Edward Shannon, who advised him on an independent study project, as “turning me on to cool stuff.”

The progression from Literature to punk is a natural one for Stickles.

Indeed, the band’s name is taken from Shakespeare’s bloodiest play and many of Stickles’ lyrics are laced with literary references. “Literature is like any art. It’s a medium to express one’s self.”

Titus Andronicus was formed in 2005 when Stickles was a student at Ramapo College. He had been accepted to several graduate programs, including those at Ivy League schools, when the band garnered attention.

The student who wanted to become a history teacher pushed beyond his boundaries and opted to pursue musical expression. His lyrics are dark, angry and biting. “I’m like anyone else. I have good days and bad days,” said Stickles. He derives more inspiration from his darker days than lighter.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is offering the official Microsoft® Office 2010 curriculum and practice examinations for pursuing Microsoft® Office Certification. In affiliation with Certiport, the sole provider of Microsoft® Office Certification exams, Ramapo College is also an established Certiport Authorized Testing Center. This means students and adult learners interested in advancing their skills, entering the workforce, or changing jobs are able to attend training to effectively and efficiently use the Microsoft® Office suite and take the certifying exams all in one location.

The College is offering Microsoft® Office Certification training in an evening format in Microsoft® Word, Excel®, PowerPoint®, and Outlook® and students may pursue individual applications or full suite Microsoft® Office Certification credentials as a Microsoft® Office Specialist, Microsoft® Office Expert, or Microsoft® Office Master. Visit the website to learn the details of the requirements and to review the full schedule for each Microsoft® application: www.ramapo.edu/cipl/certificates/ msoffice.html

DIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION AWARD RECEIVED

BY LORNE WEEMS AND DEIRDRE BRIGHT FOREMAN Director of Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF), Lorne Weems and Associate Director of EOF, Deirdre Bright Foreman were lauded the Diversity in Higher Education Award at the 2012 Humanitarian Awards Breakfast presented by The American Conference on Diversity, Greater Bergen County Chapter.

The EOF program offers opportunities of higher education to highly motivated students who come from low-income families or disadvantaged communities where they don’t have access to quality educational preparation to attend college. EOF is designed to promote academic success, social responsibility, and involve students in applying their education to the workforce and graduate study.

By most measures Titus Andronicus and Stickles are successful. There’s the staying power of the band, the booking agent and publicist, being named one of the seven best new bands by Rolling Stone in 2010, rave reviews by Pitchfork, Spin and the Guardian, a national tour and an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and a major spread in the New York Times. Stickles said he doesn’t feel successful. “We’re a humble enterprise. I think it will become apparent in hindsight. If I am a success, it’s because of the impact on lives and on listeners, rather than acclaim in a newspaper.”

Stickles plans are to “make another record, more of the same stuff.”

This spring he and his band mates are gearing up for more touring.

Stickles will use the quiet, down time to write songs. He has been known to pen lyrics while logging miles in the band’s touring van.

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The Sabrin Center for Business Excellence at the Anisfield School of Business at Ramapo College sponsored a Northern New Jersey Business Outlook on January 30.

(L-R): John Galandak, executive director of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; James E. Glassman, managing director and senior economist at JPMorgan Chase; Robert Topel, vice president of marketing, UPS East Region; President Peter P. Mercer; New Jersey State Senator Kevin O’Toole; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees George C. Ruotolo, Jr.

RAMAPO COLLEGE EXAMINES ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AT NORTHERN NJ BUSINESS OUTLOOK PANEL On January 30, current and future economic conditions for the Northern New Jersey region were examined during the Northern New Jersey Business Outlook event. The event, sponsored by the Sabrin Center for Business Excellence and the Anisfield School of Business, featured representatives from state government, the financial industry, and local business interests reporting on current issues for their sectors and discussing opportunities and challenges for regional businesses in 2013.

The panelists included John Galandak (local business interests), executive director of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; James E. Glassman (economic policy and financial markets), managing director and senior economist with JPMorgan Chase; New Jersey State Senator Kevin O’Toole, who represents the 40th legislative district including Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties; and Robert Topel (transportation and logistics), vice president of marketing, UPS East Region. A networking session was also featured at the event. A business report from The Bergen Record covered the event.

WRITER JOYCE CAROL OATES SPEAKS AT RAMAPO COLLEGE Acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates spoke at Ramapo College on November 12 as part of the Readings at Ramapo Visiting Writers Series, which was organized (L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Joyce Carol Oates, by Associate Professor of and Vice President of Institutional Advancement English James Hoch. She Cathleen Davey conducted a reading of her short stories, “San Quentin” and “Brutal Murder in a Public Place.”

Afterward, she held a Q&A session.

One of America’s most versatile and prolific writers, Oates has produced a large body of work ranging from short stories to novels to plays over the past 30 years. She is the recipient of many awards, including the National Humanities Medal, which was presented by President Barack Obama in 2010. In addition, she has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature three times.

Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program Lorne Weems

Assistant Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program Deirdre Bright Foreman

Oates has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has won the National Book Award and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction. Her most recent works include “A Widow’s Story: A Memoir,” “Mudwoman,” a novel, and “Black Dahlia & White Rose,” a collection of short stories. Currently, she is the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at Princeton University. www.ramapo.edu

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COLLEGE NEWS

President Peter P. Mercer Receives Two Prestigious Awards The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer as the winner of the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award. He was honored in December’s Holiday Celebration Luncheon along with the Chamber’s other 2012 annual award recipients. They included 2012 Company of the Year: Inserra Supermarkets, Inc. and 2012 Organization of the Year: Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc. (MEVO). Earlier in the month, the president also received a Community Service Award from The Community Resource Council.

(L-R): Toni Monnin and Dr. Gail Granowitz, attendees at the Haitian Art Society Conference

Haitian Art Society Conference in Rodman Gallery at Ramapo College

AFRO-CARIBBEAN ART COLLECTIONS BRING ATTENTION TO RAMAPO Since the devastating Haitian earthquake that demolished many masterpieces by Haitian artists, Ramapo College’s AfroCaribbean art collections, which contain artworks from the same Haitian artists whose work was lost, have since been seen as a valuable resource. Ramapo has recently been visited by representatives from Yale University and the Smithsonian to conduct research on the collections. Colleagues at Yale have since informed Sydney Jenkins, director of the art galleries at Ramapo College, that they will be including Ramapo’s collections in their African Diaspora curriculum. Ramapo’s collections have also been the focus of various international conference sessions, and numerous new books and other publications.

RAMAPO COLLEGE PRESENTED “MUSIC IN NATURE” WITH SYMPOSIUM, WORKSHOP, AND PERFORMANCES

“Music in Nature” was the Independent Study project of Ramapo College student Adam Lazor ’13, a guitarist who is majoring in Music Production and minoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Lazor spent a month last summer studying ecology, specifically the sounds of insects and birds in Costa Rica, and wanted to share his experiences and discoveries.

The production studied the intersection of music and the natural world through projects that sampled and analyzed natural sounds directly or that were emulated using advanced technologies. Insects and birds were the particular focus in many of the works.

Speakers included Adam Lazor, Michelle Nagai, musician and New Jersey Institute of Technology Professor David Rothenberg, and Edgardo Arevalo Hernandez, an ecologist and professor at The School for Field Studies in Costa Rica. King Britt headlined the evening event; other performers included Adam Lazor, David Rothenberg, the Ramapo Digital Music Ensemble, and Ramapo College Music Professors Seth Cluett and Travis Houldcroft.

AFRICAN ANCESTRY TRAVELING MUSEUM COMES TO RAMAPO On February 19, the “Lest We Forget” traveling museum made its way to Ramapo College for African Ancestry Month. The exhibit was founded by J. Justin and Gwen Ragsdale and is comprised of many slave artifacts from their own personal collections.

The couple currently travels to colleges, high schools, churches, family reunions, and other community events with their cultural relics.

They have traveled across the country and abroad with their slave artifacts, Jim-Crow objects, bill-of-sale documents and many other interesting pieces of African-American history.

The museum, which started as a simple, small collection of artifacts, keeps increasing in size and popularity. The Ragsdales established their original museum in Philadelphia in 2002 and later decided to also travel around the world with their artifacts in order to share knowledge and increase awareness of African-American history and culture.

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GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR. NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE RAMAPO COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized 2012 Annual Award Recipients: (L-R): President Peter P. Mercer; Lawrence Inserra, III, accepting on behalf of Inserra Supermarkets Inc.; and Emma Spett and Eric Fuchs-Stengel, accepting on behalf of the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Richards Photography)

WEST POINT PROFESSOR EXAMINES CRUCIAL ROLES PLAYED BY JEWS IN EARLY HUNGARIAN SOUND FILM “Without the Jews, how will we produce Christian culture? Nation and antiSemitism in the Wartime Cinema of Hungary” was the title of a talk given by Dr. David Frey, Associate Professor of History at the United States Military Academy at West Point, in March. Frey’s talk examined the birth, unexpected ascendance, and wartime collapse of Hungary’s cinema and placed it within a Dr. David Frey peculiar international context that involved the interplay of Hungarian cultural and political elites, Jewish film professionals and financiers, Nazi officials, and global film moguls.

Frey showed how, although intended to contribute to forging a national culture, Hungary’s film industry became mired in contradictions of its own making, including those inherent to racial nationalism based in anti-Semitism. Frey is a Fulbright Scholar, earned his Ph.D. in Central European History at Columbia University and his manuscript, Jews, Nazis, and the Cinema of Hungary: The Tragedy of Success, 1929-44, will be published later this year. Frey directs the new Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at West Point, spearheading inter-academy efforts to integrate Holocaust and Genocide Studies into the curricula of the service academies. He helps the Department of Defense develop education and training programs related to understanding and preventing mass atrocities. The program was sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the History Club of Ramapo College.

George C. Ruotolo, Jr. took the helm recently as Chairman of the Ramapo College Board of Trustees.

The Board unanimously elected Ruotolo as Chairman, along with William F. Dator as Vice Chairman and David G. Schlussel as Secretary.

Ruotolo was appointed to the Board Chair of the Ramapo College Board of in 2010 and has served on the Trustees George C. Ruotolo, Jr. Capital Improvements Committee, as well as Chair of the Ramapo College Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations Committee to help expand fundraising efforts and community outreach, given his expertise in the area.

He also served as counsel to Niagara University, which raised more than $80 million, the largest capital campaign in their history.

“I very much look forward to assuming the role as Chair of the Ramapo Board of Trustees,” said Ruotolo. “I see this as a great opportunity and privilege to continue my work with President Peter P. Mercer and my fellow Trustees along with the faculty, staff, and students to advance the mission of one of this country’s premier public institutions. It is my intention to work to advance academic quality and diversity while maintaining a robust enrollment ensuring continued fiscal and operational sustainability. Additionally, I pledge my support and continued involvement to our Foundation and the endeavors of our comprehensive capital campaign, “Further Our Promise,” that builds our endowment and funds capital projects. This effort continues even though it has surpassed its original goal of $40 million.”

Ruotolo, Chairman and CEO of Ruotolo Associates Inc., is counselor to nonprofit organizations and institutions and has been a professional fundraising and public relations executive since 1973.

Prior to establishing Ruotolo Associates in 1979, he served as vice president of a major public relations fundraising firm and worked in investment banking. His expertise encompasses annual development, capital campaigns, planned giving, marketing, and public relations programs for dioceses, churches, colleges, schools, hospitals, and social service organizations on local, regional, and national levels.

RAMAPO STUDENTS PROTEST KEYSTONE PIPELINE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Photo Courtesy: Cecilia Louie

An all-day interdisciplinary event titled “Music in Nature” was held at the College on February 28. It began with a symposium showcasing numerous speakers and was followed by a music production workshop with internationally acclaimed electronic music producer and performer King Britt. A sound walk with Michelle Nagai, a composer and member of the New York Society for Acoustic Ecology, was also featured. The event concluded with performances at the College’s Sharp Theater.

In February, Ramapo students from 1STEP (Students Together For Environmental Progress) joined the rally in Washington, D.C. to march against the controversial Keystone Pipeline System.

The rally was organized by 350.org, the Sierra Club, and the Hip-Hop Caucus, three main advocate groups for environmental and sustainability awareness.

The Keystone Pipeline carries oil from Canada to the various regions of the Ramapo students from 1STEP joined the rally United States. Newly in Washington, D.C., marching against the proposed phases and controversial Keystone Pipeline System additions to the Keystone Pipeline raise many environmental concerns. Ramapo students used this rally as an opportunity to send a message to our country.

“It’s important for Ramapo students to engage in activist activity and be inspired through the efforts of large masses such as that in D.C.,” said Eric Thompson, president of 1STEP. “The inspiring and collective action helps motivate students to realize they’re not alone in their efforts and helps to push forward the idea that we all have rights and the power to stand up for them. The Keystone Pipeline is a major domestic issue that rarely gets enough honest and bipartisan coverage so it is important to take direct action, learn the facts, and see what kind of a change we can build upon and support.”

www.ramapo.edu

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4/29/13 8:22 AM

COLLEGE NEWS

President Peter P. Mercer Receives Two Prestigious Awards The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer as the winner of the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award. He was honored in December’s Holiday Celebration Luncheon along with the Chamber’s other 2012 annual award recipients. They included 2012 Company of the Year: Inserra Supermarkets, Inc. and 2012 Organization of the Year: Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc. (MEVO). Earlier in the month, the president also received a Community Service Award from The Community Resource Council.

(L-R): Toni Monnin and Dr. Gail Granowitz, attendees at the Haitian Art Society Conference

Haitian Art Society Conference in Rodman Gallery at Ramapo College

AFRO-CARIBBEAN ART COLLECTIONS BRING ATTENTION TO RAMAPO Since the devastating Haitian earthquake that demolished many masterpieces by Haitian artists, Ramapo College’s AfroCaribbean art collections, which contain artworks from the same Haitian artists whose work was lost, have since been seen as a valuable resource. Ramapo has recently been visited by representatives from Yale University and the Smithsonian to conduct research on the collections. Colleagues at Yale have since informed Sydney Jenkins, director of the art galleries at Ramapo College, that they will be including Ramapo’s collections in their African Diaspora curriculum. Ramapo’s collections have also been the focus of various international conference sessions, and numerous new books and other publications.

RAMAPO COLLEGE PRESENTED “MUSIC IN NATURE” WITH SYMPOSIUM, WORKSHOP, AND PERFORMANCES

“Music in Nature” was the Independent Study project of Ramapo College student Adam Lazor ’13, a guitarist who is majoring in Music Production and minoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Lazor spent a month last summer studying ecology, specifically the sounds of insects and birds in Costa Rica, and wanted to share his experiences and discoveries.

The production studied the intersection of music and the natural world through projects that sampled and analyzed natural sounds directly or that were emulated using advanced technologies. Insects and birds were the particular focus in many of the works.

Speakers included Adam Lazor, Michelle Nagai, musician and New Jersey Institute of Technology Professor David Rothenberg, and Edgardo Arevalo Hernandez, an ecologist and professor at The School for Field Studies in Costa Rica. King Britt headlined the evening event; other performers included Adam Lazor, David Rothenberg, the Ramapo Digital Music Ensemble, and Ramapo College Music Professors Seth Cluett and Travis Houldcroft.

AFRICAN ANCESTRY TRAVELING MUSEUM COMES TO RAMAPO On February 19, the “Lest We Forget” traveling museum made its way to Ramapo College for African Ancestry Month. The exhibit was founded by J. Justin and Gwen Ragsdale and is comprised of many slave artifacts from their own personal collections.

The couple currently travels to colleges, high schools, churches, family reunions, and other community events with their cultural relics.

They have traveled across the country and abroad with their slave artifacts, Jim-Crow objects, bill-of-sale documents and many other interesting pieces of African-American history.

The museum, which started as a simple, small collection of artifacts, keeps increasing in size and popularity. The Ragsdales established their original museum in Philadelphia in 2002 and later decided to also travel around the world with their artifacts in order to share knowledge and increase awareness of African-American history and culture.

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GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR. NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE RAMAPO COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized 2012 Annual Award Recipients: (L-R): President Peter P. Mercer; Lawrence Inserra, III, accepting on behalf of Inserra Supermarkets Inc.; and Emma Spett and Eric Fuchs-Stengel, accepting on behalf of the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Richards Photography)

WEST POINT PROFESSOR EXAMINES CRUCIAL ROLES PLAYED BY JEWS IN EARLY HUNGARIAN SOUND FILM “Without the Jews, how will we produce Christian culture? Nation and antiSemitism in the Wartime Cinema of Hungary” was the title of a talk given by Dr. David Frey, Associate Professor of History at the United States Military Academy at West Point, in March. Frey’s talk examined the birth, unexpected ascendance, and wartime collapse of Hungary’s cinema and placed it within a Dr. David Frey peculiar international context that involved the interplay of Hungarian cultural and political elites, Jewish film professionals and financiers, Nazi officials, and global film moguls.

Frey showed how, although intended to contribute to forging a national culture, Hungary’s film industry became mired in contradictions of its own making, including those inherent to racial nationalism based in anti-Semitism. Frey is a Fulbright Scholar, earned his Ph.D. in Central European History at Columbia University and his manuscript, Jews, Nazis, and the Cinema of Hungary: The Tragedy of Success, 1929-44, will be published later this year. Frey directs the new Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at West Point, spearheading inter-academy efforts to integrate Holocaust and Genocide Studies into the curricula of the service academies. He helps the Department of Defense develop education and training programs related to understanding and preventing mass atrocities. The program was sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the History Club of Ramapo College.

George C. Ruotolo, Jr. took the helm recently as Chairman of the Ramapo College Board of Trustees.

The Board unanimously elected Ruotolo as Chairman, along with William F. Dator as Vice Chairman and David G. Schlussel as Secretary.

Ruotolo was appointed to the Board Chair of the Ramapo College Board of in 2010 and has served on the Trustees George C. Ruotolo, Jr. Capital Improvements Committee, as well as Chair of the Ramapo College Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations Committee to help expand fundraising efforts and community outreach, given his expertise in the area.

He also served as counsel to Niagara University, which raised more than $80 million, the largest capital campaign in their history.

“I very much look forward to assuming the role as Chair of the Ramapo Board of Trustees,” said Ruotolo. “I see this as a great opportunity and privilege to continue my work with President Peter P. Mercer and my fellow Trustees along with the faculty, staff, and students to advance the mission of one of this country’s premier public institutions. It is my intention to work to advance academic quality and diversity while maintaining a robust enrollment ensuring continued fiscal and operational sustainability. Additionally, I pledge my support and continued involvement to our Foundation and the endeavors of our comprehensive capital campaign, “Further Our Promise,” that builds our endowment and funds capital projects. This effort continues even though it has surpassed its original goal of $40 million.”

Ruotolo, Chairman and CEO of Ruotolo Associates Inc., is counselor to nonprofit organizations and institutions and has been a professional fundraising and public relations executive since 1973.

Prior to establishing Ruotolo Associates in 1979, he served as vice president of a major public relations fundraising firm and worked in investment banking. His expertise encompasses annual development, capital campaigns, planned giving, marketing, and public relations programs for dioceses, churches, colleges, schools, hospitals, and social service organizations on local, regional, and national levels.

RAMAPO STUDENTS PROTEST KEYSTONE PIPELINE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Photo Courtesy: Cecilia Louie

An all-day interdisciplinary event titled “Music in Nature” was held at the College on February 28. It began with a symposium showcasing numerous speakers and was followed by a music production workshop with internationally acclaimed electronic music producer and performer King Britt. A sound walk with Michelle Nagai, a composer and member of the New York Society for Acoustic Ecology, was also featured. The event concluded with performances at the College’s Sharp Theater.

In February, Ramapo students from 1STEP (Students Together For Environmental Progress) joined the rally in Washington, D.C. to march against the controversial Keystone Pipeline System.

The rally was organized by 350.org, the Sierra Club, and the Hip-Hop Caucus, three main advocate groups for environmental and sustainability awareness.

The Keystone Pipeline carries oil from Canada to the various regions of the Ramapo students from 1STEP joined the rally United States. Newly in Washington, D.C., marching against the proposed phases and controversial Keystone Pipeline System additions to the Keystone Pipeline raise many environmental concerns. Ramapo students used this rally as an opportunity to send a message to our country.

“It’s important for Ramapo students to engage in activist activity and be inspired through the efforts of large masses such as that in D.C.,” said Eric Thompson, president of 1STEP. “The inspiring and collective action helps motivate students to realize they’re not alone in their efforts and helps to push forward the idea that we all have rights and the power to stand up for them. The Keystone Pipeline is a major domestic issue that rarely gets enough honest and bipartisan coverage so it is important to take direct action, learn the facts, and see what kind of a change we can build upon and support.”

www.ramapo.edu

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COLLEGE NEWS

FACULTY NEWS

>CONTINUED

PROFESSOR JUDITH PECK REACHES MILESTONE WITH “ARTS AND INTERACTION” CLASS

ART GALLERY DIRECTOR SYDNEY JENKINS PUBLISHED IN BOOK Sydney Jenkins, the art gallery director at Ramapo College, was recently published in the book, “Kafou: Haiti, Art and Vodou.” The book traces the overall history of Haitian artwork and the significance of Vodou (or ‘voodoo’) within many famous pieces. “Kafou: Haiti, Art and Vodou” uses texts from multiple authors to introduce, highlight, and Art Gallery Director Sydney Jenkins celebrate the work of 35 significant Haitian artists.

Jenkins has worked in the field of self-taught and contemporary art for more than 30 years now. Haitian art is a staple of his field, which led him to take a strong interest in the subject matter. “It’s probably the most important book about Haitian art in 30 years,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins’ piece focuses on his experience overseeing the Selden Rodman Collection of Popular Arts at Ramapo College. The school is known for being the only New York area institution that constantly presents museum-quality Haitian art.

Castera Bazile, “Judgement Day,” c. 1950, oil on Masonite, 61 x 50.8 cm Private Collection of Aderson Exume, Washington, D.C.

RAMAPO COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH ZIPCAR TO OFFER CAR SHARING ON CAMPUS On January 31, Ramapo College launched a new partnership with Zipcar, Inc., the world’s leading car sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car-sharing program on campus. The convenient transportation option is now available at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over. Ramapo College will initially offer two vehicles, including Ford Focus and Honda Civic models.

This year, Ramapo College members can join for $25, with rates for on campus Zipcar vehicles starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $35. Gas, insurance, reserved parking spots, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour for multiple days. Ramapo College students, faculty, and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/ramapo.

RAMAPO COLLEGE HELD FLOOD RESPONSE AND SAFETY TRAINING

RAMAPO OFFERS RECORD NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TRIPS The Civic and Community Engagement Center offered a record eight alternative spring break trips this year. The locations included Arkansas, New Orleans, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.

Alternative spring break trips give students the chance to experience new lifestyles while doing volunteer work and community service related to particular social issues, such as poverty, education reform, and conservation.

“It’s a great experience, and it’s fun,” said Richard Suarez, a junior who attended the Arkansas trip in 2012 and attended the Costa Rica trip this spring. “It’s a relatively cheap opportunity to visit an international country and do something productive and worthwhile with your spring break.”

This year’s Costa Rica trip focused on preserving and promoting the country’s unique and significant ecosystem. “Costa Rica has five percent of the world’s biodiversity, so it’s an important task,” Suarez added. “Everyone should have the chance to experience such a great trip.” Approximately 10 students attended each designated trip.

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>BY DAN GEARY ’13

On March 7, Ramapo College’s Civic and Community Engagement Center partnered with World Cares Center to deliver a flood response and safety training workshop. It was open to the public, including local campus and community leaders and volunteers, faith-based leaders, emergency managers, volunteer managers, VOAD members, OEM representatives, and CERT members. The training’s purpose was to enhance participants’ abilities to improve community flood preparedness and response capabilities for terrorist attacks and environmental disasters, as well as their capability to organize evacuations.

Many important topics were addressed, including how to set up flood response teams, team management using the incident command system, procedures to respond safely and effectively in a coordinated manner, and physical and emotional self-care during a disaster response. Training materials were provided for all participants.

With the proper supplied training, participants are now more qualified to help save lives, lessen property damage, and help set up long-term recovery efforts. The flood response and safety training also demonstrated how to approach the economic redevelopment of homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and the country as a whole.

World Cares Center is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate the pain and suffering inherent in accidents and disasters by empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and training local citizens, agencies, and leaders to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergency situations together.

Their focus is grassroots and supports local community members as resilient ready-responders working within official response systems.

Collaboration is the key to their success.

Professor of Art Judith Peck with President Peter P. Mercer

Professor of Art Judith Peck has successfully been teaching her “Arts and Interaction” course for 40 years. The unique course involves Peck and her students traveling to prisons, hospitals, women’s shelters, and other institutions in order to hold art classes for unconventional artists.

Despite original doubts from both students and inmates, the course has proved to be a very successful educational experience. The prisoners and inmates learned new ways to express their feelings and emotions through art.

Students, many of whom lead the art classes, have the opportunity to help those in need and learn about the many different roots of crime, violence, and mental illnesses.

Peck has been recognized for the success of the program and is attempting to spread the idea to other colleges. She has already written a book on experiences from the course and applied to take a sabbatical this year to speak with other colleges about the opportunities such classes exalt.

Afterwards, she plans to return to Ramapo and continue with “Arts and Interaction,” along with her other art courses. The state’s largest newspaper, The Star Ledger, featured the class prominently this year.

PROFESSOR SUSAN HANGEN PUBLISHED TWO BOOKS Associate Professor of Anthropology and International Studies Susan Hangen recently published two books. “The Rise of Ethnic Politics in Nepal: Democracy in the Margins” was published in 2010.

Her more recent book, “Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal: Identities and Mobilization after 1990,” was co-edited

by Mahendra Lawoti. It was published Associate Professor of Anthropology just this year. and International Studies Susan Hangen “The Rise of Ethnic Politics in Nepal: Democracy in the Margins” shows the relationship between ethnic politics and democracy in South Asia’s Nepal. Hangen argues that the increased emphasis on ethnic politics has the potential to strengthen Nepal’s democracy rather than destabilizing it.

“Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal: Identities and Mobilization after 1990” focuses more on the broad studies of nationalism and identity in South Asian cultures. By examining these diverse movements within the same time period and within a unitary state, the book illuminates which factors are more prominent for the mobilization of identity groups.

Hangen is currently working on another book for publication, which will focus on local Nepali citizens. “My next project is about transnational politics and Nepali immigrants in NYC,” she said. The project is still in the early stages of development.

S

International Anthropology and ciate Professor of The Rise usan Hangen, Asso y, recently published College of New Jerse 2010). This book Studies at Ramapo Margins (Routledge, l: Democracy in the which Nepa in cracy s demo Politic and of Ethnic een ethnic politics betw p cs frequently onshi politi c relati makers: ethni shows the for scholars and policy med to threaten these presents a paradox yet are often presu and s, al to cracie centr ming increasingly emerge in new demo beco is cs politi c As ethni strengthen rather new democracies. has the potential to book argues that it Nepal politics, this cracy. than destabilize demo

S

usan Hangen, Associate Prof Ramapo Coll essor of Anth ege ropology and published Natio of New Jersey, along International with her co-e nalism and Ethn Studies ditor Mahendr (Routledge, ic Conflict in 2013). Brin a Lawoti, rece at Nepal: Ident ging production in a compara together empirical cont ities and Mobilization after ntly tive ributions on contribution 1990 key issues in to South Asia perspective, the book identity presents an more broadly. n studies as interesting well as stud ies of natio nalism and identity By examining these diver se unitary state , the book illummovements within the same time mobilization period and of identity grou inates which factors are within a more salient ps. for the

EDITED BY

MAHENDRA

LAWOTI AND SUSA

N HANGEN

www.ramapo.edu

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COLLEGE NEWS

FACULTY NEWS

>CONTINUED

PROFESSOR JUDITH PECK REACHES MILESTONE WITH “ARTS AND INTERACTION” CLASS

ART GALLERY DIRECTOR SYDNEY JENKINS PUBLISHED IN BOOK Sydney Jenkins, the art gallery director at Ramapo College, was recently published in the book, “Kafou: Haiti, Art and Vodou.” The book traces the overall history of Haitian artwork and the significance of Vodou (or ‘voodoo’) within many famous pieces. “Kafou: Haiti, Art and Vodou” uses texts from multiple authors to introduce, highlight, and Art Gallery Director Sydney Jenkins celebrate the work of 35 significant Haitian artists.

Jenkins has worked in the field of self-taught and contemporary art for more than 30 years now. Haitian art is a staple of his field, which led him to take a strong interest in the subject matter. “It’s probably the most important book about Haitian art in 30 years,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins’ piece focuses on his experience overseeing the Selden Rodman Collection of Popular Arts at Ramapo College. The school is known for being the only New York area institution that constantly presents museum-quality Haitian art.

Castera Bazile, “Judgement Day,” c. 1950, oil on Masonite, 61 x 50.8 cm Private Collection of Aderson Exume, Washington, D.C.

RAMAPO COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH ZIPCAR TO OFFER CAR SHARING ON CAMPUS On January 31, Ramapo College launched a new partnership with Zipcar, Inc., the world’s leading car sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car-sharing program on campus. The convenient transportation option is now available at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over. Ramapo College will initially offer two vehicles, including Ford Focus and Honda Civic models.

This year, Ramapo College members can join for $25, with rates for on campus Zipcar vehicles starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $35. Gas, insurance, reserved parking spots, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour for multiple days. Ramapo College students, faculty, and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/ramapo.

RAMAPO COLLEGE HELD FLOOD RESPONSE AND SAFETY TRAINING

RAMAPO OFFERS RECORD NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TRIPS The Civic and Community Engagement Center offered a record eight alternative spring break trips this year. The locations included Arkansas, New Orleans, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.

Alternative spring break trips give students the chance to experience new lifestyles while doing volunteer work and community service related to particular social issues, such as poverty, education reform, and conservation.

“It’s a great experience, and it’s fun,” said Richard Suarez, a junior who attended the Arkansas trip in 2012 and attended the Costa Rica trip this spring. “It’s a relatively cheap opportunity to visit an international country and do something productive and worthwhile with your spring break.”

This year’s Costa Rica trip focused on preserving and promoting the country’s unique and significant ecosystem. “Costa Rica has five percent of the world’s biodiversity, so it’s an important task,” Suarez added. “Everyone should have the chance to experience such a great trip.” Approximately 10 students attended each designated trip.

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>BY DAN GEARY ’13

On March 7, Ramapo College’s Civic and Community Engagement Center partnered with World Cares Center to deliver a flood response and safety training workshop. It was open to the public, including local campus and community leaders and volunteers, faith-based leaders, emergency managers, volunteer managers, VOAD members, OEM representatives, and CERT members. The training’s purpose was to enhance participants’ abilities to improve community flood preparedness and response capabilities for terrorist attacks and environmental disasters, as well as their capability to organize evacuations.

Many important topics were addressed, including how to set up flood response teams, team management using the incident command system, procedures to respond safely and effectively in a coordinated manner, and physical and emotional self-care during a disaster response. Training materials were provided for all participants.

With the proper supplied training, participants are now more qualified to help save lives, lessen property damage, and help set up long-term recovery efforts. The flood response and safety training also demonstrated how to approach the economic redevelopment of homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and the country as a whole.

World Cares Center is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate the pain and suffering inherent in accidents and disasters by empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and training local citizens, agencies, and leaders to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergency situations together.

Their focus is grassroots and supports local community members as resilient ready-responders working within official response systems.

Collaboration is the key to their success.

Professor of Art Judith Peck with President Peter P. Mercer

Professor of Art Judith Peck has successfully been teaching her “Arts and Interaction” course for 40 years. The unique course involves Peck and her students traveling to prisons, hospitals, women’s shelters, and other institutions in order to hold art classes for unconventional artists.

Despite original doubts from both students and inmates, the course has proved to be a very successful educational experience. The prisoners and inmates learned new ways to express their feelings and emotions through art.

Students, many of whom lead the art classes, have the opportunity to help those in need and learn about the many different roots of crime, violence, and mental illnesses.

Peck has been recognized for the success of the program and is attempting to spread the idea to other colleges. She has already written a book on experiences from the course and applied to take a sabbatical this year to speak with other colleges about the opportunities such classes exalt.

Afterwards, she plans to return to Ramapo and continue with “Arts and Interaction,” along with her other art courses. The state’s largest newspaper, The Star Ledger, featured the class prominently this year.

PROFESSOR SUSAN HANGEN PUBLISHED TWO BOOKS Associate Professor of Anthropology and International Studies Susan Hangen recently published two books. “The Rise of Ethnic Politics in Nepal: Democracy in the Margins” was published in 2010.

Her more recent book, “Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal: Identities and Mobilization after 1990,” was co-edited

by Mahendra Lawoti. It was published Associate Professor of Anthropology just this year. and International Studies Susan Hangen “The Rise of Ethnic Politics in Nepal: Democracy in the Margins” shows the relationship between ethnic politics and democracy in South Asia’s Nepal. Hangen argues that the increased emphasis on ethnic politics has the potential to strengthen Nepal’s democracy rather than destabilizing it.

“Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal: Identities and Mobilization after 1990” focuses more on the broad studies of nationalism and identity in South Asian cultures. By examining these diverse movements within the same time period and within a unitary state, the book illuminates which factors are more prominent for the mobilization of identity groups.

Hangen is currently working on another book for publication, which will focus on local Nepali citizens. “My next project is about transnational politics and Nepali immigrants in NYC,” she said. The project is still in the early stages of development.

S

International Anthropology and ciate Professor of The Rise usan Hangen, Asso y, recently published College of New Jerse 2010). This book Studies at Ramapo Margins (Routledge, l: Democracy in the which Nepa in cracy s demo Politic and of Ethnic een ethnic politics betw p cs frequently onshi politi c relati makers: ethni shows the for scholars and policy med to threaten these presents a paradox yet are often presu and s, al to cracie centr ming increasingly emerge in new demo beco is cs politi c As ethni strengthen rather new democracies. has the potential to book argues that it Nepal politics, this cracy. than destabilize demo

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usan Hangen, Associate Prof Ramapo Coll essor of Anth ege ropology and published Natio of New Jersey, along International with her co-e nalism and Ethn Studies ditor Mahendr (Routledge, ic Conflict in 2013). Brin a Lawoti, rece at Nepal: Ident ging production in a compara together empirical cont ities and Mobilization after ntly tive ributions on contribution 1990 key issues in to South Asia perspective, the book identity presents an more broadly. n studies as interesting well as stud ies of natio nalism and identity By examining these diver se unitary state , the book illummovements within the same time mobilization period and of identity grou inates which factors are within a more salient ps. for the

EDITED BY

MAHENDRA

LAWOTI AND SUSA

N HANGEN

www.ramapo.edu

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FACULTY NEWS

PROFESSOR BEHZAD YAGHMAIAN FEATURED AS STAR-LEDGER GUEST COLUMNIST Professor of Political Economy Behzad Yaghmaian was published on nj.com on February 15. The Ramapo professor and author wrote a piece entitled “Under Iranian Sanctions, Life and Death: Opinion” for the website’s opinion section.

Yaghmaian’s article focused on the ill effects of the recent American sanctions taken against Iran’s government. The sanctions essentially will lock up Iranian oil revenue and restrict the trading of any oil revenue overseas. The sanctions are being used in an attempt to halt Iranian nuclear activities. http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2013/02/under_iranian_ sanctions_life_a.html Professor of Political Economy Behzad Yaghmaian

On February 21, Yaghmaian had another similar article published about the recent Iranian sanctions. It was published by theglobalist.com and was titled “Iran Sanctions: The Cat and Mouse Game Continues.”

In this particular article, Yaghmaian explains, “Iran’s success in partially bypassing sanctions reveals the complexity of controlling international trade and finance, despite the application of sophisticated and modern monitoring methods. Responding to the most recent U.S. sanctions, the Iranian government announced the creation of a special commission to promote further expansion of barter trade.” (http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=9910) The largely untold side of the story is that innocent Iranian civilians are the ones suffering. Prices of goods in the country are skyrocketing, and inflation is affecting nearly every purchasable item. Furthermore, crime rates are disturbingly high despite public punishments and executions ordered by the government in an attempt to lower the crime and violence rates. Safety is a huge concern for all Iranian citizens, especially the elderly. Yaghmaian contends that although these American sanctions were placed with good intentions, they are ultimately harming the public in Iran rather than the government.

FILM PROFESSOR WINS TWO MAJOR AWARDS Associate Professor of Media Writing Tobin Addington was the winner of two prestigious awards for the recent horror/thriller screenplay he wrote, “The Unraveling.” Addington won the grand prize in the 2012 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and first place in the “Horror/ Thriller” category in the 2012 Slamdance Writing Competition.

Associate Professor of Media Writing Tobin Addington

“I was proud of the script, but I’ve learned not to carry too many expectations,” said Addington. “I was hoping for some exposure, but I was completely surprised and thrilled that a psychological thriller received so much attention. Other more friendly genres usually take home the bigger awards. It took about a week and a half after the PAGE award was announced before I truly believed it.”

“The Unraveling” tells the story of a woman who endures a violent home invasion, which results in the murder of her parents. Addington won $25,000 as the grand prize in the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and an additional $2,000 and the opportunity to attend the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January for winning first

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>CONTINUED place in the “Horror/Thriller” category in the Slamdance Writing Competition. He is currently in the process of turning his award-winning screenplay into a film. “I am hoping to have the script made,” Addington explained. “That’s the next step. The prizes have allowed me to get the script into the hands of another level of producer and the reaction so far has been very good, which is encouraging. I will also be using the script as a writing sample as I pitch myself for other screenwriting work. As with the awards, my expectations are low, but my hopes are high.”

Remembering a Legend PROFESSOR MILTON M. GITTENS Ramapo College mourned the passing of beloved Management Professor Milton M. Gittens, Ph.D. A respected member of the Ramapo College faculty in the Anisfield School of Business, Dr. Gittens has created a legacy.

Professor Gittens joined the faculty in 1973 and taught management courses until his death in 2010. Unanimously elected by the Management Convening Group, he served as convener of the business administration/management major for several years.

He was well known for being a co-host and assistant producer of “Issues and Education”, a weekly cable TV program on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, produced through Ramapo College. Among his publications was his 1977 paper, “The Black Perspective in Public Administration: The Development and Application of a Research Model for Minority Administrators in the Public Sector.”

SCIENCE PROFESSOR COADVISES POST-GRADUATE THESIS STUDENTS IN PERU Associate Professor of Environmental Science Eric Wiener recently joined postgraduate thesis students Edward Samuel Llerena Pisango and José Feliciano Paredes Rengifo in Iquitos, Peru at La Facultad de Ciencias Forestales of La Universidad Nacional de la Associate Professor of Environmental Science Amazonía Peruana in order to Eric Wiener help with their extensive research in the biodiversity of Peru. He became their co-advisor in 2012.

The research that Pisango conducted was an extension of previous research done by Wiener. Wiener has been conducting his research for years in the region. The goal of the students was to dramatically increase the biodiversity and socioeconomic value of these recovering forests in a region where old-growth forests hold some of the highest levels of biodiversity on earth. Rengifo addressed the sustainable management of an economically valuable, fast growing, native timber tree species that naturally invades some secondary forests in the region.

Pisango and Rengifo performed many physical tasks with Wiener overseeing them throughout the process. The activity necessary for research included planting seeds and seedlings of native, old-growth tree species into young secondary forests that arise where small landholders practice shifting agriculture.

RAMAPO FACULTY NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SEMIOTIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA Elvira K. Kati (SSHS) was recently named Executive Director of The Semiotic Society of America.

Founded in 1976, the SSA is the consummate professional organization for semiotic studies in the United States, serving a diverse community of scholars with common interests in the study of signs and sign-systems. The SSA Executive Director of The Semiotic Society of also produces a top journal in the America Elvira Kati field of semiotics (The American Journal of Semiotics) as well as offers an annual prestigious award to promising graduate student research. As the Executive Director, Dr. Kati is responsible for administering the Society’s affairs, including conducting all financial operations, managing publications, engineering an online identity and web presence, overseeing elections and referenda, and coordinating annual conferences. The SSA’s headquarters will be the School of Social Science and Human Services at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

HIS LEGACY OF GIVING Professor Gittens’ legacy will continue to support minority students. In his will, Professor Gittens made a bequest to the Ramapo College Foundation, which creates two endowed scholarship funds named the Milton Mack Gittens, Ph.D., and Granville Caldecott Gittens Anisfield School of Business Scholarship Fund and the Milton Mack Gittens, Ph.D., and Granville Caldecott Gittens Educational Opportunity Fund Scholarship.

The scholarships are named in honor of Professor Gittens and his father, Granville Caldecott Gittens. They will be designated to minority students with preference given to descendants of American slavery and Barbados, West Indies slavery. Professor Anita Stellenwerf reflected on this gift from Professor Gittens: “I was not surprised by this gift. Ramapo College meant so much to him. He valued education and wanted to make it available to other minority students.”

A STRONG, QUIET FORCE Marketing Professor Kathy Zeno described him as supportive and encouraging. “Personally and professionally,” she says, “he was a strong, quiet force who supported the mission and vision of the Anisfield School of Business.”

HIS LOVE FOR FAMILY, LOVE FOR STUDENTS “Professor Gittens loved two things,” says Accounting Professor Constance Crawford. “He loved teaching and he loved his son, Granville H. Gittens. He was a kind and supportive colleague and a tremendous role model to minority students and all who knew him. Professor Gittens was an amazing example of what a teacher is…someone who imparts knowledge and helps others.”

Management Professor Susan Eisner says, “Professor Gittens had the expertise, experience, and commitment that is central to impactful teaching. He was truly present to his students inside and outside the classroom.”

A CHAMPION FOR EQUALITY An advocate for minorities, Professor Gittens was twice appointed by the College President to monitor the College’s Affirmative Action performance and received the Friends of EOF Award in 2004. He was also recognized for his teaching in 2003 by selection for induction to honorary membership in the Ramapo College chapter of Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society for Business Administration.

THE 2013 MILTON GITTENS EOF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Ruqiya Mohamud of Paterson, NJ is an Allied Health major. She is a member of the Black Student Union, president of Ebony Women for Social Change, and an advisor for the Organization of African Unity. Ruqiya is active in a new campus club, Sister Connections.

She is particularly proud of her induction into the Chi Alpha Upsilon National Honor Society. She plans to study Nuclear Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in fall 2014. If she is not accepted into the program, Ruqiya has a Plan B at the ready: she will become a registered nurse.

Yanirys Perez of Hackensack, NJ is a Nursing major. Her family emigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic 10 years ago. “My parents wanted to provide me with the opportunity of a better education and, ultimately, a better future,” she says.

Yanirys was a student representative on a committee that chose the summer reading book for incoming freshmen.

She’s worked as a tutor and counselor for the Upward Bound Summer Program for Paterson high school students held on campus. Yanirys plans to become a pediatric nurse. She says, “I am grateful for scholarships like these and for the ability to continue my journey in college.” www.ramapo.edu

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4/29/13 8:22 AM

FACULTY NEWS

PROFESSOR BEHZAD YAGHMAIAN FEATURED AS STAR-LEDGER GUEST COLUMNIST Professor of Political Economy Behzad Yaghmaian was published on nj.com on February 15. The Ramapo professor and author wrote a piece entitled “Under Iranian Sanctions, Life and Death: Opinion” for the website’s opinion section.

Yaghmaian’s article focused on the ill effects of the recent American sanctions taken against Iran’s government. The sanctions essentially will lock up Iranian oil revenue and restrict the trading of any oil revenue overseas. The sanctions are being used in an attempt to halt Iranian nuclear activities. http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2013/02/under_iranian_ sanctions_life_a.html Professor of Political Economy Behzad Yaghmaian

On February 21, Yaghmaian had another similar article published about the recent Iranian sanctions. It was published by theglobalist.com and was titled “Iran Sanctions: The Cat and Mouse Game Continues.”

In this particular article, Yaghmaian explains, “Iran’s success in partially bypassing sanctions reveals the complexity of controlling international trade and finance, despite the application of sophisticated and modern monitoring methods. Responding to the most recent U.S. sanctions, the Iranian government announced the creation of a special commission to promote further expansion of barter trade.” (http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=9910) The largely untold side of the story is that innocent Iranian civilians are the ones suffering. Prices of goods in the country are skyrocketing, and inflation is affecting nearly every purchasable item. Furthermore, crime rates are disturbingly high despite public punishments and executions ordered by the government in an attempt to lower the crime and violence rates. Safety is a huge concern for all Iranian citizens, especially the elderly. Yaghmaian contends that although these American sanctions were placed with good intentions, they are ultimately harming the public in Iran rather than the government.

FILM PROFESSOR WINS TWO MAJOR AWARDS Associate Professor of Media Writing Tobin Addington was the winner of two prestigious awards for the recent horror/thriller screenplay he wrote, “The Unraveling.” Addington won the grand prize in the 2012 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and first place in the “Horror/ Thriller” category in the 2012 Slamdance Writing Competition.

Associate Professor of Media Writing Tobin Addington

“I was proud of the script, but I’ve learned not to carry too many expectations,” said Addington. “I was hoping for some exposure, but I was completely surprised and thrilled that a psychological thriller received so much attention. Other more friendly genres usually take home the bigger awards. It took about a week and a half after the PAGE award was announced before I truly believed it.”

“The Unraveling” tells the story of a woman who endures a violent home invasion, which results in the murder of her parents. Addington won $25,000 as the grand prize in the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and an additional $2,000 and the opportunity to attend the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January for winning first

16

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>CONTINUED place in the “Horror/Thriller” category in the Slamdance Writing Competition. He is currently in the process of turning his award-winning screenplay into a film. “I am hoping to have the script made,” Addington explained. “That’s the next step. The prizes have allowed me to get the script into the hands of another level of producer and the reaction so far has been very good, which is encouraging. I will also be using the script as a writing sample as I pitch myself for other screenwriting work. As with the awards, my expectations are low, but my hopes are high.”

Remembering a Legend PROFESSOR MILTON M. GITTENS Ramapo College mourned the passing of beloved Management Professor Milton M. Gittens, Ph.D. A respected member of the Ramapo College faculty in the Anisfield School of Business, Dr. Gittens has created a legacy.

Professor Gittens joined the faculty in 1973 and taught management courses until his death in 2010. Unanimously elected by the Management Convening Group, he served as convener of the business administration/management major for several years.

He was well known for being a co-host and assistant producer of “Issues and Education”, a weekly cable TV program on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, produced through Ramapo College. Among his publications was his 1977 paper, “The Black Perspective in Public Administration: The Development and Application of a Research Model for Minority Administrators in the Public Sector.”

SCIENCE PROFESSOR COADVISES POST-GRADUATE THESIS STUDENTS IN PERU Associate Professor of Environmental Science Eric Wiener recently joined postgraduate thesis students Edward Samuel Llerena Pisango and José Feliciano Paredes Rengifo in Iquitos, Peru at La Facultad de Ciencias Forestales of La Universidad Nacional de la Associate Professor of Environmental Science Amazonía Peruana in order to Eric Wiener help with their extensive research in the biodiversity of Peru. He became their co-advisor in 2012.

The research that Pisango conducted was an extension of previous research done by Wiener. Wiener has been conducting his research for years in the region. The goal of the students was to dramatically increase the biodiversity and socioeconomic value of these recovering forests in a region where old-growth forests hold some of the highest levels of biodiversity on earth. Rengifo addressed the sustainable management of an economically valuable, fast growing, native timber tree species that naturally invades some secondary forests in the region.

Pisango and Rengifo performed many physical tasks with Wiener overseeing them throughout the process. The activity necessary for research included planting seeds and seedlings of native, old-growth tree species into young secondary forests that arise where small landholders practice shifting agriculture.

RAMAPO FACULTY NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SEMIOTIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA Elvira K. Kati (SSHS) was recently named Executive Director of The Semiotic Society of America.

Founded in 1976, the SSA is the consummate professional organization for semiotic studies in the United States, serving a diverse community of scholars with common interests in the study of signs and sign-systems. The SSA Executive Director of The Semiotic Society of also produces a top journal in the America Elvira Kati field of semiotics (The American Journal of Semiotics) as well as offers an annual prestigious award to promising graduate student research. As the Executive Director, Dr. Kati is responsible for administering the Society’s affairs, including conducting all financial operations, managing publications, engineering an online identity and web presence, overseeing elections and referenda, and coordinating annual conferences. The SSA’s headquarters will be the School of Social Science and Human Services at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

HIS LEGACY OF GIVING Professor Gittens’ legacy will continue to support minority students. In his will, Professor Gittens made a bequest to the Ramapo College Foundation, which creates two endowed scholarship funds named the Milton Mack Gittens, Ph.D., and Granville Caldecott Gittens Anisfield School of Business Scholarship Fund and the Milton Mack Gittens, Ph.D., and Granville Caldecott Gittens Educational Opportunity Fund Scholarship.

The scholarships are named in honor of Professor Gittens and his father, Granville Caldecott Gittens. They will be designated to minority students with preference given to descendants of American slavery and Barbados, West Indies slavery. Professor Anita Stellenwerf reflected on this gift from Professor Gittens: “I was not surprised by this gift. Ramapo College meant so much to him. He valued education and wanted to make it available to other minority students.”

A STRONG, QUIET FORCE Marketing Professor Kathy Zeno described him as supportive and encouraging. “Personally and professionally,” she says, “he was a strong, quiet force who supported the mission and vision of the Anisfield School of Business.”

HIS LOVE FOR FAMILY, LOVE FOR STUDENTS “Professor Gittens loved two things,” says Accounting Professor Constance Crawford. “He loved teaching and he loved his son, Granville H. Gittens. He was a kind and supportive colleague and a tremendous role model to minority students and all who knew him. Professor Gittens was an amazing example of what a teacher is…someone who imparts knowledge and helps others.”

Management Professor Susan Eisner says, “Professor Gittens had the expertise, experience, and commitment that is central to impactful teaching. He was truly present to his students inside and outside the classroom.”

A CHAMPION FOR EQUALITY An advocate for minorities, Professor Gittens was twice appointed by the College President to monitor the College’s Affirmative Action performance and received the Friends of EOF Award in 2004. He was also recognized for his teaching in 2003 by selection for induction to honorary membership in the Ramapo College chapter of Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society for Business Administration.

THE 2013 MILTON GITTENS EOF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Ruqiya Mohamud of Paterson, NJ is an Allied Health major. She is a member of the Black Student Union, president of Ebony Women for Social Change, and an advisor for the Organization of African Unity. Ruqiya is active in a new campus club, Sister Connections.

She is particularly proud of her induction into the Chi Alpha Upsilon National Honor Society. She plans to study Nuclear Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in fall 2014. If she is not accepted into the program, Ruqiya has a Plan B at the ready: she will become a registered nurse.

Yanirys Perez of Hackensack, NJ is a Nursing major. Her family emigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic 10 years ago. “My parents wanted to provide me with the opportunity of a better education and, ultimately, a better future,” she says.

Yanirys was a student representative on a committee that chose the summer reading book for incoming freshmen.

She’s worked as a tutor and counselor for the Upward Bound Summer Program for Paterson high school students held on campus. Yanirys plans to become a pediatric nurse. She says, “I am grateful for scholarships like these and for the ability to continue my journey in college.” www.ramapo.edu

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GRANT NEWS JOAN MITCHELL GRANTS SUPPORTS GALLERY EXHIBIT

Photo Courtesy: Louis DePaolo ’14

High School Students Get a Leg Up on Math, Science and College Living

Biology major Heather Schoeneberg ’14 (background) watches as Upward Bound student Bella Ramirez, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, NJ, prepare salicylic acid from oil of wintergreen in a Chemistry lab. Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jay Carreon oversees the Chemistry lab program content for the Upward Bound Program

The Upward Bound Math-Science Program supports 9th through 12th graders in Paterson, NJ who have college potential. The program allows them to pursue post-secondary education in science, math, and technology.

A grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound has been offered at Ramapo College since 1996. There are 166 Upward Bound programs in the United States devoted exclusively to math, and science. Ramapo College is one of two institutions in the state offering the program.

Retired Professor Carol Frishberg, who had been director of the program and wrote its first grant proposal, recently stepped down as director. She is proud that of the more than 400 students who have participated in Upward Bound at Ramapo, more than 90 percent have attended a two- or four-year college. Many of the college graduates become engineers or teachers. The program is free to participants. Sandra Suarez was named Director of Upward Bound Math-Science last November.

Ramapo College was awarded a new five-year grant of $1.3 million to fund the program. To ensure that Ramapo College qualifies for the grant, Frishberg and Grants Administration staff use a quantitative approach to select school districts that have the greatest need based on graduation, drop-out, and attendance rates, and the number of families in the school living at or below poverty level.

Photo Courtesy: Louis DePaolo ’14

Twenty new students are accepted into the program each year. They are selected based on their transcripts, teacher recommendations, interviews, and eligibility according to federal economic guidelines.

Government guidelines stipulate that they be low-income and first-generation college students.

Upward Bound students hail from John F. Kennedy, East Side, and Rosa Park high schools and the Panther Academy.

Upward Bound students Shannon O’Connor (left), a sophomore at Rosa Parks High School in Paterson, NJ and Ashanae Gordon (right), a sophomore at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, NJ, learn about vision by dissecting a cow’s eye. Assisting them with the Biology lab is Susan Petro, Ramapo College’s Biology lab coordinator. Photo Credit: Louis DiPaolo ’14

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“It’s a uniquely built curriculum,” says Frishberg. “It stresses fundamental concepts and hands-on learning.” During the school year, students visit the College campus once a month to participate in Chemistry and Biology lab classes taught by Ramapo professors. Frishberg says the high schools lack fullyequipped laboratories and teachers who are qualified to teach lab courses.

Summer is when Upward Bound kicks into high gear. Students are in residence at the College for six weeks. Classes are taught by high school teachers. Ramapo students are employed as mentors, tutors, and counselors.

The coursework is rigorous and the day structured. In addition to the math and science, students improve their computer and language arts skills, take a foreign language, and prepare for the SATs. Some Upward Bound students continue their academic studies at Ramapo College. Two of them, Rizwana Yasmin ’06 and Jonathan Gonzalez ’07, received the freshman Chemistry Award for being the highest achieving students. A Merit Scholarship student, Beyhan Bulur ’02, earned her bachelor’s degree in three years. Akhlema Haidar ’14, Biochemistry major accepted to Ramapo on a Presidential Scholarship, is on track to graduate in three years. Four of the 30 current Chemistry majors completed Upward Bound; there are also three enrolled in the Biochemistry major.

Majeda Sultana ’12 is the assistant director of Upward Bound. She attended John F. Kennedy High School and recalls her excitement to live on campus as an Upward Bound student. At Ramapo, she majored in Psychology and carried a minor in Gerontology. The cum laude graduate received an award from the psychology department. She presented research with Professor Lysandra Perez-Strumolo at the College’s annual Student Research Symposium and also at an Majeda Sultana ’12 American Psychological Society Conference in 2012 with Professor Donna Crawley. She keeps Upward Bound students on track with the documentation required to participate. She’s been an Upward Bound summer resident director and a counselor. Suarez, the recently appointed director, says Sultana “is a fabulous mentor.” Sultana says the students trust her because she was part of the program. She was accepted to Columbia University and has applied to several post-graduate programs and plans to become a clinical psychologist.

Ramapo College is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation to support an exhibit, “The Body is Present: Women at Work.” The exhibition unites female sculptors of different generations, ethnicities, and religions whose work focuses on humanity in an increasingly minimalistic, technological world.

“The artists offer a diversity of personal experiences and backgrounds, and include young and emerging artists,” said curator Deborah Frizzell. Frizzell is a professor of Modern and Contemporary Art History and Theory at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Grant funding will be used to produce the exhibition catalog and marketing materials, costs to ship the artwork, the opening reception and supplies. A recognized scholar will write the introduction for the catalog. The funding also allows for a significant publication with high-quality reproduction and to offset travel costs for the artists, who are from throughout the United States, to attend the opening.

The exhibition represents an unprecedented opportunity for visual arts students, particularly sculpture students and women, to learn and interact with professional artists.

“I suggested the idea for the exhibit to the curator, but this sophisticated grouping is an original vision on the part of Dr. Frizzell,” said Sydney Jenkins, director of the Ramapo College art galleries. “We expect widespread interest in this exhibit both from the general public and from critics because the collection of artists is so unique.” He added, “There is the potential for national recognition.”

“The Body Is Present” promotes the goals of the Joan Mitchell Foundation to feature contemporary female artists who represent a diversity of ages, genres, media, and cultures. The Ramapo College galleries have never hosted so many prominent female artists in one exhibit. “We are honored to provide a venue for women to highlight their perspective on being human in today’s technological world,” said Jenkins. The exhibit runs September 18 through November 20 in the Kresge Gallery.

Frishberg believes that Upward Bound serves both the participants and the College. Involvement with Upward Bound has had such an impact on undergraduates that some have made different career decisions as a result.

Frishberg looks beyond how she’s helped students. “I’ve been able to introduce colleagues to inner city students and help them understand what they go through.” She considers her legacy to be the relationships the College has established at the various high schools in the program and becoming an advocate for college access for low-income students. This is as valuable as each Upward Bound student’s success story.

GRANT FUNDED TEACHERS WORKSHOP: USING HISTORIC SITES TO TEACH ABOUT CURRENT ISSUES Meredith Davis, Associate Professor of Art History and Stephen Rice, Professor of American Studies have been awarded a prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities Grant for a summer program.

The $179,876 grant funds “The Hudson River in the Nineteenth Century and the Modernization of America.” This Professor of American Studies Stephen Landmarks of American History and Rice and Associate Professor of Art Culture program supports a series of History Meredith Davis participated in one-week residence-based workshops for a Hudson River trip as part of the NEH a national audience of K-12 educators.

Summer Grant Workshop Two one-week, residential workshops will be held July 7 through 12 and July 14 through 19.

“The Hudson River is an American landmark of great historical, cultural and artistic significance,” said Professor Davis. “We are delighted to again offer this comprehensive program to teachers. We expect to have participants from throughout the United States.”

NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture workshops use historic sites to address central themes and issues in American history, government, literature, art, music, and other related subjects in the humanities. This is the second time the professors have been awarded the grant.

MEADOWLANDS COMMISSION AWARDS NEW, FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission awarded a third five-year contract to Ramapo College through the Ramapo College Foundation for the operation of the Meadowlands Environment Center (MEC) and the William C. McDowell Observatory, both in Lyndhurst, NJ. The contract, totaling $8.5 million, supports the educational center that provides programming for more than 18,000 K-12 students annually in addition to numerous scout groups, after-school programs, and projects for persons with disabilities. The MEC is directed by Angela Cristini, a Professor of Biology and Executive Director of Special Programs for the College.

The Center’s staff includes environmental educators, an astronomer, laboratory technicians, and support people who are all housed in a new state-of-the-art science building. Numerous Ramapo College students have worked in paid co-op positions at the MEC since the College became involved in 2002.

The National Science Foundation has awarded two landmark grants to Ramapo College at the MEC for bringing science programs to elderly individuals residing in facilities and to persons with disabilities.

The former director saved an email written in 2009 from an Upward Bound student. The student wrote: “I completed a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Special Education. I am employed in early intervention and work with children birth to three years. Program a success!”

Sandra Suarez became involved with Upward Bound in 2012. She was named project coordinator July 1, then director November 1. She was responsible for running the program last summer. Suarez wants to incorporate additional assessment components to better track the academic progress and needs of the students. She explains, “We’d like to be able to say, ‘here’s where they are,’ ‘here’s Upward Bound Math-Science where they should be.’ By having a Director Sandra Suarez stronger assessment component in place, we will be able to build a better safety net for each student and make changes when and where needed.”

Students give up their summers to attend Upward Bound. For some, Suarez notes, it’s an economic sacrifice because they can’t work. “If ever there were kids who need a chance, these are them,” says Suarez. “Their decision to attend college impacts their family.

It’s a link out of poverty.”

Kate Gilmore, “Through the Claw,” performance. Works by Gilmore and Brito will be featured in “The Body Is Present.”

Mary Brito, “Of Mice and Men,” mixed media

www.ramapo.edu

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4/29/13 8:22 AM

GRANT NEWS JOAN MITCHELL GRANTS SUPPORTS GALLERY EXHIBIT

Photo Courtesy: Louis DePaolo ’14

High School Students Get a Leg Up on Math, Science and College Living

Biology major Heather Schoeneberg ’14 (background) watches as Upward Bound student Bella Ramirez, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, NJ, prepare salicylic acid from oil of wintergreen in a Chemistry lab. Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jay Carreon oversees the Chemistry lab program content for the Upward Bound Program

The Upward Bound Math-Science Program supports 9th through 12th graders in Paterson, NJ who have college potential. The program allows them to pursue post-secondary education in science, math, and technology.

A grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound has been offered at Ramapo College since 1996. There are 166 Upward Bound programs in the United States devoted exclusively to math, and science. Ramapo College is one of two institutions in the state offering the program.

Retired Professor Carol Frishberg, who had been director of the program and wrote its first grant proposal, recently stepped down as director. She is proud that of the more than 400 students who have participated in Upward Bound at Ramapo, more than 90 percent have attended a two- or four-year college. Many of the college graduates become engineers or teachers. The program is free to participants. Sandra Suarez was named Director of Upward Bound Math-Science last November.

Ramapo College was awarded a new five-year grant of $1.3 million to fund the program. To ensure that Ramapo College qualifies for the grant, Frishberg and Grants Administration staff use a quantitative approach to select school districts that have the greatest need based on graduation, drop-out, and attendance rates, and the number of families in the school living at or below poverty level.

Photo Courtesy: Louis DePaolo ’14

Twenty new students are accepted into the program each year. They are selected based on their transcripts, teacher recommendations, interviews, and eligibility according to federal economic guidelines.

Government guidelines stipulate that they be low-income and first-generation college students.

Upward Bound students hail from John F. Kennedy, East Side, and Rosa Park high schools and the Panther Academy.

Upward Bound students Shannon O’Connor (left), a sophomore at Rosa Parks High School in Paterson, NJ and Ashanae Gordon (right), a sophomore at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, NJ, learn about vision by dissecting a cow’s eye. Assisting them with the Biology lab is Susan Petro, Ramapo College’s Biology lab coordinator. Photo Credit: Louis DiPaolo ’14

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“It’s a uniquely built curriculum,” says Frishberg. “It stresses fundamental concepts and hands-on learning.” During the school year, students visit the College campus once a month to participate in Chemistry and Biology lab classes taught by Ramapo professors. Frishberg says the high schools lack fullyequipped laboratories and teachers who are qualified to teach lab courses.

Summer is when Upward Bound kicks into high gear. Students are in residence at the College for six weeks. Classes are taught by high school teachers. Ramapo students are employed as mentors, tutors, and counselors.

The coursework is rigorous and the day structured. In addition to the math and science, students improve their computer and language arts skills, take a foreign language, and prepare for the SATs. Some Upward Bound students continue their academic studies at Ramapo College. Two of them, Rizwana Yasmin ’06 and Jonathan Gonzalez ’07, received the freshman Chemistry Award for being the highest achieving students. A Merit Scholarship student, Beyhan Bulur ’02, earned her bachelor’s degree in three years. Akhlema Haidar ’14, Biochemistry major accepted to Ramapo on a Presidential Scholarship, is on track to graduate in three years. Four of the 30 current Chemistry majors completed Upward Bound; there are also three enrolled in the Biochemistry major.

Majeda Sultana ’12 is the assistant director of Upward Bound. She attended John F. Kennedy High School and recalls her excitement to live on campus as an Upward Bound student. At Ramapo, she majored in Psychology and carried a minor in Gerontology. The cum laude graduate received an award from the psychology department. She presented research with Professor Lysandra Perez-Strumolo at the College’s annual Student Research Symposium and also at an Majeda Sultana ’12 American Psychological Society Conference in 2012 with Professor Donna Crawley. She keeps Upward Bound students on track with the documentation required to participate. She’s been an Upward Bound summer resident director and a counselor. Suarez, the recently appointed director, says Sultana “is a fabulous mentor.” Sultana says the students trust her because she was part of the program. She was accepted to Columbia University and has applied to several post-graduate programs and plans to become a clinical psychologist.

Ramapo College is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation to support an exhibit, “The Body is Present: Women at Work.” The exhibition unites female sculptors of different generations, ethnicities, and religions whose work focuses on humanity in an increasingly minimalistic, technological world.

“The artists offer a diversity of personal experiences and backgrounds, and include young and emerging artists,” said curator Deborah Frizzell. Frizzell is a professor of Modern and Contemporary Art History and Theory at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Grant funding will be used to produce the exhibition catalog and marketing materials, costs to ship the artwork, the opening reception and supplies. A recognized scholar will write the introduction for the catalog. The funding also allows for a significant publication with high-quality reproduction and to offset travel costs for the artists, who are from throughout the United States, to attend the opening.

The exhibition represents an unprecedented opportunity for visual arts students, particularly sculpture students and women, to learn and interact with professional artists.

“I suggested the idea for the exhibit to the curator, but this sophisticated grouping is an original vision on the part of Dr. Frizzell,” said Sydney Jenkins, director of the Ramapo College art galleries. “We expect widespread interest in this exhibit both from the general public and from critics because the collection of artists is so unique.” He added, “There is the potential for national recognition.”

“The Body Is Present” promotes the goals of the Joan Mitchell Foundation to feature contemporary female artists who represent a diversity of ages, genres, media, and cultures. The Ramapo College galleries have never hosted so many prominent female artists in one exhibit. “We are honored to provide a venue for women to highlight their perspective on being human in today’s technological world,” said Jenkins. The exhibit runs September 18 through November 20 in the Kresge Gallery.

Frishberg believes that Upward Bound serves both the participants and the College. Involvement with Upward Bound has had such an impact on undergraduates that some have made different career decisions as a result.

Frishberg looks beyond how she’s helped students. “I’ve been able to introduce colleagues to inner city students and help them understand what they go through.” She considers her legacy to be the relationships the College has established at the various high schools in the program and becoming an advocate for college access for low-income students. This is as valuable as each Upward Bound student’s success story.

GRANT FUNDED TEACHERS WORKSHOP: USING HISTORIC SITES TO TEACH ABOUT CURRENT ISSUES Meredith Davis, Associate Professor of Art History and Stephen Rice, Professor of American Studies have been awarded a prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities Grant for a summer program.

The $179,876 grant funds “The Hudson River in the Nineteenth Century and the Modernization of America.” This Professor of American Studies Stephen Landmarks of American History and Rice and Associate Professor of Art Culture program supports a series of History Meredith Davis participated in one-week residence-based workshops for a Hudson River trip as part of the NEH a national audience of K-12 educators.

Summer Grant Workshop Two one-week, residential workshops will be held July 7 through 12 and July 14 through 19.

“The Hudson River is an American landmark of great historical, cultural and artistic significance,” said Professor Davis. “We are delighted to again offer this comprehensive program to teachers. We expect to have participants from throughout the United States.”

NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture workshops use historic sites to address central themes and issues in American history, government, literature, art, music, and other related subjects in the humanities. This is the second time the professors have been awarded the grant.

MEADOWLANDS COMMISSION AWARDS NEW, FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission awarded a third five-year contract to Ramapo College through the Ramapo College Foundation for the operation of the Meadowlands Environment Center (MEC) and the William C. McDowell Observatory, both in Lyndhurst, NJ. The contract, totaling $8.5 million, supports the educational center that provides programming for more than 18,000 K-12 students annually in addition to numerous scout groups, after-school programs, and projects for persons with disabilities. The MEC is directed by Angela Cristini, a Professor of Biology and Executive Director of Special Programs for the College.

The Center’s staff includes environmental educators, an astronomer, laboratory technicians, and support people who are all housed in a new state-of-the-art science building. Numerous Ramapo College students have worked in paid co-op positions at the MEC since the College became involved in 2002.

The National Science Foundation has awarded two landmark grants to Ramapo College at the MEC for bringing science programs to elderly individuals residing in facilities and to persons with disabilities.

The former director saved an email written in 2009 from an Upward Bound student. The student wrote: “I completed a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Special Education. I am employed in early intervention and work with children birth to three years. Program a success!”

Sandra Suarez became involved with Upward Bound in 2012. She was named project coordinator July 1, then director November 1. She was responsible for running the program last summer. Suarez wants to incorporate additional assessment components to better track the academic progress and needs of the students. She explains, “We’d like to be able to say, ‘here’s where they are,’ ‘here’s Upward Bound Math-Science where they should be.’ By having a Director Sandra Suarez stronger assessment component in place, we will be able to build a better safety net for each student and make changes when and where needed.”

Students give up their summers to attend Upward Bound. For some, Suarez notes, it’s an economic sacrifice because they can’t work. “If ever there were kids who need a chance, these are them,” says Suarez. “Their decision to attend college impacts their family.

It’s a link out of poverty.”

Kate Gilmore, “Through the Claw,” performance. Works by Gilmore and Brito will be featured in “The Body Is Present.”

Mary Brito, “Of Mice and Men,” mixed media

www.ramapo.edu

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>CONTINUED

FOUNDATION NEWS

Long-Time Ramapo Supporters Donate Artwork to the College

Audrey ’93 and John Newman Mary and Joe Ippolito

Wilmino Domond, Haiti, “David and the Lion,” 1967, oil on board, 16 x 23 inches, Rodman Collection, gift of Larry Kent

Photo courtesy of Larry Kent

Kent has always found time for collecting. He and his brothers are in the business of selling tropical Bromeliad plants, which he considers “living art.” Kent grew up in a family of collectors and began collecting coins and stamps at an early age. To some degree his parents trained his eye with souvenirs they brought back from their extensive travels in Latin America.

Larry Kent

CALIFORNIA DONOR SHARES COLLECTING PASSION Ramapo College has received notable art donations during the past several years. One prominent donor is Californian Larry Kent, former president of the Haitian Art Society. He was acquainted with the pioneers in the field of self-taught art. He played tennis with Selden Rodman, who with his wife Carole, were avid collectors of Haitian art.

The Selden Rodman Collection, one of the foremost collections of popular arts of the Americas and the Caribbean, is at Ramapo College.

Kent owns one of the leading folk art collections in the country. In 2008 and 2009, Ramapo received 29 works from Haiti, Brazil, and Mexico from Kent, who said he is keeping the College in mind for future donations. A number of these valuable pieces originally belonged to Rodman. Scholars have written how these gifts strengthen Ramapo’s reputation for housing historically significant Afro-Caribbean art.

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“We went to Haiti in 1982,” recalled Kent. “After seeing unique works at Club Med, where we were staying, I was ready to take the bus to Port-au-Prince and explore the Iron Market and some of the galleries.

After buying three paintings by Camy Rocher, I thought I’d never think of buying another Haitian artwork.” Rocher, a devout vodouiste, incorporated his beliefs into his work. The following fall Kent traveled to Washington, D.C. By happenstance, he discovered an art event at the Haitian Embassy. “I never looked back and the passion to learn and collect just kept following me.”

ENDOWMENTS ENSURE CARRYING OUT DONORS’ WISHES Each endowment secured by the Ramapo College Foundation ensures a direct impact on a student’s life. Endowments allow donors to specify how their gift is used. The recipients, highly motivated students with financial need, are relieved of some of the pressures of paying for a college education. Ramapo College is grateful to have gained these endowments.

The Silver MBA Scholarship Endowment, for a student enrolled in the College’s MBA program, was created by Harry Silver. He is a member of the Friends of Ramapo and the Anisfield School of Business Advisory Board. An executive with Goldman Sachs & Co, Silver has shared his business expertise with students through the Cahill Career Center of ASB. His gift is matched by Goldman Sachs.

The recipient of the Harwood Lloyd Endowment will be a student with financial need recommended by faculty in the School of Social Science and Human Services and selected by the Dean. Two attorneys with the firm, Kirstine Denning ’90 and David Repetto, gave the gift. They serve on the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors.

(L-R): Carole Rodman, Art Gallery Director Sydney Jenkins, Jan Jones of LINKS, and Van Rodman

Carol Duncan

The Carol Duncan Scholarship Endowment is intended for a Visual Arts major with a minimum 3.0 grade point average that has financial need and plans to attend graduate school. Duncan, a professor emerita at Ramapo College, is a renowned art historian. An expert in the history of museums in the United States, she is the author of numerous books and articles.

Michele and Allan Gorab created the Colin R. McNeill Memorial Endowment to honor their cousin who died in the last semester of his senior year in a skateboarding accident. McNeill had been a member of the men’s volleyball team and served as captain for two seasons. He competed in the College’s Bass Fishing Club and often performed as the Ramapo Roadrunners’ mascot. He was a member, then president, of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. The scholarship will recognize Ramapo College students who are graduates of Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls, NJ and who are active leaders in their school and community. The gift will be matched by Ms. Gorab’s employer, the Ford Foundation.

The Audrey I. Newman Scholarship Endowment was created by this 1993 graduate who majored in Business Administration. Newman has remained active in the campus community by taking classes, joining the Friends of Ramapo and attending cultural events. Students eligible for the

Long-time supporters and Friends of Ramapo members Joe and Mary Ippolito donated five paintings by Mr. Ippolito’s brother, the renowned artist Angelo Ippolito. They will be displayed in various locations on the College campus. Angelo Ippolito was one of the founders of the Tangier Gallery, an artist-run space that was part of the New York School of Abstract Expressionists in the 1950s. His paintings are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Angelo Ippolito was professor emeritus of art at the State University of New York at Binghamton. Mrs. Ippolito is a 1982 graduate of the College.

This year Carole Rodman, the widow of Selden Rodman, gave as her annual art donation a mix of works from Africa, Bali, Cuba, Ecuador, and Haiti. Included was an unusual painting titled “Falling” by Louisianne St. Fleurant, one of the few famed female Haitian artists from the original SaintSoleil School. “Falling” depicts the artist’s memories of having a stroke.

www.ramapo.edu

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4/29/13 8:22 AM

>CONTINUED

FOUNDATION NEWS

Long-Time Ramapo Supporters Donate Artwork to the College

Audrey ’93 and John Newman Mary and Joe Ippolito

Wilmino Domond, Haiti, “David and the Lion,” 1967, oil on board, 16 x 23 inches, Rodman Collection, gift of Larry Kent

Photo courtesy of Larry Kent

Kent has always found time for collecting. He and his brothers are in the business of selling tropical Bromeliad plants, which he considers “living art.” Kent grew up in a family of collectors and began collecting coins and stamps at an early age. To some degree his parents trained his eye with souvenirs they brought back from their extensive travels in Latin America.

Larry Kent

CALIFORNIA DONOR SHARES COLLECTING PASSION Ramapo College has received notable art donations during the past several years. One prominent donor is Californian Larry Kent, former president of the Haitian Art Society. He was acquainted with the pioneers in the field of self-taught art. He played tennis with Selden Rodman, who with his wife Carole, were avid collectors of Haitian art.

The Selden Rodman Collection, one of the foremost collections of popular arts of the Americas and the Caribbean, is at Ramapo College.

Kent owns one of the leading folk art collections in the country. In 2008 and 2009, Ramapo received 29 works from Haiti, Brazil, and Mexico from Kent, who said he is keeping the College in mind for future donations. A number of these valuable pieces originally belonged to Rodman. Scholars have written how these gifts strengthen Ramapo’s reputation for housing historically significant Afro-Caribbean art.

20

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 20-21

“We went to Haiti in 1982,” recalled Kent. “After seeing unique works at Club Med, where we were staying, I was ready to take the bus to Port-au-Prince and explore the Iron Market and some of the galleries.

After buying three paintings by Camy Rocher, I thought I’d never think of buying another Haitian artwork.” Rocher, a devout vodouiste, incorporated his beliefs into his work. The following fall Kent traveled to Washington, D.C. By happenstance, he discovered an art event at the Haitian Embassy. “I never looked back and the passion to learn and collect just kept following me.”

ENDOWMENTS ENSURE CARRYING OUT DONORS’ WISHES Each endowment secured by the Ramapo College Foundation ensures a direct impact on a student’s life. Endowments allow donors to specify how their gift is used. The recipients, highly motivated students with financial need, are relieved of some of the pressures of paying for a college education. Ramapo College is grateful to have gained these endowments.

The Silver MBA Scholarship Endowment, for a student enrolled in the College’s MBA program, was created by Harry Silver. He is a member of the Friends of Ramapo and the Anisfield School of Business Advisory Board. An executive with Goldman Sachs & Co, Silver has shared his business expertise with students through the Cahill Career Center of ASB. His gift is matched by Goldman Sachs.

The recipient of the Harwood Lloyd Endowment will be a student with financial need recommended by faculty in the School of Social Science and Human Services and selected by the Dean. Two attorneys with the firm, Kirstine Denning ’90 and David Repetto, gave the gift. They serve on the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors.

(L-R): Carole Rodman, Art Gallery Director Sydney Jenkins, Jan Jones of LINKS, and Van Rodman

Carol Duncan

The Carol Duncan Scholarship Endowment is intended for a Visual Arts major with a minimum 3.0 grade point average that has financial need and plans to attend graduate school. Duncan, a professor emerita at Ramapo College, is a renowned art historian. An expert in the history of museums in the United States, she is the author of numerous books and articles.

Michele and Allan Gorab created the Colin R. McNeill Memorial Endowment to honor their cousin who died in the last semester of his senior year in a skateboarding accident. McNeill had been a member of the men’s volleyball team and served as captain for two seasons. He competed in the College’s Bass Fishing Club and often performed as the Ramapo Roadrunners’ mascot. He was a member, then president, of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. The scholarship will recognize Ramapo College students who are graduates of Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls, NJ and who are active leaders in their school and community. The gift will be matched by Ms. Gorab’s employer, the Ford Foundation.

The Audrey I. Newman Scholarship Endowment was created by this 1993 graduate who majored in Business Administration. Newman has remained active in the campus community by taking classes, joining the Friends of Ramapo and attending cultural events. Students eligible for the

Long-time supporters and Friends of Ramapo members Joe and Mary Ippolito donated five paintings by Mr. Ippolito’s brother, the renowned artist Angelo Ippolito. They will be displayed in various locations on the College campus. Angelo Ippolito was one of the founders of the Tangier Gallery, an artist-run space that was part of the New York School of Abstract Expressionists in the 1950s. His paintings are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Angelo Ippolito was professor emeritus of art at the State University of New York at Binghamton. Mrs. Ippolito is a 1982 graduate of the College.

This year Carole Rodman, the widow of Selden Rodman, gave as her annual art donation a mix of works from Africa, Bali, Cuba, Ecuador, and Haiti. Included was an unusual painting titled “Falling” by Louisianne St. Fleurant, one of the few famed female Haitian artists from the original SaintSoleil School. “Falling” depicts the artist’s memories of having a stroke.

www.ramapo.edu

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FOUNDATION NEWS

>CONTINUED

ALUMNI NEWS

Two Alumni at the Vanguard of College Leadership “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” stated John C. Maxwell, an international expert on leadership.

A.J. Sabath ’93, most recently chairman of the Board of Trustees and Frances Hackett ’80, appointed chair of the Board of Governors July 1, embody Maxwell’s sentiments. As alumni, they have demonstrated they know the way and go the way. In their tireless efforts to maintain Ramapo College’s position as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the East, they have shown the way. Here, they share their thoughts on leadership.

(L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Chris Turner, Fran Hackett ’80, George Oppenhauser, and W. Peter McBride

WINNER OF RAMAPO’S ANNUAL GOLF OUTING COMPETED IN BMW’S GOLF CUP AND WON George Oppenhauser of UPS represented the United States at the BMW Golf Cup International Championships at the Fancourt Golf Resort in George, South Africa, March 4 through 9. He qualified by winning the United States’ BMW Golf Cup Final held in Pinehurst, SC in October. Oppenhauser was eligible to compete in the national championship by winning the Ramapo College Foundation’s Golf Outing at the Tuxedo Club last July.

Locally sponsored by Prestige BMW, the BMW Golf Cup is the world’s largest amateur golf championship. The event attracted more than 100,000 of the best amateur golfers from more than 40 countries.

Oppenhauser explained that BMW invited the top 144 players and their guests from 48 different countries to the International Championships. Based on his handicap, he was placed in the

men’s category-2. Oppenhauser finished first in this category with 115 points. He was pleased to accept his trophy from South African golf legend Gary Player and Ian Robertson, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing. Team USA finished fourth behind South Africa, Germany, and France.

An interesting aside is that Oppenhauser has never taken a golf lesson. He began playing golf at the age of eight. He’d hit practice balls in his backyard or make up his own course at a local soccer field. To prepare for the championships, Oppenhauser played a round, practiced putting, or went to a driving range weekly. When the weather prevented that, he took to indoor ranges or chipping into a net in his basement.

This was Oppenhauser’s first time to South Africa. He quipped, “BMW is driven to excellence in everything.” As rewarding as his golf game was the support of his U.S. teammates from California and South Carolina, and making friends from around the world.

continued from page 21 scholarship are those enrolled in the School of Social Science and Human Services and who have completed an internship.

The Andrew Lesser ’03 Endowment is a tribute to this alumnus by family members Maury and Linda Lesser. An Environmental Studies major, Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003. He was a member of the track and field team. Andrew fostered his interest in the outdoors by participating in both of Professor Howard Horowitz’s trips to the American West and the American Southwest. Andrew was diagnosed with esophageal cancer four days before his 28th birthday; he died 11 months later. His family created this scholarship to provide a permanent reminder of Andrew’s commitment to the environment among future generations of Ramapo College students. Priority will be given to students who wish to participate in Professor Horowitz’s trips.

Becky McAdams enrolled at Ramapo College as a returning adult student, and graduated in 2004 with a degree in Political Science. She was an executive and publisher with Digital Review, Communications Week, Military & Aerospace Electronics and other technology-related publishing companies. She serves as co-chair of the Bergen County Chapter of the Ramapo College Alumni Association. The Rebecca McAdams Endowment will be awarded to a student with financial need enrolled in the Salameno School of American and International Studies.

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For fiscal year 2012, the average percent change in the endowment for Ramapo was 7.1%, a distinct percentage above the -0.8% average of the 831 institutions surveyed. The return on investments for the Foundation was 0.14%; the national average -0.3%. The average annual effective spending rate, the amount of the endowment actually spent, was 5% for the College compared to a national average of 4.2%.

The Ramapo College Foundation also fared well when compared to other New Jersey state colleges in percentage changes between endowment funds from 2011 to 2012. The 7.1% change in endowment was far ahead of Rutgers (-0.7 %), Rowan (-1.7%), the New Jersey Institute of Technology (-1.0%), Montclair (-2.8%), and The College of New Jersey (3.1%).

ANONYMOUS GIFT FUNDS CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY A $250,000 gift from an anonymous donor will fund the Career Development Pathway in the Anisfield School of Business Career Services and Employer Relations Center. This comprehensive career advisement pathway will allow ASB students to secure satisfying careers in national and international corporations.

RAMAPO COLLEGE FOUNDATION EXCEEDS NATIONAL AVERAGE IN ENDOWMENT REPORT

Dean Lewis Chakrin and ASB faculty have designed a program to make sure that every student in the School receives at least 15 hours of formal training in career preparation. The goal is to ensure that they have a stand-out resume, practiced interview techniques, and an understanding of the interview process.

Data gathered from 831 U.S. colleges and universities released by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and the Commonfund Institute in a 2012 survey indicated that the Ramapo College Foundation’s endowment is more fiscally fit than the national average.

Approximately 650 juniors and seniors will take advantage of the job skills program each year. The four-year pathway also assists freshman and sophomore students by encouraging them to join campus clubs and organizations, explore career options, begin resume development, and identify marketable skills.

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A.J. SABATH ’93 As chairman of the Board of Trustees, A.J. Sabath ’93 noted that one of the key strengths of the Board is “their undying dedication and loyalty to Ramapo College.” As an alumnus, this came naturally to him. However, many Board members have little or no experience with the College when they are appointed. “They all recognize a tremendous sense of community that exists among the administration, the faculty, the professional staff and the students,” said Sabath.

Every leader hopes to leave a legacy. For Sabath, it was obtaining funding and approval of architectural plans for the renovation and upgrade of the G-Wing academic building and other academic facility construction. As a Social Work major, Sabath spent most of his time in classrooms in the G-Wing, which he describes as getting older then. “I am proud that the Board of Trustees has devoted its attention to academic upgrades and construction to facilities such as the Anisfield School of Business, the Salameno Spiritual Center and the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence,” he added.

Sabath’s student days aided him as chairman. “I am blessed that many of the faculty and staff are still here,” he said. “Their feedback, support and guidance were invaluable.”

He takes personal pride at having had the opportunity to lead the Board of Trustees. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be in a position to help direct the path of the College in the coming years. One of my greatest pleasures has been the opportunity to work with colleagues on the Board and Dr. Mercer.” Sabath plans to continue serving as a Board member for as long as the governor of New Jersey reappoints him. After that, he will become involved with the Ramapo College Alumni Association.

FRANCES HACKETT ’80 As a member of the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation, Hackett has been active on several Foundation committees. She serves on committees to plan the Annual Golf Outing and the Distinguished Citizens Dinner Committee, at which she was an honoree in 2004. She also served on the Executive and Nomination Committees and, presently, shares her extensive business experience with students through the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. Hackett received the President’s Award of Merit in 2007 for her efforts on behalf of the College.

Her continued efforts to promote the mission of the Foundation are based on Hackett’s belief that its strong and active Board is “the supportive arm of the College community.” The Foundation’s strength is its ability to develop new relationships and build on established ones. As Chair, Hackett plans to further foster the goals of the Foundation and the College. “There is an ongoing need

A. J. Sabath ’93 and Frances K. Hackett ’80

for student scholarships and grants and to increase funding in these difficult financial times,” she said. Hackett has established six endowed scholarships at Ramapo College. She also will devote her tenure to aligning the Foundation’s strategic plan with that of the College.

“Leading is a misnomer,” she said. “The Board is comprised of individuals who make a difference. They are inspiring and do not require leadership, but rather my support.”

What Hackett enjoys most about working with the Board of Governors is seeing others benefit from their efforts, particularly students, as the campus grows and matures. She also appreciates the Board’s ability to deliver on its promises and mission.

“Words cannot express the honor it is to give back to an institution that has done so much for me personally, and continues to do so for the students and alumni,” said Hackett. She relishes the ability to help students as they start on their path to the future.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

—John C. Maxwell

www.ramapo.edu

23

4/29/13 8:22 AM

FOUNDATION NEWS

>CONTINUED

ALUMNI NEWS

Two Alumni at the Vanguard of College Leadership “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” stated John C. Maxwell, an international expert on leadership.

A.J. Sabath ’93, most recently chairman of the Board of Trustees and Frances Hackett ’80, appointed chair of the Board of Governors July 1, embody Maxwell’s sentiments. As alumni, they have demonstrated they know the way and go the way. In their tireless efforts to maintain Ramapo College’s position as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the East, they have shown the way. Here, they share their thoughts on leadership.

(L-R): President Peter P. Mercer, Chris Turner, Fran Hackett ’80, George Oppenhauser, and W. Peter McBride

WINNER OF RAMAPO’S ANNUAL GOLF OUTING COMPETED IN BMW’S GOLF CUP AND WON George Oppenhauser of UPS represented the United States at the BMW Golf Cup International Championships at the Fancourt Golf Resort in George, South Africa, March 4 through 9. He qualified by winning the United States’ BMW Golf Cup Final held in Pinehurst, SC in October. Oppenhauser was eligible to compete in the national championship by winning the Ramapo College Foundation’s Golf Outing at the Tuxedo Club last July.

Locally sponsored by Prestige BMW, the BMW Golf Cup is the world’s largest amateur golf championship. The event attracted more than 100,000 of the best amateur golfers from more than 40 countries.

Oppenhauser explained that BMW invited the top 144 players and their guests from 48 different countries to the International Championships. Based on his handicap, he was placed in the

men’s category-2. Oppenhauser finished first in this category with 115 points. He was pleased to accept his trophy from South African golf legend Gary Player and Ian Robertson, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing. Team USA finished fourth behind South Africa, Germany, and France.

An interesting aside is that Oppenhauser has never taken a golf lesson. He began playing golf at the age of eight. He’d hit practice balls in his backyard or make up his own course at a local soccer field. To prepare for the championships, Oppenhauser played a round, practiced putting, or went to a driving range weekly. When the weather prevented that, he took to indoor ranges or chipping into a net in his basement.

This was Oppenhauser’s first time to South Africa. He quipped, “BMW is driven to excellence in everything.” As rewarding as his golf game was the support of his U.S. teammates from California and South Carolina, and making friends from around the world.

continued from page 21 scholarship are those enrolled in the School of Social Science and Human Services and who have completed an internship.

The Andrew Lesser ’03 Endowment is a tribute to this alumnus by family members Maury and Linda Lesser. An Environmental Studies major, Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003. He was a member of the track and field team. Andrew fostered his interest in the outdoors by participating in both of Professor Howard Horowitz’s trips to the American West and the American Southwest. Andrew was diagnosed with esophageal cancer four days before his 28th birthday; he died 11 months later. His family created this scholarship to provide a permanent reminder of Andrew’s commitment to the environment among future generations of Ramapo College students. Priority will be given to students who wish to participate in Professor Horowitz’s trips.

Becky McAdams enrolled at Ramapo College as a returning adult student, and graduated in 2004 with a degree in Political Science. She was an executive and publisher with Digital Review, Communications Week, Military & Aerospace Electronics and other technology-related publishing companies. She serves as co-chair of the Bergen County Chapter of the Ramapo College Alumni Association. The Rebecca McAdams Endowment will be awarded to a student with financial need enrolled in the Salameno School of American and International Studies.

22

For fiscal year 2012, the average percent change in the endowment for Ramapo was 7.1%, a distinct percentage above the -0.8% average of the 831 institutions surveyed. The return on investments for the Foundation was 0.14%; the national average -0.3%. The average annual effective spending rate, the amount of the endowment actually spent, was 5% for the College compared to a national average of 4.2%.

The Ramapo College Foundation also fared well when compared to other New Jersey state colleges in percentage changes between endowment funds from 2011 to 2012. The 7.1% change in endowment was far ahead of Rutgers (-0.7 %), Rowan (-1.7%), the New Jersey Institute of Technology (-1.0%), Montclair (-2.8%), and The College of New Jersey (3.1%).

ANONYMOUS GIFT FUNDS CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY A $250,000 gift from an anonymous donor will fund the Career Development Pathway in the Anisfield School of Business Career Services and Employer Relations Center. This comprehensive career advisement pathway will allow ASB students to secure satisfying careers in national and international corporations.

RAMAPO COLLEGE FOUNDATION EXCEEDS NATIONAL AVERAGE IN ENDOWMENT REPORT

Dean Lewis Chakrin and ASB faculty have designed a program to make sure that every student in the School receives at least 15 hours of formal training in career preparation. The goal is to ensure that they have a stand-out resume, practiced interview techniques, and an understanding of the interview process.

Data gathered from 831 U.S. colleges and universities released by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and the Commonfund Institute in a 2012 survey indicated that the Ramapo College Foundation’s endowment is more fiscally fit than the national average.

Approximately 650 juniors and seniors will take advantage of the job skills program each year. The four-year pathway also assists freshman and sophomore students by encouraging them to join campus clubs and organizations, explore career options, begin resume development, and identify marketable skills.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 22-23

A.J. SABATH ’93 As chairman of the Board of Trustees, A.J. Sabath ’93 noted that one of the key strengths of the Board is “their undying dedication and loyalty to Ramapo College.” As an alumnus, this came naturally to him. However, many Board members have little or no experience with the College when they are appointed. “They all recognize a tremendous sense of community that exists among the administration, the faculty, the professional staff and the students,” said Sabath.

Every leader hopes to leave a legacy. For Sabath, it was obtaining funding and approval of architectural plans for the renovation and upgrade of the G-Wing academic building and other academic facility construction. As a Social Work major, Sabath spent most of his time in classrooms in the G-Wing, which he describes as getting older then. “I am proud that the Board of Trustees has devoted its attention to academic upgrades and construction to facilities such as the Anisfield School of Business, the Salameno Spiritual Center and the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence,” he added.

Sabath’s student days aided him as chairman. “I am blessed that many of the faculty and staff are still here,” he said. “Their feedback, support and guidance were invaluable.”

He takes personal pride at having had the opportunity to lead the Board of Trustees. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be in a position to help direct the path of the College in the coming years. One of my greatest pleasures has been the opportunity to work with colleagues on the Board and Dr. Mercer.” Sabath plans to continue serving as a Board member for as long as the governor of New Jersey reappoints him. After that, he will become involved with the Ramapo College Alumni Association.

FRANCES HACKETT ’80 As a member of the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation, Hackett has been active on several Foundation committees. She serves on committees to plan the Annual Golf Outing and the Distinguished Citizens Dinner Committee, at which she was an honoree in 2004. She also served on the Executive and Nomination Committees and, presently, shares her extensive business experience with students through the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. Hackett received the President’s Award of Merit in 2007 for her efforts on behalf of the College.

Her continued efforts to promote the mission of the Foundation are based on Hackett’s belief that its strong and active Board is “the supportive arm of the College community.” The Foundation’s strength is its ability to develop new relationships and build on established ones. As Chair, Hackett plans to further foster the goals of the Foundation and the College. “There is an ongoing need

A. J. Sabath ’93 and Frances K. Hackett ’80

for student scholarships and grants and to increase funding in these difficult financial times,” she said. Hackett has established six endowed scholarships at Ramapo College. She also will devote her tenure to aligning the Foundation’s strategic plan with that of the College.

“Leading is a misnomer,” she said. “The Board is comprised of individuals who make a difference. They are inspiring and do not require leadership, but rather my support.”

What Hackett enjoys most about working with the Board of Governors is seeing others benefit from their efforts, particularly students, as the campus grows and matures. She also appreciates the Board’s ability to deliver on its promises and mission.

“Words cannot express the honor it is to give back to an institution that has done so much for me personally, and continues to do so for the students and alumni,” said Hackett. She relishes the ability to help students as they start on their path to the future.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

—John C. Maxwell

www.ramapo.edu

23

4/29/13 8:22 AM

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI NEWS

Furthering Our Promise with Parents Council and Alumni Advisory Boards Members of the President’s Parents Council and the Alumni Advisory Boards from all schools attended the 2nd Annual Alumni-Parent Convocation. This new tradition provided an opportunity for alumni to hear President Peter P. Mercer deliver his “State of the College” address.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cathleen Davey updated everyone on the current Capital Campaign “Further Our Promise,” and the Deans and the Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program shared news of graduate and professional school acceptances, awardwinning projects, attendance at prestigious conferences around the world, and employment successes and recent accomplishments about their alumni and students. The presentations provided a great overview about the College and elicited even more pride about Ramapo College alumni.

TAS Alumni Participate in ScienceTechnology-Engineering and Mathematics Career Panel Hosted by the Cahill Center TAS students heard firsthand about the hiring practices and what it takes to be a marketable and competitive job candidate in the STEM fields.

ALUMNI CONVOCATION CA

THE ARTS HAVE A FRIEND IN THE FRIENDS OF RAMAPO The Friends of Ramapo are delighted that the first Scholarship for the Arts was awarded to Grace Watkins, a senior majoring in Drawing and Painting. The endowment, created to honor a senior in good academic standing from the School of Contemporary Arts majoring in the Visual Arts, Performing Arts or Music, was fully funded within one year of creation through membership fees, money raised at special events, and generous benefactors.

(L-R): Director of Planned Giving Ellen Dudas, Robin Keller ’07 ’02 ’98, Samuel Indrawis ’07, Dean Steven Perry and Robert Taylor ’96

ALUMNI CONVOCATION ASB (Seated: L-R): Eileen Comerford ’80, President Peter P. Mercer, Christopher Chudyk ’00, Roger Mussa ’98. (Standing: L-R): Dean Lew Chakrin, Assistant to the Dean Karen Norton, Chair-ASB Alumni Advisory Board Joseph Monaco ’85, Student Governor/Student Alumni Representative Alexa Glynn ’13, John Brewster ’75, Jill Freudenfels Stanley ’06, Ronald DePoalo ’86, Jo Anne Geylin ’86 and MBA Program Director Timothy Landers

ALUMNI CONVOCATION PARENTS Members of the President’s Parents Council (Seated: L-R): Kim Englishman, President Peter P. Mercer, Sarah Beane Ricca, Joe Ricca. (Standing: L-R): Steve Dormer, John Englishman, Eileen Dormer, Alicia Bergstein, Fernando Garip, Brian Branco, Cyndi Branco and Jack Darakjy

(L-R): Carol Ragnetti Ramage ’90, Dr. Joanne Florio ’81, Dean of TAS Edward Saiff and Dr. Carolyn Merkel ’78

Alumni Panel Presentation for Salameno School of American and International Studies (SSAIS) First-Year Seminar Class Alumni were panelists in the SSAIS First-Year Seminar course, which is team-taught by SSAIS professors. The alumni captured the attention of more than 50 freshmen with stories of how their liberal arts education helped build the people they’ve become, both personally and professionally. They also shared details about their career paths post-Ramapo and encouraged students to have a rich college experience while building solid, marketable skills.

ALUMNI CONVOCATION TAS (Seated: L-R): Donna Mainardi Singer ’78, Dr. Carolyn Merkel ’78, Mahboubeh Darian ’79.

(Standing: L-R): N.J. State Assemblyman Timothy Eustace ’78, Chair-Theoretical and Applied Science Alumni Advisory Board Joanne Florio ’81, Janet Pepperted ’79 ’81, Kathleen Moskin ’97, Laura Roberts ’81, Alternate Student Governor Garrett McConville ’14 and Dean Edward Saiff

ALUMNI CONVOCATION SSHS (L-R): Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cathleen Davey, Chair-School of Social Science and Human Services Alumni Advisory Board Peter Pastras ’81, Shabnam Tobaccowala ’97, Paul Dannenfelser ’82, Susan Geltman ’92, Andrew Jackel ’93, Kathleen Azzara ’02 and Dean Samuel Rosenberg

24

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 24-25

Senior Grace Watkins, a Drawing and Painting major, received the first Scholarship for the Arts

ALUMNI CONVOCATION EOF (L-R): Chair-Education Opportunity Fund Alumni Advisory Board Richard McDowell ’77, EOF Student Development Specialist Nicole Baker, Anwar Walker ’06, Viva White ’01 and EOF Director Lorne Weems

ALUMNI CONVOCATION SSAIS (Seated: L-R): Associate Director of Annual Giving Joyce Schader, Dean Hassan Nejad, Thomas Hewitt ’75, Jonathan Marcus ’93, Esq. (Standing: L-R): Antoinetta “Toni” Brower ’02, Cynthia Davis ’79, Carla DeGironimo ’07 ’10, Chair-Salameno School of American and International Studies Alumni Advisory board Scott Stahlmann ’79, Cathy Moran Hajo ’85 and Kelly McCartney ’03

(L-R): Thomas Hewitt ’75, Antonietta “Toni” Brower ’02, Kristen Moledo ’11, Assistant Professor of History Stacie Taranto, Assistant Professor of American Studies John GronbeckTedesco and Keisha Haywood

(Seated: L-R): Tammy Marcus, Secretary, Francis J. Rodriguez, Vice President, Deborah Richin, President. (Standing: L-R): Stan Richmond, Membership Co-Chair, Margaret Mullen, Programming Chair and Peter Fenzel, Membership Co-Chair

www.ramapo.edu

25

4/29/13 8:22 AM

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI NEWS

Furthering Our Promise with Parents Council and Alumni Advisory Boards Members of the President’s Parents Council and the Alumni Advisory Boards from all schools attended the 2nd Annual Alumni-Parent Convocation. This new tradition provided an opportunity for alumni to hear President Peter P. Mercer deliver his “State of the College” address.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cathleen Davey updated everyone on the current Capital Campaign “Further Our Promise,” and the Deans and the Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program shared news of graduate and professional school acceptances, awardwinning projects, attendance at prestigious conferences around the world, and employment successes and recent accomplishments about their alumni and students. The presentations provided a great overview about the College and elicited even more pride about Ramapo College alumni.

TAS Alumni Participate in ScienceTechnology-Engineering and Mathematics Career Panel Hosted by the Cahill Center TAS students heard firsthand about the hiring practices and what it takes to be a marketable and competitive job candidate in the STEM fields.

ALUMNI CONVOCATION CA

THE ARTS HAVE A FRIEND IN THE FRIENDS OF RAMAPO The Friends of Ramapo are delighted that the first Scholarship for the Arts was awarded to Grace Watkins, a senior majoring in Drawing and Painting. The endowment, created to honor a senior in good academic standing from the School of Contemporary Arts majoring in the Visual Arts, Performing Arts or Music, was fully funded within one year of creation through membership fees, money raised at special events, and generous benefactors.

(L-R): Director of Planned Giving Ellen Dudas, Robin Keller ’07 ’02 ’98, Samuel Indrawis ’07, Dean Steven Perry and Robert Taylor ’96

ALUMNI CONVOCATION ASB (Seated: L-R): Eileen Comerford ’80, President Peter P. Mercer, Christopher Chudyk ’00, Roger Mussa ’98. (Standing: L-R): Dean Lew Chakrin, Assistant to the Dean Karen Norton, Chair-ASB Alumni Advisory Board Joseph Monaco ’85, Student Governor/Student Alumni Representative Alexa Glynn ’13, John Brewster ’75, Jill Freudenfels Stanley ’06, Ronald DePoalo ’86, Jo Anne Geylin ’86 and MBA Program Director Timothy Landers

ALUMNI CONVOCATION PARENTS Members of the President’s Parents Council (Seated: L-R): Kim Englishman, President Peter P. Mercer, Sarah Beane Ricca, Joe Ricca. (Standing: L-R): Steve Dormer, John Englishman, Eileen Dormer, Alicia Bergstein, Fernando Garip, Brian Branco, Cyndi Branco and Jack Darakjy

(L-R): Carol Ragnetti Ramage ’90, Dr. Joanne Florio ’81, Dean of TAS Edward Saiff and Dr. Carolyn Merkel ’78

Alumni Panel Presentation for Salameno School of American and International Studies (SSAIS) First-Year Seminar Class Alumni were panelists in the SSAIS First-Year Seminar course, which is team-taught by SSAIS professors. The alumni captured the attention of more than 50 freshmen with stories of how their liberal arts education helped build the people they’ve become, both personally and professionally. They also shared details about their career paths post-Ramapo and encouraged students to have a rich college experience while building solid, marketable skills.

ALUMNI CONVOCATION TAS (Seated: L-R): Donna Mainardi Singer ’78, Dr. Carolyn Merkel ’78, Mahboubeh Darian ’79.

(Standing: L-R): N.J. State Assemblyman Timothy Eustace ’78, Chair-Theoretical and Applied Science Alumni Advisory Board Joanne Florio ’81, Janet Pepperted ’79 ’81, Kathleen Moskin ’97, Laura Roberts ’81, Alternate Student Governor Garrett McConville ’14 and Dean Edward Saiff

ALUMNI CONVOCATION SSHS (L-R): Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cathleen Davey, Chair-School of Social Science and Human Services Alumni Advisory Board Peter Pastras ’81, Shabnam Tobaccowala ’97, Paul Dannenfelser ’82, Susan Geltman ’92, Andrew Jackel ’93, Kathleen Azzara ’02 and Dean Samuel Rosenberg

24

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 24-25

Senior Grace Watkins, a Drawing and Painting major, received the first Scholarship for the Arts

ALUMNI CONVOCATION EOF (L-R): Chair-Education Opportunity Fund Alumni Advisory Board Richard McDowell ’77, EOF Student Development Specialist Nicole Baker, Anwar Walker ’06, Viva White ’01 and EOF Director Lorne Weems

ALUMNI CONVOCATION SSAIS (Seated: L-R): Associate Director of Annual Giving Joyce Schader, Dean Hassan Nejad, Thomas Hewitt ’75, Jonathan Marcus ’93, Esq. (Standing: L-R): Antoinetta “Toni” Brower ’02, Cynthia Davis ’79, Carla DeGironimo ’07 ’10, Chair-Salameno School of American and International Studies Alumni Advisory board Scott Stahlmann ’79, Cathy Moran Hajo ’85 and Kelly McCartney ’03

(L-R): Thomas Hewitt ’75, Antonietta “Toni” Brower ’02, Kristen Moledo ’11, Assistant Professor of History Stacie Taranto, Assistant Professor of American Studies John GronbeckTedesco and Keisha Haywood

(Seated: L-R): Tammy Marcus, Secretary, Francis J. Rodriguez, Vice President, Deborah Richin, President. (Standing: L-R): Stan Richmond, Membership Co-Chair, Margaret Mullen, Programming Chair and Peter Fenzel, Membership Co-Chair

www.ramapo.edu

25

4/29/13 8:22 AM

CLASS NOTES

ERICA SCHWEIKERT VENEZIA ’03 announced the birth of Rachel Margaret, born November 24, 2012 at 4:45 p.m. She weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz. and measured 20 inches long. Rachel joined big sister Hope and angel sister Faith.

IN MEMORIAM: JANE C. DEROSA

’75

GLENN DEUBLEIN

’75

JOHN CAHILLANE

’76

FREDERICK JONES

’76

RAYMOND M. LANG

’76

GORDON W. ANTHONY

’77

EDWARD BRADEN

’78

PETER J. BRADSHAW

’78

ROBERTA FEINBERG

’79

ARTHUR G. PERRSON

’81

PATTY L. BOFF

’85

EDWARD J. HERTER III

’87

BEVERLEY ANN KARL

’07

GEORGETTE MARIE

(RUFFINO) PFUND

’07

DENNIS PIERCE ’73 is director of Religious Education at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Middleburg, VA. Pierce began working at St. Stephen after completing a master’s in Theology from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. Pierce gave a talk on the virtue of piety at the Paul VI Catholic High senior boys retreat in Fairfax, VA. He serves as treasurer of the Catechetical Leaders of the Diocese of Arlington, VA. JOHN SARNO ’77 teaches Health Care Law and Ethics, and the Affordable Care Act at Fairleigh Dickenson University. Previously he worked with clients with disabilities, including those at Ramapo College. Sarno is a member of the Employer’s Association of New Jersey.

JOSEPH MIRACHI ’83 was named CEO of Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union in Merritt Island, FL. Previously he was president/CEO at Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union, AZ.

26

CHRISTINE L. RUSIN ’84 ran as the Republican candidate for the Hope Township Committee in Warren County, NJ. She faced a run-off with a 20-year incumbent.

Her bid was not successful.

LAURA KENNEY-GARDNER ’85 was interviewed by Carson Daly for the NBC-TV show “The Voice.”

Her son, Garrett Gardner, had been featured on the show.

ROBERT (BOB) TAYLOR ’96 received the Communicator Award for On Air Talent, at STAR 99.1 in Somerset, NJ. Taylor can be heard on weekends throughout most of Northern/ Central NJ, Rockland County and New York City, NY.

ANNIE SMITH ’04 received a master’s degree in Thanatology from Brooklyn College, NY in 2011. She is a professor at Ramapo College.

ELIZABETH CHANDLEY ’05 is engaged to Christopher Vassallo.

The future bride is a first grade teacher and is working toward a master’s degree at Georgian Court University.

MICHELLE GUZMAN AUFFANT ’00 and her husband, Eric, announced the birth of their daughter, London Guzman Auffant. She was born July 8, 2012 and weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz.

She measured 20 ¼ inches long.

London was born in Phoenix, AZ.

JILL FREUDENFELS STANLEY ’06 announced the birth of Emma Claire, born August 7, 2012. She weighed 6 lbs., 6 oz. and measured 19 inches long.

MICHAEL PALAC ’08 is in his second year at Seton Hall University pursuing a master’s degree in Museum Professions, which was inspired by three years of volunteer work at the Thomas Edison Center in Menlo Park, NJ.

KATIE ABLINE ’07 AND ROBERT RONCORONI ’02 were married March 17, 2012 at the Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Abline is employed at MSNBC and Roncoroni at CNBC. The couple honeymooned in The Cook Islands and New Zealand.

JOHN ERIK STIANSEN ’08 and Laura Adams announced their engagement. Stiansen works in advertising at North Jersey Media Group. An April 2013 wedding is planned.

ERIN COLFAX ’09 graduated from Montana State University in July 2012 with a second master’s degree in Science Education, Field Biology. Colfax is co-author of a book, “Writing Poetry Through the Eyes of Science,” published by Equinox.

The work is built on original field data gathered by Colfax from expeditions to Iceland and other locations around the world, and original poetry and poetry teaching techniques of co-author Nancy Gorrell.

ROSE MADY ’87 is senior counsel at Dragados USA. She resides in Seattle, WA. LOUIS PEPE ’96 was elected second vice president of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) for the 2012–2013 school year. Pepe received ASBO International’s Pinnacle of Achievement for Innovative Ideas in the Field of School Business in 2007 and Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Pepe served as the Editorial Review Committee Chair for KeyPost, the official magazine for NJASBO, from 2002–2008. Pepe was a scanning administrator for the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, administrative assistant for SL Industries and served in the U.S. Army Information Systems Command as shift supervisor with the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. Pepe earned an MBA in finance at William Paterson University. Pepe is a councilman-at-large in Lincoln Park, NJ. He is a mentor for the NJ Department of Education State Certification Program, and an adjunct professor in the Graduate Program in Education at Montclair State University.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 26-27

GINA GUADAGNINO ’02 and her husband, Jason, announced the birth of their twins, Sydney and Ayden, born June 19, 2012.

Sydney weighed 4 lbs., 9oz. and Ayden weighed 5 lbs., 9 oz.

Guadagnino is a case worker for the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities. The family resides in Stony Point, NY.

JOHN X. JANOWSKI ’08 completed his state-mandated training and is ready to begin a patrol assignment. Previously he worked as a corrections officer with the Middlesex County Department of Corrections.

TARA LARKIN WUORINEN ’02 and her family welcomed Teagan Paige August 27, 2012.

KEVIN GAMARELLO ’97 transferred to Novartis Consumer Health as associate director for the North American Region, Quality Systems and Standards.

Gamarello is responsible for establishing and maintaining regional quality standards and global procedures for Novartis Consumer Health. Gamarello has spent his 16-year career with Novartis, beginning with CIBA Pharmaceuticals in the Quality Control release laboratories. He has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Research and Development Quality Assurance. Gamarello holds an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ and an MS in Information Systems Management from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.

DAVID BATAILLE ’03 is engaged to Stacy Becker. The future groom is a creative director at Motrixi Media Group.

JUDITH KEYES ’00 is a training officer at the Fair Lawn office of Atlantic Stewardship Bank. Keyes is a graduate of the ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management and received the Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers. Keyes is a member of the Paterson Great Falls Rotary Club, the American Bankers Association Marketing Network and the Fair Lawn Environmental Commission.

JESSE GOODGLASS ’02 is an elementary school teacher at Percy Hughes Magnet School.

He has earned National Board Certification.

CARLA COLUCCI ’03 (above) and Robert Booth were married July 4, 2012 on a friend’s boat on the Hudson River near Nyack, NY. Colucci was inducted into Ramapo’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

She is employed by Bi-Coastal Talent Agency in New York City as operations manager.

AIMEE (BARILLA) KRONMILLER ’05 and her husband, Dan, welcomed their second son, Logan Scott, May 11, 2012.

THOMAS MARCINOWSKI ’05 is director of client services at Marketsmith, Inc., Parsippany, NJ. He is a West Milford, NJ resident.

JENNIFER MERLINO ’06 and her husband, Robert, welcomed identical twin girls, born April 16, 2012. Angelina Marie weighed 3 lbs., 12 oz. and Rosalie Mae weighed 4 lbs., 2 oz.

DANIEL ROSENDAHL ’06 trained at the Bergen County Police Academy. He expects to become a full-time patrolman this year.

KRISTIN GORSKY ’07 AND ALAN ROUGHGARDEN ’07 (above) announced their engagement March 31, 2012. The couple met on campus in a Philosophy class in September 2005. During a return visit, Roughgarden proposed beneath The Arch.

BLAIRE WHITNEY POLLOCK ’07 and Christopher Pio were married October 6, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Pollock works in investment banking. The couple honeymooned in St. Thomas, USVI and resides in Wayne, NJ. SARAH HALLERAN ’08 and Matthew Linderoth were married August 11, 2012 in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Halleran received her master’s degree from Monmouth University.

JEFFREY DELOS SANTOS ’09 and Desiree Warren were engaged July 4, 2012. The couple plan to marry June 29, 2013 at Perona Farms in Andover, NJ. Delos Santos is an enrollment services coordinator at Ramapo College.

KATIE LEVERING ’09 graduated from Rutgers-Newark with a master’s degree in English.

She is a publishing service coordinator at Scholastic Inc. CAILEN R. MARZITELLI ’09 is engaged to Derrick M. Novaco.

The future bride is a billing manager at NJCOMS and is working toward a master’s degree at Seton Hall University. www.ramapo.edu

27

4/29/13 8:23 AM

CLASS NOTES

ERICA SCHWEIKERT VENEZIA ’03 announced the birth of Rachel Margaret, born November 24, 2012 at 4:45 p.m. She weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz. and measured 20 inches long. Rachel joined big sister Hope and angel sister Faith.

IN MEMORIAM: JANE C. DEROSA

’75

GLENN DEUBLEIN

’75

JOHN CAHILLANE

’76

FREDERICK JONES

’76

RAYMOND M. LANG

’76

GORDON W. ANTHONY

’77

EDWARD BRADEN

’78

PETER J. BRADSHAW

’78

ROBERTA FEINBERG

’79

ARTHUR G. PERRSON

’81

PATTY L. BOFF

’85

EDWARD J. HERTER III

’87

BEVERLEY ANN KARL

’07

GEORGETTE MARIE

(RUFFINO) PFUND

’07

DENNIS PIERCE ’73 is director of Religious Education at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Middleburg, VA. Pierce began working at St. Stephen after completing a master’s in Theology from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. Pierce gave a talk on the virtue of piety at the Paul VI Catholic High senior boys retreat in Fairfax, VA. He serves as treasurer of the Catechetical Leaders of the Diocese of Arlington, VA. JOHN SARNO ’77 teaches Health Care Law and Ethics, and the Affordable Care Act at Fairleigh Dickenson University. Previously he worked with clients with disabilities, including those at Ramapo College. Sarno is a member of the Employer’s Association of New Jersey.

JOSEPH MIRACHI ’83 was named CEO of Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union in Merritt Island, FL. Previously he was president/CEO at Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union, AZ.

26

CHRISTINE L. RUSIN ’84 ran as the Republican candidate for the Hope Township Committee in Warren County, NJ. She faced a run-off with a 20-year incumbent.

Her bid was not successful.

LAURA KENNEY-GARDNER ’85 was interviewed by Carson Daly for the NBC-TV show “The Voice.”

Her son, Garrett Gardner, had been featured on the show.

ROBERT (BOB) TAYLOR ’96 received the Communicator Award for On Air Talent, at STAR 99.1 in Somerset, NJ. Taylor can be heard on weekends throughout most of Northern/ Central NJ, Rockland County and New York City, NY.

ANNIE SMITH ’04 received a master’s degree in Thanatology from Brooklyn College, NY in 2011. She is a professor at Ramapo College.

ELIZABETH CHANDLEY ’05 is engaged to Christopher Vassallo.

The future bride is a first grade teacher and is working toward a master’s degree at Georgian Court University.

MICHELLE GUZMAN AUFFANT ’00 and her husband, Eric, announced the birth of their daughter, London Guzman Auffant. She was born July 8, 2012 and weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz.

She measured 20 ¼ inches long.

London was born in Phoenix, AZ.

JILL FREUDENFELS STANLEY ’06 announced the birth of Emma Claire, born August 7, 2012. She weighed 6 lbs., 6 oz. and measured 19 inches long.

MICHAEL PALAC ’08 is in his second year at Seton Hall University pursuing a master’s degree in Museum Professions, which was inspired by three years of volunteer work at the Thomas Edison Center in Menlo Park, NJ.

KATIE ABLINE ’07 AND ROBERT RONCORONI ’02 were married March 17, 2012 at the Star of the Sea Church, Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Abline is employed at MSNBC and Roncoroni at CNBC. The couple honeymooned in The Cook Islands and New Zealand.

JOHN ERIK STIANSEN ’08 and Laura Adams announced their engagement. Stiansen works in advertising at North Jersey Media Group. An April 2013 wedding is planned.

ERIN COLFAX ’09 graduated from Montana State University in July 2012 with a second master’s degree in Science Education, Field Biology. Colfax is co-author of a book, “Writing Poetry Through the Eyes of Science,” published by Equinox.

The work is built on original field data gathered by Colfax from expeditions to Iceland and other locations around the world, and original poetry and poetry teaching techniques of co-author Nancy Gorrell.

ROSE MADY ’87 is senior counsel at Dragados USA. She resides in Seattle, WA. LOUIS PEPE ’96 was elected second vice president of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) for the 2012–2013 school year. Pepe received ASBO International’s Pinnacle of Achievement for Innovative Ideas in the Field of School Business in 2007 and Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Pepe served as the Editorial Review Committee Chair for KeyPost, the official magazine for NJASBO, from 2002–2008. Pepe was a scanning administrator for the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, administrative assistant for SL Industries and served in the U.S. Army Information Systems Command as shift supervisor with the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. Pepe earned an MBA in finance at William Paterson University. Pepe is a councilman-at-large in Lincoln Park, NJ. He is a mentor for the NJ Department of Education State Certification Program, and an adjunct professor in the Graduate Program in Education at Montclair State University.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 26-27

GINA GUADAGNINO ’02 and her husband, Jason, announced the birth of their twins, Sydney and Ayden, born June 19, 2012.

Sydney weighed 4 lbs., 9oz. and Ayden weighed 5 lbs., 9 oz.

Guadagnino is a case worker for the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities. The family resides in Stony Point, NY.

JOHN X. JANOWSKI ’08 completed his state-mandated training and is ready to begin a patrol assignment. Previously he worked as a corrections officer with the Middlesex County Department of Corrections.

TARA LARKIN WUORINEN ’02 and her family welcomed Teagan Paige August 27, 2012.

KEVIN GAMARELLO ’97 transferred to Novartis Consumer Health as associate director for the North American Region, Quality Systems and Standards.

Gamarello is responsible for establishing and maintaining regional quality standards and global procedures for Novartis Consumer Health. Gamarello has spent his 16-year career with Novartis, beginning with CIBA Pharmaceuticals in the Quality Control release laboratories. He has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Research and Development Quality Assurance. Gamarello holds an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ and an MS in Information Systems Management from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.

DAVID BATAILLE ’03 is engaged to Stacy Becker. The future groom is a creative director at Motrixi Media Group.

JUDITH KEYES ’00 is a training officer at the Fair Lawn office of Atlantic Stewardship Bank. Keyes is a graduate of the ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management and received the Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers. Keyes is a member of the Paterson Great Falls Rotary Club, the American Bankers Association Marketing Network and the Fair Lawn Environmental Commission.

JESSE GOODGLASS ’02 is an elementary school teacher at Percy Hughes Magnet School.

He has earned National Board Certification.

CARLA COLUCCI ’03 (above) and Robert Booth were married July 4, 2012 on a friend’s boat on the Hudson River near Nyack, NY. Colucci was inducted into Ramapo’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

She is employed by Bi-Coastal Talent Agency in New York City as operations manager.

AIMEE (BARILLA) KRONMILLER ’05 and her husband, Dan, welcomed their second son, Logan Scott, May 11, 2012.

THOMAS MARCINOWSKI ’05 is director of client services at Marketsmith, Inc., Parsippany, NJ. He is a West Milford, NJ resident.

JENNIFER MERLINO ’06 and her husband, Robert, welcomed identical twin girls, born April 16, 2012. Angelina Marie weighed 3 lbs., 12 oz. and Rosalie Mae weighed 4 lbs., 2 oz.

DANIEL ROSENDAHL ’06 trained at the Bergen County Police Academy. He expects to become a full-time patrolman this year.

KRISTIN GORSKY ’07 AND ALAN ROUGHGARDEN ’07 (above) announced their engagement March 31, 2012. The couple met on campus in a Philosophy class in September 2005. During a return visit, Roughgarden proposed beneath The Arch.

BLAIRE WHITNEY POLLOCK ’07 and Christopher Pio were married October 6, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Pollock works in investment banking. The couple honeymooned in St. Thomas, USVI and resides in Wayne, NJ. SARAH HALLERAN ’08 and Matthew Linderoth were married August 11, 2012 in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Halleran received her master’s degree from Monmouth University.

JEFFREY DELOS SANTOS ’09 and Desiree Warren were engaged July 4, 2012. The couple plan to marry June 29, 2013 at Perona Farms in Andover, NJ. Delos Santos is an enrollment services coordinator at Ramapo College.

KATIE LEVERING ’09 graduated from Rutgers-Newark with a master’s degree in English.

She is a publishing service coordinator at Scholastic Inc. CAILEN R. MARZITELLI ’09 is engaged to Derrick M. Novaco.

The future bride is a billing manager at NJCOMS and is working toward a master’s degree at Seton Hall University. www.ramapo.edu

27

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CLASS NOTES

>CONTINUED

KAITLYN ROSE HAITZ ’10 and KENNETH MICHAEL O’DONOHUE ’09 were married June 16, 2012 at St. Paul R.C. Church in Ramsey, NJ. Haitz is an assistant estimator for her family’s business and O’Donohue attends Rutgers’ School of Law. The couple honeymooned in St. John, USVI.

DANIELLE PINOL, ESQ. ’09 graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law May 2012.

She was admitted to the North Carolina Bar Association.

JASON M. KOLINSKY ’10 is an investment advisor representative and life and health insurance producer at Kolinsky Wealth Management, LLC. He is a CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™.

At KWM, Kolinsky focuses on financial planning strategies and wealth management solutions for businesses and individuals.

He is chief compliance officer and maintains a seat on the Investment Committee. Kolinsky is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Financial Planning Association and the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce.

BRIAN SELLA ’10 and band mate/childhood buddy Matt Uychich spent the summer as the opening act at sold-out shows for Motion City Soundtrack.

DR. JUSTIN RABINOWITZ ’09 graduated from New York Chiropractic College in July, 2012. Rabinowitz works for Dr. Danielle Damelio who has two offices, in Montville, NJ within OneHumanPerformance, a fitness, performance and wellness facility and the other is a private practice in Westfield, NJ. He resides in Martinsville, NJ. JORDANNA SURIANI ’09 and SEAMUS MAZIARZ ’09 announced their engagement. A September 2013 wedding is planned. Suriani is an admissions counselor at Ramapo College and Maziarz is a federal auditor for the Department of the Treasury.

JENNIFER COHEN ’10 graduated from Rutgers’ Master of Library and Information Science program with a specialization in digital libraries.

28

GRACE HELBIG ’07 has been dubbed a YouTube star and was featured in a film, “Please Subscribe: A Documentary About YouTubers.” The documentary was screened in Edgewater, NJ and 300 theaters throughout the country.

Helbig was one of eight video bloggers featured. What makes these bloggers noteworthy is that their careers are built on making YouTube videos; subscribers number hundreds of thousands and their page views total in the millions. The Contemporary Arts major describes herself as an actress, comedian, and Internet personality.

She is known for creating the My Damn Channel web series, “Daily Grace.” The series boasts 600,000 subscribers and 89 million video views on YouTube. Since the series’ inception in 2008, Helbig has created more than 1,000 videos. The International Academy of Web Television named “Daily Grace” Best Host (taped) and Best Hosted (taped) web series. Helbig is nominated for a Best Writing Award from the organization. She also was a correspondent on “Attack of the Show!” on the G4 Network and played Idol on the web series “MyMusic.” Helbig lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Debra Perry ’85, Esq., vice chair of the Ramapo College Foundation’s Board of Governors, was recognized as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ. Her colleagues on the Board were aware of her business acumen years before the distinction was announced. Perry is a partner in the Product Liability Group of McCarter & English, LLP. In celebration of Perry’s accomplishment, McCarter & English took out an advertisement in NJBIZ to congratulate her.

Perry’s legal expertise focuses on product liability litigation with an emphasis on the national defense of pharmaceutical products and the coordination of mass tort products liability litigation involving occupational exposures. She has represented multinational companies in the defense of prescription medicines including atypical anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, hormone products, narcotic analgesics, diabetes drugs and over-the-counter medications. Perry has developed and implemented strategies to respond to the issues confronted by bio-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies and industrial manufacturers and distributors, including multi-district litigation, defense of medical monitoring claims, product identification and market share liability, punitive damages and epidemiological analysis of causation.

Perry enrolled at Ramapo College as a non-traditional student, taking classes while raising a family. She majored in Psychology and continued her education at Rutgers University School of Law where she earned a Juris Doctor. Her involvement with the Foundation includes co-chair of the annual Distinguished Citizens Dinner, serving on the Executive Committee and the Annual Golf Outing Committee. She also participates in the annual Networking Roundtable sponsored by the Anisfield School of Business and was this year’s alumnae speaker at the Scholarship Dinner held April 3.

THE ROOMIES, THEN AND NOW They participated in Study Abroad programs and really took advantage of all that Ramapo offered. The Roomies have brought their husbands into the group too, who very quickly developed a sense of belonging even though they all didn’t attend Ramapo.

The Roomies, as the alumnae refer to themselves, hope that students today take advantage of everything that Ramapo has to offer and form their own special friendships that last a lifetime.

Debra Perry ’85, Esq.

KIMBERLY RAIMONDI ’11 and business partner KELLY ALPERSTEIN ’11 have been running a field hockey company helping and fostering youth athletics for two years. The website is njexpressfh.com.

MELISSA ZEEVI ’11 and Edward Levy married August 2012. Zeevi is a computer/business teacher at Saddle Brook High School, NJ.

her accident. While Suppe has undergone 10 surgeries and sometimes bed-ridden recovery processes, she never once believed she wouldn’t be able to climb again, and never limited herself because of her new handicap. By the one-year anniversary of Suppe’s fall, she and a friend climbed a new ice route on a mountain that they named “The First Day of the Broken Leg.”

Then: (L-R): Laura Gilpin Gibki ’83, Linda Discenza-Lorras ’83, Jeanne O’Mahoney Meringolo, Kathleen Clarke Englert, Patty King DeJesus ’83, Theresa Conroy LaFrance ’82 and Laurie McConaghie Harvey ’83 (L-R): Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Giovanni Viglino, Regional Campaign Coordinator Purvi Parekh, Constantino Stavrou ’13, Isabel Suppe ’03, Mike Carr ’13, Professor of Physics Daniela Buna, Matt Saur ’14, Dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science Edward Saiff

KIMBERLY ISABELLA SCHWABE ’12 and Lt. Ryan Robert Freitag were married June 9, 2012 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. The couple honeymooned in Antigua and Disney World. They will reside in Fort Benning, GA.

ISABEL SUPPE: ALWAYS AT HER PEAK When Ramapo Alumna, Isabel Suppe ’01, fell over 1,000 feet from the icy mountain face of La Izquierda in Bolivia while rock climbing, all she could think about was surviving so she could climb another day. Suppe did just that. She fought off dehydration, hallucinations, and loss of blood from a severe broken leg before she and her climbing partner Peter, who unfortunately did not make the three-day wait, were discovered and rescued.

HOLLY SORENSON ’12 was accepted to Brown University, RI to pursue a doctorate degree in Chemistry.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 28-29

Ramapo Alumna Recognized as One of Best in Business

Now: Sitting (L-R): Patty King DeJesus ’83, Jeanne O’Mahoney Meringolo; (middle): Linda Discenz-Lorras ’83 and standing, Theresa Conroy LaFrance ’82, Laura Gilpin Gibki ’83, Kathleen Clarke Englert ’83, Laurie McConaghie Harvey ’83

Most people in Suppe’s condition would have their leg amputated, but that was never an option. Upon arriving at the hospital after her rescue, the doctor tried removing her boot from her broken leg. Suppe told the doctor to be careful of her boot and not to damage it, for she would need it to climb again. This fighting attitude foreshadowed Suppe’s life after

When Suppe’s injured joint began deteriorating, she needed to undergo three surgeries in Spain. Her doctors advised her to bike, saying it would be beneficial. She borrowed her grandmother’s bike and fondly gave it the name Rocinante, after the horse Don Quixote rode during his travels. Thus her journey continued. Suppe started at the German-Swiss border and biked through Switzerland, across the Alps into Northern France, across France, the Pyrenees, and into Northern Spain during the middle of winter for her surgeries. She continued to the Spanish coast, where she took a boat back to Germany then rode a ferry to Morocco. Suppe climbed Morocco’s highest mountain on crutches, and biked through the Sahara Desert.

Her next big adventure came when she decided to bike across the U.S. to raise awareness on how organ transplants are life-saving, and to raise money for her next bone transplant surgery that will take place in Baltimore in December. Suppe set off alone and biked from Monteray Bay, CA with her destination being her alma mater, Ramapo College. Suppe left with only $30 in her pocket and survived by spending little to no money, sleeping in poorly-pitched tents, selling books, and presenting speeches.

Suppe was welcomed back to Ramapo as she completed her journey at the iconic Ramapo Arch.

Suppe stated, “The journey thus continues… Where it may lead me, I don’t know. What I do know for sure though, [is that] having a physical problem does not mean that we cannot do something. It simply means that we have to try harder, that dreams and hope are the most precious things we own. www.ramapo.edu

29

4/29/13 8:23 AM

CLASS NOTES

>CONTINUED

KAITLYN ROSE HAITZ ’10 and KENNETH MICHAEL O’DONOHUE ’09 were married June 16, 2012 at St. Paul R.C. Church in Ramsey, NJ. Haitz is an assistant estimator for her family’s business and O’Donohue attends Rutgers’ School of Law. The couple honeymooned in St. John, USVI.

DANIELLE PINOL, ESQ. ’09 graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law May 2012.

She was admitted to the North Carolina Bar Association.

JASON M. KOLINSKY ’10 is an investment advisor representative and life and health insurance producer at Kolinsky Wealth Management, LLC. He is a CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™.

At KWM, Kolinsky focuses on financial planning strategies and wealth management solutions for businesses and individuals.

He is chief compliance officer and maintains a seat on the Investment Committee. Kolinsky is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Financial Planning Association and the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce.

BRIAN SELLA ’10 and band mate/childhood buddy Matt Uychich spent the summer as the opening act at sold-out shows for Motion City Soundtrack.

DR. JUSTIN RABINOWITZ ’09 graduated from New York Chiropractic College in July, 2012. Rabinowitz works for Dr. Danielle Damelio who has two offices, in Montville, NJ within OneHumanPerformance, a fitness, performance and wellness facility and the other is a private practice in Westfield, NJ. He resides in Martinsville, NJ. JORDANNA SURIANI ’09 and SEAMUS MAZIARZ ’09 announced their engagement. A September 2013 wedding is planned. Suriani is an admissions counselor at Ramapo College and Maziarz is a federal auditor for the Department of the Treasury.

JENNIFER COHEN ’10 graduated from Rutgers’ Master of Library and Information Science program with a specialization in digital libraries.

28

GRACE HELBIG ’07 has been dubbed a YouTube star and was featured in a film, “Please Subscribe: A Documentary About YouTubers.” The documentary was screened in Edgewater, NJ and 300 theaters throughout the country.

Helbig was one of eight video bloggers featured. What makes these bloggers noteworthy is that their careers are built on making YouTube videos; subscribers number hundreds of thousands and their page views total in the millions. The Contemporary Arts major describes herself as an actress, comedian, and Internet personality.

She is known for creating the My Damn Channel web series, “Daily Grace.” The series boasts 600,000 subscribers and 89 million video views on YouTube. Since the series’ inception in 2008, Helbig has created more than 1,000 videos. The International Academy of Web Television named “Daily Grace” Best Host (taped) and Best Hosted (taped) web series. Helbig is nominated for a Best Writing Award from the organization. She also was a correspondent on “Attack of the Show!” on the G4 Network and played Idol on the web series “MyMusic.” Helbig lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Debra Perry ’85, Esq., vice chair of the Ramapo College Foundation’s Board of Governors, was recognized as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ. Her colleagues on the Board were aware of her business acumen years before the distinction was announced. Perry is a partner in the Product Liability Group of McCarter & English, LLP. In celebration of Perry’s accomplishment, McCarter & English took out an advertisement in NJBIZ to congratulate her.

Perry’s legal expertise focuses on product liability litigation with an emphasis on the national defense of pharmaceutical products and the coordination of mass tort products liability litigation involving occupational exposures. She has represented multinational companies in the defense of prescription medicines including atypical anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, hormone products, narcotic analgesics, diabetes drugs and over-the-counter medications. Perry has developed and implemented strategies to respond to the issues confronted by bio-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies and industrial manufacturers and distributors, including multi-district litigation, defense of medical monitoring claims, product identification and market share liability, punitive damages and epidemiological analysis of causation.

Perry enrolled at Ramapo College as a non-traditional student, taking classes while raising a family. She majored in Psychology and continued her education at Rutgers University School of Law where she earned a Juris Doctor. Her involvement with the Foundation includes co-chair of the annual Distinguished Citizens Dinner, serving on the Executive Committee and the Annual Golf Outing Committee. She also participates in the annual Networking Roundtable sponsored by the Anisfield School of Business and was this year’s alumnae speaker at the Scholarship Dinner held April 3.

THE ROOMIES, THEN AND NOW They participated in Study Abroad programs and really took advantage of all that Ramapo offered. The Roomies have brought their husbands into the group too, who very quickly developed a sense of belonging even though they all didn’t attend Ramapo.

The Roomies, as the alumnae refer to themselves, hope that students today take advantage of everything that Ramapo has to offer and form their own special friendships that last a lifetime.

Debra Perry ’85, Esq.

KIMBERLY RAIMONDI ’11 and business partner KELLY ALPERSTEIN ’11 have been running a field hockey company helping and fostering youth athletics for two years. The website is njexpressfh.com.

MELISSA ZEEVI ’11 and Edward Levy married August 2012. Zeevi is a computer/business teacher at Saddle Brook High School, NJ.

her accident. While Suppe has undergone 10 surgeries and sometimes bed-ridden recovery processes, she never once believed she wouldn’t be able to climb again, and never limited herself because of her new handicap. By the one-year anniversary of Suppe’s fall, she and a friend climbed a new ice route on a mountain that they named “The First Day of the Broken Leg.”

Then: (L-R): Laura Gilpin Gibki ’83, Linda Discenza-Lorras ’83, Jeanne O’Mahoney Meringolo, Kathleen Clarke Englert, Patty King DeJesus ’83, Theresa Conroy LaFrance ’82 and Laurie McConaghie Harvey ’83 (L-R): Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Giovanni Viglino, Regional Campaign Coordinator Purvi Parekh, Constantino Stavrou ’13, Isabel Suppe ’03, Mike Carr ’13, Professor of Physics Daniela Buna, Matt Saur ’14, Dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science Edward Saiff

KIMBERLY ISABELLA SCHWABE ’12 and Lt. Ryan Robert Freitag were married June 9, 2012 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. The couple honeymooned in Antigua and Disney World. They will reside in Fort Benning, GA.

ISABEL SUPPE: ALWAYS AT HER PEAK When Ramapo Alumna, Isabel Suppe ’01, fell over 1,000 feet from the icy mountain face of La Izquierda in Bolivia while rock climbing, all she could think about was surviving so she could climb another day. Suppe did just that. She fought off dehydration, hallucinations, and loss of blood from a severe broken leg before she and her climbing partner Peter, who unfortunately did not make the three-day wait, were discovered and rescued.

HOLLY SORENSON ’12 was accepted to Brown University, RI to pursue a doctorate degree in Chemistry.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 28-29

Ramapo Alumna Recognized as One of Best in Business

Now: Sitting (L-R): Patty King DeJesus ’83, Jeanne O’Mahoney Meringolo; (middle): Linda Discenz-Lorras ’83 and standing, Theresa Conroy LaFrance ’82, Laura Gilpin Gibki ’83, Kathleen Clarke Englert ’83, Laurie McConaghie Harvey ’83

Most people in Suppe’s condition would have their leg amputated, but that was never an option. Upon arriving at the hospital after her rescue, the doctor tried removing her boot from her broken leg. Suppe told the doctor to be careful of her boot and not to damage it, for she would need it to climb again. This fighting attitude foreshadowed Suppe’s life after

When Suppe’s injured joint began deteriorating, she needed to undergo three surgeries in Spain. Her doctors advised her to bike, saying it would be beneficial. She borrowed her grandmother’s bike and fondly gave it the name Rocinante, after the horse Don Quixote rode during his travels. Thus her journey continued. Suppe started at the German-Swiss border and biked through Switzerland, across the Alps into Northern France, across France, the Pyrenees, and into Northern Spain during the middle of winter for her surgeries. She continued to the Spanish coast, where she took a boat back to Germany then rode a ferry to Morocco. Suppe climbed Morocco’s highest mountain on crutches, and biked through the Sahara Desert.

Her next big adventure came when she decided to bike across the U.S. to raise awareness on how organ transplants are life-saving, and to raise money for her next bone transplant surgery that will take place in Baltimore in December. Suppe set off alone and biked from Monteray Bay, CA with her destination being her alma mater, Ramapo College. Suppe left with only $30 in her pocket and survived by spending little to no money, sleeping in poorly-pitched tents, selling books, and presenting speeches.

Suppe was welcomed back to Ramapo as she completed her journey at the iconic Ramapo Arch.

Suppe stated, “The journey thus continues… Where it may lead me, I don’t know. What I do know for sure though, [is that] having a physical problem does not mean that we cannot do something. It simply means that we have to try harder, that dreams and hope are the most precious things we own. www.ramapo.edu

29

4/29/13 8:23 AM

COURTS AND FIELDS

time, by one point, 60-61, at the Bradley Center. With the regular season behind them, the Roadrunners put their focus and energy on the NJAC Championship Tournament. Ramapo received a first round bye, and all they could do was sit back and wait to see whom they would face in the semi-final game. The first round match-up was between #4 seeded William Paterson and #5 seeded Rowan University.

The Pioneers would prevail over the Profs to advance to the semi-final match-up with Ramapo. It would be the second time the two teams met at the Bradley Center, the third time they met during the season, and William Paterson held a 2-0 advantage over the Roadrunners.

This was the game that counted the most, and it was Ramapo who showed up to play that evening, defeating the Pioneers, 83-58 in front of a jam-packed arena. Just three days later, Ramapo conquered the championship game of the tournament, as the Roadrunners defeated Rutgers-Newark, 67-65, earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship Tournament. “I can’t thank the Rowdies enough,” Head Coach Chuck McBreen said. “It’s like having a sixth man on the court. The arena was packed; the energy level was through the roof. They definitely helped my guys play harder those two nights!”

CHAMPIONS Team photo after NJAC Championship win

There were great accomplishments for the men’s basketball team during the 2012-2013 season. The team’s #1 high came with the program’s third New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship. But that was just one of the season’s many highlights. Others included a trip to Las Vegas, two eight-game win streaks, individual season milestones set by seniors Will Sanborn and Stephon Treadwell, post-season honors for Ramapo’s five starting seniors, and the program’s sixth trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament. The team also moved into the top 10 in the country, earning the #10 spot in mid-December, before grabbing hold as the #7 ranked team in the nation in mid-January. But, as in many things in life, all great things must come to an end.

It was in mid-November that Ramapo opened their season. Their first match-up was in Mahwah, and that’s where the team recorded their first win of the season, an 80-57 victory over Yeshiva University. The team went on to post seven straight victories, including six straight NJAC wins, before departing on their annual trip to the D3Hoops.com Classic, held in Las Vegas in late December. In the team’s opening game of the classic, Ramapo’s eight-game win streak was snapped, by then ranked #3, North Central College, 57-67. But it wasn’t long before the Roadrunners were back to their winning ways, defeating Hiram College, 99-87, the very next day. Back in New Jersey, and with the year 2012 behind them, Ramapo posted three straight wins, including an overtime victory over Rowan University, 88-87. The Roadrunners went on to record only their second loss of the season, falling short to the Pioneers of William Paterson, by a slim one-point, 64-65. Ramapo refused to sit back, posting a thrilling overtime win over Richard Stockton, 71-68, on January 12, which sparked their second eight-game win streak. During that win streak, Sanborn became the 17th player in men’s basketball history to achieve the 1,000-point plateau. While leading the Roadrunners to a 70-55 win over Kean University, Sanborn collected 18 points that January evening.

On February 6, with a tough, 69-72 loss to the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark, Ramapo’s winning ways had come to an end, but the Roadrunners bounced back to earn the NJAC regular season championship with a 74-64 victory over Richard Stockton, at the Bradley Center on February 11. In that game, Treadwell collected his 1,000th career point, a milestone that now only 18 players at Ramapo have reached. The team’s final game of the regular season came and went as the Roadrunners fell for the second time to William Paterson, this

30

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 30-31

On March 2, the men’s basketball team saw their successful season come to fruition as those five senior starters stepped onto the court for the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. This was the second time in their careers those seniors had reached the tournament, so their hopes were set high.

Unfortunately, their dreams were quickly shattered, and their season came to a crashing end, as the Mustangs of Morrisville State surpassed the Roadrunners, 78-86, on a cold wintry night in Nyack, New York.

“Despite an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, I am extremely proud of my team, especially the seniors,” McBreen said. “The leadership, work ethic, and years of experience they provided was the key to the program’s success this year.” The Roadrunners recorded the third best record (win percentage) in the program’s history going 23-5 overall, and for the sixth time in the history of the program, they earned the title of regular season NJAC Champions, by finishing conference play in first place, standing at 15-3.

The 2013-2014 squad will have big shoes to fill. The Roadrunners graduated six men this year, five of whom were starters that led the Roadrunners in all statistics categories and received post-season honors.

Senior guard Garret Thiel was tabbed as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while Elgin Brown, Treadwell, and Sanborn, took three of the NJAC First Team All-Conference spots, after recording a stellar year on the court for Ramapo. Thiel was also named to the NJAC Honorable Mention team, and was joined by Anthony LoRusso. “Although the future looks bright for my program, trying to replace the senior leadership and experience will be an extremely difficult task,” added McBreen.

Senior Garret Thiel cuts down the net, a tradition after winning the NJAC Championships

Senior captains and head coach collect NJAC Championship Trophy from Ramapo Athletic Director and NJAC Commissioner. (L-R): Director of Athletics Chuck Gordon, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen, Garret Thiel ’13, Anthony LoRusso ’13, Stephon Treadwell ’13 and NJAC Commissioner Terry Small

(L-R): Director of Athletics Chuck Gordon, Will Sanborn ’15 and Men’s Head Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen

(L-R): Mike Nweeme ’13, Will Sanborn ’15, Elgin Brown ’14, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen, Stephon Treadwell ’13, Anthony LoRusso ’13, Garret Thiel ’13 celebrate Treadwell’s 1,000th point

www.ramapo.edu

31

4/29/13 8:23 AM

COURTS AND FIELDS

time, by one point, 60-61, at the Bradley Center. With the regular season behind them, the Roadrunners put their focus and energy on the NJAC Championship Tournament. Ramapo received a first round bye, and all they could do was sit back and wait to see whom they would face in the semi-final game. The first round match-up was between #4 seeded William Paterson and #5 seeded Rowan University.

The Pioneers would prevail over the Profs to advance to the semi-final match-up with Ramapo. It would be the second time the two teams met at the Bradley Center, the third time they met during the season, and William Paterson held a 2-0 advantage over the Roadrunners.

This was the game that counted the most, and it was Ramapo who showed up to play that evening, defeating the Pioneers, 83-58 in front of a jam-packed arena. Just three days later, Ramapo conquered the championship game of the tournament, as the Roadrunners defeated Rutgers-Newark, 67-65, earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship Tournament. “I can’t thank the Rowdies enough,” Head Coach Chuck McBreen said. “It’s like having a sixth man on the court. The arena was packed; the energy level was through the roof. They definitely helped my guys play harder those two nights!”

CHAMPIONS Team photo after NJAC Championship win

There were great accomplishments for the men’s basketball team during the 2012-2013 season. The team’s #1 high came with the program’s third New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship. But that was just one of the season’s many highlights. Others included a trip to Las Vegas, two eight-game win streaks, individual season milestones set by seniors Will Sanborn and Stephon Treadwell, post-season honors for Ramapo’s five starting seniors, and the program’s sixth trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament. The team also moved into the top 10 in the country, earning the #10 spot in mid-December, before grabbing hold as the #7 ranked team in the nation in mid-January. But, as in many things in life, all great things must come to an end.

It was in mid-November that Ramapo opened their season. Their first match-up was in Mahwah, and that’s where the team recorded their first win of the season, an 80-57 victory over Yeshiva University. The team went on to post seven straight victories, including six straight NJAC wins, before departing on their annual trip to the D3Hoops.com Classic, held in Las Vegas in late December. In the team’s opening game of the classic, Ramapo’s eight-game win streak was snapped, by then ranked #3, North Central College, 57-67. But it wasn’t long before the Roadrunners were back to their winning ways, defeating Hiram College, 99-87, the very next day. Back in New Jersey, and with the year 2012 behind them, Ramapo posted three straight wins, including an overtime victory over Rowan University, 88-87. The Roadrunners went on to record only their second loss of the season, falling short to the Pioneers of William Paterson, by a slim one-point, 64-65. Ramapo refused to sit back, posting a thrilling overtime win over Richard Stockton, 71-68, on January 12, which sparked their second eight-game win streak. During that win streak, Sanborn became the 17th player in men’s basketball history to achieve the 1,000-point plateau. While leading the Roadrunners to a 70-55 win over Kean University, Sanborn collected 18 points that January evening.

On February 6, with a tough, 69-72 loss to the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark, Ramapo’s winning ways had come to an end, but the Roadrunners bounced back to earn the NJAC regular season championship with a 74-64 victory over Richard Stockton, at the Bradley Center on February 11. In that game, Treadwell collected his 1,000th career point, a milestone that now only 18 players at Ramapo have reached. The team’s final game of the regular season came and went as the Roadrunners fell for the second time to William Paterson, this

30

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 30-31

On March 2, the men’s basketball team saw their successful season come to fruition as those five senior starters stepped onto the court for the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. This was the second time in their careers those seniors had reached the tournament, so their hopes were set high.

Unfortunately, their dreams were quickly shattered, and their season came to a crashing end, as the Mustangs of Morrisville State surpassed the Roadrunners, 78-86, on a cold wintry night in Nyack, New York.

“Despite an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, I am extremely proud of my team, especially the seniors,” McBreen said. “The leadership, work ethic, and years of experience they provided was the key to the program’s success this year.” The Roadrunners recorded the third best record (win percentage) in the program’s history going 23-5 overall, and for the sixth time in the history of the program, they earned the title of regular season NJAC Champions, by finishing conference play in first place, standing at 15-3.

The 2013-2014 squad will have big shoes to fill. The Roadrunners graduated six men this year, five of whom were starters that led the Roadrunners in all statistics categories and received post-season honors.

Senior guard Garret Thiel was tabbed as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while Elgin Brown, Treadwell, and Sanborn, took three of the NJAC First Team All-Conference spots, after recording a stellar year on the court for Ramapo. Thiel was also named to the NJAC Honorable Mention team, and was joined by Anthony LoRusso. “Although the future looks bright for my program, trying to replace the senior leadership and experience will be an extremely difficult task,” added McBreen.

Senior Garret Thiel cuts down the net, a tradition after winning the NJAC Championships

Senior captains and head coach collect NJAC Championship Trophy from Ramapo Athletic Director and NJAC Commissioner. (L-R): Director of Athletics Chuck Gordon, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen, Garret Thiel ’13, Anthony LoRusso ’13, Stephon Treadwell ’13 and NJAC Commissioner Terry Small

(L-R): Director of Athletics Chuck Gordon, Will Sanborn ’15 and Men’s Head Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen

(L-R): Mike Nweeme ’13, Will Sanborn ’15, Elgin Brown ’14, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen, Stephon Treadwell ’13, Anthony LoRusso ’13, Garret Thiel ’13 celebrate Treadwell’s 1,000th point

www.ramapo.edu

31

4/29/13 8:23 AM

DATEBOOK

SATURDAY, MAY 4 Berrie Center Presents Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, 8.p.m.

Visit www.ramapo.edu/ berriecenter for tickets.

SUNDAY, MAY 5 Undergraduate Open House Contact Admissions at 201.684.7300 for information.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 Arching Ceremony. 5:30 p.m.

Mansion Road, Ramapo College of New Jersey

GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR.

MONDAY, JULY 22–THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 Princeton Review SAT Prep 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sponsored by CIPL. Pre-registration required Contact cipl@ramapo.edu.

MONDAY, AUGUST 5–FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 Financial Literacy/Stock Market Trading Lab Camp. Sponsored by CIPL. Pre-registration required.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Contact cipl@ramapo.edu.

Contact jtunnicl@ramapo.edu for information.

FRIDAY, MAY 17 Commencement 2013, 10 a.m.

Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ Contact jtunnicl@ramapo.edu for information.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 Motorcycle Rally, 4 p.m.

The ride starts at The Arch at Ramapo College For information, email lkloak@ramapo.edu.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 SC-138-Ramapo Explorers Information Session.

Sponsored by CIPL. 5 p.m.

Please sign up at: https://crm. orionondemand.com/crm/forms/ E3GaKzx6G0x670c24

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 ASB-527-Financial Literacy/Stock Market Trading Camp Information Session. Sponsored

by CIPL. 7–8 p.m.

Please sign up at: https://crm. orionondemand.com/crm/forms/ McaB12c0k03m0x670c24

THURSDAY, JULY 11 Slippery When Wet—Bon Jovi Tribute 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (Fireworks Rain date: July 18). Rain location: Bradley Center.

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 Shirley Alston Reeves (original lead singer of the Shirelles) 8 p.m. Rain location: Bradley Center.

James Pettincki and Michele Bailin ’91

Stay Connected This could be a photo from your wedding! Send us pictures of those special moments to alumni@ramapo.edu. (Don’t forget to send high-res photos and captions.)

Did you have a great time at a regional alumni event?

Have a suggestion for a future gathering? Let us know!

Visit us at www.ramapo.edu/alumni and tell us what you like and what you’d like to see more of. This is your Ramapo, and we want to ensure that your alumni experience is thoroughly enjoyable.

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Jimmy & the Parrots— Jimmy Buffett Tribute 8 p.m. Rain location: Bradley Center.

GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR. CHAIRMAN www.ramapo.edu/alumni provides access to Alumni/Foundation resources, a directory of faculty and staff, and much more. Go to the Alumni/Foundation link, then you will have access to: • Calendar of Events

• Class Notes

• Alumni Benefits

• Alumni Galleries

• Support your College

• Alumni E-Newsletter

Ramapo Explorers Summer Camp, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pre-registration required.

Sponsored by CIPL

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

• Alumni Spotlight

• Ramapo Magazine

Contact cipl@ramapo.edu.

MONDAY, JULY 15

Beginnings—Chicago Tribute 8 p.m. Rain location: Bradley Center.

26th Annual Foundation Golf Outing. The Tuxedo Golf Club

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

Tuxedo Park, NY

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

For information, email lkloak@ramapo.edu.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 32-3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

“THE STRENGTHS OF THE INSTITUTION BEGIN AND END WITH THE STUDENTS.” JOANNE AND GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR.

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

MONDAY, JULY 8–FRIDAY, JULY 19

32

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

1.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT RAMAPO COLLEGE? Candidly, I am both thrilled and humbled by this opportunity to serve Ramapo College as capacity as Chair. Before accepting the nomination, I spoke at length with President Peter Mercer, along with Former Chair A.J. Sabath, so I could fully understand the rigors of the position. I accept this challenge and believe that with the support of my fellow trustees and the entire community, we can together accomplish much.

2.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE INSTITUTION’S GREATEST STRENGTHS? The strengths of the institution begin and end with the students.

I believe that we have a fabulous faculty, administration, and staff, and find that the more time I spend on campus meeting the people that make Ramapo what it is, I am proud to be involved and excited to lead.

3.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR TENURE? I had the opportunity to be involved in this strategic planning process from the beginning. I firmly believe once it is adopted and enacted, along with the campus-wide master plan, it will serve as a blueprint for my term as Chair and beyond.

Additionally, I hope my leadership will more fully engage the Board and provide opportunities for trustees to become more involved and knowledgeable.

4.

GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND IN PHILANTHROPY, HOW WILL THAT SHAPE YOUR LEADERSHIP? In my experience, Board leadership needs to be both stimulating and purposeful at all levels. The role of Chair is to support and forge a partnership with the President. Peter Mercer and I have worked closely on a number of important and challenging issues, and I believe our relationship and view of the future of Ramapo will allow us to work collaboratively to bring about appropriate change and growth.

www.ramapo.edu

4/29/13 8:23 AM

DATEBOOK

SATURDAY, MAY 4 Berrie Center Presents Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, 8.p.m.

Visit www.ramapo.edu/ berriecenter for tickets.

SUNDAY, MAY 5 Undergraduate Open House Contact Admissions at 201.684.7300 for information.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 Arching Ceremony. 5:30 p.m.

Mansion Road, Ramapo College of New Jersey

GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR.

MONDAY, JULY 22–THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 Princeton Review SAT Prep 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sponsored by CIPL. Pre-registration required Contact cipl@ramapo.edu.

MONDAY, AUGUST 5–FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 Financial Literacy/Stock Market Trading Lab Camp. Sponsored by CIPL. Pre-registration required.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Contact cipl@ramapo.edu.

Contact jtunnicl@ramapo.edu for information.

FRIDAY, MAY 17 Commencement 2013, 10 a.m.

Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ Contact jtunnicl@ramapo.edu for information.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 Motorcycle Rally, 4 p.m.

The ride starts at The Arch at Ramapo College For information, email lkloak@ramapo.edu.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 SC-138-Ramapo Explorers Information Session.

Sponsored by CIPL. 5 p.m.

Please sign up at: https://crm. orionondemand.com/crm/forms/ E3GaKzx6G0x670c24

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 ASB-527-Financial Literacy/Stock Market Trading Camp Information Session. Sponsored

by CIPL. 7–8 p.m.

Please sign up at: https://crm. orionondemand.com/crm/forms/ McaB12c0k03m0x670c24

THURSDAY, JULY 11 Slippery When Wet—Bon Jovi Tribute 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (Fireworks Rain date: July 18). Rain location: Bradley Center.

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 Shirley Alston Reeves (original lead singer of the Shirelles) 8 p.m. Rain location: Bradley Center.

James Pettincki and Michele Bailin ’91

Stay Connected This could be a photo from your wedding! Send us pictures of those special moments to alumni@ramapo.edu. (Don’t forget to send high-res photos and captions.)

Did you have a great time at a regional alumni event?

Have a suggestion for a future gathering? Let us know!

Visit us at www.ramapo.edu/alumni and tell us what you like and what you’d like to see more of. This is your Ramapo, and we want to ensure that your alumni experience is thoroughly enjoyable.

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

THURSDAY, JULY 25 Jimmy & the Parrots— Jimmy Buffett Tribute 8 p.m. Rain location: Bradley Center.

GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR. CHAIRMAN www.ramapo.edu/alumni provides access to Alumni/Foundation resources, a directory of faculty and staff, and much more. Go to the Alumni/Foundation link, then you will have access to: • Calendar of Events

• Class Notes

• Alumni Benefits

• Alumni Galleries

• Support your College

• Alumni E-Newsletter

Ramapo Explorers Summer Camp, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pre-registration required.

Sponsored by CIPL

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

• Alumni Spotlight

• Ramapo Magazine

Contact cipl@ramapo.edu.

MONDAY, JULY 15

Beginnings—Chicago Tribute 8 p.m. Rain location: Bradley Center.

26th Annual Foundation Golf Outing. The Tuxedo Golf Club

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

Tuxedo Park, NY

Contact jzellers@ramapo.edu for information.

For information, email lkloak@ramapo.edu.

Ramapo College Magazine Spring 2013

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 32-3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

“THE STRENGTHS OF THE INSTITUTION BEGIN AND END WITH THE STUDENTS.” JOANNE AND GEORGE C. RUOTOLO, JR.

Admission is free. Parking is $5/vehicle.

MONDAY, JULY 8–FRIDAY, JULY 19

32

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

1.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT RAMAPO COLLEGE? Candidly, I am both thrilled and humbled by this opportunity to serve Ramapo College as capacity as Chair. Before accepting the nomination, I spoke at length with President Peter Mercer, along with Former Chair A.J. Sabath, so I could fully understand the rigors of the position. I accept this challenge and believe that with the support of my fellow trustees and the entire community, we can together accomplish much.

2.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE INSTITUTION’S GREATEST STRENGTHS? The strengths of the institution begin and end with the students.

I believe that we have a fabulous faculty, administration, and staff, and find that the more time I spend on campus meeting the people that make Ramapo what it is, I am proud to be involved and excited to lead.

3.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR TENURE? I had the opportunity to be involved in this strategic planning process from the beginning. I firmly believe once it is adopted and enacted, along with the campus-wide master plan, it will serve as a blueprint for my term as Chair and beyond.

Additionally, I hope my leadership will more fully engage the Board and provide opportunities for trustees to become more involved and knowledgeable.

4.

GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND IN PHILANTHROPY, HOW WILL THAT SHAPE YOUR LEADERSHIP? In my experience, Board leadership needs to be both stimulating and purposeful at all levels. The role of Chair is to support and forge a partnership with the President. Peter Mercer and I have worked closely on a number of important and challenging issues, and I believe our relationship and view of the future of Ramapo will allow us to work collaboratively to bring about appropriate change and growth.

www.ramapo.edu

4/29/13 8:23 AM

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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

Pushing Boundaries SUCCESS BEYOND RAMAPO Faculty who teach and mentor.

Foundation for a lifetime of achievement.

Manuel Irizarry Jr. ’97 SSAIS Associate Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP, Counsellors at Law, Saddle Brook, NJ

Elysa Gonzalez ’85 CA Senior Vice President, Marketing Active International, Pearl River, NY

“I’ve always gravitated towards communication and believe that while people can learn many things, you can only go so far if you aren’t able to communicate your ideas. As a Communications major, Ramapo provided me with important skills that I continue to use years later. These skills have become a cornerstone and I value them more than ever

“The faculty was fabulous, with attention paid to all students. Their ability to communicate materials, willingness to stay after hours and give extra help and advice, and especially their support during stressful times with family, work and studies was invaluable. Professors took a personal interest in you to bring out things that you didn’t even see in yourself.”

Hands-on learning and professional development that prepares.

The advantages of a small elite college at an affordable price.

Keith Sedlak ’93 ASB Chief Revenue Officer McMurry/TMG, New York, NY

“It is VERY important to do a coop or internship.

Coupling academic learning with real life business experience is invaluable. What kept me at Ramapo was the opportunity for a coop job. I was able to parlay my education and 2 year coop experience with Seiko Optical Products in Mahwah into a full-time job immediately after graduation. In fact, a Ramapo alum was my boss and we’re still friends today.”

Robert Keane ’86 SSAIS Vice-President, Content JCPR, Inc., Parsippany, NJ

“I loved the atmosphere, openness, interaction and the age differences in the Ramapo College community. It was so diverse which added to my educational experience. Fast forward, when my son was looking at colleges, he liked Ramapo best out of all the other state schools.

He’s a proud alum too, class of 2008!”

Choosing the right college or university is a major life event and at Ramapo, we strive to provide you with the needed resources.

AN ELITE VALUE • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities (North).

• Listed by Kiplinger’s as one of 100 Best Values in Public Colleges for eight consecutive years, based on combining outstanding education with economic value.

2010215-42_Spring_Magazine.indd 4

• Listed by The Princeton Review as a Best Regional College (Northeast).

• Named by John Templeton Foundation as a Character Building College.

• The undergraduate business program through the Anisfield School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

At Ramapo, we push our own boundaries.

We’re committed to maintaining the highest quality campus facilities to reflect the world that our graduates will find themselves in. We’re seeing beyond today—creating a learning environment where you will succeed in the future.

Find out more. Call us at 201.684.7254 or visit us at www.ramapo.edu.

4/29/13 8:23 AM