SPRING 2019
AT YOUR SERVICE STUDENTS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND
(L-R): President Mercer, Brian T. Wilson ’03, Director of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Terra Vandergaw and Dean Peter Campbell at the Berrie Center 20th Anniversary Kick-off
FROM THE DESK of the PRESIDENT Dear Friends, It is wonderful to share with you this issue of the Ramapo Magazine. It is brimful with stories highlighting the volunteerism and service of our students, faculty, and staff. Ramapo has a thriving tradition of service to others and this tradition flourishes on our campus for good reason: we actively engage our students in and out of the classroom. Each academic year, our students contribute their time, energy and skills at a wide variety of community partner organizations and with people from equally diverse backgrounds through their participation in athletic teams and clubs and organizations and through programming delivered by the Civic and Community Engagement Center. A few examples:
President Mercer congratulates Marissa Meyer ’19 who received the Madeleine Ehlert Williams Food and Nutrition Scholarship
• Our student-led Run with Color raises several thousand dollars per year for Ramapo College student scholarships, • Our Lead 4 Diversity initiative connects Ramapo undergraduates with students from Passaic High School as part of an initiative to expose traditionally underrepresented high school students to various aspects of college life, and • Earlier this year, Telemundo featured the College’s partnership with the Teaneck-based Math Adventures and Word Play organization in which our undergraduates have been serving as volunteer Saturday tutors for the past eight years. Service to others is also front-and-center at Ramapo through the scholarly work of our students, faculty and staff. The experiential component of learning at Ramapo introduces our students to experiences such as internships, co-ops, presenting a research paper of original, scholarly work at a professional conference or in an academic journal, and study abroad. Through these experiences, our students cultivate opportunities to contribute meaningfully to fields of study, not-for-profit organizations, and a variety of communities. Recent examples of this include: • Senior Christina Dwyer’s receipt of a Fulbright Award which will take her to South Korea for 13 months to serve as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. and as an English as a Second Language instructor,
(L-R): Margaret Mullen-Gensch, Kim Evans ’20 and President Mercer at a recent gathering of Ramapo students and their Board of Governors mentors
• Spanish Professor Iraida Lopez’ receipt of a Fulbright Award to Chile to conduct research and teach postgraduate courses at the University of Chile and the Catholic University of Chile, and • Associate Dean of Nursing Kathy Burke’s receipt of a National Institute for Health grant for her work with the Ramapough Lunaape Nation on health intervention The pages that follow are full of additional inspiring contributions of members of Ramapo College. Please spread word of these contributions and consider how you might become a part of this tradition of service. Your continued support is most appreciated.
Peter P. Mercer, Ph.D. President, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (District 19) and President Mercer when she recently spoke with students on campus
PRESIDENT’S CABINET Peter P. Mercer, J.D., Ph.D. President Stefan Becker Provost Cathleen Davey Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kirsten Loewrigkeit Vice President for Administration and Finance Nicole Morgan Agard Chief Equity & Diversity Officer Director of Employee Relations Christopher Romano Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Michael A. Tripodi Vice President and General Counsel Brittany Williams-Goldstein Chief of Staff and Board Liaison BOARD OF TRUSTEES William F. Dator Chair BOARD OF GOVERNORS Debra M. Perry ’85 Chair Carolyn Merkel ’78 Chair, Alumni Association Board RAMAPO MAGAZINE Cathleen Davey Editor-in-Chief Angela Daidone Assistant Editor Mary Cicitta ’07, ’16 Production Editor Janelle Ferraro ’14 Graphic Designer Carolyn Herring Photography Editor José Hernández ’98 Contributing Photographer Elizabeth Brand Angela Daidone Claudia Esker Contributing Writers This magazine can be made available upon request in alternate media. 201.684.7611. Alumni contact and change of address: Joanne Favata, Director of Alumni Relations at 201.684.7115 Student Relations contact: Melissa Van Der Wall, Dean of Students at 201.684.7457
(L-R): HCCC President Chris Reber, Senator Sandra Cunningham (District 31) and Ramapo President Peter P. Mercer Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Christopher
TRANSFER PARTNERSHIP SIGNED WITH HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Ramapo College and Hudson County Community College (HCCC) in Jersey City, N.J., have taken steps to strengthen their long-standing partnership by signing the Archway to Ramapo Program, effective for fall 2019. This collaborative agreement is specifically designed to create opportunities for a seamless two-year to four-year transition for students who begin their undergraduate studies at HCCC. The agreement also provides an alternate route to Ramapo College for students from Hudson County who may not initially meet admissions standards but will benefit from the A.A./A.S. degree at HCCC. “This agreement is an extension of both colleges’ commitment to put students first. We know that intentional advisement and clear streamlined pathways to the bachelor’s degree are integral components of student success,” said Peter P. Mercer, President of Ramapo College.
in this issue SPRING 2019 | COLLEGE MAGAZINE FEATURES
2 Feature: At Your Service - Student Volunteerism DEPARTMENTS 8
Q&A with the Provost
17
Foundation News
11
Faculty Spotlight
21
Athletics
12
College News
23
Class Notes
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Alumni Profile Ramapo Magazine sincerely regrets and apologizes for the misidentification of Terrence Knox in the EOF Trailblazers feature story in the last issue. At left pictured are Mr. Knox and his family, who attended the EOF 50th Anniversary reception held in fall 2018.
Ramapo Magazine is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications: Melissa Horvath-Plyman AVP Marketing and Communications www.ramapo.edu
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(L-R): Matt Tuohy ’19, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; Emma Lucier-Keller ’19; Relay for Life; Nicholas Koehler ’19, RallyCap Sports; Christine Sae ’22, Leaders in Service; and Alejandrina De La Cruz ’20, Greek Life
AT YOUR
SERVICE Ramapo students dedicate their time and talent for others. By Angela Daidone
AMONG THE HALLMARKS that distinguish Ramapo College as a special place are its dedication to preparing students to become successful leaders of a changing world through its distinctive commitment to hands-on learning, student engagement and community involvement. Upon walking through the College’s historic Arch as new Roadrunners, each Ramapo student takes an important step in fulfilling that mission. Volunteerism and service to others become as important as their academic goals and help define them as global citizens, compassionate individuals and true success stories in their own right.
RallyCap Sports member Alexandra Kaye ’19 (right) and program participant
NEVER OFF-SEASON FOR ROADRUNNER STUDENT-ATHLETES
The annual Ramathon “For the Kids” raises hundreds of dollars for the Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Kathleen Finnegan, associate director of athletics and advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), said each of the College’s 20 teams is required to engage in at least two community service projects throughout the year. “Even though it’s part of the team requirement, all of the athletes put their time in happily,” said Finnegan, who has advised the SAAC for 20 years.
Student-athletes also participate each year in the collection canned food items that are distributed to food pantries by the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s “Cans Across the Conference” initiative. In 2017 alone, the Roadrunners contributed to the more than 10,800 cans that were collected through the group effort.
Among the volunteer efforts in 2018, student-athletes held “Tacos for Texas and Florida” with other student organizations and collected $6,000 for hurricane relief victims; they held an on-campus event that raised $3,230 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; and each team donated and distributed Thanksgiving baskets to the Mahwah Center for Food Action for families in need. They also participate in coat drives and collect, wrap and distribute hundreds of toys for the annual holiday Toys for Tots drive in conjunction with the Mahwah Police Department.
I am amazed at the way our Ramapo College student-athletes just get it. They always find time during their busy schedules to perform community service and reach out to those less fortunate.” - HAROLD CROCKER | DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
However, it is not all about just raising dollars for a good cause. Other initiatives involve donating their time and talents. For instance, each spring, Ramapo athletes host a Special Olympics event on campus, offering support and encouragement to specialneeds youngsters who compete in various events. One day during the 2017-2018 basketball season, the men’s team visited the Brandywine Senior Living facility in Mahwah, N.J. The connection between the team and Brandywine residents was so genuine and heartwarming that the relationship has continued, with the residents becoming their own cheerleading squad for the games. In 2018, the College’s student-athletes were recognized for their volunteer efforts at the annual reception of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, which honors the kindness and generosity of members of the business community. Dubbed the College’s Roadrunners Give Back initiative, Ramapo was among the thirty-nine entities, including leading manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, and colleges who were honored as “Champions of Good Works.” “I am amazed at the way our Ramapo College student-athletes just get it. They always find time during their busy schedules to perform community service and reach out to those less fortunate,” said Director of Athletics Harold Crocker. “Hopefully we will continue to build on these and other relationships and keep ‘community service’ an important component of our student-athletes’ lives.”
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THE GREEKS GO FOR IT Ramapo College is home to 25 diverse national and international fraternities and sororities, which offer numerous opportunities for personal, intellectual and social development for their members. Greek life on campus focuses on four pillars: leadership, scholarship, service and brotherhood/sisterhood. Amanda Riehl, coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Ramapo, said students who participate in the Greek organizations are dedicated to community outreach and provide valuable service to those in need. “In the fall 2018 semester alone, the Fraternity and Sorority community completed 5,278 hours of community service hours,” said Riehl, noting that those hours were completed at numerous service sites and with a variety of different organizations. “Some projects were on campus, like writing letters to U.S. armed service members stationed overseas, or creating blankets for animals in shelters. Students also participated in campus clean-up projects.” However, she added, many projects are year-round. “Our members regularly visit local food shelters, and volunteer with the Bergen County Horse Rescue, the Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization and the Oakland (N.J.) Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center,” said Riehl, noting that the Greek organizations also donate a great deal of time working with children. Throughout the semester, they visit House on the Hill Day Care Center in Goshen, N.Y.
(L-R): Ryan Greff ’20 and Hunter Cool ’20 participate in Move Out For Hunger.
Additionally, the Fraternity and Sorority Life community raised more than $17,000 in the fall 2018 semester. Among the beneficiaries were St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital, Susan G. Komen, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Wounded Warrior Project, Alliance for Lupus Research, Prevent Child Abuse America, Jewish Women International, the Arthritis Foundation and the National Cancer Institute’s Colorectal Cancer Research.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT HAS ITS REWARDS While volunteer work is a critical resource for many of these organizations, volunteering can also provide benefits for the volunteers themselves. Karen Booth, assistant director of the Civic and Community Engagement Center (CCEC), which is a division of the Center for Student Success (CSI), said the mission of CCEC is to have young people become aware of civic as well as political issues and concerns and to think critically, creatively and in concert with others about helping to solve those problems. “By combining awareness, education and action for active citizenship and democratic participation, students learn to become agents of positive change in our local communities and the wider world,” said Booth. 4
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
The Civic and Community Engagement Center student staff strives to promote civic awareness, literacy, and engagement in various aspects of student life. (L-R) Seated: Jennifer Daniel ’20, Matthew Lowe ’20 (L-R) Standing: Elsu Mathew ’21, Allison Goddard ’19, Dionaisy Caceres ’21, Achyut Gautam ’19, Claudia Wetzel ’20
AT YOUR SERVICE
Students volunteering at the NATUWA Sanctuary in Costa Rica
While in Nepal, we had the opportunity to learn how to farm potatoes with local farmers. They walked us through the whole process of organizing potato sprouts, digging the appropriate depth, and properly packing our plantings in an efficient way that would lead to a successful crop! It was one of the many engaging and educational experiences that I had the pleasure of taking part in and would have never gotten to experience it without Ramapo College.” - MIRIAM SOKOLSKA ’22 Alternative Spring Break: Nepal
Kyila Sivers ’20 works the compost pile as a volunteer with MEVO (Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc.).
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MATT TUOHY Major: Computer Science Class of 2019 “Volunteering gives me the opportunity to give back to a community that has given me so much. This is the best way to show gratitude for everything I have.”
During alternative break trips, teams of college students engage in community service typically focused on a particular social issue such as poverty, education reform or conservation. Trips are usually about one week in duration. Along with performing service, the groups also learn about the culture, customs and socio-economic conditions of the place—be it a destination abroad or here in the U.S.—where they are volunteering. Alternative break destinations in 2018-2019 included working at the NATUWA wildlife sanctuary in Aranjuez, Costa Rica; participating with Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, North Carolina; and visiting Kathmandu, Nepal, where students spent time on local farms and doing hands-on work with a local artist activist.
ALEJANDRINA DE LA CRUZ Major: Accounting Class of 2020 “Being involved and volunteering helps me build memories at Ramapo and is a representation of who I am and what I believe in.”
EMMA LUCIER-KELLER Majors: History and American Studies Class of 2019 “I volunteer because I love working with others and enjoy the community that is built around service work.”
NICHOLAS KOEHLER Major: Global Communications and Media Class of 2019 “I started the RallyCap Sports program to honor a cousin who passed away and to help other special needs children enjoy sports.”
CHRISTINE SAE Major: Nursing Class of 2022 “I volunteer because I enjoy being able to bring positivity to others and make them feel like their voices are heard.”
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The Leaders in Service program allows incoming first-year students the opportunity to get involved with service projects, political engagement and leadership opportunities at Ramapo before their first semester begins. The Leaders in Service Class of 2020 volunteered more than 320 hours of community service prior to the beginning of their first semester. Most will continue their civic involvement throughout their time at Ramapo.
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
Participation in alternative breaks contributes to self-discovery, self-growth, and working as a part of a team towards a common goal, but Booth noted, “The students gain valuable insight that often stays with them throughout their lives.”
FOR THE LOVE OF LITERACY The Ramapo Readers began as a project to provide books for young children and their families who might otherwise have no access to reading material beyond class texts. Now in its 10th year, the Ramapo Readers, comprised mostly of student leaders from the Social Work Program and student and faculty volunteers, have collected more than 155,000 books, most of which have been distributed among all 52 public schools in Paterson, N.J. The number of volunteers each semester depends on the donation volume, but support for the project remains steady. “Our student leaders train the volunteers, coordinate their schedules and organize donor drop-offs,” said Associate Professor of Social Work Kim Lorber, advisor and founder of the group. “The goal is to take someone else’s treasures, with which they could not otherwise part, and repurpose them for those who await the magic of reading.” The volunteers sort the donated books according to academic age group before boxing and labeling them for distribution. Schools use the books for their classrooms as well as for the personal collections of the students and their families. “Ramapo Readers exists to promote literacy,” said Lorber. “We envision families reading together instead of everyone being busy with technology. The imagination is priceless and children can learn about so much and visit places near and far from these donations. My dream is to one day have a student find me on campus and say they chose Ramapo College because we gave them books which created in them a love of reading and learning.”
In the basement of the Birch Mansion the Ramapo Readers are collecting and sorting donated books. (L-R) Front Row: Marina Ciniglio ’19, Katie Fucito ’20, Morgan Aronoff ’20, Ashley Gomez ’20, Natalie Molion ’20, Delaney Krzysik ’20 (L-R) Back Row: Katherine Pabon ’20, Deanna Muschella ’20, Amanda Nafash ’19, Ally Deptuch ’20
Each year students, staff and community partners participate in Relay for Life to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and survivors. Photo Courtesy of Angelica Pasquali ’19
Members of the Women’s Cross Country team collect and sort canned food items for local food pantries.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations at Ramapo, including cultural, academic, religious, recreational, entertainment, political, social and special interest groups that are run by students under the general supervision of the Center for Student Involvement. Each operates under its own constitution, according to the interests and enthusiasm of its membership. What they have in common, however, is the enthusiasm for making a difference in the lives of others. For many groups, that commitment takes root in familiar issues. For instance, the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) participated in the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Hackensack University Medical Center. Students provided activities for elder patients on a hospital unit, providing time for nurses to focus on patient care and patient safety. NSO created coloring books for pediatric patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, N.J., and organized on-campus panels and flyer distribution to bring awareness to issues such as autism and premature births. They
also participated in an information session, with the Ramapough Turtle Clan, about the exposure to toxins in the local region, and NSO held a “Senior Prom” on campus for residents of senior living centers in Mahwah, Oakland, Midland Park and Dumont, providing transportation to and from the campus for dinner and dancing. Other clubs and organizations are simply dedicated to making an impact in the community. They have held clothing drives for the homeless, wrote letters to U.S. armed service troops overseas, collected much-needed school supplies for nearby elementary students, and organized on-campus blood drives. One club, RallyCap Sports, was created to provide opportunities for special needs children to enjoy and participate in sports. The list of volunteer efforts is as varied as the clubs themselves. “The desire of our students to do service for others goes beyond the traditional realms,” said Eric Montgomery, assistant director of Student Activities. “They are dedicated to each and every cause they tackle, and the depth of their commitment is remarkable.” www.ramapo.edu
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Q&A WITH THE PROVOST
Q&A with
PROVOST
BECKER
Dr. Stefan Becker joined Ramapo College as Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs on July 1, 2018. In the almost one year since his arrival, he has made his presence known on campus. In addition to meeting regularly with the deans and members of the faculty, he seems just as comfortable having an informal lunch chat with staff in the Padovano Commons, taking photos with students at the recent Distinguished Citizens Dinner at the Rockleigh Country Club, and joining in on the occasional German Language Happy Hour. When Ramapo Magazine asked if he would sit for an interview with student Thalia Holst ’19, he readily agreed.
What initially drew you to Ramapo College? The first time I saw Ramapo College was when I came here for hiking on the mountain trails. The College always looked really nice, but I never looked more into it. Then a son of a friend of mine started studying here and I heard he had a great experience. So when I saw Ramapo had this position open, I researched what the faculty were doing. I was also curious about what the students were saying about Ramapo, and that was very encouraging. I discovered that so many students value their experience here and they say the professors are really making a difference for them. I also read the College’s strategic plan to learn where the College wants to go and what were the perspectives. That resonated with me, because I thought I could see myself making a difference and moving initiatives forward that I am very passionate about and that seemed to be close to the faculty, as well. I can say enthusiastically that I’m in the right place. I like what I’m doing, I have many ideas, many perspectives, and I haven’t looked back at all.
Once you arrived, what was your initial impression of Ramapo College? I have enjoyed being at Ramapo from the day I arrived. The structure was new to me. I’ve never been at an institution that doesn’t have departments, but I kept an open mind. One crucial aspect is that, as provost, you collaborate with the deans and, in some cases, it may seem that because you have different ideas, different styles, it might not gel. By now I’ve had enough time to assess the situation, and honestly, even though it may sound really cheesy, I couldn’t wish for a better group of deans to work with. I see their dedication and level of excitement about what they do, and really their willingness to think outside the box. I am throwing so many things at them, but we discuss everything because the goal is to develop our vision for Ramapo together. If you come as a provost to an institution and everything is running perfectly, there is nothing to improve on and nobody wins. But when an institution still has room for improvement, that is a challenge that I like very much. The campus itself, who would not love it here? What a beautiful place. I liked that from the moment I got here. Lehman College in the Bronx was also a nice campus, but nothing compared to here. And the best thing is you can hop on the bus and be in Times Square in an hour, so the location is fantastic.
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Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
Provost Becker and Thalia Holst ’19
Was there anything that really stood out to you about the College?
replace what we are currently doing, but as an addition. We will be very active in developing fully online programs.
Definitely the level of interest and commitment that I see from faculty and students in the institution. Quite the opposite of saying, ‘I come, teach, and go home,’ or ‘I come, listen and write, and go home.’ Everyone really wants to be part of a community, which was a very positive surprise for me.
One area could be our RN/BSN nursing program, and then possibly the nursing graduate programs. The model would be to have multiple start dates throughout the year, possibly six start days throughout the year. We are also looking at business programs and education programs to be fully online. Again, not to replace what we have, but we need to build our online presence to really stay competitive and account for the fact that the learning environment has changed and the needs of students have changed, as well.
Are there initiatives or projects you have undertaken since assuming the office of Provost? I have had many productive conversations about the strategic direction and where we will go with Ramapo College. We take pride in being the premier liberal arts college in New Jersey! We never want to deviate from this; this is going to be our signature. However, I think we need to think about new ways to expand the vision. We should never become stagnant. Our mission is to focus on student success, especially given the changes in higher education and the fact that more students are non-traditional. There are more working adults that come back to study but they do not necessarily have the liberty to take off a couple of years to join an institution. That is why online education has grown tremendously all over the world. We need to investigate this, not as something to
What do you feel Ramapo is doing well and how would you like to see us and help us improve in these fields? Let me get back to why I was attracted to Ramapo in the first place. I think what we are really doing well is making the connection between faculty and students, especially faculty caring for student success. Can we do better? By all means. But I think Ramapo College has already accomplished wonderful things in that respect. One thing I would like to see change is having more of an electronic workflow instead of paper. Hopefully we can get away from all this printing and paper. I want to keep my office paperless, but we are not quite there yet. www.ramapo.edu
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Q&A WITH THE PROVOST
Provost Lunch with students and staff in the Padovano Commons Provost Becker with students at the 2019 Distinguished Citizens Dinner at the Rockleigh Country Club
I grew up in a very different environment. My parents never went to college, so studying and getting into academia was never in perspective. But I wanted to become a teacher, so I studied, and then had the great fortune to meet one of the professors who mentored me, motivated me, was really an example for me to reach for the stars. This is what I would like to facilitate further. I would like us here to take an even more deliberate approach to mentoring students. Working with students beyond teaching in the classroom. Mentoring them on certain aspects in their careers, working together with students on research. That is how mentoring really takes place. I’ve seen fantastic examples, like in the neuroscience lab, and I know there are many more examples on campus where students get the chance to work with faculty and fully get that experience. That made the difference for me and that will make the difference for them. This is the one thing where I can say we are doing really well, but we can still do better. Also I would like to see us take our commitment to an international orientation more seriously. It is on our agenda, it is one of our pillars, but I think we can do a lot more. For me personally, the international experience had a big impact, so I would like us to explore that more. Are there any upcoming plans to bring new majors or degree programs to Ramapo? Our emphasis is still on undergraduate programs, but I hope to develop our expertise in select areas.
For example, having a doctorate in nursing is now so important in the field. I’m happy to say that a doctorate in nursing program just passed in the faculty assembly and we will take the next steps to add this to our curricula. We have several more programs that are in various stages of development, and I am encouraging all faculty to think about where we can branch out and where we can meet market needs, and student needs and interest. The one area I feel strongly about is data science, which was described by the Harvard Business Review as the ‘sexiest job of the 21st century.’ The amount of data that needs to be processed, analyzed and presented in different ways is growing by leaps and bounds. We are seeing such a great demand. My vision is not for us to be just another player in data science, but for us to take the lead on this one. So, if things will work out, Ramapo College will not only be known for being the top liberal arts college in New Jersey, it will also be known for being the hub in data science. Not just in New Jersey but among institutions along the East Coast. I’m committed to this. My hope is that this will be a program for which we will get buy-in from the entire campus. Data science encompasses everything — computer science, math, business, social sciences, natural sciences, even humanities and the arts. I would like Ramapo to be the leader. Currently there is an undergraduate and a graduate program under review, a testimony to the energy and dedication that I find on this campus. So stay tuned.
Thalia Holst is a fourth-year student pursuing dual degrees in Law and Society and International Business. She has been a commuter all four years, and she has been a member in a number of student organizations, including Greek Life and the Student Government Association. Most of all, she is very proud of and excited for her continuing future as a member of the Ramapo community at large. 10
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
In recognition of her dedication to the nursing program, Patterson was named the recipient of the 2019 Fred and Florence Thomases Faculty Award, given annually to a Ramapo College faculty member who demonstrates significant and ongoing contributions to the College. “I was totally surprised by this award,” said Patterson. “But this is what I’ve always wanted to do. I truly love my job. So to be acknowledged by my peers is very special.” Established in 1975 by Ramapo’s founding trustee Florence Thomases and her husband Fred, the prestigious award recognizes excellence in teaching, scholarship and contributions to the Ramapo community. The recipient of the award typically serves as grand marshal at the commencement exercises and carries the College mace at the ceremony. Kathleen Burke, Assistant Dean of Nursing, was among those who nominated Patterson for this year’s Thomases Award. “Elaine was one of the first faculty members to come to Ramapo when the Joint Program [previously staffed by UMDNJ nursing faculty] was established in 1993. She has made an indelible impact on the faculty, students and graduates of all of our programs,” said Burke. “She epitomizes the role of the academic nursing educator, through her scholarship, mentoring, cajoling, and teaching. Her constant engagement in the support of nursing excellence exemplifies her beliefs in nursing and nursing education. We are so lucky to have Elaine as a colleague.”
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
ELAINE PATTERSON
O
ne can get dizzy listening to all the places Professor Elaine Patterson has visited in her distinguished nursing career: 26 countries on five continents, including some of the most remote and underserved villages in Africa. Each visit, Patterson said, brings new insight to the need for increased global healthcare and, more important, stresses the need for more educated, knowledgeable and compassionate nurses.
Edward Saiff, Dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science, said, “Elaine is a senior member of our nursing program. She demonstrates excellence in the classroom, as a scholar and as a contributor to our governance system. She happily mentors new faculty and has helped develop study abroad programs in Sierra Leone and Ghana in Africa. She embodies all that Fred and Florence Thomases were looking for when they created this award.” Patterson earned her B.S.N. from Jersey City State College, and master’s degrees from New York University and Teachers College of Columbia University, where she also earned her Doctor of Education degree. She received certification in Midwifery from the University of the West Indies and Family Nurse Practitioner from Long Island University.
Addressing those needs is Patterson’s mission here at Ramapo, where every day she continues to make an impact as an instructor, mentor and role model to so many students in the College’s Nursing Program. “It is so important for me to provide support and encouragement to the students, who are working hard but often need courage and strength to keep going. I guess you can say I’m the best ‘encourager,’” said Patterson, smiling. “When I see the outcomes — the joy that our students feel when they complete their studies and their level of commitment — I am so proud.” Ghana is among the places Patterson, along with other nursing faculty, visits annually with the students. This experience, Patterson, said, is most rewarding. “As nurses, we have a responsibility to the world to share what we know, share what we have,” she said. “My motto is, ‘We can improve the world health through education.’ If you care for women and children, you are caring for the world.”
(L-R): Professor Elaine Patterson at the 2017 White Coat Ceremony with nursing students and Kathleen Burke, assistant dean of nursing
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COLLEGE NEWS
SENIOR SELECTED FOR FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT TEACHING AWARD TO SOUTH KOREA Senior Christina Dwyer ’19, a literature major from Denville, N.J., received an English Teaching Assistant grant from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, only the second-ever Fulbright scholarship to be awarded to a Ramapo college student. Christina will spend 13 months in South Korea teaching English and serving as a “cultural ambassador for the United States” beginning in July 2019. “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honor,” said Christina. “It’s going to be very intense but I am so excited for such an opportunity. I’m ready for this journey.” Established in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program is the largest U.S. international exchange program that offers opportunities to students, scholars, and professionals for graduate study, advanced research, and elementary, secondary, and university teaching across the globe. “The immensely competitive nature of a Fulbright Award cannot be overstated,” said Ramapo President Peter P. Mercer. “With guidance from a dedicated Ramapo College faculty mentor, Christina has already achieved, as an undergraduate, something that many learned people only hope to accomplish at some point in their lifetime.”
Professor Naseem Choudhury and Christina Dwyer ’19
take away when they leave her classroom. Her self-reflective and inclusive nature makes her an ideal representative of American culture and values in their totality. As a Fulbright recipient I have no doubt that she will be the ideal ambassador to the world.”
Professor Naseem Choudhury, director of the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships and Faculty Program Advisor for the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students at Ramapo College, said Christina is deserving of the Fulbright, considered one of the most prestigious awards given to an undergraduate student.
Upon arrival in South Korea in July, Christina will spend a six-week orientation period, which will include taking an intense Korean language course and other courses about Korean culture and history. After completion, she will meet her host family. While teaching English to Korean students, she also plans to introduce them to American folklore that represent various cultural groups within the United States.
“Christina is one of the most driven individuals I have met,” said Professor Choudhury. “She is clear in her desire to develop such bridges between the USA and South Korea. She is candid and honest, qualities that people gravitate toward and yet she is clearly aware that she is the image of America that people will
“This topic has always interested me and I’m very excited to have the chance to focus on this particular type of literature,” Christina said. “I am even more excited to create a conversation with my students as to how these works contrast with Korea’s traditional literature.”
SPECIALIZED SERVICES LISTED AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY According to collegemagazine.com, Ramapo College received a Top 10 ranking of schools in the country for students with physical disabilities. Collegemagazine.com, a national guide to campus daily life, ranked schools that “go above and beyond to make the transition to college life easy for students with disabilities.” David Nast, Director of the Office of Specialized Services at Ramapo, who was interviewed for the article, highlighted the College’s services, including accessibility in the academic buildings, residence halls, shuttle transportation, and campus-wide advocacy for awareness and inclusion for students with physical disabilities. Nast noted, “Even before it was law, Ramapo College of New Jersey demonstrated a strong commitment to providing equal access to all students through the removal of architectural and attitudinal barriers.”
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Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
Ramapo College, since its founding, has offered a rare feature among colleges and universities—its Academic Complex was designed to be fully interconnected, allowing for convenient indoor travel from classroom to classroom that protects students from the elements of weather. The College’s Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts is not only wheelchair accessible, but also offers companion seating in the theater. An assistive technology lab reserved for those with physical disabilities replaces a workspace and allows for individuals to work as efficiently as possible. Housing accommodations are made on a first-come-first-served basis. And to aid travel on and off campus, free shuttles are available to transport students throughout the campus grounds and to surrounding destinations, and buses into New York City stop directly at the College, reported Nast. www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-campuses-for-students-withphysical-disabilities
Students from the Forum School performed for the Spring 2019 NJCEC Conference.
NEW JERSEY COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN SPRING CONFERENCE ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF EDUCATORS More than 500 educators from across the state attended the New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children (NJCEC) Spring 2019 Conference held at Ramapo College of New Jersey. The all-day event is the premiere special education conference for New Jersey. “This was an incredible turnout for this conference. This really shows the dedication and commitment of special education teachers,” said Julie Norflus-Good, Director of the Master of Arts in Special Education Program at Ramapo College. She also serves as President of the NJCEC. “The NJCEC community encompasses so many diverse and extraordinary children, families, and educators. This collaboration is tremendous and impacts the lives of many,” she added. “I am so grateful for the College’s support of the NJCEC.” Ron Shuali, M.Ed., presented the keynote address “Yogarate: Integrating Positive Energy into Your Classroom.” Shuali is a noted educator, speaker and trainer on topics including social emotional learning, bullying solutions, and behavior management. The conference included more than 50 workshop presentations on topics including: Mindfulness in Education, Hot Button Legal Issues in Special Education, Using Technology to Empower Students with Disabilities, Pre-School Strategies, Building Collaborative Relationships Between Parents and School, and Multisensory Reading Strategies. Workshops also focused on ‘make-and-take’ activities, which teachers can bring back to their classrooms. Also in attendance were five students with special needs and their families who received scholarships.
Did you know? ... That Ramapo will be offering minors in Business Analytics, Civic and Community Leadership, Finance, and Marketing, and has added a
(L-R): Andrea Centrella-Nigro, Associate Professor Nursing, Donna Flynn, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Maureen Liberth, MSN, RNC-OB, EFM Nursing Education Specialist Holy Name Hospital
NURSING PROFESSIONALS MEET FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND RESEARCH CONFERENCE Nursing professionals from the area’s hospitals and medical centers attended a conference in March at Ramapo College. The focus of the conference was “Current Topics in Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Research.” The Northern New Jersey EBP/Research Consortium was formed by six local hospitals and medical centers, all of whom are members of the N.J. Council of Magnet Organizations. In all, more than 50 nursing professionals attended. “This type of collegiality is vital for nursing practice across the state of New Jersey,” said Kathleen Burke, assistant dean of the Nursing Program at Ramapo, adding that presentations included EBP projects conducted over the past year. Topics addressed research findings in patient care in geriatrics, behavioral health, neonatal care, obstetrics, and on-site safety in medical-surgical units, among others. Consortium members participating were Englewood Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Holy Name Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Ramapo College of New Jersey, St. Joseph’s Healthcare System and The Valley Hospital.
concentration in Music Education for fall 2019. www.ramapo.edu
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COLLEGE NEWS
ICE HOCKEY COMPETES AT NATIONALS In just its fourth year of operation, the Ramapo College’s Ice Hockey Club competed in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Tournament in Dallas, Texas. Despite a strong effort, the Roadrunners were ousted early, but just being there was quite an accomplishment. “We never thought that in just four years we would accomplish our goal of reaching the Nationals,” said Art Chill ’74, Director of Ice Hockey Operations for the Roadrunners. “This was an amazing experience for all of us.” Ramapo opened the tournament with back-to-back games, first against the University of South Florida and then Canada-based Sault College, ultimately falling to the more experienced squads in the late going. “Our guys never gave up even against teams who probably could have scored many more goals if they poured it on,” said Chill. Ramapo lost on a late goal by the University of Wisconsin in the final contest of the three-game round. But Chill added that he feels there is a very good chance of the Roadrunners going back to the national stage next year.
“We didn’t know what to expect competing as an independent team playing the top tier teams in the Atlantic Region. But we made it to Dallas and overall the season went well,” said Chill, who was the goalie on the original team, which first took the ice in 1972. After graduating, Chill served as coach until the program was discontinued in 1984. Following a 31-year hiatus, Ramapo brought back ice hockey as a club team in September 2015.
“Not only is it a beautiful country, but our students experienced a totally different culture,” said Hangen, who led the trip and first visited Nepal at age 19. “I was the same age when I first went as the students now, so I can certainly understand why they were so taken with it all.” Rajesh Adhikari, the Roukema Center’s director of international student and scholar services and a native of Nepal, provided onsite guidance throughout the trip.
HONORS PROGRAM VISITS NEPAL ON ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TRIP Fifteen students and members of staff and faculty traveled halfway across the globe for the first-ever Honors Program Alternative Spring Break trip. The Alternative Spring Break program at Ramapo College is co-sponsored by the Civic and Community Engagement Center and the Roukema Center for International Education, which provide funding and other support for the excursions. Susan Hangen, dean of the School of Humanities and Global Studies, said for the students, visiting Nepal was an experience of a lifetime. 14
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
Over the course of the 10-day trip, students worked with Mercy Corps, an international non-governmental organization that was created to help alleviate poverty and oppression throughout the world. Students helped build a road through a rural area, “wielding sledge hammers and carrying large rocks up a hill,” Hangen explained, adding that they also worked on local dairy farms and planted potatoes. Students also met and worked with activist and artist Asmina Ranjit, founder of LASANAA, a non-profit art organization established for the promotion of Nepali art to address societal issues. “Experiencing other cultures can make all the difference to students,” said Hangen, who added that there is a strong emphasis on community involvement and volunteerism in the country. “Our students witnessed that first-hand and had an opportunity to engage with Nepali students.” Among the other highlights of the trip were touring an ancient Buddhist stupa (place of worship), trekking three miles to a Tibetan monastery and hiking through a rhododendron forest. “The weather was absolutely perfect,” Hangen said.
DATA SHOWS JOB PLACEMENT OF GRADUATES A SUCCESS Students who select Ramapo College have an excellent chance of obtaining employment after graduation, according to Zippia.com, a website dedicated to providing job seekers with potential career resources. Ramapo was ranked Number 4 with a 92.75 percentage rating among New Jersey colleges that provide job opportunities for their students upon graduation.
(L-R): President Mercer and Superintendent Darren Boch
AGREEMENT WITH PATERSON GREAT FALLS NATIONAL PARK SHOWS COMMITMENT TO PRESERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY Ramapo College, the United States Department of the Interior and the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park have entered into a three-year partnership agreement, which will generate greater use of the Park’s historical, cultural and natural resources for educational purposes. The agreement will provide opportunities for internships, enrichment of the College’s curriculum, outreach to elementary and secondary schools, and the enhancement of on-site National Park Service programs and activities. "This partnership is of mutual interest and benefit to the College and the National Park,” said Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer. “Both of our institutions are committed to the sustainability and preservation of public resources including education, as well as our natural and cultural riches. Upon this common ground, we are excited to build curricular and extracurricular programs that engage our students, faculty, and communities." The Great Falls National Historical Park will host College presentations, lectures and events in the Park, which will help promote and make accessible to the public a commitment to a sustainable environment and an active involvement in a multicultural world. The partnership will also increase the visibility and importance of the Great Falls and its unique contribution as a focal point for the rebirth of the City of Paterson. Since its founding in 1969, Ramapo College of New Jersey has had a clear commitment to sustainability. As the world around us has come to realize the importance of renewable energy, pollution control, the elimination of waste and the adoption of “green practices,” the College has renewed its commitment to sustainability. To learn more about Ramapo College’s commitment to sustainability, visit www.ramapo.edu/ramapo-green
“We are pleased to be recognized by Zippia.com for our work to prepare students for life beyond Ramapo College” said Christopher Romano, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “We know that this is an important question that students ask about their experience and this ranking reaffirms the value of liberal arts education in that it prepares students for their future regardless of the major they choose.” Using IPEDS and College Scorecard Data, Zippia.com searched for the colleges in each state with the highest listed job placement ratings, looking specifically at employment levels at year 10 after students have graduated. The analysis was limited to the 30 public and non-profit, four-year institutions in New Jersey that offer at least a bachelor’s degree. IPEDS, the Integrated Postsecondary Education System used by the National Center for Education Statistics, consists of twelve interrelated survey components that are collected over three collection periods each year. The College Scorecard Data is provided by the U.S. Department of Education to increase public transparency on how well different schools are serving their students. Romano added, “Coming on the heels of our largest student-attended career fair in history, the College’s Cahill Career Development Center staff strives to engage, educate and empower students through individualized services, targeted programs, employer relationships, and campus partnerships to build a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement.” www.ramapo.edu
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ALUMNI PROFILE
Alumni Profile
ZULEIMA ALZATE Kindness Inspires Career in Social Work As a college student in her home country of Colombia, Zuleima Alzate studied journalism. She was in her third year of study when she came to the United States, but after her young son was diagnosed with autism, she turned her career aspirations to social work. “He needed so much help, and my husband and I were still going through the cultural transition process,” Zuleima recalls. A kind and knowledgeable social worker helped the family, and inspired Zuleima to switch careers. “I realized the tremendous need for bilingual social workers, and the help they could provide.” Today, Zuleima sees clients, mostly children and adolescents, who are facing a range of mental illnesses, to help educate and empower them and their families. She recently started working with children and families affected by a pediatric cancer diagnosis, and previously worked as a medical case worker with the Ryan White HIV/AIDs Program. Giving back is important to Zuliema, so in March she returned to Ramapo to participate in a symposium on Spanish for healthcare providers. She was a member of a panel of healthcare and human service professionals who shared best practices on addressing the Spanish speaking population. At home, Zuliema volunteers her time teaching Sunday school classes in a largely Hispanic community. “Working with the kids and their parents helps me to feel more confident in my everyday role as a social worker,” she says.
Ramapo Days Going back to school as an adult is already intimidating, but for Zuleima it was downright terrifying. She was 35 years old, married and a non-native English speaker – without much in common with a traditional college student. “I didn’t talk to anyone the first week,” Zuleima says. She was the only Spanish-speaking student in the program, but that didn’t stop her from learning, sharing and communicating with fellow students and professors. “Social work requires cooperation and teamwork,” she continues, “so by the second week I felt fully integrated into class.” Through the encouragement of her professors, she applied for and received several scholarships, including one from Ramapo alumna and benefactor Dr. Carol Schaefer ’84. The Schaefer award helped Zuleima attend NYU for her Master of Social Work. 16
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
(L-R): Steven Buckenberger ’20, Danielle Aguilera ’21, Zuleima Alzate BSW ’14, Amanda Eichmann ’22, Gabriela Romano ’19
Social work has shaped my understanding of human behavior and helped me to help others with compassion and care.”
FOUNDATION NEWS
A & A RIDGEWOOD NURSES The A & A Ridgewood Registered Professional Nurses Association is a non-profit association founded to “promote the excellence of independent and private nursing practice.” The group has awarded a scholarship to an undergraduate nursing student at Ramapo each year since 2003, and recently endowed their scholarship fund with a gift of $200,000. Endowing the scholarship will provide an enduring source of support for Ramapo’s nursing students. Pictured here is Nicole Valenzuela ’19, this year’s recipient. “I will be forever grateful for this scholarship, as it is helping me to get one step closer to my dream of becoming an oncology nurse.”
DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN SERVICES “Ouch!” may be the universal word for pain, but for healthcare and mental health professionals who treat native Spanish-speakers it is obviously not enough. The lack of language skills is a serious problem that can result in misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment, or worse. For health providers In New Jersey the need for advanced Spanish-language skills is especially important, since the greatest growth in population will be among Hispanics from Latin America. To address this need, Spanish professor Natalia SantamariaLaorden received a grant from the Undergraduate International Studies in Foreign Language program of the U.S. Department of Education. The grant allows Professor Laorden to develop four courses for a Spanish for Healthcare and Human Service Professionals certificate, including a study-abroad course in Peru and a language-immersion internship. Each year Professor Laorden will hold a symposium as part of the grant, to share her findings and best practices with other scholars, health care professionals, and students. The first symposium was held on March 29, and featured panel discussions, workshops, and a keynote address by Mecca Sykes-Santana, chief diversity officer at Westchester Center Health Network. A highlight of the day was a student showcase, where students performed instances of bilingual miscommunication.
(L-R): Trustee Vincent Colman, Drew Illingworth ’13, Victor Georgiev ’20, James Sowa ’19, Harry Bolton ’10
MENTOR DINNER “Act with integrity in everything that you do, stay agile, and give back in ways that are meaningful to you.” These are just a few of the words of wisdom that Vincent Colman, member of the College’s Board of Trustees, recently shared with Ramapo students and their mentors who are part of the Foundation Mentorship Program. Mr. Colman, the N.Y. Metro Vice Chairman of PwC, was the distinguished speaker at the program’s Annual Leadership Dinner. Now in its second year, the Ramapo College Foundation Mentorship Program matches students who have received scholarships through the Foundation with members of the Board of Governors and other Advisory Boards. The highly selective program is graduating its first cohort of mentees in May 2019. “Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship which helps Ramapo students and their mentors form lasting professional and personal networks,” said Alison Banks-Moore ’77, Chief Diversity Officer at Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NJ, who chairs the Mentor Program. Several alumni of the College serve as mentors including Eileen Comerford ’80, Drew Illingworth ’13, Carolyn Merkel ’78, and Debra M. Perry ’85. www.ramapo.edu
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FOUNDATION NEWS
RAMAPO HELPS CELEBRATE PARTNERSHIP AT OPENING OF VERTICAL FARM Greens Do Good, a hydroponic vertical farm, opened its doors in Hackensack, N.J. in April, and offers locally-grown, sustainable produce to local restaurants and businesses. All proceeds from the farm will benefit REED Next, a program to support adults with autism. Greens Do Good is just one project funded by a state grant to the REED Foundation. Ramapo College is a partner with REED on this initiative, and provides faculty expertise in sustainability as well as student interns for the farm.
Ramapo alumnus Matt Ravetier ’18 put down roots in vertical farming when he was a student intern at the Meadowlands Environment Center, helping to get a mini vertical farm up and running. Today, as the farm technician at the Greens Do Good site in Hackensack, N.J., Matt is an integral part of the team that grows produce for sale directly to restaurants, markets and other outlets in the state.
(L-R): Assemblywoman Lisa Swain; Ramapo Professor Mike Edelstein; NJ Secretary of Agriculture, Honorable Doug Fischer; General Manager, Greens Do Good Chris Leishear; CEO REED Foundation for Autism Jill Nadison; Executive Director, Ramapo College Foundation Cathleen Davey; Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle; Assistant Vice President for Grants and Sponsored Research and Director of the Meadowlands Environment Center Angela Cristini; Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling; and Farm Manager, Greens Do Good Jessalin Jaume
FOUNDATION ALLOCATION GRANTS HELP RAMAPO STUDENTS GO GLOBAL
Students and professors in the Social Work program visited Portugal during spring break to study the country’s approach to substance abuse disorders.
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Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
This year the Ramapo College Foundation supported eight study abroad programs in locations around the world through Foundation Allocation Grants. Faculty and staff members can apply for an Allocations Grant to support a research project, guest lecturer, conference presentation — any project that enhances the intellectual atmosphere on campus. The eight study abroad programs helped students travel to Japan/Korea, Ghana, India, Portugal, Nepal, Peru, and Cuba to study under the direction of a Ramapo professor. The students learned about international business, international relations, sustainability, substance abuse, ecology, and social work by meeting with practitioners, scholars, and residents in each country.
(L-R): 2019 Honorees Lee Maas, Michael Hettesheimer ’99, Marlene Caride and Ira Kaltman pictured with President Mercer (center)
FOUNDATION HONORS FOUR INDIVIDUALS AT DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS DINNER The Ramapo College Foundation honored four individuals for their professional achievement, commitment and community service at its 37th Annual Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner. The honorees were recognized at a gala in March at the Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, N.J. The annual benefit dinner raises funds for student scholarships, faculty and student undergraduate research and campus projects. “The College is truly grateful for the dedication and service shown by these wonderful honorees,” said Ramapo College President Peter P. Mercer. “We thank them for their support of our students.” MARLENE CARIDE is Commissioner of Banking and Insurance for the state of New Jersey. She oversees New Jersey’s insurance, banking and real estate industries. Previously, Ms. Caride served three terms in the General Assembly, representing the 36th Legislative District where she served on the Assembly Financial institutions and Insurance Committee, the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation. She is a member of the Bar on the Supreme Court of the United States, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey. MICHAEL HETTESHEIMER ’99 is President of Spartech Solutions, LLC, an independent supplier of information technology hardware, software and support services. He also owns Sheimer’s Deli and Catering in Denville, N.J., SignA-Rama in Fairfield, N.J., and Sparc Management, which purchases rental properties throughout New Jersey. Mr.
Hettesheimer was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity while at Ramapo and held various leadership positions. He graduated from Ramapo College in 1999 with a B.A. in Communications. IRA J. KALTMAN is a member-in-charge of the Tax department at Beattie Padovano, LLC, focusing on taxation and estate planning. His practice includes mergers and acquisitions, the formation of charities, charitable trusts and asset protection. Mr. Kaltman serves as tax counsel to Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and has served on the boards of numerous charitable institutions. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation. LEE MAAS is Director, Business Protection and Facility Operations for Jaguar Land Rover North America. He is responsible for design, development and construction of its new North American headquarters in Mahwah, N.J. Previously, he served as the company’s Vice President of Network development in which he led national franchise strategy, location and construction for dealership facilities, retail performance management and retail reward and recognition programs. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner, as well as a silent auction. Dinner committee chairs were Peter Seminara ’00 and Roy Putrino. Event Sponsor was Stryker Corporation; Dinner Sponsor was Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.; Corporate Sponsors included BD, Beattie Padovano, LLC, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, and Konica Minolta. www.ramapo.edu
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FOUNDATION NEWS
MARGARET STARMER PROVIDED A LEGACY Twelve years ago Margaret J. Starmer ’84 was thinking about establishing a scholarship bequest for Ramapo students registered with the Office of Specialized Services (OSS). When Ms. Starmer was a student at Ramapo in the 1980s, she was impressed by the perseverance of a classmate who was blind. “OSS students have a tough enough life as it is,” Ms. Starmer said in 2007. “A scholarship will help a little and make them pleased that someone thought to help.” In addition to OSS students, Ms. Starmer’s bequest establishes an endowed scholarship for students in Ramapo’s Educational Opportunity Fund program. Margaret Starmer was born in London in 1937 and in her youth worked there as a shorthand typist. “She was an adventurous traveler,” says her partner Martin Wright, “and in the 1960s she went by ship to New York.” She worked as a shorthand typist, administrator, and buyer in New York and Minneapolis. She graduated from Ramapo in 1984 with a degree in Accounting, then worked in finance for a drug company in New York for the rest of her career, retiring in 2003. Ms. Starmer continued her love of travel and the outdoors until her death in 2017.
(L-R): Adelaine Tao ’19, one of the recipients of the Jeannette Kreiger Mytelka Memorial Scholarship, Arnold and Roz Mytelka and Brianna White ’22, who received the Herman Mytelka Memorial Scholarship for students entering Ramapo College from public high schools in Jersey City
SCHOLARS AND DONORS COME TOGETHER FOR ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER Each year the Ramapo College Foundation awards hundreds of private donor scholarships, and a highlight each spring is when scholarship recipients and their families meet their donors at the Annual Scholarship Dinner. More than $710,000 was provided to nearly 500 students. Among the guests at this year’s celebration was Arnold Mytelka, who served as chairman of the Ramapo College Board of Trustees from 1979-1980. Mr. Mytelka has funded two generous scholarship endowments at the College in memory of his parents, who were both educators in Jersey City.
LEARNING COMMONS UPDATE
Students in Linden Hall prepare for finals.
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Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
In January library operations — staff, books, special collections, computer labs, and study areas — packed up and moved to a temporary location in Linden Hall. The move was the first step in the creation of the Learning Commons, the renovation and expansion of Ramapo’s library facilities. The Learning Commons will add 20,000 square feet to the existing library, create technology-rich study rooms where groups of students can work on projects together, and increase the number of private study spaces. A dramatic wall of glass will extend the height of the building, facing the Ramapo Mountains. The College’s special collections (the Gross Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies, the American History Textbook Project, and the Jane Addams Papers Project) will be located together in the new building. The new building will also be home to the Krame Center for Contemplative Studies and Mindfulness Living, the Instructional Design Center, the Faculty Resource Center, and the Center for Reading & Writing. Students are excited about a cafe that will be located on the first floor. With the library functions settled into Linden, the sidewalk between the library and the Berrie Center has been closed to accommodate the demolition and construction.
ATHLETICS
FIELD HOCKEY PLAYERS EARN NATIONAL ACADEMIC RECOGNITION Thirteen members of the Ramapo College field hockey team were recognized for their outstanding efforts off the field. They were named to the Zag/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III National Academic Squad. This year, 1,746 student-athletes from 147 institutions were recognized by the NFHCA for their hard work in the classroom. Tracy Barhorst, Jessica Cacoso, Erin Callery, Melissa Choka, Melissa Doran, Victoria Ewanis, Stacey Faria, Autumn Laird, Angela Oskierko, Kelli Ratkoski, Samantha Stolker, Mariah Tovar and Claudia Wetzel were all named to the squad. Choka and Faria have the distinction of earning National Academic Squad recognition all four years of their collegiate career. The Division III National Academic Squad program honors student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.3 or higher through the first semester of the 2018-19 academic year.
Rob Lewis
2018 Field Hockey Team
Aviad Mana
WINTER SPORTS RECAP MEN’S BASKETBALL WRAPS UP SEASON IN NCAA TOURNEY The Roadrunners made a valiant run but ultimately finished their season at 18-10 after falling in the opening round of the NCAA D-3 Tournament, their third straight appearance in the national tourney. Senior Rob Lewis, who had been one of the Ramapo mainstays throughout the season, was named to the 2019 D3hoops.com All-Atlantic Region Team. Lewis led the Roadrunners with 14 double-doubles, finished second on the team with 454 points, and led the team with 292 rebounds. Among his season highlights were a career-high 35 points against Gordon College earlier this season and a career-high 17 rebounds against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival William Paterson University. He also started all 28 games while shooting 53 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line. HARSH EARNS NJAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HONOR Junior Jenna Harsh earned a spot on the NJAC Second Team All-Conference, the second post-season honor of her career. She earned honorable mention honors last year. She helped lead the Roadrunners to 11 wins, including a four-game win streak to open
the season and a sweep over conference rival William Paterson University. SWIMMERS SET NEW SCHOOL RECORDS The Ramapo men’s and Women’s Swim Teams fared well at the Metropolitan Collegiate Swimming Championships, with several Roadrunners setting new school records. On the men’s side, senior Aviad Mana swan the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:55.37. Sophomore Noah Callahan set a new school record in the 200-yard individual medley when he clocked in at 1:56.73. Freshman Josh Templeton set the new record in the 100yard freestyle when he posted a time of 46.46 in the lead-off leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay. For the women’s team, freshman Carissa Campbell set three new school records. She broke the 500-yard freestyle record in the preliminary (5:16.55), the 1,650-yard freestyle when she clocked in at 18:03.66, and the 1,000-yard freestyle record in 10:54.16. Fellow freshman Fiona Misiura captured a 2nd place finish in the Met Championships in the 200-yard butterfly with a new school record 2:10.61. www.ramapo.edu
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ATHLETICS
COACH MCBREEN ADDRESSES GROUP AT FINAL FOUR BANQUET Men’s basketball Head Coach Chuck McBreen spoke at the 2019 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Final Four banquet in Fort Wayne, Indiana. McBreen, who is in the second year of his four-year term serving on the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball National Committee, said, "It was very humbling and an amazing honor to be asked to speak."
Kristina Langan
Jose De La Cruz
ROADRUNNERS EARN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS Six individuals and two relay teams of the Ramapo College men's indoor track & field team earned 2018-2019 NJAC All-Conference honors. The awards are based on results from the NJAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, where the Roadrunners earned a third place finish. Junior Jose De La Cruz was crowned NJAC Champion in the 800-meter run (1:56.84) earning him First Team All-Conference honors. The 4x800-meter relay team was also crowned conference champions when they crossed the finish line with a season best time of 7:59.57. The team of rookie Chris Andersen, sophomore Thomas Holster, rookie Kevin Campbell and sophomore Jason Rodriguez earned First Team All-Conference. Rodriguez also earned Honorable Mention All-Conference in the 800-meter run, as he placed third overall in 1:58.58.
McBreen is no stranger to the Final Four. Last season his team recorded one of the best seasons in program history as they made their way to the Final Four. His message to the coaches and the players in attendance was to cherish every single moment of the experience from arriving, practices, community service and the final games. "This is a once in a lifetime experience," he added.
SENIOR WILL MCCOY AND ANDERSEN EARNED SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS Sophomore Joseph Zisa earned Honorable Mention All-Conference in the 3,000-meter run and sophomore Nicholas DeMarco also earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors in the 5,000-meter. The 4x400-meter relay team set a season best time and grabbed a 3rd place finish, which earned them Honorable Mention All-Conference. The team was senior Dillon Fisher, De La Cruz, and rookies Angel De los Santos and Max Dubac. LANGAN COMPETES AT WOMEN’S NATIONALS, THREE NAMED TO ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM Three members of the Ramapo College indoor track & field team were named to the 20182019 NJAC Indoor Track & Field All-Conference team. Rookie Kristina Langan, who won the pole vault at the NJAC Championships, earned First Team All-Conference. Langan cleared 3.77-meters, which is a personal best. Her jump is the ninth best in NCAA Division III this season and third best on the Ramapo all-time indoor list. Sophomore Judanicka Julceus earned Second Team All-Conference in the 60-meter dash after she placed 2nd overall in the event. She posted a personal best time of eight seconds flat. Rookie Nicole Bertollo earned Honorable Mention All-Conference in the 800-meter run. She clocked in with a personal best time of 2:19.94. 22
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
Chuck McBreen
CLASS NOTES
Class Notes
WHERE WE ARE & WHAT WE ARE UP TO 1985
2000
2010
RACHEL P. SCHWARTZ (Literature) was among the honorees at the Moriah School's annual dinner in March. Rachel has taught at the school located in Englewood since 2000. She is chair of the middle school English department and fills several leadership roles at the school. In 2016, Rachel was named the Northern N.J. Jewish Federation's Grinspoon Educator of the Year for Excellence in Jewish Education. CATHLEEN A. BENKO (Information Systems) was appointed to Nike, Inc.'s board of directors in July 2018. Cathy is vice chairman and managing principal of Deloitte LLP and served as its first chief talent officer, creating an innovative career development model. She is the 2014 recipient of the College's President's Award of Merit and a 2010 Distinguished Citizens Dinner honoree. DOROTHY DWYER SZEFC (Communication Arts) is the recipient two professional awards: the 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service; and the 2019 SUNY Orange President’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Dorothy has been cultural affairs coordinator at the school for 19 years where she has developed a broad program of cultural and arts offerings. She has served on the boards of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the Orange Orchestral Society and the Orange County Arts Council where she chaired its arts awards committee. She is a member of the executive council of Music in the Mountains at SUNY New Paltz and a member of the Orange County Citizens Foundation exhibit committee. Dorothy serves on the Ramapo College School of Contemporary Arts alumni advisory board.
1996 LOOKMAN Y. FAZAL (Computer Science) has been appointed chief information & digital officer at New Jersey Transit Corporation. Most recently, he was CIO of Argo Turboserv Corp, in Lyndhurst. Lookman earned a master's degree in management from Stevens Institute of Technology and a mini-MBA for technology executives from Boston University.
2004 HEATHER GRAHAM (Business Administration) was highlighted in the publication, The Incline, in February, as one of 20 community leaders and activists making change in Pittsburgh. Heather is president of Uncover Squirrel Hill, a group working to better the neighborhood and its business district.
2008 BRIAN DOWNEY (Law and Society) was named a 2019 Impact Honoree by Gay Impact News. Brian is a NYPD detective and has served as president of the Gay Officers Action League of New York since 2016 where he has worked to build bridges between the NYPD and the LGBTQ community. He began his career in 2005 with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey, and since joining the NYPD has served in the Transit Bureau, the Special Victims Division, the Hate Crime Task Force, and the Office of the Chief of Department. He is currently assigned to the Office of the Police Commissioner. Brian was promoted to detective in 2015 and was elected a union delegate in the Police Benevolent Association. Brian is a founding board member of the Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ Organization, and was recognized by the Research Foundation to Cure AIDS. He is a resident of Bay Ridge, where he is a lector at Saint Athanasius Catholic Church.
RYAN MANCINI (Business Administration) is director of client administration for Taylor Financial Group in Franklin Lakes. She and her husband, Steve Drejman, have a son, Jackson, age 4, and a daughter, Avery, age 1. The family lives in Holmdel.
2012 CHELSEA E. CHOMA (MSN) was recently appointed clinical director at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton. Chelsea earned her B.S.N. from East Stroudsburg University and started her career in nursing at St. Barnabas Medical Center. ROBERT B. KRESS, JR. joined Harwood Lloyd in its Hackensack office as an associate in the general litigation department. Robert earned a J.D. from Rutgers Law School in 2015. Previously, he was an associate with Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman. As a law student, he interned for Appellate Division Judge Ellen Koblitz and participated in the Rutgers Community and Transactional Law Clinic.
2014 VERONICA A. TEKLAI (International Business) is a 2019 Women of BMW Movement honoree. Veronica is senior specialist, ConnectedDrive, CarData at BMW of North America LLC in Woodcliff Lake.
www.ramapo.edu
23
CLASS NOTES
2015 CHRISTINA GROTT (MAEL), a second grade teacher at Center Grove Elementary School, was named a 2019 Randolph Schools Educator of the Year. Christina holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and history from Monmouth University. She began her teaching career in the Mahwah Township public schools.
Brandon Korn ’14 was honored by the Les Paul Foundation at the annual Les Paul Music Festival. Korn was one of the producers on the Grammy-nominated album Astroworld by American rapper Travis Scott.
2016 KATRINA BISS-IURATO (Theater) of Pompton Lakes is a contestant for the title of Miss New Jersey 2019. She represents Ramapo Valley. Her platform is substance abuse awareness and prevention, and her talent is vocal performance.
(L-R): First-year Tyler Skoglund, Brandon Korn, concert headliner Bill Frisell and Danielle Zanoni ’19
BIRTHS
Brian Walters ’00 was the lead rough layout artist for the blockbuster animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse,” which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film. Walters proudly poses with the Oscar statuette.
Save the Dates ALLYSON WEINKOFSKY-MCKENNA (History, 2010) and her husband, Alex McKenna, welcomed a son, Mackson Arthur, on January 3, 2019. Mackson joins big brothers Aiden, Jaxson and Gannon.
ANNUAL ALUMNI REUNION BARBECUE Thursday, July 11, 2019 32ND ANNUAL GOLF OUTING Monday, July 15, 2019 The North Jersey Country Club | Wayne N.J. EOF ALUMNI BARBECUE Thursday, July 25, 2019
IN MEMORIAM
G.O.L.D. NETWORKING RECEPTION Thursday, August 1, 2019
MARJORY BROWN ’85 IRENE SABO ’03
SHARE YOUR NEWS Ramapo encourages alumni to send us news to share with your fellow Roadrunners. Visit, www.ramapo.edu/alumni/submit-class-notes to submit your news. 24
Ramapo College Magazine | Spring 2019
RAMAPO COLLEGE ANNUAL FUND
TURNING
Why do
ideas
INTO REALITY
you support the Ramapo College Annual Fund?
“As parents of a Ramapo student – and as Mahwah residents – we are inspired by the College’s initiatives and outreach to the community. We are proud to support Ramapo and to assist its students – and we take great pride in being part of such an elite organization.” Ven and Aparna Bhamidipati, parents of Sriya ’21 “Having received so much from Ramapo, as an undergraduate and beyond, I feel a sense of gratitude and an obligation to give back to the College – so today’s students have the same opportunities that I had, if not more. I have enormous confidence that the College will steward my Annual Fund gifts toward their greatest uses and most meaningful needs at any given time.” A.J. Sabath ’93, Trustee, Ramapo College of New Jersey In addition to the daily contributions I make to the College through my work, I also understand the enormous impact my philanthropy has on our students, literally making their Ramapo educations and experiences possible. Purvi Parekh ’01, MBA ’04, Banner Advancement System Analyst, Ramapo College of New Jersey To make your gift by June 30 and help turn ideas into reality, visit www.ramapo.edu/give. If you qualify, consider designating a portion of your IRA’s required minimum distribution (RMD) to the Ramapo College Foundation – or perhaps donate a gift of appreciated securities. Both offer great tax benefits. For more information, contact David Terdiman at dterdima@ramapo.edu or 201-684-7179.
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, N.J. 07430-1623 www.ramapo.edu
50
years of RAMAPO
Ramapo is celebrating 50 years! Alumni, please send us your favorite faculty moment/story to help us compile the Top 50 Faculty Moments. Send to 50th@ramapo.edu
Ireland A Literary Tour
with Professor Emeritus Donald Fucci
Travel with Ramapo Professors To register, visit goaheadtours.com For more information, please visit www.ramapo.edu/travel/ireland or call the Alumni Relations Office at 201-684-7115.