#52 June 2006

President Mellow Looks Back at This Year’s Accomplishments

By Staff

At the traditional end-of-the-year Professional Staff Meeting, President Gail O. Mellow officially wrapped up the aca - demic year by acknowledging some of the college’s major accomplishments. “This is just a snapshot of some of the phenomenal activities and projects faculty and staff have done,” said the president to the members of the college community who attended the June 7th meeting. The president also singled out 28 “unsung heroes”—faculty and staff mem - bers--who were nominated by their peers for their outstanding work at the college. (story on page 20). In her brief 20-minute talk, the president described major divisional accomplish - ments. In the area of Academic Affairs, the The college’s 2006 Unsung Heroes are left, Norma Vladic, Rudy Meangru, Diane president applauded the success and Darcy, and Rosalia Barnett. expansion of the ePortfolio project and its “ability to be a signature pedagogy that provides voice to our students and a frame for faculty to help student achieve CUNY Consortium Wins $1 Million to the best.” She then pointed out that some of the Train Retail/Food Service Workers results of faculty work have been the pres - tigious scholarships garnered by our stu - dents. The president singled out Yeshey By Liesl Fores, Executive Assistant, Division immigrant workers. Pelzom, ’06, who was the recipient of the of Adult and Continuing Education When the U.S. Department of Labor Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, and Chang (DOL) released a Request For Proposal LaGuardia’s Division of Adult and Kim, ’06, who was named a member of last summer for the Limited English Continuing Education is part of a CUNY the Phi Theta Kappa’s All-USA Team. Proficiency and Hispanic Worker Initiative and New York City-wide consortium that Another accomplishment she cited was (LEPHW Initiative) grant, ACE, a founding has been granted $1 million over a two- this year’s common reading, Maus , a member of the New York City Sales and year period to develop curriculum and graphic novel that looks at the Holocaust. Service Training Partnership (NYCSSTP), provide job training to 240 new and “One of the things that knocked my socks called together colleagues from fellow incumbent Hispanic Limited English off,” said President Mellow, “was the CUNY colleges, businesses, workforce Proficiency (LEP) workers in the retail indus - work around Maus ; the student perform - development agencies and community- try, identified by the government as a high ances, the fabulous website, the depth of based organizations to devise a proposal growth industry and which in the New engagement that faculty used, and the that would employ their collective expert - York area has a significant percentage of Continued on page 18 Continued on page 12 Former City Council Speaker Vallone Shares Experiences

By Staff

Former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, a key player in New York City politics for three decades, shared an inti - mate view of the inner workings of city politics with a class of LaGuardia students attending his recent book lecture. During the two-hour lecture, which was held at the college on May 4, the legisla - tive leader-turned-author discussed his recently published book, Learning to Govern: My Life in New York Politics, From Hell Gate to City Hall , and explained how government works and, in a perfect world, how it should work. The guest speaker began the lecture by giving a brief overview of the foundation of government. He spoke of the wisdom of the Founding Fathers and the At a recent book lecture at the college, Former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Constitution and surprised the audience discusses local politics with a group of students. when he told them “you are the most important power in government.” In discussing the role of New York City Council, which he led for 12 years, Mr. LaGuardia Student Receives Vallone described how the passage of the New York City Charter Revision of 1989 Prestigious Cooke Scholarship helped create a balance of power between the mayor and the Council. It was then the students’ turn to ask By Staff for 14 years. “Now that I am back in questions. For the students, who were school after much struggle and almost assigned to read the book by their social A LaGuardia student who fled the repres - after a point of no return,” she said, science professor, Arturo Sanchez, the sive country of Bhutan and went on to “there is no looking back.” event provided them with the rare oppor - become the first woman among the Her goal to pursue a college degree tunity to direct their questions to the Bhutanese asylum seekers in the United was derailed in 1990 when the then 18- author. States to attend college, was awarded a year old freshman at a Bhutanese college The students queried the seasoned legis - coveted national scholarship. was forced to flee the politically oppres - lator on a host of issues that ranged from Yeshey Pelzom, a 34-year-old married sive country. Yeshey traveled to India his views on immigration rights to his opin - mother, is the recipient of the Jack Kent where she met up with her husband who ion on the administrations of Mayors Cooke Scholarship, which will provide left Bhutan six months earlier. There, the Edward I. Koch, David N. Dinkins, and her with $30,000 a year throughout her young couple lived for three years during Rudolph Giuliani. undergraduate experience. The which time Yeshey gave birth to their son. He noted that Mayor Koch was the spir - LaGuardia scholarship winner was one of In 1993, the family left India for Nepal it, Mayor Dinkins was the heart, and 38 undergraduate transfer scholars select - hoping, like many Bhutanese refugees, to Mayor Giuliani was the brain of New ed from a field of 767 nominees from receive the documentation required to York. 438 community colleges. emigrate to the United States. For Yeshey, whose quiet and reserved While in Nepal she served as a volun - demeanor belies a strong determination, teer for an organization that was aiding the scholarship will help her to pursue the Bhutanese refugees. educational goal that she had to put off Continued on page 3 2 www.laguardia.edu questions and exchange ideas and experi - SUNY Meets CUNY: Solutions ences. We provided them with an exten - sive program. Enhance Academic Literacy In their thank you letter, they commented about our “passionate commitment to stu - dents” and they stated, “We spent the ninety- minute drive home energized, Aware of our reputation for innovation, inspired, brainstorming ways to apply By Hannalyn Wilkens, Chairperson, Orange County’s president, William what we learned from you.” Communication Skills Department Richards, and vice president for Academic Affairs, Catherine Chew, On March 29, the Communication Skills advised their reading faculty to contact Department enjoyed a wonderful LaGuardia. After examining our website, exchange of ideas with colleagues from their faculty was impressed with our rich Orange County Community College. This curriculum, publications, and accomplish - LaGuardia Live Wire is produced by the SUNY unit, founded in 1950, sought our ments in promoting academic literacy for Office of Marketing and Communications. expertise regarding reading across the college students. Three professors, Mary Submissions are welcomed by phone at curriculum, learning communities, and Warrener, Elaine D’Ambra and Sandra extension 5060 or in person in room meeting the needs of an increasing Graff visited LaGuardia eager to ask diverse student population. E-508.

Scholarship ... Yeshey’s papers came through. It would great warmth.” Continued from page 2 take another year for her husband to join She initially declared an education her and five years before her son would major but changed to liberal arts after But the woman who loved books and receive permission to enter the U.S. attending an intensive five-week program education still yearned for a college diplo - Without her family, Yeshey moved to an at Vassar College. “The Exploring ma. “Even while being useful acting as a apartment in Queens and began the Transfer program changed me,” said voice for my community, I felt absolute expensive and arduous process of gaining Yeshey. “It built up my confidence and emptiness because my lack of higher edu - political asylum, which took three years. helped me realize my potential.” cation constantly gnawed my con - “By the time I was successful in seeking Yeshey sees the total LaGuardia experi - science,” she wrote in her scholarship asylum I was half drowned in debts,” she ence as life altering. “I do not think I essay. said. could have found a better school,” she In 2000 the family received the neces - In 2001, Yeshey was finally united with said. “The college’s diversity made me sary documentation required to enter the her husband, but the couple’s continued aware of my background and made me United States but there was a hitch: only financial worries, the long separation from proud of who I am. It was here that I her son, and a sudden illness took its toll found myself.” on her and she fell into a deep depres - In 2005, life for Yeshey got even better sion. when her son finally arrived in the United In hopes of lifting his wife’s mood, her States. husband bet that there was one thing that With the family together once again might lift her spirits: a return to college. and Yeshey completing her studies this With that little encouragement and the spring, the Pelzom’s will be following her courage to begin what she started 14 academic dreams and moving to Altanta, years ago, Yeshey, in September of Georgia where she will be pursuing a 2004, began her freshman year at bachelor’s degree in English at Agnes LaGuardia. Scott College, a woman’s liberal arts col - It took no time for Yeshey to jump into lege. the role of student. She excelled, main - And what is her long-term goal? taining a perfect 4.0 grade point average “Like all my professors who have boost - throughout her stay on the college. ed my ego, “I want to become a profes - “Yeshey is an excellent student who sor and be the one to inspire students like works very hard, takes risks, challenges me,” she said. “I also want to write received opinion when necessary, and still books to share my experiences of how Yeshey Pelzom was the recipient of a Jack manages to keep her balance,” said my persistence to learn defeated all Kent Cooke Scholarship, which will pay Professor Cecilia Macheski. “She writes odds.” for her undergraduate education. eloquently, thinks deeply, and smiles with 3 event. “It was a tremendous success,” she said, not - TELC Holds ing that at an attendance rate of about 50, all work - shop sessions were “overflowing.” Professional “We’ve found a way to provide professional development, and we’re committed,” said Ms. Badalamenti. “We have a good professional devel - Development Day opment team in TELC, and they put together a top- notch event.” She added that the TELC adjunct staff For Adjuncts is “eager, enthusiastic and dedicated.” The day culminated with a lunch, which included a PowerPoint presentation of TELC’s achievements By Liesl Fores, Executive Assistant, Division of Adult discussed employee benefits available to adjuncts. throughout the year, recognition of seven faculty and Continuing Education “There was professional development and employ - members who are doing e-portfolios with students in ee benefits information. It was very practical and their classes, and raffle prizes. The English Language Center (TELC) of the Division hands-on, and the balance was very good,” said of Adult and Continuing Education held its semi- Jane MacKillop, acting executive director of ACE annual Professional Development Day for adjunct Fee-Based Programs and Operations. “They packed Health and Healing Fair staff on May 18. a lot into a morning.” Keynote to Speak at U.N. Various workshops were presented by TELC facul - The topics presented at these forums “come from ty and a development editor from Pearson Longman, needs expressed throughout the year by faculty,” By Liesl Fores, Executive Assistant, Division of Adult an educational publishing company, in two concur - said Victoria Badalamenti, TELC director. “We don’t and Continuing Education rent morning sessions, covering topics such as using hold classes on Professional Development Day so authentic materials and critical thinking and listening that faculty can engage in issues important to them Sandra Ingerman, keynote speaker at LaGuardia’s skills in the ESL classroom, managing difficult class - and their teaching.” Fall 2005 Complementary and Alternative Health room situations, and becoming organized profes - Pointing out that it is difficult to provide profession - and Healing Fair, will be giving the same address sionally and personally. al development to part-time faculty, as schedules are she delivered to fair participants at the United A later session conducted by representatives from tough to coordinate, Ms. Badalamenti stressed how Nations on July 27. the college’s Human Resources department, pleased she was with the turnout at this spring’s Ms. Ingerman, who is an author of numerous Professional Staff Congress (PSC) and TIAA/CREFF books and lectures on spiritual methods to overcome personal illness and environmental pollutants, focused in her speech at the college on the need for individuals to see themselves as integral parts of a whole, which leads to balanced and healthy living. She also gave a demonstration, involving the 50- plus members of the audience, of “toning,” a form of vibration therapy that can help people work through trauma by uttering sound to create balance, harmony and connectedness. As it turned out, a former student of hers was at the event and was so impressed with the presenta - tion that she asked Ms. Ingerman to be a guest speaker at the U.N. “This is an outcome of the global kind that may touch millions!” said Tony Allicino, coordinator of the inaugural fair. The Complementary and Alternative Health and Healing Fair will be an annual event at LaGuardia, with the next one slated for Oct. 21 and 22, 2006. And the Center for Complementary and Alternative Healing has been established within the Division of Adult and Continuing Education, offering courses and workshops on holistic approaches to well-being, which help people find “wholeness” and “oneness” within themselves and the world around Elizabeth McNally-Johnston, associate director of Benefits and Recruitment in Human them. Resources, talks to adjunct staff about benefits available to them during TELC’s Professional Development Day. 4 www.laguardia.edu GED Grads Receive years of steady work she progressed to the GED steady voice, Ms. Jennings repeated the refrain, “If level and passed her GED exam in 2004 and imme - Peter were here, he would have said to you…”, and Jennings Scholarships diately applied to LaGuardia where she hopes to proceeded to address each of the 10 awardees become a nursing student. individually, and following in her husband’s tradition, Ms. Jennings acknowledged something distinct and By Mae Dick, Director, Adult Learning Center Sabahat, a native of Pakistan, received an uneven education in her country. Her mother was not literate interesting about each of the scholarship winners. Two GED graduates from Adult and Continuing and her father was in the United States. When it While Ms. Jennings began her remarks with the Education’s Adult Learning Center, Anaise Ikama and came time for her to join her father here she under - comment that she was “not the public speaker in the Sabahat Perveen, distinguished themselves through stood little English and was unprepared for survival family”, the fact that there was not a dry eye in the their hard work and scholarship, and were recog - in a competitive academic and work environment. house belied her eloquent words. nized at the fourth annual GED Laurel Awards However, Sabahat was determined to get an educa - Ceremony held May 25 at the Graduate Center of tion and sought out classes at LaGuardia’s Adult GED Students Published in CUNY. The GED Laurel Award honors 10 outstand - Learning Center. Without a support network, ing students each year selected from the 13 CUNY Sabahat persevered through several levels of basic NYU’s Literacy Review adult literacy programs who obtain their GED and education and finally passed the GED. After two then enroll in a CUNY college. semesters at LaGuardia with a GPA of 3.7 she has By Mae Dick, Director, Adult Learning Center LaGuardia’s two awardees are currently attending a professional career in pharmacology in her sights. LaGuardia and both have outstanding GPAs. Prior to his illness and death, Peter Jennings, the The Literacy Review is a literary journal that show - Anaise, a native of the Republic of Congo, experi - ABC Nightly News anchor and a GED graduate, cases writing by adult learners who study at 25 enced a very difficult childhood. Her father left the was the MC for the first two annual award cere - adult literacy sites throughout New York City. It is country for the U.S. when Anaise was three. Her monies. His eloquence and grace at the earlier part of the Literacy Project of the Writing Program at mother, unable to care for her, left her in the care of events, coupled with his strong commitment to adult New York University's Gallatin School, and when an unsupportive uncle. In 1997, civil war broke out education and his obvious interest in and admiration Caron K Stengel, a published writer who teaches in her country and Anaise had to escape the vio - for the students, prompted the Laurel Awards commit - GED Preparation at the Adult Learning Center, was lence. Fortunately in 2001 Anaise’s father was able tee to rename this year’s award in his honor. approached to include her students' work, she to bring her to this country where she began her With Chancellor Goldstein in attendance, hon - jumped at the opportunity. education once again. ored guest Kayce Freed Jennings, Ms. Stengel encouraged all of her students to sub - Anaise first attended ESL and quickly moved into Mr. Jennings widow, delivered a moving tribute to mit a piece of writing – fiction, poetry, or memoir – the center’s basic education classes. After three this year’s scholarship winners. In an emotional but and several students in her fall '05 class worked on their pieces. She provided minor editorial sugges - tions, and sent the work to June Foley at NYU. Two pieces were chosen: Veronica Gomes' "My Daughter, the Doctor," in which she reveals that in her native country, India, she was forced to marry young and didn't have the option of an education, which her 16 year-old daughter, who wants to be a doctor, does, and "How Dare You!" by Lonnell Harrington, a poem that expresses the author's out - rage about people "who are rude and disrespectful to those who have less than they do." In addition to the two pieces published in The Literacy Review by the Learning Center’s GED stu - dents, two students from Miriam Fisher’s reading class, Asia Reape and Patricia Clarke, authored pieces entitled “Myself” and “My Life in Jamaica.” “Myself” describes the many roles that Asia plays as mother, daughter, music lover, and movie-watcher. Her classmate, Patricia, describes the hardships of NY Designs welcomes Rebecca Brian (seated in middle), president of Tribecca Design, growing up in Jamaica with eight siblings living in a as its first successful applicant admitted to its business center. Tribecca Designs special - two room house. izes in event planning and hospitality industries. Its clients include Wired magazine, Ms. Stengel’s students have subsequently received Harley Davidson Footwear, and Oscar de la Renta. Posing with Ms. Brian were, seat - their GED's, and all the authors were asked to come ed left, Carolyn Everett, executive director of the CUNY Economic Development and have their pictures taken with their instructors. Corporation and Linda Adams, director of LaGuardia’s Marketing and Communication. Earlier this month there was a celebration dinner Second row, left, Howard Givner, president and founder of Paint the Town Red, Mary where the Spring 2006 issue of The Literacy Review Howard, director of New York Designs, and Gayle Baron, president of the Long Island was proudly presented. Write on! City Business Development Corporation. 5 integrated cooperative education into their cur - The President Honors Faculty and riculum, the college found itself competing for prized internships. Student Scholarship “The challenges are greater today and it is important to rework the design and times of internship opportunities,” she said, “but the need to test and explore employment opportu - nities is still critical.” By Staff The faculty and staff members who were honored were: Dawn Amsberry, Library; Paul At the president’s publication reception, Arcario, Academic Affairs; Marian Arkin, President Gail O. Mellow celebrated the English; Lenore Beaky, English; Nancy Berke, scholarly and artistic works of faculty and staff English; Prabha Betne, Mathematics; J. and paid special tribute to a Professor Elizabeth Clark, English; Mary Beth Early, Emeritus and two outstanding student scholars. Natural and Applied Sciences; Bret Eynon, At the festive May 24th reception, where Academic Affairs; Wenjuan Fan, Education faculty and staff gathered at the sun drenched and Language Acquisition, Xiwu Feng, cobblestone courtyard, the president applaud - Communication Skills; Thomas A. Fink, English; ed the accomplishments of 39 distinguished Mary Fjeldstad, Communication Skills; Linda faculty and staff members who this year pub - Forrester, Education and Language Acquisition; lished books, articles, and literary works and Ximena Gallardo C., English; Sean Galvin, made contributions to the creative worlds of Communication Skills/Liberty Partnership art, music, theater, and dance. Program; Hillary Gardner, Center for Immigrant The president also recognized the distin - Education and Training/ACE; Judith Coppock guished service of Professor Emeritus Gex, Education and Language Acquisition; Catherine Farrell, who began her career in James Giordano, Accounting and Managerial 1971 when she joined the cooperative edu - Studies; Marcia Glick, Communication Skills; cation division and remained an instrumental Professor Emeritus Catherine Farrell was Gail Green-Anderson, English; Carolyn Henner force until she retired in 2005. A special recognized at the faculty reception for her Stanchina, College Now; Ana Maria acknowledgement also went to two students, distinguished service. Hernandez, Humanities; Unn Hidle, Natural Mr. Chang Kim and Ms. Yeshey Pelzom, who and Applied Sciences; Rob Hills, Program for received prestigious national awards. Deaf Adults/ACE; Elizabeth Iannotti, The In recognizing the two outstanding students, In honoring the faculty members, the presi - English Language Center/ACE; Janice M. President Mellow contributed their success to dent said, “there is nothing harder than to be Karlen, Accounting and Managerial Studies; the effective teaching practices of college fac - a community college faculty member. And, in Will Koolsbergen, Humanities; William ulty. “One of the hallmarks of scholarship is addition to the complex courses that you teaching,” she said. “And your teaching, this Continued on page 7 teach, the complex world that you help your year, has resulted in two amazing student students negotiate, the complex lives of your awards.” students, all the papers that you grade, all the For the second year, the college inducted students you advise, you put your minds to this Emeriti Professors for their distinguished serv - amazing work, which says, ‘I’m a scholar. ice to the college. This year Professor Farrell, I’m an academic.’ We couldn’t be prouder of cooperative education, joined the 37 retired you.” professors who were honored at last year’s Attention was then directed to the student reception. scholars. The president presented Chang, a “Each year we like to stand on the shoul - business administration major who was ders of giants to honor the people who have named a member of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2006 made the college what it is,” she said. All-USA Academic Team, with the honor soci - In her brief remarks, Professor Farrell spoke ety’s medal. A special certificate then went to about a fledgling community college those Yeshey, the recipient of a Jack Kent Cooke first president, Joseph Shenker, envisaged an scholarship. The LaGuardia scholarship win - internship program that would give students ner, who will pursue her liberal arts degree at an opportunity to explore careers and deter - Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia, was mine their interests. She described a time one of 38 undergraduate transfer scholars when students found paid internships at such selected from a field of 767 nominees from major companies as IBM and Xerox. But as Chang Kim was honored at the reception 438 community colleges. (See story on page years passed, and more and more colleges reception for receiving a Phi Theta Kappa 2.) award. 6 www.laguardia.edu on Earth Day 2007. More locally, we could LaGuardia: Also the Earth’s begin an in-depth, college-wide study of the principles and recommendations of Kyoto to Community College see how they could be practically applied to our campus and our surrounding community. Please see an “An Inconvenient Truth” and let us join Mr. Gore and those of our fellow citizens who are working to return the U.S.A. to the forefront of the global cam - By Terence Julien, Lecturer, Social Science El Nino on the western states and the devas - paign to respond urgently to our “planetary tation of the southern states by the record Many people are not yet alarmed by the emergency.” 2005 season of major hurricanes planetary crisis being created by man-made Clarke, Andrew “The Human Ecological As soon as George Bush, Jr. became global warming. Part of the reason is that Footprint” president, he pulled the U.S.A. out of the there is a minority of scientists questioning http://www.energybulletin.net/16237.html Kyoto Treaty, the treaty worked out over the claim that what we are witnessing is many years by all the nations of the world man made. They make the contrary claim to deal with the global threat of man-made that we are witnessing a historical cycle of global warming. The European govern - The Da Vinci Debacle natural climate changes. Another reason is ments, which recently experienced massive, the refusal of the present U.S. administration unprecedented flooding of some of their and the U.S. media to give the crisis the By Molly Jacob, College Assistant, major cities(in their backyard) have taken high profile and top priority it deserves. A Communication Skills, over the leadership of the implementation of third reason is the reverse of the “not in my Kyoto, slowed down by the withdrawal of Since many people are reading the backyard syndrome.” the U.S.A. book, The Da Vince Code , and going to It seems that as long as there is no dire Some Americans however, have resisted the movie I think some things should be impact of global warming in our backyard, the attempts to sidetrack Kyoto on the part said about it. The author starts off by say - we can view the dire impacts of global of the present U.S. government and the ing his story is fiction but as he goes into warming on other regions of the world with - energy corporations that profit from the the story he provides what he calls facts out experiencing any sense of imminent products that cause global warming. One of that are not facts but a made up story. national or personal threat, deserving them is former Vice President Al Gore, who There are so many legitimate ways to urgent, radical action. This seems to hold is featured in a newly released documentary expose the author's story with a little even when other parts of the USA experi - directed by Davis Guggenheim, entitled, accurate background that it's mind-bog - ence these impacts e.g the consequences of “An Inconvenient Truth.” It “offers a passion - gling that anyone could actually accept it ate and inspirational look at one man’s com - as authentic. Those that do accept his mitment to expose the myths and misconcep - assertions have no idea of his true histori - Honors ... tions that surround global warming and cal Hebraic background. To begin with Continued from page 6 inspire actions to prevent it” (see the setting of the last supper was actually Kurzyna, Communications Skills; Daniel Lynch, “ClimateCrisis.net”). the Passover and no woman would have English; Cecilia Macheski, English; George More than this, the film gives us a rare been allowed to sit with a man at the McCormack, Mathematics; Karen R. Miller, opportunity to get an overview of the dra - table let alone lean on Him. Yohan (John Social Science; Carol Montgomery, matic impact of global warming on other in the Greek) was no doubt His favorite Humanities; Paula Nesoff, Natural and people’s backyards all around the world. and that of course has been expressed Applied Sciences; Jorge A. Perez, This gives an audience the unprecedented over and over again. Not to mention the Mathematics; Gary Richmond, Humanities; opportunity to experience the planet Earth fact that there was no woman alive that Michael Rodriguez, Humanities; Alexandra as our own backyard and to come to a could compare with Him and He had no Rojas, Library; Lawrence Rushing, Social consciousness for the first time of what Mr. need of anyone except to heal and glori - Science; Marie Sacino, Cooperative Gore calls our “planetary emergency” fy His Father. If Mary Magdalene loved Education; Arturo Ignacio Sanchez, Social (Clarke 2006). Him it was a love of appreciation for all Science; Kenneth Schlesinger, Library; C. The question arises: “What role can the He had done for her, she had fallen to Jason Smith, English; Renee Somers, English; World’s Community College play in spread - the lowest point of her life and as this Rosemary A. Talmadge, President’s Office; ing awareness and consciousness of our misery gnawed at her she turned to the Melinda Thomsen, The Center for Immigrant “planetary emergency?” We have students One that could help her. 'He that is for - Education and Training/ACE; Ting Man Tsao, from over 160 countries. We could launch given much loveth much' is actually what English; Phyllis Van Slyck, English; Frank a college-wide project in which our students this is all about. To turn it into a sexual Wang, Mathematics; Francine White, research how global warming is impacting love affair is to completely miss what Cooperative Education; Kenneth J. Yin, their country of origin and bring their find - God is telling us all. The literal account is Education and Language Acquisition; and ings together in an international presentation stated in Scripture, there are many Joyce Zaritsky, Communication Skills. Prophecies to hold up to this. 7 grant and assistance from Academic Faculty Develop Projects Affairs during Fall Session I--2005 to pub - lish the 4th edition of LaGuardia Faculty Sponsored Through EDIT Grants Publications. This publication profiles the research and scholarly interests of faculty as expressed in their books, articles, pub - lished conference proceedings, published Reported by Wenjuan Fan, Assistant impressed that two performers from artwork, technical reports, software, audio - Professor, English Language Acquisition antagonistic cultures could stand together visual materials and electronic publica - “on the same stage" so harmoniously. tions. Educational Development Initiative Team Evaluations indicated that some audi - Steven Lang (Social Science) (EDIT) co-chaired by Marcia Glick and ence-members would have preferred a Sponsored by an EDIT grand, Steven Nurper Gokhan proudly sponsored the little more music and less talk, but Lang attended the Eastern Sociological following faculty in their professional responses to the presentation were quite Society meeting in Boston, Massachusetts development activities. positive, and students were grateful to from February 23-26, 2006 and delivered Wenjuan Fan (ELA) have had the opportunity to hear and two papers. The first paper was entitled Sponsored by an EDIT grant and meet these two fine artists. It was a “Community, Place, and Environmental Academic Affairs Office, Wenjuan Fan worthwhile and successful project. Politics on the Urban Waterfront: The Case made a presentation entitled “Learning Seán Galvin (Communication of Newtown Creek and the East River in Communities: Stores of Success” at the Skills) New York City. The second was entitled Annual Meeting of the American Sean Galvin attended the annual “Frame Wars, Community Organizing and Reading Forum in December 2005. Her meeting of the American Folklore Society the Battle Over Wal-Mart. Both papers presentation focused content-based read - (AFS) in Atlanta, Georgia, from October were well attended. He plans to expand ing and writing materials that she devel - 19-23, 2005, using funds from his EDIT the first paper into article to be submitted oped. It was well received and well grant. He presented a paper: “Folklife to a sociological journal. He also attended attended. in Education Theory for the L2 popula - various sessions in the field of environmen - Linda Forrester (ELA) tion,“ as part of an AFS Folklife in tal and urban sociology as well as educa - Sponsored by an EDIT grant, Linda Education Committee panel on Theory in tional workshops. Forrester organized a cultural event enti - Folklife and Education. Karen Miller (Social Science) tled “The Yellow Wind.” It was a pres - Judy Gex (ELA) Sponsored by EDIT grant, Karen Miller entation of the music of Israeli composer Sponsored by an EDIT grant, Judy attended the Association for the Study of Tamar Muskal for the LaGuardia audi - Gex attended a Fulbright Scholarship African American Life and History in ence in the Little Theatre on November conference in Baltimore, November 11- Buffalo, New York, October 5-9, 2005. 29, 2005. Ms. Muskal and Bassam 13. She met interesting Fulbrighters and She delivered a paper there entitled, "Civil Saba, a Lebanese nay (flute) player dis - shared with each other their experience Rights or Labor Rights?: Detroit’s cussed their collaboration on The Yellow as Fulbrighters. Predominantly-Black Unions and Black Wind, a piece for full orchestra, special Heidi L. Johnsen (English) Labor Militancy in the Early 1930s." Arab instruments, and vocalists, who Sponsored by an EDIT grant, Heidi John F. Shean (Social Sciences) sang in Hebrew and Arabic. The work Johnson delivered a conference paper Sponsored by EDIT grant, John Shean included narration from David entitled "Teaching Writing Using New presented a paper at the Spring Meeting Grossman’s book of the same title, taken York City as a Primary Source" at the of the New England Historical Association from interviews with ordinary citizens of national conference of the College held at Bridgewater State College in the West Bank, both Palestinian and English Association held in San Antonio, Bridgewater, MA, on April 22, 2006. Israeli. Muskal and Saba played Texas April 6-8. The paper outlined the His paper, entitled "The Religious Policy of excerpts from a recording of the piece, English 101 composition course that she the Severans," was a topic in Roman reli - and demonstrated parts of the music on teaches using archives from the gious history in which he described how their instruments. They spoke about the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives the Severan dynasty promoted a policy of experience of working together to create housed at the college. The course also religious inclusion by incorporating the a piece of music that cut across political includes using New York City memorials worship of Syrian and African gods within and religious boundaries. The musicians as primary texts and the creation of orig - the official state religion of the Roman discussed the similarities between Arabic inal memorials by students as a group empire. The paper was well received by and Hebrew languages and musical ele - project. The presentation was part of a the attendees and he plans to revise the ments. They took questions from the audi - "Composition and the Community" panel paper and submit it for publication. The ence, and afterwards, continued the con - under the larger category of conference overall was a very rewarding versation at a reception given in their Composition and Rhetoric studies. experience in that he learned much from honor. The program was informative and Clementine Lewis (Library) the presentations of the other attendees thought provoking, and students were Clementine Lewis received an EDIT Continued on page 9 8 www.laguardia.edu shipped about 400 books. Since BWB Library Donates Used Books to promises to recycle any books not sold within a year, we’re also helping the envi - Benefit Literacy ronment by keeping hundreds of pounds of paper out of landfill. The library welcomes book donations throughout the year. We evaluate all By Dawn Amsberry, Collection donations and select books that support National Center for Family Literacy. Development Librarian, Library the College’s curriculum to be cataloged Better World Books makes donating for our collection. The remaining books simple by covering all costs associated The library held its annual book sale this are saved for the annual spring book with processing and selling the books. year on March 20 and 2st in the E- sale. Fortuitously, we can promote inter - They pay for shipping volumes to their building Atrium. Hundreds of students, national literacy and support the environ - warehouse, and they even provide boxes, faculty and staff visited the sale through - ment by donating leftover materials to tape and labels. All the library has to do out the day and into the evening, pur - Better World Books. is pack the boxes and arrange for pick chasing books on a variety of topics for For more information about Better World up. bargain prices. The sale raised about Books or their literacy partners, visit their There are some types of books BWB $400 for new books for the library’s col - website at www.betterworldbooks.com . does not accept, such as older encyclo - lection. We’re grateful for book dona - If you would like to donate books to the pedias, magazines, directories, and gov - tions received from the college communi - library, contact me at ext. 5424 or dams - ernment documents. Once we sorted out ty throughout the year that helped make [email protected] the sale a success. unacceptable materials, we packed and After the sale, there were still several hundred books remaining that hadn’t been sold. We decided to donate these ‘Hatshepsut: From Queen to to Better World Books, a non-profit organization whose mission is “to pro - Pharaoh’ at the Met mote literacy as a means of change in the world.” BWB accepts donated mate - rial from libraries across the country and sells the books through various online out - By John F. Shean, Assistant Professor, Hatshepsut’s reign coincided with a long lets, such as Alibris, Abebooks, and Social Science period of prosperity for Egypt, during Amazon, as well as Amazon’s interna - which the Egyptians extended their diplo - tional affiliates. The proceeds are then This summer LaGuardia students, staff, matic and economic influence to many donated to one of the organization’s and faculty will have the opportunity of neighbors, including Punt (Ethiopia), three non-profit literacy partners, Books learning more about the life and career of Nubia (Sudan), Palestine, Syria and the for Africa, Room to Read, and the one of the more fascinating rulers of Aegean. ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut, who lived The exhibition consists of many objects during the 18th dynasty (1550-1307 brought together from numerous museums EDIT Grants ... BC), was the daughter of King Thutmose I throughout Europe, Egypt, and the United Continued from page 8 and Queen Ahmose, and the wife of her States, including the Louvre, the Boston and was able to meet and share ideas half-brother Thutmose II. After Thutmose Museum of Fine Arts, the British Museum, with old and new colleagues in his pro - II’s untimely death (1479 BC) Hatshepsut and the Metropolitan’s own permanent fession. ruled as regent for his successor, Thutmose collection of Egyptian antiquities. All of EDIT is a subcommittee of Committee III, who was also Hatsehpsut’s nephew the items on display are datable to the on Professional Development. If you are and stepson. Six years later, Hatshepsut period of Hatshepsut’s reign and cover a interested in applying for an EDIT grant, transformed her regency into a kingship wide variety of types, such as colossal you may contact any of its members who by declaring herself senior co-ruler with statues of Hatshepsut from her mortuary are: Marcia Glick (co-chair), Nurper Thutmose and remained in power for the temple at Deir el-Bahri, as well as many Gokhan (co-chair), Edna Boris, Hendrick next 15 years. Hatshepsut signaled her objects noted for their craftsmanship and Delcham, Walter De La Torre, Wenjuan new position by adopting the traditional beauty. This latter group includes jewelry, Fan, Alexis Frazier, Milton Hollar-Gregory, symbols, titles, and portraiture usually vessels made of gold, silver, and bronze, Philip Gimber, Clementine Lewis, Fern reserved for the male rulers of Egypt, furniture inlaid with ivory, and items of Luskin, and Stacy Perry. including the symbolic beard worn by all everyday use made of clay, wood, and The committee would like to take this pharaohs. She also claimed that she was faience. There is a painted papyrus on opportunity to give its special and sincere the daughter of the god Amun, the most display that depicts a scene from the appreciation to President Gail Mellow important god in Egypt during this time. and the Division of Academic Affairs for Continued on page 11 9 College Discovery Leads Special Program Student Leaders

By Steve Dauz, Director, College Discovery

On April 18 the CUNY Office of Special Programs held the Second Annual SEEK and College Discovery Student Leadership Conference at the Glen Cove Mansion and Conference Center on Long Island for three days. Over 30 students from CUNY participated along with facul - ty and staff. Conference sessions included public speaking, seven habits of highly effective people, appropriate dress attire and dining etiquette, and successful lead - ership traits. I teamed up with Janice Zummo, the News from the Center for SEEK director at Medgar Evers College, to develop and present an all-day session Teaching and Learning on successful leadership traits. The day session included experiential exercises that enabled students to reflect on their own leadership styles and/or obstacles in your classes); preventing them from taking on leadership By J. Elizabeth Clark, Associate Professor, • Video interviews with LaGuardia stu - roles. English; Hector Graciano, Program dents talking about what their ePortfolios Students became more sensitive to the Assistant, CTL; Josephine Corso, Associate mean to them; differences that are characterized by Director, CTL • An expanded gallery of sample managers and leaders. Qualities of a ePortfolio’s Online Resources and ePortfolios, created by LaGuardia students leader, responsibilities of leaders, support - Student Showcase from a range of disciplines from account - ers and followers along with dynamic The ePortfolio Program is very busy these ing and fine arts to paralegal studies and traits of leaderships were some of the top - days. This semester, we’ve been working liberal arts; ics also discussed. Students were left with with 22 students to help them revise their • An updated bibliography of a challenge to take on leadership roles at ePortfolios in a special program called the ePortfolio-related scholarly articles, plus their campus. ePortfolio Superstars. This program offers websites from more than a dozen other Follow up sessions in the upcoming a select group of students, nominated by colleges using ePortfolio, including the semesters will take place to help guide their professors, specialized instruction in University of Minnesota, the University of students on their projects. Upon the con - revising and strengthening the content and Washington, and Johns Hopkins clusion of the session, students became design of the ePortfolio. Many of last University. more conscious of the role they play as a year's ePortfolio superstars are now fea - • Please take a few minutes to look at leader, supporter, or follower and the tured on the new ePortfolio website. the site impact they could make. We invite you to explore LaGuardia's (http://www.eportfolio.lagcc.cuny.edu) to newly revised ePortfolio website. This see how it can help you and your stu - exciting new update can be accessed at: dents learn about and do more advanced http://www.eportfolio.lagcc.cuny.edu work with ePortfolio. This informational website offers a range Our end-of-term ePortfolio Showcase on of new features, including: June 2 showcased the best ePortfolios • New tutorials (in Word, PDF, and from the Spring I 2006 term. If you Flash formats) that can help faculty support missed this showcase, we invite you to students as they deposit work and build attend the next one in Fall 1. It’s a dynam - their ePortfolios (we look forward to hear - ic, inspiring event, and an exciting way ing from faculty about ways you use this Continued on Page 11 10 www.laguardia.edu CTL ... Review ... largely erased by her successor, Thutmose Continued from page 10 Continued from page 9 III, who orchestrated a systematic destruc - to hear directly from a variety of students tion of her memory by erasing her name Egyptian “Book of the Dead.” Relief what making an ePortfolio has meant in from the public monuments. This cam - sculptures are also represented, one par - terms of their academic, personal, and paign also included the deliberate smash - ticularly fine example being a relief carv - professional growth. ing of her statues and portraits. Many of ing from Karnak that portrays Thutmose II Meet the Student Technology the large statues in the exhibit, in fact, kneeling. The sharpness and clarity of the Mentors: Lina Cordero show this damage, having been recon - carving is so fresh that it looks as if it Student technology mentors provide assis - structed by modern restorers who carefully were carved yesterday. Also present are tance to faculty and students, both in the pieced them back together. Because of objects from the tomb of Senenmut, one classroom and during lab time, in the use Thutmose’s vandalism Hatshepsut’s name of the more important royal officials who of instructional technologies and in build - did not make it into the official list of served Hatshepsut. Senenmut was so inti - ing electronic portfolios. But, did you pharaohs, which was compiled during mately connected with the royal house - know that they also present at confer - antiquity, and modern knowledge of her hold that he was also responsible for the ences? only came during the early 19th century upbringing of Neferure, the daughter of This fall, Lina Cordero, STM, when Jean-François Champollion discov - Hatshepsut. Senenmut used his power researched, developed, and presented a ered inscriptions of her at Deir el-Bahri and privileges to amass a great fortune project entitled “Modeling of which had been overlooked by Thutmose. and constructed a large funerary complex Neuromuscular Reflex Motion.“ This was No one knows for sure why Thutmose for himself that he never used. Also on part of an educational initiative supported took such pains to blot-out Hatshepsut’s display is a massive stone sarcophagus by the National Institute of Health (NIH)— memory and some have attributed it to that was originally intended for Bridges to the Future Program. Under the pent-up frustration at being denied the Hatshepsut’s mummy but later recarved for direction and instruction of Professor throne for so long by Hatshepsut. Thutmose I. This is displayed alongside Hendrick Delcham of the Mathematics Thutmose III would be famous in his own items taken from the tombs of Thutmose Department, Lina and her partner, Analia right for being Egypt’s greatest military III’s three foreign wives to provide visitors Barbosa, presented a report based on the leader, taking the Egyptian army on cam - a sampling of the rich grave goods that use of differential equations in developing paigns of conquest into Palestine, Syria usually accompanied the burial of any a mathematical model that can help and even Mesopotamia (modern day Egyptian queen. The latter part of the patients with mobility problems. This Iraq). Hatshepsut, by contrast, mounted exhibit hall is given over to a discussion model was developed by the mathemati - few military expeditions and the animosity of the most spectacular monument of cian Soetching and is designed to help us towards her reign exhibited after her Hatshepsut’s reign, Djeser-Djesuru (“Holy understand the usefulness of mathematics death may reflect the repudiation of her of Holies”), a massive mortuary temple in the medical field. pacifism by the Egyptian military establish - Hatshepsut constructed for herself at Deir Using the technology skills she learned ment. Fortunately they were not able to el-Bahri which still stands as one of the as an STM, Lina prepared a PowerPoint blot out her memory completely and most famous Egyptian temples constructed presentation graphically demonstrating enough of the cultural and monumental during the New Kingdom period. key points of her report. She also devel - record of her reign survives to enable Hatshepsut had many colossal statues of oped a poster using her newly acquired modern museum visitors to reflect on the herself made to grace this temple com - scanning and digitizing skills to create a life and career of one of the most remark - plex, one of which, a portrait of her as a visual display of graphs and mathematical able women of history. sphinx, is on display in the main lobby of equations to create the poster. The poster The exhibit is on display through July 9. the museum. was used as part of a presentation that Visitors who attend this exhibit will be Lina and her mentor, Professor Delcham, impressed by the wide breath and variety made at the Annual Biomedical Research of artifacts that survive from the Egypt of Conference for Minority Students in Hatshepsut’s day, a testimony to the level Atlanta, Georgia. of wealth and the richness of artistic These days, Lina can often be found expression during Hatshepsut’s reign. assisting students and faculty in develop - However, they will find disappointingly lit - ing such projects as electronic portfolios tle information about the personality of (ePortfolio), web pages and taking digital Hatshepsut herself or learn intriguing pictures. details of her reign. This is due to the Congratulations to Lina and Professor fact that the Egyptians did not produce Delcham in their creative use of digital ‘history’ as we understand it but confined technologies for teaching and learning. themselves to public inscriptions that pro - claimed the achievements of the reigning monarch. Hatshepsut’s own record was 11 CUNY Consortium ... Continued from page 1 ise in addressing New York City work - force needs and providing quality job training for residents. The consortium received word in February that it was one of five organizations nationwide being awarded the grant. The partnership includes NYCSSTP members LaGuardia; Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC); Kingsborough Community College; New York City College of Technology; Long Island City Business Development Members of the New York City Sales and Service Training Partnership: (left to right) Corporation; National Retail Federation Patrick Dail, Borough of Manhattan Community College; Eileen Flanagan, LaGuardia; (NRF) Foundation; Retail, Wholesale, Suma Kurien, LaGuardia; Steven Pezenik, Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union Department Store Union – Local 338; – Local 338; Lois Blades-Rosado, SUNY Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center; Queens Center Mall; Port Authority of NY Gayle Baron, Long Island City Business Development Corporation; Sarah Conrad, and NJ; the SUNY Brooklyn Educational National Retail Federation Foundation; Katee Tully, Borough of Manhattan Community Opportunity Center; NYC Department of College; Sandra Watson, LaGuardia; Linda Nahum, Kingsborough Community Small Business Services, and Citibank. College; Cassaundra Williams, SUNY Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center, and NYCSSTP was established in 2003 Chuck Hoffman, New York City College of Technology. and has designed, coordinated and eval - uated effective training programs and Participants will also receive job place - lates into a number of crucial workplace other resource opportunities that meet the ment and follow-up services. skills in both the retail and hospitality sec - employment needs of workers and busi - Other important elements of this project tors,” she added. nesses in the metropolitan area, primarily are the development of an assessment Reflecting on the role of Kingsborough in the retail and customer service indus - tool to measure LEP workers’ ability to Community College in this endeavor, Dr. tries. Leadership in the development of communicate in English as well as the dis - Saul W. Katz, dean in the Office of this complex partnership was coordinated semination of this model for a local, Continuing Education there, noted, by Sandra Watson, associate dean of the regional and national audience. “Kingsborough will recruit students and Division of Adult and Continuing ACE’s Center for Immigrant Education businesses to participate in this innovative Education, and Eileen Flanagan, the divi - and Training (CIET), which received a program. We will reach out into heavily sion’s program development specialist. DOL grant last year for hotel/hospitality populated Hispanic areas to assist busi - “The work of the partnership can move worker entry-level training for English lan - nesses and to help potential employees forward dramatically because we have guage learners, will be providing its find positions that without English profi - secured this prestigious grant,” said Dean expertise in the LEPHW Initiative. ciency they would be barred from enter - Watson. “We hope it will be the first of “CIET's role in this project is to lead the ing. This is a tremendous opportunity to many.” curriculum and professional development work hand and hand with community Participants for the LEPHW Initiative will of the English for Speakers of Other groups and businesses to create a viable be recruited through McDonald’s Languages (ESOL) instructors who will workforce that will have the potential to Corporation—a local industry partner— teach at the four campuses. In doing this, move up the socio-economic ladder.” the Queens Center Mall and Local 338. we will be building on our experience As the lead organization in the LEPHW The curriculum, which will be developed working with incumbent hotel workers Initiative, Borough of Manhattan by the four CUNY colleges with technical through our US DOL grant to develop cus - Community College is responsible for the assistance from the NRF Foundation, will tomer service and soft skills in conjunction overall success of the project and the out - incorporate cutting edge instructional tech - with English language upgrading,” comes established with the DOL as well nologies, hone customer service apti - explained Suma Kurien, CIET director. as managing communication of informa - tudes, and emphasize “soft skills” (i.e., “A key component of the work with the tion between task groups, partner institu - teamwork, interpersonal skills) to prepare hotel staff has been the infusion of tech - tions and grant partners. participants with skills sought by employ - nology such as Blackboard and mp3 “The retail industry is strong in New ers. players into the instruction. Increased pro - York and is one of the high growth sectors Training will be available at the partici - ficiency in using this technology helps to for the region. We see this as a key path pating colleges, the Queens Center Mall, boost our students' self-confidence and leading to supervisory positions and a and via the Internet and will feature real- provides them a means to continue their Continued on Page 13 life tasks encountered on the job. learning outside of the class. It also trans - 12 www.laguardia.edu Welcoming New Students and Preparing for the CPE Exam

By Barbara Carson, Education Planning classes on September 11. Each session For more information on new student ori - Associate, Enrollment Management will serve between 100 and 200 stu - entation and advisement, call ext. 6071 dents. or 6074. New Students In preparation for the NSOAR sessions, CPE Exam Within the Enrollment Services Center, the education planners first coordinate sched - Testing Services, part of the Enrollment Office of Educational Planning/Testing ules with all departments involved in orien - Services Center, is coordinating the next Services is busy getting ready to welcome tation: Academy coordinators, set of CUNY Proficiency Examinations approximately 3,500 new students to the Admissions, Testing, Health Services, (CPE exams). Students who have filed college for the fall 2006 session. Financial Aid, and Registrar. With repre - Intent to Graduate for Spring Session I or Invitations to New Student Orientation, sentatives from each of these areas on II, will have the opportunity to take the Advisement and Registration (NSOAR) board during NSOAR sessions, new stu - CPE exam on June 23 or June 26. The have been mailed, and the Office of dents are able to receive all the necessary CUNY Proficiency Examination (CPE) Educational Planning will direct the services in one location -- the Enrollment requires students to demonstrate their com - orchestration of this grand arrival of fresh - Services Center, room C-107. Students petence in aspects of academic literacy men. To accommodate all of these stu - walk through the door with an invitation that the CUNY faculty considers important dents, the office will host a total of 41 letter and leave only three to four hours for later success. The CPE tests some of new student orientation sessions from the later with their college ID’s in hand and the skills that students have developed beginning of June up to the first day of ready to begin their college careers. through their course work, and passing the As students enter the C-Building lobby, CPE is a requirement for graduation. CUNY Consortium ... they are greeted at the check in area Students who intend to graduate, with 45 Continued from page 12 where they receive their Personal credits or more and are in good academ - Education Plan (PEP). If necessary, stu - ic standing, will receive a letter inviting great career for many individuals new to dents are then directed to the Admissions them to take the exam. When students this country and the City. Naturally, what station to submit missing documents or to register for the exam through RegXpress, is critical in all of these roles is the individ - the Health Center’s immunization clear - they will also register for a workshop, ual’s ability to communicate well in ance station. Based on their major, stu - which will help prepare them for the English. BMCC and CUNY are commit - dents are then directed into one of three exam. For further information, call the ted to support workforce and career academy groups: liberal arts, busi - Testing Office at ext. 5146. development for all in the City in this ness/technology, natural and applied sci - way,” said Katee Tully, associate dean of ence/allied health. In a small group set - the Center for Continuing Education and ting, students receive a warm welcome Workforce Development at BMCC. and overview of the college from an edu - “As we work with McDonalds, Local cational planner and an academy coordi - 338, and Queens Center Mall, we see nator who work side by side to then this grant as helping the academic institu - advise students on an individual basis. tions in building greater capacity to better Soon the students’ very first schedule of serve the sales and service industry sec - classes is plotted out. Next, students are tor,” she noted. “At the end of this grant, shown how to register for their first session we will have new and effective curriculum through RegXpress. that is deployed in-class and online and a For students who have not completed great team of partners that can better their financial aid applications, financial serve other companies and populations in aid counselors are available to assist stu - New York. Also, we will have proved that dents with the process, make changes to academic and industry partnerships are an existing application, or verify the status the key for creating innovative programs of an application. Students then check in that have lasting impact.” with Bursar to pay tuition and fees. Dean Tully commented that the next Finally, it’s on to the ID Office where stu - steps are to build infrastructure and dents smile for their LaGuardia ID and are resources to implement the LEPHW all set to begin classes. Initiative. 13 talents and strengths I never knew I had,” Jane Schulman Named New remarked Ms. Flamenbaum. “Jane has always encouraged me to try, to grow, to explore ACE Vice President and to broaden my horizons. She has always treated me with respect and made me feel like a valuable member of the team. She has not only been my boss all these years, she has been my friend and my mentor.” By Liesl Fores, Executive Assistant, Division of “The center represents not only the largest Adult and Continuing Education portion of my career, but also the most impor - After serving as acting vice president of the tant achievement—my greatest challenge and Division of Adult and Continuing Education one of my greatest accomplishments to date,” for 10 months, making it through a rigorous Ms. Schulman said, adding jokingly that her national search conducted by the college to other biggest challenge “is getting to early fill the position and coming out on top, and morning meetings.” receiving final approval by the CUNY Board In 1999, Ms. Schulman became a senior of Trustees, Jane Schulman has officially been administrator of Workforce Development with - named the new vice president of ACE. in ACE, and in 2001 she was appointed Contemplating this new chapter in her associate dean of Career, Pre-College and career and looking back on her beginnings Administrative Services. In this role, she man - at LaGuardia, Ms. Schulman remarked, “I aged all administrative services as well as the was young enough then to imagine myself as division’s $15 million budget and spearhead - just about anything. The mission of ACE and ed many successful initiatives, including the establishment of a Workforce1 Career Center the college is very meaningful to me, and I’ve Vice President Jane Schulman enjoyed the positions I’ve held, helping stu - at LaGuardia and strengthening the use of dents and the community. Being the vice pres - Resource Center and Student Development educational technology within ACE. ident gives me a broader arena to do that.” Center within a few years. As the leader of largest Adult and She explained that the close working rela - In 1984, Ms. Schulman launched the Adult Continuing Education division in CUNY, serv - tionship she had as associate dean with for - Career Counseling and Resource Center, ing 45,000 people yearly, Ms. Schulman mer Vice President of ACE Linda Gilberto and which provided career counseling and job describes her plan for ACE: “My vision is to Assistant Dean Sandra Watson was a good placement services to city residents, and in help us work together, both within ACE and foundation for taking on the position of vice particular to underserved populations, such as the college, to continue to be responsive to president. “We worked well as a team; we public assistance recipients and dislocated community needs in new and exciting ways.” shared a vision about ACE and the college.” workers. She cited in particular expanding use of tech - Though she was surprised to find out that “This was a challenge,” she remarked. “It nology and creating more services to individu - Dr. Gilberto would be leaving the division, was difficult to get grant money to provide als, businesses and communities across pro - Ms. Schulman noted that she saw an opportu - career counseling services. One way we grams. nity to take on the role in an acting capacity, achieved that was to provide great services “I see ACE as serving as a portal for stu - to make it a smooth transition. that led to successful outcomes.” dents coming through the division to go on for “Once I was in the position,” she said, “I Ms. Schulman noted that the center went a degree and then come back to ACE to fur - thought I could do a good job—I had a histo - from a $75,000 program to over $1 million ther their education and career,” she went on. ry and could provide continuity.” the last few years, almost all from grant fund - “We’ve regularly served people who have “Jane and I have been able to model col - ing. “It’s a place where people learn who not been successful through traditional educa - laborative leadership in the division,” said they are and what they want, and develop tion. Here they gain skills, confidence and Ms. Watson, who is now associate dean. skills to help them achieve their goals.” she pursue professional and educational goals. “But I know full well that, as vice president, said. Today it is called the Career This, coupled with our important focus on eco - the buck stops at her desk. We are able to Development Center and serves over 3,000 nomic development, will enable us to provide do our work together and have a good laugh residents annually. services and programs that assist businesses each and everyday.” Recounting an old story, Judi Flamenbaum, and communities become and remain success - It has been a long road, however. Ms. who began working as administrative assis - ful. I am committed to providing that outreach. Schulman began her career in higher educa - tant in the Adult Career Counseling and “So where do we go? Clearly we build on tion at Brooklyn College as an educator in Resource Center in 1987, explained that Ms. our strengths—but we need to go beyond counseling. After four years in this position, Schulman encouraged her to learn how to them. We need to develop the division by she made the move to the Division of Student use a Mac computer. “At first I was afraid to coming together in a more collaborative way, Services at LaGuardia, where she ascended try it because I thought I would break it, but from counselor to director of the Career she encouraged me to learn it. That was the beginning of Jane helping me to discover the Continued on Page 15 14 www.laguardia.edu Moderating the event will be Project Lecture on the New Romanian Director Roberta Levitow, playwright Saviana Stanescu, and myself. All are Fulbright Theater Planned for July 12 scholars. The event is sponsored by a LaGuardia EDIT Professional Development Grant and the Trust for Mutual Understanding, with sup - By Marcy Arlin, Adjunct Lecturer, Romania, National University of Theatre and port from the Romanian Cultural Institute Humanities Cinematography. This is their first visit to the New York. United States. A group of Romanian theater professionals Journalist Iulia Popovici, the leading voice on July 12 will give a lec - in arts criticism in Romania, will speak about ECLC Joins Movement ture/demonstration that will explore the recent productions and theatrical aesthetics To Improve Early new theater scene in that country. in the New Drama. And Professor Mandea Through the project, entitled “After the will speak about his success in developing Childhood Education Fall: Reality and the New Romanian the first creative writing curriculum in Theater, three young playwrights, an arts Romania. By Heather Brown, Associate Director, Early journalist, and a theater professor will dis - After the end of the communist dictatorship Childhood Learning Center Programs, Inc. cuss Romania’s theater world after the fall of of Ceausescu, young artists and journalists communism. are struggling to find their theatrical voice in LaGuardia’s Early Childhood Learning The free event will be held in the Little a society that is undergoing radical transfor - Center Programs has earned accreditation Theatre from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For mation, dealing with issues of poverty, from the National Association for the more information, call me at (347) 512- national identity, personal and familial rela - Education of Young Children – the nation’s 5572 or email me at immigrantsthe - tionships, generation gaps, and the role of leading organization of early childhood pro - [email protected]. Romania in the international theater scene. fessionals. The young playwrights, Gianina The playwrights and Ms. Popovici will We’re proud to be accredited by Carbunariu, Bogdan Georgescu, and bring slides and DVDs of recent productions NAEYC, and recognized for our commit - Veronica Ion, will speak about their experi - and they will read excerpts from their plays ment to reaching the highest professional ence as students, writers, and directors who being performed at the CUNY Graduate standards. NAEYC accreditation lets fami - studied under the tutelage of Professor Center. lies on our campus know that children in our Nicolae Mandea, at the Bucharest, program are getting the best care and early learning experiences. The programs believe in the holistic development of young children Schulman ... significant skills as an administrator and pro - and pre-adolescents and promote physical, Continued from page 14 gram developer. However, her most important attribute is her ability to work with people and social, emotional and cognitive growth to build on our individual strengths while we bring out the best in them. We in the division through developmentally appropriate experi - capitalize on our ‘collective energy.’ As we are very proud that the work of our long-time ences in a child centered, caring and sup - move forward, we need to begin to redesign friend and colleague has been recognized in portive environment. The educators engage our division persona. We need to look at this manner.” and encourage active participation in the what we do from a program perspective and Reflecting on her years at the college and learning process among the children, teach - bring that together to form “one division” that looking to the future, Ms. Schulman noted, ers, and parents. will mesh with the “one college.” “I’ve been at LaGuardia for 28 years, and it’s Throughout the United States, more than When asked what one of her best memo - been a great ride. These are very exciting 11,000 early childhood programs – serving ries of LaGuardia is, Ms. Schulman empha - times for the college and the division. Under over one million young children –are current - sized, “It’s not one memory. What I like most President Gail O. Mellow’s leadership many ly accredited by NAEYC. NAEYC created about ACE is that it’s a combination of new and innovative initiatives have been its accreditation program in 1985 to set extreme dedication among my colleagues, launched. President Mellow challenges, professional standards for early childhood smart thinking, great commitment to programs encourages and supports creative and collab - education, and to help families identify high- and people, and the great fun with which orative thinking. We in ACE welcome that quality childcare and early education. To they do this; a combination of serious pur - challenge and are excited about the possibili - earn NAEYC’s accreditation, a program pose, expertise of content and ability, and ties. We do important work, and I am enjoy - conducts a self-study to determine how well having fun. That has been an absolute joy ing this new role. Being Vice President of this it meets the standards. After necessary from the first day I walked into the division.” division, at this time, working with the people improvements are made, the program is Ms. Watson acknowledged this cama - in ACE and the college and under the leader - observed by independent, professional val - raderie and indicated Ms. Schulman’s crucial ship of President Mellow, is a wonderful idators, and then reviewed by a national role in this. “Jane brings a commitment to the opportunity and a great pleasure.” panel. Programs are accredited by NAEYC goals of Adult and Continuing Education and for a five-year period. 15 by Will Koolsbergen, the producer of Speech Contest Theme: “The Antigone Project,” is sponsored by the Humanities Department and is gener - ‘Speaking Truth to Power’ ously funded by the Office of the Vice- President of Academic Affairs. In the first of two rounds of judging 33 students presented the introduction of a speech on the contest theme to an audi - ence consisting only of the other contest - By Gary Richmond, Lecturer, Humanities ants and the judges, Professor Alberta The LaGuardia Speech Contest has been Arnold, Dr. Pei-Wen Lee, Dr. Carol held each year for the past seven years Montgomery, Mr. Charles Rausch and near the conclusion of the Spring I semes - Professor Patricia Solkowki. Seven finalists ter and always on a theme of civic and were selected to speak before a distin - cultural importance. One of my chal - guished panel of faculty, staff, and student lenges as coordinator of the contest these judges and a public audience in the final past eight years has been to find a signifi - round on May 30. All finalists received cant and compelling theme. This year, certificates and pins with the top three and from the moment I was first receiving in addition cash prizes and approached by the director, John-Henry engraved medals. Davis, about the possibility of connecting This year the judges for the final round the contest to “The Antigone Project,” I were Dr. Paul Arcario, Dr. Sandra was eager to develop a contest theme Dickinson, Dr. Peter Katopes, Mr. Chang which would reflect something of the thrust Kim, Dr. Sally Mettler, and Ms. Rosemary Darin Cardenas, one of the seven speech of the production as the director has con - A. Talmadge. contest finalists, at the final round of judg - ceived it. ing. So this year the topic of the Eighth Annual LaGuardia Speech Contest was "Speaking Truth to Power: Balancing Individual and Governmental Rights," a LaGuardia Raises $39,500 for title suggested by at least one of the pow - erful themes of Antigone while also point - the 2005/06 CUNY Campaign ing to the universality and timelessness of the topic. For it is certainly an extraordi - nary challenge of our humanity in any era By Cheryl C. McKenzie, CUNY Campaign. All of the money raised to achieve that necessary but delicate bal - Campaign Coordinator through The CUNY Campaign comes ance between individual and societal from individual employees, who contribute LaGuardia hosted a wrap-up luncheon for responsibilities. It was anticipated that through voluntary payroll deductions or the captains who volunteered time to col - these two events, the Annual Speech cash/check donations at the workplace. lect pledges for the CUNY Campaign for Contest and “The Antigone Project,” Most importantly, approximately $16,032 Voluntary Charitable Giving. President would prompt both broad and deep dis - of the $39,542 collected at LaGuardia Gail O. Mellow, Vice President Peter cussion of this extraordinary tension in our will be re-directed to LaGuardia Jordan, and Jose Orengo, executive direc - human vocation. Community College Foundation to support tor for advancement, were on hand to This year 33 students competed for an scholarships for students. congratulate the captains. opportunity to go on to the final round of The LaGuardia Captains: The university-wide campaign was suc - competition leading to cash prizes, Dennis Alvarez, Fran Apfel, Jeffery Batts, cessful and a grand total of $477,107 engraved medals, and other prizes. In Jeanne Belliveau, Christine Bennett, Reshia was collected; LaGuardia raised addition the name of the first place winner Crawford, Guadalupe De La Cruz, Mae $39,542 of that amount. The effort and of the contest, Mr. Kwaku Amo-Mensah, Dick, Maria Depena, Helmut Eppich, commitment of the 50 captains placed will be engraved on a plaque permanent - Eduvina Estrella, Samuel E. Farrell, Vanda LaGuardia again in the spotlight as the ly displayed in the Humanities Fields, Yvonne Flores, Delois Foreman, college surpassed last year’s goal of Department. He and the second place Yvonne Gaul, Patricia Girard, Eileen $38,069 and was named as one of the winner, Ms. Farlande Regina, and the Goldberg, Linda Goldstein, Yevgeniya goal buster colleges. third place winner, Ms. Careen Bennett, Granovskaya, Nancy Gross, Peggy The funds raised will help support an received engraved medals and cash Hendrick, Daniele Hernandez, Nicole immense array of services offered by the prizes. The contest, originally conceived participating agencies in the CUNY Continued on Page 17 16 www.laguardia.edu nations with science murdered millions. And mother holding her son. It was my mother LaGuardia Grad and there were so many collaborators willing to and brother! In the Auschwitz Museum shop Holocaust Survivor help the murderers. Around the globe there I bought two books and carried them on my Visits Her Roots was no one to help the oppressed. back for two weeks. I did not have the When the tsunami hit South Asia I was cry - courage to open it until I was home for two ing for the people who lost their lives. I wit - weeks. When I opened the book I went to Eli Gross, a ‘98 graduate and Holocaust nessed how the world united to assist the vic - the photo that was taken of my loved ones survivor, recently participated in The March tims and survivors. The tsunami was nature’s on June 2, 1944, the day they arrived in of the Living, an international, educational tragedy. In my sorrow I asked why no one hell. I remember how an officer with white program that brings Jewish teens from all helped the children of the Holocaust. It is gloves waved and a soldier pushed me to over the world to Poland on Yom Hashoah, well known that between May 15 and June the right. Later, I found out that the officer Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from 15, 1944 the Hungarians sent Jews to the was Dr. Joseph Mengele, the famous angel Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concen - slaughter. In a matter of hours, thousands of of death. tration camp complex built during World innocents died in the four gigantic gas cham - The shock was strong. For a while I could War II, and then to Israel to observe Yom bers and crematoriums. In a large ditch, not walk and just stayed in bed reliving the HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom children and adults were thrown in alive. nightmares. Then I made a commitment to Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. We cannot forgive or forget. Through the try to remind others of my plague. I partici - Following are her reflections. March of the Living we keep the memory pated five times in the March of the Living By Eli Gross, ‘98 graduate alive. By participating in the March of the and gave emotional support for teenagers. I Living, me, and several other survivors, are wrote three books, I am a speaker at the This is the fifth time I walked with teenagers helping today’s youth better understand the Bureau of Jewish Heritage Museum, and and chaperons through the killing fields Holocaust. speak at schools around the country. I was where my life was forever changed. Sixty- In 1998, the first time I participated, the on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” several radio talks, two years have passed but it is as if it hap - group walked through the Auschwitz I and featured in local newspapers. pened today. Museum and the Auschwitz-2/Birkenau To educators, I suggest you take students Because the tragedy happened in my life I killing fields. We saw a blown up cremato - to the killing fields so they can witness what try to leave a legacy in the memory of those rium, and the lake where deportees were hatred creates. Teachers have an obligation silenced before their time. There is always a burned. The lake water is still black. to educate the young that hatred and preju - place in the world where hatred exists We also looked at historical photos. dice create only destruction. among its people. But the Holocaust was Among the photos, was a life-size photo of a different. One of the world’s most civilized

Campaign ... Continued from page 14 Hernandez, Yvette Hernandez, Cheryl Johnson, Janice Kydd, Melvy Mileta, Patricia Morson, Jacqueline Moyano, Roslyn Orgel, John Paternoster, Vianey Pelaez-Quinones, Claudia Perez, Donna Perez, Evelyn Perez, Joanne Pierre-Louis, Jose Plasencia, Amanda Polania, Maria Riggs(liaison) Althea Roder, Gladys Romero-Oruna, Margie Rush, Allyson Santiago, Bill Seto, John Shean, Cheryl Still, Alida Suero, Mattie Tanksley, Chukie Wangdu, Kia Yarbrough. Thank you to the entire LaGuardia com - munity and to the captains on a job well done.

Photos right: Allyson Santiago, center, one of the CUNY Campaign captions, receives certificate from, left, Cheryl McKenzie, 2005-2006 coordinator, and President Gail O. Mellow. 17 ty, staff, and students, and in particular: Asian Heritage and Diversity Joyce Moy, director of Economic Development Center – committee chair and Celebrated at LaGuardia panel moderator; Professor Kyoko Toyama, lecturer and counselor/ College Discovery Program – panel moderator/display case coordinator; Lilik Gondopriono, senior col - By Chukie Wangdu, Member, Asian The Asian Film Festival ran from May 22 lege laboratory technician/ESL – culinary Heritage Month Planning Committee –25. Screened in the Little Theatre, the six expert and coordinator; Professor Kenneth films ran the gamut in diversity -- from the Yin, lecturer/ELA, Chinese Club mentor – Leading up to the Asian Heritage Day cele - “Hero,” about a powerful and ruthless co-master of ceremony of the Asian bration on May 31, was a month-long, Chinese emperor in the 3rd century B.C. to Heritage Day show; Marion Viray, lectur - diverse series of events celebrating Asian the “American Adobo,” a comedy about er/College Discovery -- contributor and heritage and identity. Starting on May 3, five Filipino-American friends in present-day stage manager, and Terry Parker, college the Library and Media Services helped to New York City, who are conflicted with laboratory technician/Media Services – display Asian artifacts and modern books. their life choices and destinies. Also master of everything. We hope you were able to stop by and screened were: “Godzilla- the Final Wars,” We share our success with all the faculty, view the exhibition. On May 17, under “Balzac and the Little Seamstress,” “The staff, and students who volunteered their the title, “Who is Asian Anyway? And Cup,” and “Fire.” All these films are a time and expertise. Special thanks go the What Does it Mean in America?” a panel must-see for Asian film and immigrant stud - President Mellow and Brian Goldstein for discussion of faculty, staff, and students ies buffs. funding this project. raised interesting questions about what it really means to be Asian in the U.S. Many The Asian Heritage Day, our last and in the audience participated in the discus - final event, on May 31, was a smashing Staff ... sion, and others left the event with an success. As members of the college com - Continued from page 1 appreciation of Asian-Americans’ concerns munity and visitors gathered in the over stereotyping and its impact on them, Cobblestone Courtyard and sampled the memorable lecture by author/cartoonist socially, politically and economically. delicious foods of Asia under a bright sun, Art Spiegelman.” Tianjiao Performing Arts Troupe acrobats Due to the efforts of Vice President Peter balanced plates, and beautiful Bangladeshi Katopes, she said the college’s first women, Rahi Ahmed and Saleha Ripa, Fulbright Scholar, Innocent Datondji, a lin - danced to modern tunes. guist and ESL specialist from Benin, will President Gail O. Mellow welcomed the be joining the faculty this coming fall. crowd, and Alexandra Pyak ‘06 and The president then noted that there has Alexander Sidorov ‘06, presidents of SGA been a “flowering” of new programs. and The Bridge, respectively, offered greet - She remarked that the practical nursing ings. Amazing performances by Tenzin program graduated its first class, the engi - Kunsel, a rising child star in the Tibetan neering science program has enrolled community, and by Kinding Sindaw, tradi - over 100 students, the music audio tech - tional Filipino martial arts and dancers, nology program has been launched, and were interspersed by meaningful reflections the establishment of the Education and from Huan Sherman ’07, Guillermo Briceno Language Acquisition Department will ’07, Rangel Robinson ’07, and allow the college to rearticulate with Mohammad Hossain, Student Information Queens College. “This agreement will Center telecounselor. The show ended with allow the college to serve as a pipeline poetry rap poignantly spoken by Kiman for New York City teachers,” she said. Thai ’06 and ear-splitting offerings from Other programs in the works that the young Filipino and Japanese rock and punk president mentioned included the writing bands, which were introduced by Girard and literature program, which is set to go Tecson ’07 of the LaGuardia Web Radio. to the Board of Trustees, and the criminal Without even really trying, a clear theme justice program. of the old and new threaded through our The president explained that the college events this year. It just seemed a natural is making strides to recognize the scholar - and useful way of presenting ourselves to ly work of faculty through the creation of The Tianjiao Performing Arts Troupe was the college community. the homepage’s “good news scroll,” one of the groups performing at the col - The 2006 Asian Heritage Month which announces faculty presentations lege’s Asian Heritage Day on May 31. Planning Committee was made up of facul - Continued on Page 19 18 www.laguardia.edu Staff ... ested in seeking employment in the retail Affairs. A president’s roundtable focusing Continued from page 18 and food industries, and an unsolicited on community affairs, spearheaded by $494,000 grant from the U.S. Helen Levine, chief external affairs officer, and publication, and a library display Department of Labor to train immigrants brought together business and community case set aside for faculty publications. for careers in the hotel industry. leaders who discussed issues affecting The president extended a special thank Among the division’s new initiatives, the their communities. The Performance you to Dean Marcia Caton for her leader - president listed the opening of the Planet, an international music series, held ship role in the college’s asthma assess - Workforce1 Center, the development of its three concerts featuring Joseito Mateo, a ment and prevention project in Queens new marketing strategy, and the kick-off of legendary Dominican showman; Pakistani and the Bronx. In the next two years, its new on-line registration, which will rock star Salman Adhmad; and an Asian trained volunteers will conduct home visits enable the division to track its students into rock concert starring three aspiring artists. to families whose members suffer from this credit programs. Also organized was a walking tour of chronic disease. “Enrollment Management was involved Jackson Heights attended by faculty and During the 2005-06 academic year, in a million projects,” said the president. Indian, Bangladeshi, and Colombian President Mellow said faculty and students Among the new developments was the community leaders. were involved in a number of creative expansion of its child-care services to fac - She went on the say that the grants and literary ventures. She noted the ulty and staff, the establishment of web office has updated its webpage and ambitious, multimedia production of radio made possible through the division’s Robert Kahn, the office’s director, is in the “Antigone;” the Thomson Avenue film festi - collaboration with Academic Affairs and process of selecting faculty members who val showcasing works by new media stu - Information Technology. In addition, will participate in a yearlong grants devel - dents; the launching of the new literary 50,000 students visited the new enroll - opment program. magazine, Literary LaGuardia , overseen ment center and the division hosted the Looking at the President’s Office’s by Dr. Stafford Gregoire; the inaugural Student Development Conference, which accomplishments, the president said that issue of the faculty publication In Transit; was attended by over 600 CUNY student she is hopeful that the college will secure the publishing of several issues of The affairs professionals. the $55 million for acquisition of a new Bridge , supervised by Ed Hollins and Although many of the changes in the building. “I am still optimistic that we will Kevin Lerner; and the White Castle art area of technology cannot be seen, have a new building,” she said. contest where 40 art students submitted President Mellow said that the Division of President Mellow added that the college wall sculptures whose primary material Information Technology has made continu - continues to focus on fund raising and cul - was the eatery’s little hamburger box. ous upgrades in the infrastructure. She tivating new relationships with the business The president also praised the work added that great advances have been community. She forecasted that the foun - accomplished by the task force on interna - made in the ability to use support data dation will have reached $1 million in tionalizing the college and singled out the collected for the divisions of Adult and assets by the end of the summer. $100,000 Ford Foundation grant to Continuing Education and Enrollment On a sad note, the president said that implement a program that will engage Management and Student Development the college has established two endow - members of the college and surrounding and that the look of the college’s website ment scholarships in honor of recently ethnic communities in a dialogue on reli - continues to be updated. “The college’s departed Susan Blandi and Arlene Kahn. gious issues. “This is a project that we website continues to be the place where Donations have totaled over $30,000. should be especially proud of,” said more and more people go to get informa - Another scholarship has been established President Mellow. “We will be reaching tion on the college.” in the name of Audrey Harrigan who out to 50 faith-based organizations as Recognizing the power of the Web, the recently retired. well as students and faculty to examine president noted that the Division of This year, the president added three what does religious intolerance have to Finance and Administration has estab - new members to her Executive Council— do with academic freedom.” lished a website that shows major con - Vice President Peter Katopes, Vice The academic news was not all posi - struction projects including, faculty-staff President Jane Schulman, and Chief tive. The president admitted the acade - bathrooms in each building, the faculty- External Affairs Officer Helen Levine. mies are facing some administrative chal - staff dining room in the C-building, the She capped her overview applauding lenges but added a positive note: the overhaul of the M-building cafeteria, and the college for being one of two communi - cooperative education department’s funda - the two new elevators in the C-building. ty colleges in the nation to receive the mentals of professional development, has “Through the website, you get a sense MetLife Foundation’s 2006 Community been successfully integrated. of what is happening,” said the president. College Excellence Award for successfully Turning to the Division of Adult and She went on the say the division, for the helping underserved students meet their Continuing Education, the president said first time, opened its leadership class to academic and career goals. the division was awarded two major faculty. Next year, community members “We will have a party at the MetLife grants—a $1 million U.S. Department of will be invited. headquarters in Queens Plaza in the fall,” Labor grant to provide English language The president then noted a number of said a glowing president. skills and job training to immigrants inter - events and programs hosted by External 19 events, organize ceremonies and confer - LaGuardia Recognizes Its ences, she does not receive additional pay or release time. Unsung Heroes “She takes great pride in the accom - plishments of the students and relishes the time she spends with them,” President By Staff Mellow said at the formal ceremony. Mellow said. “By her actions, Diane During the presentation, the president exemplifies ‘exceptional service’ to Twenty-eight faculty and staff members announced the names of the nominees LaGuardia.” were nominated by their peers for their who were seated in the audience, and President Mellow described Mr. outstanding service and commitment to asked them to stand and be recognized Meangru as someone who always goes the college through LaGuardia’s new by their peers; the four finalists were above and beyond the call of duty when “Unsung Hero” Award program. asked to join her on the stage while she it comes to assisting colleagues and stu - Among the nominees, four finalists read a short piece on each. dents. “It could be substituting for a class, received the 2006 “Unsung Hero” Award In awarding Ms. Barnett, the president providing additional guidance in the lab, from President Gail O. Mellow at the noted that her students and peers have or running an independent study course Professional Staff Meeting on June 7. The consistently rated her performance as for a student who needs it to graduate 2006 “Unsung Heroes” are Rosalia excellent. “She is always willing to collab - that semester.” Barnett, adjunct lecturer in the Accounting orate with faculty, frequently sharing her “It is obvious that Rudy’s dedication and and Managerial Science Department; inventive teaching styles, and her ideas contributions to the college, his depart - Diane Darcy, payroll director; Rudy for course revisions and updates,” she ment and his students have ‘raised the Meangru, lecturer in the Mathematics said. “Rosalia is always available to stu - bar’ for all of us who work with him,” she Department, and Norma Vladic, nursing dents and colleagues and is an example added. lab college lab technician. Each finalist of someone who consistently goes ‘above In recognizing Ms. Vladic, the president received a $300 gift check and a certifi - and beyond.’” said she has given much to the program cate. The other 24 awardees received a Ms. Darcy, the president said, not only and students by organizing study groups, coffee mug adorned with the “unsung is the college’s payroll director, but volun - spending countless hours in the lab, and hero” logo—a star atop of a column. teers as advisor to the Phi Theta Kappa observing students practicing their nursing “These are people who do amazing Honor Society. Although the job requires skills. “She consistently demonstrates her things but are not always seen,” President she attend evening and weekend student commitment to LaGuardia,” she said. The other 24 nominees for 2006 are: Ali Abdallah, Konjit Alemu, Edna Best, Lorraine Bria, Zulma Castillo, Bette Cohen, Vincent Cousin, Renee Daniels, Eileen Goldberg, Yvette Hernandez, Matthew Joffe, Aaron Maldonado, Cheryl McKenzie, Harriet Mesulam, Venus NFN, Adnan Pasha, Janeth Pinto, Migdalia Reyes, Jennie Rosado, Jessica Schira, Luis Simancas, Maria Torres, Leonard Vogt, and Joyce Zaritsky. The president explained that the idea of the award grew out of the strategic plan - ning process. “We wanted to ensure that one of our ongoing themes is to create a nurturing and supportive environment for faculty and staff,” she said. “A college runs on people.” The nomination process was an arduous one. Nominations were submitted by colleagues who had to explain in writing why the person deserved to be recog - nized, as well as cite specific examples. It was then up to the Faculty and Staff "Baby Fingers Mommy and Me Sign Language" class was held this spring by the Recognition Committee to go through the Program for Deaf Adults. arduous process of selecting the awardees. 20 www.laguardia.edu