#25 April 2003

LaGuardia Students Selected to All-New York Academic Team

By Staff

Two LaGuardia students have been recog - nized by the International Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, for their outstanding scholarship and student leadership. Kimberly McCaffrey ’03 and Melvin Coston ’03 have been selected to the prestigious 2003 All-New York Academic Team. Over 1,400 students participated in the competition. Ms. McCaffrey, a liberal arts major, made the First Team, and Mr. Coston, a media studies major, was chosen for the Second Team. "LaGuardia is very proud of Kimberly and Melvin and we congratulate them on this award," said President Gail O. Mellow. "Like many of our students, they have chosen to launch their college Phi Theta Kappa members, Kimberly McCaffrey,’03, and Melvin Coston, ‘03, were careers here to take full advantage of selected to the society’s prestigious 2003 All-New York Academic Team. LaGuardia’s vast academic opportunities and gain experiences that not only help them develop as people but shape their future plans for senior college and College Foundation Holds beyond." A scholastic society for the country’s 5.5 Its Inaugural Meeting million community, junior, and technical college students, Phi Theta Kappa institut - ed this annual competition to recognize students who excel academically, demon - By Jose Orengo, capital development strate intellectual rigor in their courses of Executive Assistant for new and renovated study, show academic growth and poten - for External Affairs, facilities. tial, and use their college education to President’s Office "We are delighted better themselves, their schools and their that such a distin - The Board of Directors communities. This year’s awards luncheon guished group of busi - of the LaGuardia will be held on April 21 in Albany. ness and community Community College Seven years ago, Ms. McCaffrey’s leaders have agreed Foundation held its inaugural meeting on dream of becoming a singer was shat - to serve on the LaGuardia Community March 24. tered when she developed nodules on College Foundation Board," said President The foundation’s purpose is to raise her vocal chords as a student at the High Gail O. Mellow. "They are talented, funds for a variety of purposes, ranging School of Performing Arts. She entered energetic, and deeply committed to from student scholarships, faculty support the full-time workforce after high school improving the lives of our students." and program development to eventual Continued on page 8 Continued on page 8 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/ 1 inspiration from keynote speaker Laure- Center for Immigrant Education Anne Bosselaar, a native of Belgium who came to this country 15 years ago not Celebrates First Anniversary knowing the language and went on to write two books of poetry in English. “I was where you are not too long ago,“ said Ms. Bosselaar. “Fifteen years By Staff ago I did not think I would be able to speak English, but I had a dream that one In celebration of the first anniversary of day I would have my name on a book. I the Center for Immigrant Education and kept my dream.“ Training and the laudable achievements of After Ms. Bosselaar read three of her its students, the center held a special cere - poems it was the students’ turn to recite mony for faculty, students, and their fami - their original poems and essays, which lies. are compiled in a publication. One of Despite the looming war with Iraq, the the students, Dario Reinoso, who is now feeling in the Mainstage Theatre at the enrolled in the college’s physical therapy March 17th event was joyous. Before an assistant program, read his essay on how audience of proud students who had LaGuardia presented him with new oppor - enrolled at the center to improve their tunities. “I am studying English and I command of English and to develop mar - hope I will make my dreams in the future. ketable skills, and their family members, Now LaGuardia is my second house Suma Kurien, the center’s director, said the because it opened the doors to my event celebrates “dreams.“ Savalee Duangprom, who recently future.“ “Dreams of better possibilities and better graduated from the center’s foodservice Other student work was on display out - lives for ourselves, our children, our city, training program, is now interviewing side the theater. At the job training table, our country, and our world,“ she said. for a food preparation position. students showed off their resumes and “We think of our work at the center as other class projects, and at the foodser - helping you to remember your dreams said Ms. Kurien, “they are at a point vice table students were handing out a once again. To dream new dreams and, where they can enter the job market or book of family recipes. more importantly, to help you hold onto pursue further education.“ “The food service class was great,“ said your dreams and achieve them.“ During the ceremony, the instructors Savalee Duangprom of Thailand, who In her remarks, Sandy Watson, acting praised the students for their persever - admitted that before taking the class she assistant dean of the Division of Adult and ance, determination, and hard work. did not know how to cook. “Now I love Continuing Education, added that it is the “You are an inspiration to all of us,“ said to cook and I am interviewing for a food dream of the center to help people get Carolyn Grimaldi, who teaches the preparation position in a food manage - over the major barriers they face. “We English for New Americans program. ment company.“ want to be able to give you the language The students also received a dose of skills, vocational skills, personal skills, and social skills so that you can be successful as Americans.“ News from the Center for The center is already realizing its dreams. In one short year, the center, Teaching and Learning which began with 25 students, now serves over 500 who are enrolled in five training programs: English for new By Maureen Doyle and Bill Seto Americans; vocational intensive English; Participants used the institute to make job training in such areas as security, DFL Mid-Year Institute decisions about what technologies they cabling, and food service; and ESL for On March 3-6, the 2002-03 Designed will bring into their teaching practice and workers. Another 500 interested students for Learning (DFL) participants came how to plan for its effective use with stu - are on a waiting list. together for an intensive four days of dents. DFL participant Liz Iannotti of The And while the center is realizing its workshops, discussions, and planning. English Language Center said, "The key dreams, many of the students are also The Mid-Year Institute was geared around word is refinement. In support groups we realizing theirs. Twenty students have planning for classroom implementation of got the chance to share the teaching with enrolled in college (18 at LaGuardia) and the various new technology skills that par - technology projects that we have been 50 have secured new jobs. ticipants have been advancing since the planning, and to rethink, add to, and “When they complete their program,“ Summer Institute. Continued on page 4 2 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/ Clerc, founders of the first school for the Celebration of the Deaf Culture Deaf in America. The bus will depart at 8:30 a.m. and will return to campus at Throughout the Month of April 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required. On April 30, the guest speaker, Joyce Houghton, will lead a workshop, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., that gives a deaf person’s perspective on and return to the college at 6:30 p.m. By Staff issues, culture, and language. Reservations are required. Following the lecture will be an open In celebration of deaf history, culture, and The lecture on April 9 will spotlight two house at the college’s new ASL and inter - language, LaGuardia’s Program for Deaf specific groups---famous New Yorkers and pretative lab where students will give a Adults is hosting a month-long event African Americans, all of whom are deaf--- demonstration on the lab’s state-of-the-art beginning April 2 that features an array of and the contributions they made to their equipment. educational, cultural and artistic activities. communities. Professor Lazorisak will be The celebration will culminate on May 2 In New York City, one out of 10 peo - the emcee. The event will be held from with an evening of deaf comedy featuring ple is deaf or hard of hearing. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room E-500. two professional deaf actors. The per - LaGuardia, which has the largest most On April 15, the college is planning a formance will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 comprehensive post-secondary program bus trip to the American School for the p.m. in the Little Theatre. for students in this community, has Deaf in West Hartford, Connecticut. The event is made possible by a grant designed a program to provide greater Participants will tour the school and its his - from the CUNY Diversity Projects understanding of this special population to torical museum and visit the gravesites of Development Fund. everyone. Reverend Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent "The celebration is to promote greater awareness about American deaf history, culture, and language among students, faculty, and staff," said Tony Allicino, College Now Pilot Program director of PDA, "and to recognize the many educational opportunities that Launches Saturday Seminars LaGuardia offers for the successful educa - tion of its students who are deaf and hard of hearing." By Lorna Feldman, Coordinator, College All events, which are held in the col - Now Pilot Program lege’s main building, are voice interpreted in English for the hearing. For reserva - The College Now Pilot Program, directed Focus will be placed on the historical time tions to the events or additional informa - by Arlene Kahn, has developed a period in which it is set and social condi - tion call ext. 5324 (voice) or ext. 5325 "Saturday Theater tions on which it may (TTY). Seminar" program be commenting, as well The celebration kicks off on April 2 this semester for the as the plot, the music, with a forum that examines the achieve - students in the pilot choreography, the cos - ments of the deaf and hard of hearing. high schools – tumes, and the sets. A student presentation will focus on Beach Channel, Then, after lunch, it’s off famous deaf Americans, followed by a Flushing, and to Broadway. panel of LaGuardia alumni that will Martin Van Buren. In preparation for the explain how the college helped them to Professor Jim April 5 performance of achieve their career goals. Also sched - Wilson of the “Ma Rainey’s Black uled is a video that documents the career English Department Bottom,” Professor paths of several deaf individuals. will lead these sem - Wilson will familiarize Professor Carole Lazorisak of Human inar sessions, and students with the Blues Services will be emceeing and moderat - the day will culmi - Students will see Charles S. Dutton and the Harlem ing the event. The program runs from 2 nate in a matinee and Whoopie Goldberg in “Ma Renaissance. The May p.m. to 4 p.m. in the college’s Little performance of a Rainey’s Black Bottom.” 3 seminar will focus on Theatre. Broadway play. “The Phantom of the On April 5, the American Sign Under Professor Wilson’s guidance, the Opera,” and the May 17 seminar is on Language Festival, an all-day event will students, many of whom have never seen “Rent.” The latter will include as part of take place at Union County College in a professional theatrical performance, will the session a tour of the East Village Cranford, New Jersey. A bus to the festi - spend the morning at the college prepar - neighborhood in which the play is set. val will leave LaGuardia at 10:30 a.m. ing for the show they will see that day. 3 CETT... Continued from page 2 refine these strategies before we try out and Gordon Crandall joined the conver - ePortfolios. Faculty also discussed ways this term." sation at the Conference on College to use the ePortfolio to support "project As Ms. Iannotti points out, participants Composition and Communi-cation ("The based learning," and developed activities focused on improving and enhancing their Four Cs") in New York. using the new "Fiorello’s ePortfolio" web - plans for incorporating new technologies Each conference offered the team an site. And participants began thinking into their courses. For example, John opportunity to share our initial experience about new steps for the initiative, includ - Hyland of the Social Science department of using ePortfolios with our students. ing the integration of assessment process - shared (on the Institute’s Blackboard dis - Because the AAHE has prioritized es and the idea of "Digital Storytelling," a cussion group) some of the ways he used ePortfolios, our session was packed, and possibility that will be explored in greater the institute to make his plans for the colleagues from around the country depth around the Instructional Staff meet - spring. "Through a lead I discovered requested follow up conversations. The ing in May. when we were looking at other on-line syl - 4Cs conference was exciting because we Stay tuned for more information on labi (an Urban Sociology course from the were a "featured session," and because Digital Storytelling, and reports on plans University of Monterey, Mexico), I plan to we were able to have students present for expanding ePortfolio in the year to include a section on ‘visual sociology’ - (the only other college bringing student come. using photos to pose problems about presenters was Purdue University). Matisse Picasso urban life on my Urban Sociology course Students Geraldine Moral, Justin Agbata MoMA’s blockbuster Matisse Picasso blackboard site. I also plan to develop and Ali Abdallah each did an excellent exhibit is possibly the biggest and most links to Census databases and NYC job of sharing work they had developed talked about art exhibition the city has Community Board data - demographics, through the ePortfolio initiative and reflect - ever seen. The center is partnering with maps, plans, budgets, etc. Later I want to ing on what the experience meant to our new neighbor to help LaGuardia fac - work on setting up discussion groups so them. ulty incorporate the exhibit into courses that students might do group projects on Meanwhile, the pilot process itself is and curricula for spring. We are doing issues such as housing, education, or entering a second semester. In February, this in a number of ways. First, the center transportation." at our Midyear Institute, 20 faculty work - is collaborating with MoMA to present The 2002-03 DFL cohort will continue ing on the overlapping ePortfolio and lectures open to all students and faculty to experiment with and learn how technol - eTransfer projects reviewed their experi - around the exhibit. In these slide-illustrat - ogy can enhance their courses in various ences in the fall and winter, and dis - ed presentations, MoMA lecturer Richard ways in the months to come. And keep cussed lessons learned. Project leaders Turnbull comments on some of the main an eye out for applications for the 2003- offered additional training in the ePortfolio issues raised by the exhibition Matisse 2004 DFL program, which will be avail - technology, highlighting the ways that the Picasso. This lecture will be repeated four able soon. times during the term – the first two were Notes on held March 17 and 18 (which were ePortfolio attended by hundreds of students and fac - The college’s ulty), and two more lectures will be in late ePortfolio initiative April – check the center’s website for infor - is moving ahead mation (http://faculty.lagcc.cuny.edu/ctl). well, and drawing The center also has a number of print, national attention. slide, and web-based resources available In the past month, for any teachers who want to plan lessons for example, mem - or activities connected to a visit to bers of the MoMA. Faculty can contact Bill Seto at ePortfolio pilot x5499 to get hold of any of these program present - resources. ed at two national Matisse Picasso runs until May 19, and conferences. LaGuardia students and faculty can get Paul Arcario, Liz reduced admission to the exhibit with col - Clark, Maureen At the 4Cs conference, Justin Agbata, ‘03, shares the work he lege ID: $7 for students and $8 for facul - Doyle, and Bret developed through the ePortfolio initiative. ty. Eynon presented at Thursdays at the Center the American Association of Higher process of creating ePortfolios has been The center is sponsoring "brown bag" dis - Education (AAHE) in Washington, DC, streamlined, including the use of a CD by cussions in E255 every Thursday through - and Max Rodriguez, James Richardson, students to facilitate the development of Continued on page 11 4 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/ behavior was so bad that the teacher said My Internship as a Second no. Stephanie, who is struggling with English, was finally able to write ten lines for Grade Teacher me, and was so happy that she could do it…well, it brought tears to my eyes. The Kendy Delossantos, Education Major six or seven of them are in the class for the teacher is clearly doing her best with them, Interviewed by Cathy Farrell, Professor, second time. My first week went pretty and I’m there to help her, but believe me it’s Cooperative Education Department well. Many of them were rather quiet and tough. Can we make a difference for these shy, but they wanted attention. The teacher kids? How can we? When I tried to correct Since I was only going to be able to do had her hands full, and quickly had me bad behavior, Marcos told me, you’re not one internship, I wanted it to be a real work with small groups on reading and really a teacher so I’m not listening to you! learning experience for me. The school that math. Most are reading at the first grade When he later tried to get into my small my son goes to is right in our neighbor - level and can’t really write sentences. reading group, the teacher wouldn’t let him. hood, and I think the teachers are great I stayed late one day to sit in on parent- He cleaned up his act the next day, and there. So I went and spoke with the princi - teacher conferences, and that was an was able to join me again. I’m finding that pal, and she was happy to accept me. She experience. While the majority of parents working in small groups is encouraging to offered me a couple of different classes, showed up for the sessions, their behavior students, and in some cases we discover and I chose the one that sounded most chal - varied a lot. One mother smiled, but said they really can do the work, even if they lenging. My thinking was this: when I finally nothing. Her son curses a lot in class, and didn’t do it for homework. get my degree from Queens College and behaves very badly. It was clear that most I’ve decided to stay with this teacher and find a position in a public school, I don’t of the parents aren’t helping their children her class, at least until the spring break. If I want to feel stranded if I find myself in a with their homework, as they’ve been can make a difference and contribute to class of difficult kids. I’d rather have some asked to do. I wonder if they feel compe - their learning, I want to stay with these kids. experience that has prepared me for tough tent enough to do it. But if it’s chaotic every day, day after day, situations. This second week had been much maybe I should speak with the principal and So there I was the first day, in the lowest tougher. Joseph and Marcos ran out of the change classes. For the moment, I’m staying class of the second grade, with 27 kids; classroom and down the hall, and then where I am to see how it goes. Believe me, there are nine girls, the rest boys, all were found playing in a closet. Marcos it’s a challenge. between the ages of seven and nine. I think wanted to be in my group again, but his

Fight the Cuts At the college’s "Fight the Cuts," letter-writ - ing campaign, Geeta Persaud, an educa - tion major, fills out form while Mike McSweeney, director of Legislative and Community Affairs, looks on. The cam - paign was one of the activities held dur - ing the college’s March 26th CUNY Day of Action. The university-wide event edu - cated students on the proposed reductions in this year’s state budget, which include a $106 million cut in state funding to CUNY and a change in the TAP formula that would make college tuition less afford - able.

LaGuardia Live Wire is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Submissions are welcomed by e-mail at “Livewire“, by phone at extension 5060 or in person in room E-508. 5 Book Review: Celebrating Balzac and the Little Chinese International Women’s Day

Seamstress Ellen Quish, Lecturer, Adult Learning Center

"Balzac and the Little Chinese Last month ESOL students and staff from Seamstress," by Dai Sijie, translation the Adult Learning Center celebrated by Ina Rilke, Anchor paperback, 2003 International Women’s Day. The celebra - By Evelyn Burg, Communication Skills tion was an opportunity to learn and hear about the accomplishments and chal - This is a graceful little fable by a contem - lenges of women from around the world. porary Chinese author and filmmaker. In preparation for the celebration, a Written originally in French and published committee of Adult Learning Center day in 2000, it was a then bestseller and students met weekly to plan and organize prizewinner. Dai Sijie, who is now forty- the content of the event. As a result, ESOL nine, suffered "re-education" for three students from the beginning, intermediate years in the nineteen-seventies during a and advanced ESOL classes, formed later reverberation of Mao’s Cultural working groups that researched famous Revolution. The tale involves two women from around the world, designed teenaged friends, children of intellectual games about famous women, selected parents who are sent to the country to be videos, articles, and poems relevant to re-educated by the peasants, meaning women’s history and planned a breakfast condemned to forms of hard labor in menu. Students created posters that local villages. The boys both have a liter - described women in politics, literature, sci - ary flair and manage to exact a small ence, art, sports, journalism and non-tradi - amount of freedom from their ability to see Evelyn Burg, Communication Skills tional occupations that were exhibited in a movie and re-enact it themselves for the room E-500 during the celebration. villagers. On one expedition, they meet literature to prevent the annihilation of the The program was led by two student a young seamstress, who eventually joins spirit. It is itself also simply and elegantly emcees, Aida Juarez and Martha Salas, their not so merry band. They are also written. The book’s ending lacks some and included a brief history of reunited with another school friend who is clarity and force, especially compared International Women’s Day, a video on discovered to have a secret cache of for - with what preceded it and readers might the history of the women’s movement in bidden Western books, which they set find that part slightly disappointing, yet it the U.S., a reading of poems such as their sights upon using. The drama offers us a spare unsentimental look at Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman, involves the struggle to acquire the books Chinese life under Mao from the perspec - and the presentation of a skit depicting a and illustrates the power of language and tive of adolescent intellectuals. Continued on Page 11

Central Park Do we belong together? Poem by Yevgeniya Przhebelskaya, student By Caridad Zegarra, Data Entry Specialist, Grants Development

How gorgeous you are: He was traveling around the world; his face was hunting for the unex - Standing in the middle of the daily life; pected result. You invite all people to relax, The autumn tree, reminded him of the time he got it and he let it go. Spend some time and capture sun and strength. The fall season passed, and he was still looking for this light. Clowns, zoo, and dark alleys, The dark in the forest made him think he was stronger, and he will be. Puppies, parents, children, friends, He will escape from the prison where they live, but the cold winter First naïve kisses on the dates, reminded him that Secrets revealed and last hugs, They were the strongest people who ever lived. Say "goodbye" to someone - broken love, Noisy places, and places where I was alone, All of that makes me thankful, when I’m gone.

6 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/ more, but the event was made that much Two LaGuardia Professors more delightful by the gracious presence of our dear friends from Communication Join Sunnyside Kiwanis Skills Professors Irma Lynch-Patterson, Melvy Mileta and Molly Jacob. Their attendance made the ceremony a total success. Thanks to them and all of our new friends in Kiwanis, this was an atmos - Masiello at the end of February. This By William F. Kurzyna, Instructor, phere of familial emotional support. gala event—which, to my great relief, in Communication Skills Dept. As the weeks have passed since that no way resembles a Friars’ Club Roast— thoroughly enjoyable evening, made spe - There is no mistaking the buzz surround - was celebrated in a new dining hall at cial by the extraordinary eloquence of the ing the local community of Sunnyside in Bloom’s, an establishment that translates chapter president in welcoming us, we’ve these early days of spring. The vitality of the very best features of a traditional Irish been given several opportunities to extend the neighborhood has received a signifi - pub for local worthies, complete with good will and hope as well as material cant boost from the opening of MOMA plush armchairs, excellent paintings of Irish aid to the people of the nearby communi - QNS’s much-publicized Picasso/Matisse landscapes and historical figures, famous ty. This has given us both a deeper con - exhibition, causing a naturally energetic quotations from Joyce (paterfamilias of the nection to LaGuardia as a total education - area to reach a new level of high spirits. joint due to literary begetting of Leopold al enterprise, serving its local population While no direct counterparts to the duo Bloom, the eponymous), Wilde ("I have in a complex network of roles. Becoming ensconced and feted on the border of nothing to declare except my genius") and Kiwanians has shown us that the job of a Long Island City and Sunnyside, two Yeats, topped off by irresistible pub LaGuardia educator never ends, and we recent additions to the well-established favorites such as shepherd’s pie and extend an invitation to all of our col - chapter of Kiwanis here in Sunnyside bangers and mash, the latter dish particu - leagues on faculty and staff to join us. promise to raise the energy level of that larly congenial to both Ernie’s and my You’ll be glad you did. body as well. own roots. You could hardly ask for These initiates are Professors Ernest Nieratka and myself, colleagues in a department that prides itself on making a Two PTK Members difference in the surrounding community whenever possible. This is attested to by Elected NYS Regional such events as the "Teach Your Child to Officers Read" seminars conducted by Drs. Marcia Glick and Arthur Lau at the local YMCA By Mohammad Fakhari, Contact last spring, the on-going efforts of Dr. Xi Advisor, Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Wu Feng to help neighborhood teens pre - pare, and the many contributions made Two LaGuardia Phi Theta Kappa Honor by Professor Jose Fabara on behalf of Society members were elected as New Upward Bound, a program aimed at York State regional officers. improving the academic lives of local resi - Paola Caicedo, a native of Colombia dents. majoring in business management, was Paola Caicedo Both Ernie Nieratka and I learned of the selected as the southern district vice presi - dent. Dipti Manji, a native of Tanzania Sunnyside Kiwanis chapter through our One More Small Step dear friend and colleague, Professor majoring in programming and systems, Gerrold Berkson. Jerry is now the presi - was elected the southern district recording dent of the chapter and has wasted no secretary. There are seven New York By Will Saunders, Senior Administrator, time in mounting a vigorous recruiting State regional officers positions. Adult and Continuing Education drive. Having accepted Jerry’s warm invi - Along with the students officers, tation to join him and his fellow President Gail O. Mellow continues in her On a recent transcontinental flight from Kiwanians for lunch at Bloom’s restaurant role as PTK southern district presidential Seattle to New York, I was one of the last on Queens Boulevard, it was a smooth, ambassador and Assistant Professor Jerry passengers getting off and I paused briefly natural transition for the two of us to apply Ianni of the Mathematics Department, to ask the stewardess to convey my compli - for club membership. We were both serves as the southern district representa - ments to the captain on a perfect landing. approved (although I do share Groucho’s tive on the New York State PTK advisory It was one of those rare, greased on land - infamous suspicion of any club that would board. ings where you never felt the actual touch - have him as a member), and celebrated down and only the smallest chirp as the our induction along with Ms. Carol wheels met the pavement. The stewardess smiled and said, "I'll tell her." 7 All-NYC Academic "Prior to LaGuardia, I did not have the "As the publications officer, he has set a necessary direction and focus needed to new standard for all previous literary pro - Team... succeed," said Mr. Coston. "At ductions by establishing Quest ," said Dr. Continued from page 1 LaGuardia, I made a personal pact to Fakhari. "It is a signature body of work but five years later decided to enroll at pursue success and utilize the talents I that provides a place for other members LaGuardia. have sharpened at each point of my jour - of the honor society to express themselves. "When I arrived at LaGuardia, I didn’t ney in completing my college education." More importantly, the quality and depth of know what to expect," she said. "I had And he is honoring that pact by achiev - the journal has earned college-wide as never before sat in the classroom with the ing success both inside and outside of the well as regional acclaim. And he has intention of walking away with newfound classroom. "Melvin is making an indelible been the primary engine behind the publi - knowledge. After a few weeks, I began mark on our community," said Professor cation’s success." to realize all the wonderful things I had Fakhari, advisor for the college’s rapidly The awardee is also an active volunteer been missing out on." growing Honors Program. "Through his for several organizations, including a bi- The liberal arts major, who aspires to academic prowess, leadership skills, and monthly neighborhood clean-up in Harlem teach English literature at the college willingness to contribute time and effort to sponsored by the collegiate arm of level, immersed herself in her studies and others, Melvin has emerged as one of Kiwanis International, an annual project to quickly became an outstanding student. LaGuardia’s premier student leaders." design holiday cards for children in hospi - "Ms. McCaffrey distinguished herself as The liberal arts/media studies major tals and a canned food drive for New a dedicated student and committed schol - maintains a 3.8 grade point average York City pantries. ar," said English Professor James Wilson, while working as a college tutor for 50 Mr. Coston has applied for transfer to who had the collegiate in his freshmen, a peer advisor in the college’s Syracuse University and Hunter College Shakespeare class. "She is one of the Career and Transfer Center, an elected after graduating from LaGuardia this sum - most multi-talented students with whom I officer of the International Studies Club mer. Whichever college he attends he have worked in my years at the college." and a publications officer of LaGuardia’s will pursue a double major in English and In addition to maintaining a full aca - Phi Theta Kappa chapter where he over - media. demic schedule and a 3.75 grade point sees a student-run quarterly journal, Quest , average, Ms. McCaffrey founded the col - and a monthly newsletter. lege’s Shakespeare Club, served on the student advisory council of the Alpha Theta Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Foundation... president of Adult and Continuing and worked part-time at Starbucks and Education; and myself. Continued from page 1 LaGuardia. She has also volunteered for Biographies numerous organizations and events The Board of Directors consists of busi - Mr. Napoleon Barragan - Founder and throughout New York City, including an ness, civic and college leaders who share CEO of Dial-A-Mattress, a bedding tele - Earth Day clean-up at Morningside Park in a strong commitment to higher education, marketing company based in Long Island Manhattan, a Meals on Wheels program in general, and LaGuardia Community City. Mr. Barragan, a native of Ecuador, in Queens, and a program that donates College. The directors are: Napoleon is a former schoolteacher who began his toys to needy children during the holi - Barragan, founder of of 1-800-Mattress; business in 1976 selling furniture in days. Scott Cha-Choe, financial advisor at Jamaica. Dial-A-Mattress, better known as In summing up Ms. McCaffrey’s special Morgan Stanley; Peter L. DiCapua, chief 1-800 Mattress, is one of the nation’s traits, Dr. Mohammad Reza Fakhari, advi - operating officer of Atco Properties; John most successful direct marketing compa - sor for the Alpha Theta Phi Chapter, said: Fellin, owner of Bruno’s On The Boulevard nies with annual sales of $80 million and "Kimberly possesses an exceptional com - in Jackson Heights; Lily Gavin, owner of customer base that includes the East bination of intelligence, creative talent, Dazie’s Restaurant in Sunnyside; Peter Coast, California, Chicago and about 60 and leadership skills. She is a rare and Koo, owner of Starside Drugs in Flushing; percent of the rest of the United States. special kind of student leader who will Robert C. Morgan, partner in the law firm Mr. Scott Cha-Choe - Financial Advisor continue to make her positive mark on the of Fish & Neave; Robert E. Reiner, banker at Morgan Stanley specializing in advis - college and beyond in the months and and former President of Doral Bank; ing individuals, institutional investors and years to come." Marianne Matanic-Spikes, creative direc - non-profit organizations on investments Ms. McCaffrey is planning on attending tor of the Urbanworld Film Festival; and endowment funding. Prior to joining a senior college in September after gradu - Carmen R. Velasquez, a Jackson Heights Morgan Stanley, Mr. Cha-Choe worked ating this summer. attorney. as a financial planner at AXA Advisors in As a transfer student from Morehouse Directors representing the college are Manhattan. He is a former community College in Atlanta, Mr. Coston says that Dr. Gail O. Mellow, president; Dr. John P. relations specialist at the U.S. Attorney's LaGuardia provided him with a second Bihn, vice-president of Academic Affairs; Office in Washington, D.C., as well as chance to fulfill his goals of becoming a Richard Elliott, vice-president of an administrator and fiscal officer of a film producer and college professor. Administration; Dr. Linda Gilberto, vice- Continued on page 10 8 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/ "Forum," our group even included the “Little Shop of Horrors” Comes President Gail O Mellow as the Mourner. What a great way to get to know the col - LaGuardia May 14-17 lege president! This years presentation of "Little Shop of Horrors" with casting and stage direction under the artistic, imaginative talents of By Pat Dillon, Professor, years, I continue to look to new avenues Will Koolsbergen and Phil Lerner, and tal - Natural and Applied Sciences where I can widen the knowledge I pos - ented musical direction of John Williams sess. In retrospect, I probably wouldn’t will take place on May 14 (7 p.m.), 15th Do you love to go to the theater? I do! have anticipated the road I chose to fol - (2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.), 16th (7 p.m.) So, I hope you will join me and come to low some years back. and 17th (2:30 p.m.). Tickets are avail - LaGuardia Community College’s wonder - Four years ago, I saw a poster request - able through the Little Theatre Office, ful student, faculty, and staff presentation ing faculty, staff and students to become E241 ext. 5151, as well as at the door of “Little Shop of Horrors ” on May 14 involved in a joint theatrical project for the the night of the performances. The cast through the 17th. It’s hard to imagine a first time on campus. Although, LaGuardia includes Alonso Soriano (Speech horror story about a man-eating plant from has sponsored many theatrical presenta - Communication Lab and alumna) as outer space evolving into an elaborate tions, this would be the first to be com - Seymour Krelborn, myself, Pat Dillon (NAS musical comedy production. I remember prised of a combination of students, facul - and Nursing) as Audrey, Bill Kurzyna singing those songs when the play first ty, and staff. Having been involved in the - (Communication Skills) as Mr. Mushnik, opened in 1982, just after the birth of my ater in high school, and giving up that Marco Cannamela (student) as Orin much enjoyed Scrivello The Dentist, Arelis Olico (stu - extracurricular activity dent), Sharon Salberg (alumna) and John when my college nurs - Fenico (alumna), as the stages of the evil ing education became plant, Audrey II, Roland Cuervo (alumna) so intense, I didn’t as the salesman, Rodi Layne (staff) as Mrs. realize that I was miss - Luce and last, but not least, Namy Lytle ing meeting many (Accounting and Managerial Studies), interesting, creative Yuke Aizaki (student), and Laura Toussaint people that could (student) as the chorus of wild, truant girls. enrich my life. Don’t miss “Little Shop of Horrors.” It’s So once again, I sure to leave you laughing and wishing have chosen to return you could be onstage, too! to those happy times, joining other faculty, students and staff in our fourth theatrical production, “Little Shop of Horrors.” Although I am entering Cast in LaGuardia’s "Little Shop of Horrors" (clockwise, my thirteenth year at from top): Alonso Soriano, Bill Kurzyna, Pat Dillon, and LaGuardia, with each Marco Cannamela. new enterprise, I meet new people and gain a first child. Wow, that was a long time tremendous amount from knowing them. ago, but the music by Alan Menken and Extracurricular activities are not just for stu - the lyrics by Howard Ashman still resound dents, because the college community is in my memory. comprised of multiple personalities in vari - British novelist, journalist, and critic, ous positions, students… yes, but also Arthur Koestler (1905-1983), once said, administrators teachers, secretaries, techni - "Creative activity could be described as a cians, and other staff. This theatrical type of learning process where teacher group, which has changed over the years and pupil are located in the same individ - as faculty, staff and students move on to ual." In my opinion, this statement could bigger and better things, has presented not be more accurate. As a professor of “Guys and Dolls,” “A Funny Thing nursing and science for over 20 years Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and a registered nurse for close to 27 and “The Wiz of Oz.” The year we did 9 Foundation... Mexico College of Pharmacy. He Bachelor’s Degree from City College and Continued from page 8 worked as a pharmacist at the former a Master’s Degree from Pace University. Booth Memorial Hospital for nine years Ms. Marianne Matanic-Spikes - research unit at the University of Hawaii before opening his first pharmacy in Creative Director, the Urbanworld Film at Manoa. Mr. Cha-Choe is a long time 1991. Mr. Koo is active in the Flushing Festival. Along with her husband Stacey, resident of Hawaii and a graduate of the community as a member of the Flushing the founder of Urbanworld, Ms. Matanic- University of Southern California, Marshall Chinese Business Association; the Central Spikes has helped build a minority film fes - School of Business. He is currently chair - Flushing Lions Club; Board Member tival for Black, Latin and Asian films. The man of the New York Korean American Community Board 7; founding member of Urbanworld Film Festival, which takes Junior Chamber of Commerce and serves Destination Flushing, Inc.; Queens place every fall in New York City, is the as a special advisor to the Korean General Hospital Community Advisory world’s largest internationally competitive American Youth Foundation, Cammy Board; Flushing Rotary Club and the minority film festival. Ms. Spikes is also a Leukemia Foundation, and the Korean American Cancer Society Chinese Unit. freelance project manager for Billings American Medical Association. Mr. Robert C. Morgan, Esq. - Partner at Turoff Architects and has worked as an Mr. Peter L. DiCapua - Chief Operating Fish & Neave, an intellectual property law executive assistant and project manager to Officer of Atco Properties & Management firm based in Manhattan. He has been a the co-chairman of Miramax Films. She Inc., a Manhattan based real estate com - trial counsel in patent litigation for over holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Fordham pany which owns and manages over fifty 30 years, representing companies in the University. buildings from high-rise office/residential fields of telecommunications, electronics, Ms. Carmen R. Velasquez, Esq. - towers to one-story industrial structures, semiconductor technology and medical Attorney with her own law office in including retail and high-tech flex proper - instruments and products. Mr. Morgan Jackson Heights, Queens, specializing in ties. Atco Properties is currently develop - received a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA, criminal, family, immigration and natural - ing a $100 million retail center on part of a Master’s Degree from the California ization, housing and civil service law. its site at the Atlas Terminals industrial park Institute of Technology and a Juris Doctor Ms. Velasquez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Glendale. Mr. DiCapua has received from Harvard Law School. He is a from John Jay College and a Juris Doctor honors and awards for his contributions to Fellow of the American College of Trial from Temple University Law School. She the community and real estate industry Lawyers. has been a member and officer in many from the Real Estate Board of New York, Mr. Robert E. Reiner - Former President civil and professional organizations such the Building Owners’ and Managers’ and Chief Operating Officer of Doral as the National Hispanic Bar Association, Association of Greater New York and the Bank, in charge of the daily operations of Latino Lawyers Association of Queens Associated Builders and Owners of the Bank in the New York metropolitan County, Queens Legal Services Greater New York. area. He has over eighteen years of Corporation, Queens County Bar Mr. John Fellin - Owner of Bruno’s On banking experience, having served as Association and the Latin American The Boulevard, a catering Facility in vice president of Federal Home Loan Cultural Center. Jackson Heights, and Caterit.com, an off- Bank, Bankers Federal Savings Bank, premises corporate catering company. Bowery Savings Bank and American Mr. Fellin holds Associate’s and Bachelor’s Savings Bank. Mr. Reiner holds a degrees from St. John’s University and is vice-chairman of the New York State Restaurant Association. Benny Powell Ms. Lily Gavin - Owner of Dazie’s Performs April 25 Restaurant, a 30-year-old Italian restaurant in Sunnyside and one of the most popular By Staff eating establishments in Queens. She has been a supporter of LaGuardia World class trombonist Benny Powell, Community College since its founding who gained national attention during his more than 30 years ago. Ms. Gavin, a 12-year association with Count Basie, will longtime Forest Hills resident, is co-chair - be the featured jazz musician at the woman of the Sunnyside Chamber of LaGuardia Performing Arts Center on April Commerce, a member of the Sunnyside 25. Kiwanis Club and a lifelong supporter of During the jazz jam session, Mr. Powell the Sunnyside Drum Corps and the will perform with the center’s house band. Sunnyside Senior Center. The performance begins at 8 p.m. in Mr. Peter Koo - A pharmacist and the college’s Little Theatre. owner of three pharmacies in Flushing, General admission tickets are $7. Queens. A native of China, Mr. Koo, is Reservations are suggested. For tickets, a graduate of the University of New call the box office at ext. 5151. 10 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/ CETT... Continued from page 4 CSTEP Graduate Joins out the Spring I Semester. Thursday top - LaGuardia Faculty ics are: • The Art of Teaching (first Thursday of each month) - What new approaches are By Naomi Greenberg, Professor, science (including social science and we experimenting with in our classrooms? Natural and Applied Sciences math), nursing, occupational therapy assis - What are we learning? What's effec - tant, physical therapist assistant, dietetic Tamiko Lee, a LaGuardia CSTEP gradu - tive? Let's take the time to talk and learn technician, veterinary technician, mortuary ate, has recently joined the Natural and from one another. science, human services or EMT. Applied Sciences Department as a labora - • Teaching and Learning with LaGuardia CSTEP students are also invited tory technician for the Physical Therapist Technology (second Thursday)- Building on to participate in special opportunities Assistant the success of the Fall Instructional Staff offered by one or more of the 43 Program. Meeting, this regular series will give you statewide CSTEP programs. These range She credits a chance to see what your colleagues are from on-campus research and internship CSTEP servic - doing with technology in the classroom, opportunities to trips to explore new es with her and provide opportunities to discuss what careers and transfer linkages. success. works with LaGuardia students. Statewide CSTEP programs, funded LaGuardia • Exploring Diversity in our Classrooms through the New York State Department of CSTEP servic - (last Thursday of each month) - Again this Education, are now in jeopardy. es include a year, the center and the Senate Faculty How you can get involved: intersession Committee on Professional Development • Invite and encourage students to take Science will co-sponsor on-going dialogue on Tamiko Lee, a graduate this summer's Science Express in August. Express, free diversity and our classrooms. of CSTEP, which helps • Refer potential mentors and tutors. tutoring Precise topics, dates, times and loca - minority and economi - • Promote CSTEP participation among (including a tions for these sessions are available on cally disadvantaged stu - students who could benefit. Blackboard the center's website, dents, recently joined • Announce CSTEP workshops and component), http://faculty.lagcc.cuny.edu/ctl and will the NAS staff. activities. counseling, be circulated on GroupWise. Please join • Visit the CSTEP Study Center (E342) conferences, study center opportunities, us in room E-255 Thursday afternoons for to observe and give your suggestions. instructor-led recitation hour, career infor - stimulating conversations with colleagues • Offer to do a relevant guest presen - mation, targeted academic advisement and opportunities to work together to and more. For 2003 CSTEP has added advance our professional knowledge as mentoring and career development com - educators. International Women’s Day ponents. Movement at the Center Continued from Page 6 CSTEP is now in its fifteenth year at the Abby Schoneboom, previously our DFL college. Commendations to Ruth Lebovitz typical day in the life of a woman in coordinator, will assume a new role as for her creative development and direction the United States. Students also voiced our instructional design specialist, using of the CSTEP program since its inception. their concerns about the oppression of her web design skills to provide hands-on We wish her continued success during her and violence against women through guidance and support for faculty engaged retirement. such practices as genital mutilation in experimentation with new technologies. Current LaGuardia Faculty involved in and honor killings. Ros Orgel will become the point-person CSTEP include: Marie Sacino, career In addition to hearing from students, for Designed for Learning, our teaching- development specialist; Gail Baker, tutor the group was addressed by two with-technology seminar and serve as the trainer; Feres Dura, instructor for Science speakers. Sergeant Joseph Gallo, center’s liaison with Continuing Education. Express and biochemistry recitation; Mary LaGuardia’s crime prevention special - New staff member Bill Seto, a long time Lee Abkemeier, distance learning consult - ist, gave a presentation on personal teacher, will be picking up some of the ant. I serve as the director. safety both on and off campus. The work done this fall by Ros - working with The college’s CSTEP program has previ - second speaker, Ann Jarwin, the chair - museums and coordinating a range of ously focused on biochemistry support for woman and founder of the Center for conversations about classroom pedagogy students preparing for careers in science the Women of New York (formerly the and practice. or health. CSTEP student eligibility Queens Women’s Center) talked about includes: New York State resident; histori - the many challenges facing women cally underrepresented or economically today and shared some of her experi - disadvantaged status; a major in comput - ences from the second wave of the er science/technology, liberal arts and women’s rights movement. 11 Yellow to Red Alerts, and you get the gen - Cheaters Never Prosper: eral idea. The library has purchased turnitin.com Library Addresses Plagiarism software, and encourages faculty to open free accounts. Later this spring we’ll be holding a TechnoByte workshop featuring By Kenneth Schlesinger, Director, Media Still, plagiarism will happen, whether turnitincom, presented by Scott White. In Services due to time constraints, laziness or igno - the interim, Scott will also be making the rance. The vendor turnitin.com has rounds to individual departmental meet - The p-word is happening at LaGuardia, designed a technological process for ings to offer online demonstrations. If and we’re not talking Plague! The library detection of online copying. Submitted you’re interested in opening an account or first became aware of this problem on electronic essays are checked against free would like further information, please con - campus when we were informed that Internet resources and licensed commer - tact Scott White at x5441 or some faculty had stopped sending stu - cial databases. Matched results are [email protected]. dents to the library due to the high inci - returned color-coded according to extent You copy? dence of plagiarism. At the reference and degree – think of the spectrum from desk, students have been "checking sources" for outdated bibliographies, which we suspect to be paper mill essays. Fearful of the Internet, some instructors for - National Library opportunity. Libraries are part of the bid students from using web-based Week, April 6-12 American dream. They are a place for sources, while librarians teach classes education, self-help and lifelong learning. about how to use the Internet responsibly And because they offer free access to all, By Alice A. Robinson, Adjunct Assistant and critically evaluate its materials. they bring opportunity to all. Professor, Library Ironically, we realize it’s partially our LaGuardia students should be particular - "fault." The library pays thousands of dol - National Library Week is a national ly proud of their college library. Since lars each year to license a vast array of observance sponsored by the American March, the library has been open seven commercial online database resources – Library Association. It first started in days per week. Members of various we like to boast that it’s the world of infor - 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and library committees as well as senate repre - mation at your fingertips. However, our Read!" to celebrate the important role that sentatives are evaluating the quality of students have grown up in a Napster libraries play in people’s lives. Libraries library services and redefining its role. world where resource sharing has begun across the nation: whether they are public, Major technological improvements are to override copyright ownership and intel - private, schools, colleges or special, are underway (state-of-the-art computers, more lectual property considerations. Further, participating in this process. databases, an improved cataloging sys - we’ve proudly just introduced 66 new It is a well-known fact that students who tem and high speed Internet connectivity), state-of-the-art terminals in the library, utilize library resources frequently receive that will make information much more where students can surf the Web to their better grades on their reports and tests. accessible. All these improvements will heart’s content. Today, most college courses require stu - push the library to the forefront of all cur - Dimly, we can all recall that faraway dents to complete two or three research riculum and technological initiatives. pre-copy and paste world where we had assignments that may contribute 40-50 No one enters a library without an to rely on IBM Selectrics and FAX percent or more of the grades. The col - objective in mind. As each person walks machines. But now imitating and borrow - lege’s library supports students in their through its secular portals, an action is ing from the greats is simply a few mouse efforts to be high achievers. Materials are required. Please pause and consider this clicks away. Even writing this article, I’m purchased based on the needs of the cur - and other important questions, "What if thinking, Can I simply lift a few para - riculum, requests from professors, contribu - libraries were not free and approach - graphs from that previous piece I wrote tions from students and suggestions from able?" about this?! library faculty. • How would you complete an assign - Fortunately, the library believes the best As the 21st century marches on, two ment or a report? defense against plagiarism comes in the tenets from the National Library Week • Where would you find a quiet place classroom. By structuring engaging 2003 Proclamation are particularly timely: to study or read? assignments, teaching students to use WHEREAS, our nation’s libraries are • Where else could your send your information ethically, and fostering staging modern community centers for education, child or children to study, in an environ - techniques so that research papers can be information and entertainment, and play a ment that is safe and organized? built incrementally, students will learn the vital role in providing millions of people • Where else could you borrow books demanding and complex process of with the resources they need to live, learn and other materials without paying a fee? responding to various sources in original and work in the 21st century. • Where else could you use computers research. WHEREAS, libraries are places of and access important information? 12 www.laguardia.edu/livewire/25/