Alum Bikes Across U.S. for Mercer Details on Page 18 Funeral Service Program Expands Curriculum

SUMMER 2014

A Publication for Alumni and Friends of Mercer County Community College Graduation, Honors Highlights MCCC Graduates Close to 900 Students Blossom at Philadelphia Flower Show “Spring Into Student Success!” Draws Capacity Crowd Alum Bikes Across U.S. for Mercer Details on page 18 Funeral Service Program Expands Curriculum

Students Travel to London Through Study Abroad

Jesse Herrera, MCCC Alumnus ‘05 Follow Us and Stay Connected! Join classmates, friends, faculty and community supporters on MCCC’s social media sites.

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Especially for Alumni Request your alumni card for a Need assistance with variety of services and benefits: your job search? • Access to the MCCC library and borrowing Join College Central Network through privileges for its circulation collection. MCCC’s Career Services Office. It’s a premier online job posting and • Ticket discounts for Kelsey Theatre and other resume tool for students and alumni. cultural events. • Discount on MCCC Fitness Center Contact the Career Services office at membership. [email protected] for assistance in For more information, email [email protected]. registering or go directly to www.collegecentral.com/mccc.

THE VIKING, a semi-annual publication for alumni and friends of MCCC, is published by the Marketing and Public Relations offices. Send story suggestions to [email protected]. Mercer County Community College Jim Gardner, Public Relations Manager West Windsor Campus Trenton Campus Lynn Holl, Director of Marketing & Communications Wendy Humphrey, Public Relations Associate Manager 1200 Old Trenton Road 102 North Broad Street Bradley Kent, Web and Print Editor West Windsor, NJ 08690 Trenton, NJ 08608 CONTENTS The Viking News • Summer 2014 4-6 16-17 Graduation Foundation and Highlights Donor News • Commencement • Spring Into Student Success! • Honors Convocation • NJ Public Accountants • Nursing Pinning Donate for Scholarships • Trenton Celebration • Faculty Grants Awarded 7-10 Academic News 18-19 Alumni Success • Funeral Program Expands • Jesse Herrera Completes • New Service for Veterans Cross-Country Bike Trek • American Honors Prepares • Bill and Helene Plank for Fall Start • Johnnie Palmer • “Fashion Night Out” • Carlos Figueroa 11-14 Features 20 • Study Tour to London High School • Governor Christie Visits Connections • Music Club Hits Right Note • Aspirations Arts Journal • Visual Arts Students • Horticulture Expo Featured in Solo Shows • Health Science Academy • Volunteerism at Graduates 19 Trenton Campus • TV Students Win Gold 21-23 Sports News 15 • Men’s and Women’s Transfer News Basketball • Two New Transfer Options • Men’s Baseball • Alumni Panel Shares • Women’s Softball Transfer Experiences • Men’s Tennis • Field Trip to Rider • Pitcher Heath Fillmyer Signs with Oakland A’s

Upcoming Sept. 9: “Back to School Night for Adults” 24 Events Center for Continuing Studies, 5:30 p.m. Back Cover Sept. 11: 9/11 Ceremony, 11 a.m. • The Gallery • Kelsey Theatre Season Sept. 30: MCCC Annual Golf Classic • Raku Workshop Mercer Oaks Golf Course Oct. 18: Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., WWC

The Viking News 3 GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS MCCC Celebrates Commencement with Messages of Resilience

“Falling down is a nat- From top: Commencement ural part of life, but life speaker Maurice Coleman, doesn’t really begin until you Senior Vice President for get back up. It’s your attitude, the Bank of America Merrill your vision and your resil- Lynch Global Commercial ience that will make the dif- Real Estate Group; ference,” guest speaker Mau- Radiography grads say it rice Coleman advised MCCC with their caps; Student graduates at the college’s 47th Speaker Ben Petraitis; grads Commencement ceremony. numbered close to 900. Rainy skies did not di- minish the excitement – or the warm words of congrat- ulations and encouragement – for the close to 900 graduates celebrating on May 22. MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue said, “Your new knowledge will make a difference, not only in your life but in the lives of others.” She praised students who served their local community. “Our graduates raised of Trustees Chair, and Brian for us all,” Petraitis said, funds and contributed nearly Hughes, County Executive. who returned to college at $7,000 to community organi- Student Speaker Bene- the age of 42. Petraitis will zations.” Among them were dict Petraitis, a member of pursue his bachelor’s degree HomeFront, Mercer Street the Phi Theta Kappa National in Psychology through Wil- Friends, the Trenton Area Honor Society, was one of liam Paterson University at Soup Kitchen, Alex’s Lemon- 16 veterans who graduated Mercer. His goal is to work ade Stand and United Way. this year. as a counselor for fellow Also participating were “Mercer has been a veterans. Dr. Gwendolyn Harris, Board journey of self-discovery Distinguished Teaching Award Goes to… Business Professor Laura Sosa One of Commencement’s carefully guarded secrets is the announcement of the faculty member selected for the Distinguished Teaching Award. This year that honor went to Laura Sosa, Professor of Business Administration. In comments from students, Sosa was described as “someone who focuses on the success of her students…who makes classes interactive and fun...who treats students like adults and expects nothing but the best from them.” Sosa thanked students and her colleagues for the tremendous honor, noting that students “serve as an inspiration to us all.” She recalled her own career path in financial services and her pursuit of an advanced degree as well as corporate training. Taking some time off when she became a mother, she reassessed her career direction and decided to go into teaching. Sosa noted that her academic preparation gave her options. “Education in its many forms gives us the opportunity to control our destiny. Education is power.” She encouraged graduates to focus on their journey in addition to their end goals. “How you get there and what you learn along the way are even more important. Strive to make a difference in the world. Reach out to others and your life will be filled with richness and happiness,” she said. Professor Laura Sosa

4 The Viking News MCCC’s Top Grads in the Spotlight at Honors Convocation their families to earn a college degree, while others started at MCCC in ESL programs. Many, like Gina Acuna, who earned the Administrative Professional Outstanding Achievement Award, were adult students returning to enhance their jobs skills. Athletes were also represented among these distinguished students. Criminal Justice grad Erica Benedetti, a two-year member of the Vikings softball team, will study Criminology at TCNJ in the fall. She was selected for Out- standing Achievement in Criminal Justice and for the Arthur Forman Sportsmanship Scholarship. Other athletes who received awards were Charles Paul (baseball), Nicholas Mas- talesz (tennis) and Heather Gurdon (basketball).

Michael McNulty, center, with scholarship donor Jeffrey Cornelius. Also pictured are, from left, Vice President for Pinning Ceremony Makes It Academic Affairs Donald Generals, Dean of Liberal Arts Robin Schore and Board Chair Gwendolyn Harris. Official for 34 Nursing Grads MCCC recognized its top-performing graduates at the annual Honors Convocation that preceded Commencement on May 22. More than 100 students received academic awards and scholarships. Mercer’s 2013 Distinguished Teach- ing awardee, Ornamental Horticulture faculty member Amy Ricco, served as mistress of ceremonies. Alumna Melody Hicks and graduating student Marlene Cooper shared remarks about their experiences at Mercer and expressed their gratitude towards donors who helped make their education possible. Hicks, who now serves as the Board’s alumni trustee and attends The College of New Jersey, said, “Scholarships show that people believe in you.” Cooper added, “Keep taking chances and believe in your- self.” Nursing graduates celebrate after their pinning ceremony. A number of those recognized were the first members of Cheers and tears marked the passage of student nurses to nursing graduates as MCCC celebrated the pinning of 34 students at Kelsey Theatre May 20. President Patricia C. Donohue welcomed the graduates, many of whom are adult students who returned to Mercer to pursue a second career. “This class of nursing students has demonstrated success in a rigorous, demanding process. I have confidence that you will represent Mercer proudly and effectively.” Valedictorian Nataliya Platonava recalled the exhil- aration and rewards of the past two years, as well as the long days of study and the stresses of exams and grades. “We have proven we are tough enough to graduate from nursing school. I have no doubt we will be successful nurses.” Director of Nursing Donna Penn presented the graduates with their pins, as Associate Professor Barbara Kunkel Radiography graduate Nicole Zapata, the first in her family read the names of the candidates. Nursing faculty were in- to graduate from college, celebrates with faculty member troduced to cheers and applause from their former students. Sandra Kerr, left, and President Patricia C. Donohue.

The Viking News 5 GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS Trenton Campus Congratulates Students for Mission Accomplished Hundreds turned out at lege Ad- the Trenton War Memorial vancement for the Trenton Campus’s Ed Gwazda, 26th annual Celebration of who present- Academic Achievement May ed Founda- 6. Among the honorees were tion scholar- 40 associate degree students, ships to eight students. The Pictured from left: Deloris Nyerges, Justin Johnson, Angelica 65 General Education De- keynote speaker was Pamela Ayala, Luis Estrada and Tammy Toney velopment (GED) students, Pruitt. 24 English Language Institute Representing the asso- the workforce as an admin- mester of college classes at (ELI) students, 24 HomeFront ciate degree candidates was istrative professional. “Now MCCC, represented GED students, five Career Training Angelica Ayala, a first-gen- I have my skills and my candidates. “Now, as a col- Institute (CTI) students, and eration college student who self-confidence,” said Nyerg- lege student, I will not let 21 students who participated earned her degree in Liberal es, who works for NJ Forestry anyone get in the way of my in New Jersey Youth Corps. Arts. “Mercer has allowed Services. success,” Toney said. The emcee was faculty me to grow into the person I Luis Estrada represented Youth Corps’ Justin John- member Alvyn Haywood. am today,” she said. ELI students. Originally from son was the last to speak. Also participating were Tren- Deloris Nyerges spoke Guatemala, Estrada needed He said the program was ton Provost Monica Weaver on behalf of students in CTI, to improve his English to ad- far more than an academic and Vice President for Col- which helped her re-enter vance in the hospitality field. experience. “It introduced He is now a CTI student us to volunteer opportunities studying to become a chef. and helped us understand Youth College Students Tammy Toney, who has our goals and the steps to Ready for Higher Ed completed her second se- achieve them.” More than 450 Trenton- more,” Wayne Murray, direc- area high school students tor of the SMILE / GEAR UP PTK All-Stars Honored were recognized for their program, told students. “You achievements during the an- are going to succeed in our MCCC was well repre- nual Youth College Awards world.” sented at the 20th annual Ceremony, held at Kelsey The- Serving as emcees were New Jersey Council of atre May 3. The students were high school seniors Hana County Colleges Phi Theta participants in Educational Sabree and Robert Ponton, Kappa (PTK) Day May 1. Talent Search, SMILE / GEAR SMILE / GEAR UP Class of Fabiola Pincay and Timo- UP, and Upward Bound en- 2014, and Aluxes Brown, Up- thy Pitonyak were among richment programs offered at ward Bound Class of 2016. students from the state’s 19 MCCC’s Trenton Campus. Sabree will attend Kean Uni- community colleges to be “You have reached far- versity this fall, while Ponton recognized as part of the ther and you have learned will attend Montclair State. All-State Academic Team. Academic All Stars Fabiola The awards were present- Pincay and Timothy Pitonyak ed by MCCC President many opportunities. I am Patricia C. Donohue, who proud to represent Mercer.” serves as chair of New Pitonyak, a Business Jersey Community College major, served as treasurer Presidents. for MCCC’s PTK chapter, “What I experienced and was a member of Phi at Mercer was totally un- Beta Lambda, Mercer’s expected,” Pincay said, a business honor society. Biology/Chemistry major He will transfer to Bluffton who will continue her University (OH) to pursue Seventy-five Youth College seniors are graduating from high studies at Rutgers. “Com- his bachelor’s degree in school; more than 20 will attend Mercer. munity colleges offer so Marketing.

6 The Viking News ACADEMIC NEWS Funeral Service Program Bolsters Students’ Real World Experience One of the hallmarks of MCCC’s Funeral Service program is its internship component, which requires that students work part-time in a funeral home for several se- mesters. (MCCC remains the only accredited college-based funeral service program in New Jersey.) That real world experience is key for several reasons, says the program’s new director, Michael Daley. “Practical experience ensures our graduates are comfortable and ready to han- dle situations that arise in this very demanding environment.” Several new elements of the curriculum are expanding students’ hands-on knowledge. “MCCC’s facility is actually a functioning funeral home, which gives us the ability to immerse Faculty members Michael Daley, far left, and Deb Tollboom, students in various aspects of the process,” Daley explains. second from right, and Vet Services Coordinator Drew This past semester, students began meeting with families Daddio, far right, with students preparing to transport that have donated their loved ones’ remains. “This initial point veterans’ remains to the Veterans Cemetery. of contact can be intense. There is a guidance and counseling component. It’s what they will face as funeral directors, so why erans Cemetery in Arneytown, which includes coordinating not give them the experience now?” Daley says. with the different branches of the military, transporting the re- A second area of field experience has come with the mains, and developing a memorial service for each veteran. writing of actual obituaries, replacing fictional characters with Daley reports that students have embraced these new call-ins from family members. “Students are hearing directly assignments. “They know they will be better prepared when from loved ones to create a relevant and vibrant picture of the they graduate. We are bridging the gap between teaching lives of the deceased,” Daley observes. and real life to make sure that our students are well- In addition, students are now making burial arrange- rounded and ready,” he says. For more information visit ments for veterans’ remains at the BG William C. Doyle Vet- www.mccc.edu/funeral. Expanded Services for Veterans Programs in Health Care and This spring MCCC expanded its services to military veter- Tech Add to Degree Options ans. Through an agreement with the Trenton Veterans Center, therapist Teresa McArthur is on the West Windsor Campus Three new degree programs make their debut at MCCC one day a week to advise veterans. Services include counsel- during the 2014-15 academic year. All three present exciting ing, outreach and referrals to community agencies. new options for students interested in emerging fields with ma- By offering counseling right on campus, McArthur says jor growth potential. The new programs include: she is coming to the source. “Sometimes it’s difficult for vet- • Security Systems Technology, which prepares students for erans to reach out. We are making it easier for them to seek jobs supporting the selling, installation and management, help.” All services are offered free of charge. and technical support of physical security systems tech- According to Drew Daddio, Coordinator of MCCC Vet nologies in an IP-based networked environment; Services, there were 144 veterans at Mercer in the spring • Public Health, which focuses on the practice of receiving education benefits through the Department of Vet- maintaining a healthy population through education, erans Affairs, and many more who served but are pursuing research, public policy, regulation, and working with their education independently. health care professionals; Students are encouraged to call Drew Daddio at 609- • Health Information Technology, a joint initiative with 570-3240 for more informa- Camden County College that allows students to take tion about Vet Center services. general education requirements at MCCC and their program courses online. The degree prepares students to work with health care organizations to assure compli- Therapist Teresa McArthur, ance with privacy laws and the proper maintenance of of the Trenton Vet Center, medical records. with Drew Daddio, MCCC’s In addition, new credit courses for the fall include Inter- Coordinator for Veterans net Tools and Techniques, Android Application Development, Services. and Spanish for Health Providers.

The Viking News 7 ACADEMIC NEWS Award-Winning Horticulture Exhibit Is Big Draw at Philadelphia Flower Show MCCC Horticulture dozen students, led by Horti- students had a true growth culture Program Coordinator experience with their “Back Amy Ricco, took several Yard Battle” exhibit at the months to bring the bugs to Philadelphia Flower Show in life. The final step was trans- March. Thousands of visitors porting them to downtown flocked to the Mercer dis- Philadelphia and installing play, which featured seven the awe-inspiring display. giant insect topiaries and a The MCCC volunteers friendly family of oversized say they had a constant beetles. The esteemed show’s stream of visitors during judges awarded MCCC’s dis- the eight-day show. Student Volunteers at the Flower Show, from left, Zach Sullivan, Nilson play with “Best Achievement Diane Shonyo said, “Kids Torres, Robert Sokol, Gabrielle Ritzer, Associate Professor Amy in Imagination.” lit up. Adults lit up. People Ricco, Diane Shonyo and Mike Gerheiser. The creative process raved about it. There was a “the best in the state.” Flower Shows, Gerheis- began in the fall with the delightful clamoring to get Student Mike Gerheiser er says he jumped at the design of the topiary frames photos.” Shonyo, already a said MCCC’s display clear- chance to be part of MCCC’s by sculptor Carl Hagerty Master Gardener, commutes ly had widespread appeal. exhibit, which marked the and program alumnus Chris to Mercer from Camden “Ours was fun and playful first time Mercer has parti- McCarron, Landscape Man- County and calls the col- and very accessible.” A vol- cipated in the show since ager at Sesame Place. Then a lege’s Horticulture program unteer at past Philadelphia the 1970s. Student Tutors Serve and Learn at MCCC Learning Center Four MCCC students have joined the ranks of the West communication skills and build rapport with others.” Windsor Campus Learning Center staff after training that has In addition to Kalik, the other peer tutors are Shanielle prepared them to help other students become better writers – Constantine, who is studying Nursing, and Liberal Arts stu- and, in the process, to become better writers themselves. dents Brendon Pearsall and Adam Perez. All four students say they enjoy writing and like to help Faculty member Barbara Hamilton, who conceived and others. Vlad Kalik, a Liberal Arts major, observes that the expe- implemented the tutoring program, notes the mutual benefits rience is likely to enhance his own journey. “The students will of peer-to-peer tutoring. “A student in need of help is often encourage me to think and maybe glimpse my own issues in better able to relate to and trust a fellow student, one who reading and writing. I expect my confidence to grow as I gain has had success in the same course not so long ago. The tutors, in turn, have the opportunity to serve as mentors. They reinforce their own skills as they teach.” Using guidelines from the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), Hamilton designed a hybrid online and onsite training program. Topics include active listening, working with challenging students, under- standing learning styles and problem-solving strategies. The final component is five hours of job shadowing in Peer tutors, from left, Shanielle Constantine, Adam Perez and Brendon Pearsall. the Learning Center with ex- Not pictured: Vlad Kalik. perienced tutors.

8 The Viking News American Honors at Mercer Prepares Students for Fall Start American Honors (AH) at Mercer has hosted multiple orientation sessions for students who have been accepted into the program, which begins in August. Among the Amer- ican Honors courses for the fall are three levels of Calculus, Biology 101 and Organic Chemistry, as well as classes in En- glish Composition, Literature and the Social Sciences. According to Program Director Alyson Krawchuk, a number of AH students are already enrolled in Mercer’s existing Honors Program, while others are incoming freshmen. The program builds on the highly successful Honors Program already in place at Mercer. This year, Honors graduates were accepted for transfer to Columbia, Middlebury, Mt. Holyoke, and Swarthmore, among many other colleges. Nick Geremia, MCCC’s American Honors advisor, is More information is available at www.mccc.edu/honors. pictured at the college’s Spring Open House with student Kelly French, a current Honors student and AH ambassador. Fall Offerings at Mercer’s Construction Projects on Tap Center for Continuing Studies Construction crews will be busy over the next year The Center for Continuing Studies (CCS) continues to on both MCCC campuses, with numerous maintenance provide training that leads to long-term professional and projects, upgrades and renovations planned. personal growth. This fall, several new career certificates will Beginning in the summer of 2014, projects on the focus on industries with major growth potential. (Most certifi- West Windsor Campus include renovation of the re- cate classes can also be taken on an individual basis.) maining science labs and prep rooms and renovation Introduced last year, the IT Risk Management/Cyber Se- in the Math-Science Building; the combination of four curity Certificate has expanded to include multiple certifica- classrooms into one large classroom as a Foundations tions, now including a prep course for the national exam as Math Lab in the Liberal Arts Building; improvements to a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) the computer lab in the Engineering Technology Build- and/or a CompTIA Security+ professional. An SAS 9 Base ing; and renovation of the Women’s Shower Room in the Programming Certification prep course will also be offered. Physical Education Building. In the healthcare field, CCS listened to feedback from On the Trenton Campus, projects include improve- pharmaceutical professionals and is now offering the Certif- ments to the rear parking lot and the creation of a Col- icate in Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs as an laborative Learning Student Commons, as well as a math online program. Through MCCC’s articulation agreement with tutoring area in James Kerney Hall. Expansion at Trenton Drexel University’s College of Medicine, participants who Hall includes a three-story annex, to be renovated for complete the certificate can earn as many as 12 credits for Health Sciences. Drexel’s master’s program in Clinical Research Organization and Management. An information session will be held on Financial Aid TV Launched Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in The Conference Center auditorium. New this fall is a 60-hour Dental Assisting Program offered Students with financial aid to prepare students for entry-level positions. The program pro- questions can now find vides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing formal the answers 24/7 through training as dental hygienists. a series of instructional Several new courses within the Non-Profit Management videos on Mercer’s new Certificate Program focus on developing and maintaining a Financial Aid TV website. productive workforce. New this fall are Human Resource Man- More than 50 videos are agement; Conversation not Confrontation; Social Intelligence; available, ranging from a and Life-Work Balance. These courses are appropriate for all FAFSA tutorial, to veterans’ business sectors and can be taken on an individual basis. benefits, to New Jersey- CCS offers hundreds of professional and personal interest specific financial aid classes, including many online options that begin every month. programs. The segments can be viewed through a link on CCS hosts “Back to School Night for Adults” Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. the MCCC Financial Aid page at www.mccc.edu/finaid. For more information visit www.mccc.edu/ccs.

The Viking News 9 ACADEMIC NEWS It’s “Fashion Night Out” for MCCC Student Designers In the culmination of a year of design work, Fashion De- sign students took to the runway at the Trenton Campus May 17 for the second annual “Fashion Night Out.” Fifteen models, a mix of students and friends of the designers and stylists, brought the collections to life on the runway. “We started this program in the city, as we know that fashion has strong connections to urban settings,” said MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue. “We are pleased that the program is thriving, and students are coming to the Trenton Campus to study Fashion Design.” Eleven collections were presented by student designers and stylists, modeled for the audience to the beat of urban contemporary music. Collections ranged from designer Christina Guillaume’s “Aztec Culture” to “Sophisticated Punk Mixed With Business,” a collection by stylists Tashanique Purnell and Johnett Gofargar. Other designers were Iris Gonzalez, Cory Flounoy and Ryan Ramoo. Clothing stylists included Anika Maram, Vidal Anderson, Asia Mack, Ciera Smith, Nora Okoro and Terence Ingram. Mack, who is president of the MCCC Fashion Forward Club and coordinator for the show, served as mistress of ceremonies. Second-year student Cory According to Fashion Design/Fashion Merchandising Flounoy on the runway with Program Coordinator Allegra Ceci, the show is a highlight of his models. the learning experience. “It’s a chance for students to share their work and shine,” Ceci said. Aztec Culture Collection Attending the show was Tammy Duffy, a professional by designer Christina fashion designer and MCCC alumna. “I think everyone did a Guillaume. terrific job,” Duffy said. “It’s great to see the program’s growth over the last couple of years.”

Iris Gonzalez (left), designer of the Summer Collection, with African Safari Collection by Lacy Dreams Collection by her models. stylist Nora Okoro. designer Ryan Ramoo.

10 The Viking News FEATURES Criminal Justice Students Learn about Policing the British Way The patrol officers don’t tem,” Bondurant said. “Then Museum. A Thames River carry firearms and there are we got to see it firsthand. Boat Tour provided a view lots of surveillance cameras You can’t compare that to of major sites including Big on the streets of London. learning it out of a book.” Ben, the Houses of Parlia- Those were just two take- Criminal Justice stu- ment, St. Paul’s Cathedral, away observations from a dent Hailey Skopas agreed, Tower Bridge and the Tower group of MCCC students observing, “I learned the of London. who traveled to the British material better out there ex- Study Tours to Belize, capital for eight days over periencing it.” Skopas made China, Cuba, Italy, Paris spring break in March. a video chronicling the trip and Poland are scheduled Led by Criminal Justice that she presented at a post- for the 2014-15 academic faculty member Elizabeth trip wrap-up session in April. year. For more details visit Bondurant, most of the stu- The itinerary included www.mccc.edu/studyabroad. dents were enrolled in the a visit to Parliament, where “Police in the Community” students witnessed a lively Pictured in front of Big Ben (CRJ 102) Study Tour course. legislative debate, and the are, front row, from left, Bondurant says there was tre- Tower of London, where Matt Lynch, Kelly Blake and mendous educational value they saw weaponry and Hailey Skopas; back row, in adding a travel component instruments of punishment from left, Thomas Eichinger, to the traditional curriculum. used against law breakers Eric Schutack, Criminal “Before we left, the throughout British history. Justice faculty member students learned about the Other attractions were the Elizabeth Bondurant, Tara history and origins of English London Metropolitan Police Luyber, Billy Bloomberg, policing, which is the foun- Museum, the British Mu- Tomika Sommers and dation of the American sys- seum and the Clink Prison Bernadette Eichinger. Gov. Christie Visits Mercer to Voice Support for Prison Education It was truly fitting that Gov. Chris Christie chose the Con- ference Center at Mercer to announce his continued support for the New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons program (NJ-STEP), which offers college courses and credits to nearly 500 inmates at six of the state’s 13 cor- rectional facilities. According to Liberal Arts Dean Robin Schore, MCCC has been in the forefront of the prisoner education movement since the late 1960s when the college ran the degree-grant- ing Prison Education Network (PEN), offered at all New Jer- sey state prisons. Schore began his career at Mercer teaching English at Trenton State Prison in 1973. The PEN program gave way to Project Inside in the late ‘90s, offering a certificate in Small Business Readiness, a fed- erally funded program that ended in 2011 and was succeed- Gov. Chris Christie, at the podium, with, from left, NJ- ed by NJ-STEP. STEP Director Margaret Atkins; Benjamin Chin, a program Christie began his visit with a roundtable discussion with participant who graduated with honors; Mitty Beal, of the NJ-STEP instructors and their students, several of whom are Sunshine Lady Foundation; MCCC faculty member and now college graduates or on their way to degrees. The closed prison instructor Alvyn Haywood; Rutgers-Newark Provost session was followed by a press conference that drew media Todd Clear; and MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue. from around the tri-state area. Currently, Mercer teaches approximately 80 prison class- wood, Carlo Alfare, Ken Howarth, Don Reichman and Barba- es each year. Among MCCC’s full-time faculty and staff who ra Jefferson, along with many faculty emeriti and numerous have taught in the prisons over the decades are Alvyn Hay- adjunct professors and volunteers.

The Viking News 11 FEATURES Music Club Hits Right Note with MCCC Students An impromptu sing-along The MCCC Music Club, features Celina Hicks and which was established in the accompanist Irvel Jean; fall, has been embraced by pictured around the piano are, music students and music from left, Dherey Santiago, lovers alike. According to ad- Elisa Duncan, Marisa Bechtle visor Jim Kelly, Coordinator and Dwayne Derry. of the Music Program, more than 20 students typically attended the group’s weekly Adult student Wenonah meetings. “They get a chance Brooks, who has had a pro- to perform and to form new fessional career as a jazz collaborations,” he said not- vocalist, says the Music Club ing that members’ musical provides an opportunity interests run the gamut from come addition for students club fills that gap.” Fortier for collaboration across the classical, jazz and popular Jen Jankowski and Tiffany adds that she has been play- generations. “It’s important right up through electronic Fortier. “I was in choir for ing musical instruments since for different generations to music. 14 years right through high she was young. “This club interact and that’s what we The club is clearly a wel- school,” Jankowski said. “This helps me fulfill my passion.” do here,” she said. Ad Design Students Create New Look for Old Barracks Super Science Saturday Is Super Day for Students and Staff

From left, Old Barracks staff members Nikki Bell, Rebecca Heiliczer, Linda Mathies and Lauren Ronaghan; the winning student team of Angela Barbush, Autumn Bardachino, Efrain Rosario, Lauren Rostash and Zach Bryson; and Old Barracks staff members Vikki Bell and Executive Director Richard Patterson. One of Trenton’s most well-known historical sites is getting a Faculty, staff and students shared the magic marketing update, thanks to the creative work of MCCC’s Advanced of chemistry with hundreds of families during Advertising Design students under the direction of Professor and Co- Super Science Saturday at the New Jersey State ordinator Tina LaPlaca. Their capstone project this spring focused on Museum in May. the Old Barracks Museum, which dates to 1758 and served most no- According to Professor of Chemistry Helen tably as a barracks for the British and then as a military hospital. Tanzini, the MCCC team worked side by side Five teams of students created comprehensive marketing cam- with volunteers from Princeton, Rider and the paigns, including original logos, slogans, newsletter designs, web Trenton section of the American Chemical pages, posters, promotional items and more. Judges from the Old Bar- Society. From left are student Fabiola Pincay, racks commended students for their originality and enthusiasm during alumna Jane Ann Robinson and instructor Lois presentations in May. Students’ designs will be used in the museum’s Owens. upcoming season to promote to school groups as well as its annual “Battle of Trenton” re-enactment in December.

12 The Viking News Nursing Students Contribute Skills for County-Wide Disaster Drill grounds of Trenton-Mercer Airport. The MCCC connection began with Kitty Getlik, Artistic Director at Kelsey Theatre, who was contacted to do moulage, a makeup technique that simulates real injuries and is used in theater and films. Getlik’s first thought was that she needed some nurses. “They would know where these injuries should be located and what they are supposed to look like.” Assistant Professor of Nursing Lori Kelty led the group. A volunteer member of the Mercer County Medical Response Corps, Kelty works as an emergency nurse at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. “I am very active in preparing and maintaining our county for emergencies,” she said. The college was among more than two dozen agencies After applying moulage to other volunteers, Nursing and 300 volunteer participants, including EMS responders students became part of the drill themselves as “victims.” from four counties (Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset and Mid- Using their clinical knowledge of wounds and their care, dlesex), the Mercer County Prosecutors office, the National MCCC Nursing students had an opportunity to help the county Guard and students from local high schools. with disaster preparedness during a large-scale drill on May “It was an opportunity for our students to act in a leader- 10. The two-hour simulation exercise, which was a response ship role and see the classroom curriculum put into action,” to a commercial aircraft crash scenario, was staged at the New Kelty said, adding that they worked with enthusiasm and Jersey National Guard hangar off Scotch Road in Ewing on the professionalism. Visual Arts Students Present Solo Shows at Student Center It’s unusual for a college a transfer school. student studying Fine Arts to Each show was hung have a solo exhibit during his in the display case next to or her freshman or sophomore the Bookstore in the Stu- years. At MCCC, four students dent Center for three weeks. had that privilege this spring. The students were asked to Adam Hillman, Richard furnish an artist’s statement Siggillino, Iwona Skiba and consistent with the format of Jennifer Vasta took a drawing a solo show. class with Professor of Visual Like her fellow artists, Arts Yevgeniy Fiks in the fall, Jennifer Vasta, who already but were also creating their has a bachelor’s degree in From left, Richard Siggillino, Iwona Skiba, Adam Hillman own work outside of class. Psychology, found tremen- and Jennifer Vasta. Fiks wanted to give these dous value in displaying her serious students an opportu- art. “It helps you evaluate ing the way that you want it of a community of artists at nity to exhibit now instead of what you are doing and to,” Vasta said. Mercer. “We are like a fami- waiting until their final year at reflect on whether it is evolv- All four say they are part ly,” Vasta observed.

“Hair” Wows the Crowd With Passion, Fury and Fun The Theatre Program presented six performances of the groundbreaking 1960s protest musical “Hair” in May. It was a trip down memory lane for some audience members and a history lesson for others. The cast included, from left, Tia Brown, Tonya Treadwell, Jonathan V. Polanco, Dan Johnson, Richard Ward, Reginald Brockington (back), Nicholas Andrejco, and Domonique Jarrett (kneeling); front: Caroline Scott. Lighting and sound were presented by students in the Entertainment Technology Program.

The Viking News 13 FEATURES Volunteerism Becomes Major Focus for Trenton Campus Students For a special group ence at Montclair State Uni- Carter, an academic coun- excited about giving back,” of students at the Trenton versity in the fall. selor, couldn’t be more im- he said. “I’m so proud of Campus (TC), community The students’ main pressed with these students. them because they are doing service has become a way of beneficiary has been Turn- “From the first day we came this while juggling jobs, par- life. Since the fall semester, ing Point United Methodist back from the ACUI confer- enting and school.” they have amassed close to Church, where they regularly ence, they have been really 300 hours of service and are assist with Saturday morning focused on surpassing 500 breakfasts for the homeless. hours by the end of the year. “People at Turning Point That impressive total has have gotten to know us,” La- placed them third nationally voile says. “They haven’t had and first in the region for vol- student volunteers in the past, unteer service hours tabulated so they really appreciate it.” by the Association of College Other groups have Unions International (ACUI). enjoyed the help as well, According to Anslikat including the Boys and Girls Lavoile, president of the Club, located at the Trenton TC Student Activities Board YWCA, and the Salvation (SAB), she and other student Army. The students also leaders began to think se- volunteer as organizers and Student Activities Board volunteers, front row from left, riously about volunteerism ushers for events at the Tren- Naraya Francis, Angela Peters and Morgan Eisenberg; back after attending the ACUI’s ton Campus. row from left, SAB advisor Terrence Carter, Kevin Parham, Regional Leadership Confer- SAB advisor Terrence Anthony Anglin, and SAB President Anslikat Lavoile.

“Penny Wars” Adds Up to Generous “Dish It Out” Is Gold for Sum for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Television Production Students

Students collected a grand total of 110,000 pennies — Students in the Television program won a First Place that’s $1,100! – for Alex’s Lemonade Stand this spring. Telly Award for their production of “Dish it Out,” a Fifteen student clubs, along with many individuals, culinary show produced on the Mercer campus. Pictured donated to the organization, which funds cutting edge are, from left, culinary instructor Chef Frank Benowitz, research and provides support to children with cancer Television students Leonard Gokou Tape, Brandon and their families. Pictured are Anthony Borek, left, SGA Stanzeski, Jonathan Traegler, Tulika Ganguly and John Public Relations Representative, Nicole McIntire, Student Hasbrouk, Television faculty member Steve Voorhees, Activities Events Coordinator, and Jun Del Valle, SGA and Professor Doug Fee, Coordinator of the Hotel, Senator. Restaurant and Institution Management program.

14 The Viking News TRANSFER NEWS

MCCC Adds Two Schools to Transfer Options Mercer has reached national, interdisciplinary interested in earning their across the Atlantic for its education in an academic bachelor’s degree in Business most recent transfer agree- culture of engagement, global Administration and Manage- ment. An articulation agree- citizenship and community. ment, Psychology and Coun- ment with American Univer- Students will have the oppor- seling, and Biblical Studies. sity of Paris (AUP) guarantees tunity for cultural, social and Jones says that Pillar’s Dickinson, Felician College, admission to AUP for Mercer professional experiences in majors will expand the possi- Rutgers University and Wil- graduates with a 3.0 GPA one of the world’s most cos- bilities for students interested liam Paterson University that or higher. Areas of study in- mopolitan cities.” AUP was in learning with a Christian enable MCCC and other clude International Business, founded in 1962 and is ac- emphasis. “Pillar combines community college graduates Global Communication, In- credited by the Middle States scholarship, leadership and to pursue bachelor’s and even ternational Economics, Liber- Association of Colleges and service for those who are master’s degrees at MCCC’s al Studies, Computer Science Schools. committed to the Christian West Windsor Campus. More and more. A second agreement is faith and will be yet another information about MCCC According to Transfer with Pillar College (formerly option for our students.” Transfer Services and Services Director Laurene Somerset Christian Col- Through its University agreements with four-year Jones, “AUP is a United States lege) for students with A.A. Center, Mercer also maintains schools is available at university engaged in inter- and A.S. degrees who are agreements with Fairleigh www.mccc.edu/transfer.

Been There, Done That: MCCC Alumni Share Transfer Experiences phasized the importance of going to class. “At Mercer it is stressed, but at Rutgers, it’s up to you,” he noted. Senior Ayo Kanyako advised taking MCCC Honors classes if possible. “The ones I took really prepared me for Temple.” Mark Pratico, who is now pursuing his master’s at Rider, told students to make the most of the Mercer experience. “Take advantage of opportunities. Find the people who want to help you. Grow while you are here,” he said. DiPersio added, “Do internships and get involved in clubs.” Kaitlyn Springsteen, who is completing her senior year at TCNJ, advised students not to give up. “Sometimes it can From left, alumni Michael DiPersio (Rutgers), Ayo Kanyako take more than two years to get your associate degree. Keep (Temple), Mark Pratico (Rider), Vitoria Lorenzetti (City pushing towards your goal.” College of New York) and Kaitlyn Springsteen (TCNJ). A Field Trip to Rider In April, current students had an opportunity to learn about transfer from MCCC alumni who, not so long ago, Transfer Services Director Laurene Jones and counselor were in their shoes. Director of Transfer Services Laurene Jennifer Cook (fifth and sixth from left) took Mercer Jones and Transfer Counselor Jennifer Cook moderated a pan- students to Rider University in April to learn about el with five alumni who shared advice on transfer planning, transfer. Students say the trip was valuable and opened transitioning to a four-year college, and tips for success. All their eyes to new opportunities. five agreed that not only is transfer possible, it’s relatively easy with careful planning and advisement. The alumni noted the benefits of visiting the Mercer Trans- fer Office early and often and said they have continued to use advisement services at their transfer schools. Vitoria Lorenzetti, a senior at City College of New York, stressed planning ahead. “It can be more complicated at some schools and in other states.” While they all felt prepared for the academics at their transfer schools, Michael DiPersio, a senior at Rutgers, em-

The Viking News 15 FOUNDATION and DONOR NEWS “Spring Into Student Success!” Fundraiser Draws Enthusiastic Crowd for 25th Anniversary A capacity crowd came at Hightstown High School. out in support of the Silver Koontz said he has firsthand Anniversary of “Spring Into knowledge of MCCC’s critical Student Success!” (SISS), the role in the community. signature fundraiser hosted by “I see how important the MCCC Foundation. The Mercer is to my students and event raised approximately to their futures,” he said. $70,000 for scholarships. “You should all feel good More than 250 guests at- about what you are doing to tended the evening event at help students.” Mercer Oaks, which featured In addition to providing entertainment, floral arrange- musical entertainment, Celi- ments, and photography by na Hicks, a Music and Edu- The recipient of the Distinguished Corporate Partner Award MCCC students. President cation student, spoke on be- was New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance. Pictured are, Patricia C. Donohue noted half of six scholarship recipi- from left, Diane Brendley, John Hardiman, Susan Gummel, that the turnout was a clear ents who attended the event. and President Bernie Flynn, with MCCC President Donohue indication of what the col- The youngest of three sisters and Foundation Chair Nina Melker. Photo by Sam Foster. lege means to the people of to attend Mercer, Hicks said of Education Award was the Mercer County. her college choice was an New Jersey Business & In- Dr. Gwendolyn Harris, easy one. dustry Association, an orga- Chair of the MCCC Board of “I didn’t even apply to nization that has partnered Trustees, said the college is other colleges,” she said. with MCCC and the New more than an institution of “On top of having the best Jersey community college higher learning – it’s a com- music program of any New network to provide literacy munity resource. “Everyone Jersey community college – and workplace training in who lives and works in or I’ve checked – Mercer was cooperation with the New around Mercer County is a able to provide me with an Jersey Department of Labor potential student,” Harris NJ STARS scholarship, and and Workforce Develop- said. “We embrace our edu- other scholarships that have ment. cational mission of service to been an amazing help for The Distinguished Cor- the community.” me.” porate Partner Award recip- Speaking on behalf of The evening was also a ient was New Jersey Manu- the Mercer County Board of time to recognize key part- facturers Insurance Compa- Freeholders was Board Chair ners in MCCC’s mission to Student representative ny, which made a generous Andrew Koontz, a teacher provide educational oppor- Celina Hicks thanked donors $100,000 gift to support the for their generous support. development and expansion tunities for Mercer County of MCCC’s Trenton Campus. residents. Serving as co-chairs for The recipients of the Dis- the event were Nina Melker, tinguished Benefactor Award Chair of the MCCC Founda- were Bob and Leslie Doll of tion Board and Senior Vice Princeton, who are widely President at Hopewell Valley recognized among central Bank, and Mercer County New Jersey’s most generous Freeholder Pasquale “Pat” philanthropists. Both are Colavita Jr. Both expressed loyal supporters of MCCC’s their thanks to the event at- radio station, WWFM The tendees, as well as the spon- Classical Network, and are sors and donors for making active in numerous not-for- the evening a success, and For the second year, Pat Colavita and Nina Melker co- profit organizations. for their support of scholar- chaired the event. Honored with the Spirit ships for Mercer students.

16 The Viking News Faculty Grants Awarded Seminar Yields Generous Four Student Learning Improvement Grants intended to Donation from New Jersey enrich instruction and facilities have been awarded to faculty Public Accountants members for the 2014-15 academic year. Funded through the MCCC Foundation’s Annual Fund, the projects include: • “Engineering Tutors and Learning Communities,” which will create learning communities, tutors and mentors for engineering students. (Grant awardee is James Maccariella.) • “A Bridge to Belize,” which will provide for the development of a Study Tour to the nation of Belize with a focus on sustainability, biology and business; the project also includes the development of Mercer’s first course in Sus- tainability. (Grant awardees are Laura Blinderman, Amy Ricco and Andrea Lynch.) • “Digital Humanities at MCCC,” which will focus on a course outline to increase Mercer’s digital approach to teaching and learning in Humanities. (Grant awardee is Pictured are, from left, Ed Gwazda, MCCC Vice President Padhraig Higgins.) for College Advancement; Charles Robinson, President of • “Transfer Connections,” which will broaden student NJAPA; MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue; Norma Poles, awareness of transfer opportunities through campus visits, Vice President of NJAPA; and Frank DiBella, Manager of the peer interaction, social media, and interaction with fac- Conference Center at Mercer. ulty at other colleges. (Grant awardees are Laurene Jones, In March, the New Jersey Association of Public Accoun- Jennifer Cook, Amy Vondrak and Jingrong Huang.) tants (NJAPA) donated $2,227 to MCCC for student scholarships. The gift was part of the proceeds from a statewide tax Thanks to Our Major SISS Sponsors! preparer’s seminar hosted by The Conference Center at Mercer. Norma Poles, NJAPA Vice President, said that when the Dow Jones & Company (Sterling Silver Sponsor) decision was made to offer the organization’s annual statewide New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company Tax Practitioner Institute (TPI) at only one location and broad- Investors Bank cast it to other sites throughout New Jersey, the association PNC Bank didn’t know what to expect. But the MCCC Conference Center Borden Perlman Salisbury & Kelly helped make the seminar a resounding success. Jamil Faridy “We chose this location because of Conference Center New Jersey Business & Industry Association Manager Frank DiBella and the information technology staff,” PSE&G said Charles Robinson, NJAPA President. “Now we have a RWJ University Hospital Hamilton history, with a base to build on. A good facility with great Spiezle Architectural Group Inc. food entices people to get out.” Thomas Edison State College Attendance was up for the November TPI seminar, with Wells Fargo an estimated 150 in attendance at Mercer and 400 others The Bank of Princeton at satellite locations. While similar TPI seminars are held Princeton Management Development Institute Inc. throughout the nation, the NJAPA program is unique in that Tuchman Group all proceeds are donated to the scholarship funds of partner colleges and universities. Last year’s TPI raised more Visit www.mccc.edu/foundation for the full list of donors. than $17,000, which will be divided among the six partner schools. Anna Sedgley Joins MCCC Foundation Board Anna Sedgley, Chief Financial Of- casts and analytical insight to support business performance, ficer at Dow Jones & Company, is the as well as global facilities. She joined Dow Jones in October newest member of the MCCC Founda- 2009 as vice president for finance after 10 years at British tion Board. At Dow Jones, Sedgley is re- Sky Broadcasting plc in London. sponsible for the preparing and reporting “I look forward to working with the college as a member of the company’s financial performance, of the Foundation Board. Providing educational opportunities managing treasury and taxation matters, for deserving students has the power to change lives, and I and providing strategic guidance, fore- am eager to be part of that effort,” Sedgley said.

The Viking News 17 Read the full stories at ALUMNI SUCCESS www.mccc.edu/alumni-success.

Jesse Herrera Completes Bike Trek Across U.S. in Support of Mercer Trenton native Jesse Her- reception for three days. I had rera ’05 (Liberal Arts) biked a lot of time to think about across the country this spring things, but then I had to get with several goals in mind. back to where I was and live He wanted to get a unique in the moment. I learned to interactive experience of take things a day at a time. America’s amazing sites and I didn’t spend a single night people. But he also wanted in a motel. I saw the seasons to give back to his historic change.” hometown by raising money Now that he has arrived for MCCC, where he spent in Portland, where he will his first year of college be- live with a friend, his next fore transferring to Arizona agenda item is nailing down State University. a job in the bike industry. Herrera believes that Jesse Herrera, of Hamilton, dipped his tire in the Pacific And, he is already thinking MCCC, especially its Trenton Ocean on June 28 after two months biking across the U.S. about future bike trips. Campus, has a role to play in Herrera advises students revitalizing the city through the Pacific Ocean on June ing. On any given day, they to follow their dreams. “I education. He initiated a 28. He spent 55 days on his would change my day for the have worked in the corporate fundraising campaign, “Her- bike, cycling more than 100 better,” Herrera recalls. world, but I decided I want to rera Across America / Miles miles in a day on several oc- Jesse handed out his do what makes me happy,” he for Mercer,” to help MCCC casions. He recalls a stretch card emblazoned with the said, noting that his dream job develop and expand its pro- between Casper and Sho- MCCC logo everywhere he is to work for Specialized, the grams in the city. shoni, WY, where there was went, arriving in Portland manufacturer of the premier Herrera started his ca- nothing but a single rest stop with just a handful left. He bike he rode to the West Coast. reer in sales, which proved a for 100 miles. has 569 followers on Insta- In Jesse’s two months on natural field for the dynamic Between weather con- gram from many states. the road, the Herrera Across 20-something. But he had ditions, the people he met, “I’m excited that I made America campaign raised passions that were way stron- and the places he passed it,” Herrera says. “There were close to $1,600. Community ger – a deep love for cycling through, Herrera says that times when it was really in- members interested in donat- and an enduring affinity for every day was a new adven- tense, especially in Idaho, ing to the campaign should his home city of Trenton. ture. He met a young man where I had no cell phone visit www.mccc.edu/jesse. “I see what Mercer is skateboarding across the doing for education in the country and a woman doing Trenton community. That’s the journey on foot. He met the kind of spark we need in cowboys who lived up to the the city,” he says. legend, had a close call with Throughout his two- a bobcat, saw antelope and month journey, Herrera, who lots of other wildlife, traveled left Hamilton on April 19, through ghost towns, and kept in touch with his MCCC spent a few nights in cities friends and a large network with populations of fewer of family members and per- than 100. sonal friends via Instagram “The further west I went, and Twitter, posting regular the more amazing the scen- updates about his travels. Jes- ery got. In the small towns, se ended his 3,400-mile ride guys like me are the enter- on schedule, reaching Port- tainment. People were so land, OR, on June 19 and open and willing to help me taking a break with friends out. They gave me meals and before his final ride to Asto- places to stay. They were very MCCC updated Herrera’s 3,400-mile route on the college ria, OR, to dip his tire into interested in what I was do- website every week.

18 The Viking News Bill and Helene Plank Focus on Their Art in Retirement Fast forward 34 years, and the two are now retired and pursuing their art careers with passion. “It really is a blessing to share our lives with the things that make us happy – being creative, both together and as individual artists. And it all began at Mercer,” Helene says. After earning their associate degrees, Helene and Bill transferred to Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), with Bill earning his B.A. in Art Education and He- lene in Advertising Design. Bill spent his career as an art teacher, first in the Ewing School District and then at Hightstown High School, where he was a popular teacher of Art and Art History for 22 years. Helene found opportunities in the administrative field. In 1984, she returned to MCCC as an employee, working in Admissions and Institutional Research. After earning her mas- Helene Plank’s self-portrait, made of buttons, earned two ter’s in Human Services at Rider University, she got a new job awards at the 2014 Mercer County Artists exhibit. at Mercer in the Office of Institutional Research and then as When Bill Plank and Helene Wasielewski ’77 (A.A., Visual Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Arts) enrolled at Mercer in 1975, they chose MCCC for its con- Since their retirements in 2007, Bill and Helene have been venience and affordability. But Mercer changed both their lives busier than ever. Bill has begun a small business, “Plank Art in fundamental ways. They met during their first semester and Designs,” where he sells his paintings and gift items adorned became fast friends, a friendship that grew from their mutual with his prints. Helene is designing and selling jewelry and love for visual arts and culminated in their marriage in 1980. has begun creating mosaics using mostly recycled materials. Carlos Figueroa’s Journey Begins With Bus Ride to Mercer Johnnie Palmer Traces Funeral When Carlos Figueroa ’91 (A.S., Business) was a sopho- Service Success to MCCC more at Trenton Central High School, he took a chance bus After working in the funeral service field for 23 years, ride to MCCC’s Trenton Campus. There he learned about Tal- Johnnie L. Palmer Sr., ’95 (A.S., Funeral Service) says he ent Search, a program that offers college preparatory support still gets tremendous satisfaction from his work. to middle school and high school students. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve fami- Figueroa says that bus ride to Mercer has taken him all lies during their time of loss,” he explains. the way to his Ph.D. and his current position as Assistant Pro- According to Palmer, his Mercer education was com- fessor of Politics at Ithaca College in upstate New York. prehensive, relevant and enriching. During his final year “In Talent Search, I visited colleges, received tutoring, and he was elected class president. He says he gained invalu- networked with other students. The program served me well, es- able practical experience through an internship at a local pecially as a first-generation college-bound student,” he says. funeral home. Enrolling at Mercer as a Business student, Figueroa also Palmer entered the funeral business as a director’s took courses in Liberal Arts, Communications, Theatre and assistant and has since served as the director for inde- other areas. He became active in the EOF Club and the Inter- pendent funeral homes and in management at corporate national Student Organization. funeral homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He recent- Figueroa continued for his bachelor’s degree in Political ly relocated to Baltimore to work for Vaughn C. Greene Science and Pre-Legal Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson Univer- Funeral Services. sity-Madison. Then, in 1994, he returned to Mercer as Assis- After Mercer, Palmer earned his bachelor’s degree at tant Director of Admissions and Advisement. Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University) Figueroa embraced his job with gusto and also began and completed a master’s in Theology at Liberty Baptist teaching – as a substitute teacher in Trenton and as an ad- Theological Seminary. Shortly, he will earn an M.B.A. junct professor at Mercer. “I decided that teaching and academia would be my next long-term goal,” Figueroa recalls. He left Mercer in Government Department at the University of Texas-Browns- 1999 to pursue a dual Ph.D. in Political Science and Histor- ville. In 2013, he joined the faculty at Ithaca College. He ical Studies at the New School for Social Research in New says that none of it would have been possible without York City, which he completed in 2010. Mercer. “The people at Mercer are part of my biography,” For three years Figueroa was an Assistant Professor in the Figueroa said. “They gave me my foundation.”

The Viking News 19 HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS

High Schoolers Share Voices in MCCC’s Aspirations Arts Journal It’s an annual tradition Hopewell Valley Central High for MCCC, but it never gets School students featured old – especially for nearly in Aspirations, front row 150 high school students from left, Cassie Lieu, Jaime whose literary and artistic Owens, Felicia Luo, Maya work has been published in Naphade, Andrea Pfaff and Aspirations 2014, MCCC’s Jared Polomski, with MCCC literary arts journal for teens. Dean Robin Shore; back row On April 10, the college from left, English teacher welcomed students, families Tery Solomon, Barbara and teachers from eight area MacGuigan, Tom Dorsett, high schools for a recogni- Kyla Chasalow, Astrid Hunter, tion ceremony, where they Ethan Jeffs, Caelin Murphy received complimentary making your voices heard.” virtual, not digital – publica- and Okey Obedike. copies of this year’s journal. Hopewell Valley English tion is a wonderful incentive. Addressing the crowd at teacher Tery Solomon ob- We say we want students to “The students published Kelsey Theatre, MCCC Associ- serves that the publication read and write, to experiment in Aspirations will always ate Professor of English Nicole truly lives up to its name. and invent, and Aspirations remember that someone Homer, who serves as Aspi- “Aspirations inspires students’ showcases those who actu- valued their work enough to rations’ editor, said, “We are best efforts. Having the op- ally do. It’s a wonderful ven- invest in its publication. That proud to publish your stories, portunity to see their work ue that celebrates our high affirmation is inspiration,” poems and artwork. You are published in a physical – not school writers and artists. Solomon said.

Flowers Everywhere During High School Horticulture Expo

Photo by Jose Moreno Health Science Academy Seniors Ready for College Tricanne Wilson, left, and Piyush Puri are among 19 high Central New Jersey’s very own flower show came to MCCC school seniors in the first graduating class of the Health March 16-18. Now in its third year, the MCCC Horticulture Science Academy, a partnership between MCCC and Mercer Program and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture County Technical Schools. The program enables high school teamed up to host the High School Horticulture Expo. More students to take as many as seven science and health than 500 students from 30 schools participated. The event classes at Mercer. Students say their experience in Mercer featured a live floral competition and hundreds of original classrooms has increased their self-confidence and helped floral designs. them prepare for the rigors of college.

20 The Viking News SPORTS NEWS

Men’s Basketball With only one player returning from last year’s squad, Head Coach Howard Levy faced the season with uncertainty about the Vikings’ prospects. Fortunately, it did not take long for the team’s new members to gel. By winter break, the Vi- kings were 9-5. The picture changed in January as the Vikings were forced to adjust to the loss of three players, which reduced the squad to six. But they stepped up to the challenge, play- ing some of their best basketball towards the end of the season. Their late February run qualified them for the Region 19 Tournament. Entering the tournament as the no. 7 seed, the Vikings traveled to the no. 3-seeded Del Tech Stanton for the opening round on Feb. 24. Earlier in February, the Vikings had lost to The Vikings traveled to Washington, D.C., in December, Del Tech by 30 points. But on this night, the men held on to where they met Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld, far right, beat Del Tech 74-73 on its home court for the upset. at a practice facility inside the Verizon Center. Coach Levy notes that the playoff win at Del Tech was a highlight of the season. “I was proud of how the players stuck Team leaders included freshmen guards David Johnson with the game plan. They showed character and toughness to and Dashante Alexander, both of whom were named to the beat a good team on the road to extend our season,” he said. Second Team All Garden State Athletic Conference, and The Vikings advanced to the Region 19 Final Four, facing forward Dandre Parmley. Three sophomore standouts were the no. 2-seeded Raritan at Brookdale. While the Vikings were Michael Douglas, Kevin Allison and Jonathan Perry. Fresh- just one point behind at halftime, the Golden Lions opened up men guards Brandon Winston and Danny Hairston gave the the second half with a big run, going up by double digits. The Vikings solid assistance off the bench. Vikings ran out of time to catch up and fell 71-62. Coach Levy is optimistic about next year. “For my first Still, Coach Levy is satisfied with the Vikings’ 14-14 re- time at Mercer, we will have the bulk of the team returning, cord and gratified that they made it to the semifinal, noting which should set the stage for a strong season in 2014-15.” that this is the fourth time in five years that Mercer has ad- Levy, who completes his sixth season, was assisted by Jordan vanced to the semifinal round. Ingram.

Women’s Basketball The Mercer women’s basketball team may have ended freshmen forwards, Brandi Grimes and Chioma Okoro, had the year short of its preseason goal to make the Region 19 big seasons and are expected to return. The Vikings will also Tournament, but the Lady Vikes can be proud of their prog- have returning guards Kaitlyn Wolfsgruber and Cai-Cai Hahn, ress. They finished 10-17 and improved on last season’s win/ who gave the team some key minutes this season. loss record by four games. Tenaglia was assisted by Jane Berlinger and Samantha According to Head Coach Mike Tenaglia, the Lady Vikes’ Cobbs, an alumna of the Mercer basketball program. biggest challenge was closing out the wins in close games. They lost eight Region 19 games by 10 points or fewer, including three losses by just one point. “A few wins in those close games could have made the difference in qualifying for the playoffs,” he said. Still, Tenaglia says the season was packed with learning. “We had all the other pieces in place. Our girls stepped up and played hard. We were able to be a threat in a lot of games.” Two sophomores, Morgan Cullen and Erin Sobkowiak, were named to the Second Team All Garden State Confer- ence. The Vikings also got solid leadership from sophomores Jackie Laurenti and Heather Gurdon. Coach Tenaglia is already optimistic about next year. Two The Lady Vikes

The Viking News 21 For more Sports News, visit SPORTS NEWS www.mccc.edu/athletics Men’s Baseball

This was a year for the Selected to the First record books as the baseball Team All-Region 19 were team advanced to the NJCAA Fillmyer, Stine, Dave Os- Division II World Series for nato, and Joe Santospago. the first time since 2003. (Fillmyer, Osnato and Stine Ranked as high as no. 2 na- were selected as no. 1, 2 tionally, the team’s 40-8 final and 5 respectively among record is the best in MCCC the Top 10 Players in Region baseball history. 19.) Edward Ashley, Steven So, while getting elimi- Todd and Mark Tomei were nated in their third game of selected to the Second Team the double-elimination na- All-Region. Fillmyer, Osnato, tional tournament hurt deep- Santospago, Stine and Todd were also selected to the ly, these players’ accolades The Vikings celebrate after winning the Region 19 title. are well-deserved. First Team All-GSAC. Fillmy- According to third-year the Viking needed only two skillfully pitched a 1-0 shut- er and Osnato were named Head Coach Kevin Kerins, games to earn their place at out in the opener, followed NJCAA All-Americans. the World Series was an ex- the World Series. With more by a great pitching perfor- Coach Kerins was assist- traordinary experience. “The than 20 Major League scouts mance from Ben Stine for a ed this season by Fred Carel- fanfare and exposure to other watching, Heath Fillmyer 3-2 win in the second game. la and Shawn Reindel. schools from across the country was unmatched,” Kerins says. All the games were Women’s Softball streamed live from the NJCAA website, allowing fans back It’s an ending Head the mound were sophomore Selected to the First Team home to watch the action. Coach Ryan Zegarski has Stacie Denucci and freshman All-Region and the First Team The post-season excite- seen before. The softball team Kaitlyn Cegielski. Two costly All-GSAC were Castellano, ment began with the Region was well prepared heading injuries were at the catcher Cegielski, Alyssa Bauer and 19 double-elimination tour- into the Region 19 tourna- position, with Kelly Murphy Courtney Clee. Whittaker nament. MCCC entered the ment, but couldn’t get the injuring her shoulder early was selected to the Second tournament as the top seed, runs in the critical games. in the season, and catcher Team All-Region. followed by Lackawanna Col- In the double elim- Courtney Whittaker suffering Zegarski is proud of the lege, the region’s winner for ination tournament, the an injury with just two weeks program’s reputation and be- the past five years. Going into Vikings lost their first game left in the regular season. lieves it helps with recruiting the tournament, the Vikings 4-0 to Burlington, last year’s Outfielder Brianna Castella- solid players each year. were hitting a remarkable .351. champs. Hours later, they no moved behind the plate He was assisted by There was plenty of dra- turned it around with an 8-0 and others shifted to new Danielle Brossoie, along ma as the Vikings clinched win over Morris CC. That positions as well. with John Rooney, who pro- the title. They lost their first set up a Mercer-Burlington Five players were singled vided major support with game against Lackawanna rematch on Sunday morning, out for post-season honors. recruitment. 7-5 in 12 innings on May with the Vikings losing 5-1. 10, and then came back (Del Tech went on to beat to trounce the defending Burlington in the final.) champs 17-3. Freshman Zegarski says that de- pitcher Matt Gall was named spite their early exit, the the tournament MVP. Kerins Vikings’ 32-9 record speaks was named Region 19 Coach for itself. “We were pretty of the Year. good at everything – offense, The Vikings headed into defense, base running and the District championship pitching.” The team had only with a 37-5 record. It was a 30 errors in 41 games. best-of-three tournament, but Leading the Vikings on

22 The Viking News Men’s Tennis The men’s tennis team had a year of steady progress. The Vikings rallied back from a losing record of 3-7 to end the season 11-8. “My goal every year is to ensure that the players learn the game and have fun,” Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla said. “We did that and we had some good wins. It was a successful season.” Still, Vecchiolla wonders what might have been if the team’s no. 1 player, Ahmed al-Shawafi, had not suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the second match. In the Kneeling, from left, Angelo Codillo, Nick Mastalesz, Ahmed opener against perennial rival Brookdale Community Col- al-Shawafi and Stefan Neagu; standing from left, Assistant lege, al-Shawafi defeated Brookdale’s Mcclane Smoke, who Coach Barb Pleva, Louie Dias, Ebrahim al-Areqi, Dario went on to win the national title at no. 1 singles. Moriello, Tyler Sincoskie, Assistant Coach Ralph Bencivengo “Including last year’s record, Ahmed beat Smoke four of and Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla. the five times they faced each other. When we lost Ahmed, I believe we lost the no. 1 player in the country in Div. III ten- Nick Mastalesz at no. 5; Tyler Sincoskie at no. 6; and Angelo nis,” Vecchiolla said. Codillo at no. 7. But, as in every season, Vecchiolla’s job is to help each The Vikings even came close to going to nationals. Tied player reach his potential. “The other players stepped up to for third place at the Region 19 Tournament, they lost the the challenge,” he reports. “They pushed themselves and de- tie-breaker, which cost them the trip to Texas. veloped into better players because of it.” Vecchiolla completes his seventh season as head coach. The roster included Dario Moriello at no. 1; Louie Dias (He has been head coach for women’s tennis for 17 seasons.) at no. 2; Ebrahim al-Areqi at no. 3; Stefan Neagu at no. 4; He was assisted by Ralph Bencivengo and Barb Pleva.

Green and Gold Again: Vikings Hurler Heath Fillmyer Signs With Oakland Athletics MCCC pitcher Heath Fillmyer will be able to hang on infielder for Mercer, pitching to his old workout clothes, as he will be trading the Vikings’ fewer than 10 innings in 2013. green and gold for the green and gold of the Oakland Ath- In 2014 he shifted almost ex- letics after being selected by the A’s in the fifth round of the clusively to pitching, logging Major League Baseball draft on June 6 (162nd overall). 66 innings and racking up 94 Fillmyer led the Vikings baseball team to the Junior College strikeouts with a fastball that World Series this season, posting a 9-0 record and a 0.68 ERA. touched the mid-90s. In 2013 he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the eighth “I believe Heath’s best round, but opted to return to Mercer for a second season. days are ahead of him,” Kerins “The Oakland A’s organization is getting a competitive, said. “He’s only been a pitcher hard-working player,” said Coach Kevin Kerins. “His work eth- for one season and is just start- ic and competitive style were contagious within our team.” ing to come into his own. We During his freshman year, Fillmyer primarily served as an are proud to have him represent our college and program.” Heath Fillmyer In an interview with the Athletics Nation website, A’s Mark Your Calendar for MCCC Golf Classic Scouting Director Eric Kubota noted Fillmyer’s “very good fastball and above average curveball” as the reason the orga- The date is set for the MCCC Athletics nization spent a high-round draft pick on him. Department’s 23rd annual Golf Classic In addition to his Junior College World Series appear- on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Mercer Oaks ance, Fillmyer’s post-season honors include Region 19 Play- Golf Course in Princeton Junction, er of the Year, National Junior College Athletic Association NJ. Proceeds will benefit Mercer’s Pitcher of the Year, and First-Team All-American. Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund. The Over the past three years, two Vikings baseball players tournament is held in memory of local – Fillmyer twice – have been selected in the MLB draft. In physician Dr. Cynthia Schaffer, an MCCC 2011, pitcher James Pugliese was selected by the Chicago Foundation board member who supported youth athletics. Cubs in the 18th round and is currently pitching for the orga- Numerous sponsorship opportunities are available. nization’s Class A affiliate, the Kane County Cougars, in Ge- For ticket and sponsorship information, contact MCCC neva, Ill., where he is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA. During that same Athletics Director John Simone at 609-570-3741 or email time period, the Mercer baseball program has sent more than [email protected]. 30 players to four-year schools, many of whom have received athletic scholarships.

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PO Box 17202 Academic Calendar 1200 Old Trenton Road Most Fall semester classes begin Aug. 23. Later-starting five- Trenton, NJ 08690 week, seven-week, and ten-week terms are also available. Visit www.mccc.edu for course listings and dates.

Kelsey Theatre • Fall 2014 Calendar Rolling Out the Classics

Full-Length Family Events Kelsey Kids Series

Kiss Me, Kate Jesus Christ Superstar FROZEN the Movie Sing-A-Long September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 September 20 The Mousetrap Miracle on 34th Street Pocahontas September 26, 27, 28; November 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 October 11 October 3, 4, 5 El Sueño Charlotte’s Web The Secret Garden December 13 November 1 October 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Count Dracula For tickets to Kelsey events, December 5, 6, 7 October 24, 25, 26, 31; call 609-570-3333 or visit The Nutcracker November 1, 2 www.kelseytheatre.net. December 19, 20, 21

Events at The Gallery Sept. 2 - 25: “Pannaroma,” a photo exhibit curated by Prof. Michael Dalton, opens the 2014-15 season. An opening reception and gallery talk will be held Sept. 4. The show features 18 photographers and has previously been exhibited in New York City, Miami and New Orle- ans. For more information visit www.mccc.edu/gallery.

“Bayonne Bridge” by MCCC Professor Michael Dalton. All Fired Up! Professor Michael Welliver, right, and student George Olexa tend to pieces of pottery fired in an outdoor kiln during the summer session of Raku Workshop. Twenty-two students created, glazed and fired more than 100 pieces using techniques dating back to 16th century Japan. Read prior issues of The Viking, published twice a year, at www.mccc.edu/viking. And stay connected with MCCC 24/7 at www.mccc.edu for all the latest news, events, and offerings from your community college.