For alumni and friends of Schenectady County Community College Spring 2016 alumNEWS Changing Their Course, One Class at a Time Inside this issue Whether they’re called “returning adult students,” 2 Inauguration 2016 “mature learners” or “adult learners,” 49 percent of students at community colleges across the country are 3 A New Presence in between the ages of 22 and 39, with 14 percent over Downtown Schenectady the age of 401. Last semester, 15 percent of full-time students, 38 percent of part-time students and 24 4 Alumni Spotlight: percent of all students at SCCC were 30 years old An Authentic Taste and older. of France At SCCC, support for the returning adult student 5 Alumni Spotlight: ranges from the RESTART online club, to the Plus 50 Encore Completion Grant program the College Getting Big Laughs on launched in 2013, part of a nationwide initiative to The Tonight Show recruit and support older students (50 years old and 6 Remembering above) pursuing a new career. Toby Strianese The paths that led them to SCCC are often just as interesting as the students themselves and the goals and Samantha Vasquez 8 Gala Honors Community aspirations they have set. Samantha Vasquez and James Leaders, Alumna LaRose are two such students, one with an eye toward working in the criminal justice system and the other 9 A New Scholorship... planning for a second career after retirement. 10 Class Notes There are times when she has to tune her family out and 11 Upcoming Alumni Events the house “will be a wreck,” but it’s been worth it for Samantha, a 31-year-old single mother with two young sons ages 7 and 3. “Once my homework’s done and I’ve met the deadline, I pick right back up with it and with my kids,” she said during a recent interview in between classes and working in the Career and Employment Services Office in Elston Hall. She credits her boys with serving as her motivation as she works toward [ alumNews Online ] completing her final semester at SCCC and graduating with her degree in Criminal Justice this May. “My boys Would you prefer that we send you the are my life,” she said. “I don’t even think that I would James LaRose next issue of alumNews electronically? have the drive that I have without them because I’ve lost Simply e-mail your name, class year and my way too many times.” e-mail address to [email protected], indicating that you would like to receive After leaving high school in 11th grade, Samantha, originally from Queens, N.Y., alumNews electronically from now on, travelled upstate five years later for a job corp program. “I did a total life change when I and we will add you to our e-mail list. started job corp. I started to find myself,” she said. She had already completed a medical billing program, worked in the health care field and had planned on pursuing a degree in nursing, but her life moved in a different direction and she decided that criminal justice was her passion. She plans on pursuing her bachelor’s degree in the fall, followed by her master’s degree. She has her sights set on a Ph.D., but wants to first get experience working in corrections and the parole system, with a long-range goal of one day becoming a judge. 1American Association of Community College Fast Facts, February 2016 Continued on page 4... Dear Alumni and Friends, alumNEWS You, as an alumnus of Schenectady County Community College [ SCCC Board of Trustees ] (SCCC), play a vital role in the success of our College. We know that Ann Fleming Brown, Chair many of you are active, involved, and visible in the Capital Region Dr. William Levering, Vice Chair Renee Bradley, Secretary as successful professionals and pillars within our community. We Dr. Alton Brisport thank you for enhancing the reputation of SCCC as an institution Raymond R. Gillen of high quality learning. On the campus, you are visible role models Gary E. Hughes Michael W. Karl for our students who see that with dedication and perseverance Tina Chericoni Versaci, Esq. they can achieve their educational goals, just like you have done and William Patee, Student Trustee demonstrated. Your enthusiasm and involvement through the SCCC [ SCCC President ] Alumni Advisory Committee and your financial support provide our Dr. Steady Moono faculty and staff with encouragement and positive reinforcement in their significant efforts in helping our students succeed. [ SCCC Foundation Board of Directors ] Thank you for your outstanding support. Jeanne Maloy, Chair Richard Kotlow, Chair-Elect Dr. Steady Moono Michael Tobin, Treasurer President Dr. Steady Moono, Secretary Michael Wollman, Past Chair Susan Baker Valerie Bleser Ann Fleming Brown Vera Dordick ’04 Diane Smith Faubion Jamison R. Flora Michael Hoffman Dr. Margaret (Peggy) King requests the honor of your presence at the Ceil Mack Inauguration of its Seventh President Lynn D. Manning Victor Mazzotti, Esq. Angelicia Morris Terry Phillips Steady H. Moono,Ed.D. Yono Purnomo Tina Chericoni Versaci, Esq . Friday, May Thirteenth, Two-Thousand and Sixteen David Wallingford at Three o’clock in the Afternoon Barbara Bishop Ward Chris Wessell ’00 Proctors, Robin Wiley 432 State Street, Schenectady, New York 12305 [ SCCC Communications Staff ] Lynn Harkness Information Processing Specialist II A celebratory reception to follow in Jessica McHugh-Green Elston Hall on the SCCC Campus, Graphic Designer II Heather Meaney 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, New York 12305. Public Relations/Publications Specialist II You are also cordially invited to [ SCCC Development Staff ] Samantha Legere Coordinator of Development The Inaugural Ball Stacy McIlduff Coordinator of Development Saturday, May Fourteenth, Two-Thousand and Sixteen Arlene Moran at Six o’clock in the Evening Executive Secretary I The Schenectady Armory, 125 Fuller Street, Schenectady, New York 12305 Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Dancing alumNews is published by the SCCC Develop- ment Office. The Editor welcomes your Black Tie comments. Please contact the Development Inaugural Ball tickets: $200/person Office at (518) 381-1324. Family: If this issue is addressed to your Proceeds benefit the SCCC Minority Student Mentoring Initiative relative who no longer maintains an address at your home, please send a current address launched by President Moono. This initiative will connect participating to the Schenectady County Community students with caring mentors for guidance and support while providing College Development Office, 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, N.Y. 12305, or call us opportunities for civic engagement, academic advisement, and personal at (518) 381-1324, thank you. and leadership development. Please RSVP by April 15 http://SCCCINAUGURALBALL.EVENTBRITE.COM 2 A New Presence in Downtown Schenectady There’s a new hub for business training and personal/professional development in downtown Schenectady – the Kindl Building. The new location for the College’s Office of Workforce Development and Community Education, 201 State St., has already been home to a series of classes for the new Introduction to Craft Brewing credential course, career and education pathway workshops, a Youth Build mental toughness program, sewing classes and meetings for local non-profit organizations that partner with the College. The office provides industry demand-driven On an unseasonably warm day in November 2015, a crowd gathered in front of the Kindl Building education, training and personal enrichment as officials and members of the Kindl family participated in a symbolic ribbon cutting. The building programs in areas including health care, was owned by Catherine Kindl whose husband, the late Fred Kindl, bought the 12,000 square-foot archaeology, computers, and music and building in 1982 for the engineering firm he founded, Encotech, Inc. The Kindl family donated the logistics for adults, kids, teens and adults. building to SCCC in 2009, along with $350,000 for restoration. Pictured are Rosemary Harrigan, Customized training can be developed in Kindl family member, and Dr. Steady Moono, SCCC President, with state, county and College conjunction with area businesses to improve officials during the ceremony. employee productivity. The college’s START- UP NY program is also housed at Kindl. Something’s Brewing… SCCC’s Office of Workforce Development and Community Education is tapping into the need Representatives from winning nonprofits pose for qualified brewers and jumping on the growth with Times Union Publisher/CEO George R. of the brewing industry (there are currently 238 Hearst III, center. breweries in New York state alone) by offering a brewer training course in partnership with Shmaltz Foundation a Big Brewing Company, Adirondack Brewing, Saranac, Winner in “The Big Rare Form and the Greater Capital Region Workforce Development Boards. Introduction to Craft Brewing $100,000 Giveaway” is a 13-week course designed to meet the growing After the Times Union’s Capital Region workforce needs of craft breweries throughout the Capital Region and Upstate New York. Gives special section launched in November 2015, the public was invited The first group of burgeoning brewers will complete to vote daily for their favorite among the course later this month. They’ve learned 37 local nonprofits. Nearly 25,000 votes everything from yeast fermentation and beer were cast over three weeks, and the maturation to beer packaging and brewery safety SCCC Foundation was chosen as one with classes in the College’s new Kindl Building and of the 10 nonprofits to receive $10,000 hands-on training at local breweries. The next session in free