LUIS SANDOVAL, BSBA ’12, MSHRM ’15
ART DIRECTOR DIRECTOR ART Chris Miller Chris
Linda Soltis Linda CONTRIBUTING EDITORS CONTRIBUTING Kristen Lacaillade Kristen Kelly Saccomanno Kelly t Earns ACBSP Accreditation t Earns ACBSP e of War”
EDITOR eadership and Patient Care in Interview in Interview Care and Patient eadership ogistics: Luis Sandoval, BSBA ’12, BSBA MSHRM ’15 Luis Sandoval, ogistics: Joe Guzzardo Joe eckewald Memorial Golf Classic Raises Nearly $85,000 Memorial eckewald dison State University Partners with American Red Cross NJ Region Cross with American Red Partners University dison State ennedy Health CEO w Jersey Council for the Humanities Grant Gives Rise to Rise to Gives the Humanities Grant for Council w Jersey with K School of Business and Managemen School of Business and Main Class Not Thomas C. Str Dean Discusses L Sho “Dialogues on the Experienc Humanitarian L Mission A Dr Thomas E Ne
> > > > > > Pr > > > > > is published quarterly and is produced the by Office Communications of and the Office of Institutional PRESIDENT
ersity News ersity ’12, BA MSM’15 Parrales, Frances taining ALegacy: es ’14 Ellison,BA Rebecca ccomplished:
’02 BA Murphy, Ed wing HisAppreciation: University State ofThomasEdison asPresident Retire to A.Pruitt . George
Message esident’s Dr. George A. George Pruitt Dr.
Invention Marketing at Thomas Edison University. State Cover Story Story Cover 8 Alumni Profiles 12 14 16 4 News Foundation 6 7 1 2 3 Univ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6 3 4 14 12 WHAT’S INSIDE WHAT’S
SUMMER 2017 SUMMER invention 1
have lived lives honorable of
~~~~~~~~~~~~~2017 Summer Invention ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ message president’s 41-year veteran the of United States Coast Guardbased in Sandoval Texas. shares his journey and experience throughout his time in the Coast Guard as well as his passion aiding for the military’s most important asset:its people. Alsoin this issue, we are shareto to be proud able the story Frances of Parrales, BA ’12, MSM ’15, principal management assistant the for chair the for Department Emergency of Medicine Rutgers at New Jersey Medical School in Newark, N.J., and former University student trustee. Finally, we meet Rebecca Ellison, BA ’14, a United States Army veteran, Army spouseand current graduate student basedin Virginia. She recounts her experienceserving the nation and the constant relocations that fueled her desire finish to her degree. I am also pleased to share with you the official announcement my of retirement as president the of University after 35 wonderful years. has It been my honor and privilege to serve this community. I hope this you enjoy issue Invention. of Sincerely, GeorgeDr. A. Pruitt President service to others as evidenced in each their of stories. are grateful We introduceto you Luisto Sandoval, BSBA ’12, MSHRM ’15, a Ralph Emerson said, Waldo “The purpose life is of It to be is to be not happy. useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate; to have make it some difference that you have lived and lived well.” alumniThe introduced in this issue Invention of ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FRIENDS, AND STUDENTS DEAR ALUMNI, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
university news
Dr. George A. Pruitt to Retire as President of Thomas Edison State University ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. George A. Pruitt will retire as president of Thomas Edison State University at the end of this year, after more than three decades of leading New Jersey’s only institution of higher education dedicated exclusively for adults.
“Serving as president of this wonderful University has been the single, greatest privilege of my professional life,” said Pruitt. “I have no words to express my appreciation to the trustees, past and present, as well as my colleagues who have joined in the work of transforming the lives of the students we serve.”
“I COULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED THE CAREER I HAVE HAD, AND BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH SUCH AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF PEOPLE.”
DR. GEORGE A. PRUITT
Pruitt formally notified the University Board of Trustees of his decision to retire in early June. Brian Maloney, chair of the Board of Trustees, said the board has formed a search committee to oversee a national search to find the institution’s next president. “It is hard to imagine Thomas Edison State University without George Pruitt as our president. The impact that he has made on our University and on higher education in this country is extraordinary,” said Maloney. “We are grateful for Dr. Pruitt’s remarkable leadership and his record of accomplishment over the past 35 years.” Pruitt was appointed as the school’s third president in December 1982. Since then, he has led the institution’s evolution into a comprehensive University with diverse academic programs that serve a wide range of students and Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University, will retire at the end of 2017 after organizations. He is one of the longest-sitting college or serving 35 years as president. university presidents in the country.
students at Towson State University in Towson, Maryland; “SERVING AS PRESIDENT OF THIS WONDERFUL and assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN THE SINGLE, GREATEST director of the High Potential Students Program at Illinois PRIVILEGE OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.” State University in Normal, Illinois. DR. GEORGE A. PRUITT “I could not have imagined the career I have had, and being able to work with such an incredible group of people,” said Pruitt. “I believe the future of Thomas Edison State University Prior to his appointment as president, Pruitt served as is bright and look forward to the next chapter in my career.” executive vice president of the Council for Adult and Following a one-year sabbatical, Pruitt will serve as a Experiential Learning. He previously served as vice president distinguished fellow at the University’s John S. Watson for Student Affairs and professor of Education at Tennessee School of Public Service and Continuing Studies, where he State University in Nashville; vice president, executive will concentrate on public policy work focused on leadership, assistant to the president and associate professor of Urban governance and quality assurance. Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore; dean of
2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
university news
School of Business and Management Earns ACBSP Accreditation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Accreditation Council for Calif., on June 26. “This accreditation Business Schools and Programs is evidence that TESU is committed to (ACBSP) Baccalaureate/Graduate providing the highest quality business Degree Board of Commissioners education for its students.” has awarded accreditation of the Established in 1988, ACBSP is the Bachelor of Science in Business only organization offering specialized Administration (BSBA), Master of business accreditation for all degree Business Administration (MBA), Master levels, from associate to baccalaureate of Science in Management (MSM) and to doctoral degree programs. ACBSP Master of Science in Human Resources accreditation certifies that the teaching Management (MSHRM) degree and learning processes within the programs offered by the School of undergraduate and graduate business Business and Management at Thomas programs offered through the School Edison State University. of Business and Management meet “Thomas Edison State University has the rigorous educational standards shown its commitment to teaching established by ACBSP. The accreditation ACBSP’s high standards of quality,” excellence and to the process of quality is effective as of April 27, 2017. said William Seaton, University provost improvement by participating in the “On behalf of the University, I commend and vice president. “I would also like accreditation process,” said ACBSP Dr. Michael Williams, dean of the to extend our sincere thanks to the Chief Accreditation Officer Dr. Steve School of Business and Management, students, alumni, staff and mentors who Parscale, who presented the University’s and his team on their excellent work participated in the ACBSP accreditation Certificate of Accreditation at the to earn ACBSP accreditation and process and helped make this ACBSP Conference 2017 in Anaheim, ensure our business programs meet accomplishment possible.”
Thomas Edison State University Partners with American Red Cross NJ Region ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thomas Edison State University is Thomas Edison State partnering with the American Red University will help our Cross New Jersey Region to enable volunteers and staff its volunteers and staff members to members increase their advance their education and increase knowledge and skills.” their capacity to help prevent and Any active volunteer alleviate human suffering in the face of or staff member of the emergencies. American Red Cross The partnership allows volunteers and New Jersey Region staff of the American Red Cross New is eligible for this Jersey Region to benefit from tuition exclusive partnership discounts that may be applied to most that makes transferring undergraduate and graduate programs credit, taking courses offered by the University, which are and earning a degree or (Seated from left) Ana Montero, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey designed to work around the unique certificate as seamless Region; American Red Cross volunteer Susan Hassmiller; and Dr. Joseph needs of the organization’s volunteers as possible. Youngblood II, vice provost and dean, John S. Watson School of Public and staff. Service and Continuing Studies at the University. (Standing from left): “This partnership is historic and Christopher Schultz, assistant dean, John S. Watson School of Public “Our workforce is our most valuable illustrates why we were a pioneer in Service and Continuing Studies at the University; Michael Prasad, disaster asset,” said Ana Montero, CEO, providing educational opportunities support functions director, American Red Cross New Jersey Region; American Red Cross New Jersey to the public service sector,” said Dr. Carol Chang, officer, information and decision support, American Red Cross; American Red Cross volunteers Julie Daigle and Steven Goldstein; Region. “They are highly dedicated and Joseph Youngblood II, vice provost and Ann Prime-Monaghan, associate dean, John S. Watson School of Public passionate about carrying out the Red dean of the John S. Watson School of Service and Continuing Studies at the University; and Jessiah Styles, Cross mission. The partnership with Public Service and Continuing Studies. associate director, Office of Strategic Partnerships at the University.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 InventionSummer2017
4 4,800 people. If I don’t care for them for them care Idon’t If people. 4,800 community organization that employs a we’re that is part integral most the but patients for our Yes, care we need. they things the team our give and care of level adifferent but Iprovide doctor, a not I’m executive; an I’m customer. apotential as at everyone but looking to us, come that patients for the caring only not means for people caring me, for And for people. caring about all it’s and community-based, it is healthcare: about thing great the that’s Ithink But it. to make going were we sure We weren’t 10 years. survive wouldn’t Kennedy said people Many 1965. in N.J., Stratford, in on farmland System Health Kennedy the founded actually who Pirolli, for Mr. enough to work fortunate been Ihad community. the to back to give is leaders individual as and executives hospital as have we responsibility public the that meaning not-for-profit, are hospitals of the amajority Jersey, New In Philadelphia. to goback and here years three to spend was intention my Jersey, to South came I When places. to goother opportunities Ihad when years for 31 here stayed NOT GOINGTO BESUCCESSFUL.” TO IMPROVE THEORGANIZATION, YOU’RE “IF YOU DON’TWORK TOGETHER ASATEAM A: series: the in interview fifth of the part as Devine with discussion Williams’ from excerpts some are Here N.J. Laurel, Mount in ML, at Hotel Series,’ Changer of Commerce’s ‘Game Chamber Regional County Camden of the part as Health, of Kennedy CEO and president W. Joseph with Devine, down sat University, State Edison Thomas at Management and of Business School of the dean Williams, Dr. Michael ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: Q: plan or evolution? plan your career this was president; and CEO its now are and Health atKennedy auditor internal an JosephW. Devine People often ask me why I why me ask often People Pictured at theevent, from leftto right, Dr. MichaelWilliams,dean,SchoolofBusiness andManagement You started your career as as your career You started in Interview with Kennedy Health CEO Kennedy Health with CEO in Interview DiscussesDean Leadership Patient and Care
at theUniversity, Dr. Filomela Marshall, dean,W. CaryEdwards SchoolofNursing at theUniversity, and Chamber Chat university news
Joseph W. Devine, FACHE, president andCEO, Kennedy Health. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jersey unique. South makes what that’s —and here stay physicians and associates our why that’s factors, at those look you when think I success. no have we first, And to me, who who to me, And was. he who it was did, he what wasn’t It community. the alot for but did he jobs, three worked and school of high out dropped father My background. humble avery from Icame are. you who perspective in to keep need communicate. You to ability the and influence to have have you that means It person. important most the to be have don’t you that means team management of a amember to be that believed always I’ve to you. commit will really people important, are that things the do and people with connect you when that believe Ireally task. easy an not was that one —and as to act hospitals three to encourage tried management senior because way the along occurred that alot of challenges were There failure. some without come didn’t that and hospitals, care acute three of our charge in put me They system. out of the cost some to take it reengineering, called they years, for seven hospitals three all A: A: Q: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ your engagement with others? with your engagement to your orientation of descriptors accurate these are collaboration; Everyone has their role. When I ran Iran When role. their has Everyone Community, caring and and caring Community,
not going to be successful. successful. to be going not you’re organization the to improve team a as together work don’t you —if role to a supervisory new or someone CEO the you’re —whether team management of the amember and aleader As time.’ the all me please to always have you like feel but don’t me, please always won’t people that Iknow and hour per miles go150 all you Imake sometimes know ‘I team, to my Isay As for them. to work wants aleader as much as leader for their works organization an I think patients. the to are you who of reflection a is healthcare in aleader as are you had a lot of confidence. He worked for worked He alot of confidence. had He for him. worked really perspective That right. was he And else.’ everyone as way same on the pants ‘You put your to say, used he perspective; balanced avery had My father are. you than important more much are people other Two, that is are. challenges your what ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A: A: Q: given to you?given to have may your father that others
One, is never ever give up, no matter no matter up, give ever never is One, What advice would you give would to advice What and Management Dr. MichaelWilliams,deanoftheSchoolBusiness ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
university news
“THE MORE PEOPLE YOU MEET WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU, THE BETTER A LEADER YOU BECOME.”
Joseph W. Devine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
about listening to them. We want to St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, be sure we give them an opportunity Pa., because they had an impressive Joseph W. Devine, president and CEO of Kennedy Health to speak and have a dialogue. There roster of educators. We hold refreshers are three things to keep in mind. One, every once in a while because we do get did we make the best decision in the away from the concepts. I believe that if the same company for 50 years and interest of the patient? Patients come you have one way you are committed to was married to the same woman for 50 first. Nothing else matters. Not money. treating one another, everyone in your years. My father was a guy who was very Not bond ratings. We’re not in the organization will get on board. committed and loyal to people. I think banking business. We’re in the business the lesson is that it’s OK to want to stay of taking care of patients. Two, is to ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ committed and connected. It’s great to make decisions in the best interest of Q: In your career, were there have a legacy to be attached to. the community. We’re owned by the significant experiences or When I came to Kennedy, I saw that community. Our board members, many influencers that helped to make potential: to do things for people. In of whom are business people, also live healthcare, we have a lot of decisions in the community. Third, are we making you a better person and leader? to make, but the patients are why we’re the best decision for our employees? A: As a leader, you have to be there. People ask me what keeps me Ninety-nine percent of the time those constantly learning. Being a leader at up at night. I say, ‘4,800.’ I have 4,800 decisions will come together. But there Kennedy has given me the opportunity employees because of the job I have. will be times when they don’t. There’s to be involved with and meet many I’m not just responsible for those 4,800; going to be a time when our associates people from different backgrounds. I want to make sure those 4,800 have do not like a decision that I made. But It helped me become more respectful good lives as well as their loved ones I’m OK having a dialogue about it. The of diversity. When I was involved and families. That’s what it means to priorities are patients, the community in organizations that didn’t have a be successful. We encourage all of our and then our associates. We have to direct healthcare connection, I did leaders to follow that philosophy as well. realize what our priorities are and it because I knew it was best for the It’s more important for us to do things always have the dialogue. community and I knew that ultimately for other people. My father had an old ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ we’re all somehow connected. I think expression and it’s hanging in my office, collaboration is a reflection of who ‘It’s nice to be important, but it’s more you are as a person. You don’t do important to be nice.’ If you follow that Q: You put your leadership team it for accolades, you do it because belief, people will do anything for you — through servant leadership fundamentally you believe you should and you will do anything for them. training. What influenced you to give back. If leaders don’t think they come to this decision? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ should give back, they shouldn’t be A: I wanted to do something that leaders. Not every hospital in the state Q: What are the key reasons for was going to get our leadership team gets along about every issue, but we investing in staff development? connected to our employees. I believe know how to work through conflicts I’m a servant leader and I have followed with dialogue. The more people you A: We invest in our senior leaders that philosophy throughout my meet who are different from you, the because I want people to understand entire career. We interviewed several better a leader you become. that, as a leader, we deal with conflict organizations, looked at curriculums matter-of-factly. There’s no issue we and sought one that would be built try to hide behind. Whether it’s a specifically for us. The irony is that I conflict with a physician or a patient, called Chris Gheysens, the president of my goal is to get to the root of the Wawa, as they had just gone through the issue, resolve it and, ultimately, close same training. Chris reconfirmed for me the loop. An article recently appeared that it was one of the best things Wawa in the Wall Street Journal about CEOs had ever done. If you go into a Wawa who are huggers. I’m a hugger. That’s store, you can hear in the fundamental just who I am. I think when people language spoken by their employees trust you, they know you’re going to that they are servant leaders. I picked treat them fairly in any conflict. It’s all
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5 InventionSummer2017 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
foundation news
Thomas C. Streckewald Memorial Golf Classic Raises Nearly $85,000 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 23rd annual Thomas TOURNAMENT SPONSORS INCLUDED: C. Streckewald Memorial Golfers warming up on The Ridge’s diving range. Sparta Systems (Leadership Sponsor); Golf Classic, which took Bank of America Merrill Lynch place at The Ridge at Back (Eagle Sponsor); Lear & Pannepacker, LLP (Golf Cart Sponsor); BlackStratus, Brook in Ringoes, N.J., on Eastern Armored Car, General Electric, May 8, helped raise nearly Investors Bank and Precast Systems $85,000 for the Thomas Inc. (Corporate Sponsors); Bunker Hill Edison State University Consultation Center (Boxed Lunch Sponsor); Capital Health, Joseph Jingoli & Foundation. This year, Son, Inc., NJM Insurance Group, 110 golfers and guests South Jersey Federal Credit Union attended and supported The Ridge for which the course was named. (Par Sponsors); Nexus Properties, the event. Inc. (Hole-in-One Sponsor); and CliftonLarsonAllen, Dyer and Peterson, PC, “Hosting our outing at The Ridge has provided a first-class experience for our Hoisington Engineers, LLC, wonderful group of participants who Ironworkers Local 399, KPMG, enjoy a day at a beautiful venue while Laura Hall RE/Max Tri-County, generously supporting the mission of Mercer County Community College, the University. All net proceeds support the Thomas C. Streckewald Endowment New Jersey State Library, Office Furniture Fund, which has become increasingly Partnership, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, important in the University’s ability to Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #9, PNC invest in new programs to serve our Bank, Packet Media, Rider University students,” said Misty Isak, associate The winning foursome with Foundation Board Chair Athletics, Stark & Stark, The Bank of vice president of Development at Michael Toscani. Pictured, from left to right, Toscani, Bruce Thomas Edison State University. Post, Matt Balitsaris, Chuck Scholer and Robert Crawford. Princeton and Zekavat Investment Group, “We have been holding this event Inc. (Tee Sponsors). for 23 years to honor the memory of our colleague, Tom Streckewald, and it is very special to have his family involved.” Following a record shattering year in 2016, this year’s tournament raised the second largest amount in the event’s history, surpassing the next highest total revenue by more than $12,000. The outing featured a scramble format and the first-place foursome was comprised of the team representing Golf Committee member Kim Owens of NJM Insurance Group setting up to participate in the putting contest. Corporate Sponsor, Precast Systems, Inc. Congratulations to Bruce Post, Robert Crawford, Matt Balitsaris and Chuck Scholer. Our non-golfers enjoyed a painting and wine experience where participants custom painted a set of wine glasses while overlooking the Dr. George A. Pruitt and Dr. Pamela Pruitt with beautiful grounds. Thomas Streckewald’s sons Kevin and Daniel.
6 Celebrating a great day on the course.
2017 Summer Invention 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. the for Council Jersey New the or Humanities the for Endowment National
the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the the of those represent necessarily not do publication this in expressed recommendations or conclusions findings, views, Any Humanities. the
*This program was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for for Endowment National the of partner state a Humanities, the for Council Jersey New the from grant a by possible made was program *This
similar experiences.” experiences.” similar
The second workshop is slated to be be to slated is workshop second The
and workshop presenters with their their with presenters workshop and
benefit from the shared exploration of of exploration shared the from benefit
reactions to the workshop materials. materials. workshop the to reactions
as described by humanities scholars scholars humanities by described as
variety of individuals together that can can that together individuals of variety
discussions of personal experiences and and experiences personal of discussions
them synthesize the experience of war war of experience the synthesize them
humanities workshops can bring a wide wide a bring can workshops humanities
Menlo Park, N.J., and featured candid candid featured and N.J., Park, Menlo
Sciences at the University. “In helping helping “In University. the at Sciences
focused program like this one, as public public as one, this like program focused
Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in in Home Memorial Veterans Jersey
dean of the Heavin School of Arts and and Arts of School Heavin the of dean
are proud to support an audience- an support to proud are
was held June 5 and 6 at the New New the at 6 and 5 June held was
civilian life,” said Dr. John Woznicki, Woznicki, John Dr. said life,” civilian
Director Dr. Briann Greenfield. “We “We Greenfield. Briann Dr. Director
The first of the two, two-day workshops workshops two-day two, the of first The
of reintegration for military veterans to to veterans military for reintegration of and reflection,” said NJCH Executive Executive NJCH said reflection,” and
impact on individuals and society. society. and individuals on impact workshops intended to ease the burdens burdens the ease to intended workshops interesting way to provoke discussion discussion provoke to way interesting
The workshops lend insight on war’s war’s on insight lend workshops The NJCH, we are able to co-sponsor co-sponsor to able are we NJCH,
an provide to philosophy and literature
conflicts often rooted in this process. process. this in rooted often conflicts “Thanks to grant support from the the from support grant to “Thanks humanities disciplines such as history, history, as such disciplines humanities
into civilian society and the personal personal the and society civilian into
“The workshops employ aspects of of aspects employ workshops “The
Humanities (NJCH). (NJCH). Humanities
of war, the reintegration of the veteran veteran the of reintegration the war, of
from the New Jersey Council for the the for Council Jersey New the from
in Bordentown, N.J. N.J. Bordentown, in
discussions focus on the experience experience the on focus discussions
made possible through a $19,800 grant grant $19,800 a through possible made
Military and Family Assistance Center Center Assistance Family and Military
military veterans participating in the the in participating veterans military
of War.” Funding for the workshops was was workshops the for Funding War.” of
held on Sept. 25 and 26 at the Joint Joint the at 26 and 25 Sept. on held
war-related topics. Presenters and and Presenters topics. war-related
entitled, “Dialogues on the Experience Experience the on “Dialogues entitled,
of multiple sessions on different different on sessions multiple of
of two discussion-based workshops workshops discussion-based two of
Both two-day workshops consist consist workshops two-day Both
Veteran Education, presented the first first the presented Education, Veteran
constructive sessions for participants.” participants.” for sessions constructive Sciences and its Office of Military and and Military of Office its and Sciences
a positive learning experience and and experience learning positive a University’s Heavin School of Arts and and Arts of School Heavin University’s
own experiences, we intend to provide provide to intend we experiences, own Thomas Edison State University, the the University, State Edison Thomas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rise to “Dialogues on the Experience of War” of Experience the on “Dialogues to Rise
New Jersey Council for the Humanities Grant Gives Gives Grant Humanities the for Council Jersey New
emergency management ever since. since. ever management emergency
their education, then I am satisfied.” am I then education, their
military.
working in various capacities related to to related capacities various in working
military or nursing student, complete complete student, nursing or military
he’d completed as a member of the the of member a as completed he’d
Arts degree in environmental studies, studies, environmental in degree Arts
help even one student, especially a a especially student, one even help
as earning credit for military training training military for credit earning as
In 2002, Murphy earned his Bachelor of of Bachelor his earned Murphy 2002, In
he expressed. “If my contributions can can contributions my “If expressed. he credits he’d earned from Cornell as well well as Cornell from earned he’d credits
to Thomas Edison is put to good use,” use,” good to put is Edison Thomas to environmental studies, transferring transferring studies, environmental now that I thoroughly enjoy.” enjoy.” thoroughly I that now
“I have always felt that whatever I give give I whatever that felt always have “I complete his undergraduate degree in in degree undergraduate his complete would not have the well-paying job I do do I job well-paying the have not would
Edison State University to in order to to order in to University State Edison
for me financially, without my degree, I I degree, my without financially, me for currently residing in Alexandria, Va. Alexandria, in residing currently
In 2000, Murphy applied to Thomas Thomas to applied Murphy 2000, In
explained. “While it was a bit of struggle struggle of bit a was it “While explained. Materials Safety Administration, Administration, Safety Materials
me in paying for my education,” he he education,” my for paying in me
Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Hazardous and Pipeline Transportation
reserves,” he recalled. recalled. he reserves,”
my degree and my GI Bill benefits aided aided benefits Bill GI my and degree my
as part of the U.S. Department of of Department U.S. the of part as
in both the Coast Guard and the the and Guard Coast the both in
me to continue to work while completing completing while work to continue to me
Since 2012, he has been working working been has he 2012, Since
serving as a marine science technician technician science marine a as serving
additional year. “Thomas Edison allowed allowed Edison “Thomas year. additional
enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard, Guard, Coast U.S. the in enlisting
Sept. 11, 2001, serving the nation for an an for nation the serving 2001, 11, Sept.
at Cornell, so I eventually ended up up ended eventually I so Cornell, at
recalled to active duty immediately after after immediately duty active to recalled Ed Murphy, BA ’02 BA Murphy, Ed
“I, admittedly, didn’t apply myself myself apply didn’t admittedly, “I,
While completing his degree, Murphy was was Murphy degree, his completing While
Cornell University in Ithaca. Ithaca. in University Cornell
(CLEP®),” he said. said. he (CLEP®),”
pursuits directly out of high school at at school high of out directly pursuits
the College Level Examination Program Program Examination Level College the
Murphy initially began his degree degree his began initially Murphy
by-examination credits earned through through earned credits by-examination
Having grown up in Ithaca, N.Y., N.Y., Ithaca, in up grown Having
University of South Florida, and credit- and Florida, South of University
local community college as well as the the as well as college community local nation’s military. military. nation’s
Edison, coupled with those from a a from those with coupled Edison, holds a deep appreciation for the the for appreciation deep a holds
through distance learning at Thomas Thomas at learning distance through shortly after high school, Ed Murphy Murphy Ed school, high after shortly
“The bulk of my courses I’d taken taken I’d courses my of bulk “The Enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard Guard Coast U.S. the in Enlisting
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed Murphy, BA ’02 BA Murphy, Ed Appreciation: His Showing foundation news foundation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
cover story
8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
cover story
Luis Sandoval
enlisted in the
United States
Coast Guard more
than 40 years ago to support its
greatest asset:
its members and
their families. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9 InventionSummer2017 ALUMNI AMBASSADOR LUIS SANDOVAL, BSBA ’12, MSHRM ’15
Inspired by the Coast Guard’s humanitarian the conversation, I decided to meet with my educational services officer and I philosophy, Luis Sandoval put this thinking to work was directed to file my military service training and academic education to our through his position as chief of logistics at the Coast Coast Guard Institute, where educational Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, Texas, homeport. counselors would conduct an academic evaluation. Upon receipt of the results, “I loved helping people and their “This was the beginning of my working the Coast Guard Institute recommended families, guiding them through the directly with people, helping them several educational institutions, one of complex regulations and policies of this understand the various administrative which was Thomas Edison.” great organization including helping processes and benefits available to them After researching his options and them transition from military to private as service members,” he said. the best fit, Sandoval contacted the sector life,” said Sandoval. “The Coast During the next 24 years, Sandoval was institution to discuss his plans and Guard’s mission of aiding people on relocated a number of times, all while needs. land and at sea, as well as protecting the being promoted to various positions nation’s merchant vessels to ensure that “The professors and staff were very and ranks of increasing responsibility, our national economy is not negatively professional and instrumental in my with his appointment to lieutenant and impacted by natural disasters or completion of courses,” he said. “I found logistics chief of the Coast Guard Yard terrorism, were some of the highlights them to be extremely understanding in Baltimore, Md., in 1998. of my career.” of my occupation as a member of the In 2003, Sandoval was assigned to military and flexible to my needs.” Coast Guard Sector San Juan in San In 2012, Sandoval graduated with “MY GREATEST INSPIRATION WAS MY DESIRE TO HELP Juan, Puerto Rico, as the deputy of a Bachelor of Science in Business PEOPLE IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTIONS, PAY logistics. Seven years later, he was Administration degree from ENTITLEMENTS AND TRAINING. I WAS CONTINUALLY promoted to commander and assigned TESU, enthusiastically and almost INSPIRED BY THE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION as the commanding officer of Coast immediately re-enrolling. This time, THAT PERSONNEL EXPRESSED WHEN I TOOK THE Guard Sector Field Office in Galveston, he chose to focus on human resources TIME TO SIT AND HEAR THEM.” Texas, which would lead to cementing in pursuit of his graduate degree, his place in the Lone Star State. In 2013, Luis Sandoval graduating with a Master of Science in Sandoval assumed his final position Human Resources Management in 2016. before retirement: chief of logistics. “Throughout the completion of my Amidst his relocations and promotions, graduate work, I was able to take After enlisting in April 1975, Sandoval he consistently kept academics in my classmate’s best practices and completed his basic training in the back of his mind, realizing that apply them to my own position,” Alameda, Calif., and assumed his first advancing his education would said Sandoval. “The programs assignment at the Coast Guard Group eventually lead to further opportunity helped to validate my actions as in San Francisco on Yerba Buena Island. within the Coast Guard. I dealt with personnel, training, Between being a search and rescue benefit entitlements, promotions and crewmember and his administrative “In the midst of my career, several peers were completing their degrees evaluations. I was formerly a firm duties, Sandoval’s responsibilities believer in traditional classroom began to take shape. and I had only completed my associate degree,” Sandoval explained. “To start settings, but after engaging in several
10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
cover story
“I WAS FORMERLY A FIRM BELIEVER IN TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SETTINGS, BUT AFTER ENGAGING IN SEVERAL ONLINE COURSES, I BECAME A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING. THOMAS EDISON WAS A STRONG FIT FOR ME AND WORKED EXTREMELY WELL WITH MY MILITARY LIFE.”
Luis Sandoval
online courses, I became a strong explained. “I had oversight of more felt validated in my job,” he said. “My advocate for distance learning. than 1,500 active-duty and reserve greatest inspiration was my desire Thomas Edison was a strong fit for personnel in our areas of responsibility to help people in their employment, me and worked extremely well with that covered the southeast Texas promotions, pay entitlements and my military life.” and southwest Louisiana regions. I training. I was continually inspired also supervised the administrative by the gratitude and appreciation that Sandoval, who completed his 41st year process of separations, pay benefits personnel expressed when I took the of active-duty service in November and compensations as well as medical time to sit and hear them. Listening 2016, retired in June of this year. He review and disciplinary boards.” was a key to my success in my career in led a staff of commissioned officers, human resources.” enlisted personnel, federal and contract As a logistician, Sandoval said, he used employees, and had direct oversight of the lessons learned in his courses to Even today, Sandoval admits, he stands $43 million-valued shore infrastructure amplify his appreciation for his staff by his own philosophy that noble as well as Coast Guard tenant in their use of good ethical practices, management of the most important asset commands as part of his role. which at the same time, validated his to the any organization remains: people. management and leadership skills of “I directed the facility security, supply Sandoval lives in Texas with wife, Rosie, processes and personnel. and finance, services personnel office and son, Luis Jr., and has a daughter, and engineering branches as well “It wasn’t until I finished both my Monica, who resides in upstate New York. as medical and clinic office staff,” he bachelor’s and master’s degrees that I
InventionSummer2017 11 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
alumni profile
Frequent base moves did not stop Rebecca Ellison from getting the mission accomplished Rebecca Ellison, BA ’14
As a United States Army veteran and an Army spouse, Rebecca will greatly enhance my career as a social worker no matter what area Ellison, along with her family, was always on the move, which I decide to work in. While I had made it nearly impossible to earn a college degree. planned on getting a master in public administration, I spent about a year “As a military spouse, my family has Despite being on the move, Ellison researching different types of degrees lived in five different states over the last was able to complete her BA degree and settled on a master’s in social work.” 10 years,” Ellison explained. “Raising in approximately four years. Thomas two kids while holding down a full-time Edison’s flexible program allowed her Grateful for the ability to achieve her job with a husband who was deployed to transfer in a number of credits from aspiration, Ellison is quick to share the frequently in support of Army Special both military training and former attributes of the institution that made it Operations missions and relocating schools, while also using TESU’s prior all possible. every two to three years does not leave learning assessment, online and Guided “I have absolutely recommended a lot of time for school.” Study courses. Thomas Edison State University to During her three- and a-half-year Ellison, who was an E-4 specialist others,” Ellison extolled. “I tell others enlistment, Ellison was a broadcast (SPC) when discharged from the Army, about how easy it was to register and journalist who was involved in landed a job with the United States get started. I share my experience of television and radio news and Agency for International Development talking to the counselors and picking entertainment at Fort Bragg, in North (USAID) in Washington, D.C., as a classes, taking tests and connecting Carolina, and abroad. program assistant in the Bureau for with mentors. Once I made the decision Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian to complete my degree, Thomas Edison Assistance, where she handled a variety made it so easy for me to attain my goal. of program and administrative tasks. Really, the hardest part was just making “ONCE I MADE THE DECISION TO COMPLETE MY Recently, however, she left that position the decision to do it.” DEGREE, THOMAS EDISON MADE IT SO EASY FOR ME to continue her education and pursue a Ellison’s goal now is to get her license TO ATTAIN MY GOAL. REALLY, THE HARDEST PART master of social work (MSW) degree at to practice as an independent Licensed WAS JUST MAKING THE DECISION TO DO IT.” George Mason University in Virginia. Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and she Rebecca Ellison “I left my position at USAID so that hopes to find a position serving military I could pursue my MSW full time,” families through Family Advocacy Ellison explained. “The MSW requires or, perhaps, as a Military Family Life “I had 17 years of experience in the students to spend 16 hours a week in an Consultant. As an LCSW, Ellison communications field, but found it internship the first year and 20 hours explained that she can do counseling difficult to advance without a degree,” the second. I am currently interning at a or program design and management said Ellison, who earned a Bachelor of homeless shelter in Reston, Va. I chose for many populations, but she wants to Arts (BA) degree in communications the clinical track, so I hope to intern specialize in military social work to give from Thomas Edison in 2014. “I was with either Inova Hospital or Walter back to the community that has given deployed to Bosnia twice and worked Reed National Military Medical Center her so much. at the American Forces Network (AFN) for my advanced clinical placement Ellison and husband Joshua, AAS ’10, radio station in Tuzla the first time, and next year.” who recently retired from the Army my unit ran the newspaper and internal Getting her degree was a game changer. after serving more than 20 years, have communications for the region the “Obtaining my degree from Thomas two sons, Justin, 14, and Joshua II, 10. second time. Thomas Edison provided Edison allowed me the ability to move A military spouse for 14 years, Ellison me the flexibility to complete my degree forward with my decision to go to noted that what she loves most is anywhere in the world, and I am grateful graduate school,” Ellison enthused. “I spending time with her family in their for that.” believe my degree in communications home in northern Virginia but, she 12 added, she also still enjoys traveling. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
alumni profile
“OBTAINING MY DEGREE FROM THOMAS EDISON ALLOWED ME THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MY DECISION TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL. I BELIEVE MY DEGREE IN mission COMMUNICATIONS WILL GREATLY ENHANCE MY CAREER AS A SOCIAL WORKER NO MATTER WHAT AREA I DECIDE TO WORK IN.” accomplished Rebecca Ellison Rebecca Ellison, BA ’14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 13 InventionSummer2017 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
alumni profile MAINTAINING A LEGACY
Frances Parrales, BA ’12, MSM ’15 As a teen growing up in Bronx, N.Y., Frances Parrales watched her mother work tirelessly to achieve the ‘American Dream.’ At the age of 20, Parrales’ mother came to the United States from Puerto Rico, speaking only her native Spanish. She struggled for years to provide for her family, holding multiple jobs while attending Bronx Community College, where she later earned an accounting degree. “My mother set an example for us,” she began. “She served as a constant reminder to my siblings and me that education is vital. If we didn’t want to struggle the way she was, we needed to work hard to earn our education. I never finished high school and earned my General Educational Development (GED) in my early 20s. It wasn’t until later in my life that I took the opportunity to enroll in college.” Years later, with the encouragement of family, friends and co-workers, she enrolled in Thomas Edison’s Bachelor of Arts degree program in social sciences, graduating in 2012. “Admittedly, when I began my online education I was nervous. However, I quickly discovered that everyone was friendly, professional, helpful and very dedicated to student success. From the staff all the way up to the board members, I was blown away. My academic advisor, Vanessa Meredith, was the most influential person throughout my journey. She assisted me with ways to complete my degree as quickly as possible, while never sacrificing my human service-oriented goals.” Even bigger than academic and moral support, Meredith gave her a gift she never anticipated. “Behind the scenes, she had nominated me to serve as a student trustee as part of the Board of Trustees at Thomas Edison. She and the institution gave me the ability and gift to share two wonderful years learning, growing and being exposed to talented leaders who have propelled Thomas Edison to the successful platform it currently stands on.” Parrales took this experience with her and coupled it with her lifelong passion for the sciences, healthcare and helping others. She found her niche as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), later moving into a medical office administration program, which aided in expanding her knowledge about healthcare operations. She later obtained a position as a patient advocate at the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ) – University 14 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
alumni profile
Hospital in Newark, N.J. “This position gave me the ability the umbrella of the university hospital. Additionally, Parrales to learn how to problem solve and interpret for the Latino recently completed an interpreter program at New York population, staff and medical professionals as well as provide University to broaden her skill set further. medical services to the Newark community,” she explained. “My family has been most inspiring; helping me to remain That same year, she lost her mother to ovarian cancer; the focused and steadfast in all aspects of my life. Although difficult experience serving as a lesson in understanding the needs of patients and families when facing terminal illness. Though Parrales’ mother did not get to witness her daughter’s impending accomplishments, Parrales’ further resolved to “MY MOTHER SET AN EXAMPLE FOR US. SHE SERVED AS A CONSTANT exceed even her own expectations by taking her education REMINDER TO MY SIBLINGS AND ME THAT EDUCATION IS VITAL. IF WE even further than she ever thought possible. DIDN’T WANT TO STRUGGLE THE WAY SHE WAS, WE NEEDED TO WORK HARD TO EARN OUR EDUCATION.” While at the hospital, one of Parrales’ mentors encouraged Frances Parrales her to return to school to earn her master’s degree. She didn’t hesitate, she said, when she chose Thomas Edison, taking advantage of the institution’s Bachelor’s to Master’s Program. Parrales was able to transfer 9 credits instantly to her my mother did not have the opportunity to witness my master’s degree program, an appropriately chosen Master of accomplishments, I know she would have been immeasurably Science in Management degree with a focus on public health/ proud of all that I’ve done,” she said. public policy. Parrales has since established a scholarship with the “The nights when I’d come home from working a long day, University in honor of her late mother, appropriately named and know I’d need to begin to do my homework were tough,” the “Francisca Reyes Scholarship.” The scholarship supports she admitted. “But I kept the goal in mind that one day it Latina students enrolled in public would all be worth it. I had to finish health or public service degree what I started not only for me, but for programs in the University’s John S. my children, mother and mentors. Watson School of Public Service and Being a high school dropout, Continuing Studies. becoming a mom at 16 years old; these life events caused the journey On setting-up and supporting to be more significant. I wanted to her mother’s named scholarship, prove to myself that I could do it and Parrales explained, “I wanted to Thomas Edison helped to make that support the dreams and desires possible.” of a woman and future student at the University seeking to enhance Parrales now serves as the principal herself and her future.” management assistant for the chair of the Department of Emergency Parrales currently lives in Kearny, Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey N.J., and has two adult children and Medical School in Newark. four grandchildren ranging in age She cultivates her skills in the from 2 to 12 years old. medical field through aiding the department and physicians with her management abilities, taking part in tasks such as evaluations, appointments, reappointments, problem solving and the on- Frances Parrales at Thomas Edison State University’s boarding of new physicians under Commencement ceremony, accompanied by her grandchildren.
15 class notes
Ibis M. Abudo-Roman BSAST ’91 Barbara Flusk Ibis M. Abudo-Roman has earned the Toastmasters BSBA ’99 Distinguished Toastmasters Award (DTM), which Barbara Flusk was named senior recognizes the highest level of achievement in both executive vice president, head of Real communication and leadership as part of the Toastmasters Estate Fund Services at Citco. Citco is International organization. a worldwide network of independent ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ financial service companies serving the world’s elite hedge funds, private equity Vernon Brown and real estate firms, institutional banks, Global 1000 AAS ’15, BS ’15 companies and high-net-worth individuals. Vernon Brown retired after 23 years of ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ active-duty service in the U.S. Navy and started a new job as the deputy Eldridge Hawkins Jr. director of Emergency Planning at AAS ’12 the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, in Eldridge Hawkins Jr. received the Oahu, Hawaii. ‘Male Role Model’ award from the National Association of Negro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (Union County Club), Dr. Elizabeth Cook in Garwood at its 45th anniversary BSHS ’01 luncheon. Hawkins is the owner Dr. Elizabeth Cook graduated from Walden University with and founder of Black Belt Security Investigations, LLC, a PhD in Public Policy and Administration with a concentra- former mayor of Orange, N.J., as well as director of Policy, tion in homeland security policy and coordination in May. Operations Governmental Affairs for the New Jersey Department of State. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. Dennis Devery Matthew Hooker BA ’16 MSM ’05 ALUMNI AMBASSADOR Dennis Devery has been selected as Matthew Hooker is pursuing his Juris a fellow by the American Council on Doctor at Wake Forest University Education (ACE). ACE is the major School of Law beginning this fall after coordinating body for the nation’s receiving offers of admission from six higher education institutions and other schools. provides a unifying voice on key higher education issues. The Fellows Program is the nation’s ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ premier higher education leadership development program, preparing rising leaders to serve American colleges and Tyshawn Jenkins universities. In this fellowship, Devery will be spending MBA ’15 time at a college or university, mentored by the president or provost, to learn more about the operations and leadership of ALUMNI AMBASSADOR higher education institutions. Tyshawn Jenkins was recognized during the Knicks vs. Celtics game ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ on April 2 with Knicks legend, Miles Eakins BA ’11 Larry Johnson, at Madison Square Garden for service to his country and Photos Saffran/MSG Dave Photo: ALUMNI AMBASSADOR community. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Miles Eakins was promoted to corporate communications Air National Guardsman and manager at Nonin Medical, Inc. executive director of the Retouch Factory, Jenkins was selected for the award due to his efforts in creating ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a scholarship program for Asbury Park High School students in New Jersey, serving as a mentor for students at Willingboro Memorial Middle School in Willingboro, N.J., and as an ambassador for the Wounded Warrior Project and The Mission Continues Program, all while finding time to lend a helping hand at children’s benefits as Spiderman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 16 Jack Meriwether BA ’14 Quintin Siemer Jack Meriwether was named head men’s basketball coach BA ’09 at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va. Quintin Siemer was selected for an Meriwether arrived at Wesleyan in the summer of 2015 international award-winning district and served as an assistant coach for one and a half seasons manager development program with before being named head coach. General Motors (GM). This program ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ is a six-month intensive training program where the candidates work Dr. Matthew Morse alongside dealership and factory BA ’11 employees learning the role of a district manager. A capstone project and assessment will mark the completion of the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. Matthew Morse was appointed program, and, from there, Siemer will be assigned a new assistant professor of music territory within the United States, where he will assume the and associate director of bands responsibilities of a district manager. He began working at at California State University, GM in 2013, where he was hired as a product trainer. In 2015, Sacramento, to begin with the 2017- he was promoted to the connected customer role and was 2018 academic year, where he will later selected for the district manager development program. share conducting responsibilities for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Concert Band, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and teach courses in conducting. Morse completed a Master of Arts degree in instrumental conducting in 2013 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pa. He graduated in May 2017 with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree ALUMNI AMBASSADOR in wind conducting from the University of North Texas. To learn more about the Alumni Ambassador program Morse retired as a chief warrant officer IV following a 25-year at Thomas Edison State University, please visit military music career in the United States Army, culminating www.tesu.edu/ambassador with his assignment as the associate bandmaster and To connect with the Office of Alumni Affairs and fellow ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ director of the Jazz Knights of the United States Military TESU alumni, join the conversation on social media: Academy Band at West Point, N.Y. He also holds a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, awarded in October 2016. Alumni Facebook Group: www.tesu.edu/FacebookGroup Student and Alumni LinkedIn Group: www.tesu.edu/LinkedInGroup ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Michael Pasciuto MAEdL ’14 Keep us posted! Michael Pasciuto has been named principal of Lazar Middle School in Submit your news online at: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Montville, N.J. Pasciuto previously www.tesu.edu/classnotes served as assistant principal at Glen Rock High School in Glen Rock, N.J. Updates can also be sent to: THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INVENTION EDITOR 111 W. STATE ST. James Schlett TRENTON, NJ 08608 BA ’78 or [email protected] James Schlett has recently “refocused” on his love of National Parks and photography. In June 2016, Schlett was selected as the Artist Thomas Edison State @tesu_edu @tesu_edu Thomas Edison blog.tesu.edu Thomas Edison State In Residence at the Whiskeytown State University National Park in California and plans on future exhibitions of his National Park photos. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ InventionSummer2017 NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID TRENTON, NJ 111 W. State St. PERMIT #112 Trenton, NJ 08608
Address Service Requested
In Their Own Words “I am a surface warfare officer in the United States Navy. I am very proud of what I do,
but what I am doing now does not fulfill my life goals. I have always wanted to be a
doctor and am currently finishing my bachelor’s in psychology.”
Edith and Oscar Smilack Memorial Scholarship Recipient
“I want to teach one day, and to pass along the greatest gift I think the world deserves: knowledge.”
Kajsa Butler, Fred C. Rummel Foundation Endowed Scholarship Recipient
“My goal is to help young women realize that they can break past the obstacles in their personal
lives and reach their goals. There are so many young girls with so much potential, many of whom
do not even realize it. These girls need an advocate and I plan to be just that.”
Stefanie Taylor, Edith and Oscar Smilack Memorial Scholarship Recipient
“My professional and educational goals complement one another in that I desire to know more
about the world around all of us and in order to better serve our country.”
Daniel Kelley, TESU Military Scholarship Recipient
“My passion is bedside nursing as well as the desire to educate those that will follow.
After guiding my three children through college, I am now able to follow my own
dream to complete my MSN.”
Carole Smith, Switzer Foundation Scholarship Recipient