Outstanding Graduates 2 . . . Democratic Mayoral Candidates Make Their Case 3 . . . Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick Returns to QC 6 . . . Three QC Grads Win NSF Grants 12 Comes to QC CLICK HERE QUEENS COLLEGE FACULTY | STAFFf NEWSyMAY i2013 College to Honor Acceptances at Khalili and Ravitch at Its Drama MFA 89th Commencement Programs Spotlight QC As Stephanie Lilavois, Coordinator for the in computer science Office of Events, approaches running her and later received Talent first Queens College commencement (and his PhD from the the college’s 89th) on Thursday, May 30, she University of London’s Yale Drama School, NYU Tisch School is trying not to think too much about the one School of Oriental of the Arts, American Conservatory element that can dramatically determine the and African Studies. Theater in San Francisco, Juilliard, quality of the experience: the weather. A Jew born in Iran, Rutgers, the London Academy of “I’m not sure if ordering more ponchos Khalili is a renowned Music and Dramatic Arts—any would be a jinx,” she says, referring to the art collector, scholar, conservatory would be proud to protective pullovers not needed since 2009 and philanthropist have some of its graduates admitted. when Civil Rights icon Congressman John who has dedicated For among these elite schools, the Lewis delivered the main commencement much of his adult life acceptance rate is only 1.5%. address as a steady downpour drenched a to the reconciliation So what to make of the fact crowd adorned in white plastic displaying of Muslims and Jews. that all four undergraduate drama the college logo. He is owner of one of students in QC’s MFA preparatory It is hoped that this the world’s largest and class have gained admission to at year’s commencement most comprehensive least one of these programs, and speaker, NASSER collections of some have multiple acceptances? For a drama department in a liberal arts DAVID KHALILI, Islamic art—about which he frequently college, the results are astonishing: who will be awarded lectures, as he did at QC in 2005—and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Thomas Stagnitta to San Francisco’s

Photo: VincentPhoto: Aiello the Queens College has endowed positions in the study of American Conservatory Theater; Medal, will fare better Islamic art and culture at the University Gabrielle Georgescu to the London weather-wise. Khalili of London, the University of Oxford, and Conservatory of Music and Dramatic graduated from QC Queens College. He is also the chairman CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Khalili in 1974 with a degree and founder of the London-based QUEENS COLLEGE 89TH COMMENCEMENT- from page 1

Maimonides Foundation, which promotes in a performance of the QC alma mater interfaith dialogue. “Blue and Silver,” using the arrangement Outstanding Students DIANE RAVITCH, created by Ed Smaldone (ACSM) that was the renowned first performed at QC’s 75th Anniversary from the Class of 2013 education historian Convocation last October. and policy analyst “I love that arrangement,” says Lilavois. who served in the “There’s a soprano part that reaches a high NASHWA EL-SAYED College,” El-Sayed believes. “This was administrations of note that’s just divine.” Due to her daring the perfect place for me. It was exactly Presidents George As at past commencements, members flight to freedom what I needed: people who were really H. W. Bush and of previous graduating classes will be five years ago, concerned for who I am.” , will be in attendance. The alumni years being Nashwa El-Sayed Who she is springs from a wrenching this year’s honorary celebrated this May are 1943, 1953, Ravitch missed her high- saga that began after her Egyptian father degree recipient. In and 1963. school graduation and Puerto Rican mother divorced. Her recent years she has emerged as a strong Lilavois notes that, in addition to in Alexandria, mother, who has a PhD, gained custody. voice in opposition to the education reform her professional responsibilities, she Egypt. At 17 she “In 1993, on Father’s Day, I had the movement as embodied in the policies has a sentimental connection to QC’s achieved her day with my dad,” El-Sayed relates. “He of Presidents George W. Bush and commencement ceremony: Her mother, never brought me home. He kidnapped Barack Obama. Liliane, graduated from QC in 1982. fervent desire In addition to all the speeches, there will And yes, Lilavois confirms for those to return to the me to Egypt. I had just some diapers be music provided by the Wind Ensemble who may be wondering, New York Senator United States, and the clothes on me.” Egypt does not conducted by Kristin Mozeiko (Music), Charles Schumer will again be among from which she had been abducted at prosecute non-custodial parents who and Susan Babb (Music) will conduct the speakers. the age of two. But she will also miss bring their children there. Her father representatives of the Women’s Choir her Queens College commencement and stepmothers were “very abusive, this May as this international relations/ physically, emotionally, everything,” she political science major will be heading continues. for Oman, Dubai, Israel, Saudi Arabia, When she was nine years old, and the Palestinian territories, traveling El-Sayed was shocked to find her as one of six high-achieving American mother waiting outside her school—her Parking on Commencement Day college students chosen for the two- father had said she was dead. They spent week Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue a few days together, and over the next On Commencement If you have a decal for Field 1, Project. “When I do my master’s,” she seven years her mother visited four Day, Thursday, you may park in Fields 2/7 or 6. notes, “I hope I can attend graduation.” more times. May 30, the main Please enter these fields through “Arab-Latina, future advocate for “I was obsessed with the idea gate entrance and the Melbourne Avenue entrance. abducted children around the world, a that she is American and I am too,” P the Schiller Road Faculty and staff assigned to woman interested in the Middle East, El-Sayed recalls. She prepared for “a PARKING entrance will be Fields 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 14 must belly dancer.” In describing herself, better option” by gleaning English from closed and restricted enter through the Melbourne El-Sayed could mention many dimensions. Backstreet Boys lyrics and “King of to emergency traffic. Ave. entrance. To be sure of Competitive fencer at QC (NCAA Queens” subtitles. The only vehicles permitted to on-campus parking, you should regionals). Grew up with Arabic, taught El-Sayed’s father encouraged his enter through the main gate will arrive before 9 am; all entrance herself English and Spanish, and speaks a energetic daughter to join a fencing be people with parking decals gates will be closed when the little French. Organized an after-school club—a family talent. When at 17 she for Fields 11 and 12, and special parking fields are full. camp for Arab-American children. reminded him she wanted to study disabled parking passes. “I owe all the progress to Queens CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

FYI MAY 2013 | 2 QC TALENT- from page 1 Democrats State Their Case Feldstein also inspired Thomas Arts; Rosanny Zayas to Juilliard; and Stagnitta, who came to QC for for Mayor at Campus Debate Shaunette Wilson to the Yale School of the “phenomenal math and physics Drama. In the past four years, six other departments.” He hadn’t even done high But it was Liu who got the biggest applause grads also landed at prestigious graduate school drama—but when he happened to of the night when he said he would help drama programs, including Yale, the take an introduction to acting class the ease the financial burden for CUNY students American Repertory Theatre at Harvard, first day of college, he was hooked. by giving them free Metrocards. This was NYU, the American Conservatory Working with Feldstein was indeed even more popular with the many students Theater, and Rutgers. life changing for Stagnitta. “Claudia has in the audience than former Councilman Sal “It’s a testament to our program,” a tremendously deep understanding of Albanese’s declaration that as mayor he would says Claudia Feldstein (Drama), a QC and acting that flows into life. I’m finding the “legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana.” Yale Drama School alumna who has been two not to be mutually exclusive,” he says. All in all, the two-hour forum in Rosenthal dedicated to this class for the past three Gabrielle Georgescu moved into acting 230 featuring four of the five Democratic years. “The department offers enough from dance. A double major in theatre candidates for mayor (Council Speaker foundation to be a strong launching pad to and media studies, Georgescu caught the Christine Quinn had a scheduling conflict) these very competitive theatre schools. drama bug in high school, where she also was a spirited, seldom fractious affair with “One student told me that the head took up singing. the candidates comfortably fielding questions of Juilliard said, ‘They’re doing something She treasures the time she’s worked about education, Hurricane Sandy recovery very right at Queens,’” says Feldstein. with Feldstein. “I’d email a lot,” says efforts, police conduct, campaign finance The prep course, which the Georgescu. “She was very gracious. She reform, and the economy posed by moderators department provides at no cost, is “boot pushes us all in ways that I didn’t know we Errol Lewis of NY1 and Michael Krasner camp for the audition,” she says. The could be pushed in.” (Political Science). grueling process requires candidates to Rosanny Zayas wasn’t sure about demonstrate their talent by presenting pursuing acting and theatre when she SOME HIGHLIGHTS four monologues of both classical and arrived at Queens. By the time she took Discussing the NYC Police Department’s contemporary texts. Feldstein helps Acting 2 with Feldstein as a second-year Public Advocate Bill de Blasio certainly got controversial stop-and-frisk policy, Liu said, “It students select monologues, and then student, Zayas knew she had found her the evening’s biggest laughs. doesn’t have to be mended. It has to be ended.” works with each one as coach, director, vocation. “Claudia was the only one who Arriving about 20 minutes late for Queens And both de Blasio and former Comptroller and mentor. took an interest in what I had done. I tried College’s April 11 Democratic Mayoral Bill Thompson said they would fire Police Feldstein “helped me with the basics, and tried to be better. It’s more than just Candidates debate, he was asked to address Commissioner Ray Kelly. with notes, direction, character, text, acting. The lessons I learned will carry the issue of growing income inequality in New Remarking on the increasing economic in a very clear and concise way,” says with me the rest of my life.” York City. disparity during the Bloomberg years, de Blasio Shaunette Wilson. “We would work “I’d like to address that question,” he said, described New York as “a tale of two cities,” for hours.” Wilson hadn’t come to “but first I want to note very soberly that and Liu called for raising the minimum wage to Queens with acting ambitions. She there is a profound evil threatening New York $11.50 an hour. transferred from Marymount City, and it is the Long Island Expressway.” Education was a particularly voluble area, Manhattanville, where she Laughter erupted at his confession of tardiness with all the candidates agreeing that Mayor had been a playwriting caused by a plight familiar to many in the Bloomberg’s oft-touted education reforms need- major. Three drama classes room: rush hour traffic on the LIE. ed to be seriously reformed: A former Board of with Feldstein revealed the Later, when a loud buzzer mysteriously Education president, Thompson said he would path she needed to take. sounded just as Comptroller John Liu was put an educator in charge of public schools L–r: Shaunette Wilson, answering a question about police stop-and- and shift curriculum focus from memorization Rosanny Zayas, Claudia frisk policies, de Blasio again elicited laughs to comprehension and critical thinking. Liu Feldstein, Gabrielle as he said in a mock quiz-show-host voice, declared the city should end high-stakes exams Georgescu, and Thomas “John, you were wrong on that question. You and stop running public schools like businesses Stagnitta. have one more chance.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

FYI MAY 2013 | 3 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS - from page 2 a history professor who has inspired me I had lots of potential and wrote me MADELINE YAP her: Mark Rosenblum, director of QC’s recommendations,” recalls Kim. That year, After she political science in the U.S., “he said Center for Jewish Studies. “The freedom Kim and a classmate won first prize in the graduates with political science is for men.” She should that I have as a woman here is like no ThinkQuest competition for grade school a BA in East study business, he told her, and she [Arab] female in the Middle East can students for their design of a webpage Asian Studies, would be getting engaged to a man he have,” El-Sayed has found: “to have a that taught people how to use podcasts. Madeline had picked out. Alarmed, El-Sayed asked simple choice in life.” After high school, and not accepted Yap heads to her mother to contact the FBI and State to his first choice college—Queens South Korea Department and secretly visited the U.S. College—Kim enrolled in a computer on a Fulbright Embassy to plead her case. However, a DAVID KIM science program at the New York City scholarship relative exposed her plans. When David College of Technology, but was bored this summer During a close-guarded visit to Kim was in and dropped out. He transferred to for a year’s Cairo, she gained a second chance. “A sixth grade, he Queens and, after a year of classes, stint as an State Department person asked me, came across took off two years to work on building English teacher. “I like language and can ‘Can you leave today?’” She hesitated, a book in a Massively Multiplayer Online Game. give back by teaching English,” she says. afraid of the dangers. An FBI agent the library The game was not completed but, as in The job should provide a perfect way called, saying, “It’s now or never.” on computer his past, the hands-on experience was for Yap to learn more about Korea—a So at 5 am she fled to a waiting van, programming. immensely valuable—bringing him a place she has been fascinated with for and soon was once more boarding an Intrigued deeper understanding of such computer several years. international flight with “nothing”—just by the fact development skills as graphic rendering Yap’s interest in all things Korean the clothes she had on, her hijab, and that it came and scaling. springs in part from her roots. She is the $100 from her mom. with a CD, Kim returned to Queens to finish his daughter of ethnic Chinese who emi- Determined to go to college, he checked the book out. “It was like, BS degree and is graduating this spring. grated from Malaysia to NYC; the family El-Sayed showed up at QC’s Wow, I had never realized I could make “David is one of these exceptional speaks a mixture of Cantonese and Eng- Admissions Office. “I said, ‘Here’s all a computer do what I wanted!” students,” says Luat Vuong (Physics). lish at home. “There is a lot of overlap the paperwork I have. Please let me The moment was something of an “He is a joy to work with and extremely between the Chinese and Korean cul- in.’” QC admitted her directly, even epiphany, setting this son of Korean curious. He brings out the best” in the tures,” Yap says, especially “Confucianism without a diploma. To pay for college, immigrants off on a bumpy path of education process. and the respect for elders.” she worked in a mall and for two years intellectual exploration that his teachers Some of his professors have urged But it was her discovery of Korean in QC’s Academic Advising office. consider close to brilliant. Kim to continue in a PhD program. Kim pop music—known as “K-Pop” and When relations at home became As an adolescent, Kim became pas- says he is not interested in pursuing an made internationally famous with such strained last summer, El-Sayed withdrew sionate about computer programming, academic track. Nor is he sure he wants hits as Psy’s “Oppa Gangnam Style”— her $600 savings, moved into a shared spending much of his time tinkering and to accept any of the job offers he has that hooked her. She studied three apartment, and took two jobs. Her experimenting. Never very interested in gotten from Web design companies. As semesters of Korean at Queens (Yap fencing coach arranged a full scholarship school, he often cut classes to work on he considers his options, Kim continues discovered she liked learning foreign to keep her on the team. personal programming projects. pursuing his various passions: break- languages while taking Spanish in middle El-Sayed hopes one day to establish In high school, Kim applied to dancing, photography, and his real love: and high school) and last year did a a foundation to help abducted children. join an AP computer class on Java computer programming. semester abroad in Seoul. There she The Ibrahim honor is taking her toward programming language. With his poor soaked up the local culture, took lessons another goal: bridging the distance grades, the teacher hesitated, but in Taekwondo—the Korean martial arts between the U.S. and the Middle then quickly noticed the depth of his form—and discovered hiking, which is East. Guiding the six students will be knowledge of the subject. “She told CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

FYI MAY 2013 | 4 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS - from page 4 New Twist to Class Gift something of a national pastime on recruiting visits, observes the Members of the Class of 2013 contributing “When you make a gift of $20.13 or the peninsula. She even developed a Macaulay Honors College student, toward the traditional class gift have an more,” his letter explained, “you can also liking for Korean cuisine (though she was having leading neuroscientists ask opportunity to make their donations a Honor a Mentor. A card with your personal concedes it is an acquired taste). her about her research and probing more personal experience via the new message will be delivered to an administrator, At Queens she is in the Macaulay them about theirs. Honor a Mentor program initiated by Laura faculty, or staff member on campus who has Honors College program and on the As tutor, mentor, and protégée, Abrams, Director of QC’s Annual Fund. made an impact on your life.” dean’s list, and tutors primary and Wercberger knows the thrill of being “Asking for a class gift is a typical Students can select one of four prepared middle school students in English and at the synapse where discoveries are request made of graduating students. I felt messages or one of their own to send to math. She is thinking about a career as incubated and transmitted. Beginning that it would be nice to add something their mentor, says Abrams. The message is a translator or interpreter, or maybe last year through the competitive more meaningful to encourage giving and printed on the “thank you” card and the as a language teacher. CUNY Summer Undergraduate create more good feeling on campus for mentor receives it, along with a short note When she arrives in Korea this Research Program, the neuroscience the people who will be receiving these about the program so they know why they summer, Yap will start with six major has been investigating in the messages from students.” have received it. weeks of intensive training in Korean lab of Joshua C. Brumberg, professor Graduating students learned about Students can continue to make language and English language teaching. and head of QC’s neuroscience PhD the program last month in a letter from contributions through the summer until the And what about the current tensions subprogram. She explores at the Student Association President Karamvir fall homecoming celebration, she says. And if Singh, who encouraged them to help the equivalent of a year’s tuition is donated, a between North Korea and the U.S.- cellular level how lab mice “sense fund a combined class gift that would be large brick acknowledging the Class of 2013’s allied South? Yap recently received their external world” via wiggling the equivalent of a year’s tuition for a gift will be placed in the Alumni Plaza across a letter from Fulbright, informing their whiskers. “She has consistently deserving student. from Jefferson Hall. her that her trip was expected to go asked questions that have challenged ahead as planned despite the rise in me,” Brumberg enthused in his letter tensions. “I’m a little nervous,” she of recommendation. “Impressively, CAMPUS DEBATE - from page 3 The event’s principal organizer, Ron says, “but not too concerned.” Racheli was able to master every Hayduk (Political Science), was pleased with technique needed and she did so reporting to a CEO. Emphasizing the impor- the outcome of the first-ever political debate incredibly rapidly.” tance of early childhood education, Albanese, at QC. It marked the fulfillment of a process RACHELI WERCBERGER In the lab, her patience, savvy, and a one-time classroom teacher, said he’d create that began around the time of last November’s Recruited by troubleshooting skills led to her own a Department of Early Learning in conjunction QC Presidential Roundtable, at which he and Krasner had offered a post-election analysis Emory, Penn, project and to mentoring a Bronx with pediatric wellness centers. A question concerning CUNY provided of Obama’s reelection campaign. With Rockefeller, and High School of Science student. “I just one of the evening’s more curious moments: candidates for the 2013 New York mayor’s other prestigious like teaching,” Wercberger affirms, Asked by Krasner to comment on CUNY’s race beginning to declare their intentions, for it makes her appreciate when universities, new Pathways initiative, none of the Hayduk pitched the idea of hosting a mayoral someone has taught her well. She Racheli candidates appeared to know anything about debate to President James Muyskens, who Wercberger tutors through the Biology Honor it, with Thompson acknowledging “I’m not endorsed the idea. Hayduk then described the begins her Society and privately in chemistry. “For well-versed on Pathways; I’ll try to become efforts of several faculty, staff, and students in neuroscience whatever reason, I’m able to pinpoint better-informed.” tackling organizing issues, including securing PhD next what they’re not getting in class, and Also curious was Liu, without prompting, a co-sponsor and moderator. Of meeting these September at help them get it,” she explains. “When reminding everyone of the continuing federal and other challenges, he was particularly the University something clicks in someone else’s investigation into his campaign’s fundraising effusive in his praise of Maria Matteo of California, San Francisco. The head, that’s always satisfying.” practices. “It has angered and frustrated many (Communications). “She did a lot of the heavy “coolest” part of these “very people,” he said. (In early May two of Liu’s lifting . . . Maria was the one who really got us NY1 and landed Errol Lewis,” he said. “The extravagant” all-expense-paid CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 former associates were convicted of attempting to funnel money to his campaign by means of debate wouldn’t have happened without her.” an illegal fundraising scheme.)

FYI MAY 2013 | 5 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS - from page 5 Humans depend on brain circuitry First Lady of MA Visits Campus to perceive their environment, which Wercberger, who has a double minor leads her to reflect “that our perception Last month Diane Patrick ’72—former in chemistry and anthropology, spent of that environment is very illusive.” New York City schoolteacher, successful her junior winter intersession in South One future environment she envisions attorney, and now First Lady of Africa studying the human-primate is “being a young researcher running Massachusetts—returned to her alma mater in a role for which she has gained interface. Following Commencement my own lab.” Neuroscience, she increasing recognition in recent years: and the completion of her research, synthesizes, “is a really nice way to domestic abuse survivor. she will coach swimmers back home in blend the science and the philosophical After a tour of the campus where she Rockland County before moving to the context of how we perceive.” received her degree in early childhood West Coast. education, Patrick appeared at a special event in the President’s Lounge where, in an hour-long interview conducted by Carmella Marrone, director of Women and Work, she revealed to a packed room a chapter of her life about which she retains troubling memories: her first marriage. DEP Grant Funds When interviewed by QC’s alumni magazine shortly after her second husband, Another Campus Deval, became governor in 2007, Patrick had only recently begun acknowledging her “first Rain Garden marriage from hell.” But on this occasion she was ready to share considerably more. When it rains on QC’s Dining Following a lively, mostly upbeat account Hall Plaza, it pours . . . of her history beginning with a Brooklyn everywhere. Each year, nearly childhood in a warm, supportive family as Diane Patrick with President James Muyskens 20,000 gallons of stormwater runs off the granddaughter of the borough’s first the impervious 18,000-square-foot before sitting for an interview with Woman and black elected official, she spoke of her years Work Director Carmella Marrone. area. But a new grant from New York trapped in an emotionally and physically City’s Department of Environmental abusive marriage. Protection will allow the college to Her path to liberation, she said, began my own privacy,” she said, “then I have found replace plaza materials with a system when a concerned friend arranged a meeting it to be worth it.” that directs rainwater into the ground— between Patrick and a recent law school Later in the day, Patrick had a separate, the latest such project built on campus. graduate who became Patrick’s friend, more intimate meeting with members of the “I am very happy to see that Queens adviser, and emotional pillar, helping her to Women and Work program, where they were College will be one of the institutions break free of her increasingly threatening given the opportunity to share with her their receiving awards as part of the city’s enormously vital Green husband. That friendship grew to something experiences of domestic abuse. Infrastructure Grant Program,” says Queens Borough President Helen more and the friend, said Patrick, “happens, That so much of her day was focused Marshall. “The college will be using the grant to retrofit its Dining Hall today, to be the governor of Massachusetts.” on this single issue was the intent from the Plaza with rain gardens, permeable pavers, and trees.” “I didn’t talk about it for a long time,” outset, said David D’Amato, Director of “Queens College is proud to do our part in minimizing the runoff of Patrick continued, explaining how now, every Development, who along with Senior Gift stormwater into Flushing Creek,” adds Dave Gosine (Facilities Design, time she speaks about this aspect of her Officer Anne Koestner met with Patrick in Construction, and Management). “The grant allows us to once again history, she receives cards, letters, and emails the fall while visiting alumni in Boston. “We rise to the top of CUNY’s leadership in implementing sustainable and from women who say she inspired them to knew that domestic violence was an important innovative development on campus.” confront their own domestic abuse situations. issue for her and that Women and Work would “If that’s the result of my giving up some of be a good fit,” said D’Amato.

FYI MAY 2013 | 6 QC People Students Spend NICHOLAS ALEXIOU (Sociology) of Hurricane Sandy at the First National gave a presentation on March 16 at the Tropical Weather Conference in South Padre Winter Break Festival of Greek Literature and Books, Island, TX . . . ELENA FRANGAKIS- held at Georgetown University . . . SYRETT (History) received a QC Helping the Poor JOSHUA BRUMBERG (Psychology) Scholar Incentive Award to do research in Istanbul in spring 2012. While there, in Nicaragua she gave a series of talks on her work concerning the development of banking in When Darya Rubenstein, a senior the Middle East in the 19th and early 20th majoring in psychology, volunteered to centuries. She also led seminars about be part of the QC “Global Brigade” to her research, notably a faculty seminar Nicaragua during winter break, she had for the Department of Economics at the no idea what a life-changing trip it would be. University of Economics of Izmir (in Izmir) C Fluoride treatments and instruction in oral “The experience opened my eyes to how hygiene were among the services provided to and a seminar at the Institut Français people in poor parts of the world live,” says Nicaraguan school children by QC students des Études Anatoliennes (in Istanbul). Rubenstein, an Orthodox Jew originally from participating in a Global Brigades mission Alexiou Brumberg The latter, conducted in English and Canada. “They have little food, old clothing, during the winter break. French, was videotaped . . . HERMANN no health care . . . most are illiterate. Yet they had a rewarding April when several of his HALLER (ELL) gave a plenary address are so positive, with a true understanding of “We were able to provide basic medical past and present students co-authored on John Florio’s lexicographical work at life.” The effect of the trip was so profound care to almost 1,000 patients in a local an article on “Organization of myelin in the 21st conference of the Associazione that she has decided to pursue a master’s elementary school that was set up as a the mouse somatosensory barrel cortex Internazionale per gli Studi di Lingua e degree in public health after graduation. makeshift clinic,” says Simmonds. The and the effects of sensory deprivation,” Letteratura Italiana, held April 5 at the Global Brigades is the world’s largest students rotated among the different medical featured on the cover of Developmental University of Pennsylvania . . . JAMIE student-led global health and sustainable areas in the clinic. After being trained by Neurobiology. It represents research HITTMAN (MFA Creative Writing) is development organization. Since 2004 it has local doctors, they had the skills to take wholly conducted at QC, with the the first recipient of a fellowship offered mobilized thousands of university students patients’ vital signs in triage: checking their first two authors equally credited and by Paper Lantern Lit, a literary incubator through programs that work to improve the temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood Brumberg named final co-author. Kyrstle that develops young adult literature and quality of life for impoverished people in pressure. In the pharmacy they sat in on Barrera is a former master’s student markets it to publishers . . . ERGESH Ghana, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. doctors’ consultations, observing them make in psychology (now finishing his PhD at IKRAMOV, a Russian native, is the QC’s second Global Brigades mission— diagnoses and prescribe medications, which Loma Linda University and headed to recipient of the Fourth Annual Margaret the first was in January 2012 to Honduras— they helped distribute. In the dental area, the Stanford on a fellowship); Philip Chu is Mehran Scholarship, awarded to a was made up of 28 student volunteers, 19 students showed children how to brush their a doctoral student in neuropsychology student who is pursuing ELI studies . . . of whom were from the college. All the teeth and administered fluoride treatment who received a Sigma Xi Grant in Aid ELAINE KLEIN (Linguistics, Emerita) students raised funds for their airfare, and vitamins. They also accompanied a of Research; Jason Abramowitz was a received three grants, totaling about food, and housing and solicited donations doctor and a translator into patients’ homes to neuroscience major who won a CUNY $500,000, from the from hospitals and businesses for medicine conduct surveys on their health, hygiene, Salk Award; Robert Steger is a doctoral NYC Department and supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, and lifestyle. student in neuropsychology; and Raddy of Education, toothbrushes, and vitamins. “It was humbling to see their living Ramos, a former post-doc, is now an NYS Education Led by Yassmin Simmonds, a pre-med conditions,” says Mamadou Sire Bah, a assistant professor at NY College of Department, and senior majoring in psychology who also pre-med junior majoring in anthropology. Osteopathic Medicine . . . MARIO NY Community directed the Honduras brigade, the nine- “Most of the families live in homes with CARUSO (Graduate Admissions) was Trust. She heads an day mission began in San Gabriel, about 40 livestock wandering around and don’t have a moderator at a conference on Italian ongoing project on miles northwest of Managua, Nicaragua’s access to basic necessities like toilets or Americans and Discrimination in Higher Bridges to Academic capital. There the volunteers spent three days clean water. But they were so welcoming and Education, held March 27 at St. John’s Success, and is senior McHugh helping local physicians and dentists examine appreciative that I felt a genuine connection University . . . NICHOLAS COCH research associate at residents for illness and educate them on to them. I was more motivated than ever to (EES) presented a paper on the effects CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 proper hygiene and health issues. become a doctor.”

FYI MAY 2013 | 7 Scholars and Agents of Change Marie Ponsot Late Spring as Usual The green vine is moving. Funded by an alumna who credited QC Occupy Wall Street. “Understand the system with turning her into an activist, the annual you want to oppose and identify its breaking Wins Poetry Prize The motion’s too slow to be Virginia Frese Palmer Conference addressed a points,” she recommended. visible but it is racing, particularly apt topic at the Student Union on The next two speakers focused on ethnic With six volumes of racing feeling for a way March 11: Women’s Activism: From Queens communities in the United States. “If labor is poetry to her credit, across the wall of fence College to the World. how people access legal rights, and numerous French- it’s scrawling on, inches added every day. to-English translations, Opening the event, QC’s top female what about non-laborers?” Forwarding, sunwarding, it claims Professor Emerita administrator, Acting COO and VP Elizabeth asked ALYSHIA GALVEZ, its place. Green states its claim. It writes MARIE PONSOT Hendrey, praised Women’s Studies and other director of the CUNY Institute the lesson of the day: longing, interdisciplinary programs for their ability to of Mexican Studies at Lehman (English) is not averse to hard work. This longing coming true while arcing examine subjects from multiple angles. Next, College, arguing that juridical Ponsot spring her efforts paid out and up according to the instruction Carol Giardina (History) supplied context Galvez notions of citizenship are for the day’s talks. “Women led the Civil insufficient for immigrant off handsomely. She is the recipient of desire. Sun-hungry its tip has tilted Rights movement,” she said, naming, among Mexican mothers. MILIANN of the 2013 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, toward sun-space. Already others, , Mamie Till (mother of KANG, a University of which at $100,000 is one of the biggest it is speeding leaf-notes out of its root lynching victim Emmett Till), and Massachusetts professor who literary awards in the United States. all along the sprigless budless thread of the , six of whom were studies Asian-owned nail Issued annually since 1986 by the still scribbling the deed of its location. Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry female. Identifying herself as a resident of salons, detailed the hazardous In two weeks or one or four an International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ fumes and repetitive stress magazine, it salutes lifetime achievement Kang morning glory. Union co-op—“Thank you, Clara Lemlich and afflicting manicurists—many by a living poet; previous winners include Adrienne Rich, W.S. Merwin, Rose Schneiderman”—Giardina noted the role of them recent arrivals from overseas. Her data (From the collection Easy: Poems, Knopf, 2009. women played in organized labor. bolster the case for regulating toxic chemicals and Maxine Kumin. Reprinted with permission of the author.) Then each panelist, introduced in and labor conditions in a $6 billion industry. “I’m honored to be a recipient of turn by Women’s Studies Director Joyce Domestic workers, even if the Ruth Lilly Award and to be counted Warren, addressed the audience. First to the American-born, need advocates, amongst such august poets,” says nonagenarian who continues to write— microphone was DIANA too. PREMILLA NADASEN Ponsot. “The spirit of such a prize, as and rewrite—in longhand on pads of DUARTE, who observed that (History) explained that the given by Ruth Lilly, is a testament to paper. In recognition of her achievement, her job as communications problems and solutions Betty the power of poetry.” It also attests to we reprint the above poem. director of MADRE—an Friedan discussed in The the strength of this year’s honoree, a international women’s human Feminine Mystique—published Nadasen rights organization that 50 years ago—reflected a white, Duarte collaborates with community- upper-class, suburban perspective. Nadasen’s Past and present QC students filled how her father offered a suitable blessing for based groups—allows her agenda for domestic workers’ rights calls for out the panel. Describing herself as an her transgendered sibling. Urban Studies major to put her principles into action. MADRE standardized requirements from both employer activist since age 13 and a radical Muslim Grace Magee ’13 reported how her “burning has grassroots partners in Africa, Asia, and and employee. While acknowledging class dif- feminist, MEHER MOHSIN disdain for wasting food” prompted her to Latin America, tackling everything from ferences among women, the following speaker, ’12 recounted her success in launch a food bank that collects donations sexual violence to economic injustice. A CUNY Distinguished Political Science Professor registering voters from the from supermarkets and distributes them to benefit of activism is that “the personal and Frances FOX PIVEN, pointed city’s Arab and Southeast Asian the needy. Finally, freshman Melisa Tekin the political are connected,” out that general deterioration in communities—and filming first- talked about participating in numerous service agreed GRACE DAVIE the labor climate has weakened time voters as they emerged activities, from joining NYPIRG’s anti- (History), who teaches courses income for men, too. “Women from the polls. “They felt they Mohsin fracking campaign to helping people apply on African history and social are weapons in the race to the belonged,” she reported. Dasi for citizenship—a mission rich in personal movements. Strategic lessons bottom,” she said, concluding Fruchter ’12, an Orthodox Jew studying to be a meaning. “My parents just became citizens,” from her research have that “a fight back has become Piven rabbi, brought up the need for “change rooted she said. Davie influenced her work with not only possible, but necessary.” in tradition,” illustrating it with the story of

FYI MAY 2013 | 8 CCO-FRE QC PEOPLE - from page 7 TOBA E College Earns an A for the Research Institute for the Study of Language in Urban Society and the Center Anti-Tobacco Efforts for Advanced Study in Education at the By prohibiting all tobacco products from campus, QC, CUNY Graduate Center . . . CECILIA like its sister CUNY schools, has earned a top grade and McHUGH (EES) received a $22,415 2013 congratulations from the American Cancer Society (ACS). grant from the NSF for a RAPID Grant: Rachal Rotenberg NEW YORK STATE Investigations of the Impact of Superstorm DEAN’S LIST “The vision and hard work of campuses like yours has for Advanced Studies at the University of made New York State a national leader in the promotion Sandy on the South Shore of Long Island,” Bristol . . . PATRICIA RACHAL (Pol. of healthier campus communities,” wrote Alvaro a collaborative project with Adelphi Sci.) was awarded $575,000 by the U.S. Carrascal, a senior VP at ACS. Indeed, as the home University and SUNY Stony Brook. In Department of Education for her New of 67 colleges that are either smoke- or tobacco-free, addition, she has been working as a York Deaf and Blind Collaborative . . . the Empire State outperforms the rest of the nation, visiting senior scientist for JAMSTEC (the SUSAN ROTENBERG (Chemistry) according to ACS’s annual report, Tobacco-Free U: 2013 Japanese Marine and Science Agency), was awarded $348,752 by the NIH for New York State Dean’s List. studying the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake research on Protein Kinase C Substrates Next year, when SUNY is expected to implement its own ban, the smoke will and tsunami . . . The Overseas Korean in Human Breast Cancer . . . On April 23 clear from all of the state’s public colleges and universities—an encouraging trend. Journalists Association selected PYONG KENNETH RYESKY (Accounting) “In addition to reducing exposure to secondhand smoke . . . evidence suggests that GAP MIN (Sociology) to receive one testified at an IRS rulemaking hearing smoke-free/tobacco-free policies reduce the initiation of tobacco use among young of its six Proud Koreans’ Awards. The on proposed new healthcare coverage people and assists those who are trying to quit smoking and avoid relapse,” reports only one selected from the U.S. Korean regulations under the Tobacco-Free U, footnoting a study released by the New York State Department of community, Min was chosen because of Patient Protection Health in February 2011. his “immense contributions to research and Affordable Care If you’re trying to kick the habit, QC’s Health Services can help. Call the office on the formation and development of Act . . . ROLF at 72760 or walk in to Frese Hall, Room 310, from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through overseas Korean communities” . . . SWENSEN (Library) Thursday, when class is in session. GREGORY O’MULLAN (EES) was is associate editor of awarded a grant of $10,413 by the Hudson the International Journal River Foundation for his project on of Religion and Spirituality Rapid Response: Post-Sandy Collection and in Society, in which put together QC’s application and is meeting Preliminary Analysis of he recently published with the Urban Studies Department and Corps of Knowledge Samples from Flood- “Eddy’s Immigrants: Swensen Student Life to implement the program on Impacted Areas. The Foreign-Born Christian campus. “The CUNY Service Corps is an Seventeen colleges vied for first-year slots goal of his research Scientists in the United States, 1880– opportunity to enhance our mission. Our in the CUNY Service Corps; QC was one of is to study microbial 1925.” He also gave a paper on March faculty members work with many community seven schools selected for this fall’s launch and metal pollution 8 concerning “‘Israel’s Return to Zion’: organizations. We hope to leverage those of the university-wide initiative modeled on in flood water and Jewish Christian Scientists in the United relationships and use what we’ve built.” Americorps. As a result, 200 QC students will debris along the banks States, 1880–1925,” presented at the 3rd Jones’s immediate challenge is to evaluate spend 24 weeks in paid, part-time positions in of local waterways International Conference on Religion and and interview Service Corps candidates; projects addressing public health, education, like the Gowanus Spirituality in Society, held at Arizona students’ application deadline is June 1. Paulicelli the environment, or economically distressed Canal and the Hudson State University . . . AMY WINTER HR is conducting a search for a full-time areas. In a twist on the QC motto, they’ll River . . . EUGENIA (Godwin-Ternbach) was highlighted in the administrator who will manage QC’s be learning—and earning—as they serve. PAULICELLI (ELL) moderated a panel Getty Iris for her research on Wolfgang Service Corps contingent, interact with the Meanwhile, faculty and staff will get to apply on Fashion, Hacked: Liberation through Paalen, a painter and leader of Mexico’s program’s central office staff at CUNY, and their expertise to real-world issues, and all Participation at the CUNY Graduate postwar Dyn circle, which was the subject establish and monitor placements. “CUNY’s of New York City will benefit from their Center on February 28. In March she was of an exhibition by the Getty Research rapid assembly of this structure has been collective knowledge. awarded a fellowship as IAS Benjamin Institute. Her book Wolfgang Paalen helped impressive,” notes Jones. “Now we have to “I’m excited for our college,” says Special Meaker Visiting Professor at the Institute to revive the artist’s reputation. Assistant to the Provost Yasemin Jones, who hit the ground running.”

FYI MAY 2013 | 9 IN THE MEDIA IN THE MEDIA IN THE MEDIA IN THE MEDIA IN MEMORIAM People in the Media in connection with the death of Venezuelan MARIO D’AVANZO his MA from Trinity College and his PhD leader Hugo Chavez and the country’s Mario D’Avanzo (English), who taught at from Brown and taught for five years A story in the Daily News concerning a subsequent elections. These included the the college from 1968 to 2006, died on at Providence College before coming new wave of Greek immigrants flocking Los Angeles Times, the Nation, Christian February 23. to Queens. In the department he was to Astoria to escape economic turmoil at Science Monitor, radio stations KPFA and A scholar of great range, D’Avanzo a member of the P & B and chair of the home quoted NICHOLAS ALEXIOU KALW and television network MSNBC. She worked in many fields, including Romantic curriculum committee, among other (Sociology) . . . CLIVE BELFIELD was also interviewed by the international poetry, American literature from its positions, and directed many MA theses. (Economics) published a television programs "Russia Today TV," beginnings to the twentieth century, He also taught a literature workshop to column at InsideHigherEd.com "Columbia New Tonight," and "NTN24." seventeenth-century British poetry, women prisoners on Riker’s Island. about the flaws in economic Additionally, she was interviewed on Victorian literature, and the Bible. His D’Avanzo was also an outstanding models of college efficiency MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris-Perry Show” in books include Keats’s Metaphors for the athlete who played competitive ice . . . The transient nature connection with the U.S. embargo against Poetic Imagination (1968), The Literary Art of hockey until well into middle age, and of apartment dwellers in Cuba . . . A story in the Chronicle of Higher the Bible (1988), and A Cloud of Other Poets: at Dartmouth he was a star catcher. At Lower Manhattan was the Education about adjunct orientations quoted Robert Frost and the Romantics (1991), and Queens he founded and managed the subject of a New York Times EVA FERNANDEZ (Center for Teaching Belfield he published over 80 articles on such English Department softball team and was story that cited ANDREW and Learning) . . . JOSHUA FREEMAN authors as Sophocles, Virgil, Shelley, its star shortstop and cleanup hitter, as BEVERIDGE’S (Sociology) (History) was quoted in a Daily News story Tennyson, Thoreau, Dickinson, Melville, it took on the Chemistry Department, Social Explorer project as about the strike by New Yeats, and Faulkner. the Writing Center, the Law School, and its source of data. His data York City school bus drivers Born in 1931, D’Avanzo attended other powerhouses. were also cited in New and matrons . . . A story Dartmouth on a Naval ROTC scholarship; He is survived by Barbara Horn, his York Times stories about at Haretz.com concerning he served for three years in the Navy companion of many years and a professor a proposed apartment the reluctance of UJA- as a lieutenant and as an instructor in of English and Women’s Studies at Nassau complex in Riverdale for Federation funders to aid amphibious warfare. He then received Community College, and by two children. people over 65 and the Brooklyn’s ultra-Orthodox Beveridge population explosion in city community quoted Freeman neighborhoods deemed “family-friendly,” as SAMUEL HEILMAN well as in a NorthJersey.com story describing (Sociology) . . . MICHAEL how young families are choosing to leave KRASNER (Political the Jersey suburbs to raise their children Science) commented at Bill Cosby in New York City . . . NEIL CUMMINS GothamGazette.com on (Economics) co-authored a story in the the political fallout from In an April 6 appearance at Economist about a study of surnames and the arrest of State Sen. Kupferberg Center, comic icon Bill their relationship to the transmission Malcolm Smith on charges of wealth over generations . . . An he was attempting to bribe Cosby demonstrated that at 75 Heilman years young he hasn’t lost a step. appearance by HARRIET DAVIS-KRAM his way onto the ballot to run for mayor. Krasner For nearly two hours he regaled the (History) at which she spoke on the topic was also quoted in a Wall packed house with his patented mix “A Peek at the Underside of Victorian History: Murder Most Street Journal story about of cultural commentary and tales Foul” was reported how turnout for a special from his childhood. He also shared by HuntingtonPatch. election in Far Rockaway a moment with two appreciative com . . . SUJATHA had been substantially audience members, Pres. James FERNÁNDES lowered because so many Muyskens and his wife, Alda. (Sociology) was cited, voters had been displaced quoted, or interviewed by Hurricane Sandy . . . The Krasner by several media outlets Fernándes CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

FYI MAY 2013 | 10 IN THE MEDIA IN THE MEDIA IN THE MEDIA IN THE MEDIA

PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA - from page 10 also quoted in a story in Scientific American Gala Gathering website GlobalGrind.com reported on describing the findings of the study. HARRY LEVINE’S (Sociology) study The gilded Gotham Hall was the setting finding the NYPD spent 1 million hours May 1 for this year’s Queens College making 440,000 low-level marijuana arrests Events in the Media Gala. The evening’s honorees were Jerry between 2001 and 2012 . . . CARMELLA The Queens Tribune featured a story about Cohen ’73 (top left), Partner, Deloitte & MARRONE (Women and Re-forming the Image in Northern Europe Touche LLP, who received the Lifetime Work) was profiled as part in the Golden Age, the Godwin-Ternbach Achievement Award, and Rony Zarom of MSNBC’s “Foot Soldier Museum exhibit curated by QC Art ’92 (top right), Founder and Chairman of the Week” series. The History students . . . The QC Year of India of Decima Ventures, who received TimesLedger reported on the series, Representing South Asia on Film, was the Alumni Award. (Center, l-r): Ruth Professionals on Campus featured in the TimesLedger . . . The Queens Hollander ’77 and Harry Kent ’64 event she moderated that Gazette had a story about QC’s School of congratulate Charles Hennekens ’63, featured Diane Patrick Inquiry program for high school students. the Sir Richard Doll Research Professor Marrone ’72, the First Lady of . . QC’s 17th Chamber Music Live concert of Medicine at Florida Atlantic Massachusetts (see p. 6) . . . RICHARD series was the subject of a Queens Tribune University, who received the President’s MAXWELL (Media Studies) co-authored story . . . The Queens Gazette reported a piece for Psychology Today on how public on a project with Con Edison in which Award. Olympic Silver Medalist Gail policy can be reformed to truly reflect QC students help to improve immigrant Marquis ’80 (bottom) was host for the event the aspirations of Earth Day, and another participation in civic life . . . April’s QC that raised money for scholarships. for the Guardian on the environmental forum for the Democratic hopefuls for consequences of digital technology . . . mayor was broadcast live by NY1 and CHARLES MOLESWORTH (English, reported in the Queens Chronicle, Queens emeritus) wrote a column for TheRoot. Tribune, Queens Courier, TimesLedger, com on poet Countee Cullen . . . President and at NewYorkTrue.com JAMES MUYSKENS’ testimony at the . . . The Queens Chronicle, annual Queens Borough Board Meeting TimesLedger, and QC Author was reported in the Queens Gazette. He QueensNYC.com reported One of the most prominent linguists in England in 1598. also appeared in a photo in the Queens author STEPHEN and educators in Elizabethan England Now HERMANN Courier of honorees at the Queens MAITLAND-LEWIS was John Florio (1553–1625), the son of HALLER (ELL) Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business reading at QC from his an exiled Italian Protestant. Florio grew has published Persons of the Year event . . . The Chronicle Sternfeld Nathan Photo: novel Emeralds Never up on the Continent, where he received the first critical Maitland-Lewis of Higher Education reported KENNETH Fade and speaking a university education, then moved to edition of this RYESKY’S (Accounting and Information about his correspondence with Louis Elizabethan England. There he taught work, in which Systems) testimony before an IRS panel Armstrong . . . The at Oxford, tutored prominent patrons he reveals Florio examining the Affordable Care Act’s affect Louis Armstrong from the nobility and royalty, and was a to have been a on health insurance for college adjuncts. House Museum friend and colleague to intellectuals and brilliant translator, . . Blues.Gr featured an interview with event presenting a writers. To promote what he considered exuberant collector JOHN TYTELL (English) . . . JOHN newly discovered the greater refinement of Renaissance of words and proverbs, and accomplished WALDMAN (EES) authored a story 1961 recording of Italy’s literary and scientific culture, writer and grammarian. A Worlde of for Yale’s Environment 360 about a study Armstrong playing he published several works on the Wordes features a wide variety of social he undertook with six colleagues that at the Freedomland Italian language. registers, from medical and scientific determined that fish ladders constructed amusement park Foremost among these was A Worlde terminology to dialect forms, erotic on U.S. dams are largely ineffective in in the Bronx was of Wordes, an Italian-English dictionary terminology, colloquialisms, and proverbs. allowing migrating fish to pass. He was covered by NY1. consisting of 46,000 entries that was printed

FYI MAY 2013 | 11 Three QC Graduates Receive National Science Foundation Fellowships

The National Science Foundation often are the only places they can dispose Graduate Research fellowships are of garbage (Parisano); and exploring the among the most prestigious and highly neurological adaptations that occur within competitive grants in the country. This individuals suffering from behavioral year three QC graduates—JASMINE addiction to the Internet (Whaley). HATCHER, ’09 CHRISTOPHER The NSF fellowships, which provide PARISANO ’08, and JAMAR $126,000 over three years, support WHALEY ’11—received these awards graduate students in science, technology, From left to right: Christopher Parisano, Jasmine Hatcher, and Jamar Whaley to continue their research. Their projects engineering, and mathematics (STEM) include finding a safer way to store disciplines who are pursuing research- technetium, a radioactive by-product of based master’s and doctoral degrees “I am proud and delighted that QC President James Muyskens. “They nuclear fission (Hatcher); investigating the at accredited U.S. institutions. About the National Science Foundation has join the ranks of past recipients who have relationship that people in Lima, Peru, 2,000 awards from a pool of over 13,000 recognized the achievements and potential gone on to become prominent visionaries, have with archaeological sites, which applicants were given nationwide. of these exceptional young scientists,” said inventors, and Nobel Prize winners.”

STUDENTS IN THE MEDIA

The winter break trip by several QC students to Nicaragua to assist Global Brigades in providing health care to the poor was reported in the Queens Chronicle, Queens Gazette, Queens Courier, El Correo, El Diario/La Prensa, and at LatinTrends.com (see p. 7) . . . The New York Times featured a story about the Mellow Pages Library in Brooklyn of which QC student MATT NELSON is one of Remembering Marvin Hamlisch the co-founders . . . The naming of a Celebrating “one singular sensation,” Donna McKechnie (l.), Cassie of the original cast street in Bayside to commemorate of A Chorus Line, was among the many friends, family, and creative collaborators who QC alum MOHAMMED SALMAN performed and reminisced at a May 5 concert at Kupferberg Center honoring the memory HAMDANI, who died in the 9/11 of stellar composer, performer, and QC graduate Marvin Hamlisch. Above (l.–r.) are attack on the World Trade Center conductor J. Ernest Green, tenor J. Mark McVey, Hamlisch’s widow, Terre Blair Hamlisch, while volunteering as a paramedic, was and ACSM Director Ed Smaldone. McVey also performed (above, right) with his children, reported by the Queens Courier. Grace and Kyle, and wife, Christy-Tarr McVey. Preempted by Hurricane Sandy, the concert had originally been scheduled for November 4.

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