Michael Brewster ‘93
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When Preparation Meets Opportunity Michael Brewster ‘93 INSIDE M Honor Roll of Donors PLUSM Partnering with Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) M Former Student Honors Mentor With Gift To CollegeM Helping Our Forces Be Prepared 2 10 Honor 5 ROLLof 6 Donors ContentsSUMMER 2007 1 Message from the President College News: 2 ̈ Helping Our Forces Be Prepared 3 ̈ Partnering with Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce 4 ̈ Fast Track To Success ̈ 5 Partnering with Energy Industry Invention is published by to Meet Nationwide Shortages Thomas Edison State College DR. GEORGE A. PRUITT 6 Cover Story: President ̈ When Preparation Meets Opportunity JOE GUZZARDO Spotlighting Michael Brewster, ’93 Editor CHRIS MILLER 10 Message from the Chair Art Director PageContributors: 12 11 Feature: KELLY SACCOMANNO ̈ Honor Roll of Donors LINDA SOLTIS SHANIKA HENDERSON 20 Applause, Applause: ̈ Alumni News Cover Story: 6 When Preparation Meets Opportunity C2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni, Students and Friends, The great Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This issue of Invention is all about the people and organizations whose generous support of the College brings our extraordinary institution to life every year. We are very fortunate to benefit from the financial support of many individuals, businesses, corporations and employees of the College. The annual support we receive helps the College to continue to increase enrollment, expand educational programs and maintain its dedication to academic excellence. I am honored to tell you about two remarkable graduates of the Class of 1993, who each have made significant contributions to the College every year. The first is Michael Brewster, an executive at Lehman Brothers, a regular The annual support contributor to our Annual Fund, and the subject of our cover story in this edition of Invention. An immigrant from Ireland, Brewster describes the critical role Thomas Edison State College played in his ability to purse his we receive helps the dream of a career in finance in America. College“ to continue to You will also read about Raymond Koski, a successful attorney whose drive and commitment to earning his degree will inspire all adults increase enrollment, considering a return to college. Koski was so motivated by one of his mentors, the late Jim Colazzio, that he created an endowment in expand educational Colazzio’s name. On behalf of the entire Thomas Edison State College family, I would like programs and maintain to thank these gentlemen and everyone who participated in fund-raising efforts to support to the College during this past year. its dedication to I would also like to extend sincere thanks to all of the talented individuals who make our fund-raising events so successful. The Thomas Edison academic excellence. State College Foundation is at the heart of these efforts and we are grateful for its extraordinary support. Sincerely, ” Dr. George A. Pruitt President INVENTION SUMMER 2007 1 COLLEGE NEWS Helping Our Forces Be Prepared THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE TO PROVIDE DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES TO HELP MILITARY PERSONNEL PREPARE FOR OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENTS Thomas Edison State College and deployed will help military person- combine an online format with McGuire Air Force Base are using nel better understand the people four classroom sessions where distance education to help prepare we are trying to help liberate and students can meet their instructor, military personnel scheduled for those we are fighting.” known as a mentor. Classroom overseas deployments through courses sessions for blended courses take Thomas Edison State College is on Islam, the Middle East and other place at McGuire Air Force Base. currently offering eight courses to world cultures and religions. Online courses are structured military personnel in a variety of around a 12-week schedule and Thomas Edison State College is distance learning formats. Each of may be completed anywhere a stu- one of two institutions in New the 3-credit courses fit into the dent has access to the Internet. Jersey currently taking part in a College’s Bachelor of Arts degree Independent study courses, also pilot program that provides mili- program in liberal studies. known as Guided Study courses, are tary personnel with college courses The courses currently include: structured on a 16-week schedule focusing on the cultures, religions and may be completed wherever a and languages of the places the The Middle East (blended) student is deployed. United States military is currently Introduction to Islam deployed to in order to make active (blended; online) Currently, nearly 6,000 active duty duty military personnel more military personnel are enrolled at Eastern Religions (blended; culturally aware of the regions online; independent study) Thomas Edison State College, in which they are engaged. including approximately 3,000 who Burlington County College is also Chinese History & Culture are presently deployed. providing courses to assist troops (blended; independent study) “We are honored to take part in for overseas deployments. African History & Culture this important program designed (blended; online; independent “We’re hoping to take away some to better prepare our troops for study) of the prejudices that people may deployments in the Middle East have about the religions and cul- Dealing with Diversity (blend- and other locations overseas,” said tures our troops will be exposed to ed; online; independent study) Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of during their deployments,” said Elements of Intercultural Thomas Edison State College. Linda Richardson, 305th Mission Communication (blended; online; “We have a long history of serving Support Squadron education and independent study) the educational needs of the United training flight chief at McGuire Introduction to World States military. By leveraging our Air Force Base. “Understanding Religions (blended; online; unique format and our core compe- the differences between our culture independent study) tencies, we hope to support the and the cultures of the Middle East brave men and women serving our and other locations where they are Blended courses are structured country any way we can.” I around an eight-week schedule and 2 INVENTION SUMMER 2007 COLLEGE NEWS Thomas Edison State College and Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Expand Professional Development Opportunities New Online Program on Leadership and Management Available to Chamber Members The Mercer Regional Chamber of “The Chamber is proud to partner Commerce and the School of with Thomas Edison State College Professional and Continuing on this program,” said Michele N. Studies at Thomas Edison State Siekerka, president/CEO of the College are partnering to expand Mercer Regional Chamber of professional development opportu- Commerce. “The MBA Essentials five courses to earn the professional nities to chamber members through Professional Certificate Program is certificate. an exciting opportunity for busi- nesspeople to gain valuable knowl- “We are delighted to partner with Each course is edge that will not only help them the Chamber to offer its members offered completely advance in their chosen field but this opportunity for education and online, making it will make them more valuable to training,” said David M. Grossman, convenient for their employers. I encourage PhD, vice provost and dean of the Chamber members Chamber members to take advan- School of Professional and to gain new skills tage of this worthwhile endeavor.” Continuing Studies at Thomas “ Edison State College. “Each course on a schedule The curriculum of the MBA is offered completely online, mak- convenient Essentials program has a strong ing it convenient for Chamber for them. focus on assessment and outcomes, members to gain new skills on a which makes each course directly schedule convenient for them.” relevant to a student’s work a new online program designed to and professional development. For more information on develop- develop skills in leadership and Chamber members may take indi- ing partnerships at Thomas Edison management. vidual courses of special interest to State College, contact us at (888) Through the partnership, chamber them or complete the sequence of 442-8372, or visit www.tesc.edu. I members can register for the”MBA Essentials Professional Certificate Program, an online, 30-week noncredit certificate program, which focuses on leadership and management, accounting, finance, economics, marketing and strategic planning at a discounted rate. INVENTION SUMMER 2007 3 COLLEGE NEWS OnFast the Track to Success Raymond A. Koski likes to move fast. had passed my accounting examina- the course, by challenging the exam, tion on Tuesday, Thomas Edison by CLEP, by paper,” said Koski. So, when he was 47 years old, State College was notified on Friday, “Then, I registered for the course and Koski realized that he needed to and I started Seton Hall University had it ready to go as soon as one was complete his degree requirements School of Law in Newark, N.J., the completed. I was completing gener- at an accelerated pace. following Monday,” said Koski. ally two courses simultaneously.” He went on to graduate from Seton Koski said the pace he set made it Hall and scored high enough on the easier to visualize his goal and see the New Jersey Bar to receive automatic results occurring. admission in the District of “The Thomas Edison State College Columbia Bar, which has reciprocity program is designed to have people in some 20 other state bars. achieve at a level they never thought Today, he practices property tax law was possible,” he said. “You can really throughout the United States, push yourself.” Canada and the Caribbean with his firm Raymond A. Koski & Associates, P.C. He also owns National Realty Counselors, a national real estate tax service, which Raymond Koski, BSBA ’93 has been merged into his national Koski, BSBA ’93, was attracted to law firm and consulting practice.