Opening Convocation of Five Towns College
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...Rolland G. Smith Continued Prior to joining CBS, Rolland Smith worked for Metromedia Television in Washington, D.C., as White House and Capital Hill correspondent and was subsequently transferred to New York, as co-anchor of the WNEW- TV Ten O’Clock News, where he also served as an accredited United Nations Correspondent. In 1968, Smith reported from the front lines of the Vietnam War during the height of the Tet Offensive. His war zone coverage took him from the Mekong Delta to the DMZ, for Corinthian Broadcasting. Among his other memorable assignments, Smith has the distinction of being the first journalist to accompany the US Geological Survey Team inside Mt. St. Helens after the volcano erupted. He covered the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland the United States, and had an exclusive televised conversation with the Pope in Rome during coverage of a Vatican Consistory. Smith anchored separate town meetings with President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, and anchored the international broadcast of the 1985 Live Aid concert, among so much more. For his many contributions to society, culture, and for representing the broadcast journalism profession with honor and distinction, Five Towns College will bestow the Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L) honoris causa, upon Rolland G. Smith at the 44th Opening Convocation of Five Towns College. CORY ROONEY is a Grammy Award Winning American songwriter, record produc- er, and C.E.O. of Cory Rooney Group. He has written, produced, and developed many successful songs and careers for a literal “Who’s Who in the Music World,” thereby becoming one of the most influential voices in popular culture of our time. Raised in Jamaica, Queens, NY, Cory Rooney was exposed to the music industry at an early age by his parent Herb Rooney and Brenda Reid of The Exciters, who toured with OPENING the Beatles in the early 1960s. However, Cory’s musical DNA was only one part of a very talented equation. Growing up in the epi-center of hip-hop, his love for the genre was reinforced at an early age due to the geographic proximity of rap all-stars like Marley Marl, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC. Cory’s star began to rise at Uptown Records in the late 1980s, while writing and producing hits like CONVOCATION Real Love and Sweet Thing by Mary J. Blige and I’ll Do 4 U by Father MC. The success of these Uptown anthems caught the attention of Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola in 1989. In 1994, Sony solidified its 44TH ACADEMIC SESSION relationship with Cory by offering him a permanent position, and six years later - with the title Executive Producer etched on his bio - he is responsible for some of the hottest albums on the charts. Cory is listed as Executive Producer on Marc Anthony’s album I Need to Know and all of Jennifer Lopez’s albums. 2017 – 18 In 1994 Mr. Rooney also joined Epic Records as Vice President of A & R. During his tenure with Epic he played a key role in bringing RZA and Stone Creek Records, as well as Dave Hall, to the label. In 1996, Mr. Rooney was named Vice President of A&R of Crave Records, which was Mariah Carey’s label. In this role he signed and produced artists such as 7 Mile and Alllure. Cory Rooney was named Senior Vice President, Executive Administration, Sony Music Entertainment in 1998. In this role he worked closely with the company’s constituent labels, including Epic Records and Columbia Records, acting as producer/co-producer and/or co-writer for such artists as Marc Anthony, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Simpson. His additional artist credits include Christopher Williams, Prince Markie Dee, Jade, Lisa Stansfield, Trey Lorenz, Brian McKnight, Destiny’s Child, 50 Cent, Blaque, Tahlia, Mandy Moore, Amerie, Lindsay Lohan, Christina Millian, Toni Braxton, Taylor Hicks, Menudo, Santana, Jessie J, Drake and many more. Indeed, Cory Rooney has achieved much success in his professional career. In addition to numerous awards and recognitions, his albums THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 have sold over 100 million copies and many of his albums have sole more than one million records. Today, the Cory Rooney Group (CRG), manages writers, producers, and developing artists. 11 A.M. The company focuses on music for television, fashion and the publishing industry. FIVE TOWNS COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER For his many contributions to society, culture, and for representing the music industry with honor and distinction, Five Towns College will bestow the Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.) honoris causa, upon Cory Rooney at the 44th Opening Convocation of Five Towns College. 2017 OPENING CONVOCATION PROGRAM Color Guard ORDER OF PROCESSION Flag of the United States of America ....................................... Michael Scudiero, ‘19 Gonfalon of Five Towns College .............................................. Kiara Ortega, ‘20 Faculty Opening of 2017 – 18 Academic Session ................................. Master of Ceremony Business Division Students Pledge of Allegiance .................................................................. Samantha Lagnese, ‘18 Music Division Students National Anthem ....................................................................... Star Spangled Banner Film/Video Division Students By Francis Scott Key Mass Communication Division Students Performed by Prof. John Machado, ’95, ‘04, Mus.B., M.M. Arr. Jimmi Hendrix Theatre Arts Division Students Liberal Arts and Sciences Division Students Poetry Reading .......................................................................... The New Colossus By Emma Lazarus Teacher Education Division Students Read by Noah League, ‘18 Color Guard Presidential Remarks ................................................................ David M. Cohen, J.D. Provost’s Council 2016 – 17 AY Video Retrospective ........................................... Film/Video Division Administrative Council Edited by Michael Mercadante, B.F.A., ‘16 Dignitaries Conferring of Honorary Doctorate ......................................... Rolland G. Smith Board of Trustees Introduction by Francis T. MacKay College President First Musical Interlude ............................................................. Groove With Me As the College community gathers for the formal opening of the new academic term, By Obasi Jackson, ‘19 the faculty is seated on stage prior to the start of the program – allowing them to view the Performed by Obasi Jackson, ‘19 procession of new and continuing undergraduate and graduate students. Conferring of Honorary Doctorate ......................................... Cory Rooney As each academic division presents itself at the entrance of the Performing Arts Center, they are Introduction by Francis T. MacKay announced by academic unit. Once announced, the students are seated in the house from front to Second Musical Interlude ......................................................... Where You Belong back. Once seated, students then join with the faculty in welcoming each successive division as they enter the Center. By Taliek Hill, ‘ 17, B.F.A. Performed by Taliek Hill, ’17 B.F.A. The presentation of the Color Guard signals the arrival of the academic leaders of the College. Appropriately, the flag of the United States of America leads the delegation carried by an under- Closing of Convocation .................................................................... Dr. David M. Cohen, President graduate student, who brings it to the stage and places it in a position of prominence. The gonfalon Courtyard BBQ immediately follows Convocation of the College, bearing the academy’s official seal and colors, follows the American flag. Note: The College Gonfalon makes its first appearance at this 44th Academic Session. The Color Guard is followed by the Provost’s Council, consisting of the seven academic division/ ROLLAND G. SMITH has over 50 years of broadcast and television production experience. department chairs along with the Chief Academic Officer of the College – the Provost. Together He is former news anchor for WCBS – TV in New York and at super station WWOR – TV in they represent the academic strength and integrity of the academy. New York. Smith first joined WWOR in 1988 from the CBS network where he was co-host of The CBS Morning Program, a 90-minute talk and news broadcast In 1993 joined NBC in The Administrative Council, representing the 10 administrative branches of the College follows, California, before returning to Channel 9 in 2000. While at NBC, Smith covered the war in the joined by invited dignitaries, and the Board of Trustees. Together they represent the administrative former Yugoslavia and the OJ Simpson murder trial, among numerous other significant stories. effectiveness and character of the academy. Smith calls himself a storyteller, but he is the consummate broadcast journalist. His skills as an anchorman, Finally, the procession is completed with the arrival of the College President, who represents commentator, reporter, writer and producer have earned him numerous awards and honors. He is the recipient the entire College community as a whole, including its hopes and aspirations. of 11 Emmy Awards, in addition to numerous Emmy Award nominations by the National Academy of Televi- sion Arts and Sciences. He is also the recipient of two Telly Awards..