The Royal Review

Volume 3 Fall 2015-Spring 2016

The Royal Review

MOLLOY COLLEGE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTE R

Inside this issue 25TH ANNUAL ALUMNI SUPPER

ENGLISH MAJORS INTERN AND LEARN! news. Alums were interested to E ach year in September, for the hear from Dr. Kinpoitner about the past 25 years, Dr. Robert Kinpoitner expected opening of the Barbara H. FOUR EVENINGS OF FOOD, has shared cheese cake (and the din- Hagan Center for Nursing and the FRIENDS AND FILM—FREE ner that precedes it) with Molloy increased number of students living College English Department alumni on campus in the two dorms. The SEEING POPE FRANCIS and friends, current student scholar- Writing concentration, Royal Review ship winners and their families, and Newsletter, film festival, poetry English faculty. The occasion for this events, and literary celebration CONGRATULATIONS, th high calorie event is, of course, the (Shakespeare’s 400 birthday party, BARBARA NOVACK! English Alumni Supper. scheduled for April 12th) were all At this year’s supper, held in the topics of conversation. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Will! Reception Room, on September 18, Honored at the celebration were Shakespeare fest 2015, 50 attendees enjoyed the English Department scholarship re- food, the company, and the chance cipients Elise Werner, winner of the

to exchange college and department Sister Grace Bletsch Scholarship; Ni- LIT for years, then cole Piccini, winner of the Catherine suddenly: STD! Brajuka Memorial Scholarship; and Victoria May, winner of the Lillian PRESIDENT’S AWARDS Emmerich Joseph Memorial Scholar- ship. The three were congratulated by family, alumni, and faculty. The ALUMNI SUCCESSES: dinner, as always, also served as an occasion to raise scholarship funds Tabitha ochtea for the future, with $2680 collected for the Sister Mary Verity McNicho- Amanda Ammirati las English Scholarship Fund. If you missed this year’s celebra-

tion, don’t despair. Plans are al- Ashley geyer ready in motion for the 26th Alumni supper to be held on September 23, LEARNING AND SERVING: Victoria May, Nicole Piccini, Elise Werner 2016. Save the date! freshman share Literary insights PAGE 2 THE ROYAL REVIEW

ing. The 100 hours of work gives We asked one of our interns, Annie English majors intern students a chance to explore possi- Kibort, to send her own account of and learn! ble careers while they sharpen skills the internship and to gather some English majors who are not pur- they will need after graduation. thoughts from two of our other re- suing certification in education Besides performing their duties at cent interns. must take an internship course dur- the internship site, students keep a Erin Burke: ing their junior or senior year. Stu- reflective journal in which they I spent the semester working for dents may be placed in a position write about what they are learning a construction company in one of by the Office of Experiential Learn- and how they are contributing to their Manhattan field offices. The ing or may pursue an opportunity the organization for which they are company is currently restoring sub- they find for themselves. All intern- working. Throughout the semester, way stations to their original ap- ship positions are reviewed by the each student intern meets with the pearance and preserving their clas- English Department and the Office English Internship instructor, Dr. sic style for future New Yorkers. My of Experiential Learning to be sure Kathleen Conway, to discuss his or job involved using my organization- that the work involves use of com- her work and reflections on the ex- al and communication skills. I con- munication skills and critical think- perience. tacted vendors to get bids for work

Continued on page 4 Four Evenings of Food, Friends and Films — F r e e

The 2015-2016 Molloy College Film Festival offered some terrific films. Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay, and nominee for best picture at the2015 Academy Awards, started off the year on October 13. Sel- ma focuses on one important episode in the struggle for civil rights, the march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. On November 17, Dear White People, written and directed by Justin Simien, offered a witty and provocative look at the lives of black students at a mostly white, fic- tional top tier college. The two films were an excellent way to enlarge the discussion of civil rights on campus, a discussion that included this year’s common read, the graphic novel March. March is a memoir which captures the experiences of Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis during the sit-ins, marches, and freedom rides that oc- curred throughout the south in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The Spring 2016 program featured Academy Award nominated films. Director Jay Roach’s Trumbo, starring Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston as screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, was shown on February 9th. Trumbo was famously blacklisted and then jailed after he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, which was investigating Communist influences in the motion picture industry. The last film of the season, On February 23, was director Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight, a best picture nominee. The film highlights the work of a team of report- ers for the Boston Globe and the investigation that brought to light the scope of the Boston archdiocese’s cover-up of child molestation by priests. Thanks to Dr. Deidre Pribram for her selection of wonderful movies to talk about and to the English Department for sponsoring the program and providing the popcorn and candy! PAGE 3 THE ROYAL REVIEW

Seeing Pope Francis by Sister Alice Byrnes, O.P.

I loved looking through our family album when I was following day a little girl. One of the pictures that stands out in my was a different mind was that of my aunt’s family at a private audience type of experi- with Pope Pius XII. My eyes focused on my young ence. In con- cousin, Susan, who was standing right next to the pope. trast to how In fact, her dress was actually touching the pope’s white we had waited robe. As Susan outgrew her clothes, they were passed in our assigned down to me and another younger cousin. I can’t explain seats in the the thrill when the little blue dress that Susan wore cathedral for when she saw the pope arrived at my house. To me, the pope’s ar- that dress was a relic. It had actually touched the Holy rival, we stood Father! I never imagined that I would ever see a pope, in line with and this seemed the closest I would ever get to the Holy over 80,000 Father. people at the park for three Sometimes, children’s dreams come true! Although hours just to I’m not much of a gambler, I entered every possible reach the secu- lottery to win tickets to see Pope Francis when he visit- rity check- ed to the United States. The Diocese of Rockville Centre point. What was amazing was how polite and friendly gave tickets to our Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in everyone was in spite of their aching feet! This certainly Amityville. In a spirit of democracy, we were invited to defied the image of the stereotypical New Yorker! I was put our names into the hat. What a thrill it was when I impressed by the number of young people who were so won a ticket to see Pope Francis at the prayer service in eager to see the pope. When the pope mobile eventu- St. Patrick’s Cathedral! In the wake of such good for- ally passed our way, it seemed to race by with the speed tune, I also won a ticket in the New York City Lottery to of lightning. My sister saw only a flash of white, while I catch a glimpse of Papa Francis in the procession got a fleeting glance of the pope. The throng of onlook- through Central Park. I was really on a winning streak! ers raised their cameras and phones to catch a picture The pope was scheduled to come to St. Patrick’s Cathe- of him. I suspect that the cameras saw more of the dral to pray Vespers, the official evening prayer of the pope than the bystanders actually saw. Admittedly, Church, with priests and religious. Clearly, the pope had everyone could have seen more of the pope on televi- this audience in mind in preparing his preaching for this sion, but they seemed thrilled to trade that for the ex- occasion. I was truly heartened when Pope Francis said, perience of actually seeing the pope “live from New “I would like to express my esteem and gratitude to the York.” religious women of the United States. What would the The reception given to Papa Francis was amazing. He Church be without you.” The congregation with many was greeted like a rock star. But, the real success of his lay people in attendance reacted with peels of applause visit can only be measured to the degree that we take to express their affirmation of the nuns. This had monu- his message to heart and practice what he preaches. mental significance for women religious, who only three Pope Francis urges us to reach out with compassion to years ago, were investigated by the Vatican during the the most vulnerable among us—the poor, the immi- Apostolic Visitation. While we were undergoing that grants, the abused, the sick, and the incarcerated. He difficult experience, I never could have imagined that it challenges us to care for our children and to protect the would have turned around like this. It’s often said that Earth. He stresses the importance of family life in nur- we should expect miracles when we pray. This was like turing good people who contribute to the building of a a miracle that I never expected. just society. Pope Francis’ message is very timely for us The pilgrimage to see the pope in Central Park the as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Molloy College

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Seeing Pope Francis from 3 and the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Do- minican Order. The mission statement of Molloy challenges us to live ”with respect for each person” and work toward “the development of ethical leader- ship,” while the vision of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville who founded Molloy “calls each of us to be signs of joy and hope in all that we do.” In his de- parting remarks, Pope Francis expressed the hope that his visit would have a lasting impact on us and the people around us. He prayed, “May our days together bear fruit that will last, generosity and care for others that will endure.” †

Majors intern and learn! from 2 and also enjoy the work. an art much like writing and photog- that needed to be done. I also orga- Catherine Bautista: raphy. I want to become a food nized reports and files for the pro- I worked for Certified Coin Con- blogger and establish a social media ject. One interesting task was to sultants in Rockville Centre for my presence. Right now I have fledgling organize sample tiles to be sent to internship. The company buys and Twitter and Instagram accounts. As I various subway stations so that the sells valuable coins. As an English was cooking at home and posting new tiles matched the old. major with a writing concentration, I food photos on my personal Insta- The job brought two of my passions wrote to encourage business. I com- gram account, I realized I had a pas- together. As an English major and a posed and sent mass emails to cli- sion for food that I would like to turn history minor, I love creating stories, ents, managed the company’s social into a career. I even have plans to and I love preserving history. This media, and researched the history attend culinary school someday, job seemed to combine the two, as I of particularly interesting coins. The and, ultimately, I would like to be learned how all of the pieces come articles I wrote about those coins self-employed and to run my own together to complete a project that were posted on the company’s blog. brand, Just Another Food Adventur- will keep a piece of history alive for A photography minor, I also took er. I really look up to Skyler Bou- future generations. I also learned photographs of coins to accompany chard, a recent NYU graduate who is how many reports must be pro- what I wrote. Working at Certified making waves in food media. How- duced for each project and how Coin Consultants allowed me to put ever, I am open to other jobs that many people have to be contacted into practice skills learned in my will allow me to apply skills I have to be sure the work is being done. writing and photography courses. developed in pursuing my English The position gave me a chance to My internship also gave me a chance degree. I know there are many jobs I sharpen my communication skills to work on my interpersonal skills. A can pursue while working on my goal and to become aware of all that shy person, I broke out of my shell to of getting into food media. I would- goes into a successful project such as communicate with others at Certi- n’t mind working for companies such this. And, at Molloy, I visited the fied Coin Consultants. My bosses as Buzzfeed or Thrillist. Career Center to get a better sense were very kind and helpful, always Before starting my job search in of how to produce an effective re- ready to explain the world of numis- earnest, I look forward to visiting the sume. matics. I was able to voice my opin- Career Center to discuss how best to My advice to English majors ions and ideas and even to accept include this successful internship on searching for an internship is that criticism. In short, I learned to be the resume we worked on last se- they start pursuing leads early, confident in my skills. Working at mester. whether with the Office of Experien- Certified Coin Consultants was a Editor’s note: The owners of Certi- tial Learning or on their own, so that great experience. fied Coin Consultants liked Cathe- they find something that will allow My career plan involves getting rine’s work so much, they hired her them to finish their hours on time into food media. I think of food as to work part-time in the spring.

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Majors intern and learn! from 4 And, if you like food, Catherine infor others and awareness of one’s hours never felt like work because I vites you to check out her postings actions. The camp employs certi- enjoyed the experience so much. at https://instagram.com/ fied teachers as classroom instruc- Right now, I am unsure of my just.another.food.adventurer/ or tors, so my role was to be a kind of career plans. I am thinking of tak- https://twitter.com/ teacher’s assistant, helping three ing a test to become a teacher’s jstanthrfoodadv children to remain focused on their assistant as a first step into educa- Annie Kibort: work and to understand concepts tion. But as part of the internship For five weeks over the summer, and directions covered by the course, I also visited the Career I was a mentor for the Rising Stars teacher. Center to discuss other job options Camp at Molloy College. I worked The internship gave me a chance and have learned about career with a group of fourth and fifth to practice ways to be more effec- paths other than teaching for Eng- graders from the Uniondale and tive in working with children. And lish majors. I plan to visit again to Roosevelt School Districts. This an- the children taught me as much as I narrow down my choices and put nual educational camp focuses on taught them. Their enthusiasm the final touches on my resume reinforcing math and language arts about learning was infectious, and I during the spring semester when I skills, as well as reinforcing respect have to say that my more than 100 am preparing to graduate. *

Congratulations, Barbara Novack! To students who want to become writers, she offers this advice: “First, let yourself write. Don’t be Congratulations to Writer-in-Residence and mem- judgmental. Keep your internal editor at bay until she ber of the English Department Barbara Novack for her is needed.” For those who know Professor Novack as 2015 publication, J.W. Valentine! The novel, pub- a poet, she adds that using vivid language and elimi- lished by JB Stillwater Publishing Company, focuses on nating all but the essential in one’s work are neces- a single life-defining summer in the life of 14 year-old sary elements in the writing process in both poetry J.W. At a September 27, 2015, book launch at Molloy and fiction. And every would-be writer can begin his College, Novack read from her novel and answered or her training by reading widely. Readers tend to use questions about the novel and its genesis. language more fluently and to create richer, more Asked how she came up with her idea for the char- complex sentences. acter and his story, Professor Novack said that the Since the book’s publication in July, Barbara character J.W. began as one of two males vying for Novack has given readings and led book discussions at the affections of a young lady, the main character in a book stores and libraries throughout Long Island. She short story she wrote in college. The J.W. in her ini- donated 25% of the proceeds from sales of her book tial story was 27, but he had a definite history, and it at the September 27 Molloy event and other selected was his history that ultimately interested her most. events to the Fr. Thomas Catania scholarship fund; Years later, and after a writing process that took four the scholarship is to be awarded to an incoming fresh- years, he took center stage as a clever but troubled man English major. J. W. Valentine, ISBN: young man who has been sent to rehabilitate on a 1937240576, is available on Amazon. farm in a small town. The citizens of the town do not approve of having a stranger in their midst, especially if he and the other three young people being cared for by the farm’s owners are problem children. Novack said she enjoyed creating a main character whose life was decidedly different from her own and a town that was nothing like New York City or her neighborhood in Queens. “It was a challenge,” she says, one she enjoyed because she was so clearly not writing her own story.

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, WILL! Shakespeare Festival April 12, 3:20, Larini Room PS

How to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the bard’s death? If you are a member of the English Department at Molloy College, you throw a party. Faculty and students will be gathering on April 12, at 3:20, in the Hays Theatre to stage skits (including notable Shakespeare- an insults, famous lines about play acting and life, and familiar scenes), to enjoy some Shakespearean snacks, and to play Elizabethan-inspired games. Good food, laughter, and a tribute to the greatest of our English authors—what could be a better way to honor William Shakespeare? Join us!

LIT for years. Then, suddenly: STD! by Jeffry Massey

In any good book, the end of one English Honor Society, with all the students must maintain a cumula- chapter heralds the beginning of rights and privileges therein. tive B average, take 15 literature another. And so it is with the Liter- And the privileges are many. credits (English or other), attend no ary Honors Society at Molloy. Members of the newly minted Al- fewer than three of our monthly The Gamma Pi chapter of the pha Phi Theta chapter of STD will meetings, and present (after con- Lambda Iota Tau Literary Honor have access to greatly expanded sultation with STD Moderator Jeff Society closed this past summer, scholarship opportunities, national Massey) one of their own critical or ending a 48-year tradition at publication, internships, attendance creative works to the group. All Molloy College. And while we are at a yearly undergraduate confer- interested in further details can sad to see Lambda fold nationally, ence, and other CV-building hon- contact Dr. Massey at jmas- we are relieved to announce that ors. Members will—of course—also [email protected]. its tradition will live on. Thanks to enjoy the camaraderie that comes In short, while we have closed a the tireless work of Trisha O’Neill from finding enthusiastic peers at chapter at Molloy, we have begun and Robert Kinpoitner, Molloy Molloy with whom to share their another; the story remains the Lambdans—past, present, and fu- love of literature. same. Please join us as our tale ture—have been welcomed into Our membership requirements continues to unfold, won’t you? the Sigma Tau Delta International remain as they had been with LIT:

**************************************************************************************** Congratulations to new members of Sigma Tau Delta, Pollyana Andrews, Laurie Bocca, Stephanie Ciurleo, Ann Darcy, Mary Gallagher, Annie Kibort, Erika Sullivan, and Carmela Valente, who will be inducted into the Alpha Phi Theta chapter on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 4:00 pm in the Reception Room, Kellenberg Hall. PAGE 7 THE ROYAL REVIEW

Congratulations to English department faculty and staff be ing honored at the 2016 President’s Award Ceremony on Friday, April 1 at 4:00 pm in the Madison Theatre in the Public Square. Barbara Young, will receive the Twenty -Fiv e Year Service Award. Barbara Novack and Trisha O’Neill are receiving the Twenty Year Service Award and Stuart Radowitz and Kristin Sloan will be receiving the Ten Year Service Award.

ALUMNI SUCCESSES

Molloy in 2009, and majored in and in all majors. English, developing a love for Alex- Asked whether library and infor- ander Pope and the Augustan Age mation science is a good field for of Literature. Her affinity for 18th English majors, Tabitha responded century texts led to a love for rare with an enthusiastic “yes.” Experi- books, which became a specialty ence searching for relevant materi- she pursued during her master’s als as an undergraduate is great degree studies. In fact, an intern- training for the profession. And it ship at the Museum of Biblical Art does not hurt to love reading and was a highlight of her master’s pro- learning. She advises English ma- gram. jors who are considering studying Today, you can find Tabitha in library science to find a literary pe- the Public Square at Molloy, where riod in which to specialize. Doing she works in the Information Com- so will lead them to appreciate the mons as a Library Technician, guid- importance of deep research. And ing students through their research she says that those who enter a Tabitha Ochtera, Molloy and helping them master the for- library science master’s program B.A. in English, 2011, always loved matting of APA or MLA papers. She should not be discouraged by the books and libraries, so when she enjoys working with students and emphasis on theory that dominates decided to pursue an M.S. in Library helping them learn to make the the first few courses. Once they’ve and Information Science at LIU most of a search of the library’s mastered the theory, they’ll begin Post, it seemed like a natural choice electronic resources and physical to apply it practically, and they will to friends and family. She traces book collection. Tabitha advises get to specialize in an area of inter- her interest in library science to her students who are experiencing frus- est, whether working with children days as a clerk in the base library tration during a search for material in a public library or with college when her husband was serving in to start broad and then narrow students who are doing research the United States Marine Corp. their scope. Too often students use And who knows: The degree might One of the librarians there, noticing very specific terms when they begin lead to a job in a museum or library Tabitha’s interest in the inner work- searching and find that a slight var- with a rare book collection. In fact, ings of the library, shared infor- iation in wording can lead to “0” although Tabitha enjoys working mation about the best ways to care results. When students begin with Molloy College students who for and repair books and about searching broadly and limit gradual- are studying a wide range of sub- different classification systems used ly, they are more likely to find the jects, she admits she would have to in libraries. The seed of a career material they need. Tabitha re- consider carefully if offered a posi- was sown. ports that experience with custom- tion in a museum or university li- While working in the base li- er service jobs has trained her to brary that houses a rare book col- brary, Tabitha was pursuing a col- work well with students at all levels lection. lege degree; she transferred to PAGE 8 THE ROYAL REVIEW

student’s GPA and status so that she can addition, an internship she completed for be sure that all the students she advises her English program where she used her have the information and resources neces- written and oral communication skills to sary to achieve academic success. assist Student Media and Student Affairs Many of the 625 students Amanda stood out on her resume and deepened counts as her caseload are in health related her understanding of the best ways to fields, and the students vary widely in age reach students with important infor- and life experience, with some being tradi- mation. tional, fresh-out-of- high school students, Amanda also reports that, after her par- and others juggling a family, a full-time job, ents, the people at Molloy were a big influ- and other responsibilities besides class- ence on her. Faculty and staff in Student work. She reports that she has learned to Affairs, Admissions, and the English Depart- “know her audience” and be sure that her ment were supportive and positive forces Amanda Ammirati, a 2014 message is clear and makes sense within who encouraged her to strive for her per- graduate of Molloy’s English Depart- the context of their lives. Asked how her sonal best. As a step towards a long term ment, is an Academic Advising Coor- English major has affected her life and her goal of working in a campus life position at dinator at Queensborough Commu- career, she says her studies in English have a four year school, Amanda will be begin- nity College. Her job entails meeting been especially helpful when she is drafting ning a master’s in Higher Education Admin- with students one-on-one to discuss their written messages, and her reading of litera- istration at Baruch. She advises students aspirations and to ensure that they are ture has inspired her in ways that still reso- considering majoring in English at Molloy taking the correct courses and making pro- nate. Her service on Student Government to take advantage of all the opportunities gress toward their overall goals. In addi- helped her determine that she would be the school offers. tion, she is responsible for tracking each happy working in higher education. In

Ashley Geyer earned a B.A. de- She says the experience of dealing with a variety of gree in English from Molloy in 2014. students and teachers in the school helped her to Now she is taking her education to the skies. see herself as possessing good people skills that Ashley has just completed her classroom train- could be applied in another setting. ing as a flight attendant for a major interna- The English courses Ashley loved were valuable tional airline and will be serving on training preparation both for life and for her career. In fact, flights over the next few weeks. She reports she says that, although she has never done this that her training was both demanding and kind of work before, she has, in one sense, been terrific; she has learned that she can think on preparing for a career as a flight attendant. Read- her feet and figure out quickly how to deal ing and interpreting literature have broadened her with all kinds of situations that might arise. overall perspective and allowed her to see situa- Working for an airline was always a career tions through the eyes of others. Ashley reports that attracted Ashley. She read articles, blogs, that her airline training has stressed the im- and the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and portance of effective communication; she believes always found the prospect inviting. But she that openness to others’ views gives one a head wasn’t sure it was a practical goal—didn’t eve- start in any interaction, whether with customers ryone want to fly? Alternatively, she thought or colleagues. she would become a teacher because she At this point, Ashley is focused on her job in the skies, loves to read and to talk about books. As it but she knows that this first job can lead to others in the turned out, although she received very posi- airline. Instructing other beginning flight attendants tive ratings from teachers she was assisting, an would be one possibility, as would a managerial posi- internship working in a school showed her that tion in the airline. But right now, the world beckons, she did not love teaching as much as she had and Ashley Geyer is eager to begin her journey. thought she would. One beneficial outcome: PAGE 9 THE ROYAL REVIEW

Learning and Serving: Freshman Share Literary Insights

Doctor Marjorie Schiering ‘s Children’s ary techniques, use of language, etc. The in a fun way that a child in a 1-6 class- Literature class (English 262) boards highlight many of these elements room can grasp. combined an assignment with an Finally, the Molloy freshmen donated opportunity to serve the communi- the boards to Lawrence Primary School at ty during the fall semester. The 13 #2 School in Lawrence and to Robert Sea- freshmen created tri-fold boards man Elementary School in Jericho. The decorated with literacy activities Hewlett Kiwanis Club and Molloy’s Circle relating to different children’s books K Club bought copies of the books for and donated them to two local ele- students in classes in the schools where mentary schools. the boards will be used to enhance the children’s understanding. In addition, Dr. Each tri-fold board the students Schiering reports that a picture of the created included students in her Children’s games, puzzles, and Literature class, as well as exercises that related a picture of three of the to a particular chil- Children's Literature Freshman Learning Community interactive tri-fold boards dren’s book. While they created has been creating the boards, included in Teaching Cre- the childhood educa- ative and Critical Think- tion students, all part ing: An Interactive Work- of The Child as Learner book, Rowman and Little- Freshman Learning field Publishers, expected Community, were ex- to be available in June, ploring the elements of 2016. literature for children: plot, structure, charac- terization, theme, liter-

Back Row: Gia Negron, Kelly Cassidy, James Snell, Briana White, Vanessa Wiegman, Alyssa Soldano, Laura Drew, and Alexa Miritello. Front Row:

The Royal Review is a publication of the English Department at Molloy College Articles were written by Kathleen Conway, D.A. (except where noted) Layout by Trisha O’Neill, ‘10 For information about the English major or English concentration for Education, contact us! English Department, 1000 Hempstead Avenue, P.O. Box 5002, Rockville Centre, N Y 11571- 5002 Phone: 516 323-3260 Fax: 516 323-3271 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]