2013–2014 President's Report
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pioneerA Magazine of Utica College | Fall 2014 SPECIAL ISSUE | 2013–2014 PRESIDENT’S REPORT NEVER STAND STILL The View from the President’s Office By Todd S. Hutton As you read about some of the exciting initiatives in UC’s future in this issue of the Pioneer, I want to take a moment to reflect on our past and on the power of history in the shaping of an institution. This past summer I was invited to take part in a very special commemoration. Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, with which we have a longstanding faculty exchange program established through the Joseph Furgal endowment, was celebrating what they termed their “jubilee” – their 650th anniversary as an institution of higher learning. They are, in fact, the second oldest university in central Europe and count Nicolaus Copernicus among their distinguished alumni. The history of Jagiellonian is paired closely with the saga of Poland itself, fol- lowing the dramatic arc of political turmoils over the centuries, from moments of ascendancy to tragedies beyond comprehension. The nadir was surely during World War II, when the Nazis came and marched the entire faculty off. Fully 185 of them never returned. Today Jagiellonian is a thriving institution at the center of Polish society, as “The story of Utica illustrated by its magnificent jubilee celebration attended by both the presidents College reflects the of Poland and the European Union, the Jagiellonian faculty, and representatives same spirit of pride of several hundred universities from across Europe and around the world. and perseverance There is much we can learn from a university with such deep roots and strong that has sustained traditions. In our 67th year, we are still laying the foundation for a common our partner heritage so rich and storied as Jagiellonian’s. And yet, young as we are, the story of Utica College reflects in its own way the same spirit of pride and perseverance institution in Poland that has sustained our partner institution in Poland for more than six centuries. for more than six We have a history of commitment to our community that stretches back to centuries.” our founding, contributing significantly to its educational, cultural, and eco- nomic prosperity. From very humble beginnings, we have raised our profile as an institution over the past seven decades largely on the power of our ideas and the scope of our achievements. Perhaps most importantly, we have a vision for the future of higher education grounded in our belief that learning can make a real difference in people’s lives by empowering them to help build a better world. With these considerable assets to sustain us, one can imagine a similar jubilee for Utica College at some point in the distant future. If we remain committed to the values that have animated us since the beginning, that proud day may indeed come. pioneer 2 fall 2014 Utica College Keeping Time. Journalist and jazz drummer Tim Coakley ’59 Street. “That pretty much got me started,” he says, remembers his first freshman English assignment like and he has been playing in jazz bands ever since. it was yesterday. Coakley’s support for the College is rooted both in his “Our professor, Dr. (Charles) Samuels, told us to write a past experiences at UC and his hopes for its future. descriptive essay. So I wrote one about a jazz album I had just listened to – Benny Goodman’s Carnegie Hall “They called us Pioneers back then, and we were. concert,” he says. He got an “A” on the essay, as well as Many of us were the first in our families to go to a handwritten message from Samuels that read, “I like college. UC gave me the confidence to know that I jazz, too!” could earn a degree, and so I want to help the College become all that it can be.” Music seems to animate Coakley’s recollections of his time as a student on Oneida Square and Music to our ears. later as an adjunct instructor of speech on the Learn more about Planned Giving Options at Burrstone Road campus. He recalls some amazing UC. Call 1-800-456-8278 today. performances at the College on Spring Weekends, with big names like legendary bandleader and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. ERITAGE He had only just begun playing drums when he heard H a Dixieland band in the College Hall lounge on Hart SOCIETY Contents 6 Around Campus A brief look at breaking news at UC. 10 Chiaroscuro 17 Serving Those Who Served Another generation of veterans comes home to UC. 20 Never Stand Still UC moves learning forward with new energy, new initiatives. 26 More Than Words Occupational Therapy students learn the healing power of non-verbal communication 31 President's Report 67 Sleight of Mind Leon Etienne ’06 finds success in the power of illusion. 71 Thom Brown: A Reflection 72 UC Athletics 77 Class Notes Visit us online. www.utica.edu Utica College pioneer 5 fall 2014 Around Campus Donahue Auditorium post-renovations Organic chemistry laboratory before (left) and after (right) Renovations transform facilities in Gordon, Strebel Several recent renovation and improvement projects Later this year, the College hopes to break ground on have enhanced the Utica College student experience. a new sports and recreation dome that will support UC’s The organic chemistry laboratory and Donahue growing athletic program as well as several new academic Auditorium underwent complete renovations this past programs, and also provide much-needed intramural and summer as part of the ongoing Gordon Science Center recreation space for all students. Project. As well, the auditorium in the 52-year-old Strebel In spring 2015, construction will begin on a new Student Center received significant upgrades, including a welcome center that will serve prospective students, their new stage, seating, flooring, and lighting. families, and other campus visitors. School of Health Professions and Education Accelerated Nursing Program site opens in St. Petersburg-Tampa Utica College – in Florida? shortage is particularly acute. In August, UC opened its first out-of-state campus. The According to the Florida Center for Nursing, more St. Petersburg-Tampa campus supports the expansion than 15,000 nursing jobs went unfilled in the state in of the College’s accelerated second bachelor’s degree in 2012, and the shortage is projected to continue to grow in nursing program. the coming decade. The Florida accelerated nursing program builds on the “We have been eagerly anticipating the launch of our success of UC’s first accelerated nursing program site in accelerated second bachelor’s degree in nursing program Syracuse. The full-time program is designed for students in Florida,” UC President Todd S. Hutton says. “There who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing is so much opportunity for students pursuing nursing discipline and are motivated to become a nurse. Students careers today. As our population ages and the demand for can earn a baccalaureate degree in 16 months through a nurses grows, it is critical to provide the latest educa- combination of online and classroom learning as well as tional advancements required to improve the delivery of clinical placement at area hospitals and medical facilities. health care. We are committed to providing students a The College launched its first accelerated nursing pro- curriculum that is in step with those advances and pro- gram in January 2013 to address the current and future viding health care employers with a valuable new source national nursing workforce shortage. In Florida, that of top nursing talent.” pioneer 6 fall 2014 Utica College Slife named Dean of Health Professions and Education Harry Slife has been ap- American Association for the Advancement of Science pointed dean of the School and Sigma XI. of Health Professions and “Being a dean is an ongoing learning process. I am Education. bringing my strong foundation in administration and He will provide administra- management and applying it to the context of being tive and academic leadership a dean in an academic institution,” he says. “When it to the school’s undergradu- comes down to it, there are more similarities than dif- ate and graduate programs. ferences between my job as dean and my previous job in As well, Slife will work with the Army. I have been an administrator, managed large Provost and Vice President organizations, commanded research laboratories. But for Academic Affairs Judith budgets are still budgets, even though they are managed Kirkpatrick and faculty on the differently, and hiring is still hiring, even though a differ- development of new programs ent process is used.” and initiatives, and will oversee the faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure processes within the school. The author or co-author of a number of professional articles and papers, Slife was honored for his lifelong “What I found when I came here to interview was re- commitment to learning with the Army Medical Depart- ally refreshing,” Slife says. “It is the blending of tradi- ment Long-Term Civilian Education Doctor of Philoso- tional and nontraditional perspectives that makes UC phy, Biochemistry and the Army Medical Department such a great institution, as well as the willingness to look Long-Term Civilian Education Master’s of Science from at challenges to society and see them as opportunities for the University of Maryland. the College, like cybersecurity and health care navigation (programs).” He was previously a senior program manager for Gen- Slife’s path to the dean’s position was somewhat uncon- eral Dynamics Information Technology and an adjunct ventional. A retired Army colonel, scientist, and research- professor of chemistry and physics at Hood College. er, Slife served 30 years of active duty in the Chemical Slife holds a Ph.D.