M a G a Z I N E NYIT Tackles the Alarming Rise in Dangerous Weather
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VOLUME 11 n NUMBER 2 MAGAZINE nyit.edu EXTREME MEASURES NYIT tackles the alarming rise in dangerous weather due to climate change VOL. 11 NO. 2 MAGAZINE CONTENTS nyit.edu PRESIDENT’S NOTE 4 Embracing Our Strengths, Fulfilling a Vision How does a university prepare students for a rapidly changing, technology- fueled global society? CAMPUS BUZZ 16 EXTREME MEASURES 6 NYIT Salutes an International Class of 2013 NYIT faculty, alumni, and environmental scientists converge to address an NYIT students from campuses across alarming rise in dangerous weather patterns precipitated by climate change. the globe are honored at graduation ceremonies in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Amman, Vancouver, and Nanjing. JEFF WEINER 7 New Faces Bring Expertise, Experience, and Vision NYIT welcomes three new members to its global administration. 8 Science, For the Shell of It Assistant Professor Gaberiel Bever, Ph.D., offers an answer to one of evolution’s greatest mysteries. 12 Finding the Right Roommate Just Got Easier Ajay Yadav (B.S. ’13) didn’t wait for his NYIT degree before designing a roommate app for mobile devices. SCOREBOARD 28 NYIT STEMS THE TIDE Women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) offer unique perspectives on how to create smarter, more efficient solutions for our world. So how do we encourage more to enter the STEM fields ... ? CHRISTOPHER APPOLDT ALUMNI NOTES 34 Grads on the Go 36 Alumni Spotlight 14 Racquet Man As chief technology officer for P.C. CHRISTOPHER APPOLDT Head Coach Chris Frusci leads Richard & Son, Steve Wolk (B.S. ’87) NYIT’s new tennis teams to smash- oversees all technology solutions deployed ing playoff success. throughout the retailer’s U.S. operations. 2 n nyit.edu n MAGAZINE n Vol. 11 No. 2 22 THERAPY SESSIONS Scott Weiss (M.S. ’01, D.P.T. ’06) and Kosta Kokolis (M.S. ’01) are among the JEFF WEINER many NYIT alumni finding success in the world of physical andVol. 10 occupational No. 2 n MAGAZINE therapy. n nyit.edu n 3 PRESIDENT’SNOTE EDWARD GUILIANO, PH.D. Embracing Our Strengths, Fulfilling a Vision HE START OF THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR ALL OF This is made possible by our footprints already planted in varied corners of the US AT NYIT. FIRST, MEDICAL STUDENTS ARRIVE IN AUGUST AND THEN T world—from Ghana to Costa Rica to FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS ARRIVE FOR ORIENTATION IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. NEW AND India—coupled with our students and faculty who navigate intercultural barriers and col- RETURNING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS START CLASSES THE late perspectives that kick-start innovation. A report by the Institute of International WEDNESDAY AFTER LABOR DAY. THERE IS A GREAT SENSE OF OPPORTUNITY IN Education noted that as business and culture THE AIR AND A PROVERBIAL “CLEAN SLATE” MENTALITY. transcend national borders, our future workforce—even at the local level—needs to On Aug. 29, I had the privilege of deliver- think globally. It urged U.S. institutions of ing my 14th state-of-the-institution address higher education to develop a sound “foreign to NYIT faculty and staff. We have much to policy,” from recruiting more students to celebrate—our university is better than ever, developing strategic partnerships such as dual- and our recent achievements as well as our degree programs. The report reinforced that plans for the future added to the collective international education is vital to the future pride and energy that makes starting a new of U.S. higher education and fundamental to year at NYIT special. U.S. economic growth and national security. We begin the new academic year in a We at NYIT have differentiated ourselves position of strength. Consider our faculty: by getting in front of global education. Our we have the highest level of research activity strong ties and programs in China, perhaps and grants in our history—$5.5 million in the strongest of any American university, total this year—and dozens of authors at date back to the 1990s. We have campuses all campuses publishing in their respective and joint programs in the Middle East, arenas. Our faculty members enjoy peer Canada, and South America. At our New recognition, with many awarded professional York hub are 1,300 international students, distinctions and named to leadership positions while our American students pursue learning in their fields. In addition, we are admitting opportunities outside the United States. high-caliber students and attracting top-tier This experiential education enhances their talent to lead us in critical administrative DALE CRAIG WALLACE personal and professional growth. Meanwhile, areas. Our ability to harness this level of talent watches and smart clothing, may bring stu- NYIT professors continue to assess the global is proof of NYIT’s global appeal. dents even closer to professors and classmates, competencies of graduating students in every One role of a university is to prepare giving them instant updates to assignments, major and share additional ways to improve students for this world. But how does this lab work, and online discussions. these skillsets. work in a rapidly changing, technology-fueled In research, the benefits of new technolo- In this time of new beginnings, I am global society? The willingness to embrace gies are a given. The introduction of 3-D proud of all that we have achieved in the these digital shifts is the first step. By virtue of printing—the ability to fabricate physical realms of global expansion, our use of definition, preparing for the future is a never- objects from a computer (something that technology as a learning facilitator, and ending task. At NYIT, we teach students the we’re already doing on our campuses)—offers our ability to attract top talent. All of mindset of freely adapting technology into great possibilities. In fact, our College of these factors contribute to producing the their careers, not locking them into a singular Osteopathic Medicine’s 3-D printer may help world-class innovators and global citizens mentality that constricts their growth. And we researchers make synthetic body parts as well known as NYIT alumni. n are now seeing the signposts, if not the actual as customized, affordable prosthetics. exit ramps, for futuristic tools once thought Another role NYIT embraces is our Sincerely, to be far down the digital highway. Wearable capacity to reach across the globe, enhancing Edward Guiliano, Ph.D. technology, for example, in the form of smart the lives of underprivileged communities. President 4 n nyit.edu n MAGAZINE n Vol. 11 No. 2 “I wanted to give back.” Tony Epifane (B.S. ’85, M.B.A. ’09) knows a good idea when he sees one. And when he heard about NYIT’s Alumni Mentor Program, he took the opportunity to con- tact the university’s Office of Career Ser- vices and ask what he could do to help. As director of sales and applications engineering for Karl Storz Endoscopy, a major U.S. distributor of medical devices, he felt gratitude to NYIT for his own professional success, which spans nearly three decades. The Office of Career Services con- nected him with biomedical majors Kavita Ramdeen and Shanice Doyle, both from Trinidad, who were look- Tony Epifane (B.S. ’85, ing for a mentor. Immediately, the M.B.A. ’09) mentored trio bonded as Epifane took them NYIT students Kavita on tours of New York City medical Ramdeen (left) and facilities, gave them valuable real-world Shanice Doyle. insight, and answered questions they had about their education and future career planning. “He is wonderful, so friendly,” said Ram- deen, who is interested in pursuing a ca- reer in prosthetics. “It’s mind-blowing when you find out what you can do with an NYIT degree. You can really do anything.” For Doyle, joining NYIT’s Alumni Mentor Program was, in her words, the best deci- sion she ever made. “The opportunities and experiences I have received have been price- less,” she says. “Anytime I had questions, Tony would call or email back and talk about his contacts. From day one, he showed inter- est and made sure we got everything we possibly could out of the experience.” Mentor an NYIT Student Interested in participating? Contact the Office of Career Services: 516.686.7527/212.261.1537 • nyit.edu/mentoring CAMPUSBUZZ PEOPLE NYIT Salutes an International Class of 2013 YIT students from campuses Telecommunications (NUPT) conferred design, computer science, information across the globe were honored an honorary doctoral degree upon technology and computer security, and N at graduation ceremonies in President Guiliano in recognition of his business administration. These students Abu Dhabi (May 27), Bahrain (May 29), academic achievements and outstand- have been engaged in community service, Amman (May 31), Vancouver (May 31), ing contributions to the collaboration such as their production of Dead Sands, a and Nanjing (June 10). between NUPT and NYIT. Many film whose DVD sales are being donated In his keynote address to graduates, members of the NYIT-Nanjing Class to the Bahrain Red Crescent Society. President Guiliano said their investment in of 2013 have already landed positions NYIT-Amman graduate Ola Khawaja higher education would lead to prosperity at China Telecom, China Post Bank, (B.S. ’13) said she “loved every single both personally and professionally, and China Unicom, China Mobile, IBM, moment” of her NYIT education and emphasized the value of connectedness in Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, and credits it with leading to the first step in the networked 21st century. Nanrui Group, among other leading her career—a graphic design internship “You’ll enjoy opportunities that first organizations. Others will begin graduate at the American embassy in Jordan. appear in the corner of your eye,” he told coursework in China and in the United Following the internship, she plans to the newest members of NYIT’s global States at institutions including NYIT, apply for positions at large companies in the information technology field.